2004 Shamus Award Winners and Nominees

The Shamus Awards are presented each year by the Private Eye Writers of America. Nominations and awards are determined by a committee of PWA members and are announced at the Bouchercon convention in October.

Best Novel

Winner

The Guards by Ken Bruen

In this mesmerizing work of crime fiction, an ex-member of The Guards--Ireland's police force--is approached in a Galway bar by a dazzling woman with a strange request and a rumor about his talent for finding things.

trade paperback, $12.95

Other Nominees

Scavenger Hunt by Robert Ferrigno

Ferrigno provides a fine second episode in the Jimmy Gage series, begun with Flinch, as tabloid reporter Gage becomes involved with a once hot director whose career was ended by a murder conviction.

trade paperback, $13

Blood is the Sky by Steve Hamilton

Ex-cop Alex McKnight finds himself in the deep woods of Northern Ontario trying to help a friend

paperback, $6.99

Fatal Flaw by William Lashner

Phildelphia attorney Victor Carl defends a law school buddy accused of murder, the victim a former love interest of Carl's

paperback, $7.50

A Visible Darkness by Jonathan King

A sequel to King's Edgar-nominated debut featuring ex-cop Max Freeman

paperback, $6.99

Best First P.I. Novel

Winner

Black Maps by Peter Spiegelman

John March, a former cop now working as a PI in Manhattan, takes on a case of extortion in the world of Wall Street

trade paperbck, $12.95

Other Nominees

Spiked by Mark Arsenault

reporter uncovers corruption on gritty streets of Lowell, Massachusetts

Out of Print

Lover's Crossing by James C. Mitchell

debut for INS agent turned PI Brinker gives gritty picture of reality of life along the Mexican border

Out of Print

Best Paperback Original P.I. Novel

Winner

Cold Quarry by Andy Straka

a unique blend of falconry and felony with toxic plotting for good measure in this latest Frank Pavlicek novel

Out of Print

Other Nominees

Thicker Than Water by P.J. Parrish

Small town cop Louis Kincaid finds himself in the odd position ohe innocence of a recently ref investigating an old crime to prove tleased prisoner.

paperback, $6.99

Wet Debt by Richard Helms

A fourth in Helms's New Orleans-set series with musician Pat Gallegher

trade paperback, $15.95

Dragonfly Bones by David Cole

Part Hopi cyber sleuth Laura Winslow faces her past and a lost daughter in a thriller that will have you burning the light way past midnight.

Out of Print