I’m very happy about this – Legacy has been longlisted for the Indie Book Awards among some very fine novels indeed. I’m conscious of some of the excellent books that could so easily be on this list instead of Legacy – so I’m feeling quite humbled. What makes it extra special is these awards are voted by independent bookstore owners – the cornerstone of Australian literary life. Long may they… Read More »Legacy longlisted for the Indies
iThe first of the Ivan and Nell books is being adapted for TV. The six-part series is currently in production and will screen on the ABC in Australia and the BBC in the UK during 2026. Other outlets are to be announced shortly. Michael Dorman (Territory, For All Mankind) plays Ivan, while Liv Hewson (Yellowjackets, He had It Coming) takes on Nell. I was able to visit the set on… Read More »Treasure & Dirt coming to TV!
Yep – Martin is back for his first investigation since Trust, five years ago. His new adventure is called ‘Legacy’, and will hit Australian and New Zealand bookstores on September 30th. Audio and ebooks will be released on the same date – and all three formats are now available for pre-order. In Legacy, Martin finds the tables have been turned – instead of the hunter, he finds himself the hunted.… Read More »Martin Scarsden is back!!
The television adaptation of Silver has hit the screens on Stan in Australia and New Zealand, debuting at number one. It’s branded as Scrublands: Silver and is based on the second Martin/Scarsden Mandalay Blonde book. Luke Arnold and Bella Heathcote reprise their roles as Martin and Mandy – and I feel this series they really make the most of the two character’s fraught relationship and theiremotional journeys. There are some… Read More »Scrublands: Silver premieres
This is exciting – it’s not even 2025 yet, but The Valley has been longlisted for the prestigious 2025 Indie Book Awards, in amongst some inspiring company. The awards are run by the Australian Independent Bookseller organisation – representing many of the country’s leading bookstores. These are the stores that do so much to champion local authors and are such an important part of the Australian literary ecosystem. See details… Read More »The Valley longlisted
So thrilled – and so grateful!! 🙏🙏The London Times has named ‘Cover The Bones’ as one of its top ten crime novels of the year! Thank you. It’s immensely gratifying to be the only Australian author to be named in such outstanding company. (Cover The Bones is published in Australia/New Zealand as The Seven). Here’s what critic Mark Sanderson had to say: “When a corpse is fished out of a… Read More »The Times 10 best crime books of 2024
The Ned Kelly Awards – known fondly as ‘The Neds’ – have been an annual event for close on thirty years now, run by the Australian Crime Writers Association. Past winners of the prize for best fiction include many of the giants of Australian crime fiction such as Shane Maloney, Peter Temple, Michael Robotham and Garry Disher. Back in the day, the awards were dominated by men, but that has… Read More »The Seven makes the Ned Kelly shortlist
Thirteen years ago, my first book, The River, won the ACT Book of the Year. Now, my eighth book, and sixth crime fiction novel, The Seven, has been shortlisted for the same award. When I won the award in 2011, it had such a positive effect on me, making me feel like I was a real writer. And I think it helped a few years later, when I was struggling… Read More »ACT Book of the Year Shortlist
The Seven has been shortlisted for the 2024 Indie Book Awards. This is such an honour – look at the other books and authors on the list: Trent Dalton with Lola in the Mirror, Melissa Lucashenko and Edenglassie, and Pip Williams with The Bookbinder of Jericho. So chuffed to see The Seven in such company. The Indies are run by the Australian Independent Booksellers – all those small (and not… Read More »Shortlisted for Indie Awards
Cover The Bones has been published in the UK, Ireland and Europe… and had already garnered some great reviews. The novel – published in Australia and New Zealand as ‘The Seven’ – has already been named as the Crime Book of the Month for January by the Times of London – thanks Mark Sanderson! Gold dagger winner Chris Whitaker describes it as ‘a masterful, stunning thriller’, The Irish Independent calls… Read More »Cover The Bones book of the month