Agatha Awards

The Agatha Awards, named in honor of Agatha Christie, are nominated and voted on by Malice Domestic fans. The Agatha Awards honor the traditional mystery—books best typified by the works of Agatha Christie. The genre is loosely defined as mysteries which contain no explicit sex or excessive gore or violence; and usually (but not limited to) featuring an amateur detective, a confined setting, and characters who know one another. Agatha Awards are awarded for works first published in the United States by a living author during a calendar year.

2023
(awarded in 2024 for books published in 2023)

Best Contemporary Novel
*	The Weekend Retreat by Tara Laskowski
°	Wined and Died in New Orleans by Ellen Byron
°	Helpless by Annette Dashofy
°	Case of the Bleus by Korina Moss
°	The Raven Thief by Gigi Pandian [review]

Best Historical Novel
*	The Mistress of Bhatia House by Sujata Massey
°	Death Among the Ruins by Susanna Calkins
°	Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord by Celeste Connally [review]
°	I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died by Amanda Flower
°	Time’s Undoing by Cheryl A. Head [review]

Best First Novel
*	Crime and Parchment by Daphne Silver
°	Glory Be by Danielle Arceneaux [review]
°	The Hint of Light by Kristin Kisska
°	Dutch Threat by Josh Pachter
°	Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon [review]

Best Children’s/Young Adult Novel
*	The Sasquatch of Hawthorne Elementary by K.B. Jackson
°	Myrtle, Means, and Opportunity by Elizabeth C. Bunce
°	Araña and Spiderman by Alex Segura
°	The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle by Taryn Sounders
°	Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose by Nancy Springer

Best Short Story
*	“Ticket to Ride” by Dru Ann Love and Kristopher Zgorski Happiness Is a Warm Gun: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of The Beatles
°	“The Knife Sharpener” by Shelley Costa Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, July/August 2023
°	“A Good Judge of Character” by Tina deBellegarde Malice Domestic 17: Murder Most Traditional
°	“Real Courage” by Barb Goffman Black Cat Mystery Magazine, October 2023
°	“Shamu, World’s Greatest Detective” by Richie Narvaez Killin’ Time in San Diego

Best Non-fiction
*	Finders: Justice, Faith and Identity in Irish Crime Fiction by Anjili Babbar
°	Perplexing Plots: Popular Storytelling and the Poetics of Murder by David Bordwell
°	A Mystery of Mysteries: The Death and Life of Edgar Allan Poe by Mark Dawidziak
°	Fallen Angel: The Life of Edgar Allan Poe by Robert Morgan

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2022
(awarded in 2023 for books published in 2022)

Best Contemporary Novel
*	A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny
°	Bayou Book Thief by Ellen Byron
°	Death by Bubble Tea by Jennifer J. Chow
°	Fatal Reunion by Annette Dashofy
°	Dead Man’s Leap by Tina de Bellegarde

Best Historical Novel
*	Because I Could Not Stop for Death by Amanda Flower
°	The Counterfeit Wife by Mally Becker
°	The Lindbergh Nanny by Mariah Fredericks [review]
°	In Place of Fear by Catriona McPherson [review]
°	Under a Veiled Moon by Karen Odden [review]

Best First Novel
*	Cheddar Off Dead by Korina Moss
°	The Finalist by Joan Long
°	Death in the Aegean by M.A. Monnin
°	The Bangalore Detectives Club by Harini Nagendra [review]
°	Devil’s Chew Toy by Rob Osler [review]
°	The Gallery of Beauties by Nina Wachsman

Best Short Story
*	“Beauty and the Beyotch” by Barb Goffman Sherlock Holmes Magazine, February 2022
°	“There Comes a Time” by Cynthia Kuhn Malice Domestic Murder Most Diabolical
°	“Fly Me to the Morgue” by Lisa Q Mathews Malice Domestic Mystery Most Diabolical
°	“The Minnesota Twins Meet Bigfoot” by Richie Narvaez Land of 10,000 Thrills, Bouchercon Anthology
°	“The Invisible Band” by Art Taylor Edgar & Shamus Go Golden

Best Non-fiction
*	Promophobia: Taking the Mystery Out of Promoting Crime Fiction edited by Diane Vallere
°	The Life of Crime: Detecting the History of Mysteries and Their Creators by Martin Edwards
°	The Bloomsbury Handbook to Agatha Christie edited by Mary Anna Evans & J.C. Bernthal
°	Summary of the Science of Murder: The Forensics of Agatha Christie by Carla Valentine

Best Children’s/Young Adult
*	Enola Holmes and the Elegant Escapade by Nancy Springer
°	Daybreak on Raven Island by Fleur Bradley
°	In Myrtle Peril by Elizabeth C. Bunce
°	#shedeservedit by Greg Herren
°	Sid Johnson and the Phantom Slave Stealer by Frances Schoonmaker

2021 Nominees
(awarded in 2022 for books published in 2021)

Best Contemporary Novel
*	Cajun Kiss of Death by Ellen Byron
°	Watch Her by Edwin Hill
°	The Madness of Crowds by Louise Penny
°	Her Perfect Life by Hank Phillippi Ryan [review]
°	Symphony Road by Gabriel Valjan

Best Historical Novel
*	Death at Greenway by Lori Rader-Day [review]
°	Murder at Mallowan Hall by Colleen Cambridge
°	Clark and Division by Naomi Hirahara
°	The Bombay Prince by Sujata Massey
°	The Devil’s Music by Gabriel Valjan

Best First Novel
*	Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala [review]
°	The Turncoat’s Widow by Mally Becker
°	A Dead Man’s Eyes by Lori Duffy Foster
°	Murder in the Master by Judy L. Murray
°	Mango, Mambo, and Murder by Raquel V. Reyes

Best Short Story
*	“Bay of Reckoning” by Shawn Reilly Simmons Murder on the Beach
°	“A Family Matter” by Barb Goffman Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, January/February 2021
°	“A Tale of Two Sisters” by Barb Goffman Murder on the Beach
°	“Doc's at Midnight” by Richie Narvaez Midnight Hour
°	“The Locked Room Library” by Gigi Pandian Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, July/August 2021

Best Non-fiction
*	How to Write a Mystery: A Handbook from Mystery Writers of America by MWA with editors Lee Child and Laurie R. King
°	The Combat Zone: Murder, Race, and Boston’s Struggle for Justice by Jan Brogan
°	Murder Most Grotesque: The Comedic Crime Fiction of Joyce Porter by Chris Chan
°	The Irish Assassins: Conspiracy, Revenge, and the Phoenix Park Murders that Stunned Victorian England by Julie Kavanaugh

