Agatha Awards
The premier award for traditional mystery fiction, honoring works in the spirit of Agatha Christie at the annual Malice Domestic convention.
About the Agatha Awards
The Agatha Awards honor the traditional mystery genre, named after Dame Agatha Christie, the Queen of Crime. Presented annually at Malice Domestic, a convention celebrating the traditional mystery, the awards recognize works that exemplify the cozy mystery tradition - focusing on puzzle-solving rather than graphic violence.
Traditional mysteries, often called "cozies," typically feature an amateur detective, a contained setting, minimal violence and gore, and an emphasis on puzzle-solving. The Agatha Awards specifically exclude works with excessive gore, violence, or gratuitous sex.
Categories
- Best Contemporary Novel - Set in contemporary times
- Best Historical Novel - Set before 1960
- Best First Novel - Debut traditional mystery
- Best Children's/YA Mystery - For younger readers
- Best Short Story - Traditional mystery short fiction
- Best Nonfiction - Mystery-related nonfiction
Eligibility and Voting
Nominees are proposed by Malice Domestic attendees and members. Works must be traditional mysteries without excessive violence, gore, or explicit content. Final voting is conducted by registered attendees of the Malice Domestic convention, with winners announced at the Saturday night banquet.
Recent Agatha Award Winners - Best Contemporary Novel
| Year | Title | Author |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Not a Happy Family | Shari Lapena |
| 2023 | Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers | Jesse Q. Sutanto |
| 2022 | The Thursday Murder Club | Richard Osman |
| 2021 | Finlay Donovan Is Killing It | Elle Cosimano |
| 2020 | The Hunting Party | Lucy Foley |
| 2019 | A Deadly Inside Scoop | Abby Collette |
| 2018 | The Widows of Malabar Hill | Sujata Massey |
| 2017 | A Great Reckoning | Louise Penny |
| 2016 | The Nature of the Beast | Louise Penny |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a "traditional mystery"?
Traditional mysteries (often called "cozies") focus on puzzle-solving and deduction rather than violence. They typically feature an amateur detective, avoid graphic violence and explicit content, and emphasize the intellectual challenge of solving the crime.
Must I attend Malice Domestic to nominate or vote?
Yes, voting is restricted to registered attendees and members of Malice Domestic. However, anyone can participate in early nomination rounds by joining the convention's fan community.
What does the winner receive?
Winners receive a teapot-shaped award, reflecting the cozy nature of traditional mysteries. The award is presented at the Malice Domestic convention banquet.
Can self-published books be nominated?
Yes, self-published traditional mysteries are eligible for Agatha nomination, provided they meet the genre requirements and content guidelines.