The Shamus Awards are given by the Private Eye Writers of America to honor excellence in the PI genre.
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2008 Shamus Award winners
awarded 0ctober 10th, were:
Best P. I. Hardcover: Soul Patch by Reed Farrel Coleman (Moe Prager)
In this darkly intriguing follow-up to the Shamus and Barry winning The James Deans, ex-NYPD cop turned P.I. and entrepreneur, Moe Prager is faced with a gut-wrenching case. The apparent suicide of his old friend and NYPD Chief of Detectives, Larry McDonald, forces Moe back onto the decaying Coney Island streets he patrolled when he was in uniform. But now, beneath the boardwalk and behind the rusted and crumbling rides of the midway, he finds a trail of death, betrayal, and corruption reaching back to 1972. As Faulkner once said, "The past is never dead. It isn't even past." So it goes for Moe Prager in Soul Patch.
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Best First P. I. Novel: Big City, Bad Blood by Sean Chercover (Ray Dudgeon)
Disillusioned newspaper reporter-turned-private detective Ray Dudgeon doesn't want to save the world; he just wants to do an honest job well. But when doing an honest job threatens society's most powerful and corrupt, Ray's odds of survival make for a sucker's bet . . .
A simple bodyguard job for a Hollywood locations manager uncovers a rats' nest of sexual blackmail, murder, and high-level political corruption . . . and Ray Dudgeon is caught in a war between the FBI, the Chicago police, and the mob. With the line between good and bad blurring, Ray doesn't know who he can trust—or if he can even trust himself
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Best P. I. Paperback Original: Songs of Innocence by Richard Aleas (John Blake)
Little girl...found.
Three years ago, detective John Blake solved a mystery that changed his life forever — and left a woman he loved dead. Now Blake is back, to investigate the apparent suicide of Dorothy Louise Burke, a beautiful college student with a double life. The secrets Blake uncovers could blow the lid off New York City's sex trade...if they don't kill him first.
Richard Aleas' first novel, Little Girl Lost, was among the most celebrated crime novels of the year, receiving nominations for both the Edgar Allan Poe Award and the Shamus Award. But nothing in John Blake's first case could prepare you for the shocking conclusion of his second...
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2008 Shamus Award Nominees
Best Hardcover
HEAD GAMES by Thomas B. Cavanagh (St. Martins Minotaur/Thomas Dunne Books)
SOUL PATCH by Reed Farrel Coleman (Bleak House Books)- Winner
THE COLOR OF BLOOD by Declan Hughes (William Morrow)
A WELCOME GRAVE by Michael Koryta (St. Martins Minotaur/Thomas Dunne Books)
A KILLER'S KISS by William Lashner (William Morrow)
Best Paperback Original
SONGS OF INNOCENCE by Richard Aleas (Hard Case)- Winner
EXIT STRATEGY by Kelley Armstrong (Bantam)
STONE RAIN by Linwood Barclay (Bantam)
DEADLY BELOVED by Max Allan Collins (Hard Case)
BLOOD OF PARADISE by David Corbett (Mortalis/Ballantine)
Best First Novel
THE CLEANER by Brett Battles (Delacorte)
KEEP IT REAL by Bill Bryan (Bleak House Books)
BIG CITY, BAD BLOOD by Sean Chercover (William Morrow)- Winner
WHEN ONE MAN DIES by Dave White (Three Rivers Press)
THE LAST STRIPTEASE by Michael Wiley (St. Martins/Thomas Dunne Books)
Best Short Story
"Kill the Cat" by Loren D. Estleman, in DETROIT NOIR (Akashic)
"Trust Me" by Loren D. Estleman, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, June 2007
"Open Mike" by James Nolan, NEW ORLEANS NOIR (Akashic)
“Hungry Enough" by Cornelia Read, A HELL OF A WOMAN (Busted Flush Press)
"Room for Improvement" by Marilyn Todd, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Dec. 2007
2007 Shamus Award Winners
On September 28, 2007, The Private Eye Writers of America announced the winners of the 26th annual Shamus Awards, which recognize outstanding achievement in private eye fiction.
Best Hardcover
THE DRAMATIST by Ken Bruen (St. Martins Minotaur)
Best Paperback Original
AN UNQUIET GRAVE by P. J. Parrish (Pinnacle)
Best First Novel
THE WRONG KIND OF BLOOD by Declan Hughes (William Morrow)
Best Short Story
"The Heart Has Reasons" by O'Neil De Noux (
Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, September 2006)
The Eye For Lifetime Achievement
Stuart Kaminsky
The Hammer For Best PI Series Character
Shell Scott (created by Richard Prather)
The 2007 Shamus Awards Nominees
The Private Eye Writers of America (PWA) recently announced the nominees for the 26th annual Shamus Awards, which recognize outstanding achievement in private eye fiction. This year's awards, covering works published in the US in 2006, will be presented on September 28, 2007 at the PWA banquet in Anchorage, Alaska, during the weekend of the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention.
The 2007 Shamus Awards Nominees include:
Best Hardcover
THE DRAMATIST by Ken Bruen (St. Martins Minotaur)
THE DARKEST PLACE by Daniel Judson (St. Martins Minotaur)
THE DO-RE-MI by Ken Kuhlken (Poisoned Pen Press)
VANISHING POINT by Marcia Muller (Mysterious Press)
DAYS OF RAGE by Kris Nelscott (St. Martins Minotaur)
Best Paperback Original
HALLOWED GROUND by Lori G. Armstrong (Medallion Press)
THE PROP by Pete Hautman (Simon and Schuster)
AN UNQUIET GRAVE by P. J. Parrish (Pinnacle)
THE UNCOMFORTABLE DEAD by Paco Ignacio Taibo II and Subcomandante Marcos, Translated by Carlos Lopez (Akashic Books)
CROOKED by Brian M. Wiprud (Dell)
Best First Novel
LOST ANGEL by Mike Doogan (Putnam)
A PERFECT PLACE FOR DYING by Jack Fredrickson (St. Martin's Minotaur)
HOLMES ON THE RANGE by Steve Hockensmith (St. Martin's Minotaur)
THE WRONG KIND OF BLOOD by Declan Hughes (William Morrow)
18 SECONDS by George D. Shuman (Simon & Schuster)
Best Short Story
“Sudden Stop” by Mitch Alderman (Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, November 2006)
"The Heart Has Reasons" by O'Neil De Noux (Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, September 2006)
“Square One” by Loren D. Estleman (Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, November 2006)
“Devil’s Brew” by Bill Pronzini (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, December 2006)
"Smoke Got In My Eyes" by Bruce Rubenstein, from TWIN CITIES NOIR (Akashic)
The 2006 Shamus Awards Winners
Best P.I. Novel
THE LINCOLN LAWYER by Michael Connelly (Little, Brown)
Best Paperback Original P.I. Novel
THE JAMES DEANS by Reed Farrel Coleman (Plume)
Best First P.I. Novel
FORCING AMARYLLIS by Louise Ure (Mysterious Press)
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The 2006 Shamus Awards Nominees
Best P.I. Novel
THE LINCOLN LAWYER by Michael Connelly (Little, Brown)
OBLIVION by Peter Abrahams (William Morrow)
THE FORGOTTEN MAN by Robert Crais (Doubleday)
CINNAMON KISS by Walter Mosley (Little, Brown)
Best Paperback Original P.I. Novel
THE JAMES DEANS by Reed Farrel Coleman (Plume)
FALLING DOWN by David Cole (Avon)
DEADLOCKED by Joel Goldman (Pinnacle)
CORDITE WINE by Richard Helms (Barbadoes Hall Press/Back Alley Books)
A KILLING RAIN by P. J. Parrish (Pinnacle)
Best First P.I. Novel
FORCING AMARYLLIS by Louise Ure (Mysterious Press)
BLOOD TIES by Lori G. Armstrong (Medallion Press)
STILL RIVER by Harry Hunsicker (St. Martin's Minotaur)
THE DEVIL'S RIGHT HAND by J. D. Rhoades (St. Martin's Minotaur)
Shamus Award Winners 1982 to 2005
2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 | 1994 | 1993 | 1992 | 1991 | 1990 | 1989 | 1988 | 1987 | 1986 | 1985 | 1984 | 1983 | 1982
