women crime writers - Sisters in Crime Australia

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.

Sisters in Crime and Allen & Unwin present Dark Deeds & Dramatic Reads

This special event showcases the remarkable talents of three Melbourne women crime writers – Sarah Bailey, Mali Cornish, and Riley James. Sarah will talk to fellow crime author, Tanya Scott, about her latest thriller, Click. Mali Cornish and Riley James will read briefly from their forthcoming novels – The Missing Mother and The Wreck.

What You Don’t Know

by Sandi Wallace Publisher: Next Chapter Reviewer: Kay Weller What You Don’t Know is the perfect title for this serpentine novel, where it becomesincreasingly difficult to untangle the underlying truth from the knot of strange and sinisterevents that surround the main character, Tess. Tess and Joe live on an island, where the small community looks …

No One is Safe

Ellie Marney’s first adult fiction novel, and her thirteenth published novel, No One is Safe was high on my list of most anticipated reads for 2026. Highly recommended reading.

Death at Booroomba

Death at Booroomba is a historical murder mystery set in rural Australia, but also a war story. It’s a tale about the consequences of a split second decision to save a man’s life. Sounds like a good decision? And it was… except… it also wasn’t.

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?

Questions of trust: Jo Dixon

Jo Dixon spoke to Narrelle M Harris about her latest novel, A Disappearing Act – a cracking good read, with some great reveals along the way, Narrelle says. Jo is the Tasmanian author of three crime books, all set in Tasmania.

Win a copy of The Drowning or What the Bones Know

Crime Stack is off to a flying start for 2026 thanks to HQ Fiction, an imprint of HarperCollins Australia,generously donating ten copies of The Drowning, and ten copies of What the Bones Know. Both focus on family disputes with fatal consequences.

Feuding & fatal families

Families may be related by blood – but they can also involve blood-letting, sometimes with fatal consequences. It’s no coincidence that Christmas Day and Boxing Day see huge spikes in family violence. Three Victorian authors – Tanya Scott, Fiona Lowe, and Kirstyn McDermott – dissect the institution of the family and its criminal complexity in different ways. They will reveal all to fellow author, Lyn Yeowart.

Final Call for Entries: 26th Annual Davitt Awards

Time is running out to enter the 26th annual Davitt Awards, celebrating the best crime andmystery writing by Australian women. Entries close on 13 February 2026. The deadline has been extended, so don’t miss your chance to be part of this prestigious event. The Davitt Awards recognise excellence in the following categories: Adult Fiction, Non-Fiction, …