“The ACWA is dedicated to promoting greater recognition for crime, thriller and mystery writing in Australia and to protect the general professional interests of all creators of crime and mystery works. But we’re not just here for the professionals. We want to provide something for everyone who is devoted to the crime genre.

As organisers of the annual Ned Kelly Awards, we aim to celebrate the very best in Australian crime writing.

Past winners read like a who’s who of Australian crime writing, including the likes of Jon Cleary, Peter Corris, Gabrielle Lord, Peter Temple and Garry Disher.

We also celebrate new and up-and-coming talent with the Best First Fiction award, as well as excellence in true crime writing with the True Crime Ned Kelly award.”  (http://www.austcrimewriters.com/content/about-us)

Have you read any of these? Who do you think might win?

This years shortlist is as follows:

In no particular order.  ** denotes a book I have reviewed

Best Fiction:

A Murder Unmentioned Sulari Gentill

Crucifixion Creek Barry Maitland  (on TBR pile)

Eden  Candice Fox  **

Gun Street Girl Adrian McKinty

Present Darkness Malla Nunn

Sweet One Peter Docker

Best First Fiction:

Chasing the Ace Nicholas J Johnson (On TBR pile)

King of the Road Nigel Bartlett

Quota Jock Serong

What Came Before  Anna George **

True Crime:

He Who Must Be Obeid Kate McClymont & Linton Besser

The Fall Amy Dale

The Family Court Murders Debi Marshall

The Feel-Good Hit of the Year: A Memoir Liam Pieper

The Murder of Allison Baden-Clay David Murray

This House of Grief: The Story of a Murder Trial Helen Garner  **

S.D. Harvey Short Story Award

A Watched Pot  Aoife Clifford

Daddy Played the Trumpet Adriane Howell

Prisoner’s Dilemma Stephen Gray

Roux’s Sister Darcy-Lee Tindale

Short Term People Andrea Gillum

Sweetie Grace Heyer