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Southern Cross Crime: The Pocket Essential Guide to the Crime Fiction, Film & TV of Australia and New Zealand
Australian and New Zealand crime and thriller writing is booming globally, with antipodean authors regularly featuring on awards and bestseller lists across Europe and North America, and overseas readers and publishers looking more and more to tales from lands Down Under.
Hailing from two sparsely populated nations on the far edge of the former Empire – neighbours that are siblings in spirit, vastly different in landscape – Australian and New Zealand crime writers offer readers a blend of exotic and familiar, seasoned by distinctive senses of place, outlook, and humour, and roots that trace to the earliest days of our genre. Southern Cross Crime is the first comprehensive guide to modern Australian and New Zealand crime writing. From coastal cities to the Outback, leading critic Craig Sisterson showcases key titles frommore than 200 storytellers, plus screen dramas ranging from Mystery Road to Top of the Lake.
Fascinating insights are added through in-depth interviews with some of the prime suspects who paved the way or instigated the global boom, including Jane Harper, Michael Robotham, Paul Cleave, Emma Viskic, Paul Thomas, and Candice Fox.
Hailing from two sparsely populated nations on the far edge of the former Empire – neighbours that are siblings in spirit, vastly different in landscape – Australian and New Zealand crime writers offer readers a blend of exotic and familiar, seasoned by distinctive senses of place, outlook, and humour, and roots that trace to the earliest days of our genre. Southern Cross Crime is the first comprehensive guide to modern Australian and New Zealand crime writing. From coastal cities to the Outback, leading critic Craig Sisterson showcases key titles frommore than 200 storytellers, plus screen dramas ranging from Mystery Road to Top of the Lake.
Fascinating insights are added through in-depth interviews with some of the prime suspects who paved the way or instigated the global boom, including Jane Harper, Michael Robotham, Paul Cleave, Emma Viskic, Paul Thomas, and Candice Fox.
- GenresCrimeNonfictionAustralia
256 pages, Paperback
First published April 23, 2020
12 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Craig Sisterson
4 books91 followersCraig Sisterson is a lapsed lawyer who grew up among Middle Earth scenery in New Zealand, solving mysteries alongside the Hardy Boys, Hercule Poirot, and Agaton Sax. He now lives in London and writes for magazines and newspapers in several countries, intercut with being an event chair, festival founder, and book awards judge.
In recent years he’s interviewed hundreds of crime writers and talked about the genre on national radio, top podcasts, and onstage at festivals on three continents. He’s been a judge of the McIlvanney Prize and Ned Kelly Awards, and is founder of the Ngaio Marsh Awards and co-founder of Rotorua Noir.
His first book, SOUTHERN CROSS CRIME, a reader’s guide to Australian & New Zealand crime fiction (Oldcastle Books, 2020) was a nominee for the Macavity Awards in the USA and shortlisted for the HRF Keating Award in the UK.
In recent years he’s interviewed hundreds of crime writers and talked about the genre on national radio, top podcasts, and onstage at festivals on three continents. He’s been a judge of the McIlvanney Prize and Ned Kelly Awards, and is founder of the Ngaio Marsh Awards and co-founder of Rotorua Noir.
His first book, SOUTHERN CROSS CRIME, a reader’s guide to Australian & New Zealand crime fiction (Oldcastle Books, 2020) was a nominee for the Macavity Awards in the USA and shortlisted for the HRF Keating Award in the UK.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 27, 2020
I excitedly leapt at the opportunity to explore Southern Cross Crime, a long overdue guide to the crime fiction, film and television of Australia and New Zealand. Written by Kiwi Craig Sisterson, whose blog Crime Watch I’ve been following for close to a decade, Southern Cross Crime presents a comprehensive listing of authors, movies and TV shows from the last quarter of a century, with the inaugural Ned Kelly Awards as his starting point.
