2019 ITW Thriller Award Finalists Announced

In recent #MysteryMonth news, the International Thriller Writers (ITW) announced the finalists for the 2019 Thriller Awards. The awards celebrate the best in the thriller genre, which, unlike a conventional whodunit, keeps readers at the very edge of their seat or, at least, losing sleep to find out what happens in the next energetic chapter. We are obviously thrilled about this year’s group of finalists. All awards will be presented at the International Thriller Writers’ gala banquet held in New York City on July 13.
Below is the list of adult and YA book-length finalists, linked to their Booklist reviews when available. For a complete list of nominees, visit the ITW website.

Best Hardcover Novel
★ The Cabin at the End of the World, by Paul Tremblay
Jar of Hearts, by Jennifer Hillier
★ November Road, by Lou Berney
Paper Ghosts, by Julia Heaberlin
★ Pieces of Her, by Karin Slaughter
Best First Novel
Caged, by Ellison Cooper
The Chalk Man, by C. J. Tudor
★ Need to Know, by Karen Cleveland
Something in the Water, by Catherine Steadman
The Terminal List, by Jack Carr
Best Paperback Original Novel
Gone Dark, by Kirk Russell
The Good Samaritan, by John Marrs
The Lost Man, by Jane Harper
★ Mister Tender’s Girl, by Carter Wilson
The Naturalist, by Andrew Mayne

Best Young Adult Novel
Girl at the Grave, by Teri Bailey Black
The Lies They Tell, by Gillian French
People like Us, by Dana Mele
The Perfect Candidate, by Peter Stone
Warcross, by Marie Lu
Best E-Book Original Novel
Executive Force, by Gary Grossman
The Memory Detective, by T. S. Nichols
Murder on the Marshes, by Clare Chase
Pray for the Innocent, by Alan Orloff
The Reunion, by Samantha Hayes