2026 THRILLER AWARD NOMINEES ANNOUNCEDThe Thriller Awards are presented by the International Thriller Writers. ITW will announce the winners at ThrillerFest XXI in New York City on June 11, 2026.

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Best Standalone Novel
°	Cross My Heart by Megan Collins
°	Zigzag Girl by Ruth Knafo Setton
°	The Burning Library by Gilly Macmillan
°	The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen
°	So Happy Together by Olivia Worley

Best Series Novel
°	Chain Reaction by James Byrne
°	The Big Empty by Robert Crais
°	Head Cases by John McMahon [review]
°	The Tourists by Christopher Reich
°	Terminal Moonlight by Vincent Zandri

Best First Novel
°	Death at the White Hart by Chris Chibnall [review]
°	Party of Liars by Kelsey Cox
°	Count My Lies by Sophie Stava
°	History Lessons by Zoe B. Wallbrook [review]
°	Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang [review]

Best Young Adult Novel
°	Murder Between Friends by Liz Lawson
°	This Stays Between Us by Margot McGovern
°	Shiny Happy People by Clay McLeod Chapman
°	The Silenced by Diana Rodriguez Wallach
°	The Thrashers by Julie Soto

Best Short Story
°	“Level Up” by Katrina Carrasco
°	“The Seduction of Dr. Dimension” by Scott William Carter
°	“Eleven Numbers” by Lee Child
°	“False Note” by David Lagercrantz
°	“The Violent Season” by Jessica Van Dessel

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Awards