2002 -- The Deadhouse, by Linda Fairstein (2001).
2001 -- The Sugar House, by Laura Lippman (2000).
2000 -- Coyote Revenge, by Fred Harris (1999).
1999 -- The Bone Collector, by Jeffery Deaver (1998).
1998 -- Sacred, by Dennis Lehane (1997).
1997 -- The Poet, by Michael Connelly (1996).
1996 -- A Monstrous Regiment of Women, by Laurie R. King (1995).
1995 -- She Walks These Hills, by Sharyn McCrumb (1994).
1994 -- Old Scores, by Aaron Elkins (1993).
1993 -- Booked to Die, by John Dunning (1992).
1992 -- A Scandal in Belgravia, by Robert Barnard (1991).
1991 -- Coyote Waits, by Tony Hillerman (1990).
1990 -- no award
1989 -- no award
1988 -- no award
1987 -- The Corpse in Oozak's Pond, by Charlotte MacLeod.
1986 -- Murder in E Minor, by Robert Goldsborough.
1985 -- Sleeping Dog, Dick Lochte.
1984 -- Emily Dickinson Is Dead, by Jane Langton.
1983 -- The Anodyne Necklace, by Martha Grimes.
1982 -- Past, Present and Murder, by Hugh Pentecost.
1981 -- Death in a Tenured Position, by Amanda Cross.
1980 -- Burn This, by Helen McCloy.
1979 -- The Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling, by Lawrence Block.