2004 Agatha Award Winners and Nominees

Malice Domestic has announced its winners for the 2004 Agatha Awards, honoring the best first mystery novel, best novel, best non-fiction, best short story, and best juvenile/young adult mystery published in 2003. 

The Agatha Awards, named for Agatha Christie, were presented during Malice Domestic XVI at the Agatha Awards Banquet, May 1st, 2004. Malice attendees registered by January 4th made the nominations; the Agathas were selected at the convention by all convention attendees.

Best Novel

Winner

Letter From Home by Carolyn G. Hart

engaging standalone has young reporter solving murder in small town in the '40s

paperback, $6.99

Other Nominees

Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon by Donna Andrews

Latest in this funny, award-winning series with Meg Lanslow

paperback, $6.99

Mumbo Gumbo by Jerrilyn Farmer

A Madeline Bean mystery that takes on reality TV and diva chefs

paperback, $6.99

Dream House by Rochelle Krich

second of the Molly Blume series

paperback, $6.99

Last Lessons of Summer by Margaret Maron

woman returns home to the South to unravel the secrets of her grandmother's life and death

paperback, $7.50

Shop Till You Drop by Elaine Viets

Start to a hilarious Dead End Jobs series, this one set in Florida dress shop

paperback, $6.99

Best First Novel

Winner

Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear

delightful debut set in '20s England introduces title character who rises from house servant to private investigator

trade paperback, $14

Other Nominees

Dealing in Murder by Elaine Flinn

debut for Carmel antiques dealer Molly Doyle

paperback, $6.50

Haunted Ground by Erin Hart

absorbing novel of crimes past and present in a small Irish village

paperback, $7.50

Take the Bait by S.W. Hubbard

Introduction for Adirondack small town sheriff Frank Bennett.

paperback, $6.50

Alpine for You by Maddy Hunter

Travel-themed series features Maddy Hunter leading a tour of Switzerland

paperback, $6.50

Murder Off Mike by Joyce Krieg

Sacramento radio show host Shauna Bogart takes a call that leads to murder

paperback, $6.99

O' Artful Death by Sarah Stewart Taylor

atmospheric cozy introduces Harvard prof Sweeney St. George who specializes in the art of death

paperback, $6.99