and Don Sandstrom Awards for Lifetime Achievement in Mystery Fandom
In 1997, the editorial staff of Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine decided that since one of the magazine’s stated goals was to search out and report on the best works being published in the field of crime fiction each year, it would be a natural fit to present awards for excellence. Then came the dilemma of what to name the award. At the time all associated with the magazine were still reeling from the untimely death of Barry Gardner, who was arguably the best fan reviewer on the planet, so it was decided to name the award after him so as to keep his memory alive (not unlike what Bouchercon and its Anthony awards have done for writer/critic Anthony Boucher, who also suffered an untimely and early death). For a biography of Barry Gardner, click on his name above.
Some have asked me from time to time, what are submission guidelines for the Barry Award. It is pretty simple: get us a copy of the book or short story and hope one of us reviews it. Our staff doesn’t even attempt to read everything. We try to keep our ears to the ground and read what people are talking about. Several times a year we gather by email and discuss our favorites so far so that others on the committees will have an opportunity to read books they otherwise might not. And from time to time we find Barry Award nominees by our own idiosyncratic reading. In short, we don’t have an organized reading program whereby all members of the nominating committee read the same books. We choose people on the committee who read widely and try to find consensus among them. It isn’t perfect, but no system is. There are simply too many mysteries published each year for us to read them all.
For the years 2007 through 2009 The Barry Awards were co-sponsored with Mystery News, thus broadening the exposure of the Awards. Sadly Mystery News ceased publication as of December, 2009. We at Deadly Pleasures appreciated their participation.
Subscribers and readers of Deadly Pleasures may vote by emailing their choices to george@deadlypleasures.com or by mailing them to 1718 Ridge Point Dr., Bountiful, UT 84010.
Barry Award nominations are chosen by two committees: The Barry Awards Nominating Committee which nominates candidates for the Barry Best Novel Award, the Barry Best First Novel Award and the Barry Best Paperback Original Award. The Barry Thriller Award Nominating Committee is a group that just focuses on thrillers and thriller writers for their nominations.
At the same time that the Barry Awards are presented each year, there is another award presented to a long-time mystery fan who has made major contributions to mystery fandom over the years. This award is named after super fan Don Sandstrom, whom we all miss. He worked tirelessly for mystery fans and authors and was a great mentor to me (George Easter). You will see each year’s winner of the Don Sandstrom Award for Lifetime Achievement in Mystery Fandom listed below the Barry Award winners of each year.
authors Peter Lovesey
Most of the photos you see on these pages were generously supplied by Ali Karim and John Bychowski.
Barry Award Winners 2024
Best Mystery or Crime Novel
Dennis Lehane, SMALL MERCIES (Harper) –– Winner
Lou Berney, DARK RIDE (Morrow)
S. A. Cosby, ALL THE SINNERS BLEED (Flatiron)
Eli Cranor, OZARK DOGS (Soho Crime)
Jordan Harper, EVERYBODY KNOWS (Mulholland)
Adrian McKinty, THE DETECTIVE UP LATE (Blackstone)
Best First Mystery or Crime Novel
I.S. Berry, THE PEACOCK AND THE SPARROW (Atria) — Winner
Michael Bennett, BETTER THE BLOOD (Atlantic Monthly Press)
Bruce Borgos, THE BITTER PAST (Minotaur)
Amy Chua, THE GOLDEN GATE (Minotaur)
Deepti Kapoor, AGE OF VICE (Riverhead)
Nina Simon, MOTHER-DAUGHTER MURDER NIGHT (Morrow)
Iris Yamashita, CITY UNDER ONE ROOF (Berkley)
Best Paperback Original
Mystery or Crime Novel
Jake Needham, WHO THE HELL IS HARRY BLACK? (Half Penny) — Winner
Mia P. Manansala, MURDER AND MAMON (Berkley)
Rick Mofina, EVERY THING SHE FEARED (MIRA)
Jesse Sutanto, VERA WONG’S UNSOLICITED ADVICE FOR MURDERERS (Berkley)
Vanda Symon, EXPECTANT (Orenda)
Scott Von Doviak, LOWDOWN ROAD (Hard Case Crime)
Best Thriller
Mick Herron, THE SECRET HOURS (Soho Crime) — Winner
Mark Greaney, BURNER (Berkley)
John Lawton, MOSCOW EXILE (Atlantic Monthly)
Anthony McCarten, GOING ZERO (Harper)
T. J. Newman, DROWNING (Avid Reader Press)
Ruth Ware, ZERO DAYS (Gallery/Scout Press)
Barry Award Winners 2023
The Barry Award winners were announced at the Opening Ceremonies of Bouchercon San Diego on August 31, 2023.
Best Mystery or Crime Novel
DESERT STAR, Michael Connelly (Little,Brown) — Winner
THE ACCOMPLICE, Steve Cavanagh (Orion)
THE DARK FLOOD, Deon Meyer (Atlantic Monthly)
SHIFTY’S BOYS, Chris Offutt (Grove Press)
SECRET IDENTITY, Alex Segura (Flatiron Books)
CITY ON FIRE, Don Winslow (William Morrow)
Best Debut Mystery or Crime Novel
THE MAID, Nita Prose (Ballantine) — Winner
BEFORE YOU KNEW MY NAME, Jacqueline Bublitz (Atria/EmilyBestler)
DON’T KNOW TOUGH, Eli Cranor (Soho Crime)
SHUTTER, Ramona Emerson (Soho Crime)
BLOOD SUGAR, Sascha Rothchild (Putnam)
DIRT CREEK, Hayley Scrivenor (Flatiron)
Best Thriller
KILLERS OF A CERTAIN AGE, Deanna Raybourn (Berkley)
IN THE BLOOD, Jack Carr (Atria/Emily Bester)
WINTER WORK, Dan Fesperman (Knopf)
SIERRA SIX, Mark Greaney (Berkley)
BAD ACTORS, Mick Herron (Soho Crime)
GOERING’S GOLD, Richard O’Rawe (Melville House)
The Don Sandstrom Award for Lifetime Achievement in Mystery Fandom Winner
Mystery Mike Bursaw
For those of you who are unfamiliar with Mystery Mike, here is why he won this award. This is an appreciation that I wrote when he won a Thriller Award at ThrillerFest.
Mystery Mike Bursaw and I first met at the Las Vegas Bouchercon (World Mystery Convention) in 2003. We each had tables in the small, cramped Book Dealer’s Room and we shared the narrow aisle in between them. Inevitably, we kept bumping into each other. Over the course of the convention we also shared some stories, formed common bonds and have been fast friends ever since. We both love books, particularly thrillers and mysteries, and have similar tastes. If he likes a book I’m likely to do so as well, and visa versa. What better basis for a friendship is there? For the last several years we often share a room at conventions (if our wives don’t attend) so we have even more time to interact.
One of our most memorable shared experiences was at the first ThrillerFest in Phoenix, Arizona in 2006. Clive Cussler was a prominent guest and we arranged to have lunch with him. Clive regaled us with humorous stories and later followed Mike to his room (Clive walked slowly on his soon-to-be-operated-on knees) to sign 200+ books. And once again, more great stories and lots of laughter. We’ll never forget it – a once in a lifetime event.
People Person
So why is a bookseller being honored at ThrillerFest? It’s because Mike is so much more than a profit-motivated bookseller. He is a people person who looks out for the best interests of not only his customers but everyone he encounters. And as a super-fan, he is a champion of the whole mystery/thriller fiction industry and many of its writers. If you are a writer that he especially likes, he will hand-sell your books to death. And did I mention that he is generous to a fault? If you are a fan trying to find the next great writer to read, talk to Mike. Once he gets a feel for which writers you most admire he can easily point out others that you will like. If you’ve never met him, take advantage of his presence at this year’s ThrillerFest to do so. He is very approachable and will love to meet you.
Thriller Fan
Mike has been a lifelong fan of thriller fiction – from early standouts such as Alastair Maclean and Robert Ludlum up to present day favorites Mark Greaney, Jack Carr and Tony Tata (and many others).
It was at the urging of Mike (and another thriller fan Steele Curry), that I added a “Best Thriller Award” to our annual Barry Awards (sponsored by the magazine I publish – Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine). This was the first award ever given specifically to thriller writers, as it predates the Thriller Award given out by ITW by one year. He has served faithfully on the nominating committee of the Barry Thriller Award ever since. It has been our privilege to recognize with Barry Thriller Awards such outstanding thriller writers as Meg Gardiner, Taylor Stevens (twice), Michael Koryta, Daniel Silva (twice), Thomas Perry, Deon Meyer, Jamie Freveletti, Brett Battles, Robert Crais, Joseph Finder (twice), and Barry Eisler.
A few years ago at Bouchercon, Mike invited several thriller writers to an informal dinner on Saturday night and since then that has become a tradition – the Saturday Night Thriller Dinner — one not to be missed.
Support of Mystery and Thriller Conventions
He works tirelessly behind the scenes at major conventions such as Bouchercon and ThrillerFest and is often found working with organizers of those conventions to make them the success that they are. This will usually involve annual trips to New York City to meet with publishers and/or trips to the convention sites to work out details with the organizers and the hotels.
Bookseller
Mystery Mike started in the bookselling business over fifty years ago – as a 15-year-old sweeping floors and stocking inventory for a wholesale distributor. He’s seen a lot of changes in the business over that period of time and has had to change with the times, especially in the last ten to fifteen years. Mystery Mike continues to sell new hardbacks from popular authors but also concentrates on collectable and rare books which he sells online at www.mysterymikes.com and at mystery conventions. He regularly buys hardcover collections of fans who have had to downsize or who have passed on, so if you or your heirs are ever in that position, please contact him. He is my go-to-guy when the time comes. My wife has him on speed-dial.
2022 Barry Award Winners
The winners of these awards were announced at the Opening Ceremonies at the Minneapolis Bouchercon on September 8, 2022.
Many, many thanks to our nominating committee members who put a lot of time (reading and evaluating) and then nominating. They are: Larry Gandle, Maggie Mason, Ali Karim, Kristopher Zgorski, Jeff Popple, Oline Cogdill, Steele Curry, Don Longmuir, Donus Roberts, Mike Dillman, Mystery Mike Bursaw and your truly. We mourn the loss of committee member Kris Schorer.
Best Mystery/Crime Novel
RAZORBLADE TEARS, S. A. Cosby (Flatiron Books) — Winner
THE DARK HOURS, Michael Connelly (Little, Brown)
LAST REDEMPTION, Matt Coyle (Oceanview)
CLARK AND DIVISION, Naomi Hirahara (Soho Crime)
BILLY SUMMERS, Stephen King (Scribner)
WE BEGIN AT THE END, Chris Whitaker (Henry Holt)
Best First Mystery/Crime Novel
SLEEPING BEAR, Connor Sullivan (Emily Bestler/Atria) — Winner
WHO IS MAUDE DIXON?, Alexandra Andrews (Little, Brown)
GIRL A, Abigail Dean (Viking)
DOWN RANGE, Taylor Moore (William Morrow)
FALLING, T. J. Newman (Simon & Schuster)
STEEL FEAR, Brandon Webb & John David Mann (Bantam)
Best Paperback Original
THE GOOD TURN, Dervla McTiernan (Blackstone) — Winner
THE HUNTED, Gabriel Bergmoser (HarperCollins)
ARSENIC AND ADOBO, Mia P. Manansala (Berkley)
BLACK CORAL, Andrew Mayne (Thomas & Mercer)
SEARCH FOR HER, Rick Mofina (MIRA)
BOUND, Vanda Symon (Orenda Books)
Best Thriller
FIVE DECEMBERS, James Kestrel (HardCase Crime) — Winner
THE DEVIL’S HAND, Jack Carr (Emily Bestler/Atria)
THE NAMELESS ONES, John Connolly (Emily Bestler/Atria)
DEAD BY DAWN, Paul Doiron (Minotaur)
RELENTLESS, Mark Greaney (Berkley)
SLOUGH HOUSE, Mick Herron (Soho Crime)
2021 Barry Award Winners
The winners of these awards were to be announced at the Opening Ceremonies at the New Orleans Bouchercon on August 26, 2021, but the convention was cancelled due to Covid-19 Delta Variant concerns. So the winners were recently announced on this website.
Many, many thanks to our nominating committee members who put a lot of time (reading and evaluating) and then nominating. They are: Larry Gandle, Maggie Mason, Ali Karim, Kristopher Zgorski, Jeff Popple, Kris Schorer, Oline Cogdill, Steele Curry, Don Longmuir, Donus Roberts, Mike Dillman, Mystery Mike Bursaw and yours truly. If you are authors, now you know who to butter up.
Best Novel
BLACKTOP WASTELAND, S. A. Cosby (Flatiron Books) — Winner
THE BOY FROM THE WOODS, Harlan Coben (Grand Central)
THE LAW OF INNOCENCE, Michael Connelly (Little, Brown)
AND NOW SHE’S GONE, Rachel Howzell Hall (Forge)
MOONFLOWER MURDERS, Anthony Horowitz (Harper)
ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE, Louise Penny (Minotaur)
Best First Novel
WINTER COUNTS, David Heska Wanbli Weiden (Ecco) — Winner
DEEP STATE, Chris Hauty (Atria/Emily Bester)
MURDER IN OLD BOMBAY by Nev March (Minotaur)
THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB, Richard Osman (Viking\Pamela Dorman)
THE EIGHTH DETECTIVE, Alex Pavesi (Henry Holt)
DARLING ROSE GOLD, Stephanie Wrobel (Berkley)
Best Paperback Original
TURN TO STONE, James W. Ziskin (Seventh Street Books) — Winner
WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING, Alyssa Cole (Morrow)
MONGKOK STATION, Jake Needham (HP)
HIDE AWAY, Jason Pinter (Thomas & Mercer)
BAD NEWS TRAVELS FAST, James Swain (Thomas & Mercer)
DARKNESS FOR LIGHT, Emma Viskic (Pushkin Vertigo)
Best Thriller
EDDIE’S BOY, Thomas Perry (Mysterious Press) — Winner
DOUBLE AGENT, Tom Bradby (Atlantic Monthly)
BLIND VIGIL, Matt Coyle (Oceanview)
ONE MINUTE OUT, Mark Greaney (Berkley)
THE LAST HUNT, Deon Meyer (Atlantic Monthly)
THE WILD ONE, Nick Petrie (Putnam)
Barry Award Winners 2020
Winners were announced on October 17, 2020 during a Virtual Presentation of the Sacramento Bouchercon. This year there is an addition award category: Best Mystery Crime Novel of the Decade.
Best Mystery/Crime Novel
THE LOST MAN, Jane Harper (Flatiron) — Winner
IF SHE WAKES, Michael Koryta (Little, Brown)
METROPOLIS, Philip Kerr (Putnam)
THE BORDER, Don Winslow (HarperCollins)
YOUR HOUSE WILL PAY, Steph Cha (Ecco)
THIRTEEN, Steve Cavanagh (Flatiron)
Best First Mystery/Crime Novel
THE CHESTNUT MAN, Soren Sveistrup (Harper) — Winner
THE SILENT PATIENT, Alex Michaelides (Celadon)
AMERICAN SPY, Lauren Wilkinson (Random House)
SAVE ME FROM DANGEROUS MEN, S. A. Lelchuk (Flatiron)
SCRUBLANDS, Chris Hammer (Atria)
TO THE LIONS, Holly Watt (Dutton)
Best Paperback Original Mystery/Crime Novel
MISSING DAUGHTER, Rick Mofina (Mira) — Winner
THE GODMOTHER, Hannelore Cayre (ECW)
WINNER KILLS ALL, R. J. Bailey (Simon & Schuster UK)
KILLING QUARRY, Max Allan Collins (HardCase Crime)
FATE, Ian Hamilton (Spiderline)
NO GOOD DEED, James Swain (Thomas & Mercer)
Best Thriller
THE CHAIN, Adrian McKinty (Mulholland) — Winner
MISSION CRITICAL, Mark Greaney (Berkley)
BACKLASH, Brad Thor (Atria/Emily Bester)
THE BURGLAR, Thomas Perry (Mysterious Press)
TRUE BELIEVER, Jack Carr (Atria/Emily Bester)
WHITE HOT SILENCE, Henry Porter (Mysterious Press)
Best Mystery/Crime Novel of the Decade
SUSPECT, Robert Crais (Putnam) — Winner
GONE GIRL, Gillian Flynn (Crown)
NOVEMBER ROAD, Lou Berney (William Morrow)
THE DRY, Jane Harper (Flatiron)
THE BLACK HOUSE, Peter May (Quercus)
THE CARTEL, Don Winslow (Knopf)
Barry Award Winners 2019
Best Mystery/Crime Novel
Lou Berney, NOVEMBER ROAD – Winner
Michael Connelly, DARK SACRED NIGHT
Allen Eskens, THE SHADOW WE HIDE
Craig Johnson, DEPTH OF WINTER
Mindy Mejia, LEAVE NO TRACE
Abir Mukherjee, A NECESSARY EVIL
Best First Mystery/Crime Novel
C. J. Tudor, THE CHALK MAN – Winner
Oyinkan Braithwaite, MY SISTER, THE SERIAL KILLER
Karen Cleveland, NEED TO KNOW
John Copenhaver, DODGING AND BURNING
Caz Frear, SWEET LITTLE LIES
James A. McLaughlin, BEARSKIN
Best Paperback Original Mystery/Crime Novel
Dervla McTiernan, THE RUIN (Penguin) – Winner
Christine Carbo, A SHARP SOLITUDE
David Mark, DEAD PRETTY
Sherry Thomas, THE HOLLOW OF FEAR
Emma Viskic, RESURRECTION BAY
Best Thriller
Dan Fesperman, SAFE HOUSES – Winner
Jack Carr, THE TERMINAL LIST
Mick Herron, LONDON RULES
Anthony Horowitz, FOREVER AND A DAY
Nick Petrie, LIGHT IT UP
James Swain, THE KING TIDES
Don Sandstrom Lifetime Achievement in Mystery Fandom Award: Jeff Popple
Barry Award Winners 2018
Best Mystery/Crime Novel
THE MARSH KING’S DAUGHTER, Karen Dionne (Putnam) – Winner
THE LATE SHOW, Michael Connelly (Little, Brown)
EXIT STRATEGY, Steve Hamilton (Putnam)
THE FORCE, Don Winslow (Morrow)
PRUSSIAN BLUE, Philip Kerr (Putnam)
MAGPIE MURDERS, Anthony Horowitz (Harper)
Best First Mystery/Crime Novel
THE DRY, Jane Harper (Flatiron) – Winner
SHE RIDES SHOTGUN, Jordan Harper (Ecco)
THE LOST ONES, Sheena Kamal (Morrow)
THE IRREGULAR, H. P. Lyle (Quercus)
A RISING MAN, Abir Mukherjee (Pegasus)
MY ABSOLUTE DARLING, Gabriel Tallent (Riverhead)
Best Paperback Original Mystery/Crime Novel
THE DEEP DARK DESCENDING, Allen Eskens (Seventh Street) – Winner
SAFE FROM HARM, R. J. Bailey (Simon & Schuster UK)
HOLLYWOOD HOMICIDE, Kellye Garrett (Midnight Ink)
THE DAY I DIED, Lori Rader-Day (Morrow)
BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS, Kristi Belcamino (CreateSpace)
SUPER CON, James Swain (Thomas & Mercer)
Best Thriller
UNSUB, Meg Gardiner (Dutton) – Winner
GUNMETAL GRAY, Mark Greaney (Berkley)
SPOOK STREET, Mick Herron (Soho)
THE FREEDOM BROKER, K. J. Howe (Quercus)
THE OLD MAN, Thomas Perry (Mysterious Press)
TRAP THE DEVIL, Ben Coes (St. Martin’s)
Don Sandstrom Lifetime Achievement in Mystery Fandom Award: Larry Gandle
Barry Award Winners 2017
Best Mystery/Crime Novel
A GREAT RECKONING by Louise Penny (Minotaur) – Winner
WHERE IT HURTS by Reed Farrel Coleman (Putnam)
THE WRONG SIDE OF GOODBYE by Michael Connelly (Little,Brown)
THE SECOND LIFE OF NICK MASON by Steve Hamilton (Putnam)
WILDE LAKE by Laura Lippman (Morrow)
THE SECOND GIRL by David Swinson (Mulholland)
Best First Mystery/Crime Novel
THE DRIFTER by Nick Petrie (Putnam) – Winner
DODGERS by Bill Beverly (Crown)
I’M TRAVELING ALONE by Samuel Bjork (Viking)
IQ by Joe Ide (Mulholland)
I’M THINKING OF ENDING THINGS by Iain Reid (Gallery/Scout Press)
MISSING, PRESUMED by Susie Steiner (Random House)
Best Paperback Original Mystery/Crime Novel
RAIN DOGS by Adrian McKinty (Seventh Street) – Winner
UNDER THE HARROW by Flynn Berry (Penguin)
THE HEAVENS MAY FALL by Allen Eskens (Seventh Street)
THE QUEEN’S ACCOMPLICE by Susan Elia MacNeal (Bantam)
THE DARKEST SECRET by Alex Marwood (Penguin)
THE GIRL IN THE WINDOW by Jake Needham (Half Penny)
Best Thriller
GUILTY MINDS by Joseph Finder (Dutton) – Winner
OVERWATCH by Matthew Betley (Atria)
FIRST STRIKE by Ben Coes (Minotaur)
BACK BLAST by Mark Greaney (Berkley)
THE ONE MAN by Andrew Gross (Minotaur)
COLLECTING THE DEAD by Spencer Kope (Minotaur)
Don Sandstrom Lifetime Achievement in Mystery Fandom Award: Steele Curry
Barry Award Winners 2016
Best Mystery/Crime Novel
C. J. Box, BADLANDS – Winner
John Connolly, A SONG OF SHADOWS
Owen Laukkanen, THE STOLEN ONES
Michael Robotham, LIFE OR DEATH
Jeff Siger, DEVIL OF DELPHI
Don Winslow, THE CARTEL
Best First Mystery/Crime Novel
Ausma Zehanat Khan, THE UNQUIET DEAD – Winner
John A. Connell, RUINS OF WAR
Glen Erik Hamilton, PAST CRIMES
Elsa Hart, JADE DRAGON MOUNTAIN
Paula Hawkins, THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN
Brian Panowich, BULL MOUNTAIN
Best Paperback Original Mystery/Crime Novel
Lou Berney, THE LONG AND FARAWAY GONE – Winner
It’s New Orleans, folks!
Kristi Belcamino, BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO WEEP
Max Allan Collins, QUARRY’S CHOICE
Sarah Hilary, NO OTHER DARKNESS
Ragnar Jonasson, SNOW BLIND
James W. Ziskin, STONE COLD DEAD
Best Thriller
Taylor Stevens, THE MASK – Winner
Marc Cameron, BRUTE FORCE
Chris Holm, THE KILLING KIND
M. A. (Mike) Lawson, VIKING BAY
Stefanie Pintoff, HOSTAGE TAKER
A. J. Tata, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC
Don Sandstrom Lifetime Achievement in Mystery Fandom Award: David Magayna
Barry Award Winners 2015
Best Mystery/Crime Novel
NATCHEZ BURNING, Greg Iles – Winner
THE MARCO EFFECT, Jussi Adler-Olsen
THE REST IS SILENCE, James R. Benn
HOLLOW GIRL, Reed Farrel Coleman
PROVIDENCE RAG, Bruce DeSilva
STRANGE SHORES, Arnaldur Indridason
Best First Mystery/Crime Novel
INVISIBLE CITY, Julia Dahl – Winner
NIGHT HERON, Adam Brookes
ICE SHEAR, M. P. Cooley
DEAR DAUGHTER, Elizabeth Little
THE WEIGHT OF BLOOD, Laura McHugh
SHE’S LEAVING HOME, William Shaw
Best Paperback Original Mystery/Crime Novel
THE LIFE WE BURY, Allen Eskens – Winner
THE TRUTH ABOUT THE HARRY QUEBERT AFFAIR, Joel Dicker
THE KILLER NEXT DOOR, Alex Marwood
PRESENT DARKNESS, Malla Nunn
THE BLACK HOUR, Lori Rader-Day
ELEVEN DAYS, Stav Sherez
Best Thriller
THOSE WHO WISH ME DEAD, Michael Koryta – Winner
SUSPICION, Joe Finder
THE WATER RAT OF WANCHAI, Ian Hamilton
AN OFFICER AND A SPY, Robert Harris
I AM PILGRIM, Terry Hayes
HOUSE RECKONING, Mike Lawson
Don Sandstrom Lifetime Achievement in Mystery Fandom Award: Jane Lee
Barry Award Winners 2014
Best Mystery/Crime Novel
ORDINARY GRACE, William Kent Krueger– Winner
A CONSPIRACY OF FAITH, Jussi Adler-Olsen
TAP ON THE WINDOW, Linwood Barclay
SANDRINE’S CASE, Thomas H. Cook
SUSPECT, Robert Crais
STANDING IN ANOTHER MAN’S GRAVE, Ian Rankin
Best First Mystery/Crime Novel
JAPANTOWN, Barry Lancet–Winner
BURIAL RITES, Hannah Kent
THE BOOKMAN’S TALE, Charlie Lovett
RAGE AGAINST THE DYING, Becky Masterman
COVER OF SNOW, Jenny Milchman
NORWEGIAN BY NIGHT, Derek B. Miller
Best Paperback Original Mystery/Crime Novel
I HEAR THE SIRENS IN THE STREET, Adrian McKinty– Winner
JOE VICTIM, Paul Cleave
DISCIPLE OF LAS VEGAS, Ian Hamilton
THE RAGE, Gene Kerrigan
FEAR IN THE SUNLIGHT, Nicola Upson
FIXING TO DIE, Elaine Viets
Best Thriller
THE DOLL, Taylor Stevens — Winner
DEAD LIONS, Mick Herron
GHOSTMAN, Roger Hobbs
RED SPARROW, Jason Matthews
THE SHANGHAI FACTOR, Charles McCarry
RATLINES, Stuart Neville
Don Sandstrom Lifetime Achievement in Mystery Fandom Award: Ted Hertel, Jr.
TED HERTEL is a retired attorney in Mequon, Wisconsin. He is the recipient of MWA’s Robert L. Fish Award for Best First Short Story by an American Author. His short stories have been nominated for both the Anthony and Macavity Awards. Ted is the proud recipient of the Don Sandstrom Award for Lifetime Achievement in Mystery Fandom. He was Local Arrangements Chair for Eyecon ’95 and co-chair of the 1999 Bouchercon. He has served on MWA’s National Board (including as EVP and is currently its Parliamentarian), and has been the Edgar Awards General Chair. He has been a reviewer for Deadly Pleasures since 2000.
Barry Awards 2013
Best Mystery/Crime Novel
THE BLACK HOUSE by Peter May (Silver Oak — Winner
GONE GIRL by Gillian Flynn (Crown)
TRUST YOUR EYES by Linwood Barclay (NAL)
DEFENDING JACOB by William Landay (Delacorte)
LIVE BY NIGHT, Dennis Lehane (Morrow)
DEAD SCARED by S.J. Bolton (Minotaur)
Best First Mystery/Crime Novel
A KILLING IN THE HILLS by Julia Keller (Minotaur)– Winner
THE YARD by Alex Grecian (Putnam)
SACRIFICE FLY by Tim O’Mara (Minotaur)
THE DARK WINTER by David Mark (Blue Ridge Press)
BLACK FRIDAYS by Michael Sears (Putnam)
THE PROFESSIONALS by Owen Laukkanen (Putnam)
Best Paperback Original Mystery/Crime Novel
MR. CHURCHILL’S SECRETARY by Susan Elia McNeal (Bantam) — Winner
PAGO PAGO TANGO by John Enright (Thomas & Mercer)
BLESSED ARE THE DEAD by Malla Nunn (Washington Square)
THE OTHER WOMAN’S HOUSE by Sophie Hannah (Penguin)
BLOODLAND by Alan Glynn (Picador)
BENEATH THE ABBEY WALL by A.D. Scott (Atria)
Best Thriller
THE FALLEN ANGEL by Daniel Silva (Harper) — Winner
THE LAST REFUGE by Ben Coes (St. Martin’s)
THE RIGHT HAND by Derek Haas (Mulholland)
A FOREIGN COUNTRY by Charles Cumming (St. Martin’s)
HOUSE BLOOD by Mike Lawson (Atlantic Monthly)
RED STAR BURNING by Brian Freemantle (Minotaur)
You will notice that there are fewer categories this year. We have eliminated two: The Best Short Story (lack of interest/votes by fans) and Best British (changing times, most good British writers are now published in the U.S. and it was a confusing award especially when an American or an Icelandic won). The awards ceremony got to be too long. Now it will be just right.
Don Sandstrom Lifetime Achievement in Mystery Fandom Award: Ali Karim
Barry Award Winners 2012
Best Mystery/Crime Novel
THE KEEPER OF LOST CAUSES (in U.K., MERCY), Jussi Adler-Olsen (Dutton) — Winner
THE ACCIDENT, Linwood Barclay (Bantam)
HURT MACHINE, Reed Farrel Coleman (Tyrus)
IRON HOUSE, John Hart (Minotaur)
HELL IS EMPTY, Craig Johnson (Viking)
THE TROUBLED MAN, Henning Mankell (Knopf)
Best First Mystery/Crime Novel
THE INFORMATIONIST, Taylor Stevens (Crown) – Winner
LEARNING TO SWIM, Sara J. Henry (Crown)
THE DEVOTION OF SUSPECT X, Keigo Higashino (Minotaur)
THE BOY IN THE SUITCASE, Lene Kaaberbol and Agnette Friis (Soho Crime)
TURN OF MIND, Alice LaPlante (Atlantic Monthly)
BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP, S.J. Watson (Harper)
Best British Crime Novel
DEAD MAN’S GRIP, Peter James (Macmillan) – Winner
NOW YOU SEE ME, S.J. Bolton (Bantam Press)
HELL’S BELLS (in U.K., THE INFERNALS), John Connolly (Hodder & Stoughton)
BAD SIGNS, R. J. Ellory (Orion)
THE HOUSE AT SEA’S END, Elly Griffiths (Quercus)
OUTRAGE, Arnaldur Indridason (Harvill Secker)
Best Paperback Original Mystery/Crime Novel
DEATH OF THE MANTIS, Michael Stanley (Harper Perennial) – Winner
THE SILENCED, Brett Battles (Dell)
THE HANGMAN’S DAUGHTER, Oliver Pötzsch (Mariner Books)
A DOUBLE DEATH ON THE BLACK ISLE, A. D. Scott (Atria)
FUN AND GAMES, Duane Swierczynski (Mulholland)
TWO FOR SORROW, Nicola Upson (Harper Perennial)
Best Thriller
THE INFORMANT, Thomas Perry (Houghton Mifflin) – Winner
CARVER, Tom Cain (Bantam Press)
COUP D’ETAT, Ben Coes (St. Martin’s)
SPYCATCHER (SPARTAN), Matthew Dunn (William Morrow)
BALLISTIC, Mark Greaney (Berkley Trade)
HOUSE DIVIDED, Mike Lawson (Atlantic Monthly)
Best Short Story (compiled by Marv Lachman)
Jeffrey Cohen, “The Gun Also Rises” (AHMM January-February) – Winner
Doug Allyn, “Thicker Than Blood” (AHMM September)
Mike Cooper, “Whiz Bang” (EQMM September-October)
Trina Corey, “Facts Exhibiting Wantonness” ( EQMM November)
James Powell, “Last Laugh in Floogle Park” (EQMM July)
Eric Rutter, “Purge” (AHMM December)
Don Sandstrom Lifetime Achievement in Mystery Fandom Award: Allen J. Hubin
Barry Award Winners 2011
Best Mystery/Crime Novel
THE LOCK ARTIST, Steve Hamilton (Minotaur) – Winner
NOWHERE TO RUN, C. J. Box (Putnam)
CROOKED LETTER, CROOKED LETTER, Tom Franklin (Morrow)
MOONLIGHT MILE, Dennis Lehane (Morrow)
BURY YOUR DEAD, Louise Penny (Minotaur)
SAVAGES, Don Winslow (Simon & Schuster)
Best First Mystery/Crime Novel
THE POACHER’S SON, Paul Doiron (Minotaur) – Winner
GUTSHOT STRAIGHT, Lou Berney (Morrow)
ROGUE ISLAND, Bruce DeSilva (Forge)
SHERLOCKIAN, Graham Moore (Twelve)
THE HOLY THIEF, William Ryan (Minotaur)
ONCE A SPY, Keith Thomson (Doubleday)
Best British Crime Novel
THE WOODCUTTER, Reginald Hill (HarperCollins) – Winner
STARTED EARLY, TOOK MY DOG, Kate Atkinson (Doubleday)
BLOOD HARVEST, S. J. Bolton (Bantam Press)
NIGHT WHISPERERS, John Connolly (Hodder & Stoughton)
THREE SECONDS, Roslund & Hellstrom (Quercus)
FOURTH DAY, Zoe Sharp (Allison & Busby)
Best Paperback Original Mystery/Crime Novel
FEVER AT THE BONE, Val McDermid (Harper) – Winner
THE HANGING TREE, Bryan Gruley (Touchstone)
THE DEAD LIE DOWN, Sophie Hannah (Penguin)
EGGSECUTIVE ORDERS, Julie Hyzy (Berkley)
THE RHETORIC OF DEATH, Judith Rock (Berkley)
A SMALL DEATH IN THE GREAT GLEN, A.D. Scott (Atria)
Best Thriller
13 HOURS, Deon Meyer (Grove Atlantic) – Winner
AMERICAN ASSASSIN, Vince Flynn (Atria)
THE BRICKLAYER, Noah Boyd (Morrow)
BOLT ACTION, Charles Charters (Hodder U.K.)
