When Crime Gets Tricky

Readers can’t get enough of crime fiction and true crime. Writers can’t either, it seems. But how far should a writer go when exploring crime and criminal law? Is there anything that might better be sidestepped or completely avoided?

Join authors Suzanne Leal, Katherine Johnson and Paddy O’Reilly in a spirited conversation about what to do when crime gets tricky.

Katherine Johnson is an award-winning Tasmanian novelist and feature writer. Her novels include Pescador’s Wake, The Better Son, Matryoshka and Paris Savages. She has won HarperCollins Manuscript Development Awards and Tasmanian Premier’s Literary Awards. Paris Savages was shortlisted in the 2020 Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA). The UK edition was The Times Book of the Month in July 2020. The Better Son was also longlisted in the Australian Indie Book Awards. KatherineJohnsonauthor.com @KJohnsonauthor (Facebook, Twitter, Insta)

Suzanne Leal is the author of The Watchful Wife, The Teacher’s Secret and The Deceptions, winner of the Nib People’s Choice prize. Her CBCA Notable novel, Running with Ivan, was shortlisted for the NSW Premier’s History Awards and the ARA Historical Novel Prize. A lawyer experienced in child protection, criminal and refugee law, Suzanne curates community, corporate and literary events. She is the online host of Thursday Book Club. www.suzanneleal.com

Paddy O'Reilly is the author of four novels, including the recently released Other Houses, and two collections of short stories. Her work has been published in ANZ, the UK and Ireland, USA, Europe and China. She has won a number of fiction awards and her books have been shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Award, the Queensland and Victorian Premier's Literary Awards and the ALS Gold Medal, as well as being nominated many times in best books of the year lists. She has also written for stage, radio and film.

Presented by Nedlands Library in conjunction with BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival and with thanks to Sisters in Crime Perth.

Open Book will have a pop up bookshop featuring works penned by the authors at this event.