Edgar AwardFirst Novel

Descriptions

Simon and Schuster, which have published all of Clark's novels and in the late 1990s signed her to a $64-million, four book contract, have funded the Mary Higgins Clark Award, given by the Mystery Writers of America (MWA) to authors of suspense fiction. The announcement that an award would be given in her honor was made at the 55th Annual Edgar Allan Poe Awards, where Clark was inducted as a Grand Master.

The winner will be selected by a Special MWA Committee for the book most closely written in the Mary Higgins Clark Tradition according to guidelines set forth by Mary Higgins Clark. • The protagonist is a nice young woman whose life is suddenly invaded. • She's self-made and independent, with primarily good family relationships. • She has an interesting job. • She is not looking for trouble--she is doing exactly what she should be doing and something cuts across her bow. • She solves her problem by her own courage and intelligence. • The story has no on-scene violence • The story has no strong four-letter words or explicit sex scenes.

The list of nominees is also available.

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