Shamus Awards

The Shamus Awards are awarded by the Private Eye Writers of America (PWA). The PWA defines a “private eye” as any mystery protagonist who is a professional investigator, but not a police officer or government agent, “a person paid for investigative work but not employed by a unit of government. Thus books and stories about private investigators (licensed and unlicensed), lawyers and reporters who do their own legwork, and other hired agents are eligible; works centering on law enforcement officers or amateur sleuths are not.” The Eye Award is given for Lifetime Achievement. The Hammer Award is given for Best P.I. Series Character.

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2012

The Hammer Award

Nate Heller by Max Allen Collins

Best P.I. Novel
*	A Bad Night’s Sleep by Michael Wiley
°	Bye Bye, Baby by Max Allan Collins
°	1222 by Anne Holt [review]
°	When the Thrill Is Gone by Walter Mosley
°	The Highly Effective Detective Crosses the Line by Richard Yancey

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Fun & Games by Duane Swiercyzinski [review]
°	Quarry’s Ex by Max Allan Collins
°	Threat Warning by John Gilstrap
°	Serial by John Lutz
°	Long Pig by James L. Ross

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Shortcut Man by P.G. Sturges [review]
°	The Plot Against Hip Hop by Nelson George
°	Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead by Sara Gran [review]
°	The Ocean Forest by Troy D. Nooe
°	The Stranger You Seek by Amanda Kyle Williams [review]

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“Who I Am” by Michael Z. Lewin Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, December 2011
°	“A Bullet From Yesterday” by Terence Faherty Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, January 2011
°	“Mr. Monk & The Sunday Paper” by Lee Goldberg Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, July 2011
°	“Vampire Slayer Murdered in Key West” by Michael Haskins Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September/October 2011
°	“Dancer in a Storm” by L.A. Wilson Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine

2011

The Eye Award

Ed Gorman

The Hammer Award

V.I. Warshawski by Sara Paretsky

Best P.I. Novel
*	No Mercy by Lori Armstrong
°	The First Rule by Robert Crais
°	Voyeur by Daniel Judson
°	If the Dead Rise Not by Philip Kerr [review]
°	Naked Moon by Domenic Stansberry

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Asia Hand by Christopher G. Moore
°	Hostage Zero by John Gilstrap
°	Nightshade by Tom Henighan
°	Mister X by John Lutz
°	The Panic Zone by Rick Mofina
°	The Little Death by P.J. Parrish

Best First P.I. Novel
*	In Search of Mercy by Michael Ayoob
°	One Man’s Paradise by Douglas Corleone [review]
°	Rogue Island by Bruce DeSilva [review]
°	Random Violence by Jassy MacKenzie [review]
°	City of Dragons by Kelli Stanley [review]

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“The Lamb Was Sure to Go” by Gar Anthony Haywood Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, November 2010
°	“The God of Right and Wrong” by Steven Gore Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, January/February 2010
°	“The Girl in the Golden Gown” by Robert S. Levinson Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, March/April 2010
°	“Phelan’s First Case” by Lisa Sandlin Lone Star Noir
°	“A Long Time Dead” by Mickey Spillane and Max Allan Collins The Strand Magazine, June–Sept. 2010

2010

The Eye Award

Robert Crais

Best P.I. Novel
*	Locked In by Marcia Muller
°	The Silent Hour by Michael Koryta [review]
°	Where the Dead Lay by David Levien [review]
°	Schemers by Bill Pronzini
°	My Soul To Take by Yrsa Sigurdardottir

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Sinner’s Ball by Ira Berkowitz
°	Dark Side of the Morgue by Raymond Benson
°	Red Blooded Murder by Laura Caldwell
°	Vengeance Road by Rick Mofina
°	Body Blows by Marc Strange

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Faces of the Gone by Brad Parks [review]
°	Loser’s Town by Daniel Depp [review]
°	The Last Gig by Norman Green [review]
°	The Good Son by Russel D. McLean [review]
°	Chinatown Angel by A.E. Roman [review]

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“Julius Katz” by Dave Zeltserman Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September/October 2009
°	“The Dark Island” by Brendan DuBois Boston Noir
°	“Deadline Edition” by S.L. Franklin Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, April 2009
°	“Blazin’ on Broadway” by Gary Phillips Phoenix Noir
°	“Suicide Bonds” by Tim L. Williams Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, March/April 2009

2009

Best P.I. Novel
*	Empty Ever After by Reed Farrel Coleman
°	Salvation Boulevard by Larry Beinhart
°	The Blue Door by David Fulmer
°	The Price of Blood by Declan Hughes [review]
°	The Ancient Rain by Domenic Stansberry

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Snow Blind by Lori Armstrong
°	Shot Girl by Karen Olson
°	The Stolen by Jason Pinter
°	The Black Hand by Will Thomas
°	The Evil That Men Do by Dave White

Best First P.I. Novel
*	In the Heat by Ian Vasquez
°	Stalking Susan by Julie Kramer [review]
°	The Eye of Jade by Diane Wei Liang
°	Swann’s Last Song by Charles Salzberg
°	Veil of Lies by Jeri Westerson [review]

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“Family Values” by Mitch Alderman Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, June 2008
°	“Last Island South” by John C. Boland Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September/October 2008
°	“The Blonde Tigress” by Max Allan Collins Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, June 2008
°	“Discovery” by Kristine Kathryn Rusch Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, November 2008
°	“Panic on Portage Path” by Dick Stodghill Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, January/February 2008

2008

The Eye Award

Joe Gores

Best P.I. Novel
*	Soul Patch by Reed Farrel Coleman
°	Head Games by Thomas B. Cavanagh
°	The Color of Blood by Declan Hughes
°	A Welcome Grave by Michael Koryta
°	A Killer’s Kiss by William Lashner

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Songs of Innocence by Richard Aleas
°	Exit Strategy by Kelley Armstrong
°	Stone Rain by Linwood Barclay
°	Deadly Beloved by Max Allan Collins
°	Blood of Paradise by David Corbett

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Big City, Bad Blood by Sean Chercover
°	The Cleaner by Brett Battles
°	Keep It Real by Bill Bryan
°	When One Man Dies by Dave White
°	The Last Striptease by Michael Wiley

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“Hungry Enough” by Cornelia Read A Hell of a Woman
°	“Kill the Cat” by Loren D. Estleman Detroit Noir
°	“Trust Me” by Loren D. Estleman Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, June 2007
°	“Open Mike” by James Nolan New Orleans Noir
°	“Room for Improvement” by Marilyn Todd Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, December 2007

2007

The Eye Award

Stuart M. Kaminsky

Best P.I. Novel
*	The Dramatist by Ken Bruen
°	The Darkest Place by Daniel Judson
°	The Do-Re-Mi by Ken Kuhlken
°	Vanishing Point by Marcia Muller
°	Days of Rage by Kris Nelscott

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	An Unquiet Grave by P.J. Parrish
°	Hallowed Ground by Lori G. Armstrong
°	The Prop by Pete Hautman
°	The Uncomfortable Dead by Paco Ignacio Taibo II and Subcomandante Marcos
°	Crooked by Brian M. Wiprud

Best First P.I. Novel
*	The Wrong Kind of Blood by Declan Hughes [review]
°	Lost Angel by Mike Doogan [review]
°	A Safe Place for Dying by Jack Fredrickson [review]
°	Holmes on the Range by Steve Hockensmith
°	18 Seconds by George D. Shuman

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“The Heart Has Reasons” by O’Neil De Noux Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, September 2006
°	“Sudden Stop” by Mitch Alderman Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, November 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 Twin Cities Noir

2006

The Eye Award

Max Allan Collins

Best P.I. Novel
*	The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly
°	Oblivion by Peter Abrahams
°	The Forgotten Man by Robert Crais
°	In a Teapot by Terence Faherty
°	The Man with the Iron-On Badge by Lee Goldberg
°	Cinnamon Kiss by Walter Mosley

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	The James Deans by Reed Farrell Coleman
°	Falling Down by David Cole
°	Deadlocked by Joel Goldman
°	Cordite Wine by Richard Helms
°	A Killing Rain by P.J. Parrish

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Forcing Amaryllis by Louise Ure [review]
°	Blood Ties by Lori G. Armstrong
°	Still River by Harry Hunsicker
°	The Devil’s Right Hand by J.D. Rhoades

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“A Death in Ueno” by Michael Wiecek Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, March 2005
°	“Oh, What a Tangled Lanyard We Weave” by Parnell Hall Murder Most Crafty
°	“Two Birds with One Stone” by Jeremiah Healy Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, January/February 2005
°	“The Big Road” by Steve Hockensmith Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, May 2005
°	“The Breaks” by Timothy Williams Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September/October 2005

