Murder Mystery
At the heart of the sprawling empire of crime fiction lies the humble who-dunnit, that ever enticing combination of gripping storytelling and intellectual puzzle. Join authors Balli Kaur Jaswal, Dann McDorman, Jennifer Croft, Sarah Smith and Adrian Todd Zuniga as they discuss the endless appeal of the murder mystery and the innovative new approaches that keep us hanging on tenterhooks and turning those pages after all this time. Head here to grab your tickets.
Chris Hammer: The Seven
Chris Hammer’s first book Scrublands was a killer success and quickly had him proclaimed as the new master of rural noir, where dark secrets lurk behind every pastoral scene. In this event he reveals his latest novel, The Seven, a propulsive thriller set among the hermetic elite of Yuwonderie, whose founding families conceal a century of secrets. Featuring brilliant plots and vivid characters, you’ll want to add this one to your bookshelf, so grab your tickets by heading here.
International Crime
Don’t miss your shot to see some of the jet-setting international talent that Brisbane Writers Festival draws in. Witness overseas authors Michael Connelly, Dann McDorman and Louise Doughty in interrogation with Australia’s own Mirandi Riwoe. Whether you’re an aficionado of hardboiled crime, espionage or metafictional mystery, this criminally intriguing session is one to die for. Or should we say kill for? Happily, no homicide is required – you can grab your tickets by heading here.
Bryan Brown: The Drowning
Fresh off a lauded turn in Boy Swallows Universe, Australian actor and producer Bryan Brown follows up this triumphant first literary foray Sweet Jimmy with The Drowning – an unpredictable mystery rich in suspense and unforgettable characters. Taking to the BWF stage, Bryan brings all the charisma and showmanship that has made him a screen legend as he shares his dramatic turn to crime writing and the mysteries of his craft. Don’t miss out, nab your tickets here.
Suspicious Circumstances
Want to take a turn through the shady characters even shadier circumstances that set up a good mystery? This panel is stuffed with suspicious scribblers including Nikki Mottram, Dinuka McKenzie, Dennis Altman, Michelle Prak and Megan McGrath, all eager to spill the secrets to turning out page-turning fiction. From rural noir to the political machinations of an AIDs conference, this event explores mystery writing in its finest form. For more information and to grab tickets, head here.
‘A Succulent Chinese Meal’: Carnage by Mark Dapin
If you’ve ever laughed at the infamous viral video of a man arrested in Fortitude Valley while trying to enjoy a succulent Chinese meal eloquently declaring “gentlemen, this is democracy manifest!”, you cannot miss this event. Acclaimed journalist, historian and true-crime writer Mark Dapin delves deep into the mystery behind the man, the meme, the legend – and what he discovered promises to shock. Learn more by heading here.
This article was written in partnership with our friends at Brisbane Writers Festival.
