2009 Agatha Award Winners and Nominees

Agatha Awards were given for materials first published in the United States by a living author during the calendar year 2008 (January 1 through December 31). Award are given for Best Novel and Best First Novel. The final vote was by secret ballot by registered convention attendees at the Malice Domestic XX convention in May 2009.

Best Novel

Winner

The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surete du Quebec

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Other Nominees

Six Geese a Slaying by Donna Andrews

paperback, $6.99

A Royal Pain by Rhys Bowen

down-at-the-heels aristocratic sleuth Lady Georgie

paperback, $7.99

Buckingham Palace Gardens by Anne Perry

Victorian sleuths Thomas and Charlotte Pitt investigate murder at the palace

paperback, $7.99

I Shall Not Want by Julia Spencer-Fleming

Episcopal priest Claire Fergusson and Chief of Police Russ Alstyne

paperback, $7.99

Best First Novel

Winner

Death of a Cozy Writer by G.M. Malliet

DCI St. Just and DS Fear investigate a classic house party murder

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Other Nominees

Through a Glass Deadly by Sarah Atwell

glassblower Emmeline Dowell

paperback, $6.99

The Diva Runs Out of Thyme by Krista Davis

Maven of gracious entertaining Sophie Winston

paperback, $7.99

Pushing Up Daisies by Rosemary Harris

big city executive turned gardener Paula Holliday

paperback, $6.99

Paper, Scissors, Death by Joanna Campbell Slan

scrapbooking sleuth Kiki Lowenstein

trade paperback, $14.95

Short Story Nominations

Among the writers nominated for Best Short Story are Jane Cleland and Toni L.P. Kelner who will both be at the Festival of Mystery on May 4, 2009. Also nominated are Dana Cameron and Nancy Pickard , attendees at previous Festivals.

Children's/Young Adult Nominees

Among the writers nominated for Best Childrens/Young Adult are Chris Grabenstein, the winner and Nancy Means Wright, both of whom have visited MLB at Festivals in prior years.