Best Children’s/Young Adult
*	I Play One on TV by Alan Orloff
°	Cold-Blooded Myrtle by Elizabeth C. Bunce
°	The Forest of Stolen Girls by June Hur
°	Leisha’s Song by Lynn Slaughter
°	Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche by Nancy Springer

2020
(awarded in 2021 for books published in 2020)

Best Contemporary Novel
*	All the Devils Are Here by Louise Penny
°	The Gift of the Magpie by Donna Andrews
°	Murder in the Bayou Boneyard by Ellen Byron
°	From Beer to Eternity by Sherry Harris
°	The Lucky One by Lori Rader-Day

Best Historical Novel
*	The Last Mrs. Summers by Rhys Bowen [review]
°	The Fate of a Flapper by Susanna Calkins
°	A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Murder by Dianne Freeman
°	Taken Too Soon by Edith Maxwell
°	The Turning Tide by Catriona McPherson

Best First Novel
*	Murder at the Mena House by Erica Ruth Neubauer [review]
°	A Spell for Trouble by Esme Addison
°	Winter Witness by Tina deBellegarde
°	Derailed by Mary Keliikoa
°	Murder Most Sweet by Laura Jensen Walker

Best Short Story
*	“Dear Emily Etiquette” by Barb Goffman Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Sep/Oct 2020
°	“The Red Herrings at Killington Inn” by Shawn Reilly Simmons Masthead: Best New England Crime Stories
°	“The Boy Detective & The Summer of ’74” by Art Taylor Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Jan/Feb 2020
°	“Elysian Fields” by Gabriel Valjan California Schemin’: The 2020 Bouchercon Anthology
°	“The 25 Year Engagement” by James W. Ziskin In League with Sherlock Holmes: Stories Inspired by the Sherlock Holmes Canon

Best Non-fiction
*	Phantom Lady: Hollywood Producer Joan Harrison, the Forgotten Woman Behind Hitchcock by Christina Lane
°	Sometimes You Have to Lie: The Life and Times of Louise Fitzhugh, Renegade Author of Harriet the Spy by Leslie Brody
°	American Sherlock: Murder, Forensics, and the Birth of American CSI by Kate Winkler Dawson
°	Howdunit: A Masterclass in Crime Writing by Members of the Detection Club edited by Martin Edwards
°	H.R.F. Keating: A Life of Crime by Sheila Mitchell

Best Children’s/YA Mystery
*	Holly Hernandez and the Death of Disco by Richard Narvaez
°	Midnight at the Barclay Hotel by Fleur Bradley
°	Premeditated Myrtle by Elizabeth C. Bunce
°	Saltwater Secrets by Cindy Callaghan
°	From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks

2019
(awarded in 2020 for books published in 2019)

Best Contemporary Novel
*	The Long Call by Ann Cleeves [review]
°	Fatal Cajun Festival by Ellen Byron
°	Fair Game by Annette Dashofy
°	The Missing Ones by Edwin Hill [review]
°	A Better Man by Louise Penny
°	The Murder List by Hank Phillippi Ryan

Best First Novel
*	One Night Gone by Tara Laskowski [review]
°	A Dream of Death by Connie Berry
°	Murder Once Removed by S.C. Perkins [review]
°	When It’s Time for Leaving by Ang Pompano
°	Staging for Murder by Grace Topping

Best Historical Novel
*	Charity’s Burden by Edith Maxwell
°	Love and Death Among the Cheetahs by Rhys Bowen
°	Murder Knocks Twice by Susanna Calkins
°	The Pearl Dagger by L.A. Chandlar
°	The Naming Game by Gabriel Valjan

Best Non-fiction
*	The Mutual Admiration Society: How Dorothy L. Sayers and her Oxford Circle Remade the World for Women by Mo Moulton
°	Frederic Dannay, Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and the Art of the Detective Short Story by Laird R. Blackwell
°	Blonde Rattlesnake: Burmah Adams, Tom White, and the 1933 Crime Spree that Terrified Los Angeles by Julia Bricklin
°	Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud and the Last Trial of Harper Lee by Casey Cep
°	The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold

Best Children’s/Young Adult
*	The Last Crystal by Frances Schoonmaker
°	Kazu Jones and the Denver Dognappers by Shauna Holyoak
°	Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen MacManus
°	Top Marks for Murder (A Most Unladylike Mystery) by Robin Stevens
°	Jada Sly, Artist and Spy by Sherri Winston

Best Short Story
*	“The Last Word” by Shawn Reilly Simmons Malice Domestic 14: Mystery Most Edible
°	“Grist for the Mill” by Kaye George A Murder of Crows
°	“Alex’s Choice” by Barb Goffman Crime Travel
°	“The Blue Ribbon” by Cynthia Kuhn Malice Domestic 14: Mystery Most Edible
°	“Better Days” by Art Taylor Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine

2018
(awarded in 2019 for books published in 2018)

Best Contemporary Novel
*	Mardi Gras Murder by Ellen Byron
°	Beyond the Truth by Bruce Robert Coffin
°	Cry Wolf by Annette Dashofy
°	Kingdom of the Blind by Louise Penny
°	Trust Me by Hank Phillippi Ryan

Best Historical Novel
*	The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey
°	Four Funerals and Maybe a Wedding by Rhys Bowen [review]
°	The Gold Pawn by L.A. Chandlar
°	Turning the Tide by Edith Maxwell
°	Murder on Union Square by Victoria Thompson

Best First Novel [tie]
*	A Lady’s Guide to Etiquette and Murder by Dianne Freeman [review]
*	Curses, Boiled Again! by Shari Randall
°	Little Comfort by Edwin Hill [review]
°	What Doesn't Kill You by Aimee Hix [review]
°	Deadly Solution by Keenan Powell

Best Short Story [tie]
*	“All God’s Sparrows” by Leslie Budewitz Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine
*	“The Case of the Vanishing Professor” by Tara Laskowski Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine
°	“A Postcard for the Dead” by Susanna Calkins Florida Happens: Tales of Mystery, Mayhem, and Suspense from the Sunshine State
°	“Bug Appetit” by Barb Goffman Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine
°	“English 398: Fiction Workshop” by Art Taylor Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine

Best Young Adult Mystery
*	Potion Problems (Just Add Magic) by Cindy Callaghan
°	Winterhouse by Ben Guterson
°	A Side of Sabotage by C.M. Surrisi

