Sunday, 26 April 2026

Crime Writers of Canada 2026 Awards of Excellence Shortlist & Grand Master Recipient Rick Mofina


Crime Writers of Canada (CWC) announced the Shortlists for the 2026 Crime Writers of Canada Awards of Excellence in Canadian Crime Writing. Since 1984, Crime Writers of Canada has recognized the best in mystery, crime, suspense fiction, and crime nonfiction by Canadian authors, including citizens abroad and new residents. Winners will be announced on Friday, May 29, 2026.

GRAND MASTER AWARD RECIPIENT

Rick Mofina has been named the recipient of the 2026 Grand Master Award. This prestigious biennial honour recognizes a Canadian crime writer with a substantial body of work who has garnered significant national and international acclaim while demonstrating a steadfast commitment to the crime-writing community. CWC selected Mofina for this distinction based on his prolific output, professional integrity, and years of dedicated service to both the organization and the genre.

THE 2026 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE SHORTLISTS

The Peter Robinson Award for Best Crime Novel, with a $1000 prize

The Retirement Plan by Sue Hincenbergs, HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

The Hunger We Pass Down, by Jen Sookfong Lee, McClelland & Stewart

Into the Fall by Tamara L. Miller, Thomas and Mercer

The Black Wolf by Louise Penny Minotaur Books

The Tiger and the Cosmonaut, by Eddy Boudel Tan Viking Canada

Best Crime First Novel, sponsored by Melodie Campbell with a $1000 prize.

The Beltane Massacre by Ray Critch, Breakwater Books

Yesterday’s Lies by Jan Field, La Cloche Publishing

The Broken Detective by Joel Nedecky Run Amok Crime

 A Painting to Die For by David L. Tucker, Otter & Osprey Press

Too Dark for the Light by A.L. Wahdel, Butterfly 80 Publishing

Best Crime Novel Set in Canada, sponsored by Shaftesbury with a $500 prize.

 That Other Family by Lis Angus Next Chapter

, Every Fall by Angela Douglas, Rising Action Publishing Co

 Detective Aunty by Uzma Jalaluddin HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

 Salt on Her Tongue, by C.S. Porter Vagrant Press

The Hitchhikers, by Chevy Stevens, St. Martin’s Press

The Whodunit Award for Best Traditional Mystery, sponsored by Jane Doe with a $500 prize.

The Engineer’s Nemesis by Shelley Adina, Moonshell Books

 Stella Ryman and the Search for Thelma Hu by Mel Anastasiou, Pulp Literature Press

 A Dark Death by Alice Fitzpatrick Stonehouse Publishing

Some Justice: A Ghazi Ammar Medieval Mystery, by Laury Silvers, Independently Published

The Cost of a Hostage by Iona Whishaw,, Touch Wood Editions

Best Crime Short Story, sponsored by Crime Writers of Canada with a $200 prize.

 Under the Circumstances by Lis Angus, (A Capital Mystery Anthology), Ottawa Press and Publishing

The Lost Diner by Madeleine Harris Callway Pulp Literature Press (story on p.115)

Cold Shock by Barbara Fradkin (A Capital Mystery Anthology), Ottawa Press and Publishing

 The Headache by Billie Livingstone Dark Yonder (story on p.31)

Polly Wants a Freakin’ Cracker by Sylvia Maultash Warsh (Malice Domestic: Murder Most Humorous), Wildside Press

Best French Language Crime Book, sponsored by Carrick Publishing with a $500 prize

 Le regard des autres by Chrystine Brouillet, Druide

Jeux d’ombres by André Jacques Druide

La mémoire du labyrinth by Steve Laflamme, Libre Expression

Une nuit d’été à Littlebrook by Maureen Martineau, Héliotrope

Delta Zéro by Martin Michaud Libre Expression

Best Juvenile / YA Crime Book, sponsored by Superior Shores Press with a $250 prize.

The Mystery of the Haunted Dancehall by Charis Cotter Tundra Books

Death by Whoopee Cushion by Vicki Grant, Tundra Books

The Mizzy Mysteries: A Skeleton in the Closet by Claire Hatcher-Smith Tundra Books

The City of Lost Cats by Tanya Lloyd Kyi, Tundra Books

 Bark Twice for Murder by John Lekich, Orca Book Publishers

The Brass Knuckles Award for Best Nonfiction Crime Book, sponsored by David Reid Simpson Law Firm (Hamilton) with a $300 prize.

The Many Names of Robert Cree: How a First Nations Chief, Brought Ancient Wisdom to Big Business and Prosperity to His People, by Robert Cree with Therese Greenwood, ECW Press

 Acts of Darkness: Notorious Criminals, Their Defenders, Prosecutors, and Jailers by John L. Hill Durvile & UpRoute 

 Arctic Predator: The Crimes of Edward Horne Against Children in Canada’s North, by Kathleen Lippa, Dundurn Press 

On the Lam: Great (and Not So Great) Escapes from Prison, by Lorna Poplak, Dundurn Press 

Hitman: The Untold Story of Canada’s Deadliest Assassin by Julian Sher & Lisa Fitterman HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

Best Unpublished Crime Novel manuscript written by an unpublished author, sponsored by ECW Press with a $500 prize.

Val's Story by Anne Burlakoff, 

The Less You Know by William Hall, 

Lens Flare by Francis K. Lalumière, 

Death Scent by Barbara Stokes, 

 Blistered by Isabelle Zimmermann

Congratulations to all the nominated authors.

 

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