AGATHA AWARD  FOR BEST FIRST COZY MYSTERY NOVEL 1989-2003 Agatha Christie

"The Agatha Awards, named for MALICE inspiration Agatha Christie, are awarded for the Best Novel, First Mystery Novel, Nonfiction, and Short Story in the genre for the previous year. Presentation is made at the MALICE convention in April. The award is a teapot with MALICE's skull and crossbones on the side."

"An eligible book must have been published in the United States between January 1 and December 31 of the previous year and be a Malice Domestic book. This is loosely translated as no explicit sex, gore or violence, an amateur detective (usually), a confined setting, and characters who know each other. The Agatha Awards Committee reviews all nominated books for appropriateness and oversees the entire awards process."