I’m happy to announce the winners of the inaugural Stalker Awards, given to crime fiction books and authors readers are obsessed with, voted on by genre fans at large. The races were extremely tight, with leaders changing by the hour in several categories. This was exciting to me because it means the contenders were evenly matched and each had an ardent fan base.
I was also encouraged by the notes I received after nominees were revealed last week. One reader said he’d check out at least one of the underrated authors, another said she loved the opening sentences and will start paying more attention to them, and yet another said he’s already making mental notes about books and authors he’ll nominate for next year’s awards. I’m not trying to boast that I influenced anyone’s reading habits. The nominees were determined by crime fic readers so you did that. Thank you. I hope you had fun participating.
Congratulations to the following winners:
Favorite Novel
The First Rule by Robert Crais (36% of votes)
Favorite Lead Character
Joe Pike from The First Rule (38%)
Favorite Supporting Character
Elvis Cole from The First Rule (47%)
Best Opening Sentence
“The night they were hijacked, Roxy Palmer and her husband, Joe, ate dinner with an African cannibal and his Ukrainian whore.” —Wake Up Dead by Roger Smith (37%)
Most Memorable Dialogue
Savages by Don Winslow (39%)
Best Title
Hello Kitty Must Die by Angela S. Choi (44%)
Most Eye-Catching Cover
Expiration Date by Duane Swierczynski (43%)
Favorite Author on Social Media — Tie
Hilary Davidson and Duane Swierczynski, both with 27% of the votes
Most Underrated Author
Charlie Huston (41%)
14 Comments
Naomi Johnson
June 9, 2011 at 8:00 pmLove it! I can see RC’s fan base turned out (or did he stuff the ballot box?).
One new category suggestion for next year’s awards: Most hated recurring character in a favorite series. Guess who I’d nominate?
le0pard13
June 9, 2011 at 11:26 pmHa! Good one, Naomi!
Pop Culture Nerd
June 10, 2011 at 12:47 amThat’s an interesting category suggestion, Naomi. I have no idea who you’d nominate since you’ve never vocalized your feelings on that subject. 😀
And you’re kidding about stuffing the box but I’ll answer anyway. As far as I know, Crais (as well as several other authors) was not even aware he was nominated. I didn’t contact any of the nominees to ask them to send their fans over here.
Naomi Johnson
June 10, 2011 at 4:51 amYep, kidding. RC would never do that — and he wouldn’t have to!
Jen Forbus
June 10, 2011 at 7:58 amI can’t even begin to imagine who you’d nominate, Naomi!
Jann
June 10, 2011 at 8:41 amwould the initials be “LC”?
Naomi Johnson
June 10, 2011 at 10:41 amShe would certainly be my first choice!
Laura Hansen
May 18, 2012 at 2:09 pmGreat question and easy: Morris Gerald Cafferty in Ian Rankin’s Rebus novels
le0pard13
June 9, 2011 at 11:27 pmGreat inaugural Stalker Award winners, Elyse! So cool! Thanks.
Pop Culture Nerd
June 10, 2011 at 12:48 amThanks for sending in nominations and voting!
Shell Sherree
June 10, 2011 at 2:41 amHeh, even I can take a guess at who Naomi would nominate for the possible new category for the next Stalker Awards. Thanks for undertaking this, PCN ~ both entertaining and interesting.
Paulette Feeney
June 10, 2011 at 10:22 amOh, this is fabulous! Come on, Naomi, let’s just call it the “Lucy Must Disappear” category! Great work, Elyse! I, too, will pay more attention this year.
Naomi Johnson
June 10, 2011 at 10:41 amI like that name. Very catchy, has a real ring to it!
Elyse done good — again!
EIREGO
June 10, 2011 at 1:06 pmI’m happy with the results. CONGRATS TO ALL THE WINNERS! I look forward to doing this again next year. Good on you, PCN!