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I recently attended the Ned Kelly Awards Announcement, held simultaneously around Australia. According to the Australian Crime Writers Association, the Ned Kelly Awards are Australia’s oldest and most prestigious recognition honouring published crime fiction and true crime writing. The categories are Best Crime Fiction, Best Debut Crime Fiction, Best True Crime and Best International Crime Fiction. Entries are accepted for books published in the 12 months prior to 1 March each year.
It was a good night, and well organised. Mostly Books were with a great assortment of books for sale too (see their link here: https://mostlybooks.com.au ). Michelle Prak was the guest thriller author at the Wheatsheaf Hotel for the Adelaide event and it was wonderful to hear her story, so I grabbed a copy of her latest novel, Barren Cape, and she very kindly signed it (Michelle’s web page: https://michelleprak.com/ ). The cover is embossed with chain mesh fencing which is really cool and fitting for the story.
All in all it was a fun night, and I was able to catch up with thriller author Aiden Bailey and discuss the latest novel release in his Trigger Man series (Aiden’s web page: https://aidenlbailey.wordpress.com/ ).
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.
