Kill City

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Leigh and Helen explore the rich landscape of Indigenous Australian crime writing, highlighting key authors, their works, and the cultural significance behind them. They discuss how these stories deepen our understanding of First Nations' voices and the importance of celebrating Indigenous storytelling year-round. Books and writers we talked about Melissa Luc...

Send us Fan Mail In part two of our in-depth conversation with Christian White, we continue to explore his writing process, inspiration, and the secrets behind his bestselling novels.  Christian also answers our rapid fire quick and the curious questions, giving us a peek behind the curtain! Novels by Christian White The Nowhere Child The Wife and the Widow The Wild Place The Ledge The Long Night...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, part one of our in-depth conversation with Christian White, we explore his writing process, inspiration, and the secrets behind his bestselling novels, including The Nowhere Child and The Long Night . Novels by Christian White The Nowhere Child The Wife and the Widow The Wild Place The Ledge The Long Night Contact Christian Other books we discussed On Writing , by...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we look at the Davitt Awards longlist, which has just been released.  This year, 126 books were entered into the 26th Davitt Awards, across four categories. The judges of the 2026 Davitt Awards have selected a longlist of 28 books that reflect the excellent quality and maturity of stories written by Australian women crime writers. These stories are notable for the...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we explore the rich history and vibrant present of queer Australian crime fiction, highlighting pioneering authors like Fergus Hume and Dorothy Porter, and contemporary voices shaping the genre today. Key Topics History of queer Australian crime fiction Influence of Fergus Hume's 'The Mystery of the Handsome Cab' Dorothy Porter's groundbreaking...

Send us Fan Mail Join us for part two of our insightful conversation with author January Gilchrist, as she shares her journey into writing, character development, research adventures, and the realities of publishing. Discover tips for aspiring writers, the importance of authenticity, and her favorite Australian crime novels. Key Topics Journey into writing and publishing Character development and...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode we speak to the wonderful January Gilchrist, whose latest book, The Final Chapter is essential reading.  Join us as we explore her creative process, writing routines, and January's inspiring journey. Discover how she balances multiple genres, her experiences at Varuna, and insights into her upcoming novel 'Slake House' in this engaging interview. Jan...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Leigh reads the first chapter of the seminal 1983 Peter Corris novel, The Empty Beach.  Find Peter Corris books on Booktopia Booktopia Affiliate Program The Kill City Podcast is a part of the Booktopia Affiliate Program, meaning that when you purchase a book from Booktopia using one of the above the links, we get a small commission. Or as they'd say in the cri...

Send us Fan Mail Summary Explore the prolific career of Peter Corris, the godfather of contemporary Australian crime writing, and his impact on the genre. Discover his key works, influences, and legacy in shaping Australian noir and the character of Cliff Hardy. Key Topics Peter Corris's influence on Australian crime fiction The significance of Cliff Hardy in Australian noir Corris's lit...

Send us Fan Mail Join Helen and Leigh as they explore the top 12 Australian crime debut novels, ranked by success and awards, with fun clues and insights into each book's significance in Australian crime fiction. Books we discussed Bay of Fires , by Poppy Gee The Dark Lake , by Sarah Bailey The Torrent , by Dinuka McKenzie Wake , by Shelley Burr Dirt Town , by Hayley Scrivenor Boy Swallows Un...

Send us Fan Mail Summary In part two of our look at the 12 essential crime fiction screen adaptations, we're counting down from six to one. Discover what landed where and how these stories shaped Australian cinema and television, highlighting their cultural significance and cinematic brilliance. Key Topics Adaptation of 'Picnic at Hanging Rock' and its cultural impact The success of...

Send us Fan Mail Summary This episode explores the 12 essential Australian crime novel adaptations for TV and film, highlighting their impact, production insights, and cultural significance. Hosted by Helen and Leigh, it features in-depth discussions on adaptations like Silver (Scrublands 2), Stiff, Les Norton, and more. Keywords Australian crime fiction, TV adaptations, film adaptations, Australi...

Send us Fan Mail Summary In this episode Helen and Leigh provide a comprehensive overview of Australian crime novels releasing in 2026, featuring insights into authors, themes, and upcoming events. Perfect for crime fiction enthusiasts planning their reading list. Books we talked about Dark Desert Road , Tim Ayliffe Haze , by Sam Elliott The Gambler , JP Pomare Click , by Sarah Bailey Tell me some...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Helen reads the first chapter of Kerry Greenwood's debut Phryne Fisher novel, Cocaine Blues.  Find Cocaine Blues on Booktopia The London season is in full fling at the end of the 1920s, but the Honourable Phryne Fisher - she of the green-grey eyes, diamant garters and outfits that should not be sprung suddenly on those of nervous dispositions - is rapidly tiri...

Send us Fan Mail Summary In the episode we explore the life, works, and legacy of Australian crime writer Kerry Greenwood OAM,  focusing on her iconic character Phrynne Fisher and her impact on crime fiction and television adaptations. Key Topics Kerry Greenwood's contribution to Australian crime fiction The character of Phrynne Fisher and her significance The adaptation of the books into the...

Send us Fan Mail Leigh reads the first chapter from Peter Temple's acclaimed debut novel, Bad Debts. Synopsis A phone message from ex-client Danny McKillop doesn’t ring any bells for Jack Irish. Life is hard enough without having to dredge up old problems: his beloved football team continues to lose, the odds on his latest plunge at the track seem far too long and he’s still cooking for one....

Send us Fan Mail This episode explores the life and legacy of Peter Temple, a transformative Australian crime writer known for his sharp prose, vivid sense of place, and award-winning novels. Host Leigh Dillon shares insights into Temple's career, writing style, and adaptations, highlighting his impact on Australian literature. Books we talked about and where you can find them The complete wo...

Send us Fan Mail Summary In this episode of the Kill City podcast, hosts Leigh and Helen delve into the 2025 Ned Kelly Awards, celebrating the best in Australian crime fiction, true crime, and international noir. They discuss the winners, notable mentions, and the significance of the awards in promoting Australian literature. The conversation also highlights upcoming entries for the 2026 awards an...

Send us Fan Mail Summary In this episode of the Kill City Podcast, hosts Leigh Dillon and Helen delve into the 2025 Scarlet Stiletto Awards, a prestigious event celebrating women's contributions to crime and mystery writing in Australia. They discuss the history of the Sisters in Crime organization, highlight the winners of this year's awards, and explore the diverse categories and emerg...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Kill City podcast, hosts Leigh and Helen delve into their personal journeys into Australian crime writing, discussing what draws them to the genre and their favourite authors. They explore the evolution of Australian crime fiction, the impact of notable writers like Peter Temple, and the current landscape of the genre.  The conversation also touches on adapt...

Send us Fan Mail   Summary In the inaugural episode of the Kill City podcast, hosts Leigh Dillon and Helen introduce their focus on Australian crime writing. They discuss their excitement about featuring author interviews, exploring the vast landscape of Australian crime fiction, and the importance of bookstores and libraries in discovering new authors. The episode sets the stage for future discus...

Send us Fan Mail The Kill City podcast, where Australian crime and mystery fiction is our M.O. Each week we’re going to shine a light on Australian crime writing. The Kill City podcast will feature regular author chats as we talk to some of the fantastic Australian crime writers out there about their books, the process they go through and the journey that led them to where they are today.   Bookto...