Edgar Awards 1971: Complete list of winners

The Mystery Writers of America announced the 1971 Edgar Awards with a particular eye toward the paperback market, a segment that was gaining serious recognition within the crime fiction community. Named after Edgar Allan Poe, these prestigious awards have long been the gold standard for mystery, crime, and suspense writing in America. The 1971 ceremony highlighted how publishers and readers alike were increasingly appreciating quality crime fiction in formats beyond hardcover releases—a shift that would reshape the landscape of mystery publishing in the decade to come.

Among the standout winners that year was Dan J. Marlowe, whose gritty Flashpoint took home the Edgar for Best Paperback Original. Marlowe had already earned his stripes as a prolific crime writer, and this recognition underscored the growing respect for paperback originals as legitimate contenders for serious literary awards. The 1971 Edgar Awards reflected a crime fiction scene in transition, one where the boundaries between mass market and literary were beginning to blur, and where tough, authentic stories could find their audience—and their accolades—regardless of their initial format.

Below, you’ll find the complete list of 1971 Edgar Awards winners and finalists:

Best Paperback Original

• Flashpoint by Dan J. Marlowe