Shamus Awards

2024

Best P.I. Novel
*	Heart of the Nile by Will Thomas [review]
°	Hard Rain by Samantha Jayne Allen [review]
°	Go Find Daddy by Steve Goble
°	The Mistress of Bhatia House by Sujata Massey
°	The Bell in the Fog by Lev AC Rosen [review]

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Liar’s Dice by Gabriel Valjan
°	Drums Guns ’N’ Money by Jonathan J. Brown
°	Gillespie Field Groove by Corey Lynn Fayman
°	The Truth We Hide by Liz Milliron
°	Bring the Night by J.R. Sanders

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“Errand for a Neighbor” by Bill Bassman
°	“Beyond Belief” by Libby Cudmore
°	“The Soiled Dove of Shallow Hollow” by Sean McCluskey
°	“Imperfect Data” by Bob Tippee
°	“Making the Bad Guys Nervous” by Joseph S. Walker

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2023

Best P.I. Novel
*	The Wheel of Doll by Jonathan Ames [review]
°	The Big Bundle by Max Allan Collins
°	The Goodbye Coast: A Philip Marlowe Novel by Joe Ide
°	Holmes Coming by Kenneth Johnson
°	The Blackmail by M. Ravenel

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Dead-Bang Fall by J.R. Sanders
°	Quarry’s Blood by Max Allan Collins
°	DoubleBlind by Libby Fischer Hellmann
°	Canary in the Coal Mine by Charles Salzberg
°	Hush Hush by Gabriel Valjan

Best First P.I. Novel
*	The Goldenacre by Philip Miller [review]
°	Big Fat F@!k-up by Lawrence Allan
°	Pay Dirt Road by Samantha Jayne Allen [review]
°	Foote by Tom Bredehoft
°	What Meets the Eye by Alex Kenna

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“Charlie’s Medicine” by Libby Cudmore Lawyers, Guns, and Money: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Music of Warren Zevon
°	“No Place for a Dame” by Lori Armstrong Edgar & Shamus Go Golden
°	“A Jelly of Intrigue” by O’Neil De Noux Edgar & Shamus Go Golden
°	“The Pearl of Antilles” by Caroline Garcia-Aguilera Edgar & Shamus Go Golden
°	“Bad Actor” by Elliot Sweeney Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine November/December 2022

2022

Best P.I. Novel
*	Family Business by S.J. Rozan
°	Runner by Tracy Clark [review]
°	Last Redemption by Matt Coyle
°	Pay or Play by Howard Michael Gould
°	Head Case by Michael Wiley

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Every City is Every Other City by John McFetridge
°	The Burden of Innocence by John Nardizzi
°	Angels in the Wind by Manuel Ramos
°	Frog in a Bucket by Clive Rosengren
°	An Empty Grave by Andrew Welsh-Huggins

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Lost Little Girl by Gregory Stout
°	Porno Valley by Phillip Elliot
°	A Dead Man’s Eyes by Lori Duffy Foster
°	Suburban Dicks by Fabian Nicieza [review]
°	The Arrangement by M. Ravenel

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“Sweeps Week” by Richard Helms Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, July/August 2021
°	“Disposable Women” by Michael Bracken Tough
°	“Sixteen Lies” by Matt Goldman Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September/October 2021
°	“Oro de Tontos (Fool’s Gold)” by Tom Larsen Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, November/December 2021
°	“The Hidden Places” by Linda Stansberry Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, May/June 2021

2021

The Eye Award

Michael Z. Lewin

Best P.I. Novel
*	Blind Vigil by Matt Coyle
°	What You Don’t See by Tracy Clark [review]
°	Do No Harm by Max Allan Collins
°	House on Fire by Joseph Finder
°	And Now She’s Gone by Rachel Howzell Hall [review]

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Brittle Karma by Richard Helms
°	Farewell Las Vegas by Grant Bywaters
°	All Kinds of Ugly by Ralph Dennis
°	Remember My Face by John Lantigua
°	Damaged Goods by Debbi Mack

Best First P.I. Novel
*	The Missing American by Kwei Quartey [review]
°	Squatter’s Rights by Kevin R. Doyle
°	Derailed by Mary Keliikoa
°	I Know Where You Sleep by Alan Orloff
°	Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden [review]

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“Mustang Sally” by John M. Floyd Black Cat Mystery Magazine
°	“A Dreamboat Gambol” by O’Neil De Noux Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine
°	“Setting the Pick” by April Kelly Mystery Weekly Magazine
°	“Show and Zeller” by Gordon Linzner Black Cat Mystery Magazine
°	“Nashua River Floater” by Tom MacDonald Coast to Coast Noir

2020

Best P.I. Novel
*	Lost Tomorrows by Matt Coyle
°	The Tower of Songs by Casey Barrett
°	The Shallows by Matt Goldman [review]
°	Below the Line by Howard Michael Gould
°	The Cold Way Home by Julia Keller

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Behind the Wall of Sleep by James D.F. Hannah
°	The Skin Game by J.D. Allen
°	Paid in Spades by Richard Helms
°	Ration of Lies by M. Ruth Myers
°	The Bird Boys by Lisa Sandlin [review]

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“Sac-A-Lait Man” by O’Neil De Noux Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September/October 2019
°	“The Smoking Bandit of Lakeside Terrace” by Chad Baker Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, May/June 2019
°	“The Dunes of Saulkrasti” by William Burton McCormick Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September/October 2019
°	“The Fourteenth Floor” by Adam Meyer Crime Travel
°	“Weathering the Storm” by Michael Pool The Eyes of Texas

2019

Best P.I. Novel
*	What You Want To See by Kristen Lepionka [review]
°	Wrong Light by Matt Coyle
°	The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey [review]
°	Baby’s First Felony by John Straley
°	Cut You Down by Sam Wiebe

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	The Questionable Behavior of Dahlia Moss by Max Wirestone
°	She Talks to Angels by James D. F. Hannah
°	No Quarter by John Jantunen
°	Shark Bait by Paul Kemprecos
°	Second Story Man by Charles Salzberg