ON TARGET, Mark Greaney (Jove)
THE REMBRANDT AFFAIR, Daniel Silva (Putnam)
Best Short Story
Loren D. Estleman, “The List” (EQMM May 2010) – Winner
Mitch Alderman, “Requiem for Antlers” (AHMM Jan.-Feb. 2010)
Robert Barnard, “Family Values” (EQMM Feb. 2010)
Caroline Benton, “The Body in the Dunes (EQMM Jan. 2010)
Terence Faherty, “The Seven Sorrows” (EQMM Mar.-Apr. 2010)
Ellen Larson, “When the Apricots Bloom” (AHMM July-Aug. 2010)
Don Sandstrom Lifetime Achievement in Mystery Fandom Award: Bev DeWeese
Barry Award Winners 2010
Best Mystery/Crime Novel
John Hart, THE LAST CHILD, Minotaur — Winner
John Connolly, THE GATES, Atria
David Ellis, THE HIDDEN MAN, Putnam
Joe Gores, SPADE & ARCHER, Knopf
Marcia Muller, LOCKED IN, Grand Central
S.J. Rozan, SHANGHAI MOON, Minotaur
Best First Mystery/Crime Novel
Alan Bradley, THE SWEETNESS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIE, Delacorte — Winner
Josh Bazell, BEAT THE REAPER, Little, Brown
Rebecca Cantrell, A TRACE OF SMOKE, Forge
Sophie Littlefield, A BAD DAY FOR SORRY, Minotaur
Attica Locke, BLACK WATER RISING, Harper
Stuart Neville, THE GHOSTS OF BELFAST (THE TWELVE), Soho Crime
Best British Crime Novel
Philip Kerr, IF THE DEAD NOT RISE, Quercus — Winner
S. J. Bolton, AWAKENING, Bantam Press
John Connolly, THE LOVERS, HodderStoughton
Reginald Hill, MIDNIGHT FUGUE, HarperCollins
Denise Mina, STILL MIDNIGHT, Orion
Robert Wilson, IGNORANCE OF BLOOD, HarperCollins
Best Paperback Original Mystery/Crime Novel
Bryan Gruley, STARVATION LAKE, Touchstone — Winner
Megan Abbott, BURY ME DEEP, Simon & Schuster
Max Allan Collins, QUARRY IN THE MIDDLE, HardCase Crime
Heather Gutenkauf, THE WEIGHT OF SILENCE, Mira
Frank Tallis, FATAL LIES, Random House Mortalis
L. C. Tyler, THE HERRING-SELLER’S APPRENTICE, Felony & Mayhem
Best Thriller
Jamie Freveletti, RUNNING FROM THE DEVIL, Morrow–Winner
Tom Cain, NO SURVIVORS (THE SURVIVOR), Viking
Mark Greaney, THE GRAY MAN, Jove
Derek Haas, COLUMBUS: a Silver Bear Thriller, Pegasus
Mike Lawson, HOUSE SECRETS, Atlantic Monthly
Greg Rucka, WALKING DEAD, Bantam
Best Mystery/crime Novel of the Decade
Stieg Larsson, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, Knopf — Winner
Ken Bruen, THE GUARDS, St. Martin’s Minotaur
Michael Connelly, THE LINCOLN LAWYER, Little, Brown
Dennis Lehane, MYSTIC RIVER, Morrow
Louise Penny, STILL LIFE, St. Martin’s Minotaur
Carlos Ruiz Zafon, THE SHADOW OF THE WIND, Penguin Press
Best Short Story
Brendan DuBois, “The High House Writer” (AHMM July-August 2009) — Winner
Barbara Callahan, “My Mother’s Keeper” (EQMM June 2009)
David Dean, “Erin’s Journal” (EQMM December 2009)
John H. Dirckx, “Real Men Die” (AHMM September 2009)
Melodie Johnson Howe, “A Hollywood Ending” (EQMM July 2009)
Morley Swingle, “Hard Blows” (THE PROSECUTION RESTS)
Don Sandstrom Lifetime Achievement in Mystery Fandom Award: Art Scott
The 2009 Barry Awards
Best Mystery/Crime Novel
THE DRAINING LAKE by Arnaldur Indridason – Winner
TRIGGER CITY by Sean Chercover
ENVY THE NIGHT by Michael Koryta
RED KNIFE by William Kent Krueger
THE CRUELEST MONTH by Louise Penny
DAWN PATROL by Don Winslow
Best First Mystery/Crime Novel
CHILD 44 by Tom Rob Smith – Winner
THE KIND ONE by Tom Epperson
STALKING SUSAN by Julie Kramer
CITY OF THE SUN by David Levien
A CARRION DEATH by Michael Stanley
SWEEPING UP GLASS by Carolyn D. Wall
Best British Crime Novel
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO by Stieg Larsson – Winner
A SIMPLE ACT OF VIOLENCE by R.J. Ellory
RITUAL by Mo Hayder
SHATTER by Michael Robotham
BLEEDING HEART SQUARE by Andrew Taylor
BRUNO, CHIEF OF POLICE by Martin Walker
Best Paperback Original Mystery/Crime Novel
STATE OF THE ONION by Julie Hyzy – Winner
THE FIRST QUARRY by Max Allan Collins
MONEY SHOT by Christa Faust
THE BLACK PATH by Asa Larsson
SEVERANCE PACKAGE by Duane Swierczynski
ECHOES FROM THE DEAD by Johan Theorin
Best Thriller
THE DECEIVED by Brett Battles – Winner
COLLISION by Jeff Abbott
THE SURVIVOR (NO SURVIVORS in U.S.) by Tom Cain
FINDER by Colin Harrison
NIGHT OF THUNDER by Stephen Hunter
GOOD PEOPLE by Marcus Sakey
Best Short Story
“The Drought” by James O. Born (The Blue Religion) – Winner
“The Fallen” by Jan Burke (August EQMM)
“A Trace of a Trace” by Brendan DuBois (At the Scene of the Crime)
“A Killing in Midtown” by G. Miki Hayden (January/February AHMM)
“Proof of Love” by Mick Herron (September/October EQMM)
“The Problem of the Secret Patient” by Edward D. Hoch (May EQMM)
Don Sandstrom Lifetime Achievement in Mystery Fandom Award: Bill & Toby Gottfried; George Easter
The 2008 Barry Awards
Best Mystery/Crime Novel
WHAT THE DEAD KNOW, Laura Lippman (Morrow) – Winner
SOUL PATCH, Reed Farrel Coleman (Bleak House)
THE UNQUIET, John Connolly (Atria)
DOWN RIVER, John Hart (St Martin’s Minotaur)
DIRTY MARTINI, J.A. Konrath (Hyperion)
RED CAT, Peter Spiegelman (Knopf)
Best First Mystery/Crime Novel
IN THE WOODS, Tana French (Viking) – Winner
MISSING WITNESS, Gordon Campbell (Morrow)
BIG CITY, BAD BLOOD, Sean Chercover (Morrow)
THE SPELLMAN FILES, Lisa Lutz (Simon & Schuster)
THE COLLABORATOR OF BETHLEHEM, Matt Beynon Rees (Soho Press)
THE BLADE ITSELF, Marcus Sakey (St. Martin’s Minotaur)
Best British Crime Novel
(published in the U.K. in 2007, not necessarily written by a British writer nor set in the U.K)
DAMNATION FALLS, Edward Wright (Orion) – Winner
A QUIET BELIEF IN ANGELS, R.J. Ellory (Orion)
PIG ISLAND, Mo Hayder (Bantam Press)
ONE UNDER, Graham Hurley (Orion)
THE DEATH LIST, Paul Johnston (Mira)
THE 50/50 KILLER, Steve Mosby (Orion)
Best Paperback Original Mystery/Crime Novel
QUEENPIN, Megan Abbott (Simon & Schuster) – Winner
BLACK WIDOW AGENCY, Felicia Donovan (Midnight Ink)
CHOKE POINT, Jay MacLarty (Pocket)
THE MARK, Jason Pinter (Mira)
WASH THIS BLOOD CLEAN FROM MY HAND, Fred Vargas (Penguin)
WHO IS CONRAD HIRST?, Kevin Wignall (Simon & Schuster)
Best Thriller
THE WATCHMAN, Robert Crais (Simon & Schuster) – Winner
NO TIME FOR GOODBYE, Linwood Barclay (Bantam)
THE CLEANER, Brett Battles (Delacorte)
VOLK’S GAME, Brent Ghelfi (Henry Holt)
SILENCE, Thomas Perry (Harcourt)
MIDNIGHT RAMBLER, Jim Swain (Ballantine)
Best Short Story
Edward D. Hoch, “The Problem of the Summer Snowman” (EQMM November 2007) – Winner
Doug Allyn, “Dead As a Dog” (EQMM July 2007)
Dale C. Andrews and Kurt Sercu, “The Book Case” (EQMM May 2007)
Jon L. Breen, “The Missing Elevator Puzzle” (EQMM February 2007)
Jeffrey Deaver, “Bump” (DEAD MAN’S HAND)
Gillian Roberts, “The Old Wife’s Tale” (EQMM March-April 2007)
Neil Schofield, “Murder: A User’s Guibe” (AHMM July-August 2007). The word “Guibe” is not a typo.
Don Sandstrom Lifetime Achievement in Mystery Fandom Award: Beth Fedyn
The 2007 Barry Award Winners
Best Mystery/Crime Novel
THE NIGHT GARDENER by George Pelecanos — Winner
WHITE SHADOW by Ace Atkins
OH DANNY BOY by Rhys Bowen
THE LAST ASSASSIN by Barry Eisler
THE PRISONER OF GUANTANAMO by Dan Fesperman
CITY OF SHADOWS by Ariana Franklin
Best First Mystery/Crime Novel
STILL LIFE by Louise Penny — Winner
THE FAITHFUL SPY by Alex Berenson
SHARP OBJECTS by Gillian Flynn
THE BERLIN CONSPIRACY by Tom Gabbay
THE KING OF LIES by John Hart
A FIELD OF DARKNESS by Cornelia Read
Best British Crime Novel
PRIEST by Ken Bruen — Winner
DYING LIGHT by Stuart MacBride
SOVEREIGN by C.J. Sansom
THE CASE OF THE MISSING BOOKS by Ian Sansom
MR. CLARINET by Nick Stone
RED SKY LAMENT by Edward Wright
Best Thriller
THE MESSENGER by Daniel Silva — Winner
KILLER INSTINCT by Joe Finder
THE FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT by Alan Furst
RELENTLESS by Simon Kernick
COLD KILL by Stephen Leather
KILL ME by Stephen White
Best Paperback Original Mystery/Crime Novel
THE CLEANUP by Sean Doolittle — Winner
BUST by Ken Bruen and Jason Starr
THE LAST QUARRY by Max Allan Collins
LIVE WIRE by Jay MacLarty
DEADMAN’S POKER by Jim Swain
CROOKED by Brian Wiprud
Best Short Story
“The Right Call” by Brendan DuBois (EQMM Sept/Oct, 2006) — Winner
“Cain was Innocent” by Simon Brett (Thou Shalt Not Kill, published by Carroll & Graf)
“Shaping the Ends” by Judith Cutler (EQMM May, 2006)
“A Man of Taste” by Kate Ellis (EQMM Mar/Apr, 2006)
“The Flower Girl” by Paul Halter (The Night of the Wolf, published by Wildside Press)
“A Case for Inspector Ghote” by June Thomson (The Verdict of Us All, published by Crippen & Landru)
Don Sandstrom Lifetime Achievement in Mystery Fandom Award: Janet Rudolph
Janet A. Rudolph is the Editor of the Mystery Readers Journal and Creative Writer/Director at Murder on the Menu and TeamBuilding Unlimited. She blogs daily at MysteryFanfare.com and DyingforChocolate.com, facilitates a weekly mystery book group, hosts Literary Salons with crime writers, and has been a committee and Board member on numerous mystery conventions, including Bouchercon and Left Coast Crime. A long-time contributor to the mystery genre, she received her Ph.D. in religious mystery fiction. She lives in the Berkeley (CA) hills with her husband, two golden retrievers, and three cats who often appear on her Facebook Page along with a daily garden/rose photo (Behind My Garden Gate). She loves gardening, photography, reading …. and long walks on the Beach in Bodega Bay, birds notwithstanding. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, the International Association of Crime Writers, Sisters in Crime, and the American Crime Writers League.
The Mystery Readers Journal is the official publication of Mystery Readers International. Originally started as a newsletter to update the local mystery community on fun events, it is now one of the most important periodicals in the field. A quarterly, each issue focuses on a specific theme with major articles, author essays, special columns and a calendar of events. Members of MRI award the coveted Macavity for excellence in mystery writing.
2006 Barry Awards Winners
Best Mystery/Crime Novel
RED LEAVES Thomas H. Cook — Winner
BLOODLINES, Jan Burke
MERCY FALLS William Kent Krueger
SUDDEN DEATH David Rosenfelt
MR. LUCKY James Swain
THE POWER OF THE DOG Don Winslow
Best First Mystery/Crime Novel
COLD GRANITE Stuart McBride — Winner
DIE A LITTLE Megan Abbott
IMMORAL Brian Freeman
BABY GAME Randall Hicks
DARK HARBOR David Hosp
Best British Crime Novel
THE FIELD OF BLOOD Denise Mina — Winner
BLOOD-DIMMED TIDE Rennie Airth
LIFELESS Mark Billingham
SILENCE OF THE GRAVE Arnaldur Indridason
A GOOD DAY TO DIE Simon Kernick
LOST Michael Robotham
Best Thriller
COMPANY MAN Joseph Finder — Winner
CONSENT TO KILL Vince Flynn
THE INSIDE RING Michael Lawson
SEVEN DEADLY WONDERS Matthew Reilly
MAP OF BONES James Rollins
PRIVATE WARS Greg Rucka
Best Paperback Original Mystery/Crime Novel
THE JAMES DEANS Reed Farrel Coleman — Winner
SIX BAD THINGS Charlie Huston
NIGHT’S CHILD Maureen Jennings
NOW YOU SEE ME Rochelle Krich
THE DEAD DON’T GET OUT MUCH Mary Jane Maffini
INSIDE OUT John Ramsey Miller
Best Short Story
Nancy Pickard- “There Is No Crime on Easter Island” (EQMM Sept.-Oct. 2005) — Winner
Steve Hockensmith- “The Big Road” (AHMM May 2005)
Peter Lovesey- “Needle Match” (MURDER IS MY RACKET)
Joan Richter- “Love and Death in Africa” (EQMM January 2005)
Tom Savage- “The Method in Her Madness” (AHMM June 2005)
Don Sandstrom Lifetime Achievement in Mystery Fandom Award: Bill Crider
2005 Barry Award Winners
Best Mystery/Crime Novel
THE ENEMY, Lee Child – Winner
ALONE AT NIGHT, K. J. Erickson
DARKLY, DREAMING DEXTER, Jeff Lindsay
REMEMBERING SARAH, Chris Mooney
LITTLE SCARLET, Walter Mosley
HARD REVOLUTION, George Pelecanos
Best First Mystery/Crime Novel
THE SHADOW OF THE WIND, Carlos Ruiz Zafon – Winner
RELATIVE DANGER, Charles Benoit
WALKING MONEY, James O. Born
THE CORONER’S LUNCH, Colin Cotterill
SKINNY DIPPING, Claire Matturro
SOME DANGER INVOLVED, Will Thomas
Best British Crime Novel
FLESH & BLOOD, John Harvey – Winner
THE BURNING GIRL, Mark Billingham
THE DRAMATIST, Ken Bruen
TOKYO (U.S. title: THE DEVIL OF NANKING), Mo Hayder
THE CRIME TRADE, Simon Kernick
FIRST DROP, Zoë Sharp
Best Paperback Original Mystery/Crime Novel
TAGGED FOR MURDER, Elaine Flinn – Winner
THE LIBRARIAN, Larry Beinhart
INTO THE WEB, Thomas H. Cook
LAST SEEN IN ABERDEEN, M.G. Kincaid
THE CONFESSION, Domenic Stansberry
TWISTED CITY, Jason Starr
Best Thriller
RAIN STORM by Barry Eisler – Winner
SCARECROW by Matthew Reilly
BAGMAN by Jay MacLarty
WHIRLWIND by Joseph Garber
A DEATH IN VIENNA by Daniel Silva
PARANOIA by Joseph Finder
Best Short Story
Edward D. Hoch “The War in Wonderland” (GREEN FOR DANGER) – Winner
Catherine Aird “Cold Comfort” (CHAPTER AND HEARSE AND OTHER MYSTERIES)
Melodie Johnson Howe “Facing Up” (EQMM July,2004)
John Mortimer “Rumpole and the Christmas Break” (The Strand Magazine No. XIV)
Amy Myers “Murder, the Missing Heir and the Boiled Egg” (CRIMINAL APPETITES)
Neil Schofield “Ledgers” (EQMM July, 2004)
Don Sandstrom Lifetime Achievement in Mystery Fandom Award: Ted Fitzgerald
2004 Barry Award Winners
Best Mystery/Crime Novel
EVERY SECRET THING by Laura Lippman — Winner
THE GUARDS by Ken Bruen
THE SMALL BOAT OF GREAT SORROWS by Dan Fesperman
KEEPING WATCH by Laurie R. King
SHUTTER ISLAND by Dennis Lehane
FOUNTAIN FILLED WITH BLOOD by Julia Spencer- Fleming
Best First Mystery/Crime Novel
MONKEEWRENCH by P. J. Tracy — Winner
MISSION FLATS by Bill Landay
BRIDGE OF SIGHS by Olen Steinhauer
THE BARBED-WIRE KISS by Wallace Stroby
MAISIE DOBBS by Jacqueline Winspear
CLEA’S MOON by Edward Wright
Best British Crime Novel
THE DISTANT ECHO by Val McDermid — Winner
LAZYBONES by Mark Billingham
FULL DARK HOUSE by Christopher Fowler
THE MURDER EXCHANGE by Simon Kernick
THE HOUSE SITTER by Peter Lovese
THE AMERICAN BOY (U.S. title: AN UNPARDONABLE CRIME) by Andrew Taylor
Best Paperback Original Mystery/Crime Novel
TOUGH LUCK by Jason Starr — Winner
DEALING IN MURDER by Elaine Flinn
WISDOM OF THE BONES by Christopher Hyde
THE COURIER by Jay MacLarty (Pocket Star, $6.99)
THE SHADOW OF VENUS by Judith Van Gieson
MURDER BETWEEN THE COVERS by Elaine Viets
Best Short Story
Robert Barnard- “Rogues’ Gallery” (EQMM March 2003) — Winner
Doug Allyn- “The Blind Pig” (EQMM May 2003)
Brendan DuBois- “Always Another War” (AHMM July-August 2003)
Clark Howard- “The Mask of Peter” (EQMM April 2003)
Donald Olson- “Rogue’s Run” (EQMM April 2003)
Don Sandstrom Lifetime Achievement in Mystery Fandom Award: Mary (Maggie) Mason
2003 Barry Awards
Best Mystery/Crime Novel
Michael Connelly, CITY OF BONES – Winner
Lee Child, WITHOUT FAIL
Tim Cockey, THE HEARSE CASE SCENARIO
Steve Hamilton, NORTH OF NOWHERE
George Pelecanos, HELL TO PAY
S. J. Rozan, WINTER AND NIGHT
Best First Mystery/Crime Novel
Julia Spencer-Fleming, IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER – Winner
David Corbett, THE DEVIL’S REDHEAD
Pip Granger, NOT ALL TARTS ARE APPLE
Jonathon King, THE BLUE EDGE OF MIDNIGHT
Eddie Muller, THE DISTANCE
Ben Rehder, BUCK FEVER
Best British Crime Novel
Connolly, John, THE WHITE ROAD – Winner
Mark Billingham, SCAREDY CAT
Tom Bradby, THE MASTER OF RAIN
Simon Kernick, THE BUSINESS OF DYING
Peter Lovesey, DIAMOND DUST
Ed O’Connor, THE YEARE’S MIDNIGHT
Best Paperback Original Mystery/Crime Novel
Danielle Girard, COLD SILENCE – Winner
Jeff Abbott, BLACK JACK POINT
Robin Burcell, FATAL TRUTH
D. Daniel Judson, THE BONE ORCHARD
Anna Salter, PRISON BLUES
Brian Wiprud, PIPSQUEAK
Don Sandstrom Lifetime Achievement in Mystery Fandom Award: Gary Warren Niebuhr
Gary Warren Niebuhr has lived in Milwaukee, WI, USA, his entire life. He was a librarian and served as Library Director for the Village of Greendale (WI) Public Library from 1980 too 2016. He was the 2005 Margaret E. Monroe Award winner from the American Library Association in recognition of his contribution to the development of adult services in libraries.
He is the author of MAKE MINE A MYSTERY II: A READER’S GUIDE TO MYSTERY AND DETECTIVE FICTION, published by Libraries Unlimited in 2011.
He is the author of CAUGHT UP IN CRIME: A READER’S GUIDE TO CRIME FICTION AND NONFICTION published by Libraries Unlimited in 2009.
He is the author of READ ‘EM THEIR WRITES: A HANDBOOK FOR MYSTERY BOOK DISCUSSIONS published by Libraries Unlimited in 2006.
He was the Fan Guest of Honor at the 2004 Bouchercon: the World Mystery Convention held in Toronto, Canada.
He is the author of MAKE MINE A MYSTERY published by Libraries Unlimited in 2003.
On October 18, 2002, he received the Don Sandstrom Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement in Mystery Fandom presented by Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine.
He was the co-coordinator, with Ted Hertel, of the 1999 Bouchercon, the World Mystery Conference, held in Milwaukee in October of 1999.
He served on the Bouchercon, the World Mystery Conference Standing Committee (1997-2005).
He was a 1997-1999 member of the board of directors of the Mystery Writers of America – Midwest. He has served on the Private Eye Writers of America Shamus Award Committees for best novel (twice), best first novel (twice) and best short story (twice). He served on the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award Committee for Best Critical/Biographical Award published in 1997.
He was the Fan Guest of Honor at Magna Cum Murder, at Ball State University in Muncie, IN, in 1995.
In 1995, he was the conference coordinator for the first ever conference to honor the Private Eye Writers of America. The conference, EYECON’95, was held in Milwaukee from June 15th to the 18th with Sue Grafton as the Guest of Honor.
His first published book was A READER’S GUIDE TO THE PRIVATE EYE NOVEL published by G. K. Hall in 1993.
He was a contributor and the co-editor and co-publisher (with Orietta A. Hardy-Sayles) of THE BIG JACUZZI: A COLLECTION OF SHALLOW SHORT STORIES (c1992) and FAREWELL, MY LOBBY: A COLLECTION OF SHAMELESS SHORT STORIES (c1993) published by Bootleg Press and P. I. E. S. He is the editor and a contributor to THE LADY IN THE 10,000 LAKES: A COLLECTION OF DEEP BUT STILL MEANINGLESS SHORT STORIES (c1996), THE LITTLE SISTER IN CRIME: A HISTORICAL YET HYSTERICAL COLLECTION OF SHORT STORIES (c1997), and THE LONG GOOD CRY, OR I’D RATHER BE IN PHILADELPHIA: A MOVING ANTHOLOGY OF MYSTERY SHORT STORIES BY CONTRIBUTORS TO DOROTHYL published by My Books, his own publishing effort.
He was the assistant coordinator of Bouchercon XII, the World Mystery Conference, when it was held in Milwaukee in 1981.
He has appeared as a fictional character in the following books:
AQUARIUS DESCENDING by Martha C. Lawrence, THE COLD HEART OF CAPRICORN by Martha C. Lawrence, FOOL’S PARADISE by Steve Brewer, GRACE UNDER PRESSURE by Julie Hyzy: “Addressed to my grandmother Sophie, it was typewritten on the official letterhead of Hertel and Niebuhr, and signed by T. Hertel, senior partner.”, HEAVEN’S KEEP by William Kent Krueger, IN THE SHADOW OF THE ARCH by Robert J. Randisi, INVASION OF PRIVACY by Jeremiah Healy, MAJIC MAN by Max Allan Collins, THE NIGHT MEN by Keith Snyder, ONE SHOT by Lee Child, PAID IN FULL by D. C. Brod, TANGLED JUNE by Neil Albert, U. S. MARSHALLS by Max Allan Collins, VULTURE CAPITAL by Mark Coggins, WINTER AND NIGHT by S. J. Rozan. The book CHICAGO CONFIDENTIAL by Max Allan Collins is dedicated to him and Theodore B. Hertel, Jr.
2002 Barry Award Winners
Best Mystery/Crime Novel
MYSTIC RIVER, Dennis Lehane – Winner
TELL NO ONE, Harlan Coben
DARKNESS MORE THAN NIGHT, Michael Connelly
PURGATORY RIDGE, William Kent Krueger
SILENT JOE, T. Jefferson Parker
RIGHT AS RAIN, George Pelecanos
BAD NEWS, Donald E. Westlake
Best First Mystery/Crime Novel
OPEN SEASON, C. J. Box – Winner
THIRD PERSON SINGULAR, K.J. Erickson
CHASING THE DEVIL’S TAIL, David Fulmer
PERHAPS SHE’LL DIE, M.K. Preston
BLINDSIGHTED, Karen Slaughter
BUBBLES UNBOUND, Sarah Strohmeyer
Best British Crime Novel
DANCING WITH VIRGINS, Stephen Booth – Winner
BLOOD JUNCTION, Caroline Carver
THE KILLING KIND, John Connolly
DIALOGUES OF THE DEAD, Reginald Hill
DEATH IN HOLY ORDERS, P.D. James
KILLING THE SHADOWS, Val McDermid
THE FALLS, Ian Rankin
Best Paperback Original Mystery/Crime Novel
KILLING GIFTS, Deborah Woodworth – Winner
RODE HARD, PUT AWAY DEAD, Sinclair Browning
DEATH IS A CABARET, Deborah Morgan
THE FOURTH WALL, Beth Saulnier
STRAW MEN, Martin J. Smith
Don Sandstrom Lifetime Achievement in Mystery Fandom Award: Marv Lachman
2001 Barry Award Winners
Best Mystery/Crime Novel
DEEP SOUTH, Nevada Barr – Winner
RUNNING BLIND, Lee Child
PLACES IN THE DARK, Thomas H. Cook
CROSS DRESSING by Bill Fitzhugh
WINTER OF THE WOLF MOON, Steven Hamilton
UNWANTED COMPANY, Barbara Seranella
Best First Mystery/Crime Novel
CONSPIRACY OF PAPER, David Liss – Winner
IN HER DEFENSE, Stephen Horn
THE ICE HARVEST, Scott Phillips
STREET LEVEL, Bob Truluck
DEATH OF A RED HEROINE, Qiu Xiaolong
Best British Crime Novel
BLACK DOG, Stephen Booth – Winner
DARK HOLLOW, John Connolly
THE BEACH ROAD, Sarah Diamond
THE CERTAINTY OF DOING EVIL, Colin Falconer
THE REAPER, Peter Lovesey
Best Paperback Original Mystery/Crime Novel
THE KIDNAPPING OF ROSIE DAWN, Eric Wright – Winner
DIVE DEEP AND DEADLY, Glynn Marsh Alam
DEATH DANCES TO A REGGAE BEAT, Kate Grilley
LITTLE MEXICO, Cathie John
DISTEMPER, Beth Saulnier
2000 Barry Awards
Best Mystery/Crime Novel
IN A DRY SEASON, Peter Robinson – Winner
ANGELS FLIGHT, Michael Connelly
L.A. REQUIEM, Robert Crais
HIGH FIVE, Janet Evanovich
HART’S WAR, John Katzenbach
PRAYERS FOR RAIN, Dennis Lehane
Best First Mystery/Crime Novel
MURDER WITH PEACOCKS, Donna Andrews – Winner
THE IMMORTAL GAME, Mark Coggins
LIE IN THE DARK, Dan Fesperman
WHITE SKY, BLACK ICE, Stan Jones
EVERY TRACE, Greg Main
Best British Crime Novel
A PLACE OF EXECUTION, Val Mcdermid – Winner
RIVER OF DARKNESS, Rennie Airth
EVERY DEAD THING, John Connolly
ROUGH JUSTICE, Colin Falconer
THE CHALON HEADS, Barry Maitland
Best Paperback Original Mystery/Crime Novel (tie)
EVERY MOVE SHE MAKES, Robin Burcell – Winner
AN ANTIDOTE FOR AVARICE, Caroline Roe – Winner
THEM BONES, Carolyn Haines
THE HUNTED, Jerry Kennealy
THE LAST SONG DOGS, Sinclair Browning
1999 Barry Awards
Best Mystery/Crime Novel (tie)
ON BEULAH HEIGHT, Reginald Hill – Winner
GONE, BABY GONE, Dennis Lehane – Winner
EVAN HELP US, Rhys Bowen
BLOOD WORK, Michael Connelly
THE COFFIN DANCER, Jeffery Deaver
JUDAS CHILD, Carol O’Connell
THE HANGING GARDEN, Ian Rankin
ALL THE DEAD LIE DOWN, Mary Willis Walker
Best First Mystery/Crime Novel
IRON LAKE, William Kent Krueger – Winner
THE CONTRARY BLUES, John Billheimer
A COLD DAY IN PARADISE, Steve Hamilton
THE DOCTOR DIGS A GRAVE, Robin Hathaway
TIDEWATER BLOOD, William Hoffman
A LIKENESS IN STONE, J. Wallis Martin
BILLY DEAD, Lisa Reardon
A CRIMINAL APPEAL, D.R. Schanker
1998 Barry Awards
Best Mystery/Crime Novel
TRUNK MUSIC, Michael Connelly – Winner
DREAMING OF THE BONES, Deborah Crombie
HOCUS, Jan Burke
A WASTELAND OF STRANGERS, Bill Pronzini
THE LIFE AND DEATH OF BOBBY Z, Don Winslow
NO COLDER PLACE, S.J. Rozan
CIMARRON ROSE, James Lee Burke
Best First Mystery/Crime Novel
KILLING FLOOR, Lee Child – Winner
NO HUMAN INVOLVED, Barbara Seranella
EXCEPT THE DYING, Maureen Jennings
FREE REIGN, Rosemary Aubert
FLOWER NET, Lisa See
LOS ALAMOS, Joseph Kanon
Best Paperback Original Mystery/Crime Novel
BACKSPIN, Harlan Coben – Winner
BIG RED TEQUILA, Rick Riordan
THE SALARYMAN’S WIFE, Sujata Massey
DEAD BODY LANGUAGE, Penny Warner
1997 Barry Awards
Best Mystery/Crime Novel
BLOODHOUNDS, Peter Lovesey – Winner
HEARTS AND BONES by Margaret Lawrence
DANCE OF THE DEAD by Thomas Perry
THE WOOD BEYOND by Reginald Hill
SPEAK NO EVIL by Rochelle Krich
THE CHATHAM SCHOOL AFFAIR by Thomas H. Cook
Best First Mystery/Crime Novel
TEST OF WILLS, Charles Todd – Winner
A BROTHER’S BLOOD, Michael C. White
A KILLING IN QUAIL COUNTY, Jameson Cole
LIE DOWN WITH DOGS, Jan Gleiter
WHAT THE DEAF MUTE HEARD by G.D. Gearino
FATAL GIFT by H. Michael Frase
Best Paperback Original Mystery/Crime Novel
WALKING RAIN, Susan Wade – Winner
THE GRASS WIDOW, Teri Holbrook
FADE AWAY, Harlan Coben
Best Non-Fiction
DETECTING WOMEN 2, Willetta L. Heising – Winner
These 1997 awards were made without any fanfare or much publicity being generated.
The next year (1998), with more time to prepare, we printed a ballot of nominated titles and physical awards were presented to the winners at Bouchercon. And then all of a sudden people started taking notice of the Barry Awards.