Two New York Times Notable Books in one year

Honored to report that the New York Times included both THE CYPRESS HOUSE and THE RIDGE in their "best of 2011" roundup. Marilyn Stasio writes:

FAVORITE SUPERNATURAL MYSTERY

"Michael Koryta easily takes top honors for two eerie novels, THE CYPRESS HOUSE (Little, Brown, $24.99), a 1930s gangster story with spooky undertones, and THE RIDGE (Little, Brown, $24.99) , a ghost story set in an old mining region of Kentucky."

THE CYPRESS HOUSE was also voted one of the 15 best horror novels of the years by the members of the GoodReads community, and both books were generously mentioned in the Miami Herald by the accomplished novelist/historian Les Standiford, whose latest release, BRINGING ADAM HOME, was a fine and heartbreaking history of the murder of Adam Walsh. Les says:

“I have just finished two books by Michael Koryta, who has turned a certain corner from straight-up mystery into historically based thrillers with a supernatural tinge. The new one is The Ridge, featuring a lighthouse built improbably near a large feline rescue center atop a mountain in Kentucky, and in paper is The Cypress House, a ’30s noir set in a creepy inn on Florida’s west coast. These are stylish and intelligent escapes, rich with the author’s appreciation for the power of place and a world that sometimes eludes reason.”

Meanwhile we continue to hope for good things on THE CYPRESS HOUSE film development front from the always-busy Chris Columbus and 1492 Pictures, who had another great year with the tremendous success of THE HELP, which posted the longest run at the top spot in the box office of any movie since THE SIXTH SENSE in 1999. Not bad!

We should have some updates on film news for SO COLD THE RIVER shortly...

Back in blogging action...

The lack of posts is good news: I've been working hard on the new book. Unless, of course, you don't enjoy the books, in which case this is not good news. But if you don't enjoy the books, why in the world are you visiting my blog? Oh, you're family, you say? Well, thanks for the support guys. Carrying on...

1) Check out the Texas Book Festival this weekend if you are in the Austin area. I'm fortunate to have the opportunity to appear on a panel with the great Joe Lansdale, and I'm hoping I'm not asked any questions so I can just listen to him. I'm certain the audience will agree. Harry Hunsicker will moderate.

2) A very nice review for THE RIDGE appeared in London's The Times on Saturday, and they wisely opted to run a photograph of a cougar instead of my author picture. I'm grateful, and considering the same substitution on my next dust jacket. No link, but I'll take this highlight quote anytime: "Michael Koryta has been compared to Stephen King, and with good reason: he has the same ability to see the sinister and supernatural in small-town America and make it feel like it belongs there."

3) Stay tuned for some news updates shortly...

UK Interview with Chris High

It was a pleasure to conduct this Q and A for the UK release of THE RIDGE.

High also reviews the novel, calling it "close to the perfect ghost story."

Talking ghost stories with Joe Hill and Peter Straub

Publishers Weekly has an excellent look at the contemporary ghost story in its current issue. Interesting comments from Hill, Straub, and others.

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/new-titles/adult-announcements/article/48630-ghosts-the-other-undead.html?page=2

Gold Dagger

Learned the wonderful news from Hodder that THE CYPRESS HOUSE was nominated for the prestigious Gold Dagger award by the Crime Writer's Association, which bases their festivities out of the UK. It's a true honor, and a great list of names -- Steve Hamilton and Tom Franklin wrote two of my favorite books of 2010, for example. Very special to be included on such a list.

Judges' comments on THE CYPRESS HOUSE: A compelling suspense story haunted by the paranormal and steeped in the fears and anxieties of Depression-era Florida. Strong characterisation and an isolated, storm-ridden setting drive the novel towards an unexpected ending.

Very generous! Details on the award from the CWA:

The eight authors in contention for this year’s coveted prize are, in alphabetical order:
Tom Franklin Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter (Macmillan)
Lucretia Grindle The Villa Triste (Mantle)
Steve Hamilton The Lock Artist (Orion)
Mo Hayder Hanging Hill (Bantam Press)
Michael Koryta The Cypress House (Hodder & Stoughton)
M. J. McGrath White Heat (Mantle)
A.D. Miller Snowdrops(Atlantic Books)
Denise Mina The End of the Wasp Season (Orion)

The eight will be narrowed down to four when the shortlists are announced on 22nd August. These will be featured in an ITV3 season starting 1st September and running for 6 weeks. The winner will be announced at at an awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London’s Park Lane on 7th October, and broadcast in the following week (probably 11th October) on ITV3.