Edgar Awards 1949: Complete list of winners

The 1949 Edgar Awards marked a pivotal moment for the Mystery Writers of America, the organization’s second year of honoring excellence in the crime and mystery genre. Named after Edgar Allan Poe, the father of modern detective fiction, these prestigious awards were already establishing themselves as the gold standard for recognizing the year’s finest works in mystery, crime, and suspense. The 1949 Edgar Awards winners showcase the diversity of crime writing during this era, spanning both the factual and fictional realms that captivated post-war American readers.

That year’s honorees reflected the vibrant state of mystery publishing in the late 1940s. Marie Rodell’s edited collection Regional Murder took home the Edgar for Best Fact Crime, cementing the awards’ commitment to celebrating true crime journalism alongside imaginative fiction. Meanwhile, Mildred B. Davis made an impressive debut with The Room Upstairs, which won the Edgar for Best First Novel—a category that would become instrumental in launching the careers of countless mystery writers. These selections underscore how the early Edgar Awards were already balancing literary merit with popular appeal, rewarding both seasoned editors and promising newcomers.

The 1949 Edgar Awards winners continue to represent a fascinating snapshot of mid-century American crime writing, a period when mysteries were evolving from purely puzzle-driven plots toward more psychologically complex narratives. Below is the complete list of that year’s honorees.

Best Fact Crime

• Regional Murder by Marie Rodell(editor)

Best First Novel

• The Room Upstairs by Mildred B. Davis