Mystery / Thriller
Plot/Idea: Ried's environmentally driven plot is timely, and the focus on Daniel—as a character who undergoes a complete change of heart following a devastating climate change related tragedy—is compelling.
Prose: Ried is a master at staging scenes, and the fear of his characters as flood waters rise—or explosions threaten innocent lives—is palpable.
Originality: The plot feels familiar, but Ried executes eloquent, striking descriptions throughout that give the book added depth while transporting readers directly into each scenario.
Character/Execution: The sheer number of characters makes it difficult to track them at times, allowing less space for readers to deeply connect with the main players. Daniel's internal struggles and guilt are painful to watch, but his eventual success at overcoming his crippling phobia is compelling.
Plot/Idea: Holland does a stellar job of setting up tension throughout this gripping mystery while also crafting a compelling story that revolves around unexplained killings happening in 1960s Arkansas. Chief of police Ray Elmore is launched into the heat of the investigation, and, before long, discovers he may be more involved than he suspected. The suspense is carved out from short, intense chapters that keep the story on pace and dynamic.
Prose: The prose paints a clear picture of the story's events, and Holland's compact style meshes well with the main character's personality.
Originality: Though Holland's concept may not be brand new, the novel's nail-biting pressure and threads of uncertainty give it a fresh feel.
Character/Execution: Ray is presented as a flawed but well-meaning protagonist who is forced to confront his past in the worst way imaginable. His wife, Ellen Mae, serves as another compelling character who tries to be a source of comfort for Ray, but is burdened by her own issues.
Plot/Idea: Gumshoe Sam Marlowe is not your run-of-the-mill PI; after a bullet grazes his head, his language takes on hints of 1930s noir, making him perfect for the job but sometimes hard to understand. When he accepts Helen Boston as a client and she ends up murdered, he stumbles onto a much wider conspiracy. Kahaner's idea is infectious, and Sam plays the part well.
Prose: Sam is a fairly glib private investigator, and his speech patterns make it hard to take him seriously at times. The prose capably reflects the noir setting, and Kahaner writes with a sort of theatrical flair.
Originality: There are several intriguing aspects to Kahaner's story, such as the investigation of an international cartel, though the plot's main points are fashioned off of familiar themes.
Character/Execution: Because Sam is clearly modeled from classic detective films, his character feels more like a caricature than a distinctive lead, though he still entertains throughout. Secondary characters reinforce the plot.
Author removes from competition.
