The "Oscar' of the Mysteries
Mystery Writers of America recently announced winners for best mysteries of 2006. The award, the "Edgar" is called so in honor of Edgar Allen Poe who many credit with writing the earliest mysteries. The actual award is a statuette of Poe.
2007 Winners are: Best Novel The Janissary Tree by Jason Goodwin, Best First Novel The Faithful Spy by Alex Berenson and Best Fact Crime Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson.
First awarded in 1954, early Edgar recipients included writers Raymond Chandler, Eric Ambler and John Le Carre. For more information about the 'Edgars' visit mysterywriters.org.