Daphne Delights

 

The Kiss of Death Chapter of Romance Writers of America announced the winners of the 2026 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. The honor is named for Daphne du Maurier, the author of Rebecca, a suspense novel with romantic and gothic overtones and a precursor to today’s romantic suspense. The writing contest is for published and unpublished authors of mystery, suspense, and thrillers with or without romantic subplots. Congrats to all the winners (listed in order of placement).

PUBLISHED CATEGORY

Overall Winner:   Rena Koontz

Cozy Mystery/Suspense

1. In$urance Blues (A John Smith Mystery) — Charlotte Stuart
2. Meringues, Matrimony & Murder — Polly Holmes
3. Death Upon A Star — Amy Patricia Meade

 Historical Mystery/Suspense

1. A Murder Of Convenience — Kathleen Buckley
2. Two Secrets To Surrender — Grace Callaway
3. Shadow Of The Mill — Helena Smrcek

 Long Romantic Mystery/Suspense

1. Philly — Tamsen Schultz
2. Perfect Vengeance — Tee O’Fallon
3. Monk — Tamsen Schultz

 Mainstream Mystery/Suspense

1. Chasing Justice — Rena Koontz
2. Shaw Connolly Lives To Tell — Gillian French
3. All That Lies Beneath — D.L. Wood

 Short Romantic Mystery/Suspense

1. "Fighting For Berlin" — Katie Reus
2. "Wyoming Double Jeopardy" — Juno Rushdan
3. "Escaping The Wilderness" — Carrie Stuart Parks
    
   

UNPUBLISHED CATEGORY

 Overall Winner:  Coby Nicole Sauce

 Mainstream Mystery/Suspense

1.  Forever Everly — Coby Nicole Sauce
2. What He Saw In The Darkness — D.S. Mori
3. Blind Side Of The Sun — Michael Nikitin

 Romantic Mystery/Suspense

1.  Veilbound — Cat St. Martin
2. Mind Linkers — Michele Wyan
3. Chained — Jennifer Estes