2005

The Eye Award

Sara Paretsky

Best P.I. Novel
*	While I Disappear by Edward Wright
°	Fade to Clear by Leonard Chang
°	The Wake-Up by Robert Ferrigno
°	After the Rain by Chuck Logan
°	Choke Point by James C. Mitchell

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Fade to Blonde by Max Phillips
°	Call the Devil by His Oldest Name by Sallie Bissell
°	Shadow of the Dahlia by Jack Bludis
°	The London Blitz Murders by Max Allan Collins
°	Island of Bones by P.J. Parrish

Best First P.I. Novel
*	The Dead by Ingrid Black
°	Little Girl Lost by Richard Aleas
°	The Last Goodbye by Reed Arvin
°	Aspen Pulp by Patrick Hasburgh
°	Some Danger Involved by Will Thomas

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“Hasidic Noir” by Pearl Abraham Brooklyn Noir
°	“Burnt Wood” by Mitch Alderman Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, July 2004
°	“Trumpeter Swan” by John F. Dobbyn Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, February 2004
°	“Dog on Fire” by Gregory S. Fallis Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, May 2004
°	“Tricks” by Steve Hockensmith Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. August 2004

2004

The Eye Award

Donald E. Westlake

Best P.I. Novel
*	The Guards by Ken Bruen [review]
°	Scavenger Hunt by Robert Ferrigno
°	Blood Is the Sky by Steve Hamilton
°	A Visible Darkness by Jonathon King
°	Fatal Flaw by William Lashner

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Cold Quarry by Andy Straka
°	Dragonfly Bones by David Cole
°	Wet Debt by Richard Helms
°	Thicker Than Water by P.J. Parrish

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Black Maps by Peter Spiegelman
°	Spiked by Mark Arsenault
°	Lover’s Crossing by James C. Mitchell

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“Lady on Ice” by Loren D. Estleman A Hot and Sultry Night For Crime
°	“Munchies” by Jack Bludis Hardbroiled
°	“The Rock in the Orange Grove” by Mitch Alderman Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, June 2003
°	“Slayer Statute” by Janet Dawson Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September/October 2003
°	“Valhalla” by Doug Allyn Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, January 2003

2003

The Eye Award

Sue Grafton

Best P.I. Novel
*	Blackwater Sound by James W. Hall
°	North of Nowhere by Steve Hamilton
°	The Last Place by Laura Lippman
°	Hell to Pay by George Pelecanos
°	Winter and Night by S.J. Rozan

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	The Poisoned Rose by D. Daniel Judson
°	Cash Out by Paul Boray
°	Juicy Watusi by Richard Helms
°	The Lusitania Murders by Max Allan Collins
°	Paint It Black by P.J. Parrish

Best First P.I. Novel
*	The Distance by Eddie Muller
°	Private Heat by Robert E. Bailey
°	Westerfield’s Chain by Jack Clark
°	The Bone Orchard by D. Daniel Judson
°	Open and Shut by David Rosenfelt [review]

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“The Second Coming” by Terence Faherty Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, November 2002
°	“Setting Up the Kill” by J. Michael Blue Hand Held Crime, Summer 2002
°	“Aftermath” by Jeremiah Healy Most Wanted
°	“Second Story Sunlight” by John Lutz Most Wanted
°	“The Jewels of Atlantis” by James Powell Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, November 2002

2002

The Eye Award

Lawrence Block

Best P.I. Novel
*	Reflecting the Sky by S.J. Rozan
°	Angel in Black by Max Allan Collins
°	Ashes of Aries by Martha C. Lawrence
°	The Devil Went Down to Austin by Rick Riordan
°	Cold Water Burning by John Straley

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Archangel Protocol by Lyda Morehouse
°	Keepers by Janet LaPierre
°	Ancient Enemy by Robert Westbrook

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Chasing the Devil’s Tail by David Fulmer
°	Rat City by Curt Colbert
°	Epitaph by James Siegel
°	A Witness Above by Andy Straka
°	Pilikia Is My Business by Mark Troy

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“Rough Justice” by Ceri Jordan Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, July 2001
°	“The Jungle” by John Lantigua …And the Dying Is Easy
°	“Last Kiss” by Tom Sweeney Mystery Street
°	“Golden Retriever” by Barbara Paul Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, December 2001
°	“The Cobalt Blues” by Clark Howard Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September 2001

