Bouchercon, the largest international mystery lovers’ convention, was held in September this year in Florida. It’s a natural platform for several writing awards, including the Anthony, Barry, and Macavity Awards for excellence in mysteries. In addition, the Private Eye Writers of America’s 2018 Shamus Awards were given for deserving Private Eye titles published in 2017.
 

PWA’s definition of a Private Eye: a person paid to investigate crimes who is not employed by a government agency.

Winners were announced at the PWA Banquet and are indicated in red.
 

Best Original Private Eye Paperback 
Play a Cold Hand by Terence Faherty

The Strange Disappearance of a Bollywood Star by Vaseem Khan

Dames Fight Harder by M. Ruth Myers

The Painted Gun by Bradley Spinelli

Lights Out Summer by Rich Zahradnik

 

Best First Private Eye Novel
Under Water by Casey Barrett

A Negro and an Ofay by Danny Gardner

Gone to Dust by Matt Goldman

August Snow by Stephen Mack Jones

The Last Place You Look by Kristen Lepionka

 

Best P.I. Short Story

Eric Beetner, “Out of Business,” in Down & Out, The Magazine Vol 1/ Issue 1

Reed Farrel Coleman, “Breakage,” in Down & Out, The Magazine Vol 1/ Issue 1

Brendan Dubois, “Random,” in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, Jan/Feb

Robert S. Levinson, “Rosalie Marx is Missing,” in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, May/June

Paul D. Marks, “Windward,” in Coast to Coast: Private Eyes from Sea to Shining Sea
 

Best Private Eye Novel 

Dark Water by Parker Bilal

Blood Truth by Matt Coyle

Y is for Yesterday by Sue Grafton

The Room of White Fire by T. Jefferson Parker

Monument Road by Michael Wiley

Congratulations to all the finalists and winners!  🙂