Coming up: events & appearances

July 9, 2025 / Kelly Gardiner / Leave a comment

Miss Caroline Bingley’s unceasing attempts at world domination continue. We can’t stop her. God knows we’ve tried, but she persists, and who are we, mere authors, to stand in her way?

Coming up soon:

Warm Winter Reads, Northcote Library: 16 July

I’m looking forward to giving an author talk as part of the Winter Reads series at Darebin Libraries, on Wednesday 16 July at 6pm. You’ll hear about how and what I write, and especially the influence of Miss Austen and our version of Caroline Bingley. It’s free, but do book here. Fairfield Bookshop will be on hand and I believe there may even be cake! I know it’s hard to leave the house on a Melbourne winter night, but it’ll be worth it.

Virtual JaneCon, online: 19 July

Virtual JaneCon is billed as a “radically inclusive Jane Austen event”, and it’s held online so people can attend anywhere in the world. My co-author Sharmini and I appear with our dear colleague Dr Kylie Mirmohamadi, talking about Miss Bingley and Mary Bennet, two characters Jane Austen doesn’t seem to like much, and all the other sessions look fascinating. It’s over the weekend July 19-20, with video sessions posted on YouTube. You can see all the details here.

Afternoon tea, Antipodes bookshop Sorrento: 30 July

Join me and Sharmini for a special afternoon tea celebration of Miss Austen’s 250th birthday in Sorrento, at the always-stylish Antipodes Bookshop. Murder, mystery, and afternoon tea (there will be no actual murder, you understand, just discussion of imaginary murders). Also bubbles. 2pm on Wednesday 30 July. Bookings essential and details here.

Bendigo Writers Festival, 16-17 August

Always a terrific writers’ festival, with a huge programme and always thoughtful guests. I’m involved in three events this year:

On the Lam 10:15 am, Saturday 16 August. I’m part of a panel with Tara Calaby and Lucy Sussex, chaired by Steph Downes, on spirited women of the past – in fact and fiction.
Carrying On 10:30 am, Sunday 17 August. I look forward to interviewing Melanie Cheng, Kylie Mirmohamadi and Jock Serong on the nature of grief and ghosts, legacies and loss and their beautiful novels.
Edinburgh: Midnight and Blue 11:45 am, Sunday 17 August. I’m interrogating crime writers Fiona Hardy and Jock Serong about Ian Rankin and his take on justice, redemption and the blurred lines between right and wrong in the book, Midnight and Blue.

Bendigo’s full program is here, and it’s a ripper.

Words in Winter, Hepburn Springs, 24 August

Talking crime with champion chair Jacqui Horwood and Zane Lovitt, author of The Body Next Door. We’ll be trying to answer the enormous questions, crime fiction: who writes it and why? 11.30am, Sunday 24 August, Hotel Bellinzona, Hepburn Springs. Tickets and details here, and check out the rest of the program because there are some great writers involved (Tony Birch, Nadia Mahjouri, Izzy Roberts-Orr and many more!).

Hope to see you out there!

PS This time two years ago I was walking (well, at this point, plodding along slowly and painfully with boots full of blisters) the length of Hadrian’s Wall, so here’s a gratuitous photo of that most spectacular country, because it never ceases to amaze me. In fact, I’ve written a whole novel set there now (still rewriting).

Miss Bingley adores compliments

February 3, 2025February 3, 2025 / Kelly Gardiner / 2 Comments

It’s not long now until Miss Caroline Bingley, Private Detective descends upon an unsuspecting world. I’ll post soon about launches and events in April and May (that’s when the book is out in Australia, New Zealand and the UK, although of course you can pre-order now). US readers will have to wait until July (sorry!).

In the meantime, we’ve received some lovely praise for the book. Here’s a sample:

‘Loved this adventure in Austen’s world, with Caroline Bingley taking centre stage and proving what we knew all along; that there was much more to her character than met the eye! Wonderful scene setting and addictively pacey, this book will delight Jane Austen and Agatha Christie fans alike. Queen of the one-line put-downs, Miss Bingley makes the most brilliant sleuth – proving that detective work is right up there with watercolours and dancing as the height of ladylike accomplishments!’ – Fliss Chester, author of the Cressida Fawcett Mysteries

‘Utterly delightful! Miss Caroline Bingley is revealed as a perfectly imperfect heroine in this charming Austen-inspired escapade. Beyond its entertaining surface and mannered Regency dialogue also lies a shrewd critique of British imperial rule and a resounding message of female empowerment. As Miss Bingley would say, no hand wringing allowed!’ – Kyra Geddes, author of The Story Thief

‘I can only assume that Jane Austen would be delighted to read of Miss Bingley’s exploits. An elegant and utterly accomplished mystery’ – Sulari Gentill, bestselling author of The Woman in the Library and The Mystery Writer

Thanks to the many authors who’ve supported Sharmini and me in the lead-up to launch with blurbs, encouragement and hugs.

Book cover of Miss Caroline Bingley, Private Detective

Huge news

February 23, 2024February 23, 2024 / Kelly Gardiner / 2 Comments

I’m absolutely delighted to announce that HarperCollins Publishers Australia has acquired World rights to publish Miss Caroline Bingley, Private Detective, the crime novel I co-wrote with Austen expert and all-round good egg, Sharmini Kumar, founder of AustenCon.

That means the novel will be published simultaneously in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and North America in April next year.

From the HarperCollins press release:

Roberta Ivers, Publisher at HarperCollins Australia, said: ‘I’m so excited to be publishing this brilliant, affectionate tribute to outspoken, independent women of the Regency era alongside my colleagues in the US and the UK, Rakesh Satyal and Cat Camacho. Not only is this story a delicious romp about women who won’t take no for an answer, it treads a skilful line between humour and pathos, with serious themes around colonial privilege that give us the other side of Austen’s story. I know everyone will fall in love with Caroline Bingley’s superior talents, as we all have around the world.’

Rakesh Satyal, Executive Editor, HarperVia said: ‘This ingenious homage to Austen is both respectful to the source material and daring in its scope, revealing to us new layers of this oft-visited and beloved world. I’m thrilled that this book will be available to readers around the globe. It’s fresh, wise, and endlessly diverting.’

Cat Camacho, Commissioning Editor, HQ, said: ‘I devoured Miss Caroline Bingley, Private Detective in one sitting. At the first page the authors pick you up from wherever you are and transport you utterly into the Regency world. It’s a brand-new, completely fresh take on the classic we all love, giving fan favourite characters their own stories and voices for the first time. I can’t wait to see it unleashed on the world.’

Literary agent Jacinta di Mase said; ‘From the moment I first pitched the concept to Roberta Ivers during an informal catch-up between sessions at Sydney Writers Festival in 2022, I knew she was the right publisher for the inimitable Caroline Bingley.’ While fellow agent Danielle Binks adds; ‘The reaction from the entire Harper family has been wonderful! It felt like we jumped from admiration to love, from love to acquisition in a moment, and we’re delighted at this home for Caroline, Kelly, and Sharmini.’

We’re pretty delighted too! Huge thanks to our agents, Danielle Binks and Jacinta Di Mase, and to everyone at HarperCollins.