Monday, 2 February 2026

2026 International Thriller Writer Award Nominees Announced


 

Best Standalone Novel

Cross My Heart by Megan Collins (Atria)

Zigzag Girl by Ruth Knafo Setton (Black Spring Press)

The Burning Library by Gilly Macmillan (William Morrow)

The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen (St. Martin’s Press)

So Happy Together by Olivia Worley (Minotaur)


Best Series Novel

Chain Reaction by James Byrne (Minotaur)

The Big Empty by Robert Crais (Penguin/Putnam)

Head Cases: A Novel by John McMahon (Minotaur)

The Tourists by Christopher Reich (Thomas & Mercer)

Terminal Moonlight by Vincent Zandri (Down & Out Books)


Best First Novel

Death at the White Hart by Chris Chibnall (Pamela Dorman Books)

Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox (Minotaur)

Count My Lies by Sophie Stava (Gallery/Scout Press)

History Lessons by Zoe B. Wallbrook (Soho Crime)

Julie Chan is Dead by Liann Zhang (Atria)

 

Best Audiobook

King of Ashes by S. A. Cosby (Macmillan) Narrated by Adam Lazarre-White

The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards (Simon & Schuster) Narrated by John Hopkins and Anna Burnett

Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino (Macmillan) Narrated by Cia Court

When Devils Sing by Xan Kaur (Macmillan) Narrated by Michael Crouch, Anjali Kunapaneni, Jennifer Pickens and Landon Woodson

The Cheaters Wife by C N Mabry and N’Dia Rae (Simon Maverick) Narrated by Ruffin Prentiss and Machelle Williams

The White Crow by Michael Robotham (Simon & Schuster) Narrated by Katy Sobey


Best Young Adult Novel

Murder Between Friends by Liz Lawson (Delacorte Press)

This Stays Between Us by Margot McGovern (Penguin Young Readers)

Shiny Happy People by Clay McLeod Chapman (Delacorte Press)

The Silenced by Diana Rodriguez Wallach (Delacorte Press)

The Thrashers by Julie Soto (Wednesday Books)


Best Short Story

Level Up by Katrina Carrasco (Bywater Books)

The Seduction of Dr Dimension by Scott William Carter (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine)

Eleven Numbers by Lee child (Amazon Original Stories)

False Note by David Lagercrantz (Amazon Original Stories)

The Violent Season by Jessica Van Dessel (Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine)


ITW will announce the winners at Thrillerfest XXI on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at the New York Hilton Midtown, New York City.

Congratulations to all the nominated finalists!

No comments: