The Mystery Writers of Americahave announced the 75th Annual Edgar Awardsnominees!  The awards ceremony will be held on April 29, 2021, which will be the 212th anniversary of Edgar Allan Poe’s birth.  The Edgar Awards consists of 12 categories that recognize the best in mystery fiction, television, and non-fiction created in 2020, and it is an incredible list!

Best Novel

Thursday Murder Clubby Richard Osman and The Missing American by Kwai Quartey are two of the contenders for best novel. 

The Thursday Murder Club is about a group of retirees who meet weekly to discuss unsolved crimes.  However, each of the members have their own secrets, and it is not long before they find themselves entangled in a live case... 

The Missing American tells the story of Emma, a girl who dreamed of being a homicide detective but instead ends up working for a private detective agency. Her first case is a missing American man –Gordon Tilson, a widower who has found love in online community with a Ghanian widow.  He sends her money after an accident -- and leaves to go find her, which sends his son Derek on the chase, as well as Emma, who is determined to untangle this web of ‘sex, lies, and deceit.’ 

Best First Novel by an American Author

A few of the nominees for Best First Novel include Elisabeth Thomas for Catherine House, and Caitlin Mullen for Please See Us. 

Catherine Housefollows the story of Ines Murillo, who is lucky enough to be offered a place at this mysterious college, where alums are super rich and successful...but the secrets are dark.   There is one catch though—in order to attend, students must cut ties from their previous lives- including no visits home, and no keepsakes.  A story of friendship, and belonging, filled with twists and turns.  

Please See Usis set in Atlantic city.  Psychic Clara reads tarot cards on the boardwalk, only lately she has been having visions – which she think may have to do with the disappearance of two women.   Clara and Lily (an aspiring art dealer) team up to try to uncover the truth, and stop these terrible things from happening to others.  The story is written in several first person narratives, and is sure to appeal to fans of dark, gritty novels.

For more of the Edgar Award nominees and categories, check out the list below: