Bouchercon is an annual convention of creators and devotees of mystery and detective fiction. It is named in honour of writer, reviewer, and editor Anthony Boucher; also the inspiration for the Anthony Awards, which have been issued at the convention since 1986. This page details Bouchercon XVII and the inaugural Anthony Awards ceremony.
Bouchercon The convention was held in Baltimore, Maryland on October 10, 1986; running for two days until the 12th. The event was chaired by Gail M. Larson, owner of the bookshop "The Butler Did It".
Special Guests Guest of Honor — Donald E. Westlake Fan Guest of Honor — Chris Steinbrunner Toastmaster — Mary Higgins Clark
Anthony Awards The following list details the awards distributed at the first annual Anthony Awards ceremony.
Novel award Winner: Sue Grafton, "B" Is for Burglar
Shortlist: Sarah Caudwell, The Shortest Way to Hades John D. MacDonald, The Lonely Silver Rain Charlotte MacLeod, The Plain Old Man Sara Paretsky, Killing Orders
First novel award Winner: Jonathan Kellerman, When the Bough Breaks
Shortlist: Susan Kelly, The Gemini Man Dick Lochte, Sleeping Dog Robert Reeves, Doubting Thomas Andrew Vachss, Flood
Paperback original award Winner: Nancy Pickard, Say No to Murder
Shortlist: P.M. Carlson, Murder is Academic Earl Emerson, Poverty Bay Kate Green, Shattered Moon Patrick A. Kelley, Sleightly Murder
Short story award Winner: Linda Barnes, "Lucky Penny", from The New Black Mask, No. 3
Shortlist: Loren Estleman, "Eight Mile and Dequindre", from Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine May 1986 Peter Lovesey, "Vandals", from Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine December 1985 John Lutz, "Ride the Lightning", from Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine January 1985 Ruth Rendell, "The Convolvulus Clock", from Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine August 1985
Movie award Winner: Witness
Shortlist: Blood Simple Fletch Jagged Edge Young Sherlock Holmes
TV Series award Winner: Murder, She Wrote
Shortlist: Hill Street Blues Moonlighting Mystery Spenser For Hire
Grand Master Barbara Mertz
References