The Private Eye Writers of America confer the Shamus Award. Eligible novels feature a "private eye" character who is an investigator, but does not work for a government or police agency. Winners are selected by committees of writers. The award for Best Novel is listed below (best hardback Novel beginning in 2001).
| 2002 |
S.J. Rozan |
Reflecting the Sky |
| 2001 |
C. Garcia-Aguilera |
Havana Heat |
| 2000 |
Don Winslow |
California Fire and Life |
| 1999 |
Bill Pronzini |
Boobytrap |
| 1998 |
Terence Faherty |
Come Back Dead |
| 1997 |
Robert Crais |
Sunset Express |
| 1996 |
S.J. Rozan |
Concourse |
| 1995 |
Sue Grafton |
K Is for Killer |
| 1994 |
Lawrence Block |
The Devil Knows You're Dead |
| 1993 |
Harold Adams |
The Man Was Taller than God |
| 1992 |
Max Collins |
Stolen Away |
| 1991 |
Sue Grafton |
G Is for Gumshoe |
| 1990 |
Jonathan Valin |
Extenuating Circumstances |
| 1989 |
John Lutz |
Kiss |
| 1988 |
Benjamin M. Schutz |
A Tax in Blood |
| 1987 |
Jeremiah Healy |
Staked Goat |
| 1986 |
Sue Grafton |
B Is for Burglar 두 얼굴의 여인 |
| 1985 |
Loren D. Estleman |
Sugartown |
| 1984 |
Max Allan Collins |
True Detective |
| 1983 |
Lawrence Block |
Eight Million Ways to Die |
| 1982 |
Bill Pronzini |
Hoodwink |