Best Non-fiction
*	Mastering Plot Twists by Jane K. Cleland
°	Writing the Cozy Mystery by Nancy J. Cohen
°	Conan Doyle for the Defense: The True Story of a Sensational British Murder, a Quest for Justice, and the World’s Most Famous Detective Writer by Margalit Fox
°	Agatha Christie: A Mysterious Life by Laura Thompson
°	Wicked Women of Ohio by Jane Ann Turzillo

2017
(awarded in 2018 for books published in 2017)

Best Contemporary Novel
*	Glass Houses by Louise Penny
°	Death Overdue by Allison Brook [review]
°	A Cajun Christmas Killing by Ellen Byron
°	No Way Home by Annette Dashofy
°	Take Out by Margaret Maron

Best Historical Novel
*	In Farleigh Field by Rhys Bowen
°	Murder in an English Village by Jessica Ellicott [review]
°	The Paris Spy by Susan Elia MacNeal [review]
°	Called to Justice by Edith Maxwell
°	Dangerous To Know by Renee Patrick

Best First Novel
*	Hollywood Homicide by Kellye Garrett [review]
°	Adrift by Micki Browning
°	The Plot is Murder by V.M. Burns
°	Daughters of Bad Men by Laura Oles
°	Protocol by Kathleen Valenti [review]

Best Short Story
*	“The Library Ghost of Tanglewood Inn” by Gigi Pandian
°	“Double Deck the Halls” by Gretchen Archer
°	“Whose Wine is it Anyway” by Barb Goffman 50 Shades of Cabernet
°	“The Night They Burned Miss Dixie’s Place” by Debra Goldstein Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, May/June 2017
°	“A Necessary Ingredient” by Art Taylor Coast to Coast: Private Eyes from Sea to Shining Sea

Best Non-fiction
*	From Holmes to Sherlock: The Story of the Men and Women Who Created an Icon by Mattias Boström
°	The Story of Classic Crime in 100 Books by Martin Edwards
°	American Fire: Love, Arson and Life in a Vanishing Land by Monica Hesse
°	Rewrite Your Life: Discover Your Truth Through the Healing Power of Fiction by Jessica Lourey
°	Manderley Forever: A Biography of Daphne du Maurier by Tatiana de Rosnay

Best Children’s/Young Adult
*	Sydney Mackenzie Knocks ’Em Dead by Cindy Callaghan
°	City of Angels by Kristi Belcamino
°	The World’s Greatest Detective by Caroline Carlson
°	Audacity Jones Steals the Show by Kirby Larson
°	The Harlem Charade by Natasha Tarpley

2016
(awarded in 2017 for books published in 2016)

Best Contemporary Novel
*	A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny
°	Body on the Bayou by Ellen Byron
°	Quiet Neighbors by Catriona McPherson [review]
°	Fogged Inn by Barbara Ross
°	Say No More by Hank Phillippi Ryan

Best Historical Novel
*	The Reek of Red Herrings by Catriona McPherson
°	Whispers Beyond the Veil by Jessica Estevao
°	Get Me to the Grave on Time by D.E. Ireland
°	Delivering the Truth by Edith Maxwell [review]
°	Murder in Morningside Heights by Victoria Thompson

Best First Novel
*	The Semester of Our Discontent by Cynthia Kuhn
°	Terror in Taffeta by Marla Cooper
°	Murder in G Major by Alexia Gordon [review]
°	Decanting a Murder by Nadine Nettmann [review]
°	Design for Dying by Renee Patrick [review]

Best Short Story
*	“Parallel Play” by Art Taylor Chesapeake Crimes: Storm Warning
°	“Double Jinx: A Bellissimo Casino Crime Caper Short Story” by Gretchen Archer
°	“The Best-Laid Plans” by Barb Goffman Malice Domestic 11: Murder Most Conventional
°	“The Mayor and the Midwife” by Edith Maxwell Blood on the Bayou: Bouchercon Anthology 2016
°	“The Last Blue Glass” by B.K. Stevens Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine

Best Non-fiction
*	Mastering Suspense, Structure, and Plot: How to Write Gripping Stories that Keep Readers on the Edge of Their Seats by Jane K. Cleland
°	A Good Man with a Dog: A Game Warden’s 25 Years in the Maine Woods by Roger Guay with Kate Clark Flora
°	Sara Paretsky: A Companion to the Mystery Fiction by Margaret Kinsman

Best Children’s/Young Adult
*	The Code Busters Club, Case #6: The Secret of the Puzzle Box by Penny Warner
°	Trapped: A Mei-hua Adventure by P.A. DeVoe
°	Spy Ski School by Stuart Gibbs
°	Tag, You’re Dead by J.C. Lane [review]
°	The Mystery of Hollow Places by Rebecca Podos

2015 Nominees
(awarded in 2016 for books published in 2015)

Best Contemporary Novel
*	Long Upon the Land by Margaret Maron
°	Bridges Burned by Annette Dashofy
°	The Child Garden by Catriona McPherson [review]
°	The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny
°	What You See by Hank Phillippi Ryan [review]

Best Historical Novel
*	Dreaming Spies by Laurie R. King [review]
°	Malice at the Palace by Rhys Bowen
°	The Masque of a Murderer by Susanna Calkins [review]
°	Mrs. Roosevelt’s Confidante by Susan Elia MacNeal
°	Murder on Amsterdam Avenue by Victoria Thompson

Best First Novel
*	On the Road with Del and Louise by Art Taylor
°	Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman by Tessa Arlen [review]
°	MacDeath by Cindy Brown
°	Plantation Shudders by Ellen Byron [review]
°	Just Killing Time by Julianne Holmes

Best Short Story
*	“A Year Without Santa Claus?” by Barb Goffman Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, January/February 2015
°	“A Questionable Death” by Edith Maxwell History & Mystery, Oh My
°	“A Killing at the Beausoleil” by Terri Farley Moran Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, November 2015
°	“Suffer the Poor” by Harriette Sackler History & Mystery, Oh My
°	“A Joy Forever” by B.K. Stevens Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, March 2015

Best Non-fiction
*	The Golden Age of Murder by Martin Edwards
°	The Great Detective: The Amazing Rise and Immortal Life of Sherlock Holmes by Zack Dundas
°	A Is for Arsenic: The Poisons of Agatha Christie by Kathryn Harkup
°	Unsolved Murders and Disappearances in Northeast Ohio by Jane Ann Turzillo
°	The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook: Wickedly Good Meals and Desserts To Die For edited by Kate White

Best Children’s/Young Adult
*	Andi Unstoppable by Amanda Flower
°	Pieces and Players by Blue Balliett
°	Need by Joelle Charbonneau [review]
°	Woof by Spencer Quinn
°	Fighting Chance by B.K. Stevens

