Recognition for PESTICIDE

Posted byKim HaysPosted inMysteriesTags:, , , ,

I got great news this past Monday. Pesticide is a finalist for an award for Best Mystery of 2022. The prize, a Silver Falchion, is offered by a writers’ organization called Killer Nashville. I’m delighted.

After I finished dancing around at the good news, I decided to find out what a falchion was. Turns out it’s a medieval sword with a broad, slightly curving blade. Killer Nashville offers another award, the Claymore, for an unpublished mystery manuscript. I thought a claymore was a Scottish battle axe, but I’m wrong—it’s also a sword, this one large, two-edged, and used by Highlanders. I guess I need to read more Outlander books.

A traditional claymore

Sadly, I don’t think the winner of either prize actually receives a sword.

I did some research on Killer Nashville. It began in 2006 as an international writers’ conference held in—surprise!—Nashville, Tennessee, “to bring together forensic experts, writers, and fans of crime and thriller literature.” That conference still takes place annually in Nashville, this year on August 17-20. The organization now attracts writers in other genres, too: thriller, action, romance, sci-fi, fantasy, western, and more. According to Killer Nashville’s website, its objective is “to educate and empower aspiring and established writers and connect them with other industry professionals.” A very worthwhile goal.

The chance that I’m going to win this award is slight. There are nine other finalists for best mystery, not to mention well over a hundred nominees in all the other fiction categories that Killer Nashville recognizes. If you’re curious about the many finalists, here’s the list: https://www.killernashville.com/2023-silver-falchion-winners

The hilt of a Venetian falchion exhibited in the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Having my book on this list is a huge compliment, and I’m proud and happy to be there. It’s also a great pleasure to be able to share the news with you, dear readers!

All this talk of Pesticide ignores my second book in the Polizei Bern series, Sons and Brothers, published in April. I had a wonderful book signing event in late June and look forward to telling you about it. However, I’m still waiting for permission to use the photos of the people at the party. Hopefully, I’ll be able to share details and pictures in my next post.

The initial photograph of a falchion is from https://swordencyclopedia.com, and the picture of the Venetian falchion’s hilt is from the Metropolitan’s collection. The claymore is held by the University of Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum.

20 thoughts on “Recognition for PESTICIDE”

  7. As always, I learn something new when I read your blog, but more importantly, congratulations on your nomination for this prize !!! I’ll keep my fingers crossed, as I love your books and think you definitely deserve to win.

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  10. Wow! Congrats for the nomination. I’m so glad, that your book(s) get so much respect and professional awareness. I look forward to reading more of your books, Blog, nominations and prizes- well earned i my opinion.

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    1. Thank you so much, Sonja. I do feel very good about my books getting more recognition. I look forward to sharing the third book, A FONDNESS FOR TRUTH with you, but I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until 2024.

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