Unmasking the truth

So many crimes, so many lies, so much deception. The new novels by Louise Milligan, Sarah Bailey, and Abby Corson expose the perfidy, duplicity, and brutality that define some people, and far too many institutions. They will tell all to journalist and Sisters in Crime convenor, Leslie Falkiner-Rose.

Louise Milligan, a multi-award-winning investigative journalist for ABC TV’s Four Corners, has written a stunning and surprising thriller with a gigantic heart: a gripping, propulsive, and brilliantly original debut, Pheasants Nest (Allen & Unwin). It starts with journalist Kate Delaney making the biggest mistake of her life. She picked the wrong guy to humiliate on a girls’ night out and now she is living every woman’s worst nightmare. Kate finds herself brutalised, bound, and gagged in the back of a car being driven god knows where by a man whose name she doesn’t know, and she is petrified about what’s in store for her. . .

Louise is the author of two bestselling non-fiction books: Cardinal, The Rise and Fall of George Pell and Witness, An Investigation into the Brutal Cost of Seeking Justice. Her books have been awarded multiple prizes, including the Walkley Book Award, the Davitt Award (Best Non-Fiction Crime Book), the Melbourne Prize for Literature People’s Choice Award, the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award’s People’s Choice prize, the Sir Owen Dixon Chambers Law Reporter of the Year Award, a Press Freedom Medal, and a shortlisting for the Stella Prize.

Sarah Bailey is also a multi-award-winning author. In Body of Lies (Allen & Unwin), her fourth book in Gemma Woodstock series, Detective Sergeant Gemma Woodstock is back in her hometown of Smithson on maternity leave when the bizarre incident occurs – the theft of a corpse from the morgue. Another shocking crime persuades Gemma gets involved in the investigation. . .Sarah is currently the Managing Director of the Melbourne and Sydney offices of advertising agency VMLY&R. Her internationally award-winning Gemma Woodstock series includes The Dark Lake, published in 2017 and winner of the Ned Kelly Award for Best First Fiction and the Davitt Award for Best Debut, followed by Into the Night in 2018, and Where the Dead Go in 2019. Sarah has also published the bestselling The Housemate and Audible original Final Act in 2021. The Dark Lake is being filmed for TV by Brouhaha Entertainment. Phoebe Tonkin will play the lead role in and executive produce the drama.

Abby Corson’s debut novel, The Concierge, is just out with Ultimo Press. The peaceful setting of Cavengreen Hotel has been shattered by a shocking murder. Hector Harrow, the hotel’s concierge, has been accused and is determined to clear his name. Hector enlists the aid of Helen, a retired publisher, to document the shocking crime that has unfolded, with the intention of publishing a truthful account. As suspicions fall on different guests and one makes a shocking confession, Hector must navigate a web of secrets to uncover the truth. . .

Abby Corson has been a luxury travel and lifestyle writer for over ten years, with her work featuring in magazines and newspapers including Vogue Australia, The Age, and The Herald Sun.

Host Leslie Falkiner-Rose is an experienced journalist, author of non-fiction books, and a contributor to true crime compilations. She started out as a cadet at The Age newspaper before becoming a radio and then television reporter for the ABC.

She left in 1990 to establish Falkiner Media Services.

Through her company, Leslie has been contracted as a reporter, feature writer, and producer.

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Additional information: Carmel Shute 0412 569 356 admin@sistersincrime.org.au; www.sistersincrime.org.au