2025 NED KELLY AWARDS WINNERS
The Creeper by Margaret Hickey - Best Crime.
All You Took From Me by Lisa Kenway - Best Debut.
A Thousand Miles from Care by Steve Johnson - Best True Crime.
A Case of Matricide by Graeme Macrae Burnet - Best International Crime.
PRESENTING THE 2025 NED KELLY AWARD WINNERS
FOR AUSTRALIAN CRIME WRITING
2025 BEST CRIME FICTION
The winner of the 2025 Ned Kelly Award for Best Crime Fiction is:
The Creeper by Margaret Hickey (Penguin Books).
The panel of judges praised Hickey’s novel for its chilling storytelling, incredible setting and for seamlessly drawing readers into the dark world of the protagonist.
2025 BEST DEBUT CRIME FICTION
The winner of the 2025 Ned Kelly Award for Best Debut Crime Fiction is:
All You Took From Me by Lisa Kenway (Transit Lounge Publishing).
The judging panel described the first novel by Lisa Kenway as an original and fascinating exploration of anaesthesia and memory following the death of a beloved spouse.
2025 BEST TRUE CRIME
The winner of the 2025 Ned Kelly Award for Best True Crime is:
A Thousand Miles from Care by Steve Johnson (Harper Collins).
The judging panel described this book as a gripping and heartbreaking story behind the supposed suicide of his brother Scott at the cliffs in Manly in the 1980s. A 30 year quest to overcome discrimination, prejudice and open hostility from NSW police to reveal his brother’s brutal murder.
2025 BEST INTERNATIONAL CRIME FICTION
The winner of the 2025 Ned Kelly Award for Best International Crime Fiction is:
A Case of Matricide by Graeme Macrae Burnet (Text Publishing).
The judging panel described A Case of Matricide as an extremely clever, witty and moving meditation on humanity.
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The Australian Crime Writers Association congratulates all 180 authors who entered the Ned Kelly Awards this year.
For further information, including digital assets email: info@austcrimewriters.com.au
The Ned Kelly Awards 2025 Announcement video is live on the Australian Crime Writers Association website from 9.30pm Thursday 26 September 2025.
THE 2025 NED KELLY AWARDS SHORTLISTED BOOKS
2025 BEST DEBUT CRIME FICTION SHORTLIST
Down the Rabbit Hole - By Shaeden Berry
A Town Called Treachery - By Mitch Jennings
The Chilling - By Riley James
All You Took From Me - By Lisa Kenway
Everywhere We Look - By Martine Kropkowski
The Crag - By Claire Sutherland
2025 BEST TRUE CRIME SHORTLIST
They’ll Never Hold Me – By Michael Adams
A Thousand Miles from Care – By Steve Johnson
The Kingpin and the Crooked Cop - By Neil Mercer
Meadow’s Law - By Quentin McDermott
The Lasting Harm - By Lucia Osborne-Crowley
2025 BEST INTERNATIONAL CRIME FICTION SHORTLIST (published in Australia)
Return to Blood - By Michael Bennett
Leave the Girls Behind - By Jacqueline Bublitz
The Waiting - By Michael Connelly
A Case of Matricide - By Graeme Macrae Burnet
Moscow X - By David McCloskey
Home Truths - By Charity Norman
2025 BEST CRIME FICTION SHORTLIST
Shadow City - By Natalie Conyer
Sanctuary – By Garry Disher
Unbury the Dead – By Fiona Hardy
The Creeper – By Margaret Hickey
Cold Truth – By Ashley Kalagian Blunt
Highway 13 – By Fiona McFarlane
17 Years Later – By JP Pomare
Storm Child - By Michael Robotham