Japanese Literary Awards

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S. J. Rozan

エス・ジェイ・ローザン

S. J. Rozan

Aliases: シャイラ・ジュディス・ローザン (Shira Judith Rozan)
Pen Names: S. J. Rozan（Pen name used in publications）

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1950 （Bronx, New York City, New York, United States）
Nationality
United States
Languages
English

Career

Occupations
Novelist
Active Years
1994-
Nominations
Multiple nominations for Anthony, Barry and Shamus Awards

Education

Oberlin College
Country: United States
State University of New York at Buffalo
Country: United States

Awards

Shamus Award (Best Novel)
1996
Work: Concourse
Category: 長編賞
Organization: Private Eye Writers of America
Result: 受賞
Anthony Award (Best Novel)
1998
Work: No Colder Place
Category: 長編賞
Organization: Bouchercon (Anthony Awards)
Result: 受賞
Shamus Award (Best Novel)
2002
Work: Reflecting the Sky
Category: 長編賞
Organization: Private Eye Writers of America
Result: 受賞
Edgar Award (Best Novel)
2003
Work: Winter and Night
Category: 長編賞
Organization: Mystery Writers of America
Result: 受賞
Edgar Award (Best Short Story)
Category: 短編賞
Organization: Mystery Writers of America
Result: 受賞
Nero Wolfe Award
2003
Work: Winter and Night
Organization: The Wolfe Pack
Result: 受賞
Macavity Award (Best Mystery Novel)
2003
Work: Winter and Night
Category: 長編賞
Organization: Mystery Readers International
Result: 受賞
Falcon Award
2009
Organization: Falcon
Result: 受賞
DILYS Award
2010
Work: The Shanghai Moon
Organization: Independent Mystery Booksellers Association (DILYS)
Result: 受賞
DILYS Award
2012
Work: Ghost Hero
Organization: Independent Mystery Booksellers Association (DILYS)
Result: 受賞
Falcon Award
2023
Work: Papor Son
Organization: Falcon
Result: 受賞
Gumshoe Award
2005
Work: Absent Friends
Organization: Mysterious Reviews (Gumshoe Awards)
Result: ノミネート

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

China Trade

1994 Mystery

The first Lydia Chin & Bill Smith novel, a private-eye mystery set in New York City.

private investigatorNew York Cityimmigrant communities
Translations
  • China Trade

Concourse

1995 Mystery

A Lydia Chin & Bill Smith novel focusing on urban crime and personal drama.

urban crimeinterpersonal relationships
Translations
  • Concourse

Mandarin Plaid

1996 Mystery

A series entry mixing mystery with cultural background.

culturecity life
Translations
  • Mandarin Plaid

No Colder Place

1997 Mystery

One of the acclaimed novels in the series; associated with several awards.

puzzle solvingurban darkness
Translations
  • No Colder Place

A Bitter Feast

1998 Mystery

A series novel exploring characters' lives intertwined with crime.

character studycrime
Translations
  • A Bitter Feast

Stone Quarry

1999 Mystery

A series entry set in the city dealing with crime.

city liferevenge
Translations
  • Stone Quarry

Reflecting the Sky

2001 Mystery

Noted for its depiction of the city; winner of the Shamus Award.

urban depictiondetective fiction
Translations
  • Reflecting the Sky

Winter and Night

2002 Mystery

A multi-award-winning novel with a complex plot set in New York City.

conspiracyurban crime
Translations
  • Winter and Night

The Shanghai Moon

2009 Mystery

A series entry and winner of the DILYS Award.

historical elementsurban crime
Translations
  • The Shanghai Moon

On the Line

2010 Mystery

A series novel following the detective duo's activities.

detective partnershipurban life
Translations
  • On the Line

Ghost Hero

2011 Mystery

A series entry; winner of the DILYS Award in 2012.

past and presentjustice
Translations
  • Ghost Hero

Papor Son

2019 Mystery

A later or standalone work; winner of the Falcon Award.

familyeffects of violence
Translations
  • Papor Son

The Art of Violence

2020 Mystery

One of the recent works incorporating social background into the plot.

violenceethics
Translations
  • The Art of Violence

Family Business

2021 Mystery

A novel themed around family and crime.

familycrime
Translations
  • Family Business

The Mayors of New York

2023 Mystery

A recent novel (2023) set in New York.

Bibliography

  • China Trade
  • Concourse
  • Mandarin Plaid
  • No Colder Place
  • A Bitter Feast
  • Stone Quarry
  • Reflecting the Sky
  • Winter and Night
  • The Shanghai Moon
  • On the Line
  • Ghost Hero
  • Papor Son
  • The Art of Violence
  • Family Business
  • The Mayors of New York

Translations of Works

  • China Trade
  • Concourse
  • Reflecting the Sky
  • Winter and Night
  • The Shanghai Moon

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Realist, hard-boiled influenced proseRealistic depictions of New York City
Recurring Motifs
urban (New York) landscapesdepiction of immigrant communitiesdetectives facing ethical dilemmas

Legacy

Highly regarded for New York–set detective fiction, Rozan has won major awards including the Edgar and Shamus Awards. Noted for portrayals of Asian-American and urban communities.

Trivia

  • Uses the initials S. J. as a pen name; birth name is Shira Judith Rozan.
  • Best known for the Lydia Chin & Bill Smith series set primarily in New York City.