2005
Best P. I. Hardcover: While I Disappear by Ed Wright (Movie cowboy John Ray Horn)
Best First P. I. Novel: The Dead by Ingrid Black (True-crime writer Saxon)
Best Original P. I. Paperback: Fade To Blonde by Max Phillips (Construction worker Ray Corson)
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2004
Best P. I. Hardcover: The Guards by Ken Bruen (Jack Taylor)
Best First P. I. Novel: Black Maps by Peter Spiegelman (John March)
Best Original P. I. Paperback: Cold Quarry by Andy Straka (Frank Pavlicek)
The Eye (Lifetime Achievement Award): Donald Westlake
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2003
Best P. I. Hardcover: Blackwater Sound by James W. Hall (Thorn)
Best First P. I. Novel: The Distance by Eddie Muller (Billy Nichols)
Best Original P. I. Paperback: The Poisoned Rose by D. Daniel Judson (Declan "Mac" MacManus)
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2002
Best P. I. Hardcover: Reflecting The Sky by S.J. Rozan (Bill Smith and Lydia Chin)
Best First P. I. Novel: Chasing the Devil's Tail by David Fulmer (Valentin St. Cyr)
Best Original P. I. Paperback: Archangel Protocol by Lyda Morehouse (Dierdre McMannus)
The Eye (Lifetime Achievement Award): Lawrence Block
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2001
Best P. I. Hardcover: Havana Heat by Carolina Garcia-Aguilera, (Lupe Solano)
Best First P. I. Novel: Street Level by Bob Truluck (Duncan Sloan)
Best Original P. I. Paperback: Death In The Steel City by Thomas Lipinski (Carroll Dorsey)
2000
Best P. I. Hardcover: California Fire And Life by Don Winslow (Jack Wade)
Best First P. I. Novel: Every Dead Thing by John Connolly (Charlie Parker)
Best Original P. I. Paperback: In Big Trouble by Laura Lippman (Tess Monaghan)
The Eye (Lifetime Achievement Award): Edward D. Hoch
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1999
Best P. I. Hardcover: Boobytrap by Bill Pronzini (Nameless)
Best First P. I. Novel: A Cold Day In Paradise by Steve Hamilton (Alex McKnight)
Best Original P. I. Paperback: Murder Manual by Steve Womack (Harry James Denton)
The Eye (Lifetime Achievement Award): Maxine O'Callaghan
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1998
Best P. I. Hardcover: Come Back Dead by Terrance Faherty (Scott Elliott)
Best First P. I. Novel: Big Red Tequilla by Rick Riordan (Tres Navarre)
Best Original P. I. Paperback: Charm City by Laura Lippman (Tess Monaghan)
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1997
Best P. I. Hardcover: Sunset Express by Robert Crais (Elvis Cole)
Best First P. I. Novel: This Dog For Hire, by Carol Lea Benjamin (Rachel Alexander)
Best Original P. I. Paperback: Fade Away, by Harlan Coben (Myron Bolitar)
The Eye (Lifetime Achievement Award): Stephen Marlowe
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1996
Best P. I. Hardcover: Concourse by S. J. Rozan (Lydia Chin and Bill Smith)
Best First P. I. Novel: The Innocents by Richard Barre (Wil Hardesty)
Best Original P. I. Paperback: Native Angels by William Jaspersohn (Peter Boone)
1995
Best P. I. Hardcover: "K" Is For Killer by Sue Grafton (Kinsey Millhone)
Best First P. I. Novel: A Drink Before the War by Dennis Lehane (Patrick Kenzie & Angela Gennaro)
Best Original P. I. Paperback: Served Cold by Ed Goldberg (Lenny Schneider)
The Eye (Lifetime Achievement Award): John Lutz and Robert B. Parker
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1994
Best P. I. Hardcover: The Devil Knows You're Dead by Lawrence Block (Matt Scudder)
Best First P. I. Novel: Satan's Lambs by Lynn Hightower (Lena Padget)
Best Original P. I. Paperback: Brothers And Sinners by Rodman Philbrick
The Eye (Lifetime Achievement Award): Stephen J. Cannell
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1993
Best P. I. Hardcover: The Man Who was Taller Than God by Harold Adams (Carl Wilcox)
Best First P. I. Novel: The Woman Who Married a Bear by John Straley (Cecil Younger)
Best Original P. I. Paperback: The Last Tango of Delores Delgado by Marele Day (Claudia Valentine)
The Eye (Lifetime Achievement Award): Marcia Muller
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1992
Best P. I. Hardcover: Stolen Away by Max Allan Collins (Nate Heller)
Best First P. I. Novel: Suffer Little Children by Thomas Davis (Dave Strickland)
Best Original P. I. Paperback: Cool Blue Tomb by Paul Kemprecos
The Eye (Lifetime Achievement Award): Joseph Hansen
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1991
Best P. I. Hardcover: "G" is for Gumshoe by Sue Grafton (Kinsey Millhone)
Best First P. I. Novel: Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosely (Easy Rawlins)
Best Original P. I. Paperback: Rafferty: Fatal Sisters by W. Glenn Duncan (Rafferty)
The Eye (Lifetime Achievement Award): Roy Huggins
1990
Best P. I. Hardcover: Extenuating Circumstances by Jonathan Valin (Harry Stoner)
Best First P. I. Novel: Katwalk by Karen Kijewski (Kat Colorado)
Best Original P. I. Paperback: Hell's Only Half Full by Rob Kantner (Ben Perkins)
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1989
Best P. I. Hardcover: Kiss by John Lutz
Best First P. I. Novel: Fear of the Dark by Gar Anthony Haywood (Aaron Gunner)
Best Original P. I. Paperback: Dirty Work by Rob Kantner (Ben Perkins)
1988
Best P. I. Hardcover: A Tax in Blood by Benjamin Schutz (Leo Haggerty)
Best First P. I. Novel: Death on the Rocks by Michael Allegretto
Best Original P. I. Paperback: Wild Night by L. J. Washburn
The Eye (Lifetime Achievement Award): Dennis Lynds and Wade Miller (Robert Wade and Bob Miller)
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1987
Best P. I. Hardcover: The Staked Goat by Jeremiah Healy (John Francis Cuddy)
Best First P. I. Novel: Jersey Tomatoes by J. W. Rider
Best Original P. I. Paperback: The Back Door Man by Rob Kantner (Ben Perkins)
The Eye (Lifetime Achievement Award): Bill Pronzini
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1986
Best P. I. Hardcover: "B" is for Burglar by Sue Grafton (Kinsey Millhone)
Best First P. I. Novel: Hardcover by Wayne Warga
Best Original P. I. Paperback: Poverty Bay by Earl Emerson (Thomas Black)
The Eye (Lifetime Achievement Award): Richard S. Prather
1985
Best P. I. Hardcover: Sugartown by Loren D. Estleman (Amos Walker)
Best First P. I. Novel: A Creative Kind of Killer by Jack Early
Best Original P. I. Paperback: Ceiling of Hell by Warren Murphy
The Eye (Lifetime Achievement Award): Howard Browne
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1984
Best P. I. Hardcover: True Detective by Max Allan Collins (Nate Heller)
Best Original P. I. Paperback: Dead in Centerfield by Paul Engelman (Mark Renzler)
The Eye (Lifetime Achievement Award): William Campbell Gault
1983
Best P. I. Hardcover: Hoodwink by Bill Pronzini (Nameless Detective)
Best Original P. I. Paperback: The Cana Diversion by William Campbell Gault (Brock Callahan)
The Eye (Lifetime Achievement Award): Mickey Spillane
1982
Best P. I. Hardcover: Eight Million Ways to Die by Lawrence Block (Matt Scudder)
Best Original P. I. Paperback: California Thriller by Max Byrd (Mike Haller)
The Eye (Lifetime Achievement Award): Ross Macdonald
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