Best First P.I. Novel
*	The Best Bad Things by Katrina Carrasco [review]
°	Broken Places by Tracy Clark [review]
°	Last Looks by Howard Michael Gould
°	What Doesn’t Kill You by Aimee Hix [review]
°	Only to Sleep: A Philip Marlowe Novel by Lawrence Osborne

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“Chin Yong-Yun Helps a Fool” by S.J. Rozan Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine
°	“Fear of the Secular” by Mitch Alderma Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine
°	“Three-Star Sushi” by Barry Lancet Down & Out Magazine
°	“The Big Creep” by Elizabeth McKenzie Santa Cruz Noir
°	“Game” by Twist Phelan Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine

2018

Best P.I. Novel
*	The Room of White Fire by T. Jefferson Parker [review]
°	Dark Water by Parker Bilal
°	Blood Truth by Matt Coyle [review]
°	Y Is for Yesterday by Sue Grafton
°	Monument Road by Michael Wiley

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Lights Out Summer by Rich Zahradnik
°	Play a Cold Hand by Terence Faherty
°	The Strange Disappearance of a Bollywood Star by Vaseem Khan [review]
°	Dames Fight Harder by M. Ruth Myers
°	The Painted Gun by Bradley Spinelli

Best First P.I. Novel
*	The Last Place You Look by Kristen Lepionka [review]
°	Under Water by Casey Barrett [review]
°	A Negro and an Ofay by Danny Gardner
°	Gone to Dust by Matt Goldman [review]
°	August Snow by Stephen Mack Jones

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“Rosalie Marx is Missing” by Robert S. Levinson Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, May/June 2017
°	“Out of Business” by Eric Beetner Down & Out, The Magazine Vol 1/ Issue 1
°	“Breakage” by Reed Farrel Coleman Down & Out, The Magazine Vol 1/ Issue 1
°	“Random” by Brendan Dubois Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, January/February 2017
°	“Windward” by Paul D. Marks Coast to Coast: Private Eyes from Sea to Shining Sea

2017

The Eye Award

Jerry Kennealy

Best Private Eye Novel
*	Where It Hurts by Reed Farrel Coleman [review]
°	The Graveyard of the Hesperides by Lindsey Davis
°	Fields Where They Lay by Timothy Hallinan [review]
°	With 6 You Get Wally by Al Lamanda
°	The Stardom Affair by Robert S. Levinson

Best Private Eye Paperback Original
*	The Perplexing Theft of the Jewel in the Crown by Vaseem Khan [review]
°	The Detective and the Chinese High-Fin by Michael Craven [review]
°	Hold Me, Babe by O’Neil De Noux
°	The Knife Slipped by Erle Stanley Gardner
°	My Bad: A Mile High Noir by Manuel Ramos

Best First Private Eye Novel
*	IQ by Joe Ide [review]
°	Fever City by Tim Baker
°	Deep Six by D.P. Lyle
°	The Second Girl by David Swinson [review]
°	SoHo Sins by Richard Vine

Best Private Eye Short Story
*	“A Battlefield Reunion” by Brendan DuBois Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, June 2016
°	“Keller’s Fedora” by Lawrence Block
°	“Stairway From Heaven” by Åke Edwardson Stockholm Noir
°	““A Dangerous Cat” by Mickey Spillane and Max Allan Collins The Strand, February-May 2016
°	“Archie On Loan” by Dave Zeltserman Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September-October 2016

2016

The Eye Award:

S.J. Rozan

Best P.I. Novel
*	Brutality by Ingrid Thoft [review]
°	The Promise by Robert Crais
°	Dance of the Bones by J.A. Jance
°	Gumshoe by Rob Leininger [review]
°	Brush Back by Sara Paretsky

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Circling the Runway by J.L. Abramo
°	The Long Cold by O’Neil De Noux
°	Split to Splinters by Max Everhart
°	The Man in the Window by Dana King
°	Red Desert by Clive Rosengren

Best First P.I. Novel
*	The Do-Right by Lisa Sandlin [review]
°	The Red Storm by Grant Bywaters
°	Night Tremors by Matt Coyle [review]
°	Trouble in Rooster Paradise by T.W. Emory
°	Depth by Lev AC Rosen

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“The Dead Client” by Parnell Hall Dark City Lights: New York Stories
°	“The Runaway Girl from Portland, Oregon” by C.B. Forrest Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, October 2015
°	“The Sleep of Death” by David Edgerley Gates Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, December 2015
°	“The Dead Detective” by Robert S. Levinson Coast to Coast: Murder from Sea to Shining Sea
°	“The Continental Opposite” by Evan Lewis Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, May 2015

2015

The Eye Award:

Parnell Hall

Best P.I. Novel
*	Hounded by David Rosenfelt
°	The Hollow Girl by Reed Farrel Coleman [review]
°	The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith [review]
°	Tokyo Kill by Barry Lancet
°	Peter Pan Must Die by John Verdon

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Moonlight Weeps by Vincent Zandri
°	The Detective & the Pipe Girl by Michael Craven [review]
°	Beauty with a Bomb by M.C. Grant
°	Critical Damage by Robert K. Lewis
°	Street Justice by Kris Nelscott

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Invisible City by Julia Dahl [review]
°	Wink of an Eye by Lynn Chandler-Willis
°	Bad Country by C.B. McKenzie [review]
°	Last of the Independents by Sam Wiebe
°	City of Brick and Shadow by Tim Wirkus

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“Clear Recent History” by Gon Ben Ari Tel Aviv Noir
°	“The Ehrengraf Fandango” by Lawrence Block Defender of the Innocent
°	“Busting Red Heads” by Richard Helms Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, March 2014
°	“Fear Is The Best Keeper of Secrets” by Vali Khalili Tehran Noir
°	“Mei Kwei, I Love You” by Suchen Christine Lim Singapore Noir

Best Indie P.I. Novel
*	The Shadow Broker by Trace Conger
°	Nobody’s Child by Libby Fischer Hellmann
°	Played To Death by BV Lawson
°	The Kids Are All Right by Steve Liskow
°	Get Busy Dying by Ben Rehder

2014

The Hammer Award:

Kinsey Millhone by Sue Grafton

Best P.I. Novel
*	The Good Cop by Brad Parks [review]
°	W Is for Wasted by Sue Grafton
°	Little Elvises by Timothy Hallinan
°	The Mojito Coast by Richard Helms
°	Nemesis by Bill Pronzini

