The Australian Crime Writers Association is pleased to announce the shortlists for the 2025 Ned Kelly Awards.
You can see our standout selections from the last twelve months in Australian crime writing below, separated out by category.
NED KELLY
Shortlist: 2026 Best Debut Crime Fiction
In Bloom - Liz Allan
The Butterfly Women - Madeleine Cleary
The Peak - Sam Guthrie
Melaleuca - Angie Faye Martin
The Wolf Tree - Laura McCluskey
The Wykehamist - Alexandra Strnad
NED KELLY
Shortlist: 2026 Best True Crime
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
NED KELLY
Shortlist: 2026 Best International Crime Fiction
Lucky Thing by Tom Baragwanath
Benbecula by Graeme Macrae Burnet
The Proving Ground by Michael Connelly
The Death of Us by Abigail Dean
NED KELLY
Shortlist: 2026 Best Crime Fiction
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
The White Crow by Michael Robotham
The Casino by Iain Ryan