2008 Finalists Announced

Festival Play Wins Best Play for Nation's Edgar Award

All three nominees for the 2008 Edgar Allan Poe Awards for the Best Play Category premiered during the International Mystery Writers' Festival last June in Owensboro. Help us congratulate Joseph Goodrich for his play "Panic" as the Edgar Winner.

"Panic", "If/Then" by David Foley, and "Books" by Stuart M. Kaminsky were the three Edgar nominees for best play, and all were finalists of the 2007 Discovering New Mysteries festival produced by the RiverPark Center in Owensboro.

"The Edgar Awards are the Tony, Emmy and Oscar awards for mystery work," said Zev Buffman, president & CEO of RiverPark Center and co-chair of the festival. "For the International Mystery Writers' Festival to sweep that category in its first year is unprecedented."

Queen of Suspense to Become First Lady of Mystery 2008

Mary Higgins Clark honored as Kentucky's First Lady of Mystery

Known in the genre as the Queen of Suspense, Mary Higgins Clark's success is seen both on and off the page. A worldwide bestselling author, Mary Higgins Clark has written twenty-five suspense novels, selling more than 80 million copies just in the United States. Ms. Clark's writing career spans forty years and has brought industry top honors including a Mystery Writers of America annual award given in her name. Now, she will add an honorary Angie Award and the 2008 First Lady of Mystery title bestowed upon her during this summer's International Mystery Writers' Festival.

Festival to Stage U.S. Premiere of Lost Agatha Christie Play

The International Mystery Writers' Festival has secured the exclusive rights to the U.S. premiere of Agatha Christie's lost play "Chimneys."

"The festival prides itself on discovering new mysteries – with the ultimate goal of bringing the mystery play form back to Broadway," said Buffman, producer of 40 Broadway shows and 100 national tours. "We are thrilled to announce to our patrons they will see a lost Agatha Christie play that has not been yet been seen in New York or London. We are immensely honored, humbled and grateful to the Agatha Christie Estate for entrusting us with this treasure."

World Premiere of New Sherlock Holmes Mystery is Set

Another world premiere for the festival's opening week is a new Sherlock Holmes play "The Final Toast" by Mystery Writers of America and Edgar winner Stuart Kaminsky.

"In 2008, we will celebrate two of the greatest names in the world of mystery – Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes," Buffman said. "Those legends, combined with many other new features, will make the international festival a highlight for all ages of mystery lovers."

Get Ready.

The International Mystery Writers' Festival is coming June 12-22, 2008.

Get a clue.

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The Lineup

Come and meet some of the best in the mystery industry!

And the next great mystery is ...

Mystery lovers worldwide are celebrating the International Mystery Writers' Festival. The Festival presents unique opportunities to discover plays, screenplays, and short stories professionally performed, published, or produced for the first time.

Discovering New Mysteries celebrates the best of new mystery works through an annual competition offering more than $20,000 in prize money. Audience members cast ballots during the festival and select the winners for The Angie Award categories. "The Angies" are named for the legendary Angela Lansbury, Kentucky's First Lady of Mystery 2007.

Join thousands of other mystery lovers in Owensboro, Kentucky. You won't want to miss a moment! Be sure to register for our newsletter in order to receive the latest news about the 2008 International Mystery Writers' Festival and visit our webpage often for updates!