Death in a Cold Climate

Cold can be confronting – whether it is in the Antarctic, Canada, or a remote Scottish island. Add in murderous intent and the results can be even more deadly, as revealed in the novels by Riley James, Ashley Kalagian Blunt, and Laura McCluskey.The three writers will be exploring the icy twists of their creations with Louisa Larkin, author of two Antarctic thrillers.

Set against the harsh backdrop of an isolated research station in Antarctica, Riley James’ debut novel, The Chilling (Allen & Unwin), follows two separate groups of people. The protagonist, Kit Bitterfeld, is part of a research team that has come to work for the season at a base at Antarctica. The second group, having fled their ship after it caught fire, is trying to survive in impossible elements as it searches for the base. There’s a storm approaching. There’s nowhere to run. But so much to hide.

Riley James is the pen name of Jacqueline Broad. She was born and raised in north-west Tasmania and trained as a journalist before becoming an academic.

Cold Truth (Ultimo Press), Ashleigh Kalagian Blunt’s latest novel, is bone-chilling in every way: a missing father, a complicated relationship between sisters, and a taut mystery in an icy Canadian winter. The central character, Harlow Close, has made a career as an influencer uncovering the secrets of Winnipeg, dubbed ‘North America’s strangest city’. The region is renowned for its sub-zero Siberian-like temperatures that can plunge to -40°C, sometimes for months at a time. Yet, it is not just the frigid winters and geographic seclusion that render Winnipeg peculiar.

When Harlow’s father mysteriously disappears amidst a brutal cold snap, suspicions of foul play arise. Unhappy with the pace of the police investigation, Harlow launches her own search, enlisting her sister Blaise’s reluctant help. She is forced to question everything and everyone around her.

Ashley Kalagian Blunt grew up in Winnipeg. She is now based in Sydney and is the author of the number one bestseller Dark Mode, a psychological thriller published in multiple territories and languages. It has also been shortlisted for the 2024 ABIA General Fiction Book of the Year, the Ned Kelly Awards for Best Crime Fiction, and the Danger Award for Debut Fiction. Her earlier books are How to Be Australian, a memoir, and My Name Is Revenge, a collection of fiction and essays.

Laura McCluskey’s novel, The Wolf Tree (HarperCollins Publishing), is set in the Scottish Outer Hebrides on a remote island that is cold and bleak, in both weather and social relationships. DIs Georgina Lennox and Richard Stewart are sent to investigate the death of an eighteen-year-old student found at the foot of the lighthouse, allegedly a suicide. A raging storm keeps them trapped on the island for five days. The locals, who don’t take kindly to mainlanders, are prone to superstition: women with red hair are bad luck on boats! As the police begin to uncover secrets, they are lied to and threatened, especially Georgie. Georgie is still recovering from a shocking injury incurred in a previous case, but still manages to save a couple of (hostile) locals from drowning. An awful lot of awful fish stew has to be consumed.

Laura McCluskey is a Melbourne writer, editor, and actor. She has penned several film and television projects for her production company Sibylline Films. Laura is also co-founder of Three Fates Theatre Company, and has performed across theatre, film, and television. The Wolf Tree is her debut novel.

Louisa Larkin writes hard-bitten crime thrillers as L A Larkin and humorous ‘doggy detective’ mysteries as Louisa Bennet. Her nine thrillers include two set in Antarctica, Thirst (2012) and Devour (2016). Louisa teaches creative writing courses at the Australian Writers Centre. She is currently working on a new murder mystery series set in a coastal village that is rife with gossip and corpses!

Dinner orders need to be placed by 7:00 pm. Note: the panel starts at 8:00 pm.
Men or ‘brothers-in-law’ welcome

Sun Bookshop stall
Sisters in Crime members receive a 10% discount

Additional information: Carmel Shute, National Co-convenor, 0412 569 356; admin@sistersincrime.org.au