The Australian Crime Writers Association and Nick McKenzie present the 2026 Ned Kelly Awards winners! (Please watch.)
Congratulations to our 2026 Ned Kelly Award Winners
Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth - Best Crime Fiction.
In Bloom by Liz Allan - Best Debut Crime Fiction.
Duty to Warn by Charlotte Grieve - Best True Crime.
The Death of Us by Abigail Dean - Best International Crime Fiction.
PRESENTING THE 2026 NED KELLY AWARD WINNERS
Best Crime Fiction
The winner of the 2026 Ned Kelly Award for Best Crime Fiction is: Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth (Pan Macmillan).
The judging panel praised Hepworth for her smart and intelligent storytelling, weaving the best and worst of human nature into a captivating and unforgettable novel. Hepworth also won the Ned Kelly Award for Best Crime Fiction in 2024 for Darling Girls.
Best Debut Crime Fiction
The winner of the 2026 Ned Kelly Award for Best Debut Crime Fiction is: In Bloom by Liz Allan (Hachette).
The judging panel described the first novel by writer Liz Allen as strikingly bold and perfectly paced. Written in sparse poetic language the reader is instantly hijacked by four Nirvana loving teenagers and their desperate bid to break the chains of social and economic poverty.
Best True Crime
The winner of the 2026 Ned Kelly Award for Best True Crime is: Duty to Warn by Charlotte Grieve (Hachette).
The judging panel described this book as brave, compelling and incredibly moving true crime writing. It details the investigation of an orthopaedic surgeon which ultimately became $20m defamation trial. A deeply researched investigation that showcases how vital journalism is to provide a voice for those who cannot speak out.
Best Inernational Crime Fiction
The winner of the 2026 Ned Kelly Award for Best International Crime Fiction is: The Death of Us by Abigail Dean (Harper Collins).
The judging panel said The Death of Us is unforgettable, raw and powerful. A crime novel that expertly centres the perspective of the victims and the emotional and devastating impact on them after a home invasion.
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The Australian Crime Writers Association congratulates all 160 authors who entered the Ned Kelly Awards this year.
2026 AWARDS SHORTLIST
BEST DEBUT CRIME FICTION SHORTLIST
In Bloom by Liz Allan*
The Butterfly Women by Madeleine Cleary
The Peak by Sam Guthrie
Melaleuca by Angie Faye Martin
The Wolf Tree by Laura McCluskey
The Wykehamist by Alexandra Strnad
BEST TRUE CRIME SHORTLIST
Saffron Incorporated by Stuart Coupe
Duty to Warn by Charlotte Grieve*
The Mushroom Murders by Greg Haddrick
The Postcard Bandit by Derek Pedley
The Red House by Kate Wild
BEST INTERNATIONAL CRIME FICTION SHORTLIST (Published in Australia)
Lucky Thing by Tom Baragwanath
Benbecula by Graeme Macrae Burnet
The Proving Ground by Michael Connelly
The Death of Us by Abigail Dean*
BEST CRIME FICTION SHORTLIST
Liar’s Game by Jack Beaumont
Lyrebird by Jane Caro
The Other Child by Susi Fox
Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth*
The Ghost Walk by Karen Herbert
Fire in the Head by Daniel Oakman
White Crow by Michael Robotham
ABOUT THE NED KELLY AWARDS
The Ned Kelly Awards are Australia’s oldest and most prestigious acknowledgements for crime fiction and true crime writing. Established in 1996, previous winners include: Peter Temple, Shane Maloney, Helen Garner, Gabrielle Lord, Garry Disher, Candice Fox, John Silvester and Duncan McNab.