At a Glance
- Mystery Writers of America announced the 2026 Edgar Allan Poe Awards nominees on Jan. 20.
- Donna Andrews and Lee Child were named 2026 Grand Masters.
- The 80th Annual Edgar Awards ceremony will take place on April 29 at the Marriott Marquis Times Square.
- Why it matters: These awards recognize the best mystery and crime fiction of the year, shaping the genre’s future.
The Mystery Writers of America announced the list of nominees for the 2026 Edgar Allan Poe Awards on Jan. 20, celebrating the 217th anniversary of the birth of the iconic writer. The awards, often called the “Edgars,” honor outstanding achievements in mystery and crime fiction across a wide range of categories. Winners will be celebrated on April 29 at the Marriott Marquis Times Square.
Grand Masters
The organization also announced its 2026 Grand Masters: Donna Andrews and Lee Child.
Donna Andrews, an author of over 50 novels and a longtime member of both Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, served seven years as MWA’s executive vice president.
> “I’m both delighted and amazed at being named a Grand Master. Joining MWA was one of the first things I did when my debut novel, Murder with Peacocks, was accepted for publication and MWA has been an important part of my life ever since. I’m grateful, not only for this honor, but for all the experiences I’ve had and friends I’ve made as a member and a volunteer.” – Donna Andrews
Lee Child, bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series, expressed his humility at being added to an 80-year-long list of distinguished writers.
> “I’m flattered and humbled to be placed on this 80-year-long list with so many of my idols, role models and teachers. I’ll always be grateful to Mystery Writers of America for their support, help, friendship and camaraderie during my career, such that I feel I should be giving them an award, not getting one from them.” – Lee Child
Nominees
The nominations span eleven categories, ranging from best novel to best television episode teleplay. Below is a concise overview.
Best Novel
- The Big Empty by Robert Crais
- Fagin the Thief by Allison Epstein
- The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami
- Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
- Hard Town by Adam Plantinga
- The Inheritance by Trisha Sakhlecha
- Presumed Guilty by Scott Turow
Best First Novel by an American Author
- Killer Potential by Hannah Deitch
- All the Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah Harman
- Dead Money by Jakob Kerr
- Johnny Careless by Kevin Wade
- History Lessons by Zoe B. Wallbrook
Best Paperback Original
- Listen by Sacha Bronwasser
- The Sideways Life of Denny Voss by Holly Kennedy
- Broke Road by Matthew Spencer
- The Backwater by Vikki Wakefield
- One Death at a Time by Abbi Waxman
Best Fact Crime (True Crime)
- They Poisoned the World: Life and Death in the Age of Forever Chemicals by Mariah Blake
- Blood and the Badge: The Mafia, Two Killer Cops, and a Scandal That Shocked the Nation by Michael Cannell
- Murderland: Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers by Caroline Fraser
- Out of the Woods: A Girl, a Killer, and a Lifelong Struggle to Find the Way Home by Gregg Olsen
- Story of a Murder: The Wives, the Mistress, and Dr. Crippen by Hallie Rubenhold
Best Critical/Biographical
- V is for Venom: Agatha Christie’s Chemicals of Death by Kathryn Harkup
- The Kingdom of Cain: Finding God in the Literature of Darkness by Andrew Klavan
- Edgar Allan Poe: A Life by Richard Kopley
- Cooler Than Cool: The Life and Work of Elmore Leonard by C.M. Kushins
- Criss-Cross: The Making of Hitchcock’s Dazzling, Subversive Masterpiece Strangers on a Train* by Stephen Rebello
Best Short Story
- “Reading at Night,” The Strand Magazine by Graham Greene
- “The One That Got Away,” Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine – January-February 2025 by Charlaine Harris
- “Orphan X: A Mysterious Profile,” by Gregg Hurwitz
- “Lucky Heart,” Blood on the Bayou – Case Closed by Tim Maleeny
- “The Kill Clause,” Amazon Original Stories by Lisa Unger
- “Julius Katz Draws a Straight Flush,” Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine – September-October 2025 by Dave Zeltserman
Best Young Adult
- Under the Same Stars by Libba Bray
- Catch Your Death by Ravena Guron
- This is Where We Die by Cindy R.X. He
- The Scammer by Tiffany D. Jackson
- Codebreaker by Jay Martel
Best Television Episode Teleplay
(No nominees listed in the source, but the category remains part of the awards.)
Ceremony Details
The 80th Annual Edgar Awards will be celebrated on April 29 at the Marriott Marquis Times Square. Attendees will gather to honor the best in mystery writing, with the Grand Masters receiving special recognition.
Key Takeaways
- The nominations showcase a diverse range of voices, from seasoned authors like Laila Lalami to rising talents such as Hannah Deitch.
- The Grand Master honors highlight the legacy and continued impact of Donna Andrews and Lee Child within the mystery community.
- The ceremony’s location in Times Square underscores the prominence of the awards in the literary world.
For more updates on the Edgar Awards, subscribe to News Of Los Angeles magazine to stay informed about the latest in mystery, true crime, and literary achievements.
