Fiction ruled the day in 2017, with all three finalists for the 12th annual Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award falling into that category. This year's winner will be announced at a by-invitation evening reception Apr. 19 at the Ryan family farm near Lexington, Kentucky.
“This certainly has been the Year of the Novel, especially the Mystery/Thriller,” said lead judge Kay Coyte. “Cases could be made for each of the three finalists, all of which were beautifully written, tightly edited, well-presented books. And it's fitting that International Women's Day was this month, as two of the three were written by women, and all have as their protagonist a smart, strong, independent female.”
Finalists include a suspenseful tale of crime at the racetrack; a murder mystery by an author with a famous racing surname; and a young adult novel about a girl with special talents when it comes to horses.
Following are the finalists for 2017, listed alphabetically:
Flamingo Road, Author: Sasscer Hill; Pulse, Author: Felix Francis; The Whole Sky, Author: Heather Henson.
The Dr. Tony Ryan Award annually recognizes the best book with a Thoroughbred industry background published in the previous year. A $10,000 winner's prize is offered, with $1,000 going to each of the two finalists. All three also receive Tipperary crystal statuettes of Castleton Lyon's iconic stone tower.
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