The past is never dead: mysteries that challenge history

Sulari Gentill, Kirsten Alexander and Kirsty Manning dissect their most recent historical mysteries with Dr Kelly Gardiner and detail what light these books shed on concerns of the present and of earlier eras. Sulari Gentill is the award-winning author of 14 books including the Rowland Sinclair series set in the 1930s. Crossing the Lines won …

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Forensic examination of a country town?* Q&A with Carmel Bird

Robyn Walton, the Vice-President of Sisters in Crime Australia, spoke to Carmel Bird , about her latest novel, Field of Poppies (Transit Lounge, 2019). Carmel was the 2016 winner of the Patrick White Literary Award and is the author of an unconventional crime story merging fictionalised and real-life anxieties. First, Carmel, I’m going to ask …

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Carmel Shute headshot

What women’s crime writing tells us about the world: Carmel Shute

The Boys’ Book Club asked Carmel Shute, the secretary of Sisters in Crime, to address its end of year dinner on 11 December.  She chose the topic “What women’s crime writing tells us about the world” and here is what she said, after seeking the views of a lot of very generous members, mostly authors:  …

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Best holiday reads for 2019/2020

Sisters in Crime asked convenors and speakers at its 2019 events what they would recommend for holiday reads and this is what they said: Kirsten Alexander (author)  Tana French, The Trespasser (Viking Press, 2016): This book will be familiar to many of you, but it was new to me. And I’d recommend it over the …

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Sins of the past: Q&A with Ashley Kalagian Blunt

Robyn Walton, Sisters in Crime’s Vice-President, spoke to Sydney author Ashley Kalagian Blunt, about her book My Name is Revenge (Spineless Wonders). Welcome to our Q&A, Ashley, and belated congratulations: your novella My Name is Revenge) was one of two runners-up in the 2018 Carmel Bird Digital Literary Award and was shortlisted for the 2019 …

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The Scarlet Stilettos are something else: Kelly Gardiner

Last year, I was house-hunting. I looked at a million houses and most of them were too small or pretty grotty. Then I looked at one house – also small and slightly grotty – and in the current tenants’ study there was a Scarlet Stiletto certificate on the wall. I resisted the temptation to read …

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Open invitation – Author encounter with J. M. Green re Shoot Through (Geelong)

J.M. Green will be ‘in conversation’ with Sisters in Crime national co-convenor, Tara Mitchell, about Shoot Through, the third book in her Stella Hardy trilogy. Thursday, 5 December, 6:30pm to 7:30pm – Corio Library, Cox Road (cnr Moa Street), Norlane, VIC 3214 Free but please book: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/jm-green-shoot-through-corio-library-tickets-80599787133 J.M. Green is a crime writer based in Melbourne’s western suburbs. …

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Vale Liz Cameron (1937-2019)

Liz Cameron, a long-time member and supporter of Sisters in Crime died suddenly last week at the age of 82. She was one of the unsung heroes that has helped build Sisters in Crime. In 1968 Liz became matron at Tintern Girls’ Grammar. Her two daughters, Lindy and Fin, boarded there but did not live …

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Bloody Scotland – A great place for Sisters

Sisters in Crime Melbourne member, journalist Jacquie Byron, reports on Bloody Scotland, not an insult conjured up by the Sassenachs but a crime writing festival in Stirling north-east of Glasgow. For writers and readers alike, Bloody Scotland, the international crime writing festival in the Scottish city of Stirling, is well worth a visit. Founded fairly …

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Open Invitation: Emma Viskic Book launch: Darkness for Light

Join in the launch of  the Emma Viskic’s third instalment of her critically acclaimed Caleb Zelic series, Darkness for Light by Sisters in Crime National Co-convenor, Tara Mitchell. After a lifetime of bad decisions troubled PI Zelic is finally making good ones. But he can’t escape his past. 6.30pm Tuesday 26 November – Readings St …

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