Edgar Awards 1991: Complete list of winners

The Mystery Writers of America announced their 1991 Edgar Award winners, celebrating another year of exceptional crime writing across multiple categories. Named after Edgar Allan Poe, the Edgar Awards remain one of the most prestigious honors in the mystery and crime fiction world, recognizing outstanding achievement in mystery, crime, and suspense storytelling. The 1991 ceremony highlighted the diversity of talent working in the genre, from established masters to emerging voices pushing the boundaries of what crime fiction could be.

Among the year’s standout honorees was Chap Reaver, whose young adult novel Mote captured the Edgar for Best Young Adult, demonstrating that mysteries and crime narratives could resonate powerfully with younger readers. Reaver’s win reflected a growing recognition within the mystery community that young adult fiction deserved the same critical attention as adult crime writing. The 1991 Edgar Awards winners collectively showcased the genre’s remarkable range, proving once again why these awards matter to readers searching for the best mystery and crime books year after year.

Below you’ll find the complete list of 1991 Edgar Award winners across all categories.

Best Young Adult

• Mote by Chap Reaver