Friday 1 September 2023

2023 Ned Kelly Award Winners

 

Best Crime Fiction 

Exiles by Jane Harper (Pan Macmillan Australia).

The panel of judges praised Harper’s depth of characters and setting - a hallmark of her compelling and intricate style of storytelling. The best crime category continues to astound with the depth of talent from Australian authors, many of which are now well established as international authors.

The variety and diversity of Australian crime novels blew us all away. Outback noir, suburban Aussie crime, city streets, cliff edges, small towns, domestic settings, historical, misaligned justice, revenge, parenthood, almost every setting and sub-genre was covered this year,” judge David Collins said.

Best Debut Crime Fiction 

Wake by Shelley Burr (Hachette Australia).

The panel of judges said it was heartening to see such strong talent coming through in this next wave of Australian crime writers. There were 34 entries in this year’s Best Debut Crime Fiction category.

Judge RWR McDonald said the judging panel described Wake as an astounding achievement for a first time author.

Best True Crime

Betrayed, by Sandi Logan (Hachette Australia).

The judges said the entries in the true crime category continue to showcase the very best in Australian investigative non-fiction writing.

True crime authors not only have to impeccably research and retell these very personal stories but they have to tread carefully and respectfully,” judge Emily Webb said.

Best International Crime Fiction

The Lemon Man by Keith Bruton (Brash Books).

The Lemon Man is a warm funny and compassionate story written in a wonderfully original voice. A truly great read,” judge Ron Blaber said.


ABOUT THE NED KELLY AWARDS

The Ned Kelly Awards are Australia’s oldest and most prestigious acknowledgements for crime fiction and true crime writing. Established in 1996, previous winners include: Peter Temple, Shane Maloney, Helen Garner, Gabrielle Lord, Garry Disher, Candice Fox, John Silvester and Duncan McNab

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