Malice Domestic 37 is in the books, which means the Agatha Awards for 2024 have been announced!
The Agatha Awards are a prestigious set of literary awards that honour the traditional mystery, like those of their namesake, Dame Agatha Christie. Unlike many awards which bear the name of the year they were presented in, the Agatha Awards use the year of books that are being celebrated – in this case, 2024.
The Agathas were presented on April 26th at Malice Domestic 37 in Bethesda, Maryland, as nominated and voted on by “friends” of Malice Domestic. Eligible novels contain no explicit sex, excessive gore, or gratuitous violence, as well as not considered a “hard-boiled” mystery. There are six categories, which consist of five nominations each.
With all of that said, here are the 2024 Agatha Award winners!
Best Contemporary Novel
Winner: A Midnight Puzzle by Gigi Pandian
Winner of the 2024 Agatha Award for Best Contemporary Novel, A Midnight Puzzle by Gigi Pandian follows magician-turned-sleuth Tempest Raj as she investigates a deadly booby trap at a historic theater. As secrets tied to her family’s mysterious past emerge, Tempest must solve an intricate puzzle to clear their name and stop a string of impossible crimes. It is book 3 in the “Secret Staircase Mysteries” series.
Other Nominees:
Best Historical Novel
Winner: To Slip the Bonds of Earth by Amanda Flower
Amanda Flower’s To Slip the Bonds of Earth earned the 2024 Agatha Award for Best Historical Novel, recognized for its captivating blend of real history and clever mystery. Set in 1903, it follows Katharine Wright as she investigates a murder tied to her brothers’ stolen flight plans, determined to safeguard their legacy. It is the first book in Ms. Flower’s “Katharine Wright Mystery” series.
Other Nominees:
Best First Novel
Winner: You Know What You Did by K.T. Nguyen
K.T. Nguyen won the 2024 Agatha Award for Best First Novel with You Know What You Did, a gripping psychological mystery about Annie Shaw, a Vietnamese American artist spiraling after her mother’s death. As memories resurface and a murder comes to light, Annie must confront dark secrets she may have tried to forget.
Other Nominees:
Best Short Story
Winner: The Postman Always Flirts Twice by Barb Goffman
Other Nominees:
Best Nonfiction
Winner: Writing the Cozy Mystery: Authors’ Perspectives on Their Craft by Phyllis M. Betz
Writing the Cozy Mystery: Authors’ Perspectives on Their Craft, edited by Phyllis M. Betz, received the 2024 Agatha Award for Best Nonfiction. This insightful volume features reflections from cozy mystery authors on the art of crafting engaging, comforting, and cleverly plotted whodunits.
Other Nominees:
- Agatha Christie’s Marple: Expert on Wickedness by Mark Aldridge
- Some of My Best Friends are Murders by Chris Chan
- The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore by Evan Friss
- Abingdon’s Boardinghouse Murder by Greg Lilly
Best Children’s/Young Adult
Winner: The Sasquatch of Harriman Lake by K.B. Jackson
K.B. Jackson’s Sasquatch of Harriman Lake won the 2024 Agatha Award for Best Children’s/Young Adult Mystery. In this fun and spooky adventure, a group of kids sets out to uncover the truth behind a local Sasquatch legend—only to find more than they bargained for.
Other Nominees:
Lifetime Achievement Award
At the 2025 Malice Domestic convention, Donna Andrews was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing her significant contributions to the cozy mystery genre. Known for her beloved “Meg Langslow” series, Andrews has captivated readers with her witty storytelling and memorable characters, solidifying her status as a cherished author in the mystery community.
Congratulations to all of the winners and nominees!
For more information on the Agatha Awards, please visit Malice Domestic’s website.