The Gumshoe Awards on the ITW Website

The International Thriller Writers have an announcement of the new Gumshoe Award for Best Thriller, presented by Mystery Ink, on their website.*

Robert Crais helpfully inquires, "Why is an award for thrillers called the Gumshoe, which is a term usually associated with mysteries?"

Okay, it's a fair question. When Mystery Ink started giving the Gumshoe Awards a few years back, I racked my brain to think of a name for the award, and "Gumshoe" was the best I could come up with that wasn't already taken. Since back then we didn't make distinctions for mystery/thriller/etc. -- we just gave awards for Best Novel -- it didn't seem like that big of a deal.

This year we decided to split the award into separate categories: Best Mystery & Best Thriller. Now, of course, the name doesn't make a lot of sense for a thriller. But we're stuck with it.

I don't suppose anyone who wins will complain. And if they do... No Gumshoe for you!

*I've also been helping with their selection of the Must-Read Thrillers as well. There are some great books on the list so far, so check 'em out!