In the first section of Southern Cross Crime, Sisterson introduces authors whose settings range across the cities, suburbs and rural areas of not only Australia and New Zealand, but also international locales from Antarctica to Iceland. Long being a fan of crime fiction, I expected to be familiar with all but a few of the authors introduced by Sisterson, but just a few pages in I had a list of three author’s names to look up, and eventually added dozens more based on his succinct and tantalising descriptions of their work. You’ll not only find reference in Southern Cross Crime to internationally renowned author’s such as Michael Robotham (who also provides the Foreward), Jane Harper and Paul Cleave, but many others that may have slipped under your radar, as they did mine.
In the past year I’ve binge watched Blue Heelers, Water Rats, Rush, Murder Call, City Homicide and Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries (and none for the first time), which are a handful of the television series highlighted in the second section of Southern Cross Crime exploring some of the Antipodean produced and set crime on-screen TV and film over the past 25 years. Sisterson provides a short synopsis for each series or film, many of which are available to watch on various streaming services for both local and international audiences. Of those Sisterson has not mentioned I’d like to recommend Harrow (2018 - ), a TV drama featuring forensic pathologist Dr. Daniel Harrow, played by Ioan Gruffudd, and Stingers (1998-2004) which chronicled the cases of a deep undercover unit of the Victoria police.
The final section of Southern Cross Crime features thirteen well-known crime fiction authors whom Sisterson has interviewed, or reported on, in the last decade or so. This includes Ned Kelly Lifetime Achievement Award winner Peter Corris, newcomer Emma Viskic, ‘The Kiwi Godfather’ Paul Thomas, and Sisters in Crime co-founder and President, Lindy Cameron. I very much enjoyed this section, learning a little more about the author’s I admire, and of whose work I have read.
I’ve been pleased to witness the growing popularity of Australian & New Zealand crime fiction over the last few years, and I’m thrilled that Craig Sisterson has taken the initiative to develop this essential guide which will further promote the genre both within our two countries, and on the international stage. Southern Cross Crime is a valuable and Illuminative resource for crime fiction fans everywhere.
In the first section of Southern Cross Crime, Sisterson introduces authors whose settings range across the cities, suburbs and rural areas of not only Australia and New Zealand, but also international locales from Antarctica to Iceland. Long being a fan of crime fiction, I expected to be familiar with all but a few of the authors introduced by Sisterson, but just a few pages in I had a list of three author’s names to look up, and eventually added dozens more based on his succinct and tantalising descriptions of their work. You’ll not only find reference in Southern Cross Crime to internationally renowned author’s such as Michael Robotham (who also provides the Foreward), Jane Harper and Paul Cleave, but many others that may have slipped under your radar, as they did mine.
In the past year I’ve binge watched Blue Heelers, Water Rats, Rush, Murder Call, City Homicide and Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries (and none for the first time), which are a handful of the television series highlighted in the second section of Southern Cross Crime exploring some of the Antipodean produced and set crime on-screen TV and film over the past 25 years. Sisterson provides a short synopsis for each series or film, many of which are available to watch on various streaming services for both local and international audiences. Of those Sisterson has not mentioned I’d like to recommend Harrow (2018 - ), a TV drama featuring forensic pathologist Dr. Daniel Harrow, played by Ioan Gruffudd, and Stingers (1998-2004) which chronicled the cases of a deep undercover unit of the Victoria police.
The final section of Southern Cross Crime features thirteen well-known crime fiction authors whom Sisterson has interviewed, or reported on, in the last decade or so. This includes Ned Kelly Lifetime Achievement Award winner Peter Corris, newcomer Emma Viskic, ‘The Kiwi Godfather’ Paul Thomas, and Sisters in Crime co-founder and President, Lindy Cameron. I very much enjoyed this section, learning a little more about the author’s I admire, and of whose work I have read.
I’ve been pleased to witness the growing popularity of Australian & New Zealand crime fiction over the last few years, and I’m thrilled that Craig Sisterson has taken the initiative to develop this essential guide which will further promote the genre both within our two countries, and on the international stage. Southern Cross Crime is a valuable and Illuminative resource for crime fiction fans everywhere.
