The Short Mystery Fiction Society is a group of writers, readers, editors, publishers, and others dedicated to the promotion and celebration of mystery and crime short stories.
 |
| Photo by Melodie Campbell |
Since 1998, the society has awarded the annual Derringers to outstanding published stories and people who have greatly advanced or supported the form.
Best Flash Story (Up to 1,000 words)
Best Short Story (1,001 to 4,000 words)
Best Long Story (4,001 to 8,000 words)
Best Novelette (8,001 to 20,000 words)
Additionally, a committee selects a living writer whose outstanding body of short fiction merits the Society's Edward D. Hoch Memorial Golden Derringer for Lifetime Achievement.
*Denotes winning stories/anthologies.
2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
1999 1998
2025
Art Taylor
Flash (Up to 1,000 words)
* "Kargin the Necromancer" by Mike McHone (Mystery Tribune, December 15, 2024)
"Sweet Red Cherries" by C.W. Blackwell (Punk Noir Magazine, November 28, 2024)
"Mob Mentality" by James Patrick Focarile (Shotgun Honey, June 20, 2024)
"La Petite Mort" by Susan Hatters Friedman (Bristol Noir, February 16, 2024)
"Lockerbie, 1988" by Mary Thorson (Cotton Xenomorph, October 13, 2024)
Short Story (1,001–4,000 words)
* "The Wind Phone" by Josh Pachter (Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, September/October 2024)
"Skeeter's Bar and Grill" by Julie Hastrup (Larceny & Last Chances: 22 Stories of Mystery & Suspense, edited by Judy Penz Sheluk; Superior Shores Press, 2024)
"The Heist" by Bill Pronzini (Shamus and Anthony Commit Capers: Ten Tales of Criminals, Crooks, and Culprits, edited by Gay Toltl Kinman and Andrew McAleer; Level Best Books - Level Short, 2024)
"The Last Chance Coalition" by Judy Penz Sheluk (Larceny & Last Chances: 22 Stories of Mystery & Suspense, edited by Judy Penz Sheluk; Superior Shores Press, 2024)
"The Kratz Gambit" by Mark Thielman (Private Dicks and Disco Balls: Private Eyes in the Dyn-O-Mite Seventies, edited by Michael Bracken; Down & Out Books, 2024)
Long Story (4,001–8,000 words)
* "Heart of Darkness" by Tammy Euliano (Scattered, Smothered, Covered & Chunked: Crime Fiction Inspired by Waffle House, edited by Michael Bracken and Stacy Woodson; Down & Out Books, 2024)
"How Mary’s Garden Grew" by Elizabeth Elwood (Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, January/February 2024) podcast
"Putting Things Right" by Peter W. J. Hayes (Lone Wolves, Issue #8, Thrill Ride - The Magazine, edited by M.L. "Matt" Buchman; Buchman Bookworks, Inc., December 21, 2024)
"Motive Factor X" by Joseph Andre Thomas (Howls from the Scene of the Crime: A Crime Horror Anthology, edited by Jessica Peter and Timaeus Bloom; Howl Society Press, 2024)
"Cold Comfort" by Andrew Welsh-Huggins (Private Dicks and Disco Balls: Private Eyes in the Dyn-O-Mite Seventies, edited by Michael Bracken; Down & Out Books, 2024)
Novelette (8,001–20,000 words)
* "The Cadillac Job" by Stacy Woodson (Chop Shop Episode 1, edited by Michael Bracken; Down & Out Books, March 21, 2024)
"A Band of Scheming Women" by Joslyn Chase (Sisters-in-Arms, Issue #5, Thrill Ride - The Magazine, edited by M.L. "Matt" Buchman; Buchman Bookworks, Inc., March 21, 2024)
"Christmas Dinner" by Robert Lopresti (Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, November/December 2024)
"Barracuda Backfire" by Tom Milani (Chop Shop Episode 4, edited by Michael Bracken; Down & Out Books, April 24, 2024)
"Her Dangerously Clever Hands" by Karen Odden (Crimeucopia - Through The Past Darkly, edited by John Connor; Murderous Ink Press, 2024)
Anthology
* Murder, Neat: A SleuthSayers Anthology edited by Michael Bracken and Barb Goffman (Level Short)
Devil's Snare: Best New England Crime Stories 2024 edited by Susan Oleksiw, Ang Pompano, Leslie Wheeler (Crime Spell Books)
Friend of the Devil: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of the Grateful Dead edited by Josh Pachter (Down & Out Books)
Larceny & Last Chances: 22 Stories of Mystery & Suspense edited by Judy Penz Sheluk (Superior Shores Press)
New York State of Crime: Murder New York Style 6 edited by D.M. Barr and Joseph R.G. De Marco (Down & Out Books)
The 13th Letter edited by Donna Carrick (Carrick Publishing)
2024
Barb Goffman
Flash (Up to 1,000 words)
* "The Referee" by C. W. Blackwell (Shotgun Honey, October 12, 2023)
"Sleep Rough" by Brandon Barrows (Shotgun Honey, September 19, 2023)
"To Whom It May Concern" by Serena Jayne (Shotgun Honey, January 9, 2023)
"Teddy's Favorite Thing" by Paul Ryan O’Connor (Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, September/October 2023)
"Supply Chains" by Andrew Welsh-Huggins (Black Cat Weekly #89)
Short Story (1,001–4,000 words)
* "Last Day At The Jackrabbit" by John M. Floyd (The Strand, May 2023)
"Denim Mining" by Michael Bracken (Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, May/June 2023)
"Dogs of War" by Michael Bracken & Stacy Woodson (Mickey Finn: 21st Century Noir Volume 4, edited by Michael Bracken; Down & Out Books, 2023)
"I Don't Like Mondays" by Josh Pachter (Mystery Magazine, July 2023)
"Judge Not" by Twist Phelan (Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, May/June 2023)
"A Tail of Justice" by Shannon Taft (Black Cat Weekly #114)
Long Story (4,001–8,000 words)
* "Good Deed For The Day" by Bonnar Spring (Wolfsbane: Best New England Crime Stories 2023, edited by Christine Bagley, Susan Oleksiw, and Leslie Wheeler; Crime Spell Books 2023)
"Hard Rain on Beach Street" by C. W. Blackwell (Killin’ Time in San Diego: Bouchercon Anthology 2023, edited by Holly West; Down & Out Books 2023)
"Reversion" by Marcelle Dubé (Mystery Magazine, April 2023)
"Back to Hell House" by Nick Kolakowski (Vautrin, Fall 2023)
"Troubled Water" by donalee Moulton (Black Cat Weekly #75)
"It's Not Even Past" by Anna Scotti (Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, September/October 2023)
"Ignatius Rum-and-Cola" by Andrew Welsh-Huggins (Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, January/February 2023)
Novelette (8,001–20,000 words)
* "Mrs. Hyde" by David Dean (Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, March/April 2023)
* "Catherine the Great" by Kristine Kathryn Rusch (WMG 2023 Holiday Spectacular Calendar of Stories, WMG Books 2023)
"Vengeance" by James R. Benn (The Refusal Camp: Stories by James R. Benn; Soho Press, 2023)
"The Case of the Bogus Cinderellas" by Jacqueline Freimor (Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, July/August 2023)
"Madam Tomahawk" by Nick Kolakowski (A Grifter's Song Book 29, edited by Frank Zafiro; Down & Out Books, 2023)
2023
Martin Edwards
Flash (Up to 1,000 words)
* "Acknowledgments" by Karen Harrington (Guilty Crime Story Magazine, April 2022)
"Catch and Release" by April Kelly (Mystery Magazine, May 2022)
"Easter Spam" by John Weagly (Shotgun Honey, April 17, 2022) podcast
"The Final Chapter" by James Blakey (Yellow Mama, October 2022)
"Where Palms Sway and the Surf Pounds" by Curtis Ippolito (Shotgun Honey, November 17 2022)
Short Story (1,001–4,000 words)
* "My Two-Legs" by Melissa Yi (Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, September/October 2022)
"Double Trouble" by M.E. Proctor (Bristol Noir, March 2022)
"Hiding Out in Cedar Key" by Sharon Marchisello (White Cat Publications, April 2022)
"The Shape of Australia" by Christine Poulson (Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, July/August 2022)
"Digging In" by Andrew Welsh-Huggins (Black Cat Weekly #40)
Long Story (4,001–8,000 words)
* "Negative Tilt" by Bobby Mathews (Rock and a Hard Place issue 7: Winter 2022)
"The Vigil" by Toni Goodyear (Carolina Crimes: Rock, Roll and Ruin: A Triangle Sisters in Crime Anthology, edited by Karen Pullen; Down & Out Books 2022)
"Tethered" by Marcelle Dubé (Crime Wave 2: Women of a Certain Age: A Canada West Anthology, edited by Elizabeth Bass , J.E. Barnard, and Karen L. Abrahamson; Sisters in Crime-Canada West 2022)
"The White Calf and the Wind" by Mike Adamson (Black Cat Mystery Magazine #11)
"The Donovan Gang" by John M. Floyd (Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, September/October 2022)
"Something Blue" by G.M. Malliet (Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, November/December 2022)
Novelette (8,001–20,000 words)
