Australian independent booksellers have nominated their favourite Australian books of the past year and we are delighted that Jane Caro’s Lyrebird (Allen & Unwin) is on the Fiction Longlist for the Indie Book Awards 2026!

Since 2008, the Indie Book Awards have recognised the finest Australian writing and who better to nominate and judge theses standout titles than indie booksellers? Passionate and knowledgeable, these booksellers champion Australian literature well beyond the big names, enriching the diversity of Australia’s reading culture. These awards honour their essential role in supporting Australian storytellers.

Jane’s Lyrebird is based on a mind-blowing and wholly unique premise, that Lyrebirds are brilliant mimics; so if they mimic a woman screaming in terror and begging for her life, they have witnessed a crime. But how does a young, hung over PHD student and a wet behind the ears new detective, convince anyone that a native bird can be a reliable witness to a murder, especially when there is no body and no missing person?

We are delighted that booksellers loved Jane’s twisty and haunting novel so much that she’s made the Fiction Longlist!

The Shortlist will be announced on 14 January 2026, with the Category Winners and the Overall Book of the Year Winner to be revealed at a virtual ceremony on Monday 23 March 2026.