Falchion Fanfare

Just about a month ago, we brought you the list of finalists for the 2020 Silver Falchion Awards. Tonight we can tell you the winners in two categories of special interest to Rap Sheet readers.

Best Mystery Novel:
Lovely Digits, by Jeanine Englert (Soul Mate)

Also nominated: A Dream of Death, by Connie Berry (Crooked Lane); The White Heron, by Carl and Jane Bock (Whiz Bang); The Mammoth Murders, by Iris Chacon (Independently published); Blood Moon Rising, by Richard Conrath (Gulf Shore Press); Fake, by John DeDakis (Strategic Media); The Marsh Mallows, by Henry Hack (Dog Ear); Murder at the Candlelight Vigil, by Karen McCarthy (McCarthy Mystery); Murder Creek, by Jane Suen (Jane Suen); and The Deadliest Thief, by June Trop (Black Opal)

Best Thriller:
Hyperion’s Fracture, by Thomas Kelso (Jolly Robin Press)

Also nominated: Red Specter, by Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson (Thomas & Mercer); All Hollow, by Simeon Courtie (Simantics); Deadly Obsession, by Shirley B. Garrett (Independently published); The Gryphon Heist, by James R. Hannibal (Revell); Low Country Blood, by Sue Hinkin (Literary Wanderlust); Rise, by Leslie McCauley (Independently published); The Secret Child, by Caroline Mitchell (Thomas & Mercer); The Silent Victim, by Dana Perry (Bookouture); and Downhill Fast, by Dana J. Summers (Independently published)

Crime and mystery novels also took home the trophies in three additional Silver Falchion divisions:

Readers’ Choice 2020:
A Sip Before Dying, by Gemma Halliday (Independently published)

Best “Attending: Author 2020:
Below the Fold, by R.G. Belsky (Oceanview)

Book of the Year 2020
Queen’s Gambit, by Bradley Harper (Seventh Street). Harper’s novel scored the prize for Best Suspense, as well.

The announcement of 2020 Silver Falchion recipients was supposed to have been made during this year’s Killer Nashville conference in Tennessee. But since that event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the register of winners was broadcast online.

(Hat tip to Mystery Fanfare.)