Crime Writers of Canada (CWC) announced the shortlists for the 2026 Crime Writers of Canada Awards of Excellence in Canadian Crime Writing on April 24th. Since 1984, Crime Writers of Canada has recognized the best in mystery, crime, suspense fiction, and crime non-fiction by Canadian authors. The shortlisted categories include Best Juvenile/YA Crime Book, which is sponored by Superior Shores Press and comes with a cash prize of $250. The winners will be announced on May 29, 2026. The shortlist for Best Juvenile/YA Crime Book is listed below.
Best Juvenile/YA Crime Book
Bark Twice for Murder, written by John Lekich (Orca Book Publishers)
The City of Lost Cats, written by Tanya Lloyd Kyi (Tundra Books)
Death by Whoopee Cushion, written by Vicki Grant (Tundra Books)
The Mystery of the Haunted Dancehall, written by Charis Cotter (Tundra Books)
A Skeleton in the Closet, written by Claire Hatcher-Smith (Tundra Books)
For the complete list of finalists, visit crimewriterscanada.com.