Garry Disher
Garry Disher has published over 50 highly praised and widely translated books in a range of genres: crime thrillers, literary/general novels, short-story collections, YA/children’s novels, and writers’ handbooks. An experienced mentor and creative writing teacher, he has also toured Germany and the United States, where his crime and YA novels have appeared on best-books-of-the-year lists and won awards. His latest titles are a literary novel, Her, the ninth Wyatt thriller, Kill Shot, and Peace, follow-up to the highly regarded and prize-winning crime novel, Bitter Wash Road.
What genres does Garry Disher write in?
He writes across crime thrillers, literary and general fiction, short-story collections, young adult and children’s fiction, and practical writers' handbooks.
Which book is a good place to start for new readers?
For his crime fiction, Bitter Wash Road is a widely praised, prize-winning entry and a good starting point; Peace is its follow-up. If you want the Wyatt thrillers, Kill Shot is a recent (ninth) Wyatt instalment, or you can begin with the first Wyatt novel to read that series from the start. For younger readers try Maddie Finn or The Bamboo Flute.
What are his main series and how do I approach their reading order?
His two prominent series are the Wyatt thrillers and the Paul Hirsch crime novels (Hirsch series). Read the Hirsch novels in publication order (Bitter Wash Road followed by Peace, with Day's End appearing later). The Wyatt books are also best read in series order; Kill Shot is the ninth Wyatt title.
Has Garry Disher received awards or notable recognition?
Yes. His work has appeared on best-books-of-the-year lists and has won awards. For example, Consolation won the 2021 Ned Kelly Award for Best Crime Fiction, and Bitter Wash Road is described as prize-winning and highly regarded.
Does he write for young adults and children as well as adults?
Yes. In addition to his adult crime and literary novels, he has published young adult and children's books, with titles such as Maddie Finn and The Bamboo Flute among his offerings.