Author Talk: Crime at the Country Club with Marie Connolly

What happens when a disappearing glacier reveals a dark secret? Join novelist Marie Connolly at Queenstown Country Club for a conversation about her unconventional journey from a distinguished academic career to becoming a published crime writer at 70, and the inspiration behind her latest mystery, Icefall. The second book in Connolly’s Nellie Prayle series takes readers from the icy landscape of the Southern Alps to the privileged circles of Christchurch, where wealth and influence conceal dangerous secrets. When a body emerges from the retreating Hooker Glacier and another murder complicates the picture, criminal psychologist Nellie Prayle is drawn into an investigation filled with deception, suspicious characters and unexpected connections. As the mysteries intertwine, working out who can be trusted becomes increasingly difficult. Connolly’s writing is shaped by her fascination with dramatic landscapes and the darker side of human behaviour. Research for Icefall took her to Aoraki/Mount Cook, where she learned about glacier recovery operations, spoke with search and rescue personnel and explored the realities of a changing alpine environment. About Marie Connolly Marie Connolly has written more than 30 books across fiction and non-fiction. Her long academic career focused on child welfare, children’s rights and child protection systems, including a professorial role at the University of Melbourne. After retiring in 2019 and returning to Aotearoa, she broadened her writing to include children's travel books, community arts publications and crime fiction. Her debut crime novel, Dark Sky, introduced criminal psychologist Nellie Prayle and was shortlisted for Best First Novel at the 2025 Ngaio Marsh Awards. Published in 2026, Icefall continues Nellie’s investigations in a story that combines New Zealand landscapes with an intricate murder mystery. Connolly lives in Akaroa with her partner, George. Registration: Essential This community event is part of the Queenstown Writers Festival, running from 5–8 November 2026.