The Mystery Writers of America (MWA) held its award ceremony on April 29 in Times Square, New York, officially announcing the winners of the 80th Edgar Awards. The awards recognize outstanding achievements in mystery, suspense, and true crime writing over the past year.
Several major and highly anticipated titles received top honors at this year’s event:
Best Novel: The Big Empty by Robert Crais
The novel continues the cold, tightly controlled style and sharp twists that Robert Crais is best known for. Many critics have already described it as one of this year’s must-read mystery releases.
Best First Novel by an American Author: Dead Money by Jakob Kerr
As one of the year’s breakout debut novels, Dead Money stands out for its fast-paced plotting and fresh approach to crime fiction. With this debut, Jakob Kerr has quickly become one of the most promising new voices in mystery writing.
Best Paperback Original:The Backwater by Vikki Wakefield
Vikki Wakefield combines a dark regional atmosphere with deeply psychological tension, creating a novel that feels both immersive and literary. The result is a thriller with strong emotional intensity and a distinct sense of style.
Best Fact Crime: Murderland by Caroline Fraser
This powerful work of nonfiction comes from Pulitzer Prize–winning author Caroline Fraser. Through extensive archival research and a broad social perspective, the book reflects on the era of rampant serial killings with both historical depth and sharp social criticism.
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