* "Two Shrimp Tacos and a .22 Ruger" by Adam Meyer (Guns + Tacos: Season Four Episode 22, edited by Michael Bracken and Trey R Barker; Down & Out Books 2022)
"The Wraith of Bunker Hill" by Paul D. Marks (Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, September/October 2022)
"Dead Men Tell No Tales" by Liz Filleul (The People’s Friend Special, Issue 225)
"The Refusal Camp" by James R. Benn (Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, September/October 2022)
"Ripen" by Ashley-Ruth M. Bernier (Black Cat Weekly #48)
2022
S.J. Rozan
Flash (Up to 1,000 words)
* "Tourist Trap" by John M. Floyd (Pulp Modern Flash, March 17, 2021) podcast
"Smoke and Consequences" by C.W. Blackwell (Mystery Tribune, January 22, 2021)
"An Unexpected Reunion" by Wil A. Emerson (BOULD* Awards 2021 Short Story Anthology - Volume 1, edited by Jake Devlin; Independently published)
"Millicent" by Scott Von Doviak (Shotgun Honey, June 10, 2021)
"Why Are You Just Sitting There?" by Robert Weibezahl (Yellow Mama, December 2021)
Short Story (1,001–4,000 words)
* "Yelena Tried to Kill Me" by Trey Dowell (Mystery Weekly Magazine, August 2021)
"The Right to Hang" by Brandon Barrows (On the Premises, October 2021)
"Tokyo Stranger" by Tina deBellegarde (A Stranger Comes to Town, edited by Michael Koryta; Hanover Square Press, 2021)
"The Thanksgiving Ragamuffin" by Kathleen Marple Kalb (Justice for All: Murder New York Style 5, edited by D.M. Barr and R.G. De Marco; Level Best Books, 2021)
"Burnt Ends" by Gabriel Valjan (This Time for Sure: Bouchercon Anthology 2021, edited by Hank Phillippi Ryan; Down & Out Books, 2021)
Long Story (4,001–8,000 words)
* "The Downeaster Alexa" by Michael Bracken (Only the Good Die Young: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Billy Joel, edited by Josh Pachter; Untreed Reads, 2021)
"Chicken Coops and Bread Pudding" by K.L. Abrahamson (Moonlight and Misadventure: 20 Stories of Mystery & Suspense, edited by Judy Penz Sheluk; Superior Shores Press, 2021)
"A Study of Death" by Teel James Glenn (Mystery Weekly Magazine, October 2021)
"Missing Carolyn" by Annie Reed (Fiction River: Dark & Deadly Passions: An Original Anthology Magazine, March 2021)
"Burnin Butt, Texas" by Mark Troy (Black Cat Mystery Magazine, Issue 10)
Novelette (8,001–20,000 words)
* "Two Tamales, One Tokarev, and a Lifetime of Broken Promises" by Stacy Woodson (Guns + Tacos: Season Three Episode 14, edited by Michael Bracken and Trey R Barker; Down & Out Books 2021)
"Glass" by Jim Benn (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, September/October 2021)
"Aloha Boys" by Michael Bracken (Hallmarks of the Job / Aloha Boys: A P.I. Tales Double Feature (Volume Two), edited by Michael Pool; P.I. Tales, 2021)
"A Tale of Two Sisters" by Barb Goffman (Murder on the Beach: A Destination Murders Short Story Collection (Book 1); Destination Murders, 2021)
"Little City Blues" by Annie Reed (Mystery, Crime, and Mayhem: Long Ago, Issue #7)
2021
Brendan DuBois
Flash (Up to 1,000 words)
* "Memories of Fire" by C.W. Blackwell (Pulp Modern Flash, August 3, 2020)
* "War Words" by Travis Richardson (Punk Noir Magazine, December 3, 2020)
"Outsourcing" by James Blakey (Shotgun Honey, December 22, 2020)
"Over Before It Started" by Robert Mangeot (Mondays Are Murder, June 22, 2020)
"Quitman County Ambush" by Bobby Mathews (Bristol Noir, December 12, 2020)
Short Story (1,001–4,000 words)
* "The Great Bedbug Incident and the Invitation of Doom" by Eleanor Cawood Jones (Chesapeake Crimes: Invitation to Murder, edited by Donna Andrews, Barb Goffman, and Macia Talley; Wildside Press, 2020)
* "River" by Stacy Woodson (The Beat of Black Wings: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Joni Mitchell, edited by Josh Pachter; Untreed Reads Publishing, 2020)
"The Homicidal Understudy" by Elizabeth Elwood (Ellen Hart Presents Malice Domestic: Mystery Most Theatrical, edited by Verena Rose, Shawn Reilly Simmons, and Rita Owen; Wildside Press, 2020)
"That Which is True" by Jacqueline Freimor (Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, July/August 2020)
"The Crossing" by Kim Keeline (Crossing Borders, edited by Lisa Brackmann and Matt Coyle; Down & Out Books , 2020)
Long Story (4,001–8,000 words)
* "Hotelin’" by Sarah M. Chen (Shotgun Honey: Volume #4: Recoil, edited by Ron Earl Phillips; Shotgun Honey, 2020)
"Lord, Spare the Bottom Feeders" by Robert Mangeot (Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, March/April 2020)
"Chasing Diamonds" by Joseph S. Walker (Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, September/October 2020)
"Etta at the End of the World" by Joseph S. Walker (Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, May/June 2020) podcast
"Mary Poppins Didn’t Have Tattoos" by Stacy Woodson (Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, July/August 2020)
Novelette (8,001–20,000 words)
* "The Boy Detective and the Summer of ’74" by Art Taylor (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, January/February 2020) podcast
"The Question of the Befuddled Judge" by Jeff Cohen (Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, May/June 2020)
"A Murder at Morehead Mews" by G.M. Malliet (Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, July/August 2020)
"Suicide Blonde" by Brian Thornton (Suicide Blonde: Three Novellas; Down & Out Books, 2020)
"The Wretched Strangers" by Matthew Wilson (Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, January/February 2020)
2020
Josh Pachter
Flash (Up to 1,000 words)
* "The Two-Body Problem" by Josh Pachter (Mystery Weekly Magazine, October 2019) finalist interview, acceptance
"Lucky" by Trey Dowell (Close 2 the Bone, December 17, 2019) finalist interview
"2 Percent" by Lissa Marie Redmond (Mystery Tribune, December 31, 2019) finalist interview
"Birdbrain" by C.J. Verburg (Fault lines: Stories by Northern California Crime Writers, edited by Margaret Lucke; Sisters in Crime Northern California Chapter, 2019) finalist interview
"The Six-Year-Old Serial Killer" by Chris Chan (Mondays are Murder, December 16, 2019) finalist interview
Short Story (1,001–4,000 words)
* "On the Road with Mary Jo" by John M. Floyd (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, January/February 2019) podcast, finalist interview, acceptance
"Love, or Something Like It" by Michael Bracken (Crime Travel, edited by Barb Goffman; Wildside Press, 2019) finalist interview
"A Sure Thing" by C.C. Guthrie (The Best Laid Plans: 21 Stories of Mystery and Suspense, edited by Judy Penz Sheluk; Superior Shores Press, 2019) finalist interview
"Pig Lickin’ Good" by Debra H. Goldstein (Malice Domestic 14: Mystery Most Edible, edited by Verena Rose, Rita Owen, and Shawn Reilly Simmons; Wildside Press, 2019) podcast, finalist interview
"Grist for the Mill" by Kaye George (A Murder of Crows, edited by Sandra Murphy; Darkhouse, 2019) podcast, finalist interview
Long Story (4,001–8,000 words)
* "Lucy’s Tree" by Sandra Murphy (The Eyes of Texas: Private Eyes from the Panhandle to the Piney Woods, edited by Michael Bracken; Down & Out Books, 2019) finalist interview
"Miss Starr’s Good-bye" by Leslie Budewitz (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, November/December 2019) finalist interview
"None Shall Sleep" by Sylvia Maultash Warsh (In the Key of 13: An Anthology of Music and Murder (Mesdames of Mayhem - crime story anthologies Book 4), edited by Donna Carrick; Carrick Publishing, 2019) finalist interview
"Pretty Dreams" by Peter W.J. Hayes (Seascape: The Best New England Crime Stories 2019, edited by Verena Rose, Harriette Sackler, and Shawn Reilly Simmons; Level Best, 2019) finalist interview
"See Humble and Die" by Richard Helms (The Eyes of Texas: Private Eyes from the Panhandle to the Piney Woods, edited by Michael Bracken; Down & Out Books, 2019) finalist interview
Novelette (8,001–20,000 words)
* "His Sister’s Secrets" by Brendan Dubois (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, July/August 2019)
"The Cripplegate Apprehension" by Richard Helms (Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, July/August 2019) finalist interview
"The Concrete Smile" by Frank Zafiro (The Concrete Smile (A Grifter's Song Book 1), edited by Frank Zafiro; Down & Out, January 2019) finalist inteview
"The Dutchy" by Doug Allyn (Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, November/December 2019)
"I Called to Say You’re Dead" by Stephen Greco (The Society of Misfit Stories Presents, September 2019) finalist interview
2019
Doug Allyn
Flash (Up to 1,000 words)
* "The Bicycle Thief" by James Blakey (The Norwegian American, September 21, 2018) finalist interview
"Listen Up" by Peter DiChellis (Flash Bang Mysteries, Winter 2018) finalist interview
"Sonny the Wonder Beast" by Nick Kolakowski (Out of the Gutter, September 16, 2018) finalist interview
"Don’t Text and Drive" by Robert Petyo (Flash Bang Mysteries, Spring 2018)
"A Misunderstanding" by Travis Richardson (Out of the Gutter, May 27, 2018) finalist interview
Short Story (1,001–4,000 words)
* "Dying in Dokesville" by Alan Orloff (Nancy Pickard Presents Malice Domestic 13: Mystery Most Geographical, edited by Verena Rose, Rita Owen, and Shawn Reilly Simmons; Wildside Press, 2018) finalist interview
"The Belle Hope" by Peter DiChellis (Nancy Pickard Presents Malice Domestic 13: Mystery Most Geographical, edited by Verena Rose, Rita Owen, and Shawn Reilly Simmons; Wildside Press, 2018) podcast, finalist interview
"The Crucial Game" by Janice Law (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, January/February 2018) finalist interview
"If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Murder" by Josh Pachter (Nancy Pickard Presents Malice Domestic 13: Mystery Most Geographical, edited by Verena Rose, Rita Owen, and Shawn Reilly Simmons; Wildside Press, 2018) finalist interview
"The Cabin in the Woods" by Sylvia Maultash Warsh (Nancy Pickard Presents Malice Domestic 13: Mystery Most Geographical, edited by Verena Rose, Rita Owen, and Shawn Reilly Simmons; Wildside Press, 2018)
Long Story (4,001–8,000 words)
* "With My Eyes" by Leslie Budewitz (Suspense Magazine, January/February 2018)
"Mercy Find Me" by Diana Deverell (Fiction River: Justice: An Original Anthology Magazine, January 2018) finalist interview
"The Case of the Missing Pot Roast" by Barb Goffman (Florida Happens, edited by Greg Herren; Three Rooms Press, 2018) finalist interview
"Till Murder Do Us Part" by Barb Goffman (Chesapeake Crimes: Fur, Feathers, and Felonies, edited by Donna Andrews, Barb Goffman, and Marcia Talley; Wildside Press, 2018) finalist interview
"The Vanishing Volume" by Janet Raye Stevens (Shhhh…Murder!: Cozy Crimes in Libraries, edited by Andrew MacRae; Darkhnouse Books, 2018) finalist interview
Novelette (8,001–20,000 words)
* "The Cambodian Curse" by Gigi Pandian (The Cambodian Curse and Other Stories: A Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery Collection; Henery Press, October 2018) finalist interview
"The Adventure of the Manhunting Marshal" by Jim Doherty (writing as Peter Basile) (Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective, Volume 11, edited by Ron Fortier; Airship 27 Productions, 2018) finalist interview
"Three-Star Sushi" by Barry Lancet (Down & Out: The Magazine, March 2018) finalist interview
"Oil Down" by Brian Silverman (Mystery Tribune, Winter 2018)
"I’ve Got to Get Me a Gun" by Vincent Zandri (The Black Car Business: Vol. 1, edited by Lawrence Kelter; Down & Out Books 2018)
2018
John M. Floyd
Flash (Up to 1,000 words)
* "Fishing for an Alibi" by Earl Staggs (Flash Bang Mysteries, Fall 2017) finalist interview
"Cold Turkey" by Patricia Dusenbury (Flash Bang Mysteries, Summer 2017) finalist interview
"Happy Birthday" by Alan Orloff (Shotgun Honey, June 15, 2017) finalist interview
"Final Testimony" by Travis Richardson (Out of the Gutter's The Flash Fiction Offensive, July 10, 2017)
"Flash Point" by Elizabeth Zelvin (The All-New A Twist of Noir, March 20, 2017) finalist interview
Short Story (1,001–4,000 words)
* "The Cop Who Liked Gilbert and Sullivan" by Robert Lopresti (Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine #23, October 2017) finalist interview
"The Kids Keep Coming" by David H. Hendrickson (Fiction River: Tavern Tales: An Original Anthology Magazine, January 2017) finalist interview
"The New Score" by Alison McMahan (Fish Out of Water: A Guppy Anthology ed. Ramona DeFelice Long; Wildside Press, 2017) finalist interview
"The Bank Job" by Stephen D. Rogers (Trigger Warning Short Fiction with Pictures, March 16, 2017) finalist interview
"Every Picture Tells a Story" by Cathi Stoler (Where Crime Never Sleeps: Murder New York Style 4, edited by Elizabeth Zelvin; Level Best Books, 2017) finalist interview
Long Story (4,001–8,000 words)
* "Death in the Serengeti" by David H. Hendrickson (Fiction River: Pulse Pounders: Andrenaline: An Original Anthology Magazine, July 2017) finalist interview
"El Asesino" by Rusty Barnes (BULL, May 22, 2017) finalist interview
"The #2 Pencil" by Matt Coyle (Coast to Coast: Private Eyes from Sea to Shining Sea, edited by Andrew McAleer and Paul D. Marks; Down & Out Books, 2017)
"Matricide and Ice Cream" by William Burton McCormick (The CWA Anthology of Short Stories: Mystery Tour, edited by Martin Edwards; Orenda Books, 2017) finalist interview
"The Drive-by" by Alison McMahan (Busted: Arresting Stories from the Beat, edited by Verena Rose, Harriette Sackler, and Shawn Reilly Simmons; Level Best Books, 2017) finalist interview
Novelette (8,001–20,000 words)
* "Flowing Waters" by Brendan DuBois (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, January/February 2017)
"Windward" by Paul D. Marks (Coast to Coast: Private Eyes from Sea to Shining Sea, edited by Andrew McAleer and Paul D. Marks; Down & Out Books, 2017)
"King's Quarter" by Andrew McAleer (Coast to Coast: Private Eyes from Sea to Shining Sea, edited by Andrew McAleer and Paul D. Marks; Down & Out Books, 2017)
"Kill My Wife, Please" by Robert J. Randisi (Coast to Coast: Private Eyes from Sea to Shining Sea, edited by Andrew McAleer and Paul D. Marks; Down & Out Books, 2017)
"Trouble Like a Freight Train Coming" by Tina Whittle (Lowcountry Crime: Four Novellas ed. James M. Jackson and Jan Rubens; Wolf's Echo Press, 2017) finalist interview
2017
Robert Randisi
Flash (Up to 1,000 words)
* "The Phone Call" by Herschel Cozine (Flash Bang Mysteries, Summer 2016) finalist interview
"Aftermath" by Craig Faustus Buck (Flash Bang Mysteries, Spring 2016) finalist interview
"A Just Reward" by O'Neil De Noux (Flash Bang Mysteries, Winter 2016) finalist interview
"The Orphan" by Billy Kring (Shotgun Honey, March 18, 2016) finalist interview
"An Ill Wind" by R.T. Lawton (Flash Bang Mysteries, Spring 2016) finalist interview
Short Story (1,001–4,000 words)
* "The Way They Do It in Boston" by Linda Barnes (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, September/October 2016) finalist interview
"Beks and the Second Note" by Bruce Arthurs (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, December 2016) finalist interview
"YOLO" by Libby Cudmore (BEAT to a PULP, May 2016) finalist interview
"The Woman in the Briefcase" by Joseph D'Agnese (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, March/April 2016) finalist interview
"The Lighthouse" by Hilde Vandermeeren (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, March/April 2016) finalist interview
Long Story (4,001–8,000 words)
* "Breadcrumbs" by Victoria Weisfeld (Betty Fedora: Kickass Women In Crime Fiction, Issue 3, September 2016) finalist interview
"Swan Song" by Hilary Davidson (Unloaded: Crime Writers Writing Without Guns, edited by Eric Beetner; Down & Out Books, 2016) finalist interview
"Effect on Men" by O'Neil De Noux (The Strand, Issue XLVIII, February-May 2016) finalist interview
"The Cumberland Package" by Robert Mangeot (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, May 2016) finalist interview
"Murder Under the Baobab" by Meg Opperman (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, November 2016) finalist interview
Novelette (8,001–20,000 words)
* "Inquiry and Assistance" by Terrie Farley Moran (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, January/February 2016) finalist interview
"Coup de Grace" by Doug Allyn (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, September/October 2016) finalist interview
"The Chemistry of Heroes" by Catherine Dilts (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, May 2016) finalist interview