November 23, 2020
Craig Sisterson largely achieves what he sets out to do in "Southern Cross Crime". His introduction is engaging and definitely does the job of presenting antipodean crime fiction to fans of the genre abroad, and indeed probably many Aussies and Kiwis. The book is a guide, not designed to be read cover to cover but rather to be used as a thematic reference resource. Readers can easily look up writers, films, and TV series according to historical period and geographical location. All in all, it's a useful resource. However, as a fan of short fiction, I found the almost exclusive focus on crime novels a little unfortunate. There was little mention of anthologies and collections. Similarly, a number of excellent crime writers aren't mentioned and several notable TV series are overlooked. Nevertheless, we can hope these issues will be addressed in a future edition or volume. One things is for sure; this guide provides the curious crime fan with plenty of suggestions about how to begin an antipodean adventure into the genre.
April 26, 2020
This is an essential purchase for crime fiction readers especially in Australia and New Zealand, but also those world-wide who enjoy "antipodean noir".
It is an authoritative guide to what to read. Craig has focused on the 'modern era' choosing the establishment of the Australian Crime Writers Association and the inaugural Ned Kelly awards in 1996 as the starting point. He has attempted to survey "more than 300 Australian and New Zealand crime writers.... and endeavoured to be as inclusive and wide ranging as possible. You will find bestsellers, award winners, hidden gems, lesser known authors, and fresh voices."
My own reading of New Zealand crime fiction has slackened in recent years, so I began with paper and pen, making note of titles to hunt down. I found that I have more or less kept up with Australian crime fiction, but also that I have missed on quite a few gems, and there was confirmation that my reading of New Zealand crime fiction hasn't even been the tip of the iceberg. I now have a list that will keep me busy for many years.
This book is a wonderful achievement, not only giving readers tips on a wide variety of titles to look for, interviews with prominent achievers, but also, in the Appendix, arranged from most recent to first years, the Ned Kelly Award winners, the Ngaio Marsh Award winners,and the Davitt Award Winners.
It is an authoritative guide to what to read. Craig has focused on the 'modern era' choosing the establishment of the Australian Crime Writers Association and the inaugural Ned Kelly awards in 1996 as the starting point. He has attempted to survey "more than 300 Australian and New Zealand crime writers.... and endeavoured to be as inclusive and wide ranging as possible. You will find bestsellers, award winners, hidden gems, lesser known authors, and fresh voices."
My own reading of New Zealand crime fiction has slackened in recent years, so I began with paper and pen, making note of titles to hunt down. I found that I have more or less kept up with Australian crime fiction, but also that I have missed on quite a few gems, and there was confirmation that my reading of New Zealand crime fiction hasn't even been the tip of the iceberg. I now have a list that will keep me busy for many years.
This book is a wonderful achievement, not only giving readers tips on a wide variety of titles to look for, interviews with prominent achievers, but also, in the Appendix, arranged from most recent to first years, the Ned Kelly Award winners, the Ngaio Marsh Award winners,and the Davitt Award Winners.
May 24, 2020
This is a great reference to have at your side when you're hunting out a different spin on crime - the books reviewed here are none of your ordinary tales. The Australia and New Zealand settings give a frisson of difference with sensibilities and attitudes that twist your expectations even while lulling you into thinking they are more of the familiar.
If not required reading then at least required browsing, this book of reviews is timely and useful - with a couple of laugh out loud moments. "Outback Noire and Yeah Noire" - totally not going to steal that one - yeah nah.
The only thing - I wish the Amazon Kindle version allowed direct links to their Kindle Store. How good would it be to use the book like a self contained reference AND purchasing gateway.
If not required reading then at least required browsing, this book of reviews is timely and useful - with a couple of laugh out loud moments. "Outback Noire and Yeah Noire" - totally not going to steal that one - yeah nah.
The only thing - I wish the Amazon Kindle version allowed direct links to their Kindle Store. How good would it be to use the book like a self contained reference AND purchasing gateway.
September 13, 2021
An essential reference for crime fans looking for their next author oeuvre to churn through, but also for the writer for market research and to compare competitors. The interviews at the end are illuminating.
