Here’s some great news to begin 2023–As we mentioned back in October here at borg, 2021 Edgar Award-winning author and borg contributor Elizabeth C. Bunce released the fourth book in her Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery series, In Myrtle Peril. Elizabeth has twice been a finalist for the three annual mystery awards: the Edgar Award, the Agatha Award, and the Anthony Award–and she’s only the third novelist with this distinction. Since its debut In Myrtle Peril has received a starred review from industry reviewer Kirkus (who called it “Another thrilling mystery from our young Victorian sleuth… enthusiastically, chaotically, delightful”), and it was an Amazon #1 New Release. Today Elizabeth added another accolade for her series, as she was nominated for the third consecutive year for the Agatha Award! Congratulations to Elizabeth for her nomination for In Myrtle Peril!
The award commemorates traditional mystery works typified by the novels of mystery author Agatha Christie (pictured above, left). Elizabeth joins an exclusive and distinguished group of authors as a three-time Agatha Award finalist.
Nominees are announced each year in January and winners are awarded at the mystery convention Malice Domestic. Barb Goffman is this year’s toastmaster, and this year’s convention honors Ann Cleeves, author of the novels the Shetland TV series is based on.
Publishers Weekly referred to the Myrtle Hardcastle mystery series as “the best thing to happen to youth mysteries since Trixie Belden.” The Wall Street Journal said “Younger Holmes fans (and older ones too) should be charmed by Elizabeth C. Bunce’s Cold-Blooded Myrtle.” The Buffalo News called Premeditated Myrtle a “hugely entertaining, well-crafted Victorian whodunnit.” The Kansas City Star called Premeditated Myrtle “loaded with energy that propels the reader forward in the tradition of all the most addictive of children’s books mysteries.”
From Elizabeth’s publisher:
Myrtle Hardcastle—twelve-year-old Victorian Amateur Detective—returns to investigate the case of a missing heiress lost at sea, an inquiry that runs aground when a murder in plain sight has no apparent victim. When a mysterious girl attempts to stake her claim to the Snowcroft family fortune, Myrtle Hardcastle’s father, a lawyer, is asked to help prove—or disprove—the girl’s identity. Is this truly Ethel Snowcroft, believed to be lost at sea with her parents, or a con artist chasing a windfall? Mr. Hardcastle’s pursuit of the case takes a detour when he’s hospitalized for a tonsillectomy—only to witness a murder. Or does he? With no body at the scene, Myrtle and her governess, Miss Judson, fear the so-called murder was a feverish delusion—until a critical piece of evidence appears.
But where’s the victim? And who at the hospital could be harboring murderous intent? Myrtle is determined to find out before the killer comes after her father.
With stakes this high, her sleuthing has put Myrtle, her family, and the patients and staff at the Royal Swinburne Hospital In Myrtle Peril.
In Myrtle Peril is available in hardcover, eBook, and in an audiobook performed by Knightfall TV series actress Bethan Rose Young. All of Elizabeth’s books are available at Amazon here, including foreign language editions. Elizabeth just completed her tenth novel and fifth novel in the Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery Series, Myrtle, Means, and Opportunity, coming later this year. Learn more about her series and industry reviews of Elizabeth’s books here. The series is published by Algonquin Young Readers, a division of Workman Publishing Company/Hachette. Artwork and design for the series is created by Brett Helquist (A Series of Unfortunate Events), Laura Williams, and Carla Weise. Check out Elizabeth’s reviews of books and movies at borg here.
This year the Malice Domestic mystery genre conference is being held April 28-30 in Bethesda, Maryland. Read the full list of nominations for the Agatha Awards at its website here.
Congratulations, Elizabeth, and to all the 2023 nominees!
C.J. Bunce / Editor / borg
