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Don Winslow


USA flag (b.1953)

Don Winslow was born in New York City but raised in South Kingstown, Rhode Island. At various times an actor, director, movie theater manager, safari guide and private investigator, Don has done many things on his way to being a novelist.

His first novel, A Cool Breeze On The Underground, was nominated for an Edgar, and a later book, California Fire and Life, received the Shamus Award. The Death And Life Of Bobby Z will come out as a feature film in March of 2007, starring Paul Walker and Laurence Fishburne. His upcoming novel, The Winter Of Frankie Machine, has been purchased for Robert DeNiro to play the lead role.

Don lives on an old ranch in the San Diego area with his wife, Jean, and son, Thomas.
 

Awards: CWA (2016), LA Times (2015), Shamus (2000)  see all

Genres: Mystery, Thriller
 
New and upcoming books
October 2025

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The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2025
(Best American Mystery Stories)
January 2026

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The Final Score
 
Series
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Power of the Dog
   1. The Power of the Dog (2005)
   2. The Cartel (2015)
   3. The Border (2019)
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Savages
   1. The Kings of Cool (2012)
   2. Savages (2010)
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Danny Ryan Trilogy
   1. City on Fire (2022)
   2. City of Dreams (2023)
   3. City in Ruins (2024)
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Novels
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Collections
   The Final Score (2026)
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Novellas and Short Stories
   Crime 101 (2021)
   Free Billy (2022)
   The Heron (2022)
   Deep Hole (2023)
   Dietrich (2024)
   Oregon (2024)
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Non fiction show
 
Omnibus editions show
 
Books containing stories by Don Winslow
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USA Noir (2013)
Best of the Akashic Noir Series
(Akashic Noir)
edited by
Johnny Temple
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The Interrogator (2012)
And Other Criminally Good Fiction
edited by
Ed Gorman and Martin H Greenberg
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San Diego Noir (2011)
edited by
Maryelizabeth Hart

More books 


Awards
2019 Falcon Award : The Force
2016 CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger : The Cartel
2015 Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Mystery/Thriller : The Cartel
2011 Falcon Award : The Winter of Frankie Machine
2010 Falcon Award : The Power of the Dog
2000 Shamus Award for Best PI Novel : California Fire and Life
1994 Falcon Award : A Cool Breeze on the Underground

Award nominations
2025 Dublin Literary Award (longlist) : City in Ruins
2025 CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger (shortlist) : City in Ruins
2023 Barry Award for Best Novel (nominee) : City on Fire
2021 Ned Kelly Award for Best International Crime Novel (nominee) : Broken
2020 CrimeFest: eDunnit Award (nominee) : The Border
2020 Barry Award for Best Novel (nominee) : The Border
2020 Barry Award for Best Mystery/Crime Novel of the Decade (nominee) : The Border
2018 Macavity Award for Best Novel (nominee) : The Force
2018 CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger (shortlist) : The Force
2018 Barry Award for Best Novel (nominee) : The Force
2018 Anthony Award for Best Novel (nominee) : The Force
2016 Macavity Award for Best Novel (nominee) : The Cartel
2016 Barry Award for Best Novel (nominee) : The Cartel
2011 Dilys Award for Best Book (nominee) : Savages
2011 Barry Award for Best Novel (nominee) : Savages
2010 CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger (shortlist) : The Gentlemen's Hour
2009 Dilys Award for Best Book (nominee) : The Dawn Patrol
2009 Barry Award for Best Novel (nominee) : The Dawn Patrol
2006 Macavity Award for Best Novel (nominee) : The Power of the Dog
2006 Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Mystery/Thriller (nominee) : The Winter of Frankie Machine
2006 Dilys Award for Best Book (nominee) : The Power of the Dog
2006 Barry Award for Best Novel (nominee) : The Power of the Dog
2000 Dilys Award for Best Book (nominee) : California Fire and Life
1998 Lefty Award for Best Humorous Mystery Novel (nominee) : The Death and Life of Bobby Z
1998 Barry Award for Best Novel (nominee) : The Death and Life of Bobby Z
1994 Dilys Award for Best Book (nominee) : Way Down on the High Lonely
1992 Shamus Award for Best First PI Novel (nominee) : A Cool Breeze on the Underground
1992 Edgar Award for Best First Novel (nominee) : A Cool Breeze on the Underground


Don Winslow recommends
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Everybody Wants to Rule the World (2025)
Ace Atkins
"Anyone who has read Ace Atkins knows he's diabolically talented, but his latest goes beyond crackling wit and whip-smart storytelling. Don't Let the Devil Ride combines meaty questions about the lies we build to protect ourselves - and what happens when those lies collapse - with a masterfully crafted plot and seductive Southern setting to create a novel that sings."
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North Country (2025)
Matt Bondurant
"Absolutely captivating...Bondurant pulls you right to the deep end in North Country. Vividly imagined and brilliantly written, you won't want to miss this literary thriller."
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Crooks (2025)
Lou Berney
"A truly stunning masterpiece of crime fiction. Lou Berney's Crooks stands with some of the finest crime novels ever written which is no surprise since it comes from one of the greatest literary crime novelists in the world. A fascinating family crime cocktail with elements of Goodfellas, Boogie Nights, and The Godfather all brilliantly mixed together in one unforgettable novel."

More recommendations 


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