Michael Bennett Triumphs at Ngaio Marsh Awards with Blood Victory

Screenwriter and author Michael Bennett has achieved significant recognition by winning the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Novel for his latest work, Return to Blood. This announcement was made during an event held at Christchurch’s Tūranga library on the evening of October 26, 2023.

Judges praised Bennett’s novel for its “excellent characters, nuanced plot, and important themes,” solidifying his reputation within the genre of crime and mystery writing. Return to Blood marks the second installment in his acclaimed detective series featuring detective Hana Westerman. The series began with his debut novel, Better the Blood, which won the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best First Novel in 2023. Earlier this year, Bennett also released Carved in Blood, the third book in the series.

Recognition and Acclaim

Bennett, originally from Reefton but now residing in Auckland, is not new to accolades. He previously won the Best Non-Fiction award in 2017 for his book In Dark Places, which investigated the wrongful conviction of Teina Pora for the murder of Susan Burdett in 1992. His diverse writing portfolio also includes work as a screenwriter and executive producer for the TVNZ series Vegas.

Other notable winners at the Ngaio Marsh Awards included Kirsty Johnston and James Hollings, whose book The Crewe Murders won in the Best Non-Fiction category. This work revisits the unresolved murders of Harvey and Jeannette Crewe in their Pukekawa farmhouse in 1970, a case that has endured two trials, two appeals, and a royal commission finding of police corruption.

New Voices in Crime Writing

Another highlight of the evening was the recognition of Wendy Parkins, whose book The Defiance of Frances Dickinson was awarded Best First Novel. Judges commended her work for immersing readers in a historical context that resonates with contemporary issues, following in the footsteps of previous winners like JP Pomare and Claire Baylis.

Now in its 16th year, the Ngaio Marsh Awards were established in 2010 by journalist and legal editor Craig Sisterson. Named in honor of Dame Ngaio Marsh, one of the four renowned “queens of crime” during the golden age of detective fiction, the awards celebrate excellence in crime, thriller, mystery, suspense, and true crime writing in Aotearoa New Zealand.

With his latest triumph, Michael Bennett continues to elevate his status in the literary world, proving that he is a formidable force in contemporary crime fiction.