2025 David Thompson Special Service Award Winners

 

Lucinda Surber and Stan Ulrich Awards Banquet at Left Coast Crime 2012 Sacramento

Photo by Clark Lohr from leftcoastcrime.org

Bouchercon, the world’s largest mystery writers and fans conference, congratulates Lucinda Surber and Stan Ulrich, the 2025 winners of the David Thompson Memorial Special Service award, for their extraordinary efforts to develop and promote the crime fiction field.

“We’re insanely thrilled to receive the David Thompson Award and humbled to join the starry ranks of past honorees!” Stan and Lucinda reacted when notified of the award.

Mystery/crime fiction enthusiasts, Lucinda and Stan have been key leaders in the landscape for more than twenty years. Their first mystery convention was Bouchercon 2007 in Anchorage, Alaska and they have since served in a variety of Bouchercon volunteer positions. Stan joined the Bouchercon national board serving as Treasurer and Rules Committee Chair. Later Stan and Lucinda were Chairs of the volunteer subcommittee for two Bouchercon conventions, and Anthony Awards Chairs in Long Beach in 2014 and in Dallas in 2019.

Lucinda and Stan are also the driving force behind the mystery conference, Left Coast Crime. Stan, a retired lawyer, is President of the Left Coast Crime Conference, Inc. Lucinda, a former educator, is the organization’s Secretary. They’ve been managing the Lefty Awards since 2011.

"Stan and Lucinda exemplify the dedication and expertise of those in a special category: key volunteers,” says Cheryl Head, Bouchercon Board Chair. “We couldn’t be successful without them.”

The David Thompson Award will be presented to Stan and Lucinda at the Opening Ceremonies of Blood on the Bayou: Case Closed in New Orleans, September 3-7, 2025.

The David Thompson Memorial Special Service Award is given by the Bouchercon Board to honour the memory and contributions to the crime fiction community of David Thompson, a much beloved Houston bookseller who passed away in 2010.

Past winners selected by the Bouchercon National Board of Directors for their “extraordinary efforts to develop and promote the crime fiction field” are:

2024 - Crime Writers of Color

2023 - Sarah Paretsky

2022 - Les and Leslie Blatt

2021 - Janet Rudolph

2020 - Al Abramson

2019 - Don and Jenn Longmuir

2018 - Lesa Holstine

2017 - George Easter

2016 - Otto Penzler

2015 - Bill and Toby Gottfried

2014 - Judy Bobalik

2013 - Marv Lachman

2012 - Len and June Moffatt

2011 - Ali Karim

For more information about Bouchercon and the David Thompson Award: visit website: www.bouchercon.com

Remembering Joe Hartlaub [Sept 11 1951 - May 29 2025]

 

Shots Magazine’s editors Mike Stotter and I were devastated to hear the sad news of the passing of Joe Hartlaub, as were so many of us in the crime, mystery and thriller genre.

Apart from one of our Greatest Book Reviewers, specialising in Thriller Fiction, and a writer in his own right - he was a renowned attorney specialising in the Music Industry.

I was first aware of Joe’s reputation in the world of Thriller Fiction from Carol Fitzgerald’s Book Reporter. I enjoyed her weekly emails each and every Saturday Morning in my inbox; always seeking out Joe Hartlaub’s Thriller Picks and his reviews of newly published work.

Click Here, for Bookreporter.com  

I finally got to meet Carol and Joe in the summer of 2006, at International Thrillers’ [ITW] first convention, held at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix in 2006. We were jurors at an event entitled “The Jack Reacher Trial” which featured two attorneys on opposite sides of the mock courtroom, one for the prosecution, and one for the defence of Lee Child’s character [played by the author himself]. The attorneys were played by legal thriller writers who were actually lawyers in their day jobs. I recall one being Paul Levine but sadly my memory fails to recall the second legal thriller writer.  

From that time onwards a friendship blossomed based on our love of all things bibliophilic.

Both Mike Stotter and I would enjoy meeting up with Carol and Joe on our annual excursions across the Atlantic at future Thrillerfests and Bouchercon conventions.

One of the most memorable times being Hat Shopping with Kelli Stanley and Joe in Cleveland Ohio, during Bouchercon 2012, as well as bumping into each other  several times during Bouchercon Indianapolis in 2009.

And the impromptu meeting on Bourbon Street in New Orleans in 2016  

Joe would send me a text message audio recording of himself singing me Happy Birthday. Shortly after learning of his passing, I learned he was sending these little audio clips to many of his friends and colleagues.

They always raised a smile.

Both Mike and I had been in touch with Joe just last month, discussing meeting up during the 2025 Bouchercon in New Orleans this coming September. This city on the Louisiana Bayou was one of Joe’s favourite cities in North America – probably due to its rich music heritage, especially of the Blues. Joe had explained that though excited at the prospect – especially as we’d not seen each other since 2016 – however he said he was a tad ‘under the weather’, but hoped to get better in time for September’s Bouchercon.

Sadly, we heard via Carol Fitzgerald that Joe passed away last week.

Joe’s Obituary is HERE fittingly hosted at The Times-Picayune of New Orleans.

“Joe graduated from the University of Akron in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science (Accounting) and obtained a Juris Doctorate from the University of Akron [School of Law] in 1977, when he began a legal career spanning five decades. The majority of his 48 years in practice were devoted to entertainment law, thanks in no small part to Joe's lifelong love of music and the written word. He took great pleasure in helping his clients and worked tirelessly on their behalf. “

Signing off, the obituary closed with Chuck Berry line >

"'C'est la vie,' say the old folks, 'It goes to show you never can tell.'"

The Complete Obituary is HERE

Apart from the memories Joe leaves behind, his blogposts at Kill Zone remain archived and can be accessed HERE and when Joe retired from book reviewing at Bookreporter, in the summer of 2021, Carol Fitzgerald organised a special feature entitled “Hats Off to Joe Hartlaub” in which she asked many writers and colleagues of Joe to write a little about what Joe Hartlaub’s work meant to them – and it’s a fitting tribute to this dear friend and colleague of the world of Thriller Fiction.

It can be accessed HERE

And finally let’s conclude with a song 

Bouchercon 2025 New Orleans UPDATE

 

Following the success of the City of New Orleans hosting Bouchercon [aka THE WORLD CRIME & MYSTERY CONVENTION] in 2016 thanks to the efforts of Heather Graham and Connie Perry and their team - Next Year - 2025 Bouchercon returns to New Orleans. 

And it's confirmed that from Shots Magazine, Ayo Onatade, Mike Stotter and Ali Karim will be attending and we hope many of our colleagues and friends from the British Crime, Mystery and Thriller community will be joining us - especially as the bestselling [and award winning] thriller writer Lisa Jewell is the British Guest of Honour at the event.

Please find the latest information from the New Orleans Bouchercon Co-Chairs - the amazing Connie Perry and Heather Graham 

September 18, 2024 Greetings and Happy Fall! As one incredible Bouchercon wraps up, we’re thrilled to announce that preparations for the next one are already in full swing. Hotel reservations are now open for Bouchercon New Orleans 2025, and we can’t wait to bring you another unforgettable experience, just like the one we had in 2016. For those who missed it, get ready to dive into the excitement of the 2nd Line Parade, explore the World War II Museum, enjoy fantastic panels, Speed Dating, Cozies and Cocktails, the Debut Mystery Author Breakfast, and the renowned Anthony Awards! Building on the success of new events introduced in Nashville, we’re excited to repeat them in New Orleans. The Discovery Zone and the “Free Books” Library Event were huge hits, and if you missed out in Nashville, you’ll definitely want to join the fun in New Orleans.  We’re also delighted to announce that the Crime Writers of Color event will be returning this year. Stay tuned for more details in our upcoming newsletters. BUDDY SYSTEM WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN NEW ORLEANS We’re also excited to introduce the Buddy System for newcomers, a concept we discussed in 2021. If you’re interested in helping first-timers navigate Bouchercon, please send us your name and phone number. During the convention, drop by Bouchercon 101 and connect with a newbie to help them make the most of the event. Converse with your 1st timer, go to lunch, have a drink, etc. Let them know where events will happen, walk the convention with them and answer all their questions. Email: boucheron2025@bouchercon.com if you are interested.

AUTHORS For authors planning to attend and participate in panels or moderate, please note that registration is required by April 1st. After this date, you will be placed on a wait list. At the end of September, we’ll be sending out a form to all authors who registered during the month of September. This form will help our panel chairs match you with the perfect panel based on your genre or interests. We’ll continue to send this form monthly to all newly registered authors. Register for the convention here.

New Orleans Newsletters

Our monthly newsletters are your key to staying updated on all things Bouchercon, from speed dating to the Debut Mystery Author’s Breakfast. If you’ve unsubscribed from Constant Contact, please let us know if you wish to resubscribe. We will ask Constant Contact to send you a re-subscription email—just follow the instructions to get back on our list. These newsletters are crucial for keeping you informed!

HOST HOTEL - MARRIOTT HOTEL

The Marriott Hotel at 555 Canal Street will be our host hotel, offering beautiful accommodations and easy navigation. You must be registered for the convention, to get the fantastic convention rate of $179.00/night. If you need a scooter, please inform connie@perryco.biz in advance, and she'll arrange for you to have a scooter upon arrival.

Boucher Cup III

Matt Coyle is ready to set up the new Boucher Cup III Golf Tournament for New Orleans. As he said "the sooner the better." The Tourney will be held on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. If you are interested, and would like more details please email: mcoyle044@yahoo.com

For all inquiries and registration details for Bouchercon New Orleans 2025, please contact bouchercon2025@bouchercon.com. If you encounter any issues, feel free to email connie@perryco.biz or call 337-319-5783. We’ll be in touch again at the end of September. Be sure to read all our newsletters, and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. Looking forward to seeing you in New Orleans, Heather Graham Chair New Orleans 2025

Pinckley Prizes For Crime Fiction

 

Alafair Burke, Margot Douaihy, and Sascha Rothchild are the recipients of the Pinckley Prizes in Crime Fiction for 2022 and 2023. 

