Lefty Awards (Left Coast Crime)
1 appearances
-
Edition 20 (2015) Excellence Award
Allen Eskens
アレン・エスケンス
Aren Esukensu
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Nationality
- United States
- Languages
- English
- Residence History
- Missouri (grew up) → Minnesota (currently lives)
Career
- Occupations
- Author, Former criminal defense attorney
- Active Years
- 2014-
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamline University School of Law | — | Law | Juris Doctor (JD) | — | United States |
| University of Minnesota | — | Journalism | Bachelor's degree in Journalism | — | United States |
| Minnesota State University, Mankato | — | Creative Writing | Master of Fine Arts (MFA) | — | United States |
Hamline University School of Law
Law
Degree:
Juris Doctor (JD)
Country:
United States
University of Minnesota
Journalism
Degree:
Bachelor's degree in Journalism
Country:
United States
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Creative Writing
Degree:
Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
Country:
United States
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Barry Award for Best Paperback Original | The Life We Bury | — | — | Winner |
| 2015 | Anthony Award for Best First Novel | The Life We Bury | — | — | Finalist |
| 2015 | Edgar Award for Best First Novel | The Life We Bury | — | — | Finalist |
| 2015 | Left Coast Crime Award for Best First Novel | The Life We Bury | — | — | Winner |
| 2015 | Minnesota Book Award for Genre Fiction | The Life We Bury | — | — | Finalist |
| 2015 | Thriller Award for Best First Novel | The Life We Bury | — | — | Finalist |
| 2017 | Barry Award for Best Novel | The Heavens May Fall | — | — | Finalist |
| 2017 | Barry Award for Best Paperback Original | The Heavens May Fall | — | — | Finalist |
| 2018 | Barry Award for Best Paperback Original | The Deep Dark Descending | — | — | Winner |
| 2019 | Barry Award for Best Novel | The Shadows We Hide | — | — | Finalist |
Barry Award for Best Paperback Original
2015
Work:
The Life We Bury
Result:
Winner
Anthony Award for Best First Novel
2015
Work:
The Life We Bury
Result:
Finalist
Edgar Award for Best First Novel
2015
Work:
The Life We Bury
Result:
Finalist
Left Coast Crime Award for Best First Novel
2015
Work:
The Life We Bury
Result:
Winner
Minnesota Book Award for Genre Fiction
2015
Work:
The Life We Bury
Result:
Finalist
Thriller Award for Best First Novel
2015
Work:
The Life We Bury
Result:
Finalist
Barry Award for Best Novel
2017
Work:
The Heavens May Fall
Result:
Finalist
Barry Award for Best Paperback Original
2017
Work:
The Heavens May Fall
Result:
Finalist
Barry Award for Best Paperback Original
2018
Work:
The Deep Dark Descending
Result:
Winner
Barry Award for Best Novel
2019
Work:
The Shadows We Hide
Result:
Finalist
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
The Life We Bury
2014 MysteryCollege student Joe Talbert uncovers a murder mystery while writing the memoir of a dying war veteran.
Secrets of the pastFamily bondsJustice
The Deep Dark Descending
2017 ThrillerDetective Rupert seeks revenge for his wife's murder.
RevengeLossMoral ambiguity
Nothing More Dangerous
2019 SuspenseFirst in Boady Sanden series, a mystery set against racial tensions.
RacismFriendshipDanger
Bibliography
- The Life We Bury (2014)
- The Guise of Another (2015)
- The Heavens May Fall (2016)
- The Deep Dark Descending (2017)
- The Shadows We Hide (2018)
- Nothing More Dangerous (2019)
- The Stolen Hours (2021)
- Forsaken Country (2022)
- Saving Emma (2023)
- The Quiet Librarian (2025)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Suspenseful plottingTwistsPsychological depth
- Recurring Motifs
- Minnesota settingsDetectivesPast traumas
Legacy
Former defense attorney turned mystery author, known for award-winning thrillers set in Minnesota.
Trivia
- Grew up in Missouri, now lives in Minnesota.
- Attended Iowa Summer Writing Festival and The Loft Literary Center.