Shane Maloney

Shane Maloney (born 1953, in Hamilton, Victoria) is a Melbourne author 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. 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 has said that he wanted "Melbourne [as] a character in the stories".

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 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 painting by artist Rick Amor.