The Lovey Award

The winners of the Lovey Awards are announced at the Love is Murder conference, an annual event where fans, writers, readers and professionals meet for intrigue and mayhem, enlightenment and encouragement. The Lovey Award recognizes excellence in several categories for books published during the previous calendar year. Prior to 2007, the award was called the Reader's Choice Award.

2008

Best First Novel: Big City, Bad Blood by Sean Chercover

Best Traditional / Amateur Sleuth: The Lighthouse Keeper by Luisa Buehler

Best PI / Police Procedural: Thunder Bay by William Kent Krueger

Best Suspense: The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen

Best Thriller: Bad Luck and Trouble by Lee Child

Best Historical: Shadows in the White City by Robert W. Walker

Best Paranormal / SciFi / Horror: The Diva's Fool by Silvia Foti

Best Series (tie): The Jack Reacher series by Lee Child; The Cork O'Conner series by William Kent Krueger

2007

Best First Novel: The Chef Who Died Sauteing by Honora Finkelstein and Susan Smily

Best Traditional / Amateur Sleuth: Deadly Interest by Julie Hyzy

Best PI / Police Procedural: A Final Judgement by Michael A. Black

Best Suspense: The Virgin of Small Plains by Nancy Pickard

Best Thriller: Sweetie's Diamonds by Raymond Benson

Best Historical: The Assassin by Anne Perry

Best Paranormal / SciFi / Horror: Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris

Best Series: The Jack Taylor series by Ken Bruen

2006

Best First Novel: Cast of Shadows by Kevin Guilfoile

Best Traditional / Amateur Sleuth: A Shot To Die For by Libby Fischer Hellmann

Best PI / Police Procedural: Bloody Mary by J. A. Konrath

Best Paranormal / SciFi / Horror: Heartston by D. C. Brod

Best Historical: Three Strikes You’re Dead by Robert Goldsborough

Best Suspense: The Heist by Michael Black

Best Thriller: Creepers by David Morrell

Best Series: The John Rain series by Barry Eisler

2005

Best First Novel: Whiskey Sour by J. A. Konrath

Best Traditional / Amateur Sleuth: Artistic License by Julie Hyzy

Best PI / Police Procedural: Death of a Thousand Cuts by Barbara D'Amato

Best Paranormal / SciFi / Horror: The Unseen by Sandra Tooley writing as Lee Driver

Best Historical Novel: The Shifting Tide by Anne Perry

Best Suspense Thriller: The Fall by Michael Dymmoch

Best Romance / Fantasy: Stolen by Kelly Armstrong

Best Crime-Related Non-Fiction: They Died in Vain by Jim Huang

Best Series: The Suze Figureroa series by Barbara D'Amato

2004

Best First Novel: Artistic License by Julie Hyzy

Best Traditional / Amateur Sleuth: A Picture of Guilt by Libby Fisher Hellman

Best PI / Police Procedural: A Killing Frost by Michael Black

Best Paranormal / SciFi / Horror: Living Proof by Peter J. Thompson

Best Historical Novel: Twelve Travelers, Twenty Horses by Harriette Robinet

Best Suspense Thriller: The Protector by David Morrell

Best Crime-Related Non-Fiction: Alchemy of Bones by Robert Loerzel

Best Series: The Suze Figureroa Series by Barbara D'Amato

2003

Best First Novel: An Eye For Murder by Libby Fischer Hellman

Best Traditional / Amateur Sleuth: ?

Best PI / Police Procedural: Purgatory Ridge by William Kent Krueger

Best Suspense Thriller: Unnatural Instinct by Robert Walker

Best Series: The Cat Marsala series by Barbara D'Amato

2002

Best First Novel: 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 Suspense Thriller: Oblivion by Jay Bonansinga

Best Series: The Caroline Rhodes series by Mary V. Welk

2001

Best First Novel: Death is a Cabaret by Deborah Morgan

2000

Best First Novel: 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 Suspense Thriller: Windows to the Soul by J. M Barlog

Best Series: The Malachi Foley series by David J. Walker