We are proud to report that Aussie crime writing continues to grow in strength and identity, as demonstrated in today’s announcement of the 2023 Ned Kelly Awards shortlists.

It is particularly pleasing to see authors continuing to break away from some of the more common crime tropes, with an even larger variety of characters, settings and social diversity in this year’s entries than we have received before.

The Best Debut Crime Fiction entries this year were incredibly strong with a wide range of new Australian authors, of all ages and backgrounds, choosing the crime genre for their first books. As an industry association, it is heartening to see so many talented first time writers being introduced to readers.

The Best True Crime entries were totally compelling and not only showcased astounding storytelling but also dogged and professional investigative work. This year’s Best International Crime Fiction (published in Australia) was again a Who’s Who of global crime writing.

The flagship award, Best Crime Fiction, with 88 entries, was a treasure-trove of excellence. The shortlist of Aussie authors includes some of the highest selling and most popular authors on the global crime writing stage.

Congratulations and thank you to everyone who entered the 2023 Ned Kelly Awards. Writing is a tough gig and the Australian Crime Writers Association committee acknowledges the hard work and incredible creativity of every entry. Special recognition to all the shortlisted authors. The winners are expected to be announced in about four weeks.

Thanks to all our members for supporting us and, in turn, supporting our growing crime writing community.

2023 NED KELLY AWARDS SHORTLISTS

Congratulations to the following authors:

BEST TRUE CRIME
Tiger! Tiger! Tiger! by Officer A
Death Row at Truro by Geoff Plunkett
Rattled by Ellis Gunn
Betrayed by Sandi Logan
Out of the Ashes by Megan Norris

BEST INTERNATIONAL CRIME FICTION
(Published in Australia)
The Lemon Man by Keith Bruton
Paper Cage by Tom Baragwanath
The Favour by Nicci French
The Hitchhiker by Gerwin van der Werf

BEST DEBUT CRIME FICTION
Wake by Shelley Burr
No Country for Girls by Emma Styles
Dirt Town by Hayley Scrivenor
Black River by Matthew Spencer
How to Kill a Client by Joanna Jenkins
The House of Now and Then by Jo Dixon
Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder by Kerryn Mayne
Denizen by James McKenzie Watson

BEST CRIME FICTION
Soulmate by Sally Hepworth 
When The Carnival is Over by Greg Woodland
Exiles by Jane Harper
When We Fall by Aoife Clifford
The Tilt by Chris Hammer
Those Who Perish Emma Viskic
Seven Sisters by Katherine Kovacic
Lying Beside You by Michael Robotham