Carmel Shute - Sisters in Crime Australia

A love song to gritty Dublin: Louise Milligan

On the sands of Shellybanks, where tides can quickly turn treacherous, journalist Kate Delaney once nearly drowned. Years later, reeling from a violent crime that has upended her life in Melbourne, she returns to Dublin to comfort her beloved aunt Dolores—only to discover Dolores has her own buried trauma. Shellybanks, the novel, is a haunting tale of secrecy and survival, charting how two women find strength in each other as they reckon with Ireland’s hidden histories and the scars that endure across generations.

The new mother as sleuth: Penny Tangey

Who would think that Rhyme Time at the local library would end with a piercing scream and murder? New mum Frida finds herself part of an unlikely group of sleuths investigating. For this month’s Author Spotlight, Narrelle M. Harris spoke to Melbourne librarian (and mother), Penny Tangey, about What Rhymes with Murder?

Win a copy of Kill Your Boomers or Happy Woman

Ultimo Press is generously donating ten copies of Kill Your Boomers, and ten copies of Happy Woman for the Crime Stack for April. Kill Your Boomers by Fiona Wright is an audacious book that asks just how far you will go to get your dream house (or at least a one-bedroom flat without mushrooms growing in the bathroom). Happy Woman by Abby Corson focusses on Gwynne Hogg, an enviable woman, until she discovers her beloved dad is a serial killer. Join now and be in the running.

Journalist Sleuths

Who better than newshounds to uncover mysteries and track down murderers? Three Melbourne authors, Christine Gregory, Laraine Stephens, and Madeleine Cleary, talk about how and why journalists make such superlative investigators with former journalist and crime author Dr Liz Porter.

Vale Lauren Henderson, Tart Noir Queen

Sisters in Crime Australia is mourning the death of Tart Noir Queen, Lauren Henderson, who was our international guest at the inaugural SheKilda convention in 2001. She was only 59. She enthralled us and had a lot to say, including some sharp words about ABC broadcaster, Phillip Adams.

The past is never dead

Murder mysteries and history books have a similar modus operandi. Both are concerned with whodunnit – and usually the why and how. Historical murder mysteries are doubly credentialled, as three authors with new books – Amanda Hampson, Natalie Conyer, and Tara Oldfield – will explore with host Maryanne Vagg. Book here The Model Murder (Penguin) …

The highs (and lows) of publishing: Bronwyn Rodden

Childhood writing games, shelves of books, and a sister who became a librarian and introduced Bronwyn Rodden to the Blue Mountains helped in the creation of her book series set there. As a child, her family stayed at the old art deco hotels. They seemed so luxurious, after growing up in a fibro house on the fringes of the city. The breathtaking natural scenery also made an impact.

Win a copy of Dove or Dead Heat

Penguin Books is generously donating ten copies of Dove, and ten copies of Dead Heat for the Crime Stack for March.
Dove, the new novel by Georgia Harper, the winner of the 2025 Davitt award for best debut novel, revolves around a provocative question. ‘What would you do if you had a whole day on earth free of men?’ Dead Heat, the explosive new thriller from Sunday Times bestselling author Sabine Durrant, is set over one blazing Mediterranean summer. Join now and be in the running.

The rom-com-slasher: Shailee Thompson

For this month’s Author Spotlight, Narrelle M. Harris spoke to Brisbane author, Shailee Thompson, about her wonderfully named debut novel, How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates (Simon & Schuster). She had an absolute BLAST writing this book.

Lumps and bumps, blue eyes and small heads: Laraine Stephens

Laraine Stephens first novel, The Death Mask Murders, was inspired by her work as a volunteer guide at the Old Melbourne Gaol. In the cells are displayed death masks of executed felons. This gave her the impetus for a story line: What if the psychopath in The Death Mask Murders had developed a fixation with death masks and created them as ‘trophies’ of his victims?