John Copenhaver is a crime fiction writer, Lambda columnist, blogger, photography lover, film noir enthusiast, high school English teacher.
Awards: Lefty (2025), Macavity (2019) see all
Genres: Mystery
New and upcoming books
Series
Books containing stories by John Copenhaver

Crime Ink: Iconic (2025)
An Anthology of Crime Fiction Inspired by Queer Icons
edited by
John Copenhaver and Salem West

Every Day a Little Death (2025)
Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Stephen Sondheim
(Inspired by anthologies)
edited by
Josh Pachter

Happiness is a Warm Gun (2023)
Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of The Beatles
(Inspired by anthologies)
edited by
Josh Pachter
Awards
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Award nominations
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John Copenhaver recommends

All We Hide (2026)
Robyn Gigl
"Robyn Gigl writes with rare insight and deep compassion in All We Hide, delivering a crime novel that is as emotionally powerful as it is gripping. With an insider's understanding of this world and a clear moral intelligence, Gigl reminds us that justice is never simple and that empathy must move in many directions. The result is a riveting and deeply humane cold-case police procedural."

The Dead Room (2026)
Catriona McPherson
"Catriona McPherson delivers a masterclass in psychological suspense with The Dead Room, a haunting tale of a distraught young widow returning to her Scottish hometown. Grief warps the edges of reality - familiar places feel off-kilter, memories flicker, and paranoia takes root. The eeriness of a home seen through a Dutch angle and the precision of Highsmith-like tension are expertly woven together by McPherson's remarkable storytelling prowess. A deliciously complex, unforgettable thriller."

Writers and Liars (2025)
Carol Goodman
"Carol Goodman's brilliant Writers and Liars is a fresh take on the classic Agatha Christie-style closed-circle island murder. While it cleverly and wittily plays with this familiar setup - most of the suspects are mystery writers, after all - it also grounds itself in psychological realism and an exquisitely rendered sense of place. The story hums with the thematic undertones of classical literature, making it not just a thrilling read but one layered with emotional depth. I say this without reservation: Goodman is our generation's Christie!"
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