2001

Best P.I. Novel
*	Havana Heat by Carolina Garcia-Aguilera
°	A Smile on the Face of the Tiger by Loren D. Estleman
°	The Deader the Better by G.M. Ford
°	Ellipsis by Stephen Greenleaf
°	Listen to the Silence by Marcia Muller

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Death in the Steel City by Thomas Lipinski
°	The Blazing Tree by Mary Jo Adamson
°	The Sporting Club by Sinclair Browning
°	The Hindenburg Murders by Max Allan Collins
°	Bad to the Bone by Katy Munger
°	Dirty Money by Steven Womack

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Street Level by Bob Truluck
°	Brigham’s Day by John Gates
°	The Heir Hunter by Chris Larsgaard
°	Resurrection Angel by William Mize
°	Lost Girls by Andrew Pyper

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“The Road's End” by Brendan Dubois Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, April 2000
°	“What's In A Name?” by Jeremiah Healy The Shamus Game
°	“The Sleeping Detective” by Gary Phillips The Shamus Game
°	“The Big Bite” by Bill Pronzini The Shamus Game
°	“The Good Daughter” by Mike Wiecek Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, December 2000

2000

The Eye Award

Edward D. Hoch

Best P.I. Novel
*	California Fire and Life by Don Winslow
°	L.A. Requiem by Robert Crais
°	Monster by Jonathan Kellerman
°	Prayers for Rain by Dennis Lehane
°	Stone Quarry by S.J. Rozan

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	In Big Trouble by Laura Lippman
°	Deadbeat by Leo Atkins
°	Fulton County Blues by Ruth Birmingham
°	The Last Song Dogs by Sinclair Browning
°	Steel City Confessions by Thomas Lipinski

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Every Dead Thing by John Connolly
°	East of A by Russell Atwood
°	The Immortal Game by Mark Coggins
°	Maximum Insecurity by P.J. Grady
°	The Answer Man by Roy Johansen

Best P.I. Short Story
*	“Akitada’s First Case” by I.J. Parker Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, July/August, 1999
°	“Unchained Melody” by Doug Allyn Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, January, 1999
°	“Hodegetria” by Jeremiah Healy Death Cruise
°	“The Reluctant Op” by Barbara Paul Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine. September/October, 1999
°	“Cro-magnon, P.I.” by Mike Reiss Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, July/August, 1999

1999

The Eye Award

Maxine O’Callaghan

Best P.I. Novel
*	Boobytrap by Bill Pronzini
°	No Badge, No Gun by Harold Adams
°	Flying Blind by Max Allan Collins
°	The Only Good Lawyer by Jeremiah Healy
°	Gone, Baby, Gone by Dennis Lehane

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Murder Manual by Steven Womack
°	Too Easy by Phillip DePoy
°	Butchers Hill by Laura Lippman
°	The Widower’s Two Step by Rick Riordan
°	Death in a City of Mystics by Janice Steinberg

Best First P.I. Novel
*	A Cold Day in Paradise by Steve Hamilton [review]
°	Like A Hole In The Head by Jen Banbury
°	Zen and the Art of Murder by Elizabeth Cosin
°	Dead-Low Tide by Jamie Katz

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“Another Day, Another Dollar” by Warren Murphy Murder on the Run
°	“Sidewinder” by David Edgerley Gates Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine
°	”No, Thank You, John” by Michelle Knowlden Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine
°	“All About Heroes” by Dan A. Sproul Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine
°	“More Light” by James Sallis New Mystery

1998

Best P.I. Novel
*	Come Back Dead by Terrance Faherty
°	Indigo Slam by Robert Crais
°	Deception Pass by Earl Emerson
°	Sacred by Dennis Lehane
°	Down for the Count by Maxine O’Callaghan
°	No Colder Place by S.J. Rozan

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Charm City by Laura Lippman
°	Back Spin by Harlan Coben
°	A Whisper of Rage by Tim Hemlin
°	Father, Forgive Me by Randye Lordon
°	Sunset and Santiago by Gloria White

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Big Red Tequilaby Rick Riordan [review]
°	Baltimore Blues by Laura Lippman
°	Legwork by Katy Munger

