2020 Macavity Awards SMFS Member Nominees

Earlier this week, the 2020 Macavity Awards nominees were announced and include several members of the SMFS. The Macavity Award is named for the “mystery cat” of T.S. Eliot (Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats). Each year The Macavity Awards are nominated and voted on by members of Mystery Readers International, subscribers to Mystery Readers Journal, and friends and supporters of MRI who all nominate and vote for their favorite mysteries in five categories.  The winners will be announced during the opening ceremonies at the virtual Bouchercon in Sacramento later this year.

The nominated SMFS members are:

Best Mystery Short Story:

Michael Chandos with "West Texas Barbecue" in the anthology, The Eyes of Texas: Private Eyes From The Panhandle To The Piney Woods, published by Down & Out Books, and edited by Michael Bracken.

Barb Goffman with “Alex’s Choice in the anthology, Crime Travel, published by Wildside Press and edited by Barb Goffman.  

G. M. Malliet with “Whiteout” in the Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine: January/February 2019 issue. This tale also finished third in the most recent EQMM Readers Award balloting.

Art Taylor with “Better Days” in the Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine: May/June 2019 issue. This tale also finished tied for sixth place in the most recent EQMM Readers Award balloting.

Best First Mystery:

Tara Laskowski with One Night Gone, published by Graydon House. This book won an Agatha Award earlier this year and is also up for an Anthony Award.

Sue Feder Memorial Award for Best Historical Mystery:

Edith Maxwell with Charity’s Burden: A Quaker Midwife Mystery, published by Midnight Ink. This book won an Agatha Award earlier this year.