The biggest of the many annual mystery conventions, the Bouchercon, just ended its four-day festival in glamorous Anchorage, Alaska (arguably the least interesting city in America, if you don’t count Phoenix — the epicenter of sand, swimming pools, and fast-food restaurants). It was centered, appropriately enough, at the elegant Hilton hotel, which was as exciting as beige.

Still, it had its good moments, highlighted by a moving and eloquent keynote talk by the guest of honor, Thomas Perry, and award ceremonies that honored some very good books.

The Shamus Awards, given by the Private Eye Writers of America, were especially on target, with the lifetime achievement award (“the Eye”) being given to the prolific and versatile Stuart M. Kaminsky, who seems to be making a habit of lifetime achievement awards, having been honored as the Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America earlier this year.

The other Shamus winners were “The Dramatist” by Ken Bruen (St. Martin’s), for Best Novel; “The Wrong Kind of Blood” by Declan Hughes (Morrow), for Best First Novel; “An Unquiet Grave” by P.J. Parrish (Pinnacle), for Best Paperback Original, and “The Heart Has Reasons” by O’Neil DeNoux (in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine) for Best Short Story. The “Hammer,” which does not go to the author but to the fictional private eye, was awarded to Shell Scott, created by Richard Prather. It’s okay that the award does not go the author, who was unavailable to pick up the trophy, having died a year ago.

The other major prizes handed out at the banquet, which was truly the gourmet feast one would expect at the heralded Anchorage Hilton, were the Anthony Awards, named for Anthony Boucher, the former novelist and mystery reviewer. The winners were: “No Good Deeds” by Laura Lippman (Morrow), for Best Novel; “Still Life” by Louise Penny (St. Martin’s), for Best First Novel; “Ashes and Bones” by Dana Cameron (Avon), for Best Paperback Original; “My Father’s Secret” by Simon Wood (in Crimespree Magazine), for Best Short Story; “Mystery Muses,” edited by Jim Huang and Austin Lugar (Crum Creek), for Best Critical Nonfiction (Lugar? How cool a name is that for a mystery editor?), and Jim Huang, Crum Creek Press (his publishing house) and The Mystery Company (his bookstore), for the Special Services Award.

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If you’d like to go for a lovely drive in the country as the leaf season approaches, here is a splendid destination: Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, Mass., which is presenting the American premiere of “The Secret of Sherlock Holmes,” written by Jeremy Paul, for 16 performances, ending on October 28th.

Jeremy Brett, who memorably played the great detective for several years in the highly regarded PBS series, commissioned Mr. Paul, the author of the television series, to write this play, which is based entirely on events in the canon, to commemorate the Holmes Centenary in 1987. Brett had always hoped to play the leading role in America but did not live to see it happen. Now, at the 120th anniversary of the publication of “A Study in Scarlet,” the first appearance of Holmes, Michael Hammond will take on the titular role; Dave Demke plays Dr. Watson.

Set at 221B Baker St., the play features several highspots of the canon, including a visit by the evil Professor Moriarty, a replay of Holmes’s demise, and a momentous confession by the great detective to his trusted friend and amanuensis.

For show information, visit the theater company’s website: www.Shakespeare.org.’

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The good wishes of the many millions of happy readers who have enjoyed the works of Dick Francis should be sent to him immediately. He has recently had a foot amputated, though not before finishing another novel, “Dead Heat,” with his son, Felix. The book has been published to the usual outstanding reviews.

Otto Penzler is the proprietor of the Mysterious Bookshop in Manhattan and the series editor of the annual “Best American Mystery Stories.” He can be reached at ottopenzler@mysteriousbookshop.com.

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Correction: P.J. Parrish is the author of “An Unquiet Grave,” which won the 2007 Shamus Award for Best Paperback Original. The name was misstated in an earlier version of this story.