December 2, 2020
A comprehensive guide to Australian and NZ crime and fiction books. I think this book works best as a physical copy as opposed to an ebook. I know I'll be referring to it time and time again when I'm loooking for what to read next.
It's organised in a very user friendly way, and I was able to quickly find the type of crime writing that most appeals to me. That said, it's opened my eyes to a whole wave of authors of different types of crime and thriller writing.
In my opinion, it's a must have for crime readers.
It's organised in a very user friendly way, and I was able to quickly find the type of crime writing that most appeals to me. That said, it's opened my eyes to a whole wave of authors of different types of crime and thriller writing.
In my opinion, it's a must have for crime readers.
December 29, 2020
This really is an essential guide to the crime fiction of Australia and New Zealand. Highly recommend for those who enjoy crime stories set Down Under or by authors from this part of the word – an ever-growing gang of excellent talent!
September 30, 2020
A great guide to the last 25 years of Australian and New Zealand crime.
August 7, 2020
This book should come with some kind of Government health warning, or at least some helpline numbers for financial advisors as I have a feeling it could be seriously detrimental to your bank balance. It's certainly made me add a good number of titles to my Want to Read lists as well as making me far more aware of a branch of crime fiction I am ashamed to say I knew very little of.
What comes across loud and clear in this book is the absolute passion that Craig Sisterson has for the field of crime fiction, but especially that coming from his native New Zealand and their neighbour, Australia. Having read through the long list of titles and authors he has collated here, which is really just the tip of the iceberg, I can fully understand why. starting with a background to the rise of crime fiction in the two countries he then takes us on a literary tour of the islands, detailing by city and by region, the best of the best that either hails from represents the place in question.
The book is told in a conversational style, highlighting the background of the individual authors, the style of their writing and the main stories, either series or standalone, that he recommends we read. It is engaging and really spells out to you why you might want to read the book. If you aren't convinced by the end of a particular pitch, don't worry, as there are a myriad of styles represented and you are pretty well guaranteed to find something you want to read. With a comprehensive selection and an author who is extremely knowledgeable on his chosen field, I'd be highly surprised if you can leave the book without at least one or two new titles added to your Amazon wish list.
If there is one thing I was left unsure of when I finished it was this ... Was I better to stick with the kindle edition and use a combination of Goodreads, highlights and a separate note pad to record all the many (many many) books I wanted to buy and read, or to buy the paperback when it comes out so I can underline and sticky note each author to my hearts content? The answer may well prove to be a combination of both.
A comprehensive guide to Antipodean crime fiction that readers really do need to peruse. Your next favourite read may well just be waiting within these pages.
What comes across loud and clear in this book is the absolute passion that Craig Sisterson has for the field of crime fiction, but especially that coming from his native New Zealand and their neighbour, Australia. Having read through the long list of titles and authors he has collated here, which is really just the tip of the iceberg, I can fully understand why. starting with a background to the rise of crime fiction in the two countries he then takes us on a literary tour of the islands, detailing by city and by region, the best of the best that either hails from represents the place in question.
The book is told in a conversational style, highlighting the background of the individual authors, the style of their writing and the main stories, either series or standalone, that he recommends we read. It is engaging and really spells out to you why you might want to read the book. If you aren't convinced by the end of a particular pitch, don't worry, as there are a myriad of styles represented and you are pretty well guaranteed to find something you want to read. With a comprehensive selection and an author who is extremely knowledgeable on his chosen field, I'd be highly surprised if you can leave the book without at least one or two new titles added to your Amazon wish list.
If there is one thing I was left unsure of when I finished it was this ... Was I better to stick with the kindle edition and use a combination of Goodreads, highlights and a separate note pad to record all the many (many many) books I wanted to buy and read, or to buy the paperback when it comes out so I can underline and sticky note each author to my hearts content? The answer may well prove to be a combination of both.
A comprehensive guide to Antipodean crime fiction that readers really do need to peruse. Your next favourite read may well just be waiting within these pages.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews