Madison Mystery Writer Nominated For Prestigious “Agatha” Award

Madison resident Roberta Isleib’s short story, “The Itinerary," has
been nominated for a 2011 Agatha award in the category of “Best Short
Story."

The Agatha awards, given out by Malice Domestic, celebrate the
traditional mystery, best typified by the works of Agatha Christie.
“The Itinerary” was included in the 2011 Mystery Writers of America
short story anthology, The Rich and the Dead, published by Grand
Central and edited by Nelson DeMille. The story features Isleib’s
fictional Detective Jack Meigs, a fictional character (and resident of
Guilford) from her Advice Column mysteries. The final award will be
given out at the Malice Domestic Convention in April.

The setting for “The Itinerary” was Key West, Florida. Isleib, now
writing under the pen name Lucy Burdette, has been garnering excellent
reviews for her new book, An Appetite For Murder, the first in a new
Key West food critic mystery series. The Florida Book Review said: “An
excellent sense of place and the occasional humorous outburst aren't
the only things An Appetite for Murder has going for it, though: There
is a solid mystery within its pages....Not only does Burdette capture
the physical and pastoral essence of Key West, she celebrates the
food....Although you might want to skip the key lime pie, don't skip
An Appetite for Murder.” The Richmond Times-Dispatch also said this:
"Burdette laces "An Appetite for Murder" with a clever plot, a
determined if occasionally ditzy heroine and a wealth of local color
about Key West and its inhabitants. You'll eat it up."

Burdette’s second book, Death in Four Courses, will be published in September.