Kill City

Leigh Dillon & Helen M

Australian crime fiction is our M.O. The Kill City podcast is all about Australian crime writing, crime books and the Australian crime writing industry. Tune in for author interviews, catch up on the latest industry news and book releases, and everything else happening in the Australian crime fiction  scene. 

Episodes

  1. Murder in the Dark  - celebrating Kerry Greenwood OAM

    5D AGO

    Murder in the Dark - celebrating Kerry Greenwood OAM

    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 fictionThe character of Phrynne Fisher and her significanceThe adaptation of the books into the TV series Miss Fisher's Murder MysteriesGreenwood's versatility across genres including crime, historical fiction, and young adultThe social and feminist themes in Greenwood's workTakeaways Kerry Greenwood brought joy and social awareness to crime fiction.Phrynne Fisher's character exemplifies modern feminist ideals in a 1920s setting.The TV adaptation captured the spirit of Greenwood's work, especially Essie Davis's portrayal.Greenwood's background as a solicitor enriched her authentic depiction of legal and moral dilemmas.Her work spans multiple genres, showcasing her versatility as a writer.Books we discussed Cocaine BluesFlying too HighMurder on the Ballarat trainChapters Celebrating Kerry Greenwood's LegacyThe Unique Voice of Kerry GreenwoodMiss Fisher: A Bold and Stylish HeroineCozy Crime or Something More?The TV Adaptation: Bringing Miss Fisher to LifeExploring Other Works by Kerry GreenwoodThe Culinary Side of Kerry GreenwoodKerry Greenwood's Lasting Impact on Crime FictionResources Kerry Greenwood's Official WebsiteMiss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (TV Series)Cooking the Books (Cookbook)A Taste of Murder (Cookbook)Miss Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries (TV Series)Keywords Kerry Greenwood, Phrynne Fisher, Australian crime fiction, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, crime series, Australian authors, Melbourne crime stories Disclaimer The episode transcripts are auto-generated, and while all efforts are made to ensure their accuracy, there may be some instance of incorrect spelling and/or errors in the accuracy. www.killcitypodcast.com.au

    22 min
  2. Red Right Hand; the legacy of Peter Temple

    APR 19

    Red Right Hand; the legacy of Peter Temple

    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 works of Peter Temple Bad Debts Black TideDead PointWhite DogThe Broken ShoreTruthThe Red HandIn the Evil DayShooting StarAn Iron RoseBooktopia 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 crime world, a kick back!  At the Kill City Podcast we love celebrating and promoting the work of Australian writers, publishers and bookstores, and we hope you do too. Movies The Jack Irish series on ABC iView Valentine's Day Chapters Celebrating Peter Temple's LegacyThe Impact of Peter Temple's WritingExploring the Jack Irish SeriesFilm and Television Adaptations of Temple's WorkThe Distinctive Language of Peter TemplePersonal Favourites and Closing ThoughtsLeigh reading the first chapter of Bad Debts (released Wednesday, 22 April, 9am) Resources Australian Crime Writers Association - https://australiancrimewriters.com The 2026 Louie Awards https://www.austcrimewriters.com/2026-louie-award-winner  Keywords Peter Temple, Australian crime fiction, Jack Irish, crime writing, Australian literature, awards, Melbourne setting, storytelling, adaptation, literary legacy Disclaimer The episode transcripts are a The 2026 Melbourne Writer's Festival www.killcitypodcast.com.au

    24 min
  3. Spirit of a bushranger - the 2025 Ned Kelly Awards

    APR 12

    Spirit of a bushranger - the 2025 Ned Kelly Awards

    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 and the legacy of past winners. Takeaways The Ned Kelly Awards are a prestigious recognition in Australian crime writing.Margaret Hickey's 'The Creeper' won Best Crime Fiction in 2025.Lisa Kenway's debut novel explores themes of memory and identity.Steve Johnson's true crime book sheds light on historical injustices.International crime fiction continues to gain recognition in Australia.Short story collections like 'Highway 13' deserve more appreciation.The awards have a rich history of celebrating emerging voices.The podcast emphasizes the importance of literary awards in the writing community.Future entries for the Ned Kelly Awards open in March 2026.Peter Temple's influence on Australian crime fiction is significant. The 2025 Ned Kelly Award winners The Creeper by Margaret Hickey - Best CrimeAll You Took From Me by Lisa Kenway - Best DebutA Thousand Miles from Care by Steve Johnson - Best True CrimeA Case of Matricide by Graeme Macrae Burnet - Best International Crimehttps://www.austcrimewriters.com/2025-winners Helen's fave Highway 13 by Fiona McFarlaneChapters Introduction to the Ned Kelly AwardsCelebrating the Winners of 2025Exploring Best True Crime and International FictionHighlighting Notable Mentions and Future AwardsThe 2026 Louie Awards https://www.austcrimewriters.com/2026-louie-award-winner Keywords Ned Kelly Awards, Australian crime fiction, true crime, international noir, book recommendations, crime writing, literary awards, Margaret Hickey, Lisa Kenway, Steve Johnson Disclaimer The episode transcripts are auto-generated, and while all efforts are made to ensure their accuracy, there may be some instance of incorrect spelling and/or errors in the accuracy. www.killcitypodcast.com.au