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“Love Me For My Yellow Hair Alone” by Carolyn Wheat Marilyn: Shades of Blonde
°	“Copperhead Run” by Doug Allyn Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, June 1997
°	“Lord of Obstacles” by Greg Fallis Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, January 1997
°	“A Front-Row Seat” by Jan Grape Vengeance Is Hers
°	“Nightcrawlers” by John Lutz Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, April 1997

1997

The Eye Award

Stephen Marlowe

Best P.I. Novel
*	Sunset Express by Robert Crais
°	Damned in Paradise by Max Allan Collins
°	Flesh Wounds by Stephen Greenleaf
°	Invasion of Privacy by Jeremiah Healy
°	Sentinels by Bill Pronzini
°	When Wallflowers Die by Sandra West Prowell

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Fade Away by Harlan Coben
°	A Natural Death by Ruthe Furie
°	Chain of Fools by Steven Womack

Best First P.I. Novel
*	This Dog for Hire by Carol Lea Benjamin
°	Keeper by Greg Rucka
°	The Low End of Nowhere by Michael Stone
°	This Far, No Further by John Wessel

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“Dead Drunk” by Lia Matera Guilty as Charged
°	“Eye Of The Beholder” by Ed Gorman The Autumn Dead & A Cry Of Shadows
°	“Turning The Witness” by Jeremiah Healy Guilty as Charged
°	“The One About The Green Detective” by John Lethan Unusual Suspects
°	“The Girl Who Talked To Horses” by Robert J. Randisi Homicide Hosts Presents

1996

Best P.I. Novel
*	Concourse by S.J. Rozan
°	The Vanishing Smile by Earl Emerson
°	Come to Grief by Dick Francis
°	Movie by Parnell Hall
°	Neon Smile by Dick Lochte

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Native Angels by William Jaspersohn
°	Zero Tolerance by J.D. Knight
°	Interview with Mattie by Shelley Singer
°	Charged with Guilt by Gloria White
°	Way Past Dead by Steven Womack

Best First P.I. Novel
*	The Innocents by Richard Barre
°	Who in Hell Is Wanda Fuca? by G.M. Ford [review]
°	If Looks Could Kill by Ruthe Furie
°	Penance by David Housewright
°	The Harry Chronicles by Allan Pedrazas

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“And Pray Nobody Sees You” by Gar Anthony Haywood Spooks, Spies & Private Eyes
°	“Trial By Fire” by David Dean Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, February 1995
°	“A Plain and Honest Death” by Bill Pomidor Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September 1995
°	“Home Is The Place Where” by Bill Pronzini Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, November 1995
°	“Enigma” by D.H. Reddall Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, December 1995

1995

The Eye Award
*	John Lutz
*	Robert B. Parker

Best P.I. Novel
*	K Is for Killer by Sue Grafton
°	A Long Line of Dead Men by Lawrence Block
°	Carnal Hours by Max Allan Collins
°	The Killing of Monday Brown by Sandra West Prowell
°	The Lake Effect by Les Roberts

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Served Cold by Ed Goldberg
°	Double Plot by Leo Axler
°	Lament for a Dead Cowboy by Catherine Dain
°	Dead Ahead by Bridget McKenna
°	Deadly Devotion by Patricia Wallace

Best First P.I. Novel
*	A Drink Before the War by Dennis Lehane
°	The Heaven Stone by David Daniel
°	One for the Money by Janet Evanovich
°	The Fall-Down Artist by Thomas Lipinski
°	When Death Comes Stealing by Valerie Wilson Wesley

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“The Necessary Brother” by Brendan DuBois Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, May 1994
°	“A Matter Of Character” by Michael Collins Partners in Crime
°	“Slipstream” by Loren Estleman Deadly Allies II
°	“Split Decision” by Clark Howard Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, December 1994
°	“The Romantics” by John Lutz Deadly Allies II

1994

The Eye Award

Stephen J. Cannell

Best P.I. Novel
*	The Devil Knows You’re Dead by Lawrence Block
°	Foursome by Jeremiah Healy
°	Wolf in the Shadows by Marcia Muller
°	Moth by James Sallis
°	The Lies that Bind by Judith Van Gieson

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Brothers and Sinners by Rodman Philbrick
°	The Half-Hearted Detective by Milton Bass
°	A Minyon For The Dead by Richard Fliegel
°	Shadow Games by Ed Gorman
°	Torch Town Boogie by Steven Womack

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Satan’s Lambs by Lynn Hightower
°	Brotherly Love by Randye Lordon
°	By Evil Means by Sandra West Prowell

