Steve Hamilton, UM alum, wins top Edgar 2011 award

Steve Hamilton, former Michigan resident and an alum of The University of Michigan, won the Mystery Writers of America's top Edgar prize -- Best novel -- for The Lock Artist.

Hamilton, 50, who won a Hopwood for fiction before graduating in 1983, was born and raised in Detroit. He had previously won an Edgar for his Alex McKnight series. In his stand-alone The Lock Artist, Michael Smith writes from prison trying to unravel the childhood trauma that has left him mute. He is a magnet for a number of evil forces who want to exploit his gifts as a master safecracker.

For the complete list of 2011 Edgar winners, click here.