The winners of the 2021 Strand Critics Awards were revealed October 5.

Recognizing excellence in the field of mystery fiction and publishing, the Strand Critics Awards are judged by selected group of book critics and journalists, this year including talent from NPR, USA Today, the LA Times, and Wall Street Journal.

BEST MYSTERY NOVEL (2020)

• Snow by John Banville (Hanover Square Press)

BEST DEBUT NOVEL (2020)

• When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole (William Morrow)

THE STRAND MAGAZINE’S PUBLISHER OF THE YEAR AWARD

• Josh Stanton, CEO of Blackstone Publishing

THE STRAND MAGAZINE’S LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

• Stephen King
• Joyce Carol Oates
• Alexander McCall Smith

[Thanks to Cora Buhlert for the story.]