Press Release: Christopher Valen Wins The Garcia Prize for Best Fiction Book of the Year

Mystery Novelist Awarded The Garcia Prize for Best Fiction Book of the Year:
Christopher Valen Wins Prestigious Honor for debut novel, White Tombs

St. Paul (MN) – Mystery novelist Christopher Valen has been awarded The Garcia Prize for his debut mystery, White Tombs. An annual award presented in conjunction with the national Reader Views Book Awards, The Garcia Prize is awarded to the best fiction book of the year. White Tombs also won Best Mystery of the Year honors.

White Tombs (Conquil Press, ISBN: 978-0980001723, $14.95, Mystery) introduces protagonist Detective John Santana. When a prominent leader of St. Paul’s close-knit Hispanic community is murdered, Detective Santana promises the widow he will bring down the killer.

Despite the snow and bitter cold, the case heats up quickly—suspects are killed before they can be questioned; Santana’s alcoholic partner’s trigger finger draws the attention of Internal Affairs; a sexually explicit photo of a murder victim surfaces in an unlikely place; a snow plow becomes a deadly weapon; and police brass threaten to pull Santana off the case.

Hunted by an assassin out for revenge, his violent Colombian past, and the younger sister he left behind, Santana’s simple vow to a dead man’s wife could be the oath that costs him his life. Everybody knows Minnesota winters can be deadly. But if the weather doesn’t kill Detective John Santana, the bullets might.

A chilling, harrowing, and suspenseful tale, White Tombs has garnered lavish praise, including:

“Valen's debut police procedural provides enough plot twists to keep readers engrossed.” – Library Journal

“A superb police procedural starring a fascinating lead detective. Santana is a wonderful new addition to the sub-genre.” – Harriet Klausner, The Mystery Gazette

“This book goes well beyond just being a detective story. The characters are fantastically well-developed and the writing is solid and elegant.” – Reader Views

"Truly a 5-star read." – Armchair Interviews

"John Santana puts Valen's police procedural in a class of its own.” – Abigail Davis, author of Hanging Katherine Garret

"Fast-paced, suspense-filled, and packed with accurate detail. A gripping story of revenge, murder and official corruption." – Brian Lutterman, author of Bound to Die and Poised to Kill

Christopher Valen (www.christophervalen.com) is a writer and college professor who lives with his wife in the St. Paul, Minnesota area. Valen’s second novel, The Black Minute, will be released in September 2009 by North Star Press. White Tombs is available wherever fine books are sold. The Reader Views Awards is an annual literary awards program that recognizes excellence in independent publishing. Founded in 2005, Reader Views (www.readerviews.com) is based in Austin, Texas.

Members of the news media wishing to request additional information, or a review copy of White Tombs, are kindly asked to contact Maryglenn McCombs by phone – (615) 297-9875, or by email – maryglenn@maryglenn.com.

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