Mystery Novelist/Falconer Andy Straka Wins Shamus Award

Virginia mystery author and falconer Andy Straka won a 2004 Shamus Award, presented by the Private Eye Writers of America at the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention held October 7-10 in Toronto. Strakas novel COLD QUARRY (NAL/Signet 2003) deals with the potential specter of rural bio-terrorism. It was chosen over three other finalists in the Best Paperback Original Novel category.

(PRWEB) October 13, 2004 -- Virginia mystery author and falconer Andy Straka won a 2004 Shamus Award, presented by the Private Eye Writers of America at the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention held October 7-10 in Toronto. Strakas novel COLD QUARRY (NAL/Signet 2003) deals with the potential specter of rural bio-terrorism. It was chosen over three other finalists in the Best Paperback Original Novel category.

The Shamus is an annual award given by fellow authors to honor the best in private detective fiction. Nominees and the eventual winner are determined by a rotating panel of judges. Past finalists and winners of a Shamus include such notable crime writers as Dennis Lehane, S.J. Rozan, Carl Hiaasen, Walter Mosley, and Janet Evanovich.

In COLD QUARRY, fictional Charlottesville-based private investigator and falconer Frank Pavlicek travels to West Virginia when a friend and fellow falconer is found dead in the woods, only to find himself facing off with a shadowy group of domestic terrorists. Previous titles in the Frank Pavlicek series include A WITNESS ABOVE (Nominated for the Anthony, Shamus, & Agatha Awards for Best First Novel in 2002) and A KILLING SKY (Nominated for the Anthony Award for Best Paperback Original Novel in 2003).

A graduate of Williams College where he co-captained the basketball team, Andy Straka is a former medical equipment salesperson and a licensed falconer, not to mention an identical twin. He is available for interviews to discuss his fiction or the sport of falconry. He is also available for selected public lectures, occasionally accompanied by a live bird of prey.

Literary Agent: Sheree Bykofsky Associates.
Film/TV Agent: Irene Webb, Irene Webb Literary, Los Angeles

For more information visit http://www.andystraka.com
http://www.bouchercon2004.com/
http://www.thrillingdetective.com/trivia/triv72.html

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