BTW News Briefs

The U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing announced recently that it would be changing the color of money in an effort to curtail counterfeiting. Similar to the Euro and the U.K.'s pound, U.S. currency will soon have different colors for different denominations. In late 2003, a new $20 note design, with subtle background colors of green, peach, and blue on both sides, will be issued, followed by $50 and $100 notes in 2004 and 2005. A redesign of the $10 and $5 notes are currently under consideration, with no present plans to alter the $1 note. Furthermore, each denomination will feature different symbols of freedom. The $20 note will feature a large blue eagle in the background and a small, metallic green eagle and shield. BEP hopes the new designs will make it more burdensome for potential currency counterfeiters because it adds complexity to the note and thus makes counterfeiting more difficult. –DG

On Wednesday, June 11, the Private Eye Writers of America (PWA) announced the nominees for the 2003 Shamus Awards. Books and short stories first published in 2002 were eligible for consideration. The Shamus Awards will be presented in October at the PWA banquet to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, during Bouchercon, the World Mystery Convention.

The nominees for Best P.I. Novel are: Blackwater Sound by James W. Hall (St. Martin's Press); North of Nowhere by Steve Hamilton (St. Martin's Press); The Last Place by Laura Lippman (HarperCollins); Hell to Pay by George Pelecanos (Little, Brown); and Winter and Night by S.J. Rozan (St. Martin's Press).

For a full list of nominees, click here. –DG