NEW AUSTRALIAN CRIME FICTION NOVEMBER 2026: SHOT by SHELLEY BURR and LAST BASTION by ALAN CARTER
It is nearing the end of 2026, but there is no slowing in the stream of good Australian crime fiction titles. November delivers two of the books that I have been most keenly awaiting, Shot by Shelley Burr and Last Bastion by Alan Cater.
Shelley Burr has quickly established herself as a leading figure on the Australian crime writing scene with her three Lane Holland novels and she now moved in a slightly different direction with the first book in a possible new series.
SHOT, (Letterwing, 27 October 2026), revolves around an intriguing premise.
Dahlia and Duncan Crews were a rich, glamorous couple who enjoy enjoyed a lavish Byron Bay lifestyle courtesy of their popular livestreaming show. With their teenage daughter Karma, they portrayed themselves as the picture-perfect family to their hundreds of thousands of online subscribers. It all seemed to be going well for them until they were shot dead in the middle of a livestream. Karma was the sole survivor, and, in the eyes of many, the prime suspect.
Six years later, disgraced true-crime vlogger Jennifer Benedetta is hired to film a cold-case documentary on the unsolved Crews family murders. It is the chance she needs to salvage her reputation. There is a catch, however, she has to prove that Karma Crews was innocent. Desperate for the money, Jennifer launches into the investigation, but it soon becomes clear that someone is watching in the shadows and is determined that she does not find out the truth.
SHOT is a smoothly written cold-crime mystery, which unfolds with clockwork precision as Jennifer gradually unwinds the various elements of the shooting. The characters are simply, but effectively, described and Jennifer is a compelling and believable central narrator whose commitment to the case keeps the story moving along nicely. The mystery of the Crews family murders is well handled and surprising, and there is an emotional subplot involving Jennifer’s sister that adds to the texture of the story. The background information on blogging, influencers and gun clubs is interesting and seamlessly woven into the story, and Jennifer’s insights into the world of social media are fascinating.
There is not a lot of action early on in the story, but the mystery around what is going on is enough to keep you turning the pages. As the novel progresses, there are some good twists, and the final resolution is surprising and well managed. There are a number of coincidences and chance meetings, but not enough to detract from the story. There is also a suggestion of a future case for Jennifer, which would be welcomed.
In all, another strong novel from Shelley that further cements her status as a leading figure in the Australian crime writing arena.
I have always enjoyed the way in which Alan Carter manages to weave in interesting plots about international intrigue and tensions into his local crime stories set in Australia and New Zealand.
His last book about former Special Forces soldier Sam Willard and Hobart Detective Jill Wilkie, PRIZE CATCH, explored war crimes, salmon farming and corruption, and now in his new book, LAST BASTION (Fremantle Press, 1 November 2026), he uses the rise of militant right-wing groups around the world as the backdrop to his story.
LAST BASTION opens with Willard locked in prison following the events in PRIZE CATCH. Frequently under threat from a long list of enemies, Willard is given a dodgy lifeline by a shadowy Intelligence operative. Freedom and a new identity in return for infiltrating a violent extremist group, which is planning a bloody event in Tasmania. It is a dangerous mission, but Willard has little choice if he wants to see his family again. Meanwhile, Detective Sergeant Jill Wilkie is tracking a surge of racially motivated attacks in her normally quiet city. As Hobart becomes a battleground for competing ideologies, one slip will expose Willard and ignite the very attack that Jill is trying to stop.
This is a serious, well written thriller that also canvasses some important current issues. The characters are richly created and believable, and there is a strong degree of credibility around the plot. The story moves along at a steady pace, although there are slow patches, and Carter introduces some good surprises as the story progresses. The violence and the language is harsh and tough, and Carter does a good job of exposing the mindsets behind the current rise in nationalistic radicalism, especially the links to the United States.
Some of the political manoeuvring by the Intelligence agencies stretches belief, although the cynicism of the politician and his advisers at the centre of story is very credible. In all, LAST BASTION is a dark, gripping tale that offers a good dose of suspense, while making you think about the current political trends in the world. I also very much liked the final twists in the Epilogue.
So, two very different crime stories that tackle interesting ideas and provide enough thrills to keep you turning the pages. Both are very warmly recommended.