2014
(awarded in 2015 for books published in 2014)

Best Contemporary Novel
*	Truth Be Told by Hank Phillippi Ryan
°	The Good, the Bad, and the Emus by Donna Andrews [review]
°	A Demon Summer by G.M. Malliet
°	Designated Daughters by Margaret Maron
°	The Long Way Home by Louise Penny

Best Historical Novel
*	Queen of Hearts by Rhys Bowen [review]
°	Wouldn’t it Be Deadly by D.E. Ireland [review]
°	Murder in Murray Hill by Victoria Thompson
°	Hunting Shadows by Charles Todd
°	An Unwilling Accomplice by Charles Todd [review]

Best First Novel
*	Well Read, Then Dead by Terrie Farley Moran [review]
°	Circle of Influence by Annette Dashofy
°	Tagged for Death by Sherry Harris
°	Finding Sky by Susan O’Brien
°	Murder Strikes a Pose by Tracy Weber

Best Short Story
*	“The Odds Are Against Us” by Art Taylor Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, November 2014
°	“The Blessing Witch” by Kathy Lynn Emerson Best New England Crime Stories 2015: Rogue Wave
°	“The Shadow Knows” by Barb Goffman Chesapeake Crimes: Homicidal Holidays
°	“Just Desserts for Johnny” by Edith Maxwell
°	“Premonition” by by Art Taylor Chesapeake Crimes: Homicidal Holidays

Best Non-fiction
*	Writes of Passage: Adventures on the Writer’s Journey edited by Hank Phillippi Ryan
°	The Poisoner: the Life and Crimes of Victorian England’s Most Notorious Doctor by Stephen Bates
°	Death Dealer: How Cops and Cadaver Dogs Brought a Killer to Justice by Kate Flora
°	400 Things Cops Know: Street Smart Lessons from a Veteran Patrolman by Adam Plantinga
°	The Art of the English Murder: From Jack the Ripper and Sherlock Holmes to Agatha Christie and Alfred Hitchcock by Lucy Worsley

Best Children’s/Young Adult
*	The Code Busters Club, Case #4: The Mummy’s Curse by Penny Warner
°	Found by Harlan Coben
°	Andi Under Pressure by Amanda Flower
°	Greenglass House by Kate Milford
°	Uncertain Glory by Lea Wait

2013
(awarded in 2014 for books published in 2013)

Best Contemporary Novel
*	The Wrong Girl by Hank Phillippi Ryan [review]
°	Pagan Spring by G.M. Malliet
°	How the Light Gets In by Louise Penny [review]
°	Clammed Up by Barbara Ross
°	Through the Evil Days by Julia Spencer-Fleming

Best Historical Novel
*	A Question of Honor by Charles Todd [review]
°	Heirs and Graces by Rhys Bowen
°	Death in the Time of Ice by Kaye George
°	A Friendly Game of Murder by J.J. Murphy
°	Murder in Chelsea by Victoria Thompson

Best First Novel
*	Death al Dente by Leslie Budewitz
°	You Cannoli Die Once by Shelley Costa
°	Board Stiff by Kendel Lynn
°	Kneading to Die by Liz Mugavero
°	Front Page Fatality by LynDee Walker

Best Short Story
*	“The Care and Feeding of House Plants” by Art Taylor Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, March/April 2013
°	“Evil Little Girl” by Barb Goffman Don’t Get Mad, Get Even
°	“Nightmare” by Barb Goffman Don’t Get Mad, Get Even
°	“The Hindi Houdini” by Gigi Pandian Fish Nets: The Second Guppy Anthology
°	“Bread Baby” by Barbara Ross Best New England Crime Stories 2014: Stone Cold

Best Non-fiction
*	The Hour of Peril: The Secret Plot To Murder Lincoln Before the Civil War by Daniel Stashower
°	Georgette Heyer by Jennifer Kloester
°	Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes by Maria Konnikova
°	Not Everyone's Cup of Tea: An Interesting & Entertaining History of Malice Domestic's First 25 Years edited by Verena Rose and Rita Owen

Best Children’s/Young Adult
*	Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein [review]
°	The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau [review]
°	Traitor in the Shipyard: A Caroline Mystery by Kathleen Ernst
°	Andi Unexpected by Amanda Flower
°	The Code Busters Club, Case #3: The Mystery of the Pirate’s Treasure by Penny Warner

2012
(awarded in 2013 for books published in 2012)

Best Novel
*	The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny [review]
°	The Diva Digs Up the Dirt by Krista Davis
°	A Fatal Winter by G.M. Malliet [review]
°	The Buzzard Table by Margaret Maron
°	The Other Woman by Hank Phillippi Ryan [review]

Best First Novel
*	Lowcountry Boil by Susan M. Boyer [review]
°	Iced Chiffon by Duffy Brown
°	A Scrapbook of Secrets by Mollie Cox Bryan
°	A Killer Read by Erika Chase
°	Faithful unto Death by Stephanie Jaye Evans

Best Short Story
*	“Mischief in Mesopotamia” by Dana Cameron Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine
°	“Kept in the Dark” by Shelia Connolly Best New England Crime Stories 2013: Blood Moon Anthology
°	“The Lord is My Shamus” by Barb Goffman Chesapeake Crimes: This Job is Murder
°	“Thea's First Husband” by B.K. Stevens Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine
°	“When Duty Calls” by Art Taylor Chesapeake Crimes: This Job is Murder

Best Non-fiction
*	Books To Die For: The World’s Greatest Mystery Writers on the World’s Greatest Mystery Novels edited by John Connolly and Declan Burke
°	Blood Relations: The Selected Letters of Ellery Queen, 1947-1950 by Joseph Goodrich, Editor
°	More Forensics and Fiction: Crime Writers Morbidly Curious Questions Expertly Answered by D.P. Lyle
°	Double Cross: The True Story of the D-Day Spies by Ben Macintyre
°	The Grand Tour: Around the World with the Queen of Mystery Agatha Christie edited by Mathew Prichard

Best Children’s/Young Adult
*	The Code Busters Club, Case #2: The Haunted Lighthouse by Penny Warner
°	Seconds Away by Harlan Coben
°	The Edge of Nowhere by Elizabeth George
°	Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead
°	Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Best Historical Novel
*	Dandy Gilver and an Unsuitable Day for a Murder by Catriona McPherson [review]
°	The Twelve Clues of Christmas by Rhys Bowen [review]
°	Murder on Fifth Avenue by Victoria Thompson
°	An Unmarked Grave by Charles Todd
°	Elegy for Eddie by Jacqueline Winspear [review]

