As I said in my previous blog entry, the Agatha Awards are given out at the Malice Domestic conventions each year. I did not, however, list the different  categories that are awarded.

The different categories include awards for the best novel, the best first mystery written by an author, best mystery short story, and non-fiction. Also included among the categories are best children's mystery…. for either children or young adults, less than 18 years of age.

The Agatha Committee tallies nominations that are sent in by registrant of the Malice Domestic convention and Friends of Malice, and then make a list with the top five eligible works for each category.  During the Malice Domestic convention, the final votes are made and the awards are given out. They will be awarding the 2006 awards this May. 

The 2005 Agatha Award winners are as follows:

Best Novel:  The Body in the Snowdrift…  Katherine Hall Page

Best First Novel:  Better Off Wed…  Laura Durham

Best Short Story:  Driven to Distraction…  Marcia Talley

Tie** Best Children/Young Adult:  Down the Rabbit Hole…  Peter Abrahams

Tie** Best Children/Young Adult:  Flush…  Carl Hiaasen 

Best Non-Fiction:  Girl Sleuth: Nancy Drew and the Women Who Created Her…  Melanie Rehak

Also given at the Malice Domestic convention is the Malice Domestic Award for Lifetime Achievement. In 2005 this award was given to H. F. R. Keathing.