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“The Merciful Angel Of Death” by Lawrence Block The New Mystery
°	“The Sultans Of Soul” by Doug Allyn Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, March 1993
°	“Nobody Wins” by Charles Ardai Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Mid-December 1993
°	“The Bagged Man” by Jeremiah Healy Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, February 1993
°	“The Watt’s Lion” by Walter Mosley The New Mystery

1993

The Eye Award

Marcia Muller

Best P.I. Novel
*	The Man Who Was Taller Than God by Harold Adams
°	Cassandra in Red by Michael Collins
°	Lullaby Town by Robert Crais
°	Shallow Graves by Jeremiah Healy
°	Special Delivery by Jerry Kennealy

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	The Last Tango of Dolores Delgado by Marele Day
°	Lay it on the Line by Catherine Dain
°	Dirty Money by Marc Davis
°	The Brutal Ballet by Wayne D. Dundee

Best First P.I. Novel
*	The Woman Who Married a Bear by John Straley [review]
°	Return Trip Ticket by David C. Hall
°	Switching the Odds by Phyllis Knight
°	The Long-Legged Fly by James Sallis

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“Mary, Mary, Shut the Door” by Benjamin Schutz Deadly Allies
°	“The Messenger” by Jacklyn Butler Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, October 1992
°	“Safe House” by Loren D. Estleman Deadly Allies
°	“A Little Missionary Work” by Sue Grafton Deadly Allies
°	“Rest Stop” by Jeremiah Healy Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, May 1992

1992

The Eye Award

Joseph Hansen

Best P.I. Novel
*	Stolen Away by Max Allan Collins
°	A Dance at the Slaughterhouse by Lawrence Block
°	Where Echoes Live by Marcia Muller
°	A Fistful of Empty by Benjamin Schutz
°	Second Chance by Jonathan Valin

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Cool Blue Tomb by Paul Kemprecos
°	Black Light by Daniel Hearn
°	House of Cards by Kay Hooper
°	The Thousand-Yard Stare by Rob Kantner

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Suffer Little Children by Thomas D. Davis
°	The January Corpse by Neil Albert
°	Dead on the Island by Bill Crider
°	Best Performance by a Patsy by Stan Cutler
°	A Cool Breeze on the Underground by Don Winslow

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“Dust Devil” by Nancy Pickard The Armchair Detective, Winter 1991
°	“Dying in the Post-War World” by Max Allan Collins Dying in the Post-War World
°	“The Man Who Loved Noir” by Loren D. Estleman Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, February 1991
°	“Full Circle” by Sue Grafton A Woman’s Eye

1991

The Eye Award

Roy Huggins

Best P.I. Novel
*	G Is for Gumshoe by Sue Grafton
°	A Ticket to the Boneyard by Lawrence Block
°	Poor Butterfly by Stuart Kaminsky
°	Polo’s Wild Card by Jerry Kennealy
°	Dead Irish by John Lescroart
°	The Desert Look by Bernard Schopen

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Rafferty: Fatal Sisters by W. Glenn Duncan
°	Bimbo Heaven by Marvin Albert
°	The Queen’s Mare by John Birkett
°	Made in Detroit by Rob Kantner
°	The Blue Room by Monroe Thompson

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosely
°	Kindred Crimes by Janet Dawson
°	Body Scissors by Jerome Doolittle
°	The Stone Veil by Ronald Tierney

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“Final Resting Place” by Marcia Muller Justice for Hire
°	“Naughty, Naughty” by Wayne D. Dundee Justice for Hire
°	“Cigarette Stop” by Loren D. Estleman Justice for Hire
°	“A Poison That Leaves No Trace” by Sue Grafton Sisters In Crime 2
°	“Battered Spouse” by Jeremiah Healy The Armchair Detective, Fall 1990
°	“Bypass to Murder” by Dick Stodghill Justice for Hire

1990

Best P.I. Novel
*	Extenuating Circumstances by Jonathan Valin
°	Out on the Cutting Edge by Lawrence Block
°	The Skintight Shroud by Wayne D. Dundee
°	The Shape of Dread by Marcia Muller
°	The Killing Man by Mickey Spillane

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Hell’s Only Half Full by Rob Kantner
°	Muscle and Blood by Gaylord Dold
°	Behind the Fact by Richard Hilary
°	Tough Enough by W.R. Philbrick
°	A Collector of Photographs by Deborah Valentine

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Katwalk by Karen Kijewski
°	Medicine Dog by Geoff Peterson
°	Cold Night by Al Sarrantonio
°	Rock Critic Murders by Jesse Sublett

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“The Killing Man” by Mickey Spillane Playboy, December 1989
°	“Deadly Fantasies” by Marcia Muller Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, April 1989
°	“Here Comes Santa Claus” by Bill Pronzini Mistletoe Mysteries
°	“The Sure Thing” by Dan A. Sproul Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, January 1989
°	“Sloat’s Last Case” by Robert Twohy Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, May 1989

1989

Best P.I. Novel
*	Kiss by John Lutz
°	Neon Mirage by Max Allan Collins
°	Deviant Behavior by Earl Emerson
°	Swan Dive by Jeremiah Healy
°	Blood Shot by Sara Paretsky

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Dirty Work by Rob Kantner
°	The Last Private Eye by John Birkett
°	Bonepile by Gaylord Dold
°	Rebound by David Everson
°	The Crystal Blue Persuasion by W.R. Philbrick

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Fear of the Dark by Gar Anthony Haywood
°	Lost Daughter by Michael Cormany
°	Burning Season by Wayne D. Dundee
°	Wall of Glass by Walter Satterthwait
°	Slow Dance in Autumn by Philip Lee Williams

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“The Crooked Way” by Loren D. Estleman New Black Mask
°	“The Man Who Knew Dick Bong” by Robert Crais Raymond Chandler’s Philip Marlowe
°	“The Reason Why” by Ed Gorman Criminal Elements
°	“In the Line of Duty” by Jeremiah Healy Raymond Chandler’s Philip Marlowe
°	“Incident in a Neighborhood Tavern” by Bill Pronzini An Eye For Justice

1988

The Eye Award
*	Dennis Lynds (Michael Collins)
*	Wade Miller (Robert Wade and Bob Miller)

Best P.I. Novel
*	A Tax in Blood by Benjamin Schutz
°	A Trouble of Fools by Linda Barnes [review]
°	Lady Yesterday by Loren D. Estleman
°	The Autumn Dead by Ed Gorman
°	Ride the Lightning by John Lutz

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Wild Night by L.J. Washburn
°	The Monkey’s Raincoat by Robert Crais
°	Snake Eyes by Gaylord Dold
°	Recount by David Everson
°	Madelaine by Joseph Louis

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Death on the Rocks by Michael Allegretto
°	The House of Blue Lights by Robert Bowman
°	Shawnee Alley Fire by John Douglas
°	Detective by Parnell Hall
°	An Infinite Number of Monkeys by Les Roberts

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“Turn Away” by Ed Gorman Black Lizard Anthology of Crime Fiction
°	“Bodyguards Shoot Second” by Loren Estleman A Matter of Crime
°	“The Kerman Kill” by William Campbell Gault Murder in Los Angeles
°	“Merely Players” by Joseph Hansen Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, February 1987
°	“My Brother’s Life” by Rob Kantner Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, March 1987

1987

The Eye Award

Bill Pronzini

Best P.I. Novel
*	The Staked Goat by Jeremiah Healy
°	When the Sacred Ginmill Closes by Lawrence Block
°	In La-La Land We Trust by Robert Campbell
°	The Million-Dollar Wound by Max Allan Collins
°	C Is for Corpse by Sue Grafton

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	The Back-Door Man by Rob Kantner
°	Melting Point by Kenn Davis
°	Nervous Laughter by Earl Emerson
°	Dark Fields by T.J. MacGregor
°	Too Old a Cat by Warren Murphy

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Jersey Tomatoes by J.W. Rider
°	No One Rides for Free by Larry Beinhart
°	Tourist Season by Carl Hiassen

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“Fly Away Home” by Rob Kantner Mean Streets
°	“Quint and the Braceros” by Paul Bishop Hardboiled #5, Summer 1986
°	“Body Count” by Wayne D. Dundee Mean Streets
°	“I’m in the Book” by Loren D. Estleman Mean Streets
°	“Between the Sheets” by Sue Grafton Redbook

1986

The Eye Award

Richard S. Prather

Best P.I. Novel
*	B Is for Burglar by Sue Grafton
°	The Naked Liar by Harold Adams
°	Hardball by Doug Hornig
°	A Catskill Eagle by Robert B. Parker
°	Bones by Bill Pronzini

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Poverty Bay by Earl Emerson
°	The Rainy City by Earl Emerson
°	The Kill by Douglas Heyes
°	Pigs Get Fat by Warren Murphy
°	Blue Heron by Philip Ross

Best First P.I. Novel
*	Hardcover by Wayne Warga
°	New, Improved Murder by Ed Gorman
°	Sleeping Dog by Dick Lochte
°	Embrace the Wolf by Benjamin Schutz
°	Flood by Andrew Vachss

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“Eight Mile and Dequindre” by Loren D. Estleman Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, May 1985
°	“Lucky Penny” by Linda Barnes New Black Mask #3, 1985
°	“Shooting Match” by Wayne Dundee Hardboiled #3, Winter 1985/1986
°	“Perfect Pitch” by Rob Kantner Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, July 1985
°	“The Snaphaunce” by Robert J. Randisi Hardboiled #2, Fall 1985

1985

The Eye Award

Howard Browne

Best P.I. Novel
*	Sugartown by Loren D. Estleman
°	True Crime by Max Allan Collins
°	Die Again, Macready by Jack Livingston
°	Nightlines by John Lutz
°	Full Contact by Robert J. Randisi

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	The Ceiling of Hell by Warren Murphy
°	Squeeze Play by Paul Benjamin
°	San Quentin by Jack Lynch
°	And 47 Miles of Rope by Warren Murphy
°	The Man Who Risked His Partner by Reed Stephens

Best First P.I. Novel
*	A Creative Kind of Killer by Jack Early
°	Blunt Darts by Jeremiah Healy
°	The Nebraska Quotient by William J. Reynolds

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“By the Dawn's Early Light” by Lawrence Block Playboy, August 1984
°	“Easy Money” by John Boland Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, April 1984
°	“Iris” by Stephen Greenleaf The Eyes Have It
°	“The Rat Line” by Rob Kantner The Eyes Have It
°	“The Big Winners” by Ernest Savage Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September 1984

1984

The Eye Award

William Campbell Gault

Best P.I. Novel
*	True Detective by Max Allan Collins
°	Dancing Bear by James Crumley
°	The Dark Fantastic by Stanley Ellin
°	The Glass Highway by Loren D. Estleman
°	The Widening Gyre by Robert B. Parker

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	Dead in Centerfield by Paul Engleman
°	Finders Weepers by Max Byrd
°	Death and the Single Girl by Elliot Lewis
°	Trace by Warren Murphy
°	The Steinway Collection by Robert J. Randisi

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“Cat’s Paw” by Bill Pronzini Waves Press
°	“The Oldest Killer” by Michael Collins Thieftakers Journal, November 1983
°	“Greektown” by Loren D. Estleman Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, August 1983
°	“The Long Slow Dive” by T. Robin Kanter Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, February 1983
°	“Only One Way To Land” by John Lutz Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, October 1983

1983

The Eye Award

Mickey Spillane

Best P.I. Novel
*	Eight Million Ways To Die by Lawrence Block
°	A Is for Alibi by Sue Grafton
°	Gravedigger by Joseph Hansen
°	A Piece of the Silence by Jack Livingston
°	Ceremony by Robert B. Parker

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	The Cana Diversion by William Campbell Gault
°	Nevsky’s Return by Dimitri Gat
°	Pieces of Death by Jack Lynch
°	Smoked Out by Warren Murphy

Best P.I. Short Story
°	“What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You” by John Lutz Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, November 1982
°	“Meet Athalia Goode” by Raleigh Bond Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, January 1982
°	“Dead Soldier” by Loren D. Estleman Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Mid-September 1982
°	“My Little Girl” by Kenneth Gavrell Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, May 1982
°	“Cardula and the Locked Room” by Jack Ritchie Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, March 1982

1982

The Eye Award

Ross Macdonald

Best P.I. Novel
*	Hoodwink by Bill Pronzini
°	A Stab in the Dark by Lawrence Block
°	Thirty for a Harry by Richard Hoyt
°	Hard Trade by Arthur Lyons
°	Early Autumn by Robert B. Parker

Best P.I. Paperback Original
*	California Thriller by Max Byrd
°	Carpenter, Detective by Hamilton T. Caine
°	Brown’s Requiem by James Ellroy
°	The Old Dick by L.A. Morse
°	Murder in the Wind by George Ogan