Marsh Magic
This year’s finalists for the Ngaio Marsh Awards were announced in the categories of Best First Novel, Best Novel, and Best Kids/YA. Now in their 15th season, the Ngaio Marsh Awards celebrate excellence in mystery, thriller, crime, and suspense writing from New Zealand storytellers.
Awards founder Craig Sisterson noted: "While crime and thriller fiction is often talked about in terms of its page-turning plotlines, or puzzling twists and surprising reveals, nowadays it’s also a fantastic vehicle for exploring character and society...our 2024 Ngaios finalists beautifully showcase that, with a kaleidoscopic range of tales full of engaging and memorable characters, exploring a wide variety of social issues in many different places."
Winners will be revealed at a special event held at the WORD Christchurch Festival on Wednesday, August 28. Congrats to all!
Best Novel:
Dice, by Claire Baylis (Allen & Unwin)
The Caretaker, by Gabriel Bergmoser (HarperCollins)
Ritual of Fire, by D.V. Bishop (Macmillan)
Pet, by Catherine Chidgey (Te Herenga Waka University Press)
Devil’s Breath, by Jill Johnson (Black & White)
Going Zero, by Anthony McCarten (Macmillan)
Expectant. by Vanda Symon (Orenda)
Best First Novel:
Dice, by Claire Baylis (Allen & Unwin)
El Flamingo, by Nick Davies (YBK)
Devil’s Breath, by Jill Johnson (Black & White)
A Better Class of Criminal. by Cristian Kelly (Cristian Kelly)
Mama Suzuki: Private Eye, by Simon Rowe (Penguin)
Best Kids/YA:
Caged, by Susan Brocker (Scholastic)
Katipo Joe: Wolf’s Lair, by Brian Falkner (Scholastic)
Miracle, by Jennifer Lane (Cloud Ink Press)
Nikolai’s Quest, by Diane Robinson (Rose & Fern)
Nor’east Swell, by Aaron Topp (One Tree House)
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