Cudmore Honored with Award

The Nero Award is presented each year to an author for the best American Mystery written in the tradition of Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe stories. It is presented at the Black Orchid Banquet, traditionally held on the first Saturday in December in New York City. The “Nero” is considered one of the premier awards granted to crime fiction authors. This year, the winner is Frederick Weisel for their novel titled The Day He Left.

The Black Orchid Novella Award is presented jointly by The Wolfe Pack and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine to celebrate the novella format popularized by Rex Stout. This year's winner is local author Libby Cudmore for their novella titled "Alibi in Ice." It will be published in the July 2024 issue of Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine.

Honorable mentions for the Black Orchid Novella Award include Paul A. Barra's "Death of a Papist," Lawrence Coates's "Jimtown," and Tom Larsen's "El Cazador."

Both award winners were announced and recognized at the 2023 Black Orchid Banquet in New York City on December 2, 2023.