Leftys Rule

 

Left Coast Crime 2026 revealed the winners of four Lefty Awards at the 36th annual convention on Saturday, February 28, at the Hyatt Regency on the Embarcadero.  Congratulations to all the winners and finalists!


Lefty for Best Humorous Mystery Novel:  Catriona McPherson, Scot’s Eggs (Severn House)

Also nominated:

Ellen Byron, Solid Gold Murder (Kensington)
Jennifer J. Chow, Star-Crossed Egg Tarts (St. Martin’s Paperbacks)
Elizabeth Crowens, Bye Bye Blackbird (Level Best Books)
Cindy Sample, All’s Faire in Love and Murder (Cindy Sample Books)


Lefty for Best Historical Mystery Novel:  Rob Osler, The Case of the Missing Maid (Kensington)
(The Bill Gottfried Memorial)

Also nominated: 

Cara Black, Huguette (Soho Crime)
Mariah Fredericks, The Girl in the Green Dress (Minotaur Books)
Dianne Freeman, A Daughter’s Guide to Mothers and Murder (Kensington)
Claire M. Johnson, City Lights (Level Best Books)
Laurie R. King, Knave of Diamonds (Bantam)


Lefty for Best Debut Mystery Novel: Adrian Andover, Whiskey Business (Chestnut Avenue Press)

Also nominated: 

Kristen L. Berry, We Don’t Talk About Carol (Bantam)
Laurie L. Dove, Mask of the Deer Woman (Berkley)
Sue Hincenbergs, The Retirement Plan (William Morrow)
Marisa Kashino, Best Offer Wins (Celadon Books)
Diane Schaffer, Mortal Zin (Sibylline Press)


Lefty for Best Mystery Novel (not in other categories): James L’Etoile, River of Lies (Oceanview Publishing)

Also nominated: 

Lou Berney, Crooks (William Morrow)
Claire Booth, Throwing Shadows (Severn House)
Tracy Clark, Edge (Thomas & Mercer)
Leslie Karst, Waters of Destruction (Severn House)
Gigi Pandian, The Library Game (Minotaur Books)