The 2026 First Crime Novel Competition

 

NEW YORK, NY 5/5/26 – Minotaur Books and the Mystery Writers of America introduced the winner of their First Crime Novel Competition at the 80th annual Edgar® Awards Banquet on Wednesday, April 29th, in New York City. The announcement was made by Kelley Ragland, vice president and publishing director at Minotaur Books.

The competition winner, Sharon Roth, is a Maryland attorney who also writes as Shannon Taft. Roth has written over twenty published short stories, including a Derringer Award-finalist and a story that appeared in Best American Mystery and Suspense. Her debut novel, Ghost of a Clue, is a cozy mystery featuring a protagonist named Lexi, who as a child witnessed the killing of her mother and sister. As a result of the attack, Lexi hears her sister's voice in her head. Now an adult, Lexi is trying to put the past behind her and buy a B&B in the Poconos. But when the true crime journalist intent on bringing all of Lexi's secrets into the open is murdered, Lexi is the prime suspect. Ghost of a Clue is tentatively scheduled for publication in fall of 2027.

Kelley Ragland added, “We fell in love with Lexi Wells and her voice, as well as the Poconos setting. Ghost of a Clue is a terrific mystery full of charm and substance, featuring a character with the unique ‘sidekick’ of her sister’s memory. We’re thrilled to be publishing Sharon’s debut.”

The First Crime Novel Competition, which had its first winner in 2008, provides a previously unpublished writer an opportunity to launch his or her career with the Minotaur Books imprint. The winner will receive a one-book, $10,000 contract.

Minotaur is currently accepting submissions for next year’s award.

For more information about both writing competitions Minotaur Books co-sponsors, Click Here

Many Thanks to Hector DeJean [Associate Director of Publicity] Minotaur Books

About Minotaur Books, St. Martin’s Publishing Group and Macmillan Publishers [the U.S. trade division of the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group].

Minotaur Books, an imprint of The St. Martin’s Publishing Group, launched in 1999, and publishes 75 hardcover crime fiction titles annually. Minotaur Books grew out of a fifty-year tradition of publishing quality crime fiction at St. Martin’s Press, and has published several award-winning and best-selling titles > https://us.macmillan.com/minotaurbooks/

The St. Martin’s Publishing Group is part of Macmillan Publishers, the U.S. trade division of the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group, a large family-owned media company headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Its publishing companies include prominent imprints around the world that publish a broad range of award-winning books for children and adults in all categories and formats.

About Mystery Writers of America

Mystery Writers of America (MWA) is the premier organization for mystery writers, professionals allied to the crime writing field, aspiring crime writers, and those who are devoted to the genre. MWA is dedicated to promoting higher regard for crime writing and recognition and respect for those who write within the genre. MWA is a non-profit organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. www.mysterywriters.org.