The Shamus Award is awarded by the Private Eye Writers of America (PWA) for the best

detective fiction Detective fiction is a subgenre of crime fiction and mystery fiction in which an investigator or a detective—whether professional, amateur or retired—investigates a crime, often murder. The detective genre began around the same time as s ...

( P. I. = Private investigator) genre

novel A novel is a relatively long work of narrative fiction, typically written in prose and published as a book. The present English word for a long work of prose fiction derives from the for "new", "news", or "short story of something new", itsel ...

s and

short stories A short story is a piece of prose fiction that typically can be read in one sitting and focuses on a self-contained incident or series of linked incidents, with the intent of evoking a single effect or mood. The short story is one of the oldest t ...

of the year. The Prize is given annually to recognize outstanding achievement in private eye fiction. Starting in 2003, the Shamus Awards are sometimes (2003, 2007–2009, 2011–2016) announced during the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention, at the convention's PWA Awards Banquet.

Winners

Best P. I. Hardcover Novel

Best First P. I. Novel

Best P. I. Paperback Original

THE EYE – Lifetime Achievement Award

(Not awarded in 1989, 1990, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2012, 2014, 2019 and 2020)

Best P. I. Series Character – The Hammer

Best Indie P.I. Novel

References

{{reflist Awards established in 1982 Mystery and detective fiction awards American literary awards Shamus Award winners Shamus Award-winning works 1982 establishments in the United States

Categories