Japanese Literary Awards

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Nancy Pickard

ナンシー・ピカード

Nanshī Pikādo

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1945-01-01 （Kansas City, Missouri, United States）
Nationality
United States
Languages
English

Career

Occupations
Writer, Mystery novelist
Active Years
1980-
Affiliations
American crime writers organization (board member)

Education

University of Missouri, Columbia
School of Journalism
Country: United States
Obtained a degree in journalism

Awards

Agatha Award — Best Novel
1990
Work: Bum Steer
Category: 長編賞
Organization: Malice Domestic / Agatha Awards
Result: 受賞
Agatha Award — Best Novel
1991
Work: I.O.U.
Category: 長編賞
Organization: Malice Domestic / Agatha Awards
Result: 受賞
Macavity Award — Best Novel
2007
Work: The Virgin of Small Plains
Category: 長編賞
Organization: Mystery Readers International / Macavity Awards
Result: 受賞
Anthony Award — Paperback Original
1986
Work: Say No to Murder
Category: ペーパーバックオリジナル賞
Organization: Bouchercon / Anthony Awards
Result: 受賞
Shamus Award — Best Short Story
1991
Work: Dust Devil
Category: 短編賞
Organization: Private Eye Writers of America / Shamus Awards
Result: 受賞
Macavity Award — Best Short Story
2006
Work: There Is No Crime on Easter Island
Category: 短編賞
Organization: Mystery Readers International
Result: 受賞
Agatha Award — Best Short Story
1999
Work: Out of Africa
Category: 短編賞
Organization: Malice Domestic / Agatha Awards
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Generous Death

1984 Mystery

First in the Jenny Cain series. A mystery about a murder in a small city and its repercussions.

crimecommunityinterpersonal relationships
Translations
  • Generous Death

Say No to Murder

1985 Mystery

A paperback-original novel noted for its clever plotting and character work.

deceptionpast consequences
Translations
  • Say No to Murder

Bum Steer

1989 Mystery

Agatha Award–winning novel. Deals with family secrets and a crime affecting a small community.

familysecretssmall-town life
Translations
  • Bum Steer

The Virgin of Small Plains

2006 Mystery / literary-tinged mystery

A novel combining rich character studies and local history; widely acclaimed and awarded.

revengepast grudgesjustice and forgiveness
Translations
  • The Virgin of Small Plains

The Scent of Rain and Lightning

2010 Mystery / Suspense

A psychological novel about a protagonist confronting a past crime; has attracted interest for adaptation.

past crimesrevengecoming of age
Translations
  • The Scent of Rain and Lightning

Bibliography

  • Generous Death (1984)
  • Say No to Murder (1985)
  • No Body (1986)
  • Bum Steer (1989)
  • I.O.U. (1991)
  • The Whole Truth (2000)
  • The Virgin of Small Plains (2006)
  • The Scent of Rain and Lightning (2010)

Translations of Works

  • Jenny Cain series Japanese translations (Hayakawa Publishing, etc.)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Realistic, character-driven proseFocus on domestic and small-town dynamics
Recurring Motifs
family secretsfood and recipes (continuing Virginia Rich's culinary angle)past trauma

Legacy

Nancy Pickard is a prominent mystery writer, acclaimed for novels that explore domestic and small-town life. She has won multiple major mystery awards (Agatha, Macavity, Anthony, Shamus) and is notable for having received all four of these prizes.

Academic Societies

  • American crime writers organization

Trivia

  • Began her writing career at age 35.
  • One of the few authors to have won Agatha, Macavity, Anthony and Shamus awards.
  • Has frequently served as a panelist at the Great Manhattan Mystery Conclave.