Former Maplewood Resident Brad Parks Nominated for Shamus Award

New Jersey native and former Maplewood resident Brad Parks has been nominated for the Shamus Award, one of the most prestigious honors in crime fiction.

Parks is one of five finalists in the "Best First Novel" category for his book, "Faces of the Gone," which features the exploits of a Newark-based newspaper reporter. The Shamus is given annually by the Private Eye Writers of America, with the winner scheduled to be announced at a banquet to be held in San Francisco this October during Bouchercon, the world mystery convention. Past winners of the award, now in its 29th year, include Sue Grafton, Michael Connelly and Harlan Coben.

It is the second major award nomination of the summer for Parks, who was also nominated for the Nero Award, named after the legendary Nero Wolfe, in June.

Parks lived in Maplewood for nine years when he worked for the Star-Ledger. Just a couple of years ago, he relocated to Virginia, but he has been back in town—most recently promoting his book at Words this past winter.

"No one knows how their first book is going to be received," said Parks, 36. "I'm very grateful for all the attention given to mine."

Parks has been hailed in The Chicago Sun-Times as "a bright new talent whom readers will be able to enjoy for many years to come." The South Florida Sun-Sentinel called Faces of the Gone "commanding, entertaining." The book also received positive reviews in The New York Times, The Asbury Park Press, and Library Journal, which called it "the most hilariously funny and deadly serious mystery debut since Janet Evanovich's One for the Money." Even Patch gave him a good review—and we're picky!

A career journalist turned fiction author, Brad Parks worked at The Washington Post and Star-Ledger as a sportswriter and news feature writer. A graduate of Dartmouth College, he lives with his wife and two small children and is currently working on the next Carter Ross adventure. His website is www.BradParksBooks.com.

The next book in Parks's series, "Eyes of the Innocent" is due out in February.