Press Release -- Press Release -- Press Release -- June 1, 2007

The Wolfe Pack (founded 1977)
Jane K. Cleland, Literary Awards Chair (NeroAwardChair@nerowolfe.org)
P.O. Box 230822, Ansonia Station, New York, NY 10023

2007 NERO AWARD FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

The "Nero" is an annual award presented to an author for literary excellence in the mystery genre. The award is presented at the Black Orchid Banquet, which is traditionally held on the first Saturday in December in New York City.

This year, the three finalists are:  

Kidnapped Jan Burke, Simon & Schuster
All Mortal Flesh Julia Spencer-Fleming, St. Martin's Minotaur/Thomas Dunne Books
A Stolen Season Steve Hamilton, St. Martin's Minotaur/Thomas Dunne Books

This year's nominees join a procession of fine writers including Tess Gerritsen, Lee Child, Walter Mosley, Linda Fairstein, former U.S. Senator Fred Harris, Dennis Lehane,  and Laurie B. King, all of whom have been honored with the prestigious "Nero." The first "Nero" was awarded 25 years ago (1979) to author Lawrence Block for The Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling.

Rex Stout (1886-1975) was the author of over seventy novels and stories featuring the brilliant, irascible, and corpulent private detective Nero Wolfe, a lover of food, beer, and orchids. Stout was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America in 1959 and his Nero Wolfe stories continue to be popular throughout the world.

Founded in 1978, The Wolfe Pack celebrates all things Nero Wolfe. For example, the society publishes a semi-annual Gazette and sponsors a variety of activities with Wolfeian themes including a regular book discussion group and tours of locations mentioned in the corpus. The group has been holding its annual Black Orchid Banquet for more than twenty-five years.

To learn more, visit www.nerowolfe.org , or send mail to NeroAwardChair@nerowolfe.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Tess Gerritsen Wins
Nero Award for “Vanish”

The Wolfe Pack is proud to announce the 2006 Nero Award was presented to Tess Gerritsen for her novel, “Vanished.” The Nero Award is an annual award presented to an American author for literary excellence in the mystery genre. The Nero was presented to Tess Gerritsen at the Black Orchid Banquet, an event traditionally held on the first Saturday in December.

This year's winner joins a procession of fine writers including Walter Mosley, Linda Fairstein, former U.S. Senator Fred Harris, Dennis Lehane, Laurie B. King and Martha Grimes, all of whom have been honored with the prestigious Nero.

Author Lawrence Block, winner of the first Nero Award presented in 1979 for "The Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling," was on hand to congratulate this year’s winner.

A New York Times best selling author, Tess Gerritsen is the author of 18 mystery, romance, and medical thriller novels.

Publishers are encouraged to submit works for the 2007 Nero Award. Details for submissions can be found at http://www.nerowolfe.org/htm/neroaward/award_procedures.htm.

About the Wolfe Pack

The Wolfe Pack is a forum to discuss, explore, and enjoy the 72 Nero Wolfe books and short stories. The organization promotes fellowship and extends friendship to those who enjoy these great literary works of mystery through a series of events, book discussions, and a journal devoted to study of the genius detective, Nero Wolfe, and his intrepid assistant, Archie Goodwin. The organization has 450 members worldwide. For more information  about The Wolfe Pack, visit  http://www.nerowolfe.org.

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THE WOLFE PACK

Founded 1977

Jonathan Levine, Pres., (718) 397-0223...JRLevine1@aol.com

Joseph Sweeney, Press Liaison, (718) 432-2898..Joeswe52@aol.com

NERO AWARD REACHES 25TH ANNIVERSARY

"FEAR ITSELF" BY WALTER MOSLEY IS HONORED

Continuing its tradition of honoring top quality mystery literature, the Wolfe Pack bestowed its 2004 Nero Award on the novel "Fear Itself" by Walter Mosley.

The "Nero" was presented to Mr. Mosley Saturday night (Dec. 4th) at the Pack's Annual Black Orchid Banquet at Cafe Centro in the Met Life Buidling (aka the Pan Am Building).

This year's winner joins a procession of fine writers including Linda Fairstein, former U.S. Senator Fred Harris, Dennis Lehane, Laurie B. King and Martha Grimes, all of whom have been honored with the prestigious "Nero." The first "Nero" was awarded 25 years ago (1979) to author Lawrence Block for "The Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling."

The Wolfe Pack, founded in 1977 by dedicated readers of the Nero Wolfe mysteries written by the late Rex Stout, has approximately 450 members in the United States and overseas. Members of the Pack's "Nero Award Committee" read close to 100 mystery novels published in 2004 in their search for the best of the best.

Mr. Mosley graciously accepted his award at the Black Orchid Banquet, pointing out that he has read some of the Wolfe mysteries over the years and they have influenced his writing.

He published his first mystery in 1990, "Devil in a Blue Dress," elegantly bringing his private detective, Easy Rawlins, to life. In the tradition of Archie Goodwin's first-person narration of the Nero Wolfe mysteries, Mr. Mosley has now created Paris Minton and Fearless Jones, who team up to crack the case in "Fear Itself."

The author has published 18 mystery novels, along with several non-fiction works and two science fiction books, over the past 15 years.

The five finalists for the 2004 Nero Award included: "Burning Garbo" by Robert Eversz; "Where the Truth Lies" by Rupert Holmes; "Fat Ollie's Book" by Ed McBain; "The Vanished Man" by Jeffery Deaver (a previous Nero Award winner in 1999 for "The Bone Collector") and "Fear Itself" by Mr. Mosley.