The 2024 Bouchercon Nashville was my first Bouchercon, and it exceeded my expectations. With over 1600 attendees and over 130 panels,
it was the biggest conference I’ve attended. And also, one of the most welcoming. In whichever line I stood in, and there were plenty of lines, I struck up conversations with readers and writers of crime fiction.
And they were from all over, from Vermont and Massachusetts to California and Alaska. I even met two lovely writers from Australia. We enjoyed four packed days focused on crime writing and reading. And the books. Good Lord. I came home with over twenty new books competing to be my next read. And many people were shipping boxes of books home. The publishers went way over expectations.
On Opening Night of 2024 Bouchercon Nashville, the Barry and Shamus awards were handed out.
2024 Bouchercon and the Barry and Shamus awards @OpeningaMystery #Berryawards #Shamusawards #mysteries Share on X
2024 Shamus Award Winners
The Shamus Awards are given out each year by The Private Eye Writers of America. The prize recognizes outstanding achievement in Private Eye fiction.
Best Private Eye Hardcover
Heart of the Nile by Will Thomas (Minotaur Books)
Best Original Private Eye Paperback
Liar’s Dice by Gabriel Valjan (Level Best Books)
Best Private Eye Short Story
“Errand for a Neighbor” by Bill Bassman (January/February 2023, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine)
2024 Barry Award Winners
The editors of Deadly Pleasures Magazine awards the Barry Award as chosen by their readers of crime fiction fans.
Best Mystery or Crime Novel
Dennis Lehane, Small Mercies (Harper)
Best First Mystery or Crime Novel
I.S. Berry, The Peacock and the Sparrow (Atria)
Best Paperback Original Mystery or Crime Novel
Jake Needham, Who the Hell is Harry Black? (Half Penny)
Best Thriller
Mick Herron, The Secret Hours (Soho Crime)