The 2023 Edgar Award Winners for Best Mystery Books

BEST NOVEL: Critics raved about this unique take on a serial killer narrative, some calling the book a "contemporary masterpiece" and "career-defining novel." Novelist Erin Hildebrand gave an ecstatic plug for the book on Instagram: "ABSOLUTELY RIVETING. I’ll state the obvious: This isn’t a beach book. Not even close. But if you like psychological thrillers and/or brilliantly written literary fiction then move NOTES ON AN EXECUTION to the top of your pile...TRUST ME!! Sooooooo darn good!!"

BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL: Writer Andy Drake's return to his hometown reignites a forbidden romance with his childhood friend Rachel, who's trapped in an abusive marriage. When Rachel vanishes, and her husband is found murdered, it's up to Andy to piece together the clues. As he investigates, the writer discovers a web of secrets in his seemingly quiet neighborhood. With twists at every turn, and even more lives on the line, no one can be trusted.

BEST FACT CRIME: Blending memoir and true crime, the book follows Erika Krouse, a private investigator hired to investigate a sexual assault case involving college football players. Despite her own history with sexual violence, Erika accepts the job and becomes consumed with uncovering the truth about the university's culture of assault and harassment.

BEST CRITICAL/BIOGRAPHICAL: Blending memoir and true crime, the book follows Erika Krouse, a private investigator hired to investigate a sexual assault case involving college football players. Despite her own history with sexual violence, Erika accepts the job and becomes consumed with uncovering the truth about the university's culture of assault and harassment.

BEST YA: From an author previously nominated for the Edgar several times, comes a thrilling historical mystery set in 18th-century Korea. Eighteen-year-old Hyeon, a palace nurse, is drawn into the treacherous world of court politics when her mentor is accused of murdering four women. NPR’s Caitlyn Paxson wrote: "The Red Palace is an expertly choreographed mystery with a touch of romance and an emotionally satisfying conclusion that beautifully binds fiction to historical fact."

BEST JUVENILE MYSTERY: In the fourth installment of the Aggie Morton, Mystery Queen series, young detective Aggie and her friend Hector are thrilled to stay at a seaside camp to watch real paleontologists at work. But when a body washes ashore and tensions rise among collectors vying for a fossilized ichthyosaur, Aggie and Hector become embroiled in a dangerous mystery. 12 year-old ‘BookTuber,’ E Train called it “the perfect #mystery read for #Halloween!” on Twitter.

The book follows a troubled star high school running back, and the team’s born-again Christian coach who’s just moved to the town from California. When Billy's mom's abusive boyfriend is found murdered, all evidence points to Billy. The New York Times’ Sarah Weinman was full of praise for a debut she named as one of the best of 2022, writing: “Cranor’s top-shelf debut, is unmistakably noir in the Southern tradition, a cauldron of terrible choices and even more terrible outcomes..."