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Heart of Ice by P.J. Parrish
°	Seduction of the Innocent by Max Allan Collins
°	Into the Dark by Alison Gaylin [review]
°	Purgatory Key by Darrell James
°	The Honky Tonk Big Hoss Boogie by Robert J. Randisi

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Bear Is Broken by Lachlan Smith [review]
°	A Good Death by Christopher R. Cox [review]
°	Montana by Gwen Florio [review]
°	Blood Orange by Karen Keskinen [review]
°	Loyalty by Ingrid Thoft [review]

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“So Long, Chief” by Max Allan Collins and Mickey Spillane The Strand Magazine
°	“The Ace I” by Jack Fredrickson Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine
°	“What We Do” by Mick Herron Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine
°	“Extra Fries” by Michael Z. Lewin Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine
°	“The Lethal Leeteg” by Hayford Peirce Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine

Best Indie P.I. Novel
*	Don’t Dare a Dame by M. Ruth Myers [review]
°	Murder: Take Three by April Kelly & Marsha Lyons
°	A Small Sacrifice by Dana King
°	No Pat Hands by J.J. Lamb
°	State vs. Lassiter by Paul Levine

2013

The Eye Award:

Loren D. Estleman

Best P.I. Novel
*	Taken by Robert Crais
°	Robert B. Parker’s Lullaby by Ace Atkins
°	Hunting Sweetie Rose by Jack Fredrickson [review]
°	Blues in the Night by Dick Lochte
°	The Other Woman by Hank Phillippi Ryan [review]

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	And She Was by Alison Gaylin [review]
°	Death Warmed Over by Kevin J. Anderson [review]
°	Archie Meets Nero Wolfe by Robert Goldsborough
°	False Negative by Joseph Koenig
°	Pulse by John Lutz

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Black Fridays by Michael Sears [review]
°	Hush Money by Chuck Greaves [review]
°	Murder Unscripted by Clive Rosengren
°	Racing the Devil by Jaden Terrell [review]
°	The Twenty-Year Death by Ariel S. Winter [review]

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“Ghost Negligence” by John Shepphird Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine
°	“The Sequel” by Jeffrey Deaver The Strand
°	“After Cana” by Terence Faherty Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine
°	“O'Nelligan and the Lost Fates” by Michael Nethercott Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine
°	“Illegitimati Non Carborundum” by Stephen D. Rogers Crimespree

Best Indie P.I. Novel
*	White Heat by Paul Marks
°	Stranger in Town by Cheryl Bradshaw
°	Enamored by O’Neil De Noux
°	One-Eyed Jack by Christopher J. Lynch
°	Devil May Care by James Mullaney

2012

The Hammer Award:

Nate Heller by Max Allen Collins

Best P.I. Novel
*	A Bad Night’s Sleep by Michael Wiley
°	Bye Bye, Baby by Max Allan Collins
°	1222 by Anne Holt [review]
°	When the Thrill Is Gone by Walter Mosley
°	The Highly Effective Detective Crosses the Line by Richard Yancey

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Fun & Games by Duane Swiercyzinski [review]
°	Quarry’s Ex by Max Allan Collins
°	Threat Warning by John Gilstrap
°	Serial by John Lutz
°	Long Pig by James L. Ross

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Shortcut Man by P.G. Sturges [review]
°	The Plot Against Hip Hop by Nelson George
°	Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead by Sara Gran [review]
°	The Ocean Forest by Troy D. Nooe
°	The Stranger You Seek by Amanda Kyle Williams [review]

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“Who I Am” by Michael Z. Lewin Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, December 2011
°	“A Bullet From Yesterday” by Terence Faherty Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, January 2011
°	“Mr. Monk & The Sunday Paper” by Lee Goldberg Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, July 2011
°	“Vampire Slayer Murdered in Key West” by Michael Haskins Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September/October 2011
°	“Dancer in a Storm” by L.A. Wilson Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine

2011

The Eye Award:

Ed Gorman

The Hammer Award:

V.I. Warshawski by Sara Paretsky

Best P.I. Novel
*	No Mercy by Lori Armstrong
°	The First Rule by Robert Crais
°	Voyeur by Daniel Judson
°	If the Dead Rise Not by Philip Kerr [review]
°	Naked Moon by Domenic Stansberry

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Asia Hand by Christopher G. Moore
°	Hostage Zero by John Gilstrap
°	Nightshade by Tom Henighan
°	Mister X by John Lutz
°	The Panic Zone by Rick Mofina
°	The Little Death by P.J. Parrish

Best First P.I. Novel
*	In Search of Mercy by Michael Ayoob
°	One Man’s Paradise by Douglas Corleone [review]
°	Rogue Island by Bruce DeSilva [review]
°	Random Violence by Jassy MacKenzie [review]
°	City of Dragons by Kelli Stanley [review]

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“The Lamb Was Sure to Go” by Gar Anthony Haywood Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, November 2010
°	“The God of Right and Wrong” by Steven Gore Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, January/February 2010
°	“The Girl in the Golden Gown” by Robert S. Levinson Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, March/April 2010
°	“Phelan’s First Case” by Lisa Sandlin Lone Star Noir
°	“A Long Time Dead” by Mickey Spillane and Max Allan Collins The Strand Magazine, June–Sept. 2010

2010

The Eye Award:

Robert Crais

Best P.I. Novel
*	Locked In by Marcia Muller
°	The Silent Hour by Michael Koryta [review]
°	Where the Dead Lay by David Levien [review]
°	Schemers by Bill Pronzini
°	My Soul To Take by Yrsa Sigurdardottir

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Sinner’s Ball by Ira Berkowitz
°	Dark Side of the Morgue by Raymond Benson
°	Red Blooded Murder by Laura Caldwell
°	Vengeance Road by Rick Mofina
°	Body Blows by Marc Strange

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Faces of the Gone by Brad Parks [review]
°	Loser’s Town by Daniel Depp [review]
°	The Last Gig by Norman Green [review]
°	The Good Son by Russel D. McLean [review]
°	Chinatown Angel by A.E. Roman [review]

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“Julius Katz” by Dave Zeltserman Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September/October 2009
°	“The Dark Island” by Brendan DuBois Boston Noir
°	“Deadline Edition” by S.L. Franklin Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, April 2009
°	“Blazin’ on Broadway” by Gary Phillips Phoenix Noir
°	“Suicide Bonds” by Tim L. Williams Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, March/April 2009

2009

Best P.I. Novel
*	Empty Ever After by Reed Farrel Coleman
°	Salvation Boulevard by Larry Beinhart
°	The Blue Door by David Fulmer
°	The Price of Blood by Declan Hughes [review]
°	The Ancient Rain by Domenic Stansberry

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Snow Blind by Lori Armstrong
°	Shot Girl by Karen Olson
°	The Stolen by Jason Pinter
°	The Black Hand by Will Thomas
°	The Evil That Men Do by Dave White

Best First P.I. Novel
*	In the Heat by Ian Vasquez
°	Stalking Susan by Julie Kramer [review]
°	The Eye of Jade by Diane Wei Liang
°	Swann’s Last Song by Charles Salzberg
°	Veil of Lies by Jeri Westerson [review]

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“Family Values” by Mitch Alderman Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, June 2008
°	“Last Island South” by John C. Boland Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September/October 2008
°	“The Blonde Tigress” by Max Allan Collins Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, June 2008
°	“Discovery” by Kristine Kathryn Rusch Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, November 2008
°	“Panic on Portage Path” by Dick Stodghill Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, January/February 2008

2008

The Eye Award:

Joe Gores

Best P.I. Novel
*	Soul Patch by Reed Farrel Coleman
°	Head Games by Thomas B. Cavanagh
°	The Color of Blood by Declan Hughes
°	A Welcome Grave by Michael Koryta
°	A Killer’s Kiss by William Lashner

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Songs of Innocence by Richard Aleas
°	Exit Strategy by Kelley Armstrong
°	Stone Rain by Linwood Barclay
°	Deadly Beloved by Max Allan Collins
°	Blood of Paradise by David Corbett

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Big City, Bad Blood by Sean Chercover
°	The Cleaner by Brett Battles
°	Keep It Real by Bill Bryan
°	When One Man Dies by Dave White
°	The Last Striptease by Michael Wiley [review]

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“Hungry Enough” by Cornelia Read A Hell of a Woman
°	“Kill the Cat” by Loren D. Estleman Detroit Noir
°	“Trust Me” by Loren D. Estleman Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, June 2007
°	“Open Mike” by James Nolan New Orleans Noir
°	“Room for Improvement” by Marilyn Todd Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, December 2007

2007

The Eye Award:

Stuart M. Kaminsky

Best P.I. Novel
*	The Dramatist by Ken Bruen
°	The Darkest Place by Daniel Judson
°	The Do-Re-Mi by Ken Kuhlken
°	Vanishing Point by Marcia Muller
°	Days of Rage by Kris Nelscott

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	An Unquiet Grave by P.J. Parrish
°	Hallowed Ground by Lori G. Armstrong
°	The Prop by Pete Hautman
°	The Uncomfortable Dead by Paco Ignacio Taibo II and Subcomandante Marcos
°	Crooked by Brian M. Wiprud

Best First P.I. Novel
*	The Wrong Kind of Blood by Declan Hughes [review]
°	Lost Angel by Mike Doogan [review]
°	A Safe Place for Dying by Jack Fredrickson [review]
°	Holmes on the Range by Steve Hockensmith
°	18 Seconds by George D. Shuman

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“The Heart Has Reasons” by O’Neil De Noux Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, September 2006
°	“Sudden Stop” by Mitch Alderman Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, November 2006
°	“Square One” by Loren D. Estleman Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, November 2006
°	“Devil’s Brew” by Bill Pronzini Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, December 2006
°	“Smoke Got In My Eyes” by Bruce Rubenstein Twin Cities Noir

2006

The Eye Award:

Max Allan Collins

Best P.I. Novel
*	The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly
°	Oblivion by Peter Abrahams
°	The Forgotten Man by Robert Crais
°	In a Teapot by Terence Faherty
°	The Man with the Iron-On Badge by Lee Goldberg
°	Cinnamon Kiss by Walter Mosley

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	The James Deans by Reed Farrell Coleman
°	Falling Down by David Cole
°	Deadlocked by Joel Goldman
°	Cordite Wine by Richard Helms
°	A Killing Rain by P.J. Parrish

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Forcing Amaryllis by Louise Ure [review]
°	Blood Ties by Lori G. Armstrong
°	Still River by Harry Hunsicker
°	The Devil’s Right Hand by J.D. Rhoades

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“A Death in Ueno” by Michael Wiecek Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, March 2005
°	“Oh, What a Tangled Lanyard We Weave” by Parnell Hall Murder Most Crafty
°	“Two Birds with One Stone” by Jeremiah Healy Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, January/February 2005
°	“The Big Road” by Steve Hockensmith Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, May 2005
°	“The Breaks” by Timothy Williams Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September/October 2005

2005

The Eye Award:

Sara Paretsky

Best P.I. Novel
*	While I Disappear by Edward Wright
°	Fade to Clear by Leonard Chang
°	The Wake-Up by Robert Ferrigno
°	After the Rain by Chuck Logan
°	Choke Point by James C. Mitchell

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Fade to Blonde by Max Phillips
°	Call the Devil by His Oldest Name by Sallie Bissell
°	Shadow of the Dahlia by Jack Bludis
°	The London Blitz Murders by Max Allan Collins
°	Island of Bones by P.J. Parrish

Best First P.I. Novel
*	The Dead by Ingrid Black
°	Little Girl Lost by Richard Aleas
°	The Last Goodbye by Reed Arvin
°	Aspen Pulp by Patrick Hasburgh
°	Some Danger Involved by Will Thomas [review]

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“Hasidic Noir” by Pearl Abraham Brooklyn Noir
°	“Burnt Wood” by Mitch Alderman Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, July 2004
°	“Trumpeter Swan” by John F. Dobbyn Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, February 2004
°	“Dog on Fire” by Gregory S. Fallis Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, May 2004
°	“Tricks” by Steve Hockensmith Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. August 2004

2004

The Eye Award:

Donald E. Westlake

Best P.I. Novel
*	The Guards by Ken Bruen [review]
°	Scavenger Hunt by Robert Ferrigno
°	Blood Is the Sky by Steve Hamilton
°	A Visible Darkness by Jonathon King
°	Fatal Flaw by William Lashner

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Cold Quarry by Andy Straka
°	Dragonfly Bones by David Cole
°	Wet Debt by Richard Helms
°	Thicker Than Water by P.J. Parrish

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Black Maps by Peter Spiegelman
°	Spiked by Mark Arsenault
°	Lover’s Crossing by James C. Mitchell

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“Lady on Ice” by Loren D. Estleman A Hot and Sultry Night For Crime
°	“Munchies” by Jack Bludis Hardbroiled
°	“The Rock in the Orange Grove” by Mitch Alderman Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, June 2003
°	“Slayer Statute” by Janet Dawson Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September/October 2003
°	“Valhalla” by Doug Allyn Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, January 2003

2003

The Eye Award:

Sue Grafton

Best P.I. Novel
*	Blackwater Sound by James W. Hall
°	North of Nowhere by Steve Hamilton
°	The Last Place by Laura Lippman
°	Hell to Pay by George Pelecanos
°	Winter and Night by S.J. Rozan

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	The Poisoned Rose by D. Daniel Judson
°	Cash Out by Paul Boray
°	Juicy Watusi by Richard Helms
°	The Lusitania Murders by Max Allan Collins
°	Paint It Black by P.J. Parrish

Best First P.I. Novel
*	The Distance by Eddie Muller
°	Private Heat by Robert E. Bailey
°	Westerfield’s Chain by Jack Clark
°	The Bone Orchard by D. Daniel Judson
°	Open and Shut by David Rosenfelt [review]

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“The Second Coming” by Terence Faherty Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, November 2002
°	“Setting Up the Kill” by J. Michael Blue Hand Held Crime, Summer 2002
°	“Aftermath” by Jeremiah Healy Most Wanted
°	“Second Story Sunlight” by John Lutz Most Wanted
°	“The Jewels of Atlantis” by James Powell Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, November 2002

2002

The Eye Award:

Lawrence Block

Best P.I. Novel
*	Reflecting the Sky by S.J. Rozan
°	Angel in Black by Max Allan Collins
°	Ashes of Aries by Martha C. Lawrence
°	The Devil Went Down to Austin by Rick Riordan
°	Cold Water Burning by John Straley

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Archangel Protocol by Lyda Morehouse
°	Keepers by Janet LaPierre
°	Ancient Enemy by Robert Westbrook

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Chasing the Devil’s Tail by David Fulmer
°	Rat City by Curt Colbert
°	Epitaph by James Siegel
°	A Witness Above by Andy Straka
°	Pilikia Is My Business by Mark Troy

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“Rough Justice” by Ceri Jordan Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, July 2001
°	“The Jungle” by John Lantigua …And the Dying Is Easy
°	“Last Kiss” by Tom Sweeney Mystery Street
°	“Golden Retriever” by Barbara Paul Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, December 2001
°	“The Cobalt Blues” by Clark Howard Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September 2001

2001

Best P.I. Novel
*	Havana Heat by Carolina Garcia-Aguilera
°	A Smile on the Face of the Tiger by Loren D. Estleman
°	The Deader the Better by G.M. Ford
°	Ellipsis by Stephen Greenleaf
°	Listen to the Silence by Marcia Muller

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Death in the Steel City by Thomas Lipinski
°	The Blazing Tree by Mary Jo Adamson
°	The Sporting Club by Sinclair Browning
°	The Hindenburg Murders by Max Allan Collins
°	Bad to the Bone by Katy Munger
°	Dirty Money by Steven Womack

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Street Level by Bob Truluck
°	Brigham’s Day by John Gates
°	The Heir Hunter by Chris Larsgaard
°	Resurrection Angel by William Mize
°	Lost Girls by Andrew Pyper

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“The Road's End” by Brendan Dubois Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, April 2000
°	“What's In A Name?” by Jeremiah Healy The Shamus Game
°	“The Sleeping Detective” by Gary Phillips The Shamus Game
°	“The Big Bite” by Bill Pronzini The Shamus Game
°	“The Good Daughter” by Mike Wiecek Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, December 2000

2000

The Eye Award:

Edward D. Hoch

Best P.I. Novel
*	California Fire and Life by Don Winslow
°	L.A. Requiem by Robert Crais
°	Monster by Jonathan Kellerman
°	Prayers for Rain by Dennis Lehane
°	Stone Quarry by S.J. Rozan

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	In Big Trouble by Laura Lippman
°	Deadbeat by Leo Atkins
°	Fulton County Blues by Ruth Birmingham
°	The Last Song Dogs by Sinclair Browning
°	Steel City Confessions by Thomas Lipinski

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Every Dead Thing by John Connolly
°	East of A by Russell Atwood
°	The Immortal Game by Mark Coggins
°	Maximum Insecurity by P.J. Grady
°	The Answer Man by Roy Johansen

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“Akitada’s First Case” by I.J. Parker Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, July/August, 1999
°	“Unchained Melody” by Doug Allyn Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, January, 1999
°	“Hodegetria” by Jeremiah Healy Death Cruise
°	“The Reluctant Op” by Barbara Paul Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine. September/October, 1999
°	“Cro-magnon, P.I.” by Mike Reiss Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, July/August, 1999

1999

The Eye Award:

Maxine O’Callaghan

Best P.I. Novel
*	Boobytrap by Bill Pronzini
°	No Badge, No Gun by Harold Adams
°	Flying Blind by Max Allan Collins
°	The Only Good Lawyer by Jeremiah Healy
°	Gone, Baby, Gone by Dennis Lehane

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Murder Manual by Steven Womack
°	Too Easy by Phillip DePoy
°	Butchers Hill by Laura Lippman
°	The Widower’s Two Step by Rick Riordan
°	Death in a City of Mystics by Janice Steinberg

Best First P.I. Novel
*	A Cold Day in Paradise by Steve Hamilton [review]
°	Like A Hole In The Head by Jen Banbury
°	Zen and the Art of Murder by Elizabeth Cosin
°	Dead-Low Tide by Jamie Katz

