The Shamus Award is awarded by the Private Eye Writers of America (PWA) for the best detective fiction (P. I. = Private investigator) genre novels and short stories of the year. The Prize is given annually to recognize outstanding achievement in private eye fiction. Starting in 2003, the Shamus Awards are sometimes (2003, 2007–2009, 2011–2016) announced during the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention, at the convention's PWA Awards Banquet. Categories Winners Best P. I. Hardcover Novel Best First P. I. Novel Best P. I. Paperback Original THE EYE – Lifetime Achievement Award (Not awarded in 1989, 1990, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2012, 2014, 2019 and 2020) Best P. I. Series Character – The Hammer Best Indie P.I. Novel References Awards established in 1982 Mystery and detective fiction awards American literary awards Shamus Award winners Shamus Award-winning works 1982 establishments in the United States