Dashiell Hammett Prize

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.

Hammett Prize Winners for Best Crime Writing

2019

Jane Stanton Hitchcock
Bluff

2018

Lou Berney
November Road

2017

Stephen Mack Jones
August Snow

2016

Dominic Stansberry
The White Devil

2015

Lisa Sandlin
The Do-Right

2014

Stephen King
Mr. Mercedes

2013

Richard Lange
Angel Baby

2012

Howard Owen
Oregon Hill

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 (retitled “The Town”)

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

Martin Cruz Smith
Rose

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

Last updated October 2020 sdc