Agatha Award Explained

The Agatha Awards, named for Agatha Christie, are literary awards for mystery and crime writers who write in the traditional mystery subgenre: "books typified by the works of Agatha Christie . . . loosely defined as mysteries that contain no explicit sex, excessive gore or gratuitous violence, and are not classified as 'hard-boiled.'"[1] At an annual convention in Washington, D.C.,[2] the Agatha Awards are handed out by Malice Domestic Ltd, in six categories: Best Novel; Best First Mystery; Best Historical Novel; Best Short Story; Best Non-Fiction; Best Children's/Young Adult Mystery. Additionally, in some years the Poirot Award is presented to honor individuals other than writers who have made outstanding contributions to the mystery genre, but it is not an annual award.

Early meetings of the Malice Domestic Committee occurred in fall 1987, with the first convention held on April 21–23, 1989, in Silver Spring, MD.[3] [4] Malice Domestic Ltd was incorporated in 1992. It is governed by a volunteer board of directors.[5]

Awards

Winners and, where known, nominated titles for each year:

Best First Novel

1980s

Year!Author!Title!Publisher! scope="col" width="10%"
Result
1988Bantam BooksWinner
Finalist
Finalist
Goodbye Nanny GreyFinalist
Dead Men Don't Give SeminarsFinalist
1989Grime and Punishment AvonWinner
Working MurderFinalist
Finalist
Finalist
Finalist

1990s

Year!Author!Title!Publisher! scope="col" width="10%"
Result
1990St. Martin's PressWinner
Screaming BonesFinalist
Finalist
Catering to NobodyFinalist
Sea of TroublesFinalist
1991Zero at the Bone St. Martin's PressWinner
CarpoolFinalist
Just DessertsFinalist
Finalist
Flowers for the DeadFinalist
1992Blanche on the Lam St. Martin's PressWinner[6] [7]
All the Great PretendersFinalist
DeckedFinalist
Seneca Falls InheritanceFinalist
Thyme of DeathFinalist
1993Track of the Cat PutnamWinner
Goodnight, IreneFinalist
Finalist
Death Comes as EphiphanyFinalist
Child of SilenceFinalist
1994Do Unto Others BallantineWinner
Writers of the Purple SageFinalist
One for the Money ScribnerFinalist
Fool's PuzzleFinalist
Until DeathFinalist
1995WalkerWinner
Finalist
Horse of a Different KillerFinalist
Death in Bloodhound RedFinalist
Murder in ScorpioFinalist
1996Murder on a Girl's Night Out AvonWinner
Death in Little Tokyo: A Ken Tanaka Mystery St. Martin’sFinalist
Somebody Else's Child Onyx BooksFinalist
Bantam BooksFinalist
Hearts and Bone: A Novel of Historical Suspense AvonFinalist
Riding for a Fall Gold MedalFinalist
1997HarperCollinsWinner
Quieter Than Sleep DoubledayFinalist
HarperCollinsFinalist
Dead Body Language Bantam BooksFinalist
Death Brims Over AvonFinalist
1998Minotaur BooksWinner
Sympathy for the Devil AvonFinalist
Tiger's Palette PocketFinalist
Dying to Get Published FawcettFinalist
Fax Me a Bagel ScribnerFinalist
1999Murder with Peacocks Thomas Dunne BooksWinner
Circles of Confusion HarperTorchFinalist
Revenge of the Gypsy Queen Rainbow BooksFinalist
By Blood Possessed Minotaur BooksFinalist
Sing It to Her Bones DellFinalist

2000s

Year!Author!Title!Publisher! scope="col" width="10%"
Result
2000 [fr]Death on a Silver Tray Berkley Prime CrimeWinner
Three Dirty Women and the Garden of Death Overmountain PressFinalist
Death of an Amiable Child Walker & CompanyFinalist[8]
Murder of a Small Town Honey SignetFinalist
2001Bubbles UnboundDuttonWinner
Innkeeping with MurderBerkley Prime CrimeFinalist
Mute WitnessPoisoned Pen PressFinalist
SignetFinalist
2002In the Bleak Midwinter Minotaur BooksWinner
Not All Tarts Are Apple Poisoned Pen PressFinalist
Six Strokes Under Berkley Prime CrimeFinalist
Beat Until Stiff Poisoned Pen PressFinalist
How to Murder a Millionaire SignetFinalist
Shadows at the Fair ScribnerFinalist
2003Maisie Dobbs Soho Press Inc.Winner
[fr]Dealing in Murder AvonFinalist
Haunted Ground ScribnerFinalist
Take the Bait Pocket BooksFinalist
Alpine for You Pocket BooksFinalist
Murder off Mike Minotaur BooksFinalist[9]
[de]O’ Artful Death St. Martin's PressFinalist
2004Dating Dead Men DoubledayWinner
Till the Cows Come Home Poisoned Pen PressFinalist
Arson and Old Lace Pocket BooksFinalist
I Dreamed I Married Perry Mason HarperCollinsFinalist
University of New Mexico PressFinalist
and Jerome RossGod Speed the NightFinalist
2005 [fr]Better Off Wed HarperCollinsWinner
Jury of One Hilliard & HarrisFinalist
Witch Way to Murder AvonFinalist
Knit One, Kill TwoFinalist
Blood Relations Hilliard & HarrisFinalist
2006 [fr]Poisoned Pen PressWinner
Consigned to Death Minotaur BooksFinalist
and Susan SmilyHilliard & HarrisFinalist
Feint of Art SignetFinalist
Murder on the Rocks Midnight InkFinalist
2007Prime Time HarlequinWinner
Minotaur BooksFinalist
Five Star MysteryFinalist
Silent in the Grave Mira BooksFinalist
2008Death of a Cozy Writer Midnight InkWinner
Through a Glass, DeadlyFinalist
Paper, Scissors, DeathFinalist
Penguin GroupFinalist
Pushing Up Daisies Minotaur BooksFinalist[10]
2009Delacorte PressWinner[11]
For Better, for MurderFinalist
Posed for Murder Minotaur BooksFinalist
St. Martin's PressFinalist
In the Shadow of Gotham Minotaur BooksFinalist

2010s

Year!Author!Title! scope="col" width="10%"
Result
2010 [fr; ja]Winner[12]
Murder at the PTAFinalist[13]
Finalist
Maid of MurderFinalist
Full MortalityFinalist
Diamonds for the DeadFinalist
2011 [fr]Learning to SwimWinner[14]
Dire ThreadsFinalist[15]
ChokeFinalist
Who Do, Voodoo?Finalist
Tempest in the Tea LeavesFinalist
2012Lowcountry BoilWinner
Iced ChiffonFinalist
Finalist
Finalist
Faithful Unto DeathFinalist
2013Death Al DenteWinner
You Cannoli Die OnceFinalist
Board StiffFinalist
Kneading to DieFinalist
Front Page FatalityFinalist
2014Well Read, Then DeadWinner
Circle of InfluenceFinalist
Tagged for DeathFinalist
Finding SkyFinalist
Murder Strikes a PoseFinalist
2015On the Road with Del and LouiseWinner
Death of a Dishonorable GentlemanFinalist[16]
MacdeathFinalist
Plantation ShuddersFinalist
Just Killing TimeFinalist
2016Winner
Terror in TaffetaFinalist
Murder in G MajorFinalist
Decanting a MurderFinalist
Design for DyingFinalist[17]
2017Hollywood HomicideWinner
AdriftFinalist
Finalist
Daughters of Bad MenFinalist
ProtocolFinalist
2018 [fr]Winner
Curses, Boiled AgainWinner
Little ComfortFinalist
What Doesn't Kill YouFinalist
Deadly SolutionFinalist
2019 [fr]One Night GoneWinner
Finalist
Murder Once RemovedFinalist[18]
When It’s Time for LeavingFinalist
Staging is MurderFinalist

2020s

Year!Author!Title! scope="col" width="10%"
Result
2020Murder at the Mena HouseWinner[19]
Finalist[20] [21]
Winter WitnessFinalist
DerailedFinalist
Murder Most SweetFinalist
2021Arsenic and AdoboWinner[22]
Finalist
Finalist
Murder in the MasterFinalist
Mango, Mambo, and MurderFinalist
2022Cheddar Off DeadWinner
Death in the AegeanFinalist
The Bangalore Detectives ClubFinalist
Devil's Chew ToyFinalist
The FinalistFinalist
The Gallery of BeautiesFinalist
2023Crime and Parchment Winner
Glory Be Finalist
Finalist
Dutch ThreatFinalist
Mother-Daughter Murder Night Finalist

Best Contemporary Novel

2010s

Year!Author!Title! scope="col" width="10%"
Result
2013Winner
Pagan SpringFinalist
How the Light Gets InFinalist
Clammed UpFinalist
Through the Evil DaysFinalist
2014Truth Be ToldWinner
Finalist
Finalist
Designated DaughtersFinalist
Finalist
2015Long Upon the LandWinner
Bridges BurnedFinalist
Finalist
Nature of the BeastFinalist
What You SeeFinalist
2016Winner
Body on the BayouFinalist
Quiet NeighborsFinalist
Fogged InnFinalist
Say No MoreFinalist
2017Glass HousesWinner
Death OverdueFinalist
Finalist
No Way HomeFinalist
Take OutFinalist
2018Mardi Gras MurderWinner
Beyond the TruthFinalist
Cry WolfFinalist
Kingdom of the BlindFinalist
Trust MeFinalist
2019Winner
Fatal Cajun FestivalFinalist
Fair GameFinalist
Finalist
Finalist
Finalist

2020s

Year!Author!Title! scope="col" width="10%"
Result
2020All the Devils Are HereWinner[23]
Finalist
Murder in the Bayou BoneyardFinalist
Sherry HarrisFrom Beer to EternityFinalist
Finalist
2021Cajun Kiss of DeathWinner
Watch HerFinalist
Finalist
Her Perfect LifeFinalist
Gabriel Valjan Symphony RoadFinalist
2022A World of CuriositiesWinner
Bayou Book ThiefFinalist
Jennifer J. ChowDeath By Bubble TeaFinalist
Fatal ReunionFinalist
Tina De Bellegarde Dead Man's LeapFinalist
2023Winner
Wined and Died in New Orleans Finalist
HelplessFinalist
Case of the Bleus Finalist
Finalist

Best Novel

1980s

Year!Author!Title!Publisher! scope="col" width="10%"
Result
1988Something WickedBantamWinner
Finalist
Mischief in MaggodyFinalist
Paying the PiperFinalist
Dead CrazyFinalist
1989Naked Once MoreWarnerWinner
Finalist
Finalist
Corpus ChristmasFinalist
Philly StakesFinalist

1990s

Year!Author!Title!Publisher! scope="col" width="10%"
Result
1990Bum SteerPocket BooksWinner
Real MurdersFinalist
Deadly ValentineFinalist
Finalist
Finalist
1991I.O.U.Pocket BooksWinner
Make No BonesMysterious PressFinalist
Bantam BooksFinalist
An Owl Too ManyMysterious PressFinalist
WarnerFinalist
1992Bootlegger's DaughterMysterious PressWinner
Southern GhostFinalist
Finalist
Defend and BetrayFinalist
Finalist
1993Dead Man's IslandBantam BooksWinner
Old ScoresFinalist
O Little Town of MaggodyFinalist
To Live and Die in DixieFinalist
Fair GameFinalist
Southern DiscomfortFinalist
1994She Walks These HillsScribnerWinner
Scandal in Fair HavenFinalist
Finalist
Angel of DeathFinalist
Night Train to MemphisFinalist
1995If I'd Killed Him When I Met HimBallantine BooksWinner
Miracles in MaggodyFinalist
Finalist
TwilightFinalist
EscapadeFinalist
1996Up Jumps The DevilMysterious PressWinner
Kansas TroublesBerkley BooksFinalist
Strong as DeathForgeFinalist
1997Viking PressWinner
HocusSimon & SchusterFinalist
Dreaming of the BonesScribnerFinalist
Goose in a PondBerkley BooksFinalist
Seeing a Large CatWarnerFinalist
1998Butchers HillAvonWinner
LiarSimon & SchusterFinalist
Dove in the WindowBerkleyFinalist
Blind Bloodhound JusticeHarperCollinsFinalist
Home FiresMysterious PressFinalist
AvonFinalist
1999Mariner's CompassBerkley BooksWinner
Immaculate ReceptionAvonFinalist
Death on the River WalkAvonFinalist
In Big Trouble AvonFinalist
HarperCollinsFinalist

2000s

Year!Author!Title!Publisher! scope="col" width="10%"
Result
2000Storm TrackMysterious PressWinner
Guns and RosesFinalist
Killer WeddingFinalist
Finalist
He Shall Thunder in the SkyFinalist
2001Murphy's LawSt. Martin's MinotaurWinner
Arkansas TravelerBerkley BooksFinalist
Dead Until DarkAceFinalist
Shadows of SinAvonFinalist
HarperCollinsFinalist
2002You've Got MurderBerkley Prime CrimeWinner
Death of RileySt. Martin's MinotaurFinalist
MorrowFinalist
Blues in the NightBallantine BooksFinalist
William Morrow & CompanyFinalist
2003Letter From HomeBerkley Prime CrimeWinner
Crouching Buzzard, Leaping LoonSt. Martin's MinotaurFinalist
Mumbo GumboWilliam Morrow & CompanyFinalist
Dream HouseBallantine BooksFinalist
Last Lessons of SummerMysterious PressFinalist
Shop till You DropSignetFinalist
2004Birds of a FeatherSoho PressWinner
We'll Always Have ParrotsThomas Dunne BooksFinalist
By a Spider's ThreadHarperCollinsFinalist
High Country FallMysterious PressFinalist
HarperCollinsFinalist
2005William Morrow & CompanyWinner
Owls Well That Ends WellSt. Martin's MinotaurFinalist
Rituals of the SeasonMysterious Press & Warner BooksFinalist
University of New Mexico PressFinalist
Trouble in SpadesFinalist
Pardonable LiesHenry Holt & CompanyFinalist
2006Random HouseWinner
Finalist
Why Casey Had to DieFinalist
Finalist
All Mortal FleshFinalist
Messenger of TruthFinalist
2007 (Dead Cold in Canada)St. Martin's MinotaurWinner[24]
St. Martin's MinotaurFinalist
Her Royal SpynessPenguin GroupFinalist
Hard RowGrand Central PublishingFinalist
Murder with ReservationsNALFinalist
2008Minotaur BooksWinner
Six Geese A-SlayingMinotaur BooksFinalist
Penguin GroupFinalist
Buckingham Palace GardensRandom HouseFinalist
I Shall Not WantMinotaur BooksFinalist
2009Minotaur BooksWinner
Swan for the MoneySt. Martin's MinotaurFinalist
Bookplate SpecialBerkley Prime CrimeFinalist
Royal FlushBerkley Prime CrimeFinalist
Air TimeMIRAFinalist

2010s

Year!Author!Title! scope="col" width="10%"
Result
2010Bury Your DeadWinner
Stork Raving MadFinalist
Finalist
Drive TimeFinalist
Truly, MadlyFinalist
2011Three-Day TownWinner
Finalist
Finalist
Wicked AutumnFinalist
Finalist
2012Winner
Finalist
Finalist
Finalist
Finalist

Best Historical Novel

2010s

Year!Author!Title!Series! scope="col" width="10%"
Result
2011Naughty in NiceRoyal SpynessWinner
Murder Your DarlingsAlgonquin Round Table Finalist
Mercury's RiseSilver Rush Finalist
Troubled BonesCrispin Guest MysteriesFinalist
Finalist
2012Dandy Gilver and an Unsuitable Day for MurderWinner
Royal SpynessFinalist
Murder on Fifth AvenueGaslight MysteriesFinalist
Bess CrawfordFinalist
Elegy for EddieMaisie DobbsFinalist
2013Bess CrawfordWinner
Heirs and GracesRoyal SpynessFinalist
Death in the Time of IceEnga Dancing Flower Finalist
Algonquin Round Table Finalist
Murder in ChelseaGaslight MysteriesFinalist
2014Queen of HeartsRoyal SpynessWinner
Wouldn't It Be DeadlyEliza Doolittle and Henry HigginsFinalist
Murder in Murray HillGaslight MysteriesFinalist
Bess CrawfordFinalist
Hunting ShadowsInspector Ian RutledgeFinalist
2015Dreaming SpiesMary RussellWinner
Malice at the PalaceRoyal SpynessFinalist
Lucy CampionFinalist
Mrs. Roosevelt’s ConfidanteMaggie HopeFinalist
Murder on Amsterdam AvenueGaslight MysteriesFinalist
2016Winner
Whispers Beyond the VeilChange of FortuneFinalist
Get Me to the Grave on TimeEliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins MysteriesFinalist
Delivering the TruthQuaker MidwifeFinalist
Murder in Morningside HeightsGaslight MysteriesFinalist
2017In Farleigh FieldWinner
Murder in an English VillageBeryl and EdwinaFinalist
Maggie HopeFinalist
Called to JusticeQuaker MidwifeFinalist
Dangerous to KnowLillian Frost and Edith HeadFinalist
2018Perveen MistryWinner
Four Funerals and Maybe a WeddingRoyal SpynessFinalist
Art Deco MysteryFinalist
Turning the TideQuaker MidwifeFinalist
Murder on Union SquareGaslight MysteriesFinalist
2019Charity’s BurdenQuaker MidwifeWinner
Love and Death Among the CheetahsRoyal SpynessFinalist
Murder Knocks TwiceSpeakeasy MurdersFinalist
Art Deco MysteryFinalist
Company Files Finalist

2020s

Year!Author!Title!Series! scope="col" width="10%"
Result
2020Royal SpynessWInner
Speakeasy MurdersFinalist
Countess of Harleigh Finalist
Taken Too SoonQuaker MidwifeFinalist
Dandy GilverFinalist
2021Death at GreenwayWinner
Murder at Mallowan HallPhyllida BrightFinalist
Clark and DivisionFinalist
Perveen MistryFinalist
Company Files seriesFinalist
2022Because I Could Not Stop for DeathEmily DickinsonWinner
A Revolutionary War MysteryFinalist
The Lindbergh NannyFinalist
In Place of FearFinalist
Under a Veiled MoonInspector CorravanFinalist
2023Winner
Death Among the Ruins Finalist
Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord Finalist
I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died Finalist
Time’s Undoing Finalist

Best Non-Fiction

1990s

Year!Author!Title!Publisher! scope="col" width="10%"
Result
1993Noble PressWinner
Finalist
Finalist
Finalist
Finalist
Dorothy L. SayersFinalist
1994 and Dean JamesBy a Woman's Hand Berkley Publishing GroupWinner
Encyclopedia MysteriosaFinalist
Crime Fiction IIFinalist
Great Women Mystery WritersFinalist
Had She But Known: Mary Roberts RinehartFinalist
1995Mystery Readers Walking Guide-Chicago Passport Books, NTC Publishing GroupWinner
John Dickson Carr: the Man Who Explained MiraclesFinalist
Ngaio Marsh: the Woman and Her WorkFinalist
Finalist
Finalist
1996Detecting Women 2 Purple Moon PressWinner
Mystery: A Celebration KQED BooksFinalist
and Anne WingateAmateur Detectives: A Writer's Guide to How Private Citizens Solve Criminal Cases Writer's DigestFinalist
(editor)St. Martin's MinotaurFinalist
and Dean JamesBy a Woman's Hand, 2nd Edition Berkley Publishing GroupFinalist
1997Detecting Men Purple Moon PressWinner
and Robin WinksCrimes of the Scene St. Martin's PressFinalist
Guilty Parties Thames & HudsonFinalist
1998Mystery Reader's Walking Guide to Washington D.C. Passport BooksWinner
and Martin H. GreenbergSpeaking of Murder BerkleyFinalist
Dean James and Ellen Nehr, Deadly Women Carroll & Graf PublishersFinalist
and Susan ThompsonSilk Stalkings II ScarecrowFinalist
and Dean JamesKiller Books BerkleyFinalist
1999Teller of Tales: the Life of Arthur Conan Doyle Henry Holt & CompanyWinner
Deadly Serious PressFinalist
and Robert WeibezahlPoisoned Pen PressFinalist
Detecting Women III Purple Moon PressFinalist
Oxford University PressFinalist

2000s

Year!Author!Title!Publisher! scope="col" width="10%"
Result
2000 (editor)100 Favorite Mysteries of the Century Crum Creek PressWinner
Pocket BooksFinalist
(editor)Women of MysteryFinalist
(editor)Finalist
(editor)They Wrote the BookFinalist
2001Seldom Disappointed: A Memoir HarperCollinsWinner
Collector's PressFinalist
Writing the Mystery: A Start-To-Finish Guide for Both Novice and Professional Intrigue PressFinalist
Who Was That Lady? Delphi BooksFinalist
Food, Drink, and the Female Sleuth Authors Choice Press/iUniverse.comFinalist
2002 (editor)They Died in Vain: Overlooked, Underappreciated, and Forgotten Mystery Novels Crum Creek PressWinner
(editor)Avalon Publishing GroupFinalist
Mystery Women: An Encyclopedia of Leading Women Characters in Mystery Fiction Poisoned Pen PressFinalist
(editor) with Jan Burke and Barry ZemanWriting Mysteries: A Handbook by the Mystery Writers of America Writer's DigestFinalist
Kitchen Privileges: A Memoir Simon and SchusterFinalist
2003 and Kristen Whitbread (editors) with Dennis Forbes (design) William Morrow & CompanyWinner
Mystery Women: An Encyclopedia of Leading Women Characters in Mystery Fiction, Volume 3 (Parts 1 & 2)Poisoned Pen PressFinalist
and Robert Weibezahl (editors)Poisoned Pen PressFinalist
Atomic Renaissance: Women Mystery Writers of the 1940s and 1950s Delphi BooksFinalist
2004Private Eye-Lashes: Radio’s Lady Detectives Bear Manor MediaWinner
(editor)W. W. Norton & CompanyFinalist
2005Girl Sleuth: Nancy Drew and the Women Who Created Her HarcourtWinner
Behind the Mystery: Top Mystery Writers Hothouse PressFinalist
W. W. NortonFinalist
Poisoned Pen PressFinalist
2006Don't Murder Your Mystery Bella Rosa BooksWinner
and Austin LugarMystery Muses The Crum Creek PressFinalist
DuttonFinalist
2007, Daniel Stashower, and Charles Foley Arthur Conan Doyle: A Life in Letters Penguin PressWinner
Quirck ProductionsFinalist
2008How to Write Killer Historical Mysteries Perseverance PressWinner
African American Mystery Writers: A Historical & Thematic Study McFarland & Co.Finalist
Anthony Boucher: A Biobibliography McFarland & Co.Finalist
Dr. Edgar Allan Poe: An Illustrated Companion to His Tell-Tale Stories Metro BooksFinalist
Walker & Co.Finalist
2009Dame Agatha's Shorts Bella Rosa BooksWinner
Duchess of Death Phoenix BooksFinalist
Talking About Detective Fiction KnopfFinalist
Blood on the Stage 1925-1950 Scarecrow PressFinalist
St Martin's PressFinalist