    21 min
  4. Recapping the 2025 Scarlet Stiletto Awards

    APR 5

    Recapping the 2025 Scarlet Stiletto Awards

    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 emerging voices in the literary scene. The episode concludes with a teaser for future discussions, including the upcoming Ned Kelly Awards and interviews with notable authors.  Takeaways The Scarlet Stiletto Awards celebrate women's crime writing in Australia.Sisters in Crime has been active since 1991, promoting female authors.Over 5,000 stories have been submitted to the awards over the years.Dr. Sandra Tom Jones won the first prize for her clever story.Nettie Hilton and Jackie Horswood also received recognition for their unique stories.The awards include various categories, showcasing diverse talent.Young writers like Amber Woodburn are emerging in the crime genre.The podcast highlights the importance of short stories in literature.Future episodes will feature discussions on the Ned Kelly Awards.The hosts emphasize the value of supporting women's voices in crime fiction.Books and things we talked about 17th Cut of the Scarlet Stilettos - eBook Sisters in Crime website Melbourne Writers Festival website Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Scarlet Stiletto Awards 04:17 Celebrating Winners and Prizes 13:32 Spotlight on Winning Stories and Authors 17:24 Looking Ahead: The Ned Kelly Awards Keywords Scarlet Stiletto Awards, Sisters in Crime, women's crime writing, Australian authors, short stories, crime fiction, literary awards, emerging writers, podcast, book recommendations Disclaimer The episode transcripts are auto-generated, and while all efforts are made to ensure their accuracy, there may be some instance of incorrect spelling and/or errors in the accuracy. www.killcitypodcast.com.au

    13 min
  5. The Usual Suspects

    MAR 29

    The Usual Suspects

    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 adaptations of crime novels into film and television, as well as debut novels and emerging writers in the field. Takeaways Australian crime writing has evolved significantly over the years.Personal connections to stories enhance the reading experience.Peter Temple is a pivotal figure in Australian crime fiction.The genre is experiencing a golden age with many new authors.Adaptations of crime novels are gaining popularity in media.Diverse backgrounds influence readers' connections to the genre.Character-driven narratives are essential in crime fiction.Debut novels are crucial for discovering new talent.Chris Hammer's storytelling is highly regarded.The landscape of Australian crime writing is rich and varied.Books we talked about Bad Debts, Peter Temple Scrublands, Chris Hammer Wake, Shelley Burr Wimmera, Mark Brandi The Nowhere Child, Christian White Chapters Introduction to Australian Crime WritingPersonal Journeys into Crime FictionExploring Notable Authors and Their WorksCharacter-Driven Narratives in Australian CrimeAdaptations and Future Works in Crime FictionSound Credits Opening and closing music, Risk by StudioKolomna Bird Sounds, Pistol C**k and Gun Shots from https://pixabay.com Disclaimer The episode transcripts are auto-generated, and while all efforts are made to ensure their accuracy, there may be some instance of incorrect spelling and/or errors in the accuracy. www.killcitypodcast.com.au

    21 min
  6. The Kill City Modus Operandi

    MAR 22

    The Kill City Modus Operandi

    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 discussions and highlights the rich literary culture in Australia. Takeaways The podcast focuses on Australian crime writing.Regular author chats will be featured.There is a growing body of Australian crime fiction.The name 'Kill City' pays homage to a significant bookstore.Bookstores and libraries play a crucial role in discovering authors.The hosts are avid readers with a passion for crime novels.The podcast aims to explore the writing process of authors.There are many opportunities for aspiring crime writers.The hosts are excited about upcoming episodes and author interviews.The podcast will highlight literary events and competitions. Sound bites "Australian crime writing is our MO." "Kill City pays homage to a crime bookstore." "My Kindle might have saved my marriage." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Kill City Podcast 02:54 Exploring Australian Crime Writing 05:57 The Importance of Bookstores and Libraries 08:59 The Role of Authors and Writing Process 12:04 Conclusion and Future Episodes Books we discussed Eden, by Mark Brandi Sound Credits Opening and closing music, Risk by StudioKolomna Bird Sounds, Pistol C**k and Gun Shots from https://pixabay.com Keywords Australian crime writing, crime fiction, author interviews, book recommendations, literary events, reading culture, Australian authors, crime novels, podcast, literature Disclaimer The episode transcripts are auto-generated, and while all efforts are made to ensure their accuracy, there may be some instance of incorrect spelling and/or errors in the accuracy. www.killcitypodcast.com.au

    9 min

About

Australian crime fiction is our M.O. The Kill City podcast is all about Australian crime writing, crime books and the Australian crime writing industry. Tune in for author interviews, catch up on the latest industry news and book releases, and everything else happening in the Australian crime fiction  scene.