

The Shamus Awards

Bestowed by the Private Eye Writers of America

The Private Eye Writers of America (PWA) was founded in 1981 by Robert J. Randisi to recognize the private eye genre and its writers, and is probably best known for its annual Shamus Awards. Membership is open to fans, writers, and publishing professionals. There are three levels of membership: Active, Associate, and International.

In general, the PWA defines a "private eye" as any mystery protagonist who is a professional investigator, but not a police officer or government agent. The full definition is, and I quote, "a person paid for investigative work but not employed by a unit of government. Thus books and stories about private investigators (licensed and unlicensed), lawyers and reporters who do their own legwork, and other hired agents are eligible; works centering on law enforcement officers or amateur sleuths are not."

Quarterly newsletter: Reflections in a Private Eye

Dues: See their web site.

Awards: The Shamus Awards

Previous winners include Lawrence Block, Rob Kantner, Ken Bruen, Harlan Coben, Max Allan Collins, Michael Connelly, Robert Crais, Brendan DuBois, Loren D. Estleman, Carolina Garcia-Aguilera, Sue Grafton, James W. Hall, Steve Hamilton, Jeremiah Healy, Dennis Lehane, Laura Lippman, John Lutz, Bill Pronzini, S.J. Rozan, Sandra Scoppettone and Don Winslow.

Web Site: The Private Eye Writers of America







The Shamus Awards



The Shamus Award is given by the Private Eye Writers of America to honor excellent work in the Private Eye genre.The award was created by Robert J. Randisi in 1981. Committee members of PWA select nominees and winners, much in the same way as the Edgars are chosen. In general, a "private eye" is any mystery protagonist who is a professional investigator, but not a police officer or government agent.

NOTE

There's seems to be some confusion about the categories of Best First Novels and The St. Martin's Press/Private Eye Writer Best First Private Eye Novel Contest. Seems some publishers don't make the distinction, and that a novel can win the contest, and a few years later, when it's finally published, be eligible for the Best First Novel Award. But it's pretty simple, actually. As Bob Randisi explains, "There is nothing for publishers to distinguish. The PWA/SMP contest winner is for an unpublished novel, and is ONLY a PWA/SMP prize winner. It's not a book, eligible for book awards, until it is published."

For more info, go to The St. Martin's Private Eye Contest Page.

1982 SHAMUS AWARDS

THE EYE (Lifetime Achievment Award)

Ross Macdonald

Accepted in his absence by his friend and colleague Dennis Lynds

BEST P.I. HARDCOVER

Hoodwink by Bill Pronzini (Nameless Detective)

A Stab in the Dark by Lawrence Block ( by Lawrence Block ( Matt Scudder

30 for a Harry by Richard Hoyt ( by Richard Hoyt ( John Denson

Hard Trade by Arthur Lyons ( by Arthur Lyons ( Jake Asch

Early Autumn by Robert B. Parker ( by Robert B. Parker ( Spenser

BEST ORIGINAL P.I. PAPERBACK

California Thriller by Max Byrd ( by Max Byrd ( Mike Haller

Carpenter, Detective by Hamilton T. Caine ( by Hamilton T. Caine ( Ace Carpenter

Brown's Requiem by James Ellroy ( by James Ellroy ( Fritz Brown

The Old Dick by L.A. Morse (Jake Spanner)

Murder in the Wind by George Ogan (Johnny Bordelon)

1983 SHAMUS AWARDS

THE EYE (Lifetime Achievment Award)

Mickey Spillane

BEST P.I. HARDCOVER

Eight Million Ways to Die by Lawrence Block ( by Lawrence Block ( Matt Scudder

A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton ( by Sue Grafton ( Kinsey Millhone

Gravedigger by Joseph Hansen ( by Joseph Hansen ( David Brandstetter

A Piece of the Silence by Jack Livingston (Joe Binney)

Ceremony by Robert B. Parker ( by Robert B. Parker ( Spenser

BEST ORIGINAL P.I. PAPERBACK

The Cana Diversion by William Campbell Gault ( by William Campbell Gault ( Brock Callahan

Nevsky's Return by Dimitri Gat (Yuri Nevsky)

Pieces of Death by Jack Lynch ( by Jack Lynch ( Peter Bragg

Smoked Out by Warren Murphy ( by Warren Murphy ( Julian "Digger" Burroughs

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY

" What You Don't Know Can Hurt You " by John Lutz (November 1982, AHMM; by John Lutz (November 1982, AHMM; Alo Nudger

"Meet Athalia Goode" by Raleigh Bond (January 27, 1982, EQMM; Athalia Goode)

"Dead Soldier" by Loren D. Estleman (Mid-September, AHMM; by Loren D. Estleman (Mid-September, AHMM; Amos Walker

"My Little Girl" by Kenneth Gavrell (May 1982, AHMM; by Kenneth Gavrell (May 1982, AHMM; Carlos Bannon

"Cardula and the Locked Room" by Jack Ritchie (March 31, 1982, AHMM, by Jack Ritchie (March 31, 1982, AHMM, Cardula

1984 SHAMUS AWARDS

THE EYE (Lifetime Achievment Award)

William Campbell Gault

BEST P.I. HARDCOVER

True Detective by Max Allan Collins ( by Max Allan Collins ( Nate Heller

Dancing Bear by James Crumley ( by James Crumley ( Milo Milodragovitch

The Glass Highway by Loren D. Estleman ( by Loren D. Estleman ( Amos Walker

The Dark Fantastic by Stanley Ellin

The Widening Gyre by Robert B. Parker ( by Robert B. Parker ( Spenser

BEST ORIGINAL P.I. PAPERBACK

Dead in Centerfield by Paul Engelman (Mark Renzler)

Finders Weepers by Max Byrd ( by Max Byrd ( Mike Haller

Death And The Single Girl by Elliot Lewis (Fred Bennett)

Trace by Warren Murphy ( by Warren Murphy ( Devlin "Trace" Tracy

The Steinway Collection by Robert J. Randisi (Miles Jacoby)

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY

1985 SHAMUS AWARDS

THE EYE (Lifetime Achievment Award)

Howard Browne

BEST P.I. HARDCOVER

Sugartown by Loren D. Estleman (Amos Walker; by Loren D. Estleman (Amos Walker; Amos Walker

True Crime by Max Allan Collins ( by Max Allan Collins ( Nate Heller

Die Again, Macready by Jack Livingston

Nightlines by John Lutz ( by John Lutz ( Alo Nudger

Full Contact by Robert J. Randisi (Miles Jacoby)

BEST ORIGINAL P.I. PAPERBACK

Ceiling of Hell by Warren Murphy

Squeeze Play by Paul Benjamin

San Quentin by Jack Lynch

Trace 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 ( by Jeremiah Healy ( John Francis Cuddy

The Nebraska Quotient by William J. Reynolds

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY

" By the Dawn's Early Light " by Lawrence Block ( by Lawrence Block ( Matt Scudder ); Playboy)

"Easy Money" by John Boland (April 1984, EQMM)

"Iris" by Stephen Greenleaf ( by Stephen Greenleaf ( John Marshall Tanner ; The Eyes Have It)

"The Rat Line" by Rob Kantner (The Eyes Have It; by Rob Kantner (The Eyes Have It; Ben Perkins

"The Big Winners" by Ernest Savage (September 1984, EQMM)

1986 SHAMUS AWARDS

THE EYE (Lifetime Achievment Award)

Richard S. Prather

BEST P.I. HARDCOVER

B is for Burglar by Sue Grafton ( by Sue Grafton ( Kinsey Millhone

The Naked Liar by Harold Adams

Hardball by Doug Hornig

A Catskill Eagle by Robert B. Parker ( by Robert B. Parker ( Spenser

Bones by Bill Pronzini ( by Bill Pronzini ( Nameless

BEST ORIGINAL P.I. PAPERBACK

Poverty Bay by Earl Emerson ( by Earl Emerson ( Thomas Black

The Rainy City by Earl Emerson ( by Earl Emerson ( Thomas Black

The Kill by Douglas Heyes

Trace: Pigs Get Fat by Warren Murphy ( by Warren Murphy ( Devlin "Trace" Tracy

Blue Heron by Philip Ross

BEST FIRST P.I. NOVEL

Hardcover by Wayne Warga

New, Improved Murder by Ed Gorman ( by Ed Gorman ( Jack Dwyer

Sleeping Dog by Dick Lochte

Embrace the Wolf by Benjamin Schutz ( by Benjamin Schutz ( Leo Haggerty

Flood by Andrew Vachss (Burke)

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY

" Eight Mile and Dequindre " by Loren D. Estleman (May 1985, AHMM; by Loren D. Estleman (May 1985, AHMM; Amos Walker

"Lucky Penny" by Linda Barnes (New Black Mask #3)

"Shooting Match" by Wayne Dundee (Hardboiled; by Wayne Dundee (Hardboiled; Joe Hannibal

"Perfect Pitch" by Rob Kantner (July 1985, AHMM; by Rob Kantner (July 1985, AHMM; Ben Perkins

"The Snaphaunce" by Robert J. Randisi ( by Robert J. Randisi ( Nick Delvecchio ; Fall 1985, Hardboiled)

ST. MARTINS' PRESS/PWA BEST FIRST P.I. NOVEL CONTEST

An Infinite Number of Monkeys by Les Roberts ( by Les Roberts ( Saxon

1987 SHAMUS AWARDS

THE EYE (Lifetime Achievment Award)

Bill Pronzini , creator of the , creator of the Nameless Detective series

BEST P.I. HARDCOVER

The Staked Goat by Jeremiah Healy ( by Jeremiah Healy ( John Francis Cuddy

When the Sacred Ginmill Closes by Lawrence Block ( by Lawrence Block ( Matt Scudder

In La-La Land We Trust by Robert Campbell

The Million Dollar Wound by Max Allan Collins ( by Max Allan Collins ( Nate Heller

C is for Corpse by Sue Grafton ( by Sue Grafton ( Kinsey Millhone

BEST ORIGINAL P.I. PAPERBACK

The Back Door Man by Rob Kantner ( by Rob Kantner ( Ben Perkins

Melting Point by Kenn Davis

Nervous Laughter by Earl Emerson ( by Earl Emerson ( Thomas Black

Dark Fields by T.J. MacGregor

Trace: Too Old a Cat by Warren Murphy ( by Warren Murphy ( Devlin "Trace" Tracy

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; by Rob Kantner (Mean Streets; Ben Perkins

"Quint and the Braceros" by Paul Bishop (Hardboiled; Quintana)

"Body Count" by Wayne D. Dundee (Mean Streets; by Wayne D. Dundee (Mean Streets; Joe Hannibal

"I'm in the Book" by Loren D. Estleman (Mean Streets; by Loren D. Estleman (Mean Streets; Amos Walker

"Between the Sheets" by Sue Grafton ( by Sue Grafton ( Kinsey Millhone ; Redbook)

ST. MARTINS' PRESS/PWA BEST FIRST PRIVATE EYE NOVEL CONTEST

Fear of the Dark by Gar Anthony Haywood ( by Gar Anthony Haywood ( Aaron Gunner

1988 SHAMUS AWARDS

THE EYE (Lifetime Achievment Awards)

Dennis Lynds

Wade Miller (Robert Wade and Bob Miller)

BEST P.I. HARDCOVER

A Tax in Blood by Benjamin Schutz ( by Benjamin Schutz ( Leo Haggerty

Lady Yesterday by Loren D. Estleman ( by Loren D. Estleman ( Amos Walker

Ride the Lightning by John Lutz ( by John Lutz ( Alo Nudger

A Trouble Of Fools by Linda Barnes

The Autumn Dead by Ed Gorman ( by Ed Gorman ( Jack Dwyer

Ride The Lightning by John Lutz

BEST ORIGINAL P.I. PAPERBACK

Wild Night by L.J. Washburn

The Monkey's Raincoat by Robert Crais ( by Robert Crais ( Elvis Cole

Snake Eyes by Gaylord Dold ( by Gaylord Dold ( Mitch Roberts

Recount by David Everson ( by David Everson ( Robert Miles

Madelaine by Joseph Louis

BEST FIRST P.I. NOVEL

Death on the Rocks by Michael Allegretto ( by Michael Allegretto ( Jacob Lomax

The House Of Blue Lights by Robert Bowman

Shawnee Alley Fire by John Douglas

Detective by Parnell Hall ( by Parnell Hall ( Stanley Hastings

An Infinite Number Of Monkeys by Les Roberts ( by Les Roberts ( Saxon

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; by Loren Estleman (A Matter Of Crime; Amos Walker

"The Kerman Kill" by William Campbell Gault (Murder In Los Angeles)

"Merely Players" by Joseph Hansen (February 1987, AHMM)

"My Brother's Life" by Rob Kantner (March 1987, AHMM; by Rob Kantner (March 1987, AHMM; Ben Perkins

ST. MARTINS' PRESS/PWA BEST FIRST PRIVATE EYE NOVEL CONTEST

Katwalk by Karen Kijewski ( by Karen Kijewski ( Kat Colorado

1989 SHAMUS AWARDS

THE EYE (Lifetime Achievment Award)

No Award Given

BEST P.I. HARDCOVER

Kiss by John Lutz

Neon Mirage by Max Allan Collins ( by Max Allan Collins ( Nate Heller

Deviant Behavior by Earl Emerson ( by Earl Emerson ( Thomas Black

Swan Dive by Jeremiah Healy ( by Jeremiah Healy ( John Francis Cuddy

Blood Shot by Sara Paretsky

BEST ORIGINAL P.I. PAPERBACK

Dirty Work by Rob Kantner (Ben Perkins)

The Last Private Eye by John Birkett

Bonepile by Gaylord Dold (Mitch Roberts)

Rebound by David Everson (Robert Miles)

The Crystal Blue Persuasion by W. R. Philbrick

BEST FIRST P.I. NOVEL

Fear of the Dark by Gar Anthony Haywood ( by Gar Anthony Haywood ( Aaron Gunner

Lost Daughter by Michael Cormany

Burning Season by Wayne D. Dundee ( by Wayne D. Dundee ( Joe Hannibal

Wall of Glass by Walter Satterthwait (Joshua Croft)

Slow Dance in Autumn by Philip Lee Williams

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY

" The Crooked Way " by Loren D. Estleman (New Black Mask; by Loren D. Estleman (New Black Mask; Amos Walker

"The Man Who Knew Dick Bong" by Robert Crais (Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe)

"The Reason Why" by Ed Gorman (Crimal Elements; by Ed Gorman (Crimal Elements; Jack Dwyer

"In the Line of Duty" by Jeremiah Healy (Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe)

"Incident in a Neighborhood Tavern" by Bill Pronzini ( by Bill Pronzini ( Nameless ; An Eye For Justice)

ST. MARTINS' PRESS/PWA BEST FIRST PRIVATE EYE NOVEL CONTEST

Kindred Crime by Janet Dawson ( by Janet Dawson ( Jeri Howard

1990 SHAMUS AWARDS

THE EYE (Lifetime Achievment Award)

No Award Given

BEST P.I. HARDCOVER

BEST ORIGINAL P.I. PAPERBACK

Hell's Only Half Full by Rob Kantner ( by Rob Kantner ( Ben Perkins

Muscle And Blood by Gaylord Dold ( by Gaylord Dold ( Mitch Roberts

Behind The Fac 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 ( by Karen Kijewski ( Kat Colorado

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 (December 1989, Playboy; by Mickey Spillane (December 1989, Playboy; Mike Hammer

"Deadly Fantasies" by Marcia Muller (April 1989, AHMM; by Marcia Muller (April 1989, AHMM; Sharon McCone

"Here Comes Santa Claus" by Bill Pronzini (Mistletoe Mysteries; by Bill Pronzini (Mistletoe Mysteries; Nameless

"The Sure Thing" by Dan A. Sproul (January 1989, AHMM; by Dan A. Sproul (January 1989, AHMM; Joe Standard

"Sloat's Last Case" by Robert Twohy (May 1989, EQMM)

ST. MARTINS' PRESS/PWA BEST FIRST PRIVATE EYE NOVEL CONTEST

The Loud Adios by Ken Kuhlken ( by Ken Kuhlken ( Tom Hickey

1991 SHAMUS AWARDS

THE EYE (Lifetime Achievment Award)

Roy Huggins

BEST P.I. HARDCOVER

G is for Gumshoe by Sue Grafton ( by Sue Grafton ( Kinsey Millhone

Dead Irish by John Lescroart

The Desert Look by Bernard Schopen

Polo's Wild Card by Jerry Kennealy ( by Jerry Kennealy ( Nick Polo

Poor Butterfly by Stuart Kaminsky ( by Stuart Kaminsky ( Toby Peters

A Ticket to the Boneyard by Lawrence Block ( by Lawrence Block ( Matt Scudder

BEST ORIGINAL P.I. PAPERBACK

Rafferty: Fatal Sisters by W. Glenn Duncan (Rafferty)

Made in Detroit by Rob Kantner ( by Rob Kantner ( Ben Perkins

Bimbo Heaven by Marvin Albert

The Blue Room by Monroe Thompson

The Queen's Mare by John Birkett

BEST FIRST P.I. NOVEL

Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosely ( by Walter Mosely ( Easy Rawlins

Body Scissors by Jerome Doolittle

Kindred Crimes by Janet Dawson ( by Janet Dawson ( Jeri Howard

The Stone Veil by Ronald Tierney

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY

ST. MARTINS' PRESS/PWA BEST FIRST PRIVATE EYE NOVEL CONTEST

A Sudden Death at the Norfolk Cafe by Winona Sullivan ( by Winona Sullivan ( Sister Cecile

1992 SHAMUS AWARDS

THE EYE (Lifetime Achievment Award)

Joseph Hansen

BEST P.I. HARDCOVER

BEST ORIGINAL P.I. PAPERBACK

Cool Blue Tomb by Paul Kemprecos

Black Light by Daniel Hearn

House of Cards by Kay Hooper

The Thousand Yard Stare by Rob Kantner ( by Rob Kantner ( Ben Perkins

BEST FIRST P.I. NOVEL

Suffer Little Children by Thomas Davis ( by Thomas Davis ( Dave Strickland

The January Corpse by Neil Albert ( by Neil Albert ( Dave Garrett

Dead on the Island by Bill Crider

Best Performance by a Patsy by Stan Cutler

Cool Breeze on the Underground by Don Winslow

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY

" Dust Devil " by Nancy Pickard (Winter 1991, TAD)

"Dying in the Post War World" by Max Allan Collins (Dying in the Post War World; by Max Allan Collins (Dying in the Post War World; Nate Heller

"The Man Who Loved Noir" by Loren D. Estleman; February 1991, AHMM; by Loren D. Estleman; February 1991, AHMM; Amos Walker

"Full Cirle" by Sue Grafton (A Woman's Eye; by Sue Grafton (A Woman's Eye; Kinsey Millhone

ST. MARTINS' PRESS/PWA BEST FIRST PRIVATE EYE NOVEL CONTEST

Storm Warning by A.C. Ayres (eventually published as Hour of the Manatee)

1993 SHAMUS AWARDS

THE EYE (Lifetime Achievment Award)

Marcia Muller

BEST P.I. HARDCOVER

BEST ORIGINAL P.I. PAPERBACK

The Last Tango of Delores Delgado by Marele Day ( by Marele Day ( Claudia Valentine

Lay It on the Line by Catherine Dain ( by Catherine Dain ( Freddie O'Neal

Dirty Money by Mark Davis

The Brutal Ballet by Wayne D. Dundee ( by Wayne D. Dundee ( Joe Hannibal

BEST FIRST P.I. NOVEL

The Woman Who Married a Bear by John Straley (Cecil Younger)

Return Trip Ticket by David C. Hall

Switching the Odds by Phyllis Knight

The Long-Legged Fly by James Sallis ( by James Sallis ( Lew Griffin

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY

ST. MARTINS' PRESS/PWA BEST FIRST PRIVATE EYE NOVEL CONTEST

The Harry Chronicles by Allan Pedrazas ( by Allan Pedrazas ( Harry Rice

1994 SHAMUS AWARDS

THE EYE (Lifetime Achievment Award)

Stephen J. Cannell

BEST P.I. NOVEL

The Devil Knows You're Dead by Lawrence Block ( by Lawrence Block ( Matt Scudder

Foursome by Jeremiah Healy ( by Jeremiah Healy ( John Francis Cuddy

Wolf In The Shadows by Marcia Muller ( by Marcia Muller ( Sharon McCone

Moth by James Sallis ( by James Sallis ( Lew Griffin

The Lies That Bind by Judith Van Gieson (Neil Hamel)

BEST ORIGINAL P.I. PAPERBACK

Brothers And Sinners by Rodman Philbrick

The Half-hearted Detective by Milton Bass

A Minyon For The Dead by Richard Fliegel

Shadow Games by Edward Gorman

Torchtown Boogie by Steven Womack ( by Steven Womack ( Harry James Denton

BEST FIRST P.I. NOVEL

Satan's Lambs by Lynn Hightower ( by Lynn Hightower ( Lena Padget

Brotherly Love by Randye Lordon ( by Randye Lordon ( Sydney Sloane

By Evil Means by Sandra West Prowell ( by Sandra West Prowell ( Phoebe Siegal

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY

" The Merciful Angel Of Death " by Lawrence Block (The New Mystery; by Lawrence Block (The New Mystery; Matt Scudder

"The Sultans Of Soul" by Doug Allyn (March 1993, EQMM)

"Nobody Wins" by Charles Ardai (Mid-December 1993, AHMM)

"The Bagged Man" by Jeremiah Healy (February 1993, EQMM; by Jeremiah Healy (February 1993, EQMM; John Francis Cuddy

"The Watt's Lion" by Walter Mosley (The New Mystery; by Walter Mosley (The New Mystery; Easy Rawlins

ST. MARTINS' PRESS/PWA BEST FIRST PRIVATE EYE NOVEL CONTEST

The Heaven Stone by David Daniel ( by David Daniel ( Alex Rasmussen

1995 SHAMUS AWARDS

Presented June 17, 1995, at EYECON, by the Private Eye Writers of America.

THE EYE (Lifetime Achievment Award)

John Lutz and Robert B. Parker

BEST P.I. NOVEL

K Is For Killer by Sue Grafton ( by Sue Grafton ( Kinsey Millhone

A Long Line Of Dead Men by Lawrence Block ( by Lawrence Block ( Matt Scudder

Carnal Hours by Max Allan Collins ( by Max Allan Collins ( Nate Heller

The Killing Of Monday Brown by Sandra West Prowell ( by Sandra West Prowell ( Phoebe Siegal

The Lake Effect by Les Roberts

BEST FIRST P.I. NOVEL

BEST ORIGINAL P.I. PAPERBACK

Served Cold by Ed Goldberg ( by Ed Goldberg ( Lenny Schneider

Double Plot by Leo Axler

Lament For A Dead Cowboy by Catherine Dain ( by Catherine Dain ( Freddie O'Neal

Dead Ahead by Bridget Mckenna ( by Bridget Mckenna ( Caley Burke

Deadly Devotion by Patricia Wallace

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY

" Necessary Brother " by Brendan DuBois (May 1994, EQMM)

"A Matter Of Character" by Michael Collins (Partners In Crime; by Michael Collins (Partners In Crime; Dan Fortune

"Slipstream" by Loren Estleman (Deadly Allies II; by Loren Estleman (Deadly Allies II; Amos Walker

"Split Decision" by Clark Howard (December 1994, EQMM)

"The Romantics" by John Lutz (Deadly Allies II)

ST. MARTINS' PRESS/PWA BEST FIRST PRIVATE EYE NOVEL CONTEST

Diamond Head by Charles Knief ( by Charles Knief ( John Caine

1996 SHAMUS AWARDS

Winners were announced in a special ceremony at Bouchercon 27 World Mystery Convention (St. Paul, MN, Oct. 10-13, 1996).

THE EYE (Lifetime Achievment Award)

No Award Given

BEST P.I. NOVEL

BEST P.I. PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

BEST FIRST P.I. NOVEL

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY

" And Pray Nobody Sees You " by Gar Anthony Haywood (Spooks, Spies & Private Eyes; by Gar Anthony Haywood (Spooks, Spies & Private Eyes; Aaron Gunner

"Trial By Fire" by David Dean (EQMM)

"Plain And Honest Death" by Bill Pomidor (EQMM)

"Home Is The Place Where" by Bill Pronzini (EQMM; by Bill Pronzini (EQMM; Nameless

"Enigma" by D.H. Reddall (AHMM)

ST. MARTINS' PRESS/PWA BEST FIRST PRIVATE EYE NOVEL CONTEST

No Award Given

1997 SHAMUS AWARDS

Winners announced October30, 1997, at Bouchercon 28 World Mystery Convention held in Monterey, California.

THE EYE (Lifetime Achievment Award)

Stephen Marlowe , the author of the , the author of the Chet Drum series

BEST P.I. NOVEL:

BEST P.I. PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

Fade Away , by Harlan Coben ( , by Harlan Coben ( Myron Bolitar

Chain Of Fools , by Steven Womack ( , by Steven Womack ( Harry James Denton

Natural Death by Ruthe Fury ( by Ruthe Fury ( Fran Kirk

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY

" Dead Drunk " by Lia Matera in (Guilty As Charged)

"Eye Of The Beholder" by Ed Gorman (The Autumn Dead & A Cry Of Shadows; by Ed Gorman (The Autumn Dead & A Cry Of Shadows; Jack Dwyer

"Turning The Witness" by Jeremiah Healy (Guilty As Charged; by Jeremiah Healy (Guilty As Charged; John Francis Cuddy

"The One About The Green Detective" by John Lethan (Unusual Suspects)

"The Girl Who Talked To Horses" by Robert J. Randisi (Homicide Hosts Presents; by Robert J. Randisi (Homicide Hosts Presents; Henry Po

BEST FIRST P.I. NOVEL

This Dog For Hire , by Carol Lea Benjamin ( , by Carol Lea Benjamin ( Rachel Alexander

Keeper by Greg Rucka ( by Greg Rucka ( Atticus Kodiak

The Low End Of Nowhere by Michael Stone ( by Michael Stone ( Streeter

This Far, No Further by John Wessel ( by John Wessel ( Harding

ST. MARTINS' PRESS/PWA BEST FIRST PRIVATE EYE NOVEL CONTEST

A Cold Day in Paradise by Steve Hamilton ( by Steve Hamilton ( Alex McKnight

1998 SHAMUS AWARDS

The Private Eye Writers of America announced the 1998 Shamus Awards winners at the Shamus Awards ceremony during the Bouchercon in Philadelphia, October 1-4, 1998.

BEST P.I. NOVEL

BEST P.I. PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

Charm City by Laura Lippman ( by Laura Lippman ( Tess Monaghan

Back Spin by Harlan Coben ( by Harlan Coben ( Myron Bolitar

A Whisper Of Rage by Tim Hemlin (Neil Marshall)

Father Forgive Me by Randye Lordon ( by Randye Lordon ( Sydney Sloane

Sunset And Santiago by Gloria White ( by Gloria White ( Ronnie Ventana

BEST P.I. FIRST NOVEL

Big Red Tequilla by Rick Riordan ( by Rick Riordan ( Tres Navarre

Baltimore Blues by Laura Lippman ( by Laura Lippman ( Tess Monaghan

Legwork by Katy Munger ( by Katy Munger ( Casey Jones

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY

"Love Me For My Yellow Hair Alone" by Carolyn Wheat (Marilyn: Shades Of Blonde)

"Copperhead Run" by Doug Allyn (June 1997 ,EQMM)

"Lord of Obstacles " by Greg Fallis (January 1997, AHMM)

"A Front-Row Seat" by Jan Grape (Vengeance Is Hers; by Jan Grape (Vengeance Is Hers; Jenny Gordon and C.J. Gunn

"Nightcrawlers" by John Lutz (April 1997, EQMM; by John Lutz (April 1997, EQMM; Fred Carver

ST. MARTINS' PRESS/PWA BEST FIRST PRIVATE EYE NOVEL CONTEST

The Losers' Club by Lise S. Baker ( by Lise S. Baker ( Cal Brantley

1999 SHAMUS AWARD S

As presented at Eyecon'99 in July in St. Louis.

THE EYE (Lifetime Achievment Award)

Maxine O'Callaghan , the author of the , the author of the Delilah West series.

BEST P.I. NOVEL

BEST FIRST P.I. NOVEL

A Cold Day In Paradise by Steve Hamilton ( by Steve Hamilton ( Alex McKnight

Like A Hole In The Head by Jen Banbury

Dead Low Tide by Jamie Katz (Dan Kardon)

Zen And The Art Of Murder by Elizabeth Cosin ( by Elizabeth Cosin ( Zen Moses

BEST P.I. PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY

" Another Day, Another Dollar " by Warren Murphy (Murder on the Run)

"Sidewinder" by David Edgerley Gates (AHMM)

"No, Thank You, John" by Michelle Knowlden (AHMM)

"All About Heroes" by Dan A. Sproul (AHMM)

"More Light" by James Sallis (New Mystery)

ST. MARTINS' PRESS/PWA BEST FIRST PRIVATE EYE NOVEL CONTEST

Street Legal by Bob Truluck ( by Bob Truluck ( Duncan Sloan

FRIENDS OF PWA (a new award)

Michael Seidman , Editor at Walker, former editor of The Armchair Detective

Joe Pittman , Senior Editor at Signet

2000 SHAMUS AWARDS

The Private Eye Writers of America announced the winners of its 2000 Shamus Awards during the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention, September 7-10 in Denver, Colorado.

THE EYE (Lifetime Achievment Award)

Edward D. Hoch

BEST P.I. NOVEL

BEST P.I. PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

BEST P.I. FIRST NOVEL

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY

ST. MARTINS' PRESS/PWA BEST FIRST PRIVATE EYE NOVEL CONTEST

Catching Water in a Net by J.L. Abramo ( by J.L. Abramo ( Jake Diamond

2001 SHAMUS AWARDS

The Private Eye Writers of America were to be presented at that year's Shamus Awards at PWA's 20th Anniversary Banquet during Bouchercon, but decided to forego the event "due to the tragedies that occurred in NY and Washington." Instead they announced the winners in a press release.

BEST HARDCOVER P.I. NOVEL

BEST P.I. PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

Death In The Steel City by Thomas Lipinski ( by Thomas Lipinski ( Carroll Dorsey

The Blazing Tree by Mary Jo Adamson (Michael Merrick)

The Sporting Club by Sinclair Browning ( by Sinclair Browning ( Trade Ellis

The Hindenburg Murders by Max Allan Collins (Leslie Charteris, P.I.?)

Bad To The Bone by Katy Munger ( by Katy Munger ( Casey Jones

Dirty Money by Steven Womack ( by Steven Womack ( Harry James Denton

BEST P.I. FIRST NOVEL

Street Level by Bob Truluck (Duncan Sloan)

Brigham's Day by John Gates (Brigham Bybee)

The Heir Hunter by Chris Larsgaard ( by Chris Larsgaard ( Nick Merchant

Resurrection Angel by William Mize ( by William Mize ( Monty Crocetti and Denton Ward

Lost Girls by Andrew Pyper (Bartholomew Crane)

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY

" The Road's End " by Brendan Dubois (April 2000, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine )

"What's In A Name?" by Jeremiah Healy ( The Shamus Game John Francis Cuddy)

"The Sleeping Detective" by Gary Phillips ( The Shamus Game Ivan Monk)

"The Big Bite" by Bill Pronzini ( The Shamus Game Nameless)

"The Good Daughter" by Mike Wiecek (December 2000, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine ; ; Masakazu Sakonju )

2002 SHAMUS AWARDS

THE EYE (Lifetime Achievement)

Lawrence Block

BEST HARDCOVER P.I. NOVEL

BEST P.I. PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

Archangel Protocol by Lyda Morehouse (Dierdre McMannus)

Ancient Enemy by Robert Westbrook ( by Robert Westbrook ( Howard Moon Deer

Keepers by Janet Lapierre ( by Janet Lapierre ( Patience and Verity Mackellar

BEST P.I. FIRST NOVEL

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY

" Rough Justice " by Ceri Jordan (July 2001, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine )

"The Jungle" by John Lantigua ( And the Dying Is Easy Willie Cuesta)

"Last Kiss" by Tom Sweeney ( Mystery Street ; Jerry)

"Golden Retriever" by Barbara Paul (December 2001, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine Callie Darrow)

"The Cobalt Blues" by Clark Howard (September 2001, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine )

FRIEND OF PWA

Jan Grape

ST. MARTINS' PRESS/PWA CONTEST FOR BEST FIRST PRIVATE EYE NOVEL

The Sterling Inheritance by Michael Siverling ( by Michael Siverling ( Jason Wilder

2003 SHAMUS AWARDS

The Shamus Awards were presented in October at the PWA banquet in Las Vegas, Nevada, during Bouchercon, the World Mystery Convention.

THE EYE (Lifetime Achievement)

Sue Grafton

BEST P.I. NOVEL

BEST FIRST P.I. NOVEL

BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL P.I. NOVEL

The Poisoned Rose by D. Daniel Judson (Declan "Mac" MacManus)

Cash Out by Paul Boray (John "Tomb" Tomei)

Juicy Watusi by Richard Helms ( by Richard Helms ( Pat Gallegher

The Lusitania Murders by Max Allan Collins (S.S. Van Dine, P.I. -- yeah, right)

Paint It Black by P.J. Parish ( by P.J. Parish ( Louis Kincaid

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY

ST. MARTINS' PRESS/PWA CONTEST FOR BEST FIRST PRIVATE EYE NOVEL

Tonight I Said Goodbye by Michael Koryta (Lincoln Perry)

2004 SHAMUS AWARDS

The 2004 Shamus Awards were announced at the Bouchercon in Toronto.

THE EYE (Lifetime Achievment Award)

BEST P.I. NOVEL

The Guards by Ken Bruen (Jack Taylor)

Scavenger Hunt by Robert Ferrigno (Jimmy Gage)

Blood is the Sky by Steve Hamilton ( by Steve Hamilton ( Alex McKnight

Fatal Flaw by William Lashner (Victor Carl)

A Visible Darkness by Jonathon King ( by Jonathon King ( Max Freeman

BEST FIRST P.I. NOVEL

Black Maps by Peter Spiegelman (John March)

Spiked by Mark Arsenault (Eddie Bourque)

Lovers Crossing by James C. Mitchell ( Roscoe Brinker

BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL P.I. NOVEL

Cold Quarry by Andy Straka (Frank Pavlicek)

Thicker Than Water by PJ Parrish ( by PJ Parrish ( Louis Kincaid

Wet Debt by Richard Helms ( by Richard Helms ( Pat Gallegher

Dragonfly Bones by David Cole ( Bones by David Cole ( Laura Winslow

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY

" Lady on Ice "" by Loren D. Estleman ( A Hot and Sultry Night For Crime)

"Munchies" by Jack Bludis (Hardbroiled; by Jack Bludis (Hardbroiled; Alan

"The Rock in the Orange Grove" by Mitch Alderman (June 2003, AHMM; by Mitch Alderman (June 2003, AHMM; Bubba Simms

"Slayer Statute" by Janet Dawson (September/October 2003, EQMM; by Janet Dawson (September/October 2003, EQMM; Jeri Howard

"Valhalla" by Doug Allyn (January 2003, EQMM; by Doug Allyn (January 2003, EQMM; R.B."Ax" Axton

ST. MARTINS' PRESS/PWA CONTEST FOR BEST FIRST PRIVATE EYE NOVEL

First Kill by Michael Kronenwetter (Hank Berlin)

2005 SHAMUS AWARDS

The 2005 Shamus Awards were announced at the Bouchercon in Chicago.

THE EYE (Lifetime Achievement)

Sara Paretsky

BEST P.I. NOVEL

While I Disappear by Ed Wright (John Ray Horn)

Fade To Clear by Leonard Chang (Allen Choice)

The Wakeup by Robert Ferrigno (Frank Thorpe)

After The Rain by Chuck Logan (Phil Broker)

Choke Point by James Mitchell (Roscoe Brinker)

BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL P.I. NOVEL

Fade To Blonde by Max Phillips (construction worker Ray Corson)

Call The Devil by His Oldest Name by Sallie Bissell (Assistant D.A.Cherokee Mary Crow)

Shadow Of The Dahlia by Jack Bludis ( Rick Page )

The London Blitz Murders by Max Allan Collins (amateur sleuth Agatha Christie)

Island Of Bones by P. J. Parrish (Louis Kincaid)

BEST FIRST P.I. NOVEL

The Dead by Ingrid Black (true-crime writer Saxon)

Little Girl Lost by Richard Aleas (John Blake)

The Last Goodbye by Reed Arvin (Jack Hammond)

Aspen Pulp by Patrick Hasburgh (Jake Wheeler)

Some Danger Involved by Will Thomas (Thomas Llewelyn and Cyrus Barker)

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY

" Hasidic Noir " by Pearl Abraham (2004, Brooklyn Noir)

“Burnt Wood” by Mitch Alderman (July 2004, AHMM; Bubba Simms)

“Trumpeter Swan” by John F. Dobbyn (February 2004, AHMM)

“Dog on Fire” by Gregory S. Fallis (May 2004, AHMM; Joop Wheeler and Kevin Sweeney)

“Tricks” by Steve Hockensmith (August 2004, AHMM ; Larry Erie )



2006 SHAMUS AWARDS

The 2006 Shamus Awards were announced at the Bouchercon in Madison, Wisconsin on seoptember 29, in a rollicking affair that saw Mickey Spillane honoured, Max Allan Collins presented with The Eye for Lifetime Achievment, and PWA founder Robert Randisi roasted slowly -- and none too gently -- over an open flame. A grand old time was had by Al. And Bob had a good time too.

THE EYE (Lifetime Achievment Award)

BEST P.I. NOVEL

BEST FIRST P.I. NOVEL

Forcing Amaryllis by Louise Ure (Calla Gentry)

Blood Ties by Lori G. Armstrong ( by Lori G. Armstrong ( Julie Collins

Still River by Harry Hunsicker ( by Harry Hunsicker ( Lee Henry Oswald

The Devil's Right Hand by J. D. Rhoades ( by J. D. Rhoades ( Jack Keller

BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL P.I. NOVEL

The James Deans by Reed Farrel Coleman ( by Reed Farrel Coleman ( Moe Prager

Falling Down by David Cole ( by David Cole ( Laura Winslow

Deadlocked by Joel Goldman (Lou Mason)

Cordite Wine by Richard Helms ( Eamon Gold ) by Richard Helms (

A Killing Rain by PJ Parrish ( by PJ Parrish ( Louis Kincaid

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY

"A Death in Ueno" by Michael Wiecek. (March 2005, AHMM ; Masakazu Sakonju)

by Michael Wiecek. (March 2005, ; Masakazu Sakonju) "Oh, What a Tangled Lanyard We Weave" by Parnell Hall ( Murder Most Crafty ; Stanley Hastings)

by Parnell Hall ( ; Stanley Hastings) "Two Birds with One Stone" by Jeremiah Healy (January/February 2005, AHMM ; John Francis Cuddy)

by Jeremiah Healy (January/February 2005, ; John Francis Cuddy) "The Big Road" by Steve Hockensmith. (May 2005, AHMM ; Larry Erie)

by Steve Hockensmith. (May 2005, ; Larry Erie) "The Breaks" by Timothy Williams (September/October 2005, EQMM ; Charlie Raines)

2007 SHAMUS AWARDS

The 2007 Shamus Awards were presented in the course of the annual PWA banquet, held in Anchorage, Alaska, during the Bouchercon convention.



THE EYE

Stuart M. Kaminsky

THE HAMMER

A new annual prize celebrating a memorable private eye character or a series. Named after Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer, of course.

BEST P.I. NOVEL

BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL



An Unquiet Grave by P.J. Parrish ( by P.J. Parrish ( Louis Kincaid

Hallowed Ground by Lori G. Armstrong ( by Lori G. Armstrong ( Julie Collins

The Prop by Pete Hautman (Peeky Kane)

The Uncomfortable Dead by Paco Ignacio Taibo II and Subcomandante Marcos ( by Paco Ignacio Taibo II and Subcomandante Marcos ( Hector Belascoaran Shayne)

Crooked by Brian M. Wiprud ( by Brian M. Wiprud ( Nicholas Palihnic

BEST FIRST NOVEL

The Wrong Kind of Blood by Declan Hughes ( by Declan Hughes ( Ed Loy

Lost Angel by Mike Doogan ( by Mike Doogan ( Nik Kane

A Safe Place for Dying by Jack Fredrickson ( by Jack Fredrickson ( Dek Elstrom

Holmes on the Range by Steve Hockensmith ( Gustav "Old Red" Amlingmeyer ) by Steve Hockensmith (

18 Seconds by George D. Shuman (Sherry Moore)

BEST SHORT STORY

" The Heart Has Reasons " by O'Neil De Noux. (September 2006, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine Lucien Caye )

“Sudden Stop” by Mitch Alderman.(November 2006, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazin e, Bubba Simms

“Square One” by Loren D. Estleman (November 2006, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine Amos Walker)

“Devil’s Brew” by Bill Pronzini (December 2006, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine John Quincannon)

"Smoke Got In My Eyes" by Bruce Rubenstein (2006, Twin Cities Noir Martin McDonough)

2008 SHAMUS AWARDS

The 2008 awards were presented at the PWA banquet, October 10, 2008, in Baltimore, Maryland, during the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention.

THE EYE

BEST P.I. NOVEL

Soul Patch by Reed Farrel Coleman ( by Reed Farrel Coleman ( Moe Prager

Head Games by Thomas B. Cavanagh (Mike Garrity)

The Color of Blood by Declan Hughes ( Ed Loy ) by Declan Hughes (

A Welcome Grave by Michael Koryta ( by Michael Koryta ( Lincoln Perry

A Killer's Kiss by William Lashner (Victor Carl)

BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

Songs of Innocence by Richard Aleas ( John Blake ) by Richard Aleas (

Exit Strategy by Kelley Armstrong (Nadia Stafford)

Stone Rain by Linwood Barclay (Zack Walker)

Deadly Beloved by Max Allan Collins ( by Max Allan Collins ( Ms. Tree

Blood of Paradise by David Corbett (Jude McManus)

BEST FIRST P.I. NOVEL

Big City, Bad Blood by Sean Chercover ( Ray Dudgeon ) by Sean Chercover (

The Cleaner by Brett Battles ( by Brett Battles ( Jonathan Quinn

Keep It Real by Bill Bryan (Ted Collins)

When One Man Dies by Dave White ( by Dave White ( Jackson Donne

The Last Striptease by Michael Wiley ( Joe Kozmarski ) by Michael Wiley (

BEST SHORT STORY

“Hungry Enough" by Cornelia Read (2008, A Hell of a Woman ; Philip)

"Kill the Cat" by Loren D. Estleman (2008, Detroit Noir Amos Walker)

"Trust Me" by Loren D. Estleman (June 2007; Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine Amos Walker)

"Open Mike" by James Nolan (2008, New Orleans Noir ; Vincent Panarello)

"Room for Improvement" by Marilyn Todd (December 2007, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine ; Lois Hepburn)

2009 SHAMUS AWARDS

The awards were given out at a banquet on Friday, October 19, during Bouchercon in Indianapolis.

THE EYE

THE HAMMER

A new annual prize celebrating a memorable private eye character or a series. Named after Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer, of course.

BEST HARDCOVER

BEST FIRST NOVEL

In the Heat by Ian Vasquez (Miles Young)

Stalking Susan by Julie Kramer (Riley Spartz)

Swann's Last Song by Charles Salzberg (Henry Swann)

The Eye of Jade by Diane Wei Liang ( Mei Wang )

Veil of Lies by Jeri Westerson (Crispin Guest)

BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

Snow Blind by Lori Armstrong ( Julie Collins )

Shot Girl by Karen Olson (Annie Seymour)

The Stolen by Jason Pinter (Henry Parker)

The Black Hand by Will Thomas (Cyrus Barker and Thomas Llewelyn)

The Evil That Men Do by Dave White ( Jackson Donne )

BEST SHORT STORY

"Family Values " by Mitch Alderman (June 2008, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine Bubba Simms)

"Last Island South" by John C. Boland (September/October 2008, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine , Meggie Trevor)

"The Blonde Tigress" by Max Allan Collins (June 2008, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine Nate Heller)

"Discovery" by Kristine Kathryn Rusch (November 2008, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine , Pia Cardenas)

"Panic on Portage Path" by Dick Stodghill (January/February 2008, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine ; Jack Eddy )

2010 SHAMUS AWARDS

THE EYE

BEST HARDCOVERNOVEL

Locked In by Marcia Muller ( Sharon McCone )

The Silent Hour by Michael Koryta ( Lincoln Perry )

Where the Dead Lay by David Levien ( Frank Behr )

Schemers by Bill Pronzini ( Nameless )

My Soul to Take by Yrsa Sigurdardottir ( Thóra Gudmundsdóttir )

BEST FIRST NOVEL

Faces of the Gone by Brad Parks ( Carter Ross

Loser's Town by Daniel Depp ( David Spandau )

The Last Gig by Norman Green ( Al Martillo )

The Good Son by Russel D. McLean ( J. McNee

Chinatown Angel by A.E. Roman (Chico Santana)

BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL NOVEL

Sinner's Ball by Ira Berkowitz ( Jackson Steeg )

Dark Side of the Morgue by Raymond Benson (Spike)

Red Blooded Murder by Laura Caldwell (I zzy McNeil )

Vengeance Road by Rick Mofina ( Jack Gannon

Body Blows by Marc Strange ( Joe Grundy )

BEST SHORT STORY

"Julius Katz" by Dave Zeltserman (September/October 2009, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine )

"The Dark Island" by Brendan DuBois (2009, Boston Noir )

"Deadline Edition" by S.L. Franklin (April 2009, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine )

" Blazin' on Broadway" by Gary Phillips (2009, Phoenix Noir )

"Suicide Bonds" by Tim L. Williams (March/April 2009, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine )

THE HAMMER

Sharon McCone by Marcia Muller

2011 SHAMUS AWARDS

During a banquet at Bouchercon in St. Louis on September 16, 2011, the Private Eye Writers of America (PWA) announced the winners of the 2011 Shamus Awards, given annually to recognize outstanding achievement in private eye fiction.

THE EYE

Ed Gorman

THE HAMMER AWARD (Best P.I. Series Character):

V.I. Warshawski by Sara Paretsky

BEST HARDCOVER P.I. NOVEL

No Mercy by Lori Armstrong ( Mercy Gunderson

The First Rule by Robert Crais ( Joe Pike )

Voyeur by Daniel Judson ( Remer

If the Dead Rise Not by Philip Kerr ( Bernie Gunther )

Naked Moon by Domenic Stansberry ( Dante Mancuso )

BEST FIRST P.I. NOVEL

In Search of Mercy Dexter Bolzjak ) by Michael Ayoob (

One Man's Paradise by Douglas Corleone (Kevin Corvelli)

Rogue Island by Bruce DeSilva (Liam Mulligan)

Random Violence by Jassy MacKenzie ( Jade de Jong)

City of Dragons by Kelli Stanley ( Miranda Corbie )

BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL P.I. NOVEL

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY

"The Lamb Was Sure to Go" by Gar Anthony Haywood (November 2010, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine )

"The God of Right and Wrong" by Steven Gore (January/February 2010, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine )

"The Girl in the Golden Gown" by Robert S. Levinson (March/April 2010, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine )

"Phelan's First Case" by Lisa Sandlin ( Lone Star Noir )

"A Long Time Dead" by Mickey Spillane and Max Allan Collins (June-Sept. 2010, The Strand Magazine )

2012 SHAMUS AWARDS

The winners were announced and awards presented, on October 5th, at the PWA banquet (on a rverboat, no less) during Bouchercon in Cleveland, Ohio.

THE HAMMER AWARD (Best Series P.I. Character)

Nate Heller by Max Allan Collins.

