Karen Chisholm
In a darkened bar, up a wide old stone staircase, deep in Trades Hall Melbourne on Saturday night we gathered for the 20th Anniversary of the Ned Kelly Awards.
These awards were special for a few reasons - they were back in Melbourne, it was the 20th Anniversary of the Neddies (as they are affectionately known) and ACWA had a few surprises up its various sleeves. And I don't just mean the winners of the awards.
Karen Chisholm
Acclaimed author, journalist and screenwriter Helen Garner has won the 2015 Ned Kelly Award for Australia’s Best True Crime book for ‘This House of Grief – the Story of a Murder Trial’.
It is the second Ned Kelly Award for Garner, who picked up her previous award ten years ago with ‘Joe Cinque’s Consolation’ – another account of a murder that involved revenge, jealousy and betrayal.
Karen Chisholm
One of Australia’s most well-known authors, Helen Garner is among a strong list of writers competing for this year’s Ned Kelly Award for Best True Crime. The shortlist, announced by the Australian Crime Writers Association (ACWA) on Saturday August 8 at the Byron Bay Writers Festival includes journalists Debi Marshall, Kate McClymont, Linton Besser, David Murray, Amy Dale and freelance writer Liam Pieper.
Karen Chisholm
This year I've promised myself a red hot go at reading the entire submissions list for all 3 of the Ned Kelly Categories. Preferably before the 2016 Submissions List is released although there are days when I think I might have bitten off more than I can possibly chew. Still - getting there :)
Next up Best Crime - kept the best to last :)
Karen Chisholm
This year I've promised myself a red hot go at reading the entire submissions list for all 3 of the Ned Kelly Categories. Preferably before the 2016 Submissions List is released although there are days when I think I might have bitten off more than I can possibly chew. Still - getting there :)
Next up Best First Crime - which is looking better in terms of keeping up with the submitted books.
Karen Chisholm
Another from the 2015 Neddies Best First category read over the weekend.
From the Blurb:
When a battered wife disappears from a women's crisis shelter after her husband's murder, guilt-driven journo Lexie Reed, has to push the already besieged DSS Wil Saddington to help as she uncovers human trafficking of Melbourne's most vulnerable.
If her husband hadn't been murdered - would anyone have noticed she was missing?
Karen Chisholm
Another from the Ned Kelly nomination - this time the Best First category.
From the Blurb:
One dark secret. Two troubled souls. The lie that brings them together could tear them apart.
Karen Chisholm
Another from the 2015 Neddies Submission List - this time the True Crime section.
From the Blurb:
How did a father with no criminal history come to be on trial for the brutal murder of his wife? All marriages have their secrets. Things started to unravel for Gerard Baden-Clay the night his wife Allison vanished. Within days everything private would become public.
Karen Chisholm
Another from my quest to read all nominees this year :)
From the Blurb:
Once an artist and teacher, Jen now spends her time watching the birds around her house and tending her lush sub-tropical garden near the small town where she grew up. The only person she sees regularly is Henry, who comes after school for drawing lessons.
Karen Chisholm
Another picked up because of this year's Ned Kelly Awards submissions list, I've got to get to the Davitt's list next!
http://www.sistersincrime.org.au/content/davitt-readers-choice-voting-2015(link is external)
From the Blurb:
National Parks ranger Erin Taylor loves her job, is falling for her colleague, Simon, and is finally leaving her past behind . . .
Karen Chisholm
Another book from both the Davitt's and Ned Kelly listings.
From the Blurb:
Still hurting after a painful divorce, Joanna leaves the city, moving with her six-year-old daughter Mia to a country town. She’s looking for a better, happier life, and when she meets farmer Chris Youngman, she discovers the possibility of a future as a farmer’s wife.
Karen Chisholm
This year I've promised myself a red hot go at reading the entire submissions list for all 3 of the Ned Kelly Categories. Preferably before the 2016 Submissions List is released although there are days when I think I might have bitten off more than I can possibly chew. Still - getting there :)
Starting out with the True Crime list because I CLEARLY have some work to do here: