The W H Smith Thumping Good Read Award was awarded in the years between 1992 and 2003 and was intended to the honour more 'accessible' works of literature, so much so that even American writers were allowed to win. The judging was carried out by a panel of W H Smith customers with the winner receiving a cheque for £5,000.

See also the W H Smith Award, later the W H Smith Literary Award, which recognised more conventionally literary work.

Past Winners

• 1992 - Robert Goddard Into the Blue
• 1993 - Robert Harris Fatherland
• 1994 - Dominick Dunne A Season in Purgatory
• 1995 - Thomas Eidson St Agnes' Stand
• 1996 - Andrew Klavan True Crime
• 1997 - David Baldacci Absolute Power
• 1998 - Douglas Kennedy The Big Picture
• 1999 - Lee Child Die Trying
• 2000 - Boris Starling Storm
• 2001 - Jeffery Deaver The Empty Chair
• 2002 - Mo Hayder The Treatment
• 2003 - Harlan Coben Gone for Good

REFERENCES

http://facstaff.unca.edu/moseley/misc.html