Shane Maloney
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Shane Maloney (born 1953) born in Hamilton, Victoria is a
Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/ Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a metro ...
author An author is the writer of a book, article, play, mostly written work. A broader definition of the word "author" states: "''An author is "the person who originated or gave existence to anything" and whose authorship determines responsibility f ...
best known as the creator of the Murray Whelan series of crime novels.


Life and career

Maloney was educated at Christian Brothers' College, St Kilda (CBC St Kilda). He started writing after studying politics and Asian history at the
Australian National University The Australian National University (ANU) is a public research university located in Canberra, the capital of Australia. Its main campus in Acton encompasses seven teaching and research colleges, in addition to several national academies an ...
. He has worked in a wide range of situations, having held the positions of: Director of the Melbourne Comedy Festival (1987–1989), Cultural Director of Melbourne's Olympic bid and swimming pool lifeguard. Maloney lives in Melbourne.


Murray Whelan series

The six titles in the Murray Whelan crime thriller series (''Stiff'', ''The Brush-Off'', ''Nice Try'', ''The Big Ask'', ''Something Fishy'' and most recently ''Sucked In'') all feature the eponymous Murray Whelan, initially as a Labor Party staffer who provides support to a Victorian State Government minister but later as a member of the Victorian State parliament. The novels are ordered chronologically and follow Whelan's progression through the Labor Party's ranks during the late 1980s and early 1990s at a time when the Labor Party was in power at both a federal and state level in Victoria. Each novel follows the protagonist, Murray Whelan, as he attempts to uncover the truth behind murders, fraudulent schemes and shady dealings in and around the suburbs of
Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/ Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a metro ...
. Although his motives are usually genuine - protecting his own tenuous employment and sparing his minister from political death - Whelan inevitably ends up in over his head after implicating himself and faces enmity from the criminals, the police, party colleagues and his estranged wife who wants custody of their son. The series of novels trace Whelan's career and in each novel he is older, wiser and has risen to a more senior position. Maloney described the progress as, "episodic biography of Murray Whelan as he falls up the political ladder". The novels Maloney writes have a definite sense of place. Maloney has said that he wanted "Melbourne sa character in the stories". His distinctly Australian writing style stems from his prodigious use of local vernacular and dry wit, which pervade his writing. Maloney is a long-term resident of Brunswick, a suburb in
Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/ Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a metro ...
's inner north. The first two novels in the series, ''Stiff'' and ''The Brush Off'' were adapted for screen by John Clarke and shown as telemovies on the
Seven Network The Seven Network (commonly known as Channel Seven or simply Seven) is a major Australian commercial free-to-air Television broadcasting in Australia, television network. It is owned by Seven West Media, Seven West Media Limited, and is one of ...
in 2004 starring David Wenham in the lead role, as part of ''The Murray Whelan Series''.


Official recognition

In 2009, Maloney received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Crime Writers Association of Australia. ''The Brush-Off'' won the
Ned Kelly Award The Ned Kelly Awards (named for bushranger Ned Kelly) are Australia's leading literary awards for crime writing in both the crime fiction and true crime genres. They were established in 1996 by the Crime Writers Association of Australia to reward ...
for Crime Fiction in 1997 and was shortlisted for the Premiers Literary Award as well as being set as an English text for Victorian secondary students. Shane Maloney was the subject of a 2005
Archibald Prize The Archibald Prize is an Australian portraiture art prize for painting, generally seen as the most prestigious portrait prize in Australia. It was first awarded in 1921 after the receipt of a bequest from J. F. Archibald, the editor ...
painting by artist
Rick Amor Rick Amor (born 3 March 1948 ) is an Australian artist and figurative painter. He was an Official War Artist for Australia. Life and work Rick Amor was born in Frankston, Victoria, Australia. He has a certificate in art from the Caulfield I ...
.


Bibliography


Books


Murray Whelan crime fiction novels

*'' Stiff'' (1994) (adapted as a 2004 TV movie starring David Wenham) *''
The Brush-Off ''The Brush-Off'' is a 1996 Australian, Ned Kelly Awards-winning crime thriller, written by Shane Maloney. It is the second novel in a series of crime thrillers following the character of Murray Whelan, as he investigates crimes in the Melbourne ...
'' (1996) (adapted as a 2004 TV movie starring David Wenham) *''Nice Try'' (1998) *''The Big Ask'' (2000) *''Something Fishy'' 2002) *''Sucked In'' (2007)


Non-fiction

*''The Happy Phrase'' (2004) *''Australian Encounters'' (2010) Illustrated by Chris Grosz


Essays and journalism

*


References


External links


Shane Maloney's official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Maloney, Shane Living people 1953 births Australian crime writers Australian crime fiction writers Australian mystery writers Ned Kelly Award winners People from Hamilton, Victoria Writers from Victoria (Australia) Australian male novelists People educated at St Mary's College, Melbourne