Louise Milligan

Louise Milligan is a multi-Walkley Award winning investigative journalist for the ABC TV Four Corners program and Press Freedom medallist. Her investigation for ABC TV and for her book, Cardinal (MUP/Hachette), broke international news and led to her being a witness in the George Pell case. Her Four Corners “Canberra Bubble” stories led to a series of events that ultimately saw the nation's first law officer leave politics, and to thousands of women across Australia marching for justice. 

Her 2018 story “I Am That Girl” inspired a Law Reform Commission inquiry that ultimately led to historic changes in NSW consent laws. Louise has spent many years reporting on courts and crime - including the Jill Meagher case. Her book Witness: An Investigation Into the Brutal Cost of Seeking Justice (MUP/Hachette) was People’s Choice