Joan Long/M.A. MoninShow notesOur first episode dedicated to the nominees for Agatha Awards begins today. Our first nomineeis Joan Long who is nominated for Best First Novel for her book “The Finalist”The Finalist (Level Best Books) Five authors, each with their own secrets, are chosen tocomplete a deceased novelist's unfinished manuscript. For single mom Risa Marr, thecompetition is the opportunity of a lifetime. At stake is a million dollars and a contract to continuethe famous novelist's bestselling thriller series.Transported to the tropical paradise of Key Island, the finalists are cut off from the world andgiven seven days to draft their best ending for the book. But when one of them turns up dead,theories and accusations abound. Accident? Suicide? Or Murder? To what lengths willcompetitors go to win? And who, if anyone, will leave the island alive?We then chatted with M.A. (Mary) Monin who is nominated for Best First Novel for her book“Death In The Aegean”Death in the Aegean (An Intrepid Traveler Mystery) Level Best Books. When private bankerStefanie Adams takes a much-needed vacation to the Greek isles, vowing to embraceopportunities as they come, instead of finding romance and adventure she is suspected ofmurdering a bride who accused her deceased father of artifact theft. Unfortunately, thenewlywed's accusation also ties Stefanie, a former archaeology student, to the robbery of anewly discovered Minoan statue, the golden Akrotiri Snake Goddess.With two high-profile crimes to solve, Greek police are under pressure, and both crimes leadstraight to Stefanie. To avoid Greek prison and maintain her career, Stefanie must identify whichof her fellow travelers is the real killer.Between the light-fingered backpacker with an eye on the bride's jewelry, the travel bloggerwhose career the dead woman ruined, a flirtatious German tourist who is after more thanromance, and the long-suffering bridegroom, Stefanie's task won't be easy. Everyone, it seems,had a motive for wanting to see the last of Emma Keller.We wish both of these lovely ladies good luck. We will have two more nominees on our podcastnext week so be sure and join us.TRIVIALast week's question was:Which author worked at a job and had to dress up as a tuxedo wearing yogurt?a. Elly Griffithsb. Sue Graftonc. Louise Pennyd. Gillian FlynnThe answer is d. Gillian Flynn. Flynn attended Bishop Miege High School and graduated in1989.. As a young woman, she worked odd jobs which required her to do things such as dressup as a giant "yogurt cone who wore a tuxedoThis week's question is:“High Tower Court” building had what influence on author Michael Connelly?a. He thought it was hauntedb. He featured it in his bookc. He wanted to live thered. He wanted it renamedTune in next week for the answer.