Edgar Awards 1977: Complete list of winners

The Edgar Awards, presented annually by the Mystery Writers of America, have long been the gold standard for recognizing excellence in mystery and crime fiction. Named after Edgar Allan Poe, the award carries the weight of literary tradition and the respect of the mystery-writing community itself. The 1977 Edgar Awards were no exception, honoring the year’s most compelling works across multiple categories and reminding readers that the mystery genre was flourishing with fresh talent and innovative storytelling.

One of the standout winners that year was Gregory McDonald, who took home the Edgar for Best Paperback Original with his debut novel Confess, Fletch. McDonald’s win marked the arrival of a significant new voice in mystery fiction—a writer who would go on to define the comic mystery subgenre with his irreverent protagonist Fletch. The inclusion of the Best Paperback Original category underscored an important shift in how the Edgar Awards recognized quality crime fiction, acknowledging that exceptional mysteries weren’t confined to hardcover releases. McDonald’s win proved that paperback originals could command the same literary respect as their hardcover counterparts, a distinction that mattered greatly in an era when publishing hierarchies were more rigidly defined.

The 1977 Edgar Awards reflected a mystery genre in transition, one that was becoming increasingly diverse in both form and voice. These winners helped shape the landscape of crime fiction that readers continue to enjoy today.

Best Paperback Original

• Confess, Fletch by Gregory Mcdonald