Sweet shortlisting for Docker

Peter Docker just happened to be visiting the Byron Bay Festival for a friend’s book launch when the 2015 Ned Kelly Awards were announced. The Sweet One author was genuinely surprised to find his own crime novel on the list.

‘Because I had done one of my favourite author panels with Michael Rowbotham at the Perth Writers Festival last year, when I saw Michael was on the program, I went to attend his session. At the end of the talk, Michael announced the shortlist, which left me speechless.’ said Docker.

The Australian Crime Writers Association had kept their cards very close to their chest, not giving the publishing house or the author advance notice of the shortlisting.

‘I got a very excited call from Peter Docker at 8am on Saturday morning with the news of his shortlisting – it certainly made my day,’ said publisher Georgia Richter.

‘Sweet One is the kind of novel every Australian should read with an important message that Pete delivers in the form of a gripping crime novel,’ said Richter.

The winners of the 2015 Ned Kelly Awards will be announced at the Melbourne Writers Festival at 6pm on Saturday 22 August at the Bella Union Bar, Trades Hall Victoria.

Established in 1995, the Ned Kelly is Australia’s oldest and most prestigious award for crime fiction and true crime writing. Previous winners include Peter Temple, Shane Maloney, Kerry Greenwood and Geoffrey McGeachin.

Sweet One is available from all good bookstores and online from Fremantle Press.

Judges Report:
With Sweet One, Peter Docker provides the reader with a sobering encounter between the current and historical circumstances of non-indigenous and indigenous Australian cultures. Based loosely on a real death in custody, Docker explores the ongoing, and sometimes unspoken conflict between black and white Australia and the unbalanced relationship between Aboriginal Australians and the Law. The novel brings journalism and police/intelligence together in an unconventional manner but one that works well to achieve a sense of justice for those who might be victims of a broken system. The remote Western Australian setting, strong Aboriginal characters, dark sense of humour and well-handled violent set pieces gives the story an edge.

For more information go to: www.austcrimewriters.com/ned-kelly-categories/best-fiction