First bestowed in 1992, the Hammett Award is given out by the North American Branch of the International Association of Crime Writers [1] to reward a work of literary excellence (fiction or non-fiction) in the field of crime writing, by a US or Canadian author.
The winning title is selected by a reading committee of IACW/NA, based on recommendations from other members and the publishing community, and the winner is chosen by three distinguished outside judges. The award is a bronze trophy, designed by West Coast sculptor, Peter Boiger, whose falcon-headed thin man symbolizes Dashielll Hammett's literary spirit.
2011
Winner: The Killer is Dying: A Novel, by James Sallis
2010
WINNER: The Nearest Exit, by Olen Steinhauer
2009
WINNER: The Manual of Detection: A Novel, by Jedediah Berry
2008
WINNER: The Turnaround, by George Pelecanos
2007
WINNER: The Outlander, by Gil Adamson
2006
WINNER: The Prisoner of Guantánamo, by Dan Fesperman
2005
WINNER: Alibi: A Novel, by Joseph Kanon
2004
WINNER: Prince of Thieves: A Novel by Chuck Hogan
2003
WINNER: The Seduction of Water by Carol Goodman
2002
WINNER: Honor's Kingdom by Owen Parry
2001
WINNER: Kingdom of Shadows by Alan Furst
2000
WINNER: The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood
1999
WINNER: Havana Bay by Martin Cruz Smtih
1998
WINNER: Tidewater Blood by William Hoffman
1997
WINNER: Trial of Passion by William Deverell
1996
WINNER: Rose by Martin Cruz Smith
1995
WINNER: Under the Beetle's Cellar by Mary Willis Walker
1994
WINNER: Dixie City Jam by James Lee Burke
1993
WINNER: The Mexican Tree Druck by James Crumley
1992
WINNER: Turtle Moon by Alice Hoffman
1991
WINNER: Maximum Bob by Elmore Leonard
Links:
[1] http://herbert.ou.edu/AIEP/