"The Educator" by Travis Richardson (44 Caliber Funk: Tales of Crime, Soul, and Payback, edited by Gary Phillips and Robert J. Randisi; Moonstone, 2016) finalist interview
"The Last Blue Glass" by B.K. Stevens (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, April 2016) finalist interview
2016
Michael Bracken
Flash (Up to 1,000 words)
* "Hero" by Vy Kava (Red Dawn: Best New England Crime Stories 2016, edited by Leslie Wheeler, Mark Ammons, Katherine Fast, and Barbara Ross; Level Best Books, 2015)
"The Hard Screw" by Jack Bates (Near to the Knuckle, August 6, 2015)
"Heavy Debt" by Craig Faustus Buck (Mondays are Murder, August 10, 2015)
"The Wrong Girl" by Barb Goffman (Flash and Bang: A Short Mystery Fiction Society Anthology, edited by J. Alan Hartman; Untreed Reads, 2015)
"Trash Pick-Up" by John Weagly (Near to the Knuckle, September 24, 2015) podcast
Short Story (1,001–4,000 words)
* "Twilight Ladies" by Meg Opperman (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, March/April 2015)
"Words Can Kil" by Shelly Dickson Carr (Red Dawn: Best New England Crime Stories 2016, edited by Leslie Wheeler, Mark Ammons, Katherine Fast, and Barbara Ross; Level Best Books, 2015)
"Joe Park's Little Girl" by Nikki Dolson (Mystery Weekly, September 7, 2015)
"Kill Switch" by Chris Knopf (Red Dawn: Best New England Crime Stories 2016, edited by Leslie Wheeler, Mark Ammons, Katherine Fast, and Barbara Ross; Level Best Books, 2015)
"Pompo's Disguise" by William Burton McCormick (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, March/April 2015)
Long Story (4,001–8,000 words)
* "Dentonville" by John M. Floyd (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, November 2015)
"The White Game" by Ron Collins (Fiction River: Hidden in Crime: An Original Anthology Magazine, November 2015)
"The Orchid Grower" by Katia Lief (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, November 2015)
"Shooting at Firemen" by Robert Lopresti (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, July/August 2015)
"The Man in the Dick Tracy Hat" by Elizabeth Zelvin (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, June 2015)
Novelette (8,001–20,000 words)
* "Driver" by John M. Floyd (The Strand, February-May 2015)
"Crazy Cat Ladies" by Jane Haddam (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, February 2015)
"Shooting Stars" by Richard Helms (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, September/October 2015)
"The Whiplash Brokers: A Jack Daniels / Gil DiMauro Mystery" by Gordon Hopkins (Kindle Worlds, 2015)
"Quack and Dwight" by Travis Richardson (Jewish Noir: Contemporary Tales of Crime and Other Dark Deeds, edited by K.J.A. Wishnia; PM Press, 2015)
2015
James Powell
Flash (Up to 1,000 words)
* "How Lil' Jimmie Beat the Big C" by Joseph D'Agnese (Shotgun Honey, May 12, 2014)
"Foodies" by Rob Hart (Shotgun Honey, May 2, 2014)
"Sweet Smells" by Jed Power (Shotgun Honey, July 28, 2014)
"Knockout" by Eryk Pruitt (Out of the Gutter Online, August 31, 2014) podcast
"Because" by Melissa Yi (Fiction River: Crime: An Original Anthology Magazine, March 2014)
Short Story (1,001–4,000 words)
* "The Kaluki Kings of Queens" by Cathi Stoler (Murder New York Style: Family Matters: A Mystery Anthology, edited by Anita Page; Glenmere Press, 2014)
"The Least of These" by B.V. Lawson (Plan B Magazine, June 6, 2014) podcast
"Killing Sam Clemens" by William Burton McCormick (Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine #13, July 2014)
"The Bad Son" by Britni Patterson (Carolina Crimes: 19 Tales of Lust, Love, and Longing, edited by Karen Pullen; Wildside Press, 2014)
"A Friend in Brown" by Mary E. Stibal (Best New England Crime Stories 2015: Rogue Wave, edited by Mark Ammons, Katherine Fast, Barbara Ross, and Leslie Wheeler; Level Best Books, 2014)
Long Story (4,001–8,000 words)
* "A Hopeless Case" by Hilary Davidson (All Due Respect #4, September 2014) remarks
"The Ultimate Mystery" by M.H. Callway (World Enough and Crime, edited by Donna Carrick and Alex Carrick; Carrick Publishing, 2014)
"Separation Anxiety" by Angel Luis Colón (All Due Respect #3, May 2014)
"The Missing Money" by James T. Shannon (Best New England Crime Stories 2015: Rogue Wave, edited by Mark Ammons, Katherine Fast, Barbara Ross, and Leslie Wheeler; Level Best Books, 2014)
"Dead Men Tell No Tales" by Cathy Wiley (Chesapeake Crimes: Homicidal Holidays: Fourteen Tales of Murder and Merriment, edited by Donna Andrews, Barb Goffman, and Macia Talley; Wildside Press, 2014)
Novelette (8,001–20,000 words)
* "The Snow Angel" by Doug Allyn (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, January 2014)
"Hitler's Dogs" by Doug Allyn (Fiction River: Crime: An Original Anthology Magazine, March 2014)
"Juba Good" by Vicki Delany (Orca Books Rapid Reads, April 2014)
"Infernal" by Trey Dowell (Untreed Reads, 2014)
"Busting Red Heads" by Richard Helms (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, March/April 2014)
2014
Ed Gorman
Flash (Up to 1,000 words)
* "Luck is What You Make" by Stephen D. Rogers (Crime Factory, May 2013) acceptance
"Final Statement" by Robert Bailey (Out of the Gutter's The Flash Fiction Offensive, July 18, 2013)
"Not My Day" by Stephen Buehler (Last Exit to Murder, edited by Darrell James, Linda O. Johnston, and Tammy Kaehler; Down & Out Books, 2013)
"The Needle and the Spoon" by Allan Leverone (Shotgun Honey, November 15, 2013)
"Terry Tenderloin and the Pig Thief" by John Weagly (Shotgun Honey, June 21, 2013)
Short Story (1,001–4,000 words)
* "The Present" by Robert Lopresti (The Strand, February-May 2013) acceptance
"Pretty Little Things" by Chris F. Holm (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, July 2013)
"The Sweetheart Scamster" by Rosemary McCracken (Mesdames of Mayhem: Thirteen: An Anthology of Crime Stories, edited by M.H. Callway, Donna Carrick, Joan O'Callaghan; Carrick Publishing, 2013)
"The Little Outlaw" by Mike Miner (Plan B Magazine, August 9, 2013)
"The Cemetery Man" by Bill Pronzini (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, July 2013)
Long Story (4,001–8,000 words)
* "Give Me a Dollar" by Ray Daniel (Best New England Crime Stories 2014: Stone Cold, edited by Mark Ammons, Katherine Fast, Barbara Ross, and Leslie Wheeler; Level Best Books, 2013) acceptance
"Myrna!" by John Bubar (Best New England Crime Stories 2014: Stone Cold, edited by Mark Ammons, Katherine Fast, Barbara Ross, and Leslie Wheeler; Level Best Books, 2013)
"Bloody Signorina" by Joseph D'Agnese (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, September 2013)
"Dance Man" by Andrew Jetarski (Last Exit to Murder, edited by Darrell James, Linda O. Johnston, and Tammy Kaehler; Down & Out Books, 2013)
"A Dangerous Life" by Adam Purple (Best New England Crime Stories 2014: Stone Cold, edited by Mark Ammons, Katherine Fast, Barbara Ross, and Leslie Wheeler; Level Best Books, 2013)
Novelette (8,001–20,000 words)
* "The Goddaughter's Revenge" by Melodie Campbell (Orca Rapid Reads, October 2013)
"The Serpent Beneath the Flower" by Jack Bates (Mind Wings Audio, April 2013)
"For Love's Sake" by O'Neil De Noux (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, July/August 2013)
"The Antiquary's Wife" by William Burton McCormick (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, March 2013)
"Last Night in Cannes" by James L. Ross (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, November 2013)
2013
Loren D. Estleman
Flash (Up to 1,000 words)
* "The Cable Job" by Randy DeWitt (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, September 2012)
"An Old-Fashioned Villain" by Nick Andreychuk (Sherlock Holmes Mystery Magazine, May 2012)
"Dead Man" by A.J. Hayes (Off The Record 2: At The Movies: A Charity Anthology (47 Short Stories with Classic Film Titles), edited Luca Veste and Paul D. Brazill; Guilty Conscience, 2012)
"Daddy's Girl" by Nicola Kennington (Out of the Gutter's The Flash Fiction Offensive, July 22, 2012)
"Twas the Knife Before Christmas" by Allan Leverone (Shotgun Honey, December 24, 2012)
Short Story (1,001–4,000 words)
* "Getting Out of the Box" by Michael Bracken (Crime Square, edited by Robert J. Randisi; Vantage Point, 2012)
"A Special Kind of Hell" by Hilary Davidson (BEAT to a PULP: Round Two, edited by David Cranmer and Matthew P. Mayo; BEAT to a PULP, 2012)
"Dead Weight" by Allan Leverone (Burning Bridges: A Renegade Fiction Anthology, edit by Benjamin Sobieck; Benjamin Sobieck, 2012)
"Nain Rouge" by Barbara Nadel (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, August 2012)
"Baby Boy" by Todd Robinson (Protectors: Stories to Benefit PROTECT (Protectors Anthologies Book 1), edited by Thomas Pluck; Goombah Gumbo Press, 2012)
Long Story (4,001–8,000 words)
* "When Duty Calls" by Art Taylor (Chesapeake Crimes: This Job Is Murder, edited by Donna Andrews, Barb Goffman and, Marcia Talley; Wildside Press, 2012)
"The Pot Hunters" by David Hagerty (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, June 2012)
"A Regular Story" by Peggy McFarland (Best New England Crime Stories 2013: Blood Moon, edited by Mark Ammons, Katherine Fast, Barbara Ross, and Leslie Wheeler; Level Best Books, 2012)
"Peaches" by Todd Robinson (Grift #1, April 2012)
"Double Wedding" by Mo Walsh (Best New England Crime Stories 2013: Blood Moon, edited by Mark Ammons, Katherine Fast, Barbara Ross, and Leslie Wheeler; Level Best Books, 2012)
Novelette (8,001–20,000 words)
* "Wood-Smoke Boys" by Doug Allyn (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, March/April 2012)
"Iphigenia in Aulis" by Mike Carey (An Apple for the Creature, edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P. Kelner; Ace, 2012)
"Mariel" by David Dean (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, December 2012)
"Pirate Dave and the Captain's Ghost" by Toni L.P. Kelner (An Apple for the Creature, edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P. Kelner; Ace, 2012)
"The Sunny South" by Chris Muessig (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, March 2012)
2012
Bill Pronzini
Flash (Up to 1,000 words)
* "Lessons Learned" by Allan Leverone (Shotgun Honey, July 29, 2011)
"Company Policy" by Warren Bull (Yellow Mama, August 2011)
"The Perfect Mark" by Melodie Campbell (Flash Fiction Online Magazine, July 2011)
"Countdown" by John Kenyon (Thrillers, Killers, and Chillers, April 2011)
"Heat of Passion" by Kathleen A. Ryan (A Twist of Noir, February 2011)
Short Story (1,001–4,000 words)
* "Touch of Death" by B.V. Lawson (The Absent Willow Review, April 2011)
"Coronation" by Adam Renn Olenn (Best New England Crime Stories 2012: Dead Calm, edited by Mark Ammons, Katherine Fast, Barbara Ross, and Leslie Wheeler; Level Best Books, 2011)
"Sisters in Black" by Mary E. Stibal (Best New England Crime Stories 2012: Dead Calm, edited by Mark Ammons, Katherine Fast, Barbara Ross, and Leslie Wheeler; Level Best Books, 2011)
"Fatal Flaw" by Cathi Stoler (Beat to a Pulp, April 2011)
"Death Will Tank Your Fish" by Elizabeth Zelvin (Murder New York Style: Fresh Slices: Mystery Anthology (Murder New York Style Book 2), edited by Terrie Farley Moran; L & L Dreamspell, 2011)
Long Story (4,001–8,000 words)
* "Brea's Tale" by Karen Pullen (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, November 2011) podcast
* "A Drowning at Snow's Cut" by Art Taylor (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, May 2011) podcast
"Facts Exhibiting Wantonness" by Trina Corey (Ellery Queens's Mystery Magazine, November 2011)
"Ballistic" by Trey Dowell (Untreed Reads, July 2011)
"Blue Amber" by William Burton McCormick (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, June 2011)
Novelette (8,001–20,000 words)
* "Where Billy Died" by Earl Staggs (Untreed Reads, August 2011)
"A Penny for the Boatman" by Doug Allyn (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, March/April 2011)
"The Gun Also Rises" by Jeffrey Cohen (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, January/February 2011)
"Tomorrow's Dead" by David Dean (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, July 2011)
"In Brightest Day" by Toni L.P. Kelner (Home Improvement: Undead Edition, edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P. Kelner; Ace, 2011)
2011
Ruth Rendell
Flash (Up to 1,000 words)
* "The Book Signing" by Kathy Chencharik (Thin Ice: Crime Stories by New England Writers (Best New England Crime Stories Book 8), Mark Ammons, Kat Fast, Barbara Ross, and Leslie Wheeler; Level Best Books, 2010)
* "The Unknown Substance" by Jane Hammons (A Twist of Noir, December 27, 2010)
"Blues in the Night" by Carol Kilgore (Dark Valentine Vol. 1, No. 1, June 2010)
"Stick a Needle in My Eye" by Julia Madeleine (Powder Burn Flash, May 5, 2010)
"Homeless" by Patricia L. Morin (Mystery Montage: A Collection of Short Story Mysteries; TOP, 2010)
Short Story (1,001–4,000 words)
* "Pewter Badge" by Michael J. Solender (Yellow Mama, August, 2010)
"Broken Down on the Bonneville Flats" by Jack Bates (Beat to a Pulp, October 17, 2010)
"My Asshole Brother" by Eric Beetner (A Twist of Noir, May 7, 2010)
"Angel of Mercy" by David Price (Beat to a Pulp, January 31, 2010)
"Seventy-two Hours or Less" by Michael J. Solender (A Twist of Noir, April 23, 2010)
Long Story (4,001–8,000 words)
* "Care of the Circumcised Penis" by Sean Doolittle (Thuglit Presents: Blood, Guts, and Whiskey, edited by Todd Robinson; Kensington, 2010)
* "Interpretation of Murder" by B.K. Stevens (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, December 2010)
"Silicon Kings" by Richard Helms (The Back Alley Webzine, April 2010)
"The Little Nogai Boy" by R.T. Lawton (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, September 2010)
"A Tour of the Tower" by Christine Poulson (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, March/April 2010)
Novelette (8,001–17,500 words)
* "Rearview Mirror" by Art Taylor (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, March/April 2010)
"The Scent of Lilacs" by Doug Allyn (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, September/October 2010)
"The Gods for Vengeance Cry" by Richard Helms (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, November 2010)
"Deserters" by Chris Muessig (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, March 2010)
"The Man With One Eye" by Stephen Ross (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, December 2010)
2010
Lawrence Block
Flash (Up to 1,000 words)
* "And Here's To You, Mrs. Edwardson" by Hamilton Waymire (Big Pulp, November 23, 2009)
"Unplanned" by Libby Cudmore (Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers, August 30, 2009)
"Awake" by David Dean (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, July 2009) podcast
"The Right Track" by R.T. Lawton (Woman's World, October 26, 2009)
"Gutterball" by Stephen D. Rogers (Woman's World, September 7, 2009)
Short Story (1,001–4,000 words)
* "Twas the Night" by Anita Page (The Gift of Murder, edited by John M. Floyd; Wolfmont Press; October 2009) podcast
"The Right to Remain Silent" by Debbi Mack (The Back Alley, August 2009)
"The Hard Sell" by Jay Stringer (Beat to a Pulp, May 3, 2009)
"The Biography of Stoop the Thief" by Steven Torres (Uncage Me!: A Collection of Stories, edited by Jen Jordan; Bleak House Books, 2009)
"Identity Theft" by Robert Weibezahl (Beat to a Pulp, March 14, 2009)
Long Story (4,001–8,000 words)
* "Famous Last Words" by Doug Allyn (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, November 2009) podcast
"Snow on Bloedkoppie" by Berhard Jaumann (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, August 2009)
"Regarding Certain Occurrences in a Cottage at the Garden of Allah" by Robert S. Levinson (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, November 2009)
"A Stab in the Heart" by Twist Phelan (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, February 2009)
"The Shipbreaker" by Mike Wiecek (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, March/April 2009)
Novelette (8,001–17,500 words)
* "Julius Katz" by Dave Zeltserman (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, September/October 2009)
"The Pirate's Debt" by Toni L.P. Kelner (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, August 2009)
"The Last Drop" by R.W. Kerrigan (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, February 2009)
"Adjuncts Anonymous" by B.K. Stevens (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, June 2009)
"Uncle Brick and Jimmy Kills" by Allan Leverone (Mysterical-E, Summer 2009)
2009
Clark Howard
Flash (Up to 1,000 words)
* "No Flowers for Stacey" by Ruth McCarty (Deadfall: Crime Stories by New England Writers. Sixth Annual Anthology, edited by Kate Flora; Ruth McCarty and Susan Oleksiw; Level Best Books, 2008)
* "No Place Like Home" by Dee Stuart (Mysterical-E, Winter 2008)
"A Killing Season" by Joseph Benedetto writing as J.F. Benedetto (Woman's World, September 1, 2008)
"Black Pearls" by James C. Clar (Crime and Suspense, March/April 2008)
"Rainy Day Fund" by J.K. Cummins (Woman's World, 2008)
"Incident in Itawamba" by Gary Hoffman (Teacakes and Afternoon Tales: New Stories from Mississippi, edited by Dixon Hearne and Philip L. Levin; Awoc.Com, 2008)
Short Story (1,001–4,000 words)
* "The Cost of Doing Business" by Michael Penncavage (Thuglit, Issue 24)
"Independence Day" by Allan Leverone (Crime and Suspense, July/August 2008)
"Regrets, I've Had a Few" by Allan Leverone (Trei Literary Magazine, September 2008)
"Taste For It" by Sophie Littlefield (Darkest Before the Dawn, January 17, 2008)
"Stalkers" by Lew Stowe (Crime and Suspense, 2008)
"Wishing on Whores" by John Weagly (Thieves Jargon, Issue 178)
Long Story (4,001–8,000 words)
* "The Quick Brown Fox" by Robert S. Levinson (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, October 2008)
"The Bonnie and Clyde Caper" by O'Neil De Noux (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, August 2008)
"The Big Score" by Chris F. Holm (The Back Alley, July 2008)
"The Art of Avarice" by Darrell James (Politics Noir: Dark Tales from the Corridors of Power, edited by Gary Phillips; Verso, 2008)
"Dead Even" by Frank Zafiro (Medium of Murder: Original Short Stories of Mystery and Suspense, edited by Susan Budavari and Suzanne Flaig; Red Coyote Press, 2008)
Novelette (8,001–17,500 words)
* "Too Wise" by O’Neil De Noux (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, November 2008)
"Haven't Seen You Since the Funeral" by Ernest B. & Alice A. Brown (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, December 2008)
"Jack Best and the Line in the Sand" by Steve Olley (Mysterical-E, Summer 2008)
"Panic On Portage Path" by Dick Stodghill (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, January/February 2008)
2008
Flash (Up to 1,000 words)
* "My Hero" by Patricia Abbott (D.Z. Allen’s Muzzle Flash, August 2007)
"A Woman Scorned" by Jillian Berg (Mouth Full of Bullets, Issue #5, Autumn 2007)
"Saved" by Keri Clark (Mysterical-E, Fall 2007)
"Your New Fan" by Keri Clark (Mouth Full of Bullets, issue #6, Winter 2007)
"Dreaming of a Spite Christmas" by B.V. Lawson (Mouth Full of Bullets, issue #6, Winter 2007)
Short Story (1,001–4,000 words)
* "In the Shadows of Wrigley Field" by John Weagly (The Back Alley, November 2007)
"Handful of Stars" by Jack Hardway (Mouth Full of Bullets, Autumn 2007)
"The Promise" by Camille LaGuire (Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine, March/April 2007)
"We All Come from Splattertown" by Hugh Lessig (Thuglit, Issue 17 July 2007)
"Joyride" by Rick Noetzel (Shred of Evidence, December 24, 2007)
"Brimstone P.I." by Beverle Graves Myers (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, May 2007)
Long Story (4,001–8,000 words)
* "The Gospel According to Gordon Black" by Richard Helms (The Thrilling Detective Web Site, Fall 2007)
"A Private Hanging" by Herschel Cozine (Mysterical-E, Summer 2007)
"Mr. McGregor’s Garden" by Kate Flora (Still Waters: Crime Stories by New England Writers, edited by Kate Flora, Ruth McCarty, and Susan Oleksiw ; Level Best Books, 2007)
"Growing Up Is for Losers" by Rosemary Harris (Still Waters: Crime Stories by New England Writers, edited by Kate Flora, Ruth McCarty, and Susan Oleksiw ; Level Best Books, 2007)
"A Trader’s Lot" by Twist Phelan (Wall Street Noir, edited by Peter Spiegelman; Akashic Books, 2007)
"Devil’s Lake" by John Schroeder (Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine, January/February 2007)
Novelette (8,001–17,500 words)
* "Paper Walls/Glass Houses" by Richard Helms (writing as Eric Shane) (The Back Alley, June 2007)
"The Enlightenment of Magnus McKay" by John Burdett (Wall Street Noir, edited by Peter Spiegelman; Akashic Books, 2007)
"Forget Me Not" by Clifford Royal Johns (Mysterical-E, Fall 2007)
"The Bookworm’s Demise" by Beverle Graves Myers (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, December 2007)
"Wasting Assets" by Mike Wiecek (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, September 2007)
2007
Flash (Up to 500 words)
* "Vigilante" by Barry Ergang (Mysterical-E, Summer 2006)
"Matched Set" by Jan Christensen (Long Story Short, Winter 2006)
"Snowflake Therapy" by Michelle Mach (Thereby Hangs a Tale, June 2006)
"Flight School" by Jill Maser (Flashshot, August 28, 2006)
"Home Entertainment" by Sandra Seamans (A Cruel World, July/August 2006)
Short Short (501-2000 words)
* "Four For Dinner" by John M. Floyd (Seven by Seven, edited by Tony Burton; Wolfmont Publishing, 2006)
* "Elena Speaks of the City, Under Siege" by Steven Torres (Crimespree Magazine, September/October 2006)
"Even Steven" by Gail Farrelly (Mouth Full of Bullets, Winter 2006)
"Interview" by Justin Gustainis (The Crime Festival: Stories From the Cape Fear Crime Festival Short Story Contest, edited by Nicole Smith; Cape Fear Crime Festival, 2006)
"The Worst Door" by Frank Zafiro (Dispatch, January 2006)
Mid-Length Story (2001-6000 words)
* "Cranked" by Bill Crider (Damn Near Dead: An Anthology of Geezer Noir, edited by Duane Swierczynski; Busted Flush Press, LLC, 2006)
"Eden's Bodyguard" by David Bareford (Thuglit, September 2006)
"Shadow People" by Rex Burns (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, June 2006)
"Uncle Blinky's Corner of the World" by Robert S. Levinson (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, March/April 2006)
"Shanks on the Prowl" by Robert Lopresti (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, May 2006) podcast
Longer Story (6,001–15,000 words)
* "Strictly Business" by Julie Hyzy (These Guns for Hire, edited by J.A. Konrath; Bleak House Books, 2006)
"A Signature in Blood" by Annette Dashofy (Mysterical-E, Winter 2006)
"Daphne MacAndrews and the Smack-Head Junkies" by Stuart MacBride (Damn Near Dead: An Anthology of Geezer Noir, edited by Duane Swierczynski; Busted Flush Press, LLC, 2006)
"See Also Murder" by Larry Sweazy (Amazon Shorts, December 11, 2006)
"The Valley of Angustias" by Steven Torres (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, October 2006)
2006
Flash (Up to 500 words)
* "Secondhand Shoe" by Patricia Harrington (A Flasher’s Dozen, Winter 2005)
"Hell Hath No Fury" by BJ Bourg (Mysterical-E, March 2005)
"Word Power" by Michelle Mach (Flashshot, March 2005)
"No Atheists in Foxholes" by Stephen D. Rogers (Kwickee, May 2005)
"The Last Journey" by Mary Schenten (Flashshot, July 2005)
Short Short (501–2,000 words)
* "Zipped" by Stephen D. Rogers (Windchill: Crime Stories by New England Writers, edited by Skye Alexander, Kate Flora, and Susan Oleksiw; Level Best Books, 2005)
"Hangman's Tree" by Deanne Boast (Crime and Suspense, December 2005)
"The Day the Bad Men Came" by Andy Henion (Thieves Jargon, January 14, 2005)
"Roses at His Feet" by Todd Robinson (writing as Dana Frittersmash) (Thuglit Issue 4, December 2005)
"Twilight of the Fireflies" by John Weagly (Big Muddy: Journal of the Mississippi River Valley, December 2005)
Mid-Length Short Story (2,001–6,000 words)
* "One Step Closer" by Iain Rowan (Hardluck Stories, Spring 2005)
"Best Wishes" by JR Chabot (Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine, September 2005)
"The Spare" by Woody Hanstein (Windchill: Crime Stories by New England Writers, edited by Skye Alexander, Kate Flora, and Susan Oleksiw; Level Best Books, 2005)
"Johnny Cash is Dead" by Jordan Harper (Thuglit, October 2005)
"A Death in Ueno" by Mike Wiecek (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, March 2005)
Longer Short Story (6,001–15,000 words)
* "The Safest Place on Earth" by Mark Best (The Thrilling Detective Web Site, Spring 2005)
"Monday, Sweet Monday" by John F. Dobbyn (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, June 2005)
"Fish" by Stephen Johnston (Web Mystery Magazine, Fall 2005)
"The Cherries of Lucullus" by Steven Saylor (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, May 2005)
"Good Shepherd" by Frank Zafiro (Ascent Aspirations Magazine, May 2005)
2005
Flash (Up to 500 words)
* "The Big Guys" by Joe Konrath (writing as JA Konrath) (Small Bites, edited by Keith Gouveia and Garrett Peck; Coscom Entertainment, 2004)
"Sand Scam" by Nick Andreychuk (Crimestalker Casebook, Fall 2004)
"Theda" by Beverley Brackett (Flash Fantastic, November 2004)
"Housesitter" by J.K. Cummins (Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine, Summer 2004)
"Widow’s Peak" by S.A. Daynard (Riptide: Crime Stories by New England Writers, edited by Skye Alexander, Kate Flora, and Susan Oleksiw; Level Best Books, 2004)
Short Short (501–2,000 words)
* "The Test" by Mike Wiecek (Woman's World, November 20, 2004)
"Up in Smoke" by Jan Christensen (Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine, January 2004)
"Experience Required" by Michael Giorgio (Lunatic Chameleon, edited by Nancy Purnell March 2004)
"Sweet Smell of Success" by Beverle Graves Myers (Who Died in Here?: 25 Mystery Stories of Crimes and Bathrooms, edited by Pat Dennis; Penury Press, 2004)
"The Big Store" by Stephen D. Rogers (Hardluck Stories, Spring 2004)
Mid-Length Short Story (2,001–6,000 words)
* "Viscery" by Sandy Balzo (Sandra Balzo) (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, December 2004)
"Phillie's Last Dance" by Ray Banks (Shots Magazine UK, March 2004)
"Brethren of The Sea" by Joan Druett (Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, November 2004)
"Hilly Palmer’s Last Case (a.p.a The Last Case of Hilly Palmer)" by Duane Swierczynski (Plots with Guns, September/October 2004)
"Freddie Swings In" by David Terrenoire (Fedora III: Even More Private Eyes. Even More Tough Guys, edited by Michael Bracken; Wildside Press, 2004)
Longer Short Story (6,001–15,000 words)
* "Secondhand Heart" by Doug Allyn (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, January/February 2004)
"A Sunday in Ordinary Time" by Terence Faherty (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, August 2004)
"The Girl in Apartment 2A" by G. Miki Hayden (Futures Mysterious Presents: Dime, edited by Babs Lakey; Quiet Storm Pub Group, 2004)
"The Franklin Fiasco" by Beverle Graves Myers (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, September 2004)
"God's Dice" by David White (The Thrilling Detective Web Site, Spring 2004)
2004
Flash (Up to 500 words)
* "All My Yesterdays" by Michael Bracken (Suddenly V: Prose Poetry and Sudden Fiction, edited by Jackie Pelham; Stone River Press, 2003)
"Patience" by Nick Andreychuk (Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine, Fall 2003)
"Motive For Murder" by Guy Belleranti (Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine, Spring 2003)
"How to Become a Rodeo Queen" by Michelle Mach (Mslexia, October 2003)
"At Thirty Paces" by Graydon Miller (The Havana Brotherhood; Sol y Luna Publishing, 2003)
Short Short (501–2,000 words)
* "Nailbiter" by Robert Lopresti (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, September 2003)
"Coyotes Find" by Gay T. Kinman (Detective Mystery Stories, February 2003)
"Waiter, There's a Clue in My Soup " by Camille LaGuire (Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine, Spring 2003)
"Children Seen and Heard" by K. G. McAbee (EWG Presents: Without a Clue, July 2003)
"Packy" by Stephen D. Rogers (Hardluck Stories, Spring 2003)
"Silky's Getaway" by Earl Staggs (Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine, Summer 2003)
Mid-Length Short Story (2,001–6,000 words)
* "Notions of the Real World" by Dorothy Rellas (Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine, Summer 2003)
"A Mother Scorned" by Michele R. Bardsley (Writer's Digest, November 2003)
"Big Winner" by Terry Black (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, November 2003)
"Sara Morningsky" by S.D. Tooley (writing as Lee Driver) (A Mystery in Mind: A Collection of Stories of the Paranormal, Rhine Research Center; Sterling House, 2003)
"Wanda Wilcox is Trapped" by Eddie Muller (Plots With Guns, September/October 2003)
Long Short Story (6,001–15,000 words)
* "The Mask of Peter" by Clark Howard (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, April 2003)
"Bombshell" by Loren D. Estleman (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, August 2003)
"The Windsor Ballet" by Deborah Morgan (Flesh and Blood: Dark Desires: Erotic Tales of Crime and Passion, edited by Max Allan Collins and Jeff Gelb; Mysterious Press, 2002)
"Henry and the Idiots" by Robert J. Randisi (High Stakes: 8 Sure-Bet Stories of Gambling and Crime, edited by Robert J. Randisi; Signet, 2003)
"Amazing Grace" by Harriet Rzetelny (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, February 2003)
2003
Short Short (Up to 1,500 words)
* "A Cut Above" by Del Tinsley (Hardluck Stories, Fall 2002)
"Sending Out an S.O.S." by Nick Andreychuk (Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine, April 2002)
"Jumping the Fence" by Stephen D. Rogers (Hardluck Stories, Fall 2002)
"What A Day" by Seymour Shubin (Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine, January 2002)
"Shark Infested Pudding" by John Weagly (Judas Ezine, November 2002)
Short Story (1,501–6,000 words)
* "Closure" by Dave White (The Thrilling Detective Web Site, Fall 2002)
"Top of the World" by Bill Crider (Flesh and Blood: Dark Desires: Erotic Tales of Crime and Passion, edited by Max Allan Collins and Jeff Gelb; Mysterious Press, 2002)
"Just Looking" by Bill Pronzini (Flesh and Blood: Dark Desires: Erotic Tales of Crime and Passion, edited by Max Allan Collins and Jeff Gelb; Mysterious Press, 2002)
"Mexican Gatsby" by Raymond Steiber (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, March 2002)
"More Than a Scam" by Dave Zeltserman (Mysterical-E, 2002) podcast
Long Short Story (More than 6,000 words)
* "The Murder Ballads" by Doug Allyn (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, March 2002)
"Medicine Water" by David Edgerley Gates (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, September 2002)
"To Live and Die in Midland, Texas" by Clark Howard (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, September/October 2002)
"Painter of the Seven-Eyed Beast" by Catherine Mambretti (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, November 2002)
"Henry's Power" by Bob Stevens (HandHeldCrime, March 2002)
2002
Cathleen Jordan
Short Short (Up to 1,500 words)
* "In the Heat of the Moment" by Nick Andreychuk (Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine, February 2001)
"Greenhouse Pest" by Tim Myers (Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine, November 2001)
"A Matter of Interest" by Stephen D. Rogers (HandHeldCrime, September 2001)
"Lucrezia and The Thief" by Henry Slesar (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, April 2001)
Short Story (1,501–6,000 words)
* "All The Fine Actors" by Earl Staggs (EWG Presents: Without A Clue, April 2001) remarks
"Cuts Like A Knife" by Michael Bracken (Fedora: Private Eyes and Tough Guys, edited by Michael Bracken; Wildside Press, 2001)
"Smoky Didn't Send Me" by Charles Cutter (Alfred Hitchock's Mystery Magazine, December 2001)
"Tunnel of Malice" by Margaret DiCanio (Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine, October 2001)
"The Last Letter" by Mike Wiecek (Alfred Hitchock's Mystery Magazine, January 2002)
Longer Story (More than 6,000 words)
* "Early Morning Rain" by Jean McCord (Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine, October/November 2001)
"Lesser-Included Offense" by Jeffery Deaver (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, May 2001)
"Harry's Lament" by Bentley Dadmun (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, June 2001)
"The Mondo Whammy" by David Handler (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, September/October 2001)
"Avenging Miriam" by Peter Sellers (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, December 2001)
2001
John Lutz
Babs Lakey
Flash (Up to 1,200 words)
* "Polls Don't Lie" by Earl McGill (Blue Murder, 2000)
* "The New Lawyer" by Mike Wiecek (Crimestalker Casebook, Spring 2000)
"Accident" by Guy Belleranti (About.com Mysteries, May 9, 2000)
"Sunken Dreams" by Tim Myers (Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine, December 2000)
"Lucky Man" by Ali Seay (About.com Mysteries, 2000)
Short (1,201–10,000 words)
* "Erie's Last Day" by Steve Hockensmith (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, May 2000)
"The Disappearance of Miss Sarah Oswald" by Jennifer Ashley (Over My Dead Body #7, Spring 2000)
"Amish Butter" by Jacqueline Fiedler (Unholy Orders: Mysteries with a Religious Twist, edited by Serita Stevens; Intrigue Press, 2000)
"The Dark Tower" by Gwen Moffat (Joan Hess Presents Malice Domestic 9: An Anthology of Traditional Mystery Stories, edited by Joan Hess; Avon Books, 2000)
"Tom Wasp and Anybody's Child" by Amy Myers (Scenes of Crime: CWA Anthology 2000, edited by Martin Edwards; Constable, September 2000)
Novella (More than 10,000 words)
* "Lilacs and Lace" by Lynda Douglas (Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine, June 2000)
"The Death Row Pet Show" by Doug Allyn (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, April 2000)
"Attitude Thing " by William J. Carroll, Jr. (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, May 2000)
"Blood Paths" by Clark Howard (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, June 2000)
"The Sedgemoor Strangler" by Peter Lovesey (Criminal Records, edited by Otto Penzler; Orion, 2000)
Puzzle Story (Any length)
* "The Cabin Killer" by Henry Slesar (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, July 2000)
"Happy Acres Homicide" by Richard Ciciarelli (Solve-It #227, MysteryNet.com, October 16, 2000)
"Killing the Old Survivors" by Gary Sensening (Solve-It #215, MysteryNet.com, July 24, 2000)
2000
Henry Slesar
Robert Foster
Jiro Kimura
Flash (Up to 1,200 words)
* "When in Rome" by Dorothy Francis (Murderous Intent, December 1999/January 2000)
* "Just a Man on the Sidewalk" by Carol Kilgore (TheCase.com, March 12–18, 1999)
"Blind Justice" by Lynda Douglas (Novel Advice, August 15, 1999)
"Absent-Minded" by L. C. Mohr (Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine, June/July 1999)
"The Armored Car" by Tim Myers (MysteryNet (Twist), August 4, 1999)
Short Story (1,201–10,000 words)
* "The Way to a Man's Heart" by Elizabeth Dearl (TheCase.com (Twist), February 10, 1999)
"Let Sleeping Dogs Lie" by Chris Huntington (Blue Murder #9, 1999)
"One More Kill" by Matt Hughes (Blue Murder, December 1999)
"The Bread of Affliction" by Michael Kahn (Michael A. Kahn) (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, September/October 1999)
"Taking Care of Frank" by Anthony Mann (Crimewave #2, edited by Mat Coward; TTA Press, 1999)
"Saint Bobby" by Doug Allyn (Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, April 1999)
"Annie's Dream" by Bentley Dadmun (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, December 1999)
"Death in the Dales" by C. M. Chan (Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, January 1999)
First Short Story (Any length)
* "Death in Full Bloom" by Ray Wonderly (Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine, August 1999)
1999
Edward D. Hoch
Kate Derie
Flash (Up to 1,200 words)
* "Pretty Kitty" by Joyce Holland (Murderous Intent, Winter 1998)
"Exchange of Information" by Kimberly Brown (TheCase.com (Flash 49), February 6, 1998)
"Key to Success" by Richard Ciciarelli (TheCase.com (Twist 98), November 4, 1998)
"The Christmas Guest" by Dorothy Francis (TheCase.com (Twist 103), December 16, 1998)
"Checkmate!" by Dale B. Hall (TheCase.com (Flash 65), October 2, 1998)
"Rough Times" by Paul Harrison (TheCase.com (Flash 51), March 6, 1998)
"Mother's Helper" by John Herrmann (Murderous Intent, Spring 1998)
"Pocket Picked" by Jesse Knight (TheCase.com (Twist 69), March 18, 1998)
"The Used Car" by Sheryl Snell-Massie (TheCase.com (Flash 55), May 1, 1998)
"Daddy's Pet" by Fay Thompson (TheCase.com (Twist 61), January 14, 1988)
"The Other Woman" by Kate Thornton (TheCase.com (Twist 96), October 21, 1998)
"Anything for the Chief" by Linda K. Wright (writing as Geri Myerson) (TheCase.com (Twist 95), October 14, 1998)
Short Short (1,201–10,000 words)
* "Capital Justice" by Kris Neri (Blue Murder #1, 1998)
"The Murder of Ernest Trapnell" by Erik Arneson (Mary Higgins Clark Mystery Magazine, Fall 1998)
"Gator Bayou" by Joyce Holland (Fogfire Magazine, Spring 1998)
"The Deadly Diamonds" by Robert Iles (Blue Murder #5, 1998)
"To the Farm" by Dina Leacock (writing as Dianne Arrelle) (Blue Murder #2, 1998)
"A Loss of Income" by Seymour Shubin (Murderous Intent, Spring 1998)
"Just Like in the Movies" by Kate Thornton (Blue Murder #1, 1998)
"Drop Dead Zone" by M.E. Troy (Mystery Buff Magazine, April 1998)
"Two Tickets to Paradise" by Barbara White-Rayczek (Death Knell III: 22 Short Stories by Delaware Valley Mystery Writers, edited by Caroline Stafford; Delaware Valley Chapter Sisters in Crime, 1998)
1998
Flash (under 1000 words)
* "Curiosity Kills" by Michael Mallory (Murderous Intent Vol. 3, No. 4 Fall 1997)
"Zebra Mussels" by Vicki Cameron (Cottage Country Killers; General Store Publishing House, 1997)
"Exceptions" by Kimberly Haugh (Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, November 1997)
"What the Sheriff Saw" by Robert L. Iles (Whispering Willows Mysteries, Summer 1997)
"A New Beginning" by Tom Kreitzberg (Murderous Intent Vol. 3, No. 4 Fall 1997)
Short Story (1,000—3,000 words)
* "Guavaberry Christmas" by Kate Grilley (Murderous Intent Vol. 3, No. 4 Fall 1997)
"All's Fair" by Dan Crawford (Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Vol. 42, No. 11, November 1997)
"Same Old Henry" by Elizabeth Dearl (The Case (www.thecase.com) June 9, 1997)
"Never a Cross Word" by Peter Lovesey (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Feburary 1997)
"Copy Dog" by Ralph McInerny (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Feburary 1997)
"Getting His" by Kris Neri (Whispering Willow, Premier Edition, 1997)
Short (3,000-10,000 words)
* "The Adventurers" by Barbara White-Rayczek (Murderous Intent Vol 3, No 1, Winter 1997)
* "L.A. Justice" by Kris Neri (Murder by 13, edited by Mae English, Priscilla Seidman, and Lisa Woods; Crown Valley Press, 1997)
"The Confession" by Colleen Mary Aminoff (Red Herring Mystery Magazine Vol. 4 No. 1 ISSN 1076-643X)
"Gertrude" by Ann Bayer (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September/October 1997)
"Trade Wars" by Brendan DuBois (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Febuary 97)
"King of the City" by John M. Floyd (Murderous Intent, Spring 97, V3 #2)
"The Word on the Street" by Robert Gray (Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, December 1997)
"The Burning Woman" by Robert l. Iles (Whispering Willows Mysteries, Fall 1997)
"A Hand in the Case" by Robert l. Iles (Murderous Intent, Vol. 3 #2 Spring 1997)
"Tea For Two" by M.D. Lake (Funny Bones, Signet Penguin Books ISBN 0-451-40720-2)
"Uncle Victor On Watch" by Robert Lopresti (Murderous Intent Vol 3 #4 Fall 1997)
"Chinese Gunboats" by Richard A. Lupoff (Murderous Intent Vol. 3, No. 4 Fall 1997)
"The Adventure Of The Illustrious Patient" by Michael Mallory (Murderous Intent Vol 3, No 1, Winter 1997)
"Shaggy Dog" by Margaret Maron (Funny Bones, Signet, Penguin Books ISBN 0-451-40720-2)
"A Matter of Blackmail" by Anne Perry (Mary Higgins Clark Mystery, Vol. 23, No. 3, Summer/Fall 1997)
"All There Is And More" by Margo Power (Murderous Intent Vol 3 #4 Fall 1997)
"Etiquette Lesson" by Polly Whitney (Murderous Intent Vol 3 #4 Fall 1997)
"Mea Culpa" by Jane Ann Tun (Cottage Country Killers, General Store Publishing House ISBN 1-896182-53-4)
First Short Story (Any length)
* "Back Stairs" by Eileen Brosnan (Murderous Intent Vol. 3, No. 4 Fall 1997)
"Quite Contrary" by J.R. Chabot (Mary Higgins Clark Mystery, Vol. 23, No. 3, Summer/Fall 1997)
"Neither Rhyme Nor Riot" by K.R. MacLeish (Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, June 1997)
"Since My Last Confession" by Nick Schinker (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September/October 1997)
Novella (15,000 to 35,000 words)
* Image of Conspiracy: A Mystery Adventure by Margo Power (Madison Publishing Co., 1997)
"Poisoned With Politeness" by Gillian Linscott (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, September/October 1997)
Further Reading
Edward D. Hoch Memorial Golden Derringer Procedure
Edgar Allan Poe Sesquicentennial Tribute Story Contest