The Anthony Awards are awarded annually at Bouchercon to recognize outstanding achievement in the mystery field. First held in 1970, Bouchercon is the oldest and largest annual convention of mystery fans. Bouchercon was named for the late Anthony Boucher in honor of his contributions to the field of mystery and detective fiction for his crime fiction and his reviews in the New York Times Book Review.
The registered attendees of each Bouchercon select the award nominees several months before each convention, then later vote for their choices in each category.
All members of Bouchercon 2001 that were registered as of April 1, 2001 were given the opportunity to make nominations for the Anthony Awards. Bouchercon 2001 will be held November 1 to November 4, 2001 in Crystal City, Virginia. Final Anthony Award ballots will be provided to over 1,500 Bouchercon attendees. The winners will be announced at the Anthony Awards Banquet, held on November 3, 2001.
Best Novel
- Deep South by Nevada Barr - The handwritten sign on the tree said it all: REPENT. For Anna Pigeon, this should have been reason enough to turn back for her beloved Mesa Verde. Instead she heads for the Natchez Trace Parkway and the promotion that awaits her. Almost immediately, she finds herself in the midst of controversy: as the new district ranger, she faces resentment so extreme her ability to do her job may be compromised, and her life may very well be in danger. But all thoughts of personal safety are set aside with the discovery of a young girl's body in a country cemetery, a sheet around her head, a noose around her neck. The kudzu is thick and green, the woods dark and full of secrets. And the ghosts of violence hover as Anna struggles for answers to questions that, perhaps, should never be asked.
- The Bottoms by Joe R. Lansdale - Deep East Texas in the Great Depression. A place where poverty is as prevalent and devastating as tornadoes. When young Harry Crane discovers a mutilated body in the river bottoms, a cold fear grips the region and racial tension nears fever pitch. Harry believes the killer is the Goat Man, a monster of Texas legend, made all the more real to Harry because he has actually seen him on his nocturnal wanderings. In the dark and gloom of the Texas night, and with no suspect in sight, the body count rises, a man is lynched, and the local law--Harry's father--intensifies the search for a savage killer who may be closer than anyone dares imagine.
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