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Macavity Awards 2008

The 2008 Macavity Awards went to In the Woods by Tana French (Best First Mystery), What the Dead Know by Laura Lippman (Best Mystery Novel) and The Essential Mystery Lists: For Readers, Collectors, and Librarians by Roger Sobin (Best Nonfiction/Critical), with winners in 1 more category. 20 books were nominated across 4 categories.

Winners

Best First Mystery

  1. In the Woods by Tana Frenchsource (opens in a new tab)

Best Mystery Novel

  1. What the Dead Know by Laura Lippmansource (opens in a new tab)

Best Nonfiction/Critical

  1. The Essential Mystery Lists: For Readers, Collectors, and Librarians by Roger Sobinsource (opens in a new tab)

Sue Feder Historical Mystery

  1. Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklinsource (opens in a new tab)

Nominees

Best First Mystery

  1. Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hillsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Stealing the Dragon by Tim Maleenysource (opens in a new tab)
  3. The Collaborator of Bethlehem by Matt Beynon Reessource (opens in a new tab)
  4. The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutzsource (opens in a new tab)

Best Mystery Novel

  1. Blood of Paradise by David Corbettsource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Soul Patch by Reed Farrel Colemansource (opens in a new tab)
  3. The Unquiet by John Connollysource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Water Like a Stone by Deborah Crombiesource (opens in a new tab)

Best Nonfiction/Critical

  1. Arthur Conan Doyle: A Life in Letters by Jon Lellenberg, Daniel Stashower and Charles Foleysource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Chester Gould: A Daughter's Biography of the Creator of Dick Tracy by Jean Gould O'Connellsource (opens in a new tab)
  3. Police Procedure and Investigation: A Guide for Writers by Lee Loflandsource (opens in a new tab)
  4. Rough Guide to Crime Fiction by Barry Forshawsource (opens in a new tab)

Sue Feder Historical Mystery

  1. Consequences of Sin by Clare Langley-Hawthornesource (opens in a new tab)
  2. Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowensource (opens in a new tab)
  3. The Gravedigger's Daughter by Joyce Carol Oatessource (opens in a new tab)
  4. The Snake Stone by Jason Goodwinsource (opens in a new tab)

About the Macavity Awards

Book categories only (Best Mystery Novel, Best First Mystery, Best Nonfiction/Critical, Sue Feder Historical Mystery), transcribed from Mystery Readers International's Macavity Awards page. Short story category skipped. Year is the award year MRI lists; books were published the year before. Category names drift on the page (Best First Mystery Novel, Best Mystery Nonfiction, Best Mystery-Related Nonfiction/Critical, Sue Feder Historical Mystery Award); they are normalized here. The winner is the first-listed name in each category heading; the rest are nominees. 2009's Declan Hughes nominee is listed as The Dying Breed (UK) / The Price of Blood (US); the UK title is kept.

Organization: Mystery Readers International. Years are award years, which can differ from publication years. Official site (opens in a new tab)

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