The Body in the Library: From Victim to Survivor

Over the last century, the victim in crime fiction has changed from being the disposable pretext to playing a vital role centre stage. Sue Turnbull (crime reviewer, academic and writer) and Felix Shannon (broadcaster, host of Final Draft, and crime fiction critic) will discuss this significant shift with award-winning journalist and author Louise Milligan.

Join us for drinks, nibbles and a lively debate about new trends in crime fiction.

• Date: Tuesday 14 April

• Time: 5:30pm – 8pm

• Location: The Women’s Club, 179 Elizabeth Street, Sydney

• Cost: $55

*Your ticket includes complimentary drinks and canapés, access to the talk, and a speaker meet-and-greet and book signing at the talks' conclusion.

Louise Milligan

Louise is a multi-award-winning investigative journalist for ABC TV’s Four Corners, the Australian national broadcaster’s flagship current affairs documentary program. Louise’s first novel, Pheasants Nest, was published in 2024 to wide acclaim, and was shortlisted for the Best Debut Fiction, Indie Book Awards and the Best Crime Fiction, Danger Awards. Louise’s journalism, particularly her coverage of historical institutional child abuse and the experience of women in the criminal justice system and parliament, has broken national and international news, sparked government inquiries and led to profound cultural change and law reform. She started her career in newspapers and is a former High Court correspondent and political reporter. Born in Ireland to an Irish mother and Scottish father, Louise moved to Australia as a child. She lives in Melbourne with her husband and two children. Shellybanks is her second novel.

Dr Sue Turnbull

Sue is Honorary Professor of Communication and Media at the University of Wollongong. She has been reviewing crime fiction for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age for over twenty five years. She has been a crime fiction judge for the Ned Kelly Awards, the Davitt Awards and is an Ambassador for Sisters in Crime Australia. Her academic publications include The TV Crime Drama (Edinburgh University Press 2014) and Media Audiences (Palgrave Macmillan 2020).

Felix Shannon

Felix is a radio presenter, producer, technician, and educator. Together with his co-conspirator Benjamin “Herds” Herder, Felix helms 2SER 107.3FM’s crime and mystery fiction program “Death of the Reader”. He also is a regular feature on 2SER’s long-running literary program “Final Draft”. After taking several text-based tours of the world, Felix ventured into the real world and became embedded in the rich camaraderie of crime writing, bringing readers and authors closer together through radio, podcasting, live events, and more.

With thanks to our sponsors:

• Venue partner: The Women's Club

• Wine partner: Tulloch Wines

• Catering sponsor: The Catering Specialists