Love Is Murder Mystery Conference

2011 Lovey Award Winners:

• Best First Novel: Stein, Stoned (Harry Stein series, book 1) by Hal Ackerman
• Best Traditional/Amateur Sleuth: Grace Under Pressure (Manor of Murder Mystery, book 1) by Julie Hyzy
• Best PI/Police Procedural: Hostile Takeovers (Leal and Hart series, book 2) by Michael Black
• Best Historical: Dangerous to Know (Emily Ashton series, book 5) by Tasha Alexander
• Best Thriller: Running Dark (Emma Caldridge series, book 2) by Jamie Freveletti
• Best Romantic Suspense: Red, White, and Dead (Izzy McNeil series, book 3) by Laura Caldwell
• Best Series: Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen
• Best Short Story: “The Sugar Cure,” by Carolyn Haines (from Delta Blues, 2010)

2009 Lovey award winners:

• Best First Novel: Lifelines by CJ Lyons
• Best Series: Lincoln Rhyme series by Jeffery Deaver
• Best PI/Police Procedural: Easy Innocence by Libby Fischer Hellmann
• Best Paranormal/Sci Fi/Horror: Metal Gear Solid by Raymond Benson
• Best Traditional/Amateur Sleuth: State of the Onion by Julie Hyzy
• Best Historical: A Fatal Waltz by Tasha Alexander
• Best Suspense: Dead Ringer by Michael Black & Julie Hyzy
• Best Thriller: The Charlemagne Pursuit by Steve Berry
• Best Short Story: The Dugout Dudes, Cubbie Blues, by D.C. Brod

2008 Lovey award winners:

• Best First Novel: Big City, Bad Blood by Sean Chercover
• Best Series: Jack Reacher series by Lee Child; Cork O’Connor series by William Kent Krueger (tie)
• Best PI/Police Procedural: Thunder Bay by William Kent Krueger
• Best Paranormal/Sci Fi/Horror: The Diva’s Fool by Silvia Foti
• Best Traditional/Amateur Sleuth: The Lighthouse Keeper by Luisa Buehler
• Best Historical: Shadows in the White City by Robert W. Walker
• Best Suspense: The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen
• Best Thriller: Bad Luck and Trouble by Lee Child
• Best Short Story: My Heroes Have Always Been Shortstops, Chicago Blues, by D.C. Brod

2007 Lovey award winners:

• Best First Novel: THE CHEF WHO DIED SAUTEING by Honora Finkelstein & Susan Smily
• Best Series: JACK TAYLOR SERIES – Ken Bruen
• Best PI/Police Procedural: A FINAL JUDGEMENT by Michael A. Black
• Best Paranormal/Sci Fi/Horror: DEFINITELY DEAD by Charlaine Harris
• Best Traditional/Amateur Sleuth: DEADLY INTEREST by Julie Hyzy
• Best Historical: THE ASSASSIN by Anne Perry
• Best Suspense: THE VIRGIN OF THE SMALL PLAINS by Nancy Pickard
• Best Thriller: SWEETIE’S DIAMONDS by Raymond Benson
• Best Short Story: A Family Affair, DEADLY INK, by Mary Welk

2006 RC award winners:

• Best First Novel: Cast of Shadows by Kevin Guilfoile
• Best Series: John Rain series by Barry Eisler
• Best PI/Police Procedural: Bloody Mary by J. A. Konrath
• Best Paranormal/Sci Fi/Horror: Heartston by D. C. Brod
• Best Traditional/Amateur Sleuth: A Shot To Die For by Libby Fischer Hellmann
• Best Historical: Three Strikes You’re Dead by Robert Goldsborough
• Best Suspense: The Heist by Michael Black
• Best Thriller: Creepers by David Morrell

2005 RC award winners:

• BEST FIRST NOVEL Whiskey Sour by Joe Konrath
• BEST HISTORICAL NOVEL The Shifting Tide by Anne Perry
• BEST SERIES The Suze Figureroa series by Barbara D'Amato
• BEST CRIME RELATED NON-FICTION They Died in Vain: Overlooked, Underappreciated and Forgotten Mystery Novels by Jim Huang
• BEST PI/POLICE PROCEDURAL Death of a Thousand Cuts by Barbara D'Amato
• BEST PARANORMAL/SCI FI/HORROR The Unseen by Lee Driver (Sandra Tooley writing as Lee Driver)
• BEST TRADITIONAL/AMATEUR SLEUTH Artistic License by Julie Hyzy
• BEST SUSPENSE THRILLER The Fall by Michael Dymmoch
• BEST ROMANCE/FANTASY Stolen by Kelly Armstrong

2004 RC award winners:

• Best First Novel: Artistic License by Julie Hyzy
• Best Historical Novel: Twelve Travelers, Twenty Horses by Harriette Robinet
• Best Series: The Suze Figureroa Series by Barbara D'Amato
• Best True Crime Related Nonfiction: Alchemy of Bones by Robert Loerzel
• Best P.I./Police Procedural: A Killing Frost by Michael Black
• Best Paranormal/Sci Fi/Horror: Living Proof by Peter J. Thompson
• Best Traditional/Amateur Sleuth: A Picture of Guilt by Libby Fisher Hellman
• Best Thriller: The Protector by David Morrell

2003 RC award winners:

• Best Suspense/Thriller --Unnatural Instinct by Robert Walker
• Best First Mystery -- An Eye For Murder by Libby Fischer Hellman
• Best PI/Police Procedural -- Purgatory Ridge by William Kent Krueger
• Best Series -- The Cat Marsala series by Barbara D'Amato
• Best Traditional -- unable to find name of winner

2002 RC award winners:

• Best Suspense/Thriller -- Oblivion by Jay Bonansinga
• Best First Mystery -- When the Dead Speak by S. D. Tooley
• Best Traditional/Amateur Sleuth -- Something Wicked in the Air by Mary V. Welk
• Best PI/Police Procedural -- Boundary Waters by William Kent Krueger
• Best Series -- The Caroline Rhodes series by Mary V. Welk

2001 RC award winners unavailable

2000 RC award winners:

• Best Suspense/Thriller -- Windows to the Soul by J. M Barlog
• Best First Mystery -- A Deadly Little Christmas by Mary V. Welk
• Best Traditional/Amateur Sleuth -- Hard Evidence by Barbara D'Amato
• Best PI/Police Procedural -- Left Hand of God by Hugh Holton
• Best Series -- The Malachi Foley series by David J. Walker