A trio of superb Kiwi writers were honoured as they scooped the 2023 Ngaio Marsh Awards for books delivering rich character studies alongside exquisite crime storytelling.

The 14th instalment of Aotearoa’s annual awards, the Ngaio Marsh Awards, celebrating excellence in crime, mystery, thriller, and suspense writing have been announced.

The awards were announced at a special WORD Christchurch event.

‘It was a superb night to cap an outstanding year for the Ngaio Marsh Awards, with our terrifically strong and varied group of finalists’” saids founder Craig Sisterson. ‘This year’s winners are world-class writers, who collectively showcase how our local take on one of the world’s most popular forms of storytelling – and our Kiwi creative artists in general – can, like our sportspeople, match up against the best from anywhere.’

BEST NOVEL
Remember Me by Charity Norman – Read our review

BEST NON-FICTION
Missing Persons by Steve Braunias

BEST FIRST NOVEL
Better the Blood by Michael Bennett – Read an interview with Michael Bennett

ABOUT THE WARDS

The Ngaio Marsh Awards celebrate the best in New Zealand crime, mystery and thriller writing. The awards are held annually at the WORD Christchurch Writers and Readers Festival.

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