Thrillerfest V Awards

During a gala banquet and celebration held on Saturday, July 10 at the Grand Hyatt in New York City, the International Thriller Writers announced the winners of the 2010 Thriller Awards.


They are:

Best Hard Cover Novel:

THE NEIGHBOR, Lisa Gardner

Best Paperback Original Novel:

THE COLDEST MILE, Tom Piccirilli

Best First Novel:

RUNNING FROM THE DEVIL, Jamie Freveletti

Best Short Story:

A STAB IN THE HEART, Twist Phelan

Also receiving special recognition during the ThrillerFest V Awards Banquet:

Ken Follett, ThrillerMaster

in recognition of his legendary career and outstanding contributions to the thriller genre

Mark Bowden, True Thriller Award

Linda Fairstein, Silver Bullet Award

US Airways, Silver Bullet Award (Corporate)


As my reghular readers will know, I was shortlisted alongside Jamie Freveletti for the Best First Novel category so was at the ceremony alongside her to witness her win. Although I'd have liked to have won, I'm not disappointed: I'm genuinely thrilled for Jamie (who is a lovely lady and a superb writer), and not to forget that she is a stable mate of mine at William Morrow and Co (my US publisher), so it was good that we all had something to celebrate. 
 
I stand on my original take on the subject of awards, in that I was overjoyed to have been nominated in the first place. To then be shortlisted in the top five books far outweighed any expectations I had, so I never really expected to win. The exposure for my books, and the subsequent old and new friends and supporters I met at Thrillerfest make up for any mild disappointment I might have felt when my name wasn't announced, so, believe me, I'm a very happy man.
 
Congratulations to all the winners and shortlisted authors, and again a special 'Well Done' to Jamie Freveletti.