Let me rephrase that. . . . I love award shows when I am interested in the outcome such as the Edgars, the Tonys, the Oscars, the Golden Globes and just about every mystery fiction award there is.

It’s especially interesting when you know the winners.

Certainly it’s just a coincidence, but Mystery Scene’s latest issue includes my profile of British author Tom Rob Smith, left.

During our hour-long telephone chat from his home in London, he and I talked about myriad subjects — from his background as a writer on British soap operas, to his childhood to his fondness for crime fiction.

The result is, I hope, an interesting profile in Mystery Scene about one of our up and coming writers.  His second novel The Secret Speech recently came out.

But his first novel, the chilling, unflinching and compelling Child 44, is still getting its well-deserved buzz.

So it gives me an extra smile in listing the winners of the International Thriller Writers’  literary awards, which were awarded July 11 in New York City.

Here are the winners and special honorees:

ThrillerMaster Award
David Morrell: In recognition of his vast body of work and influence in the field of literature

Silver Bullet Award
Brad Meltzer: For contributions to the advancement of literacy

Silver Bullet Corporate Award: Dollar General Literacy FoundationFor longstanding support of literacy and education

Best Thriller of the Year:
THE BODIES LEFT BEHIND by Jeffery Deaver (Simon & Schuster)

Best First Novel:
CHILD 44 by Tom Rob Smith (Grand Central Publishing)

Best Short Story:
THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN by Alexandra Sokoloff (in Darker Mask)

The IMBA is comprised of a network of individually owned retail bookstores across North America and the United Kingdom, devoted to the sale of mystery books. The IMBA has won several awards for THE 100 FAVORITE MYSTERIES OF THE CENTURY and THEY DIED IN VAIN, published by Crum Creek Press/Drood Review Books. For more information on the IMBA and20the Dilys awards, including past nominees and winners, visit www.mysterybooksellers.com.

2008 Nominees
TRIGGER CITY, Sean Chercover, William Morrow
THE VICTORIA VANISHES, Christopher Fowler, Bantam
SILENT IN THE SANCTUARY, Deanna Raybourn, Mira
CHILD 44, Tom Rob Smith, Grand Central
DAWN PATROL, Don Winslow, Alfred A. Knopf

The Dilys Award is named in honor of Dilys Winn, the founder of the first specialty bookstore of mystery books in the United States. The award will be presented at Left Coast Crime in March.

Congratulations to all the nominees!