2010s

Year!Author!Title! scope="col" width="10%"
Result
2010Agatha Christie's Secret Notebooks: 50 Years of Mysteries in the MakingWinner
Finalist
and David A. CrowderSherlock Holmes for DummiesFinalist
Have Faith in Your KitchenFinalist
Charlie Chan: The Untold Story of the Honorable Detective and His Rendezvous with American HistoryFinalist
2011Books, Crooks and Counselors: How to Write Accurately About Criminal Law and Courtroom ProcedureWinner
Agatha Christie: Murder in the Making: More Stories and Secrets from Her NotebooksFinalist
On Conan Doyle; or The Whole Art of StorytellingFinalist
Wilkie Collins, Vera Caspary and the Evolution of the Casebook NovelFinalist
Finalist[25] [26]
2012Books to Die For: The World's Greatest Mystery Writers on the World's Greatest Mystery NovelsWinner
Blood Relations: The Selected Letters of Ellery Queen, 1947-1950Finalist
More Forensics and Fiction: Crime Writers Morbidly Curious Questions Expertly AnsweredFinalist
Double Cross: The True Story of the D-Day SpiesFinalist
Finalist
2013Winner
Georgette HeyerFinalist
Finalist
and Rita OwenEditors, Not Everyone's Cup of Tea: An Interesting & Entertaining History of Malice Domestic's First 25 YearsFinalist
2014 (editor) Writes of Passage: Adventures on the Writer's JourneyWinner
Finalist
Death Dealer: How Cops and Cadaver Dogs Brought a Killer to JusticeFinalist
400 Things Cops Know: Street Smart Lessons from a Veteran PatrolmanFinalist
Finalist
2015Winner
Finalist
Finalist
Unsolved Murders and Disappearances in Northeast OhioFinalist
(editor), Mystery Writers of America Finalist
2016Mastering Suspense, Structure, and Plot: How to Write Gripping Stories that Keep Readers on the Edge of Their SeatsWinner
with Kate Clark FloraFinalist
Sara Paretsky: A Companion to the Mystery FictionFinalist
2017Winner
Manderley Forever: A Biography of Daphne du MaurierFinalist
Finalist
American Fire: Love, Arson and Life in a Vanishing LandFinalist
Through the Healing Power of FictionFinalist
2018Mastering Plot TwistsWinner
Writing the Cozy MysteryFinalist
Conan Doyle for the DefenseFinalist
Agatha Christie: A Mysterious LifeFinalist
Wicked Women of OhioFinalist
2019Winner
Frederic Dannay, Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine and the Art of the Detective Short StoryFinalist
Blonde Rattlesnake: Burmah Adams, Tom White, and the 1933 Crime Spree that Terrified Los AngelesFinalist
Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud and the Last Trial of Harper LeeFinalist
Finalist

2020s

Year!Author!Title! scope="col" width="10%"
Result
2020Phantom Lady: Hollywood Producer Joan Harrison, the Forgotten Woman Behind HitchcockWinner
Sometimes You Have to Lie: The Life and Times of Louise Fitzhugh, Renegade Author of Harriet the SpyFinalist
Howdunit: A Masterclass in Crime Writing by Members of the Detection ClubFinalist
H.R.F. Keating: A Life of CrimeFinalist
American Sherlock: Murder, Forensics, and the Birth of American CSIFinalist
2021 and Laurie R. King (editor)How to Write a Mystery: A Handbook from Mystery Writers of America Winner
Finalist
Murder Most Grotesque: The Comedic Crime Fiction of Joyce Porter Finalist
Finalist
2022Promophobia: Taking the Mystery Out of Promoting Crime FictionWinner
Finalist
and J. C. BernthalFinalist
Summary of the Science of Murder: The Forensics of Agatha Christie Finalist
2023Finders: Justice, Faith and Identity in Irish Crime Fiction Winner
Perplexing Plots: Popular Storytelling and the Poetics of Murder Finalist
Finalist
Fallen Angel: The Life of Edgar Allan Poe Finalist

Best Short Story

1980s

Year!Author!Title!Publication! scope="col" width="10%"
Result
1988More Final Than DivorceEllery Queen's Mystery MagazineWinner
1989Mistletoe Mysteries (Mysterious Press)Winner

1990s

Year!Author!Title!Publication! scope="col" width="10%"
Result
1990Too Much To BareSisters in Crime 2 (Berkley Publishing Group)Winner[27]
1991Deborah's JudgmentA Woman's Eye (Delacourte Press)Winner
1992 and Charlotte ElkinsNice GorillaMalice Domestic 1 (Pocket Books)Winner
1993Kim's GameMalice Domestic 2 (Pocket Books)Winner
1994Malice Domestic 3 (Pocket Books)Winner
1995Malice Domestic 4 (Pocket Books)Winner
1996Accidents Will HappenMalice Domestic 5 (Pocket Books)Winner
1997Tea for TwoFunnybones (Penguin Group)Winner
1998Of Course You Know That Chocolate Is A VegetableEllery Queen's Mystery Magazine, November 1998Winner
1999Out of AfricaMom, Apple Pie, and Murder (Berkley Publishing Group)Winner

2000s

Year!Author!Title!Publication! scope="col" width="10%"
Result
2000Malice Domestic 9 (Avon Books)Winner
2001Malice Domestic X (Avon Books)Winner
2002Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, December 2002Winner
Too Many CooksMuch Ado About Murder, edited by Anne Perry (Berkley Prime Crime)Winner
2003No Man’s LandBlood On Their Hands (Berkley Prime Crime) Winner
2004Wedding KnifeChesapeake Crimes, edited by Donna Andrews (Quiet Storm Publishing)Winner
2005Driven to DistractionChesapeake Crimes II (Quiet Storm Publishing)Winner
2006Sleeping with the PlushAlfred Hitchcock's Mystery MagazineWinner
2007Ellery Queen Mystery MagazineWinner
2008Wolfsbane & Mistletoe (Penguin Group) Winner
2009On the HouseLevel Best BooksWinner

2010s

Year!Author!Title!Publication! scope="col" width="10%"
Result
2010So Much in CommonEllery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Sept./Oct. 2010Winner
Swing ShiftCrimes by Moonlight: Mysteries from the Dark Side (Berkley)Finalist
Size MattersThin Ice: Crime Stories by New England Writers (Level Best Books)Finalist
Volunteer of the YearChesapeake Crimes: They Had it Comin (Wildside Press)Finalist
Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Aug. 2010Finalist
2011DisarmingEllery Queen's Mystery Magazine, June 2011Winner
Dead Eye GravyFish Tales: The Guppy Anthology (Wildside Press)Finalist
Truth and ConsequencesMystery Times Ten (Buddhapuss Ink)Finalist
Mystery Writers of America Presents the Rich and the Dead (Grand Central Publishing)Finalist
Palace by the LakeFish Tales: The Guppy Anthology (Wildside Press)Finalist
2012Mischief in MesopotamiaEllery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Nov. 2012Winner
Kept in the DarkBest New England Crime Stories 2013: Blood Moon (Level Best Books)Finalist
Chesapeake Crimes: This Job is Murder (Wildside Press)Finalist
Thea's First HusbandAlfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, June 2012Finalist
When Duty CallsChesapeake Crimes: This Job is Murder (Wildside Press)Finalist
2013Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, March/April 2013Winner
Evil Little GirlDon't Get Mad, Get Even (Wildside Press)Finalist
NightmareDon't Get Mad, Get Even (Wildside Press)Finalist
Fish Nets: The Second Guppy Anthology (Wildside Press)Finalist
Bread BabyBest New England Crime Stories 2014: Stone Cold (Level Best Books)Finalist
2014Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Nov. 2014Winner
Best New England Crime Stories 2015: Rogue Wave (Level Best Books)Finalist
Chesapeake Crimes: Homicidal Holidays (Wildside Press)Finalist
Just Desserts for JohnnyFinalist
PremonitionChesapeake Crimes: Homicidal Holidays (Wildside Press)Finalist
2015Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, Jan./Feb. 2015Winner
Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, Nov. 2015Finalist
History & Mystery, Oh My (Mystery & Horror, LLC)Finalist
Suffer the PoorHistory & Mystery, Oh My (Mystery & Horror, LLC)Finalist
Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, March 2015Finalist
2016Parallel PlayChesapeake Crimes: Storm Warning (Wildside Press)Winner
Double Jinx: A Bellissimo Casino Crime Caper Short StoryHenery PressFinalist
Malice Domestic 11: Murder Most Conventional (Wildside Press) Finalist
Blood on the Bayou: Bouchercon Anthology 2016 (Down & Out Books)Finalist
Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, April 2016Finalist
2017Winner
Double Deck the HallsHenery PressFinalist
Whose Wine Is It Anyway?50 Shades of CabernetFinalist
Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, May/June 2017Finalist
Coast to Coast: Private Eyes from Sea to Shining Sea (Down & Out Books)Finalist
2018All God's SparrowsAlfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, May/June 2018Winner
[fr]Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, May/June 2018Winner
Florida Happens: Tales of Mystery, Mayhem, and Suspense from the Sunshine State (Three Rooms Press)Finalist
Bug AppétitEllery Queen's Mystery Magazine, November/December 2018Finalist
English 398: Fiction WorkshopEllery Queen's Mystery Magazine, July/August 2018Finalist
2019Malice Domestic 14: Mystery Most EdibleWinner
Grist for the Mill (Darkhouse Books)Finalist
Alex’s ChoiceCrime Travel (Wildside Press)Finalist
Malice Domestic 14: Mystery Most Edible (Wildside Press)Finalist
Better DaysEllery Queen's Mystery Magazine, May/June 2019Finalist

2020s

Year!Author!Title!Publication! scope="col" width="10%"
Result
2020Dear Emily EtiquetteEllery Queen's Mystery Magazine, September/October 2020Winner
Masthead: Best New England Crime StoriesFinalist
Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, January/February 2020Finalist
Elysian FieldsCalifornia Schemin': the 2020 Bouchercon Anthology (Wildside Press)Finalist
In League with Sherlock Holmes: Stories Inspired by the Sherlock Holmes Canon (Pegasus Crime)Finalist
2021Bay of ReckoningMurder on the Beach (Destination Murders)Winner
A Family MatterAlfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, January/February 2021Finalist
A Tale of Two SistersMurder on the Beach (Destination Murders)Finalist
Doc's at MidnightMidnight HourFinalist
The Locked Room LibraryEllery Queen's Mystery Magazine, July/August 2021Finalist
2022Beauty and the BeyotchSherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine, Issue 29Winner
There Comes a TimeMalice Domestic: Mystery Most DiabolicalFinalist
Fly Me to the MorgueMalice Domestic: Mystery Most DiabolicalFinalist
The Minnesota Twins Meet BigfootLand of 10,000 Thrills: Bouchercon Anthology 2022Finalist
The Invisible BandEdgar & Shamus Go GoldenFinalist
2023 and Kristopher ZgorskiTicket to RideHappiness Is a Warm Gun: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of The BeatlesWinner
Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, July/August 2023Finalist
Malice Domestic 17: Murder Most TraditionalFinalist
Real CourageBlack Cat Mystery Magazine, October 2023Finalist
Shamu, World’s Greatest DetectiveKillin’ Time in San DiegoFinalist

Best Children/Young Adult Fiction

2000s

Year!Author!Title!Publisher! scope="col" width="10%"
Result
2001Mystery Of The Haunted Caves (Troop 13 Mystery series)Meadowbrook PressWinner
2002 and Matthew LaBrotRed Card (The Zeke Armstrong Mysteries)Top PublicationsWinner
2003Marshall CavendishWinner
2004Chasing VermeerScholastic PressWinner
2005Down the Rabbit HoleWinner
2005FlushAlfred A. KnopfWinner
2006Pea Soup PoisoningsHilliard & HarrisWinner
2007American GirlWinner
2008Winner
2009Random HouseWinner
Finalist
Finalist
Finalist
''Finalist

2010s

Year!Author!Title!Publisher! scope="col" width="10%"
Result
2010Atheneum BooksWinner
Dutton Children'sFinalist
Theodosia and the Eyes of HorusHoughton MifflinFinalist
Candlewick PressFinalist
ViralsRazorbillFinalist
2011Random HouseWinner
ShelterPutnamFinalist
IcefallScholastic PressFinalist
EgmontUSAFinalist
(The Code Busters Club)EgmontUSAFinalist
2012 (The Code Busters Club)EgmontUSAWinner
Seconds AwayFinalist
Finalist
Liar & SpyFinalist
Code Name VerityFinalist
2013Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's LibraryRandom HouseWinner
HMH Books for Young ReadersFinalist
Traitor in the Shipyard: A Caroline MysteryFinalist
Andi UnexpectedZonderkidzFinalist
Mystery of the Pirate's Treasure (The Code Busters Club)EgmontUSAFinalist
2014 (The Code Busters Club)EgmontUSAWinner
FoundPutnam JuvenileFinalist
Andi Under PressureZonderKidzFinalist
Greenglass HouseClarion BooksFinalist
Uncertain GloryIslandport PressFinalist
2015Andi UnstoppableZonderkidzWinner
Pieces and PlayersScholastic PressFinalist
NeedHMH Books for Young ReadersFinalist
WoofScholastic PressFinalist
Fighting ChancePoisoned Pen PressFinalist
2016(The Code Busters Club)Darby CreekWinner
Trapped (A Mei-hua Adventure)Drum Tower PressFinalist
Spy Ski SchoolSimon & SchusterFinalist
Tag, You're DeadPoisoned Pen PressFinalist
Balzer & BrayFinalist
2017Sydney Mackenzie Knocks 'Em DeadAladdinWinner
City of AngelsFinalist
Finalist
Audacity Jones Steals the ShowFinalist
Finalist
2018Potion Problems (Just Add Magic)Winner
WinterhouseFinalist
Finalist
2019Auctus PressWinner
Kazu Jones and the Denver DognappersDisney HyperionFinalist
Two Can Keep a SecretDelacorte PressFinalist
Top Marks for MurderPuffinFinalist
Jada Sly, Artist and SpyLittle Brown Books for Young ReadersFinalist

2020s

Year!Author!Title!Publisher! scope="col" width="10%"
Result
2020Holly Hernandez and the Death of DiscoPiñata BooksWinner
Midnight at the Barclay HotelViking Books for Young ReadersFinalist
Premeditated MyrtleAlgonquin Young ReadersFinalist
Saltwater SecretsAladdinQFinalist
From the Desk of Zoe WashingtonKatherin Teagen BooksFinalist
2021I Play One on TVDown & Out BooksWinner
Cold-Blooded MyrtleAlgonquin Young ReadersFinalist
Fiewel and FriendsFinalist
Leisha's SongFire and Ice/Melange BooksFinalist
Enola Holmes and the Black BaroucheWednesday BooksFinalist
2022Enola Holmes and the Elegant EscapadeWednesday BooksWinner
Daybreak on Raven IslandViking Books for Young ReadersFinalist
In Myrtle PerilAlgonquin Young ReadersFinalist
  1. shedeservedit
Bold Strokes BooksFinalist
Sid Johnson and the Phantom Slave StealerAuctus PublishersFinalist
2023Winner
Myrtle, Means, and Opportunity Finalist
Araña and SpidermanFinalist
Finalist
Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose Finalist

Special Awards

Malice Domestic Award for Lifetime Achievement

YearRecipient
1990
1994
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003 (also known as Elizabeth Peters and Barbara Michaels)
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014, Joan Hess, and Margaret Maron
2015
2016
2017
2018

Malice Domestic Poirot Award

YearRecipientDescription
2003Actor
2004Thomas Dunne Books editor
2005Actress and singer
2006Crippen & Landru Press publisher
2007None
2008Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine editor
2008Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine editor
2009 and Brian SkupinMystery Scene publisher
2010Screenwriter and producer
2011
2012American writer
2013None
2014
2015None
2016Poisoned Pen Press editor-in-chief
2016Poisoned Pen Press president and founder
2017Author
2018British actress

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Agatha Awards . malicedomestic.org . 11 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200506055840/http://malicedomestic.org/agathas.html . 6 May 2020 . dead.
  2. http://www.malicedomestic.org/aboutmalice.html Malice Domestic
  3. Morman . Mary . In the Beginning . Ten Years of Malice (Domestic) . Bethesda, MD . Malice Domestic Ltd.. 8. 1998 .
  4. Malice History at a Glance . 1998 . Ten Years of Malice (Domestic) . Bethesda, MD . Malice Domestic Ltd.. 10 .
  5. Web site: Malice Domestic Ltd: Agatha Awards . Malicedomestic.org . 2012-06-05 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170121111008/http://www.malicedomestic.org/agathaawards.html . 2017-01-21 .
  6. Web site: March 13, 2020 . Rediscover: Blanche on the Lam . 2022-12-25 . . 2022-12-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221225162228/https://www.shelf-awareness.com/readers-issue.html?issue=901 . live .
  7. Web site: March 10, 2020 . Obituary Note: Barbara Neely . 2022-12-25 . . 2022-12-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221225162223/https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=3692 . live .
  8. Web site: March 11, 2021 . Obituary Note: Irene Marcuse Silver . 2022-12-25 . Shelf Awareness.
  9. Web site: Riding Gain . 2022-12-25 . . 2022-12-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221225171531/https://www.mysteryscenemag.com/component/content/article/26-reviews/books/438-riding-gain?highlight=WyJhZ2F0aGEiLCJhZ2F0aGEncyIsImF3YXJkIiwiYWdhdGhhIGF3YXJkIl0=&Itemid=101 . live .
  10. Web site: January 6, 2011 . Post-Holiday Hum: Brisk December Sales and an Eventful 2011 . 2022-12-25 . . 2022-12-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221225162226/https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=1361 . live .
  11. Web site: 13 May 2010 . The 2009 Agatha Award Winners . 2022-12-25 . . 2022-12-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221225171528/https://www.mysteryscenemag.com/component/content/article/18-root/news/latest/1405-the-2009-agatha-award-winners?highlight=WyJhZ2F0aGEiLCJhZ2F0aGEncyIsImF3YXJkIiwiYWdhdGhhIGF3YXJkIl0=&Itemid=101 . live .
  12. Web site: Cogdil . Oline . Agatha, La Times Winners . 2022-12-25 . . 2022-12-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221225170018/https://www.mysteryscenemag.com/blog-newsfeed/54-reviews/1893-agatha-la-times-winners?highlight=WyJhZ2F0aGEiLCJhZ2F0aGEncyIsImF3YXJkIiwiYWdhdGhhIGF3YXJkIl0= . live .
  13. Web site: Cogdill . Oline . Agatha Award Nominees Announced . 2022-12-25 . . 2022-12-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221225170020/https://www.mysteryscenemag.com/blog-newsfeed/54-reviews/1789-agatha-award-nominees-announced?highlight=WyJhZ2F0aGEiLCJhZ2F0aGEncyIsImF3YXJkIiwiYWdhdGhhIGF3YXJkIl0= . live .
  14. Web site: Cogdill . Oline . Agatha Award Winners . 2022-12-25 . . 2022-12-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221225171534/https://www.mysteryscenemag.com/article/2558-agatha-award-winners . live .
  15. Web site: Malice Nominees, Dagger Winner . 2022-12-25 . . 2022-12-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221225170023/https://www.mysteryscenemag.com/blog-newsfeed/54-reviews/2441-malice-nominees-dagger-winner?highlight=WyJhZ2F0aGEiLCJhZ2F0aGEncyIsImF3YXJkIiwiYWdhdGhhIGF3YXJkIl0= . live .
  16. Web site: December 27, 2019 . Poppy Redfern and the Midnight Murders . 2022-12-25 . . 2022-12-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221225162224/https://www.shelf-awareness.com/readers-issue.html?issue=879 . live .
  17. Web site: April 11, 2017 . Literature & Libations: History with a Twist . 2022-12-25 . . 2022-12-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221225162222/https://www.shelf-awareness.com/readers-issue.html?issue=600 . live .
  18. Web site: August 4, 2020 . Lineage Most Lethal: An Ancestry Detective Mystery . 2022-12-25 . . 2022-12-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221225162228/https://www.shelf-awareness.com/readers-issue.html?issue=941 . live .
  19. Web site: Schaub . Michael . 2021-07-19 . Agatha Award Winners Are Revealed . 2022-12-25 . . en . 2022-12-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221225170024/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/news-and-features/articles/agatha-award-winners-are-revealed/ . live .
  20. Web site: Schaub . Michael . 2021-03-29 . Nominees for Agatha Awards Are Revealed . 2022-12-25 . . en . 2021-03-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210329164842/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/news-and-features/articles/nominees-for-agatha-awards-are-revealed/ . live .
  21. Web site: 2021-03-27 . The Agatha Award Nominees . 2022-12-25 . . en-US . 2022-12-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221224005129/https://poisonedpen.com/2021/03/27/the-agatha-award-nominees/ . live .
  22. Web site: 2022-04-25 . Agatha Award Winners . 2022-12-25 . . en-US . 2023-02-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230208095453/https://poisonedpen.com/2022/04/25/agatha-award-winners-3/ . live .
  23. Web site: Qiao . Vicky . 2021-07-21 . Louise Penny wins Agatha Award for best contemporary mystery novel for All the Devils Are Here . 2022-12-25 . . 2022-12-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221225170013/https://www.cbc.ca/books/louise-penny-wins-agatha-award-for-best-contemporary-mystery-novel-for-all-the-devils-are-here-1.6111435 . live .
  24. Web site: May 1, 2011 . Quebec's Louise Penny 'thrilled' by 4th Agatha Award . 2022-12-25 . . 2022-12-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221225170014/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/quebec-s-louise-penny-thrilled-by-4th-agatha-award-1.984713 . live .
  25. Web site: May 7, 2012 . Book Brahmin: Charlaine Harris . 2022-12-25 . . 2022-12-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221225162230/https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=1732 . live .
  26. Web site: Cogdil . Oline . Sookie, Charlaine Harris' Companion . 2022-12-25 . . 2022-12-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221225171538/https://www.mysteryscenemag.com/blog-newsfeed/54-reviews/2483-sookie-charlaine-harris-companion?highlight=WyJhZ2F0aGEiLCJhZ2F0aGEncyIsImF3YXJkIiwiYWdhdGhhIGF3YXJkIl0= . live .
  27. Web site: November 28, 2017 . Obituary Notes: Joan Hess . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221225162230/https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=3136 . 2022-12-25 . 2022-12-25 . Shelf Awareness.