In the Name of Hammett

The North American Branch of the International Association of Crime Writers has announced its shortlist of nominees for the 2019 Hammett Prize. That annual commendation is given to a book, first published in the English language in the United States or Canada, “that best represents the conception of literary excellence in crime writing.” Four of the five 2020 contenders—all listed below—are novels; however, the last one is a work of non-fiction.

• The Adventure of the Peculiar Protocols, by Nicholas Meyer
(St. Martin’s Press)
• Blood Relations, by Jonathan Moore (Mariner)
• Bluff, by Jane Stanton Hitchcock (Poisoned Pen Press)
• The Murals, by William Bayer (Severn House)
• Norco ’80: The True Story of the Most Spectacular Bank Robbery in American History, by Peter Houlahan (Counterpoint Press)

This year’s winner should be declared by early summer, though where the award will be presented has reportedly not been determined.

(Hat tip to The Gumshoe Site.)