A month ago, my friend Sean Marciniak invited me to New York City to attend the Edgar Awards on May 1, 2024. Though I’m lucky enough to have two crime stories published and one anthologized, I read more literary and science fiction than crime, mystery, thriller, or suspense. I couldn’t attend the Mystery Writers of America’s (MWA) biggest night without some preparation. My ensuing reading adventure made for an excellent deep dive into this kind of fiction and will be a template for future events.
The Edgar nominees were listed on the awards web site. I found the authors, titles, and categories in both the searchable database and the PDF newsletter, but a few handy links seemed to be missing!
When I asked for help checking out the nominees at my local library, the librarian and I had to manually enter titles from the Edgars site. I wondered if the MWA had publicized the nominations ahead of time to libraries and bookstores? I stumbled across Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll, a Best Novel nominee, prominently displayed at the public library, a used bookstore, and a Barnes & Noble, but none mentioned that the book was up for an Edgar. I felt looped into a little secret when I found books from the list.
So here’s a nominee list with my preferred links, which should help you find all this fine work faster:
2024 Best First Novel
I read four of five nominees cover-to-cover in this category, since its closest to where I am in my novel-writing career.
P.S. This is the Edgar you can only get once—there’s only one first novel.
Small Town Sins by Ken Jaworowski
A moving, character-driven thriller set in a rural Pennsylvania town from three wildly different points of view. I finished it in a day. My favorite read across categories.
The Last Russian Doll by Kristen Loesch
An emotional mystery that weaves the collapse of the Soviet Union back to a love story in pre-1917 Russia. I loved the ending though it left one dangling thread.
The Golden Gate by Amy Chua
An intricate World War II-era dual mystery set in the Berkeley Hills involving some excellent tension and Bay Area history. This was longer and more detailed than expected, but I enjoyed the journey.
Murder by Degrees by Ritu Mukerji
A no-nonsense female doctor is a pioneer in medical education for women in 19th century Philadelphia must solve the murder of one of her patients. More traditional than the other nominees but a well-timed surprise divides the story into a before and after.
The Peacock and the Sparrow by I.S. Berry
A spy thriller during the Arab Spring with a slow burn start.
2024 Best Novel
I sampled the opening chapters of all but one of these nominees. The ones that moved me, moved me quickly.
Flags on the Bayou by James Lee Burke
Moving Civil War novel with many shades of gray from the onset. First chapter left me longing to go deeper.
All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby
The first black sheriff of a rural Virginia town deals with everything from a school shooting to a serial killer to a Confederate parade. Looking forward to reading more.
The Madwomen of Paris by Jennifer Cody Epstein
Historical mystery in a Parisian asylum that hires recuperated women as the next wave of employees. Sometimes a title and a cover are spot on.
An Honest Man by Michael Koryta
Just read that opening scene.
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger
Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead
Best Short Story
If nothing else, read these stories to see what’s great in the genre without investing time into multiple novels. I read all these nominees; Sean and I had a consensus on our favorite. A strong variety of styles shines here.
“Pigeon Tony’s Last Stand” by Lisa Scottoline
Old timers in Philly confront a generational problem in their neighborhood and deal with it in an oh, so, charming way. My favorite story.
“Hallowed Ground” by Linda Castillo
An atmospheric, gentle but firm and satisfying mystery. My second favorite.
- Library
- Bookshop — not found
- Barnes & Noble
- Amazon
“The Rise” by Ian Rankin
Twisty, twisted murder mystery in a London high rise. Unusual ending but a fun journey to it.
“Miss Direction” by Rob Osler
- Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine — free PDF
“Thriller” by Heather Graham
Best Paperback Original
I read the least in this category, but a few of the samples were so fun I plan to finish several more novels.
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Lowdown Road by Scott Von Doviak
Boomtown by A.F. Carter
Hide by Tracy Clark
- Library — not found
- Bookshop
- Barnes & Noble
- Amazon
The Taken Ones by Jess Lourey
- Library — not found
- Bookshop
- Barnes & Noble
- Amazon
I didn’t even get to categories like Juvenile or Young Adult, Fact Crime or Critical/Biographical, or the four Memorial Awards. You can see more at the Edgars site.
This deep dive into a fiction subgenre I’m curious about left me excited about what’s possible and much more informed for the awards itself.
At the Edgars
Otto Penzler, who’d included our stories for his well-known mystery anthologies in 2019 (me) and 2022 (Sean), invited us to parties before and after the awards. His Mysterious Bookshop in Tribeca is quite the bookstore to visit in person. The shelves of books behind us in the following photo require ladders.
We met a fun cadre of creative people.
Debbie Babitt, between us in the the above photo, is on the verge of releasing her third thriller.
LitHub and CrimeReads editor Olivia Rutigliano has a Ph.D. in nineteenth century British literature and an eye for creative public spaces, like the French metro as a Jules Verne setting…
Ken Jaworowski earned a Best First Novel nomination and shared a potential title for his second. We chatted for what felt like an hour about forgotten authors, memorable endings, and of course, book recommendations.
Joe Brosnan, a senior editor at Grove Atlantic, was generous with his time and answering our questions about today’s market.
I got to thank Jesse Q. Sutanto and wish her luck shortly before she took the stage to accept her Edgar.
We sent back someone else’s steak in favor of a cauliflower dish after a vegan joke gone wrong. Sorry John!
S. A. Crosby shared an anecdote and a laugh after the ceremony.
Otto shook our hands and nudged us to write another good story for next year’s consideration.
On the surface, the formality of the Edgars seems more serious than any literary conference or sci-fi convention I’ve been to. Just look at my suit!
But there’s a strong, unique energy here. We felt lucky that so many were welcoming of people new to the Mystery Writers of America community. I’m invigorated to return to my thriller novel draft.
So if you get an opportunity to attend an event that’s outside your usual cup of tea, go for it. Take a chance and read broadly. You never know what the immersion will inspire.
Now if you’ll excuse me and my new favorite reading chair, I still have some novels waiting for me.
Arsenal of Words 
fabulous! 29 2025 How I Prepared for the Edgar Awards from the Mystery Writers of America adorable