The Crime Writers of Canada have announced the shortlists for the 2012 Arthur Ellis Awards. The awards, established in 1984 and named after the nom de travail of Canada’s official hangman, are for crime writing, and they are not restricted to mystery writing. Crime-writing encompasses far more than the traditional whodunit. The crime genre includes crime, detective, espionage, mystery, suspense, and thriller writing, as well as fictional or factual accounts of criminal doings and crime-themed literary works. The finalists for Best Juvenile/YA Crime Book are listed below.

Blink and Caution
Written by Tim Wynne-Jones
Candlewick Press

Charlie’s Key
Written by Rob Mills
Orca Book Publishers

Empire of Ruins: The Hunchback Assignments III
Written by Arthur Slade
HarperCollins Canada

Held
Written by Edeet Ravel
Annick Press

Missing
Written by Becky Citra
Orca Book Publishers

Prizes will be handed out at an awards gala in Toronto on May 31.

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For more information, please contact The Crime Writers of Canada at info@crimewriterscanada.com.