Agatha Awards - Malice Domestic 2026

 

The  2026 Agatha Award winners were announced during Malice Domestic 38 on April 25, 2026. The Agatha Awards honour the “traditional mystery,” books typified by the works of Agatha Christie and others. Congratulations to all.

The Agatha Award Winners (for works published in 2025)

Best Contemporary Mystery Novel

At Death’s Dough, by Mindy Quigley (Minotaur)

Best Historical Mystery Novel

The Case of the Christie Conspiracy, by Kelly Oliver (Boldwood)

Best Non-fiction

Vacations Can Be Murder: A True Crime Lover’s Travel Guide to the Mid-Atlantic States, by Dawn M. Barclay (Level Best)

Best First Mystery Novel

Whiskey Business, by Adrian Andover (Chestnut Avenue Press)

Best Children’s/Young Adult Mystery Novel

Death in the Cards, by Mia P. Manansala (Delacorte Books for Young Readers)

Best Mystery Short Story

 “Six-Armed Robbery,” by Ashley Ruth-Bernier (from Malice Domestic: Mystery Most Humorous)

 

Left Coast Crime - Lefty Awards

Left Coast Crime 2026 San Francisco Schemin' presented the Lefty Awards in four categories at our 36th annual convention. The categories were: Humorous, Historical, Debut, and Best. 

2026 Lefty Award nominees for books published in 2025:

Lefty for Best Humorous Mystery Novel: 

Scot’s Eggs by Catriona McPherson

Lefty for Best Historical Mystery Novel for books set before 1970. (The Bill Gottfried Memorial): 

The Case of the Missing Maid by Rob Osler

Lefty for Best Debut Mystery Novel: 

Whiskey Business by Adrian Andover

Lefty for Best Mystery Novel (not in other categories): 

Rivers of Lies by James L’Etoile

Left Coast Crime Conventions are annual events sponsored by mystery fans, both readers and authors. Held in the western half of North America, LCC’s intent is to host an event where readers, authors, critics, librarians, publishers, and other fans can gather in convivial surroundings to pursue their mutual interests. Lefty Awards have been given since 1996. 

Returning to The City, where Left Coast Crime held its first two conventions, the 36th Annual Left Coast Crime Convention took place in San Francisco, February 26 – March 1, 2026. This year’s Guests of Honor were authors Robin Burcell and Gary Phillips. Randal Brandt was the Fan Guest of Honor, and author Leslie Karst served as Toastmaster.

Left Coast Crime is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation holding annual mystery conventions in the West. Each LCC convention raises money to support a local literary organisation, and is staffed entirely by volunteers. This year the charity was the San Francisco Public Library literacy program.

Congratulations to all the nominated authors and winners.