A Thrill a Minute
The International Thriller Writers unveiled the winners for the 2025 Thriller Awards at a ceremony last evening at the New York Hilton Midtown, New York City. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists!
BEST STANDALONE THRILLER NOVEL: Jason Rekulak — THE LAST ONE AT THE WEDDING (Flatiron Books)
Other finalists:
Kimberly Belle — THE PARIS WIDOW (Harlequin – Park Row)
Will Dean — THE CHAMBER (Emily Bestler Books)
T.J. Newman — WORST CASE SCENARIO (Little, Brown & Co.)
Lisa Scottoline — THE TRUTH ABOUT THE DEVLINS (Penguin/Putnam)
BEST STANDALONE MYSTERY NOVEL: Kellye Garrett — MISSING WHITE WOMAN (Mulholland Books)
Other finalists:
Libby Cudmore — NEGATIVE GIRL (Datura Books)
Laura Dave — THE NIGHT WE LOST HIM (Simon & Schuster)
Harry Hunsicker — THE LIFE AND DEATH OF ROSE DOUCETTE (Oceanview Publishing)
Dervla McTiernan — WHAT HAPPENED TO NINA? (William Morrow)
Lori Roy — LAKE COUNTY (Thomas & Mercer)
BEST SERIES NOVEL: David Baldacci — TO DIE FOR (Grand Central Publishing)
Other finalists:
Eric Beetner — THE LAST FEW MILES OF ROAD (Level Best Books)
Ann Cleeves — THE DARK WIVES (Minotaur)
Meg Gardiner — SHADOWHEART (Blackstone Publishing)
Iris Johansen, Roy Johansen — FLASHBACK (Grand Central Publishing)
Isabella Maldonado — A FORGOTTEN KILL (Thomas & Mercer)
BEST FIRST NOVEL: Marie Tierney — DEADLY ANIMALS (Henry Holt & Co.)
Other finalists:
Kate Brody — RABBIT HOLE (Soho Crime)
Jaime deBlanc — AFTER IMAGE (Thomas & Mercer)
Carinn Jade — THE ASTROLOGY HOUSE (Atria)
Alejandro Nodarse —BLOOD IN THE CUT (Flatiron Books)
BEST AUDIOBOOK: Kate Alice Marshall — NO ONE CAN KNOW (Macmillan Audio), Narrated by Karissa Vacker
Other finalists:
Sally Hepworth — DARLING GIRLS (Macmillan), Narrated by Jessica Clarke
Jon Lindstrom — HOLLYWOOD HUSTLE (Dreamscape Media), Narrated by Jon Lindstrom
Hilton Reed — BEYOND ALL DOUBT (Dreamscape Media), Narrated by George Newbern
Amy Tintera — LISTEN FOR THE LIE (Macmillan), Narrated by January LaVoy and Will Damron
BEST YOUNG ADULT NOVEL: Marisha Pessl — DARKLY (Delacorte)
Other finalists:
Adam Cesare — INFLUENCER (Union Square & Co., LLC)
Ripley Jones — THE OTHER LOLA (Wednesday Books)
Natalie Richards — 49 MILES ALONE (Sourcebooks Fire)
Melanie Sumrow — GIRLS LIKE HER (Balzer + Bray)
BEST SHORT STORY: Ivy Pochoda — Jackrabbit Skin (Amazon Original Stories)
Other finalists:
Stefanie Leder — "Not a Dinner Party Person" (Soho Crime)
Twist Phelan — "Double Parked" (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine)
Lisa Unger — The Doll's House (Amazon Original Stories)
Joseph S. Walker — "And Now, an Inspiring Story of Tragedy Overcome" (Wildside Press)
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