So, CONGRATULATIONS!
Late last month, both the Malice Domestic convention and the Edgars Symposium were held, the events where the Agatha Awards and the Edgars Awards are declared. The Edgars Awards are a general mystery fiction award, while the Agatha Awards are given to “traditional mystery” works in the vein of Agatha Christie >>> little to no graphic violence, sex, or profanity… in other words, the Agatha Awards are pretty much what I would define as “Cozies”. Of course, both awards are very prestigious!
THE AGATHA AWARDS
Best Contemporary Novel:
A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny (winner)
Body on the Bayou by Ellen Byron
Quiet Neighbors by Catriona McPherson
Fogged Inn by Barbara Ross
Say No More by Hank Phillippi Ryan
Best Historical Novel:
The Reek of Red Herrings by Catriona McPherson (winner)
Whispers Beyond the Veil by Jessica Estevao
Get Me to the Grave on Time by D.E. Ireland
Delivering the Truth by Edith Maxwell
Murder in Morningside Heights by Victoria Thompson
Best First Novel:
The Semester of Our Discontent by Cynthia Kuhn (winner)
Terror in Taffeta by Marla Cooper
Murder in G Major by Alexia Gordon
Decanting a Murder by Nadine Nettmann
Design for Dying by Renee Patrick
Best Nonfiction:
Mastering Suspense, Structure, and Plot: How to Write Gripping Stories that Keep Readers on the Edge of Their Seats by Jane K. Cleland (winner)
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 Short Story:
“Parallel Play” by Art Taylor in Chesapeake Crimes: Storm Warning (winner)
“Double Jinx: A Bellissimo Casino Crime Caper Short Story” by Gretchen Archer
“The Best-Laid Plans” by Barb Goffman in Malice Domestic 11: Murder Most Conventional
“The Mayor and the Midwife” by Edith Maxwell in Blood on the Bayou: Bouchercon Anthology 2016
“The Last Blue Glass” by B.K. Stevens in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine
Best Children/Young Adult:
The Secret of the Puzzle Box: The Code Busters Club by Penny Warner (winner)
Trapped: A Mei-hua Adventure by P.A. DeVoe
Spy Ski School by Stuart Gibbs
Tag, You’re Dead by J C Lane
The Mystery of Hollow Places by Rebecca Podos
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
THE EDGAR AWARDS
Since the Edgar Awards are a bit less Cozy related than the Agathas, I’m just going to list the winners of each category, with the exception of the Mary Higgins Clark category, which is basically for Cozies. If you’re interested in the full lineup for a category, it can be found in the page that I have linked for each category title.
Best Novel
Before the Fall by Noah Hawley
Best First Novel
Under the Harrow by Flynn Berry
Best Paperback Original
Rain Dogs by Adrian McKinty
Best Fact Crime
The Wicked Boy: The Mystery of a Victorian Child Murderer by Kate Summerscale
Best Critical/Biographical
Shirley Jackson: A Rather Haunted Life by Ruth Franklin
Best Short Story
“Autumn at the Automat” – In Sunlight or in Shadow by Lawrence Block
Best Juvenile
OCDaniel by Wesley King
Young Adult
Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse
TV Episode Teleplay
“A Blade of Grass” – Penny Dreadful, Teleplay by John Logan
Robert L. Fish Memorial
“The Truth of the Moment” – Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine
by E. Gabriel Flores
The Shattered Tree by Charles Todd (winner)
The Other Sister by Dianne Dixon
Quiet Neighbors by Catriona McPherson
Say No More by Hank Phillippi Ryan
Blue Moon by Wendy Corsi Staub
Grand Master
Max Allan Collins
Ellen Hart
Raven Award
Dru Ann Love
Ellery Queen Award
Neil Nyren
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
Again, Congratulations to all winners and nominees!
Ellen Byron says
Being nominated alongside Louise Penny, one of my mystery idols, was unbelievably exciting. Louise says the wonderful qualities of Inspector Gamache were inspired by her late husband, Michael. I can see that. But I also think the innate kindness of the character comes from Louise herself.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ellen, I can imagine that it was a big honor! She’s definitely another in the list of authors I’m intending to feature more prominently on the site, whenever I actually get the time to reread the start of her series.
Rickee says
One of my favorite authors is Spencer Quinn, of Chet and Bernie fame. The dog, Bernie, narrates the stories and are hilarious b/c he can only count to two. Have you read them? I love a mystery set in the dog show world, too, like Susan Conant (Malamutes and Huskies) and Laurien Berenson(Standard Poodles).
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Rickee, why yes, I have read them – actually, I wrote about them as well, at the following page: Spencer Quinn’s Chet and Bernie
There are some elements of this series that aren’t quite Cozy, but it’s still a very good set of mysteries, especially for dog lovers!
Lydia says
Found my first Louise Penny novel on sale at Barnes and Noble and I was hooked. Not just good mysteries, but so well written, with such deep insight of the human psyche, they border on being fine literature. The only series I will not give away after I read them. I recommend them, but jealously guard my copies!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Lydia, I know how that goes – I try to hold onto my own favorite series as well, though lately I’ve also been buying them in Kindle format instead. It is just more convenient for me than trying to track down where I’ve left any given book I’m interested in looking at again, as well as taking up far less physical space.
Kathleen Kendler says
Danna, you should check out Alex Erickson’s Bookstore Cafe Mystery series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Kathleen, thanks for the suggestion! I’ll be sure to check it out some time.