The Dashiell Hammett Prize for Crime Writing

The Dashiell Hammett Prize is given out annually for literary excellence in the publishing field of crime writing, for works published in the English language in the U.S. or Canada. "Crime Writing" is defined for the Hammett Prize as any published work that encompasses such areas as "crime", "suspense", "thriller", "mystery" or "espionage". A collection of short stories by a single author would also qualify.

Nominations are solicited from the membership of the International Association of Crime Writers - North American Branch, as well as distinguished crime specialist booksellers and critics. The Officers and Executive Council of the IACW/NA may also nominated books of merit that they feel have been overlooked. Nominations are screened by a Nominating Committee of IACW/NA members, who review the nominations and select no less than three and no more than five finalists each year. The President of the IACW/NA, in consultation with the Executive Council, appoints a panel of three outside (i.e. non-member) judges to select the winner. One of these judges will be a distinguished U.S. or Canadian author working outside the crime writing field; one a distinguished editor or publisher; the third a distinguished critic or bookseller, again, not working primarily in the crime field. For a more detailed look at all the winners and past nominees, please visit the official Hammett Prize archive site.

NOTE: All books owned by Lincoln City Libraries are hotlinked to their entries in our library catalog, so that you may check on their current availability. If you see a title on this list that is not hotlinked to our collection, please consider ordering it through our Interlibrary Loan department.

2011		James Sallis The Killer is Dying
2010		Olen Steinhauser The Nearest Exit
2009		Jedediah Berry The Manual of Detection
2008		George Pelacanos The Turnaround
2007		Gil Adamson The Outlander
2006		Dan Fesperman The Prisoner of Guantanamo
2005		Joseph Kanon Alibi
2004		Chuck Hogan Prince of Thieves
2003		Carol Goodman The Seduction of Water
2002		Owen Parry Honor's Kingdom
2001		Alan Furst Kingdom of Shadows
2000		Margaret Atwood The Blind Assassin
1999		Martin Cruz Smith Havana Bay
1998		William Hoffman Tidewater Blood
1997		William Deverell Trial of Passion
1996		Rose Martin Cruz Smith
1995		Mary Willis Walker Under the Beetle's Cellar
1994		James Lee Burke Dixie City Jam
1993		James Crumley The Mexican Tree Duck
1992		Alice Hoffman Turtle Moon
1991		Elmore Leonard Maximum Bob