What do you get when a doctor, two police detectives, an actor, a Wall Street banker, an antiques dealer, and a customs officer walk into a library?
The Ngaio Marsh Awards, in association with Auckland Libraries, invites booklovers to a thrilling event featuring five talented local storytellers.
As crime and thriller writing has evolved from puzzle-like mysteries to books delving deeply into psychology, people and places, it has continued to be one of the world’s most popular forms of storytelling. What draws us to darker tales?
Bestselling horror and thriller writer Kirsten McKenzie, a former customs officer and antiques dealer, will chair British doctor turned local author Jennifer Barraclough, police detectives turned crime writers Chris Blake and Angus McLean, and British actor and Wall Street banker turned debut novelist Nic Scanlan-Dyas, for a criminally good conversation about crafting page-turning storylines and memorable characters, harnessing diverse personal experiences, and the impact of setting and social issues.
WHEN: Wednesday 1 April 2026
WHERE: Takapuna Library, 9 The Strand
WHEN: 6pm for light refreshments, 6.30pm panel discussion
Entry: by koha.
RSVP: TakapunaEvents@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
Jennifer is a retired doctor who was born in Britain and has been living in New Zealand for many years. She has authored over 16 fiction and non-fiction books, ranging across genres from psychological mysteries to memoir to works on holistic medicine and the craft of writing. Her crime and mystery novels include UNFAITHFUL UNTO DEATH, YOU YET SHALL DIE, CARDAMINE, and most recently NO GOOD DEED, which was published in 2025.
Chris is an Auckland author who joined the New Zealand Police in 2006 and served for many years as a Detective. He previously self-published a thriller debut under a pseudonym, THE SOUND OF HER VOICE, which became a Ngaio Marsh Awards finalist for both Best First Novel and Best Novel, and was later published internationally. Chris was a story boarder for Season 2 of local crime drama The Gulf. His second Matt Buchanan thriller, SOFTLY CALLS THE DEVIL, was published in late 2025.
Angus is a retired South Auckland detective, private investigator, and author of more than 30 books ranging across action thrillers, mystery, spy, private eye and wartime novels, dystopian tales, and recently, the Bow Street Runners series of middle grade mysteries for younger readers. His newest book is COP IT WRITE! a handbook for authors on police procedures and related matters.
Nic is an Auckland author who has led an eclectic, globe-trotting life. Born in the UK, he spent his 20s appearing on British stage and screen. He later worked for a US software company and as a Wall Street banker, before living in Tokyo for 15 years. He has also written and performed music, and since moving to Auckland has continued to perform in local theatre, including most recently Shoreside Theatre’s annual Agatha Christie show. Nic’s debut crime novel, REMODELLING MURDER, a locked-room mystery set in an English country mansion, was published earlier in 2026.
Kirsten is a bestselling horror and thriller writer and publishing consultant who fought international crime for 14 years as a Customs Officer, before leaving to work in the family antique store. Now a full time writer, Kirsten lives in Auckland with her family and alternates between writing time travel trilogies and polishing her next thriller. In 2025 her short story "The Watchman", part of the REMAINS TO BE TOLD anthology, was shortlisted for the Sir Julius Vogel Awards. Her latest novel is THE VAMPIRES OF YORK TOWER.