BEST HARDCOVER P.I. NOVEL

A Bad Night's Sleep by Michael Wiley (Joe Kozmarski)

by Michael Wiley (Joe Kozmarski) Bye Bye Baby by Max Allan Collins (Nate Heller)

by Max Allan Collins (Nate Heller) 1222 by Anne Holt ( Hanne Wilhelmsen )

by Anne Holt ( ) When the Thrill is Gone by Walter Mosley (Leonid McGill)

by Walter Mosley (Leonid McGill) The Highly Effective Detective Crosses the Line by Richard Yancey (Teddy Ruzak)

BEST FIRST P.I. NOVEL

The Shortcut Man by P.G. Sturges (Dick Henry)

by P.G. Sturges (Dick Henry) The Plot Against Hip Hop by Nelson George (D Hunter)

by Nelson George (D Hunter) Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead by Sara Gran (Claire DeWitt)

by Sara Gran (Claire DeWitt) The Ocean Forest by Troy D. Nooe (Frankie McKeller)

by Troy D. Nooe (Frankie McKeller) The Stranger You Seek by Amanda Kyle Williams (Keye Street)

BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL P.I. NOVEL

Fun & Games by Duane Swierczynski ( Charlie Hardie )

by Duane Swierczynski ( ) Quarry's Ex by Max Allan Collins (Quarry)

by Max Allan Collins (Quarry) Threat Warning by John Gilstrap (Jonathan Grave)

by John Gilstrap (Jonathan Grave) Serial by John Lutz (Frank Quinn)

by John Lutz (Frank Quinn) Long Pig by James L. Ross (Hayes Rutherford)

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY

"Who I Am" by Michael Z. Lewin (December 2011, EQMM ; Albert Samson)

by Michael Z. Lewin (December 2011, ; Albert Samson) "A Bullet from Yesterday" by Terence Faherty (January 2011, EQMM ; Scott Elliott)

by Terence Faherty (January 2011, ; Scott Elliott) "Mr. Monk & the Sunday Paper" by Lee Goldberg (July 2011, EQMM ; Adrian Monk)

by Lee Goldberg (July 2011, ; Adrian Monk) "Vampire Slayer Murdered in Key West" by Michael Haskins (October 2011, EQMM ; "Mad Mick" Murphy)

by Michael Haskins (October 2011, ; "Mad Mick" Murphy) "Dancer in a Storm" by L. A. Wilson (January/February 2011, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine ; Memphis Red)

2013 SHAMUS AWARDS

For works published in 2012: The winner was announced at the PWA Banquet at Bouchercon in Albany, New York, on Friday, September 20 .

THE EYE

BEST HARDCOVER P.I. NOVEL

Taken by Robert Crais (Elvis Cole)

by Robert Crais (Elvis Cole) Robert B. Parker's Lullaby by Ace Atkins (Spenser)

by Ace Atkins (Spenser) Hunting Sweetie Rose by Jack Fredrickson (Dek Elstrom)

by Jack Fredrickson (Dek Elstrom) Blues in the Night by Dick Lochte (Dave "Mace" Mason)

by Dick Lochte (Dave "Mace" Mason) The Other Woman by Hank Phillippi Ryan (Jane Ryland)

BEST FIRST P.I. NOVEL

Black Fridays by Michael Sears (Jason Stafford)

by Michael Sears (Jason Stafford) Hush Money by Chuck Greaves (Jack MacTaggart)

by Chuck Greaves (Jack MacTaggart) Murder Unscripted by Clive Rosengren (Eddie Collins)

by Clive Rosengren (Eddie Collins) Racing the Devil Jared McKean)

Jared McKean) The Twenty-Year Death by Ariel S. Winter (Dennis Foster)

BEST ORIGINAL PAPERBACK PI NOVEL

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY

"Ghost Negligence" by John Shepphird (July/August 2012, AHMM; Jack O'Shea)

"The Sequel" by Jeffrey Deaver (The Strand)

"After Cana" by Terence Faherty (September/October 2012, EQMM; Owen Keane)

"O'Nelligan and the Lost Fates" by Michael Nethercott (March 2012, AHMM; O'Nelligan & Plunkett)

"Illegitimati Non Carborundum" by Stephen D. Rogers (May/June 2012, Crimespree)

BEST INDIE P.I. NOVEL

White Heat by Paul Marks (Duke Rogers)

by Paul Marks (Duke Rogers) Stranger in Town by Cheryl Bradshaw (Sloane Monroe)

by Cheryl Bradshaw (Sloane Monroe) Enamored by O'Neil De Noux (Lucien Caye)

by O'Neil De Noux (Lucien Caye) One-Eyed Jack by Christopher J. Lynch (John Sharp)

by Christopher J. Lynch (John Sharp) Devil May Care by James Mullaney (Crag Banyon)

2014 SHAMUS AWARDS

For works published in 2013: The awards were presented at the PWA Banquet at Bouchercon 2014 in Long Beach, California on November 14, 2014.



The winners in Long Beach at the awards cerenony. Photo by Ali Karim, the Jimmy Olsen of the Crime Writing World.

THE HAMMER AWARD (Best P.I. Series Character)

Kinsey Millhone by Sue Grafton

BEST HARDCOVER P.I. NOVEL

The Good Cop by Brad Parks (Carter Ross)

Little Elvises by Timothy Hallinan (Junior Bender)

The Mojito Coast by Richard Helms ( Cormac Loame)

W is for Wasted by Sue Grafton (Kinsey Millhone)

Nemesis by Bill Pronzini (Nameless)

BEST FIRST P.I. NOVEL

Bear is Broken by Lachlan Smith (Leo Maxwell)

A Good Death by Christopher R. Cox ( Sebastian Damon )

Montana by Gwen Florio (Lola Wicks)

Blood Orange by Karen Keskinen (Jaymie Zarlin)

Loyalty by Ingrid Thoft (Fina Ludlow)

BEST ORIGINAL PAPERBACK P.I. NOVEL

Heart of Ice by P.J. Parrish ( Louis Kincaid )

Seduction of the Innocents by Max Allan Collin (Jack Starr)

by Max Allan Collin (Jack Starr) Into the Dark by Alison Gaylin (Brenna Spector)

by Alison Gaylin (Brenna Spector) Purgatory Key by Darrell James (Del Shannon)

by Darrell James (Del Shannon) The Honky Tonk Big Hoss Boogie by Robert J. Randisi ("Auggie" Velez-Colon)

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY

"So Long, Chief" by Max Allan Collins & Mickey Spillane (February-May 2013, The Strand Magazine ; Mike Hammer)

by Max Allan Collins & Mickey Spillane (February-May 2013, ; Mike Hammer) "The Ace I" by Jack Fredrickson (June 2013, EQMM ; Pelmar Lindeman)

by Jack Fredrickson (June 2013, ; Pelmar Lindeman) "What We Do" by Mick Herron (September/October EQMM ; Zoë Boehm)

by Mick Herron (September/October ; Zoë Boehm) "Extra Fries" by Michael Z. Lewin (May 2013, EQMM ; Albert Samson)

by Michael Z. Lewin (May 2013, ; Albert Samson) "The Lethal Leeteg" by Hayford Peirce in August 2013, EQMM ; Joe Caneili)

BEST INDIE P.I. NOVEL

Don't Dare a Dame by M. Ruth Myers (Maggie Sullivan)

by M. Ruth Myers (Maggie Sullivan) Murder Take Three by April Kelly & Marsha Lyons (Maureen O'Brien & Blake Ervansky)

by April Kelly & Marsha Lyons (Maureen O'Brien & Blake Ervansky) A Small Sacrifice by Dana King (Nick Forte)

by Dana King (Nick Forte) No Pat Hands by J.J. Lamb (Zach Rolfe)

by J.J. Lamb (Zach Rolfe) State vs. Lassiter by Paul Levine (Jake Lassiter)

MINOTAUR BOOKS/PWA AWARD

The Red Storm by Grant Bywaters (William Fletcher)

2015 SHAMUS AWARDS

For works published in 2014. The awards were presented at the PWA Banquet at Bouchercon 2015 in Raleigh, North Carolina on Friday, October 9, 2015.

THE EYE (Lifetime Achievement)

Parnell Hall

BEST HARDCOVER P.I. NOVEL

Hounded by David Rosenfelt (Andy Carpenter)

The Hollow Girl by Reed Farrel Coleman (Moe Prager)

The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith (Cormoran Strike)

Tokyo Kill by Barry Lancet (Jim Brodie)

Peter Pan Must Die by John Verdon (Dave Gurney)

BEST FIRST P.I. NOVEL

Invisible City by Julia Dahl (Rebekah Roberts)

Bad Country by C.B. McKenzie (Rodeo Grace Garnet)

Last of the Independents by Sam Wiebe (Michael Drayton)

Wink of an Eye by Lynn Chandler Willis (Gypsy Moran )

City of Brick and Shadow by Tim Wirkus (Elder Toronto and Elder Schwartz)

BEST ORIGINAL PAPERBACK P.I. NOVEL

Moonlight Weeps by Vincent Zandri (Dick Moonlight)

by Vincent Zandri (Dick Moonlight) The Detective and the Pipe Girl by Michael Craven (John Darvelle)

by Michael Craven (John Darvelle) Beauty with a Bomb by M.C. Grant (Dixie Flynn)

by M.C. Grant (Dixie Flynn) Critical Damage by Robert K. Lewis (Mark Mallen)

by Robert K. Lewis (Mark Mallen) Street Justice by Kris Nelscott (Smokey Dalton)

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY

"Clear Recent History" by Gon Ben Ari ( Tel Aviv Noir )

by Gon Ben Ari ( ) "The Ehrengraf" by Lawrence Block ( Defender of the Innocent; Martin Ehrengraf)

by Lawrence Block ( Martin Ehrengraf) "Fear is the Best Keeper of Secrets" by Vali Khahili ( Terhan Noir )

by Vali Khahili ( ) "Mei Kwei, I Love You" by Stachen Christine Lim ( Singapore Noir )

by Stachen Christine Lim ( ) "Busting Red Heads" by Richard Helms ( EQMM; Tommy Crane)

BEST INDIE P.I. NOVEL

The Shadow Broker by Trace Conger (Mr. Finn)

Nobody's Child by Libby Fischer Hellmann (Georgia Davis)

Played to Death by BV Lawson (Scott Drayco)

The Kids are All Right by Steve Liskow (Zach Barnes)

Get Busy Dying by Ben Rehder (Roy Ballard)

2016 SHAMUS AWARDS

For works published in 2015. The awards were presented at the PWA Banquet at Bouchercon 2016 in New Orleans.

THE EYE (Lifetime Achievement)

BEST PRIVATE EYE NOVEL

Brutality by Ingrid Thofts (Fina Ludlow)

by Ingrid Thofts (Fina Ludlow) The Promise by Robert Crais (Elvis Cole & Joe Pike)

by Robert Crais (Elvis Cole & Joe Pike) Dance of the Bones by J.A. Jance (Brandon Walker)

by J.A. Jance (Brandon Walker) Gumshoe by Robert Leininger (Mortimer Angel)

by Robert Leininger (Mortimer Angel) Brush Back by Sara Paretsky (V.I. Warshawski)

BEST FIRST PRIVATE EYE NOVEL

The Do-Right by Lisa Sandlin (Delphia Wade & Tom Phelan)

by Lisa Sandlin (Delphia Wade & Tom Phelan) The Red Storm by Grant Bywaters (William Fletcher)

by Grant Bywaters (William Fletcher) Night Tremors by Matt Coyle (Rick Cahill)

by Matt Coyle (Rick Cahill) Trouble in Rooster Paradise by T.W. Emory (Gunnar Nilson)

by T.W. Emory (Gunnar Nilson) Depth by Lev Ac Rosen (Simone Pierce)

BEST ORIGINAL PRIVATE EYE PAPERBACK

Circling the Runway by J.L. Abramo (Jake Diamond)

by J.L. Abramo (Jake Diamond) The Long Cold by O'Neil De Noux (Dino LaStanza)

by O'Neil De Noux (Dino LaStanza) Split to Splinters by Max Everhart (Eli Sharpe)

by Max Everhart (Eli Sharpe) The Man in the Window by Dana King (Nick Forte)

by Dana King (Nick Forte) Red Desert by Clive Rosengren (Eddie Collins)

BEST PRIVATE EYE SHORT STORY

"The Dead Client" by Parnell Hall ( Dark City Lights: New York Stories ; Stanley Hastings)

by Parnell Hall ( ; Stanley Hastings) "The Runaway Girl from Portland, Oregon" by C.B. Forrest (October 2015, AHMM ; Ray)

by C.B. Forrest (October 2015, ; Ray) "The Sleep of Death" by David Edgerley Gates (December 2016, AHMM ; Placido Geist)

by David Edgerley Gates (December 2016, ; Placido Geist) "The Dead Detective" by Robert S. Levinson ( Coast to Coast: Murder from Sea to Shining Sea )

by Robert S. Levinson ( ) "The Continental Opposite" by Evan Lewis (May 2015, AHMM ; Peter Collins)

2017 SHAMUS AWARDS

For works published in 2016.

THE EYE (Lifetime Achievement)

BEST PRIVATE EYE NOVEL

Where It Hurts by Reed Farrel Coleman (Gus Murphy)

by Reed Farrel Coleman (Gus Murphy) The Graveyard of the Hesperides by Lindsey Davis (Flavia Albia)

by Lindsey Davis (Flavia Albia) Fields Where They Lay by Timothy Hallinan (Junior Bender)

by Timothy Hallinan (Junior Bender) With 6 You Get Wally by Al Lamanda (John Bekker)

by Al Lamanda (John Bekker) The Stardom Affair by Robert S. Levinson (Gulliver & Marriner)

BEST FIRST PRIVATE EYE NOVEL

IQ by Joe Ide (Isaiah Quintabe)

by Joe Ide (Isaiah Quintabe) Fever City by Tim Baker (Nick Alston)

by Tim Baker (Nick Alston) Deep Six by D. P. Lyle

by D. P. Lyle The Second Girl by David Swinson (Frank Marr)

by David Swinson (Frank Marr) Soho Sins by Richard Vine ( Jackson Wyeth )

BEST ORIGINAL PRIVATE EYE PAPERBACK

BEST PRIVATE EYE SHORT STORY

"A Battlefield Reunion" by Brendan DuBois (June 2016, AHMM ; Billy Sullivan)

by Brendan DuBois (June 2016, ; Billy Sullivan) "Keller's Fedora" by Lawrence Block (May 2016 e-publication; Keller)

by Lawrence Block (May 2016 e-publication; Keller) "Stairway From Heaven" by Ake Edwardson ( Stockholm Noir ; Peter Kampinsky)

by Ake Edwardson ( ; Peter Kampinsky) "A Dangerous Cat" by Mickey Spillane & Max Allan Collins (Feb/May 2016, The Strand ; Mike Hammer)

by Mickey Spillane & Max Allan Collins (Feb/May 2016, ; Mike Hammer) "Archie On Loan" by Dave Zeltserman (Sept/Oct 2016, EQMM; Julius Katz & Archie Smith)

2018 SHAMUS AWARDS

BEST PI HARDCOVER

Dark Water by Parker Bilal (Makana)

by Parker Bilal (Makana) Blood Truth by Matt Coyle (Rick Cahill)

by Matt Coyle (Rick Cahill) Y is for Yesterday by Sue Grafton ( Kinsey Millhone )

by Sue Grafton ( ) The Room of White Fire by T. Jefferson Parker (Roland Ford)

by T. Jefferson Parker (Roland Ford) Monument Road by Michael Wiley (Franky Dask)

BEST FIRST PI NOVEL

Under Water by Casey Barrett (Duck Darley)

by Casey Barrett (Duck Darley) A Negro and an Ofay by Danny Gardner (Elliot Caprice)

by Danny Gardner (Elliot Caprice) Gone to Dust by Matt Goldman (Nils Shapiro)

by Matt Goldman (Nils Shapiro) August Snow by Stephen Mack Jones (August Snow)

by Stephen Mack Jones (August Snow) The Last Place You Look by Kristen Lepionka (Roxane Weary)

BEST PI PAPERBACK ORIGINAL

Play a Cold Hand by Terence Faherty (Scott Elliott)

by Terence Faherty (Scott Elliott) The Strange Disappearance of a Bollywood Star by Vaseem Khan (The Baby Ganesh Agency)

by Vaseem Khan (The Baby Ganesh Agency) Dames Fight Harder by M. Ruth Myers (Maggie Sullivan)

by M. Ruth Myers (Maggie Sullivan) The Painted Gun by Bradley Spinelli (David "Itchy" Crane)

by Bradley Spinelli (David "Itchy" Crane) Lights Out Summer by Rich Zahradnik (Coleridge Taylor)

BEST PI SHORT STORY

"Out of Business" by Eric Beetner ( Coast to Coast: Private Eyes from Sea to Shining Sea )

by Eric Beetner ( ) "Breakage" by Reed Farrel Coleman ( Down & Out: The Magazine )

by Reed Farrel Coleman ( ) "Random" by Brendan Dubois (January/February 2017, Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine )

by Brendan Dubois (January/February 2017, ) "Rosalie Marx is Missing" by Robert S. Levinson (May/June 2017, Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine )

by Robert S. Levinson (May/June 2017, ) "Windward" by Paul D. Marks ( Coast to Coast: Private Eyes from Sea to Shining Sea )

List respectfully compiled by Kevin Burton Smith. Thanks to Robert Randisi, Jan Grape, Jan Long, Gerald So, Ali Karim and especially Cathleen Jordan for their help with this one. PWA Logo by Terry Beatty.