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“Another Day, Another Dollar” by Warren Murphy Murder on the Run
°	“Sidewinder” by David Edgerley Gates Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine
°	”No, Thank You, John” by Michelle Knowlden Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine
°	“All About Heroes” by Dan A. Sproul Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine
°	“More Light” by James Sallis New Mystery

1998

Best P.I. Novel
*	Come Back Dead by Terrance Faherty
°	Indigo Slam by Robert Crais
°	Deception Pass by Earl Emerson
°	Sacred by Dennis Lehane
°	Down for the Count by Maxine O’Callaghan
°	No Colder Place by S.J. Rozan

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Charm City by Laura Lippman
°	Back Spin by Harlan Coben
°	A Whisper of Rage by Tim Hemlin
°	Father, Forgive Me by Randye Lordon
°	Sunset and Santiago by Gloria White

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Big Red Tequilaby Rick Riordan [review]
°	Baltimore Blues by Laura Lippman
°	Legwork by Katy Munger

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“Love Me For My Yellow Hair Alone” by Carolyn Wheat Marilyn: Shades of Blonde
°	“Copperhead Run” by Doug Allyn Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, June 1997
°	“Lord of Obstacles” by Greg Fallis Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, January 1997
°	“A Front-Row Seat” by Jan Grape Vengeance Is Hers
°	“Nightcrawlers” by John Lutz Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, April 1997

1997

The Eye Award:

Stephen Marlowe

Best P.I. Novel
*	Sunset Express by Robert Crais
°	Damned in Paradise by Max Allan Collins
°	Flesh Wounds by Stephen Greenleaf
°	Invasion of Privacy by Jeremiah Healy
°	Sentinels by Bill Pronzini
°	When Wallflowers Die by Sandra West Prowell

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Fade Away by Harlan Coben
°	A Natural Death by Ruthe Furie
°	Chain of Fools by Steven Womack

Best First P.I. Novel
*	This Dog for Hire by Carol Lea Benjamin
°	Keeper by Greg Rucka
°	The Low End of Nowhere by Michael Stone
°	This Far, No Further by John Wessel

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“Dead Drunk” by Lia Matera Guilty as Charged
°	“Eye Of The Beholder” by Ed Gorman The Autumn Dead & A Cry Of Shadows
°	“Turning The Witness” by Jeremiah Healy Guilty as Charged
°	“The One About The Green Detective” by John Lethan Unusual Suspects
°	“The Girl Who Talked To Horses” by Robert J. Randisi Homicide Hosts Presents

1996

Best P.I. Novel
*	Concourse by S.J. Rozan
°	The Vanishing Smile by Earl Emerson
°	Come to Grief by Dick Francis
°	Movie by Parnell Hall
°	Neon Smile by Dick Lochte

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Native Angels by William Jaspersohn
°	Zero Tolerance by J.D. Knight
°	Interview with Mattie by Shelley Singer
°	Charged with Guilt by Gloria White
°	Way Past Dead by Steven Womack

Best First P.I. Novel
*	The Innocents by Richard Barre
°	Who in Hell Is Wanda Fuca? by G.M. Ford [review]
°	If Looks Could Kill by Ruthe Furie
°	Penance by David Housewright
°	The Harry Chronicles by Allan Pedrazas

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“And Pray Nobody Sees You” by Gar Anthony Haywood Spooks, Spies & Private Eyes
°	“Trial By Fire” by David Dean Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, February 1995
°	“A Plain and Honest Death” by Bill Pomidor Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September 1995
°	“Home Is The Place Where” by Bill Pronzini Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, November 1995
°	“Enigma” by D.H. Reddall Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, December 1995

1995

The Eye Award
*	John Lutz
*	Robert B. Parker

Best P.I. Novel
*	K Is for Killer by Sue Grafton
°	A Long Line of Dead Men by Lawrence Block
°	Carnal Hours by Max Allan Collins
°	The Killing of Monday Brown by Sandra West Prowell
°	The Lake Effect by Les Roberts

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Served Cold by Ed Goldberg
°	Double Plot by Leo Axler
°	Lament for a Dead Cowboy by Catherine Dain
°	Dead Ahead by Bridget McKenna
°	Deadly Devotion by Patricia Wallace

Best First P.I. Novel
*	A Drink Before the War by Dennis Lehane
°	The Heaven Stone by David Daniel
°	One for the Money by Janet Evanovich
°	The Fall-Down Artist by Thomas Lipinski
°	When Death Comes Stealing by Valerie Wilson Wesley

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“The Necessary Brother” by Brendan DuBois Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, May 1994
°	“A Matter Of Character” by Michael Collins Partners in Crime
°	“Slipstream” by Loren Estleman Deadly Allies II
°	“Split Decision” by Clark Howard Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, December 1994
°	“The Romantics” by John Lutz Deadly Allies II

1994

The Eye Award:

Stephen J. Cannell

Best P.I. Novel
*	The Devil Knows You’re Dead by Lawrence Block
°	Foursome by Jeremiah Healy
°	Wolf in the Shadows by Marcia Muller
°	Moth by James Sallis
°	The Lies that Bind by Judith Van Gieson

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Brothers and Sinners by Rodman Philbrick
°	The Half-Hearted Detective by Milton Bass
°	A Minyon For The Dead by Richard Fliegel
°	Shadow Games by Ed Gorman
°	Torch Town Boogie by Steven Womack

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Satan’s Lambs by Lynn Hightower
°	Brotherly Love by Randye Lordon
°	By Evil Means by Sandra West Prowell [review]

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“The Merciful Angel Of Death” by Lawrence Block The New Mystery
°	“The Sultans Of Soul” by Doug Allyn Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, March 1993
°	“Nobody Wins” by Charles Ardai Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Mid-December 1993
°	“The Bagged Man” by Jeremiah Healy Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, February 1993
°	“The Watt’s Lion” by Walter Mosley The New Mystery

1993

The Eye Award:

Marcia Muller

Best P.I. Novel
*	The Man Who Was Taller Than God by Harold Adams
°	Cassandra in Red by Michael Collins
°	Lullaby Town by Robert Crais
°	Shallow Graves by Jeremiah Healy
°	Special Delivery by Jerry Kennealy

