Great Southeast Book Festival Honors True Crime Trend Analysis
LOS ANGELES_A gripping exposé from the front lines of law enforcement is the top book of the 2026 Great Southeast Book Festival, which honors the best work of the late winter/early spring.
Author David Lyons’ True Crime & Consequences (Empowered Press) examines the world of true crime’s popularity from the perspective of a retired homicide detective, law enforcement educator, and co-host of the popular Murder Police Podcast and Murder Police Podcast YouTube Channel.
But few are asking the hard questions about what it all means, he contends.
Lyons pulls back the curtain on the true crime phenomenon and its growing influence on real-life investigations. It delivers a timely and riveting look at how podcasts, social media, and armchair sleuths are reshaping modern justice—for better and for worse.
This is not just another true crime book. It’s a call to action that is well worthy of top honors.
Other winners in the competition:
GENERAL NONFICTION:
WINNER: True Crime and Consequences – David Lyons
RUNNER-UP:
Before Their Crimes – Dr. Wendy Smith
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Two Remarkable People David & Erna Robinson – Florita Robinson
Being Broken – Geoffrey R. Jonas
YOUNG ADULT:
WINNER: The Book of Sapphire and Shadow – Kris Kramer
RUNNER-UP:
The Greenbriar River Adventures: JoJo the Dragon – Rusty McQuade
GENERAL FICTION:
WINNER: Sweet Fields Beyond – Nancy Johnston Hall
RUNNER-UPS:
2 Poppins Lane – Patricia Striar Rohner
Entertaining Angels – Sandy Hope Stewart
The Red in The Wrong Profession – Carolyn Summer Quinn
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Breathe Easy -Tammy Donahue
Overtwixt: Welcome to the World of Bridges – R.L. Akers
Pirate’s Alley – Thomas J. Leveque
The Perfect One – Shelly M. Patel
Protocol Wars/Book 2 of the Alex Morgan FBI Thrillers – Jessie Clark
There’s a Tortoise in My Hair – Calvin Barry Schwartz
He Was Given No Choice – Roy Dussouy
MEMOIR:
WINNER: Chasing Tigers in the Dark – Ally Shaw
RUNNER-UP:
My Warp Threads: A Memoir – Maureen O’Hera
HOW-TO:
WINNER: They’re Coming For Your Elders and Your Inheritance – Léonie Rosenstiel
RUNNER-UP:
Must: Becoming the Person You Are Meant to Be – Stephen Rue
CHILDREN’S BOOKS:
WINNER: Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark – Nicholas Lewis
RUNNER-UP:
The Heart of a Leader – Dr. Josh McConkey
HONORABLE MENTION:
Champions, We Are – Beth Watter
COMPILATIONS/ANTHOLOGIES:
WINNER: Gravity Flow: The Jimmy Whistler Stories – E.M. Schorb
BIOGRAPHY/AUTOBIOGRAPHY:
WINNER: Clark Gable, Gone With the Wind, Volume Two – Darwin Porter and Danforth Prince
SELF-HELP:
WINNER: Embrace Your Shadows – Christina Prokos
WILD CARD:
WINNER: Before Their Crimes – Dr. Wendy Smith