The prizes, named to honor the memory of Diana Pinckley, were presented on 22nd March in New Orleans. The Pinckley Prizes partner with the Women’s National Book Association of New Orleans, of which Diana Pinckley was a founding member.

Alafair Burke is the winner of the 2023 Pinckley Prize for Distinguished Body of Work. 

Burke is the New York Times, Edgar Award nominated author of twenty crime novels. Published in more than twenty languages, her books have been featured on “Best Book” lists from the Today Show, Entertainment Weekly, People, O (Oprah Magazine), The Boston Globe, Washington Post, Sun Sentinel, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and numerous other outlets. She has been called “a genius for plot” and “one of our greatest contemporary mystery writers.” She is the current President of Mystery Writers of America and the first woman of color to be elected to that position. In addition to the standalone novels that have earned her a reputation as “a virtuoso” of domestic suspense, she authors “two power house series” featuring NYPD Detective Ellie Hatcher and Portland Deputy District Attorney Samantha Kincaid. In addition to her own work, 

Alafair also co-authored the "Under Suspicion” series with Queen of Suspense Mary Higgins Clark. Alafair traces a lifelong fascination with crime to the fact that she grew up in Wichita, Kansas, where a serial killer was active during her formative years. In a world where the killer could be anyone, Alafair found comfort in crime fiction. Her mother, a school librarian, helped her navigate from Encyclopedia Brown to Nancy Drew to Agatha Christie and eventually to Sue Grafton.

Margot Douaihy is the winner of the 2023 Pinckley Prize for Debut Fiction for her lyrical crime novel Scorched Grace. The second book in the Sister Holiday Mystery series, Blessed Water, was released on 12 March 2024.

The judges selected Scorched Grace for the novel’s delightful new vision of the noir sleuth: Sister Holiday is lavishly tattooed and plays lead guitar in her punk band Original Sin. She also happens to be a novitiate in the order of the Sisters of the Sublime Blood. She came to New Orleans to make amends for her past transgressions and solves crimes along the way. Douaihy’s writing is playful, the language as luscious as the setting, while the true heart of the story emerges with blazing warmth and compassion for troubled souls.

Sascha Rothchild is the winner of the 2022 Pinckley Prize for Debut Novel for her first book Blood Sugar.

The 2023 judges were impressed with the smart plotting and distinctive voice of Sascha Rothchild's Blood Sugar. Its protagonist, Ruby Simon, is one of the most seductive of psychopaths—clever, self-justifying, and so inventive that the reader can't wait to see what she does next. Rothchild's screenwriting skills translate beautifully to this novel, which also rises to its Miami setting, from Ruby's South Beach days of clubbing to her practice as a therapist. And who wouldn't love a serial killer who meets her best friend when he leaves a note in her Abnormal Psych textbook? Fast, funny, and sharp, Blood Sugar is filled with memorable moments and characters.

 

Anthony Award Winners Announced

 

Since Bouchercon 2021: Blood on the Bayou in New Orleans. was cancelled and has had to be postponed to 2025!, the organisers did an online Awards presentation hosted by Hank Phillipi Ryan.

The winners are as follows -

Best Hardcover Novel

Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby (Flatiron Books)

Best First Novel

Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden (Ecco Press)

Best Paperback Original/E-Book/Audiobook Original Novel

Unspeakable Things by Jess Lourey (Thomas & Mercer)

Best Short Story

"90 Miles" by Alex Segura - Both Sides: Stories From the Border (Agora Books)

Best Juvenile/Young Adult

Holly Hernandez and the Death of Disco by Richie Narvaez (Piñata Books)

Best Critical or Nonfiction Work

Unspeakable Acts: True Tales of Crime, Murder, Deceit, and Obsession by Sarah Weinman, ed. - (Ecco Press)

Best Anthology or Collection

Shattering Glass: A Nasty Woman Press Anthology - Heather Graham, ed. (Nasty Woman Press)

David Thompson Award Special Service Award

Janet Rudolph

The awards ceremony can be seen on the Bouchercon YouTube channel, so do tune in. Congratulations to all the award winners.

Pinckley Prizes for Crime Fiction and True Crime Writing

 

The Women’s National Book Association of New Orlean established the Pinckley Prizes for Crime Fiction in 2012 for women writers to honor the memory of Diana Pinckley (1952-2012), a longtime crime fiction columnist for The New Orleans Times-Picayune, and her passion for mysteries.

New this year, the Pinckley Prize for True Crime Writing is intended to honor a book which illuminates the reality of women’s lives; it need not be a debut work.

C.S. Harris (Candace Procter) and Angie Kim are the recipients of the 2020 Pinckley Prizes for Crime Fiction.

Emma Copley Eisenberg is the inaugural winner of the Pinckley Prize for True Crime Writing. 

The prizes will be presented during the 2021 Bouchercon which takes place in New Orleans in August.