2011
(awarded in 2012 for books published in 2011)

Best Novel
*	Three-Day Town by Margaret Maron
°	The Real Macaw by Donna Andrews
°	The Diva Haunts the House by Krista Davis
°	Wicked Autumn by G.M. Malliet [review]
°	A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny [review]

Best First Novel
*	Learning To Swim by Sara J. Henry [review]
°	Dire Threads by Janet Bolin [review]
°	Choke by Kaye George
°	Who Do, Voodoo? by Rochelle Staab
°	Tempest in the Tea Leaves by Kari Lee Townsend

Best Short Story
*	“Disarming” by Dana Cameron Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, June 2011
°	“Dead Eye Gravy” by Krista Davis Fish Tales: The Guppy Anthology
°	“Palace by the Lake” by Daryl Wood Gerber Fish Tales: The Guppy Anthology
°	“Truth and Consequences” by Barb Goffman Mystery Times Ten
°	“The Itinerary” by Roberta Isleib MWA Presents the Rich and the Dead

Best Non-fiction
*	Books, Crooks and Counselors: How to Write Accurately About Criminal Law and Courtroom Procedure by Leslie Budewitz
°	Agatha Christie: Murder in the Making: More Stories and Secrets from Her Notebooks by John Curran
°	On Conan Doyle: Or, The Whole Art of Storytelling by Michael Dirda
°	Wilkie Collins, Vera Caspary and the Evolution of the Casebook Novel by A.B. Emrys
°	The Sookie Stackhouse Companion by Charlaine Harris

Best Children’s/Young Adult
*	The Black Heart Crypt by Chris Grabenstein
°	Shelter by Harlan Coben
°	Icefall by Matthew J. Kirby
°	The Wizard of Dark Street by Shawn Thomas Odyssey
°	The Code Busters Club, Case #1: The Secret of the Skeleton Key by Penny Warner

Best Historical Novel
*	Naughty in Nice by Rhys Bowen
°	Murder Your Darlings by J.J. Murphy [review]
°	Mercury’s Rise by Ann Parker [review]
°	Troubled Bones by Jeri Westerson
°	A Lesson in Secrets by Jacqueline Winspear [review]

2010
(awarded in 2011 for books published in 2010)

Best Novel
*	Bury Your Dead by Louise Penny [review]
°	Stork Raving Mad by Donna Andrews [review]
°	The Scent of Rain and Lightning by Nancy Pickard
°	Drive Time by Hank Phillippi Ryan [review]
°	Truly, Madly by Heather Webber [review]

Best First Novel
*	The Long Quiche Goodbye by Avery Aames
°	Murder at the PTA by Laura Alden
°	Maid of Murder by Amanda Flower
°	Full Mortality by Sasscer Hill
°	Diamonds for the Dead by Alan Orloff

Best Short Story
*	“So Much in Common” by Mary Jane Maffini Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September/October 2010
°	“Swing Shift” by Dana Cameron Crimes by Moonlight
°	“Size Matters” by Sheila Connolly Thin Ice: Crime Stories by New England Writers
°	“Volunteer of the Year” by Barb Goffman Chesapeake Crimes: They Had it Comin’
°	“The Green Cross” by Liz Zelvin Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine

Best Non-fiction
*	Agatha Christie’s Secret Notebooks: 50 Years of Mysteries in the Making by John Curran
°	The Poisoner’s Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York by Deborah Blum
°	Sherlock Holmes for Dummies by Stephen Doyle & David A. Crowder
°	Have Faith in Your Kitchen by Katherine Hall Page
°	Charlie Chan: The Untold Story of the Honorable Detective and His Rendezvous with American History by Yunte Huang

Best Children’s/Young Adult
*	The Other Side of Dark by Sarah Smith
°	Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham
°	Theodosia and the Eyes of Horus by R.L. LaFevers
°	The Agency: A Spy in the House by Y.S. Lee
°	Virals by Kathy Reichs

2009
(awarded in 2010 for books published in 2009)

Best Novel
*	The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny [review]
°	Swan for the Money by Donna Andrews [review]
°	Bookplate Special by Lorna Barrett
°	Royal Flush by Rhys Bowen [review]
°	Air Time by Hank Phillippi Ryan [review]

Best First Novel
*	The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley [review]
°	For Better For Murder by Lisa Bork
°	Posed for Murder by Meredith Cole
°	The Cold Light of Mourning by Elizabeth Duncan [review]
°	In the Shadow of Gotham by Stefanie Pintoff [review]

Best Short Story
*	“On the House” by Hank Phillippi Ryan Quarry
°	“Femme Sole” by Dana Cameron Boston Noir
°	“Handbaskets, Drawers and a Killer Cold” by Kaye George Crooked ezine
°	“The Worst Noel” by Barb Goffman The Gift of Murder
°	“Death Will Trim Your Tree” by Elizabeth Zelvin The Gift of Murder

Best Nonfiction
*	Dame Agatha’s Shorts by Elena Santangelo
°	Duchess of Death by Richard Hack
°	Talking About Detective Fiction by P.D. James
°	Blood on the Stage by 1925-1950 by Amnon Kabatchnik
°	The Talented Miss Highsmith by Joan Schenkar

Best Children’s/Young Adult
*	The Hanging Hill by Chris Grabenstein
°	The Morgue and Me by John C. Ford
°	The Case of the Poisoned Pig by Lewis B. Montgomery
°	The Other Side of Blue by Valerie O. Patterson
°	The Case of the Cryptic Crinoline by Nancy Springer

2008
(awarded in 2009 for books published in 2008)

Best Novel
*	The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny
°	Six Geese A-Slaying by Donna Andrews
°	A Royal Pain by Rhys Bowen
°	Buckingham Palace Gardens by Anne Perry
°	I Shall Not Want by Julia Spencer-Fleming

Best First Novel
*	Death of a Cozy Writer by G.M. Malliet [review]
°	Through a Glass, Deadly by Sarah Atwell [review]
°	The Diva Runs Out of Thyme by Krista Davis
°	Pushing Up Daisies by Rosemary Harris [review]
°	Paper, Scissors, Death by Joanna Campbell Slan

Best Short Story
*	“The Night Things Changed” by Dana Cameron Wolfsbane & Mistletoe
°	“Killing Time” by Jane Cleland Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine , November 2008
°	“Dangerous Crossing” by Carla Coupe Chesapeake Crimes 3
°	“Skull & Cross Examination” by Toni Kelner Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, February 2008
°	“A Nice Old Guy” by Nancy Pickard Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, August 2008

2007

Lifetime Achievement:	Peter Lovesey

Best Novel
*	A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny
°	The Penguin Who Knew Too Much by Donna Andrews
°	Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen
°	Hard Row by Margaret Maron
°	Murder with Reservations by Elaine Viets

Best First Novel
*	Prime Time by Hank Phillipi Ryan [review]
°	A Beautiful Blue Death by Charles Finch
°	A Real Basket Case by Beth Groundwater
°	Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn [review]

Best Short Story
*	“A Rat’s Tale” by Donna Andrews Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September/October. 2007
°	“Please Watch Your Step” by Rhys Bowen The Strand, Spring 2007
°	“Casino Gamble” by Nan Higginson Murder New York Style
°	“Death Will Clean Your Closet” by Elizabeth Zelvin Murder New York Style

2006

Best Novel
*	The Virgin of Small Plains by Nancy Pickard
°	The Saddlemaker’s Wife by Earlene Fowler
°	Why Casey Had To Die by L.C. Hayden
°	All Mortal Flesh by Julia Spencer-Fleming
°	Messenger of Truth by Jacqueline Winspear

Best First Novel
*	The Heat of the Moon by Sandra Parshall
°	Consigned to Death by Jane Cleland
°	The Chef Who Died Sautéing by Honora Finkelstein & Susan Smily
°	Feint of Art by Hailey Lind
°	Murder on the Rocks by Karen MacInerney

Best Short Story
*	“Sleeping with the Plush” by Toni L.P. Kelner Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine , May, 2006
°	“The Old Couple” by Robert Barnard Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, March/April 2006
°	“Provenance” by Robert Barnard Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, July 2006
°	“Yankee Swap” by Maurissa Guibord Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, March/April, 2006
°	“Disturbance in the Field” by Roberta Isleib Seasmoke

2005

Best Novel
*	The Body in the Snowdrift by Katherine Hall Page
°	Owls Well That Ends Well by Donna Andrews
°	Rituals of the Season by Margaret Maron
°	The Belen Hitch by Pari Noskin Taichert
°	Trouble in Spades by Heather Webber
°	Pardonable Lies by Jacqueline Winspear

Best First Novel
*	Better Off Wed by Laura Durham
°	Jury of One by Laura Bradford
°	Witch Way to Murder by Shirley Damsgaard
°	Knit One, Kill Two by Maggie Sefton [review]
°	Blood Relations by Lisa Tillman

Best Short Story
*	“Driven to Distraction” by Marcia Talley Chesapeake Crimes II
°	“House Rules” by Libby Fischer Hellmann Murder in Vegas
°	“Mother Love” by Harriette Sackler Chesapeake Crimes II
°	“Murder at Sleuthfest” by Barb Goffman Chesapeake Crimes II
°	“Rear View Murder” by Carla Coupe Chesapeake Crimes II

2004

Best Novel
*	Birds of a Feather by Jacqueline Winspear
°	We’ll Always Have Parrots by Donna Andrews
°	By a Spider’s Thread by Laura Lippman
°	High Country Fall by Margaret Maron
°	The Pearl Diver by Sujata Massey

Best First Novel
*	Dating Dead Men by Harley Jane Kozak
°	Till the Cows Come Home by Judy Clemens
°	Arson and Old Lace by Patricia Harwin
°	I Dreamed I Married Perry Mason by Susan Kandel
°	The Clovis Incident by Pari Noskin Taichert

Best Short Story
*	“Wedding Knife” by Elaine Viets Chesapeake Crimes
°	“The Butler Didn’t Do It” by Maria Y. Lima Chesapeake Crimes
°	“The Two Marys” by Katherine Hall Page Mistletoe and Mayhem

2003

Best Novel
*	Letter from Home by Carolyn Hart
°	Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon by Donna Andrews
°	Mumbo Gumbo by Jerrilyn Farmer
°	Dream House by Rochelle Krich
°	Last Lessons of Summer by Margaret Maron
°	Shop Till You Drop by Elaine Viets [review]

Best First Novel
*	Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
°	Dealing in Murder by Elaine Flinn
°	Haunted Ground by Erin Hart [review]
°	Take the Bait by S.W. Hubbard
°	Alpine for You by Maddy Hunter
°	Murder Off Mike by Joyce Krieg
°	O’ Artful Death by Sarah Stewart Taylor

Best Short Story
*	“No Man’s Land” by Elizabeth Foxwell Blood on Their Hands
°	“Doppelganger” by Rhys Bowen Blood on Their Hands
°	“Safety First” by Marcia Talley Blood on Their Hands
°	“Red Meat” by Elaine Viets Blood on Their Hands
°	“Sex and Bingo” by Elaine Viets High Stakes

2002

Best Novel
*	You’ve Got Murder by Donna Andrews
°	Death of Riley by Rhys Bowen
°	Blues in the Night by Rochelle Krich
°	The Body in the Bonfire by Katherine Hall Page
°	The Golden One by Elizabeth Peters

Best First Novel
*	In the Bleak Midwinter by Julia Spencer-Fleming
°	Not All Tarts Are Apple by Pip Granger
°	Six Strokes Under by Roberta Isleib
°	Beat Until Stiff by Claire M. Johnson
°	How To Murder a Millionaire by Nancy Martin [review]
°	Shadows at the Fair by Lea Wait

Best Short Story
*	“The Dog That Didn’t Bark” by Margaret Maron Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, December 2002
*	“Too Many Cooks” by Marcia Talley Much Ado About Murder
°	“Dognapped” by Robert Barnard Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, June 2002
°	“Devotion” by Jan Burke Eighteen
°	“What He Needed” by Laura Lippman Tart Noir

2001

Best Novel
*	Murphy’s Law by Rhys Bowen
°	Arkansas Traveler by Earlene Fowler
°	Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
°	Shadows of Sin by Rochelle Krich
°	The Bride’s Kimono by Sujata Massey

Best First Novel
*	Bubbles Unbound by Sarah Strohmeyer
°	Innkeeping with Murder by Tim Myers
°	Mute Witness by Charles O’Brien
°	A Witness Above by Andy Straka
°	An Affinity for Murder by Anne White

Best Short Story
*	“The Would-Be-Widower” by Katherine Hall Page Malice Domestic X
°	“Bitter Waters” by Rochelle Krich Criminal Kabbalah: An Intriguing Anthology of Jewish Mystery and Detective Fiction
°	“The Peculiar Events on Riverside Drive” by Maan Meyers Mystery Street
°	“Juggernaut” by Nancy Springer Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, June 2001
°	“Virgo in Sapphires” by Margaret Maron Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, December 2001

2000

Best Novel
*	Storm Track by Margaret Maron
°	Guns and Roses by Taffy Cannon
°	Killer Wedding by Jerrilyn Farmer
°	The Floating Girl by Sujata Massey
°	He Shall Thunder in the Sky by Elizabeth Peters

Best First Novel
*	Death on a Silver Tray by Rosemary Stevens
°	Death Dances to a Reggae Beat by Kate Grilley
°	Three Dirty Women and the Garden of Death by Julie Wray Herman
°	The Death of an Amiable Child by Irene Marcuse
°	Murder of a Small-Town Honey by Denise Swanson

Best Short Story
*	“The Man in the Civil Suit” by Jan Burke Malice Domestic 9
°	“Nothing to Lose” by Robert Barnard Malice Domestic 9
°	“The Seal of the Confessional” by Rhys Bowen Unholy Orders
°	“Amish Butter” by Jacqueline Fiedler Unholy Orders
°	“Miss Parker & the Cutter-Sanborn Tables” by Gay Toltl Kinman A Deadly Dozen
°	“Widow’s Peak” by Rochelle Krich Unholy Orders

1999

Best Novel
*	Mariner’s Compass by Earlene Fowler
°	Immaculate Reception by Jerrilyn Farmer
°	Death on the River Walk by Carolyn Hart
°	In Big Trouble by Laura Lippman
°	The Flower Master by Sujata Massey

Best First Novel
*	Murder With Peacocks by Donna Andrews
°	Circles of Confusion by April Henry
°	Revenge of the Gypsy Queen by Kris Neri
°	By Blood Possessed by Elena Santangelo
°	Sing It to Her Bones by Marcia Talley

Best Short Story
*	“Out of Africa” by Nancy Pickard Mom, Apple Pie, and Murder
°	“Maubi and the Jumbies” by Kate Grilley Murderous Intent Magazine, Fall 1999
°	“The Golden Rounds” by Susan Holtzer Malice Domestic 8
°	“With Thanks to Agatha Christie” by Sarah J. Mason Mom, Apple Pie, and Murder
°	“With Love, Marjorie Ann” by Marcia Talley Murderous Intent Magazine, Fall 1999

1998

Best Novel
*	Butchers Hill by Laura Lippman
°	Liar by Jan Burke
°	Dove in the Window by Earlene Fowler
°	Blind Bloodhound Justice by Virginia Lanier
°	Home Fires by Margaret Maron
°	The Ape Who Guards the Balance by Elizabeth Peters

Best First Novel
*	The Doctor Digs a Grave by Robin Hathaway
°	Sympathy for the Devil by Jerrilyn Farmer
°	Tiger’s Palette by Jacqueline Fiedler
°	Dying to Get Published by Judy Fitzwater
°	Fax Me a Bagel by Sharon Kahn

Best Short Story
*	“Of Course You Know that Chocolate Is a Vegetable” by Barbara D’Amato Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine November 1998
°	“Sleeping Dogs Lie” by Laurien Berenson Canine Crimes
°	“A Simple Philosophy” by Harlan Coben Malice Domestic 7
°	“The Village Vampire and the Oboe of Death” by Dean James Malice Domestic 7
°	“A Deliberate Form of Frenzy” by Daniel Stashower Malice Domestic 7

1997

Best Novel
*	The Devil in Music by Kate Ross
°	Hocus by Jan Burke
°	Dreaming of the Bones by Deborah Crombie
°	Goose in the Pond by Earlene Fowler
°	Seeing a Large Cat by Elizabeth Peters

Best First Novel
*	The Salaryman’s Wife by Sujata Massey
°	Quieter Than Sleep by Joanne Dobson
°	The Butter Did It by Phyllis Richman
°	Dead Body Language by Penny Warner
°	Death Brims Over by Barbara Jaye Wilson

Best Short Story
*	“Tea for Two” by M.D. Lake Funnybones
°	“Heavenly Bodies” by Simon Brett Funnybones
°	“Come To Tea” by Janet Laurence Murder They Wrote
°	“Corbett Correspondence” by Edward Marston & Peter Lovesey Malice Domestic 6
°	“Two Ladies of Rose Cottage” by Peter Robinson Malice Domestic 6

1996

Best Novel
*	Up Jumps the Devil by Margaret Maron
°	Kansas Troubles by Earlene Fowler
°	The Grass Widow by Teri Holbrook
°	Hearts and Bones by Margaret Lawrence
°	Strong as Death by Sharan Newman

Best First Novel
*	Murder on a Girls’ Night Out by Anne George [review]
°	Biggie and the Poisoned Politician by Nancy Bell
°	Death in Little Tokyo by Dale Furutani
°	Somebody Else's Child by Terris McMahan Grimes
°	Riding for a Fall by Lillian Roberts

Best Short Story
*	“Accidents Will Happen” by Carolyn Wheat Malice Domestic 5
°	“The Bun Also Rises” by Jill Churchill Malice Domestic 5
°	“The Death Of Erik The Redneck” by Toni L.P. Kelner Malice Domestic 5
°	“A Parrot Is Forever” by Peter Lovesey Malice Domestic 5
°	“Bugged” by Eve K. Sandstrom Malice Domestic 5

1995

Best Novel
*	If I’d Killed Him When I Met Him by Sharyn McCrumb
°	Miracles in Maggody by Joan Hess
°	The Wandering Arm by Sharan Newman
°	Twilight by Nancy Pickard
°	Escapade by Walter Satterthwait

Best First Novel
*	The Body in the Transept by Jeanne M. Dams
°	A Far and Deadly Cry by Teri Holbrook
°	Horse of a Different Killer by Jody Jaffe
°	Death in Bloodhound Red by Virginia Lanier
°	Murder in Scorpio by Martha C. Lawrence

Best Short Story
*	“The Dog Who Remembered too Much” by Elizabeth Daniels Squire Malice Domestic 4
°	“Rule Of Law” by K.K. Beck Malice Domestic 4
°	“Cupid’s Arrow” by Dorothy Cannell Crimes of the Heart
°	“A Contest Fit for a Queen” by Susan Dunlap Crimes of the Heart
°	“The Murder Game” by Jean Hager Malice Domestic 4

1994

Best Novel
*	She Walks These Hills by Sharyn McCrumb
°	Scandal in Fair Haven by Carolyn Hart
°	The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie R. King
°	Angel of Death by Rochelle Krich
°	Night Train to Memphis by Elizabeth Peters

Best First Novel
*	Do Unto Others by Jeff Abbott
°	One for the Money by Janet Evanovich
°	Fool’s Puzzle by Earlene Fowler
°	Writers of the Purple Sage by Barbara Burnett Smith
°	Until Death by Polly Whitney

Best Short Story
*	“The Family Jewels” by Dorothy Cannell Malice Domestic 3
°	“Cast Your Fate to the Wind” by Deborah Adams Malice Domestic 3
°	“The Gentleman in the Lake” by Robert Barnard Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, June 1994
°	“Soon To Be a Minor Motion Picture” by Barbara D’Amato Partners in Crime
°	“The Dying Light” by Taylor McCafferty Malice Domestic 3

1993

Best Novel
*	Dead Man’s Island by Carolyn Hart
°	Old Scores by Aaron Elkins
°	O Little Town of Maggody by Joan Hess
°	Fair Game by Rochelle Krich
°	Southern Discomfort by Margaret Maron
°	To Live and Die in Dixie by Kathy Hogan Trocheck

Best First Novel
*	Track of the Cat by Nevada Barr
°	Goodnight, Irene by Jan Burke
°	A Share in Death by Deborah Crombie [review]
°	Death Comes as Epiphany by Sharan Newman
°	Child of Silence by Abigail Padgett

Best Short Story
*	“Kim’s Game” by M.D. Lake Malice Domestic 2
°	“A Romance in the Rockies” by K.K. Beck Malice Domestic 2
°	“Sax And The Single Cat” by Carole Nelson Douglas Cat Crimes IV
°	“Checkout” by Susan Dunlap Malice Domestic 2
°	“…That Married Dear Old Dad” by Margaret Maron Malice Domestic 2

1992

Best Novel
*	Bootlegger’s Daughter by Margaret Maron
°	Southern Ghost by Carolyn Hart
°	The Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter by Sharyn McCrumb
°	Defend and Betray by Anne Perry
°	The Snake, the Crocodile and the Dog by Elizabeth Peters

Best First Novel
*	Blanche on the Lam by Barbara Neely
°	All the Great Pretenders by Deborah Adams
°	Thyme of Death by Susan Wittig Albert
°	Decked by Carol Higgins Clark
°	Seneca Falls Inheritance by Miriam Grace Monfredo

Best Short Story
*	“Nice Gorilla” by Aaron and Charlotte Elkins Malice Domestic 1
°	“The Jersey Lily” by P.M. Carlson Malice Domestic 1
°	“Country Hospitality” by Jean Hager Sisters in Crime 5
°	“The Last To Know” by Joan Hess Malice Domestic 1
°	“Happiness Is a Dead Poet” by Sharyn McCrumb Malice Domestic 1

1991

Best Novel
*	I.O.U. by Nancy Pickard
°	Make No Bones by Aaron Elkins
°	The Christie Caper by Carolyn Hart
°	An Owl Too Many by Charlotte MacLeod
°	The Last Camel Died at Noon by Elizabeth Peters

Best First Novel
*	Zero at the Bone by Mary Willis Walker
°	Carpool by Mary Cahill
°	Just Desserts by Mary Daheim
°	The Bulrush Murders by Rebecca Rothenberg
°	Flowers for the Dead by Ann M. Williams

Best Short Story
*	“Deborah’s Judgment” by Margaret Maron A Woman’s Eye
°	“The Habit of Widowhood” by Robert Barnard The Habit of Widowhood and Other Murderous Proclivities
°	“The January Sales Stowaway” by Dorothy Cannell Christmas Stalkings
°	“The Crime Of Miss Oyster Brown” by Peter Lovesey Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, May 1991
°	“Long Live The Queen” by Ruth Rendell Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, July 1991

1990

Best Novel
*	Bum Steer by Nancy Pickard
°	Real Murders by Charlaine Harris
°	Deadly Valentine by Carolyn Hart
°	The Face of a Stranger by Anne Perry
°	The Potter’s Field by Ellis Peters

Best First Novel
*	The Body in the Belfry by Katherine Hall Page
°	Screaming Bones by Pat Burden
°	Catering to Nobody by Diane Mott Davidson
°	The Chartreuse Clue by William F. Love
°	Sea of Troubles by Janet L. Smith

Best Short Story
*	“Too Much To Bare” by Joan Hess Sisters in Crime 2
°	“The High Cost Of Living” by Dorothy Cannell Sisters in Crime 3
°	“Proxime Accessit” by Reginald Hill Armchair Detective
°	“A Family Affair” by Janet Neel Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, February 1990
°	“The Wearing of Purple” by Anne Woodward Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, April 1990

1989

Best Novel
*	Naked Once More by Elizabeth Peters
°	The Sirens Sang of Murder by Sarah Caudwell
°	A Little Class on Murder by Carolyn Hart
°	Corpus Christmas by Margaret Maron
°	Philly Stakes by Gillian Roberts

Best First Novel
*	Grime & Punishment by Jill Churchill
°	Working Murder by Eleanor Boylan
°	A Question of Guilt by Frances Fyfield
°	The Mother Shadow by Melodie Johnson Howe [review]
°	The Mark Twain Murders by Edith Skom

Best Short Story
*	“A Wee Doch and Doris” by Sharyn McCrumb Mistletoe Mysteries
°	“Live It Up, Bert” by Patricia Derozier Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, November 1989
°	“Amanda” by Ellie Grossman Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, October 1989
°	“A Cozy For Christmas” by Charlotte MacLeod Mistletoe Mysteries
°	“Afraid All The Time” by Nancy Pickard Sisters in Crime

1988

Best Novel
*	Something Wicked by Carolyn Hart
°	The Widow’s Club by Dorothy Cannell
°	Mischief in Maggody by Joan Hess
°	Paying the Piper by Sharyn McCrumb
°	Dead Crazy by Nancy Pickard

Best First Novel
*	A Great Deliverance by Elizabeth George
°	The Killings at Badger’s Drift by Caroline Graham
°	The J. Alfred Prufrock Murders by Corinne Holt Sawyer
°	Goodbye, Nanny Gray by Susannah Stacey
°	Dead Men Don’t Give Seminars by Dorothy Sucher

Best Short Story
*	“More Final Than Divorce” by Robert Barnard Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, October 1988
°	“Prodigal Grandson” by Elizabeth Byrd Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, August 1988
°	“Father Of The Bride” by P.M. Carlson Mr. President, Private Eye
°	“Double Vision” by Mary Higgins Clark Woman’s Day, August 23, 1988
°	“Dutiful Son” by Ralph McInerny Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, May 1988

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