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	The Last Tango of Dolores Delgado by Marele Day
°	Lay it on the Line by Catherine Dain
°	Dirty Money by Marc Davis
°	The Brutal Ballet by Wayne D. Dundee

Best First P.I. Novel
*	The Woman Who Married a Bear by John Straley [review]
°	Return Trip Ticket by David C. Hall
°	Switching the Odds by Phyllis Knight
°	The Long-Legged Fly by James Sallis

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“Mary, Mary, Shut the Door” by Benjamin Schutz Deadly Allies
°	“The Messenger” by Jacklyn Butler Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, October 1992
°	“Safe House” by Loren D. Estleman Deadly Allies
°	“A Little Missionary Work” by Sue Grafton Deadly Allies
°	“Rest Stop” by Jeremiah Healy Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, May 1992

1992

The Eye Award:

Joseph Hansen

Best P.I. Novel
*	Stolen Away by Max Allan Collins
°	A Dance at the Slaughterhouse by Lawrence Block
°	Where Echoes Live by Marcia Muller
°	A Fistful of Empty by Benjamin Schutz
°	Second Chance by Jonathan Valin

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Cool Blue Tomb by Paul Kemprecos
°	Black Light by Daniel Hearn
°	House of Cards by Kay Hooper
°	The Thousand-Yard Stare by Rob Kantner

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Suffer Little Children by Thomas D. Davis
°	The January Corpse by Neil Albert
°	Dead on the Island by Bill Crider
°	Best Performance by a Patsy by Stan Cutler
°	A Cool Breeze on the Underground by Don Winslow

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“Dust Devil” by Nancy Pickard The Armchair Detective, Winter 1991
°	“Dying in the Post-War World” by Max Allan Collins Dying in the Post-War World
°	“The Man Who Loved Noir” by Loren D. Estleman Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, February 1991
°	“Full Circle” by Sue Grafton A Woman’s Eye

1991

The Eye Award:

Roy Huggins

Best P.I. Novel
*	G Is for Gumshoe by Sue Grafton
°	A Ticket to the Boneyard by Lawrence Block
°	Poor Butterfly by Stuart Kaminsky
°	Polo’s Wild Card by Jerry Kennealy
°	Dead Irish by John Lescroart
°	The Desert Look by Bernard Schopen

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Rafferty: Fatal Sisters by W. Glenn Duncan
°	Bimbo Heaven by Marvin Albert
°	The Queen’s Mare by John Birkett
°	Made in Detroit by Rob Kantner
°	The Blue Room by Monroe Thompson

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosely
°	Kindred Crimes by Janet Dawson
°	Body Scissors by Jerome Doolittle
°	The Stone Veil by Ronald Tierney

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“Final Resting Place” by Marcia Muller Justice for Hire
°	“Naughty, Naughty” by Wayne D. Dundee Justice for Hire
°	“Cigarette Stop” by Loren D. Estleman Justice for Hire
°	“A Poison That Leaves No Trace” by Sue Grafton Sisters In Crime 2
°	“Battered Spouse” by Jeremiah Healy The Armchair Detective, Fall 1990
°	“Bypass to Murder” by Dick Stodghill Justice for Hire

1990

Best P.I. Novel
*	Extenuating Circumstances by Jonathan Valin
°	Out on the Cutting Edge by Lawrence Block
°	The Skintight Shroud by Wayne D. Dundee
°	The Shape of Dread by Marcia Muller
°	The Killing Man by Mickey Spillane

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Hell’s Only Half Full by Rob Kantner
°	Muscle and Blood by Gaylord Dold
°	Behind the Fact by Richard Hilary
°	Tough Enough by W.R. Philbrick
°	A Collector of Photographs by Deborah Valentine

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Katwalk by Karen Kijewski
°	Medicine Dog by Geoff Peterson
°	Cold Night by Al Sarrantonio
°	Rock Critic Murders by Jesse Sublett

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“The Killing Man” by Mickey Spillane Playboy, December 1989
°	“Deadly Fantasies” by Marcia Muller Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, April 1989
°	“Here Comes Santa Claus” by Bill Pronzini Mistletoe Mysteries
°	“The Sure Thing” by Dan A. Sproul Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, January 1989
°	“Sloat’s Last Case” by Robert Twohy Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, May 1989

1989

Best P.I. Novel
*	Kiss by John Lutz
°	Neon Mirage by Max Allan Collins
°	Deviant Behavior by Earl Emerson
°	Swan Dive by Jeremiah Healy
°	Blood Shot by Sara Paretsky

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Dirty Work by Rob Kantner
°	The Last Private Eye by John Birkett
°	Bonepile by Gaylord Dold
°	Rebound by David Everson
°	The Crystal Blue Persuasion by W.R. Philbrick

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Fear of the Dark by Gar Anthony Haywood
°	Lost Daughter by Michael Cormany
°	Burning Season by Wayne D. Dundee
°	Wall of Glass by Walter Satterthwait
°	Slow Dance in Autumn by Philip Lee Williams

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“The Crooked Way” by Loren D. Estleman New Black Mask
°	“The Man Who Knew Dick Bong” by Robert Crais Raymond Chandler’s Philip Marlowe
°	“The Reason Why” by Ed Gorman Criminal Elements
°	“In the Line of Duty” by Jeremiah Healy Raymond Chandler’s Philip Marlowe
°	“Incident in a Neighborhood Tavern” by Bill Pronzini An Eye For Justice

1988

The Eye Award
*	Dennis Lynds (Michael Collins)
*	Wade Miller (Robert Wade and Bob Miller)

Best P.I. Novel
*	A Tax in Blood by Benjamin Schutz
°	A Trouble of Fools by Linda Barnes [review]
°	Lady Yesterday by Loren D. Estleman
°	The Autumn Dead by Ed Gorman
°	Ride the Lightning by John Lutz

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Wild Night by L.J. Washburn
°	The Monkey’s Raincoat by Robert Crais
°	Snake Eyes by Gaylord Dold
°	Recount by David Everson
°	Madelaine by Joseph Louis

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Death on the Rocks by Michael Allegretto
°	The House of Blue Lights by Robert Bowman
°	Shawnee Alley Fire by John Douglas
°	Detective by Parnell Hall
°	An Infinite Number of Monkeys by Les Roberts

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“Turn Away” by Ed Gorman Black Lizard Anthology of Crime Fiction
°	“Bodyguards Shoot Second” by Loren Estleman A Matter of Crime
°	“The Kerman Kill” by William Campbell Gault Murder in Los Angeles
°	“Merely Players” by Joseph Hansen Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, February 1987
°	“My Brother’s Life” by Rob Kantner Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, March 1987

1987

The Eye Award:

Bill Pronzini

Best P.I. Novel
*	The Staked Goat by Jeremiah Healy
°	When the Sacred Ginmill Closes by Lawrence Block
°	In La-La Land We Trust by Robert Campbell
°	The Million-Dollar Wound by Max Allan Collins
°	C Is for Corpse by Sue Grafton

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	The Back-Door Man by Rob Kantner
°	Melting Point by Kenn Davis
°	Nervous Laughter by Earl Emerson
°	Dark Fields by T.J. MacGregor
°	Too Old a Cat by Warren Murphy

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Jersey Tomatoes by J.W. Rider
°	No One Rides for Free by Larry Beinhart
°	Tourist Season by Carl Hiassen

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“Fly Away Home” by Rob Kantner Mean Streets
°	“Quint and the Braceros” by Paul Bishop Hardboiled #5, Summer 1986
°	“Body Count” by Wayne D. Dundee Mean Streets
°	“I’m in the Book” by Loren D. Estleman Mean Streets
°	“Between the Sheets” by Sue Grafton Redbook

1986

The Eye Award:

Richard S. Prather

Best P.I. Novel
*	B Is for Burglar by Sue Grafton
°	The Naked Liar by Harold Adams
°	Hardball by Doug Hornig
°	A Catskill Eagle by Robert B. Parker
°	Bones by Bill Pronzini

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Poverty Bay by Earl Emerson
°	The Rainy City by Earl Emerson
°	The Kill by Douglas Heyes
°	Pigs Get Fat by Warren Murphy
°	Blue Heron by Philip Ross

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Hardcover by Wayne Warga
°	New, Improved Murder by Ed Gorman
°	Sleeping Dog by Dick Lochte
°	Embrace the Wolf by Benjamin Schutz
°	Flood by Andrew Vachss

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“Eight Mile and Dequindre” by Loren D. Estleman Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, May 1985
°	“Lucky Penny” by Linda Barnes New Black Mask #3, 1985
°	“Shooting Match” by Wayne Dundee Hardboiled #3, Winter 1985/1986
°	“Perfect Pitch” by Rob Kantner Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, July 1985
°	“The Snaphaunce” by Robert J. Randisi Hardboiled #2, Fall 1985

1985

The Eye Award:

Howard Browne

Best P.I. Novel
*	Sugartown by Loren D. Estleman
°	True Crime by Max Allan Collins
°	Die Again, Macready by Jack Livingston
°	Nightlines by John Lutz
°	Full Contact by Robert J. Randisi

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	The Ceiling of Hell by Warren Murphy
°	Squeeze Play by Paul Benjamin
°	San Quentin by Jack Lynch
°	And 47 Miles of Rope by Warren Murphy
°	The Man Who Risked His Partner by Reed Stephens

Best First P.I. Novel
*	A Creative Kind of Killer by Jack Early
°	Blunt Darts by Jeremiah Healy [review]
°	The Nebraska Quotient by William J. Reynolds

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“By the Dawn's Early Light” by Lawrence Block Playboy, August 1984
°	“Easy Money” by John Boland Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, April 1984
°	“Iris” by Stephen Greenleaf The Eyes Have It
°	“The Rat Line” by Rob Kantner The Eyes Have It
°	“The Big Winners” by Ernest Savage Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September 1984

1984

The Eye Award:

William Campbell Gault

Best P.I. Novel
*	True Detective by Max Allan Collins
°	Dancing Bear by James Crumley
°	The Dark Fantastic by Stanley Ellin
°	The Glass Highway by Loren D. Estleman
°	The Widening Gyre by Robert B. Parker

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Dead in Centerfield by Paul Engleman
°	Finders Weepers by Max Byrd
°	Death and the Single Girl by Elliot Lewis
°	Trace by Warren Murphy
°	The Steinway Collection by Robert J. Randisi

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“Cat’s Paw” by Bill Pronzini Waves Press
°	“The Oldest Killer” by Michael Collins Thieftakers Journal, November 1983
°	“Greektown” by Loren D. Estleman Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, August 1983
°	“The Long Slow Dive” by T. Robin Kanter Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, February 1983
°	“Only One Way To Land” by John Lutz Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, October 1983

1983

The Eye Award:

Mickey Spillane

Best P.I. Novel
*	Eight Million Ways To Die by Lawrence Block
°	A Is for Alibi by Sue Grafton
°	Gravedigger by Joseph Hansen
°	A Piece of the Silence by Jack Livingston
°	Ceremony by Robert B. Parker

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	The Cana Diversion by William Campbell Gault
°	Nevsky’s Return by Dimitri Gat
°	Pieces of Death by Jack Lynch
°	Smoked Out by Warren Murphy

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You” by John Lutz Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, November 1982
°	“Meet Athalia Goode” by Raleigh Bond Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, January 1982
°	“Dead Soldier” by Loren D. Estleman Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Mid-September 1982
°	“My Little Girl” by Kenneth Gavrell Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, May 1982
°	“Cardula and the Locked Room” by Jack Ritchie Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, March 1982

1982

The Eye Award:

Ross Macdonald

Best P.I. Novel
*	Hoodwink by Bill Pronzini
°	A Stab in the Dark by Lawrence Block
°	Thirty for a Harry by Richard Hoyt
°	Hard Trade by Arthur Lyons
°	Early Autumn by Robert B. Parker

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	California Thriller by Max Byrd
°	Carpenter, Detective by Hamilton T. Caine
°	Brown’s Requiem by James Ellroy
°	The Old Dick by L.A. Morse
°	Murder in the Wind by George Ogan