John Spray Mystery Award

The John Spray Mystery Award (2011-2020) honoured excellence in the mystery book genre. The prize, sponsored by John Spray, President of Mantis Investigation Agency, was awarded annually with a cash prize of $5,000. To be eligible, the book must have been an original work in English, aimed at readers eight to 18 and written by a Canadian. A mystery book can be a thriller, a crime novel or a whodunit. The final award was presented in 2020.

Past Winners and Finalists

  • The Starlight Claim
    2020
    The Starlight Claim
    Written by Tim Wynne-Jones
    Candlewick Press, 2019
    Winner
  • The Athena Protocol
    2020
    The Athena Protocol
    Written by Shamim Sarif
    HarperTeen, 2019
    Finalist
  • Keep This to Yourself
    2020
    Keep This to Yourself
    Written by Tom Ryan
    Albert Whitman & Company, 2019
    Finalist
  • The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane
    2020
    The Mystery of Black Hollow Lane
    Written by Julie Nobel
    Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2019
    Finalist
  • Song from the Deeps
    2020
    Song from the Deeps
    Written by Kelly Powell
    Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2019
    Finalist
  • Sadie
    2019
    Sadie
    Written by Courney Summers
    St. Martin's Press, 2018
    Winner
  • Aftermath
    2019
    Aftermath
    Written by Kelley Armstrong
    Penguin Teen Canada, 2018
    Finalist
  • Call of the Wraith
    2019
    Call of the Wraith
    (The Blackthorn Key, Book 4) - Written by Kevin Sands
    Aladdin, 2018
    Finalist
  • The Case of the Firebane Folly
    2019
    The Case of the Firebane Folly
    (Tank & Fizz, Book 4) - Written by Liam O'Donnell - Illustrated by Mike Deas
    Orca Book Publishers, 2018
    Finalist
  • Wolfe in Shepherd's Clothing
    2019
    Wolfe in Shepherd's Clothing
    Written by Angie Counios and David Gane
    Your Nickel's Worth Publishing, 2018
  • The Hanging Girl
    2018
    The Hanging Girl
    Written by Eileen Cook
    Houghlin Mifflin Harcourt, 2017
    Winner
  • The Assassin's Curse
    2018
    The Assassin's Curse
    (The Blackthorn Key, Book 3) - Written by Kevin Sands
    Aladdin, 2017
    Finalist
  • Blood on the Beach
    2018
    Blood on the Beach
    Written by Sarah N. Harvey and Robin Stevenson
    Orca Book Publishers, 2017
    Finalist
  • The Case of the Missing Mage
    2018
    The Case of the Missing Mage
    (Tank & Fizz, Book 3) - Written by Liam O'Donnell - Illustrated by Mike Deas
    Orca Book Publishers, 2017
    Finalist
  • Recipe for Hate
    2018
    Recipe for Hate
    Written by Warren Kinsella
    Dundurn, 2017
    Finalist
  • Shooter
    2017
    Shooter
    Written by Caroline Pignat
    Red Deer Press, 2016
    Winner
  • The Dark Mission of Edgar Brim
    2017
    The Dark Mission of Edgar Brim
    (The Dark Mission of Edgar Brim, Book 1) - Written by Shane Peacock
    Tundra Books, 2016
    Finalist
  • Howard Wallace , P.I.
    2017
    Howard Wallace , P.I.
    Written by Casey Lyall
    Sterling Children's Books, 2016
    Finalist
  • The Road to Ever After
    2017
    The Road to Ever After
    Written by Moira Young
    Doubleday Canada, 2016
    Finalist
  • Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard
    2017
    Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard
    Written by Jonathan Auxier
    Puffin Canada, 2016
    Finalist
  • The Blackthorn Key
    2016
    The Blackthorn Key
    (The Blackthorn Key, Book 1) - Written by Kevin Sands
    Aladdin, 2015
    Winner
  • The Case of the Missing Moonstone
    2016
    The Case of the Missing Moonstone
    (The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency, Book 1) - Written by Jordan Stratford
    Alfred A. Knopf, 2015
    Finalist
  • Delusion Road
    2016
    Delusion Road
    Written by Don Aker
    HarperTrophy Canada, 2015
    Finalist
  • The Masked Truth
    2016
    The Masked Truth
    Written by Kelley Armstrong
    Doubleday Canada, 2015
    Finalist
  • Masterminds
    2016
    Masterminds
    Written by Gordon Korman
    HarperCollins Publishers, 2015
    Finalist
  • Julian
    2015
    Julian
    Written by William Bell
    Doubleday Canada, 2014
    Winner
  • About That Night
    2015
    About That Night
    Written by Norah McClintock
    Orca Book Publishers, 2014
    Finalist
  • Dead Man's Switch
    2015
    Dead Man's Switch
    Written by Sigmund Brower
    Harvest House Publishers, 2014
    Finalist
  • The Show to End All Shows
    2015
    The Show to End All Shows
    Written by Cary Fagan
    Puffin Canada, 2014
    Finalist
  • The Voice Inside My Head
    2015
    The Voice Inside My Head
    Written by S.J. Laidlaw
    Tundra Books, 2014
    Finalist
  • Who I'm Not
    2014
    Who I'm Not
    Written by Ted Staunton
    Orca Book Publishers, 2013
    Winner
  • The Further Adventures of Jack Lime
    2014
    The Further Adventures of Jack Lime
    Written by James Leck
    Kids Can Press, 2013
    Finalist
  • The Metro Dogs of Moscow
    2014
    The Metro Dogs of Moscow
    Written by Rachelle Delaney
    Puffin Canada, 2013
    Finalist
  • The Spotted Dog Last Seen
    2014
    The Spotted Dog Last Seen
    Written by Jessica Scott Kerrin
    Groundwood Books, 2013
    Finalist
  • Whatever Doesn't Kill You
    2014
    Whatever Doesn't Kill You
    Written by Elizabeth Wennick
    Orca Book Publishers, 2013
    Finalist
  • The Lynching of Louie Sam
    2013
    The Lynching of Louie Sam
    Written by Elizabeth Stewart
    Annick Press, 2012
    Winner
  • Becoming Holmes
    2013
    Becoming Holmes
    (The Boy Sherlock Holmes, Book 6) - Written by Shane Peacock
    Tundra Books, 2012
    Finalist
  • Breakaway
    2013
    Breakaway
    Written by Michael Betcherman
    Razorbill, 2012
    Finalist
  • Devil's Pass
    2013
    Devil's Pass
    (Seven the series) - Written by Sigmund Brouwer
    Orca Book Publishers, 2012
    Finalist
  • Neil Flambé and the Tokyo Treasure
    2013
    Neil Flambé and the Tokyo Treasure
    (The Neil Flambé Capers, Book 4) - Written and illustrated by Kevin Sylvester
    Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2012
    Finalist
  • Charlie's Key
    2012
    Charlie's Key
    Written by Rob Mills
    Orca Book Publishers, 2011
    Winner
  • The Case of the Missing Deed
    2012
    The Case of the Missing Deed
    (Teapsoon Detectives Book 1) - Written by Ellen Schwartz
    Tundra Books, 2011
    Finalist
  • The Dragon Turn
    2012
    The Dragon Turn
    (The Boy Sherlock Holmes, Book 5) - Written by Shane Peacock
    Tundra Books, 2011
    Finalist
  • Held
    2012
    Held
    Written by Edeet Ravel
    Annick Press, 2011
    Finalist
  • True Blue
    2012
    True Blue
    Written by Deborah Ellis
    Pajama Press, 2011
    Finalist
  • A Spy in the House
    2011
    A Spy in the House
    (The Agency, Book 1) - Written by Y.S. Lee
    Candlewick Press, 2010
    Winner
  • Borderline
    2011
    Borderline
    Written by Allan Stratton
    HarperCollins Publishers, 2010
    Finalist
  • Dead Bird Through the Cat Door 
    2011
    Dead Bird Through the Cat Door 
    (Megabyte Mystery, Book 2) - Written by Jan Markley
    Gumboot Books, 2010
    Finalist
  • The Mystery of the Cyber Bully
    2011
    The Mystery of the Cyber Bully
    (Marty Chan Mystery, Book 4) - Written by Marty Chan
    Thistledown Press, 2010
    Finalist
  • Victim Rights
    2011
    Victim Rights
    (A Ryan Dooley Mystery, Book 2) - Written by Norah McClintock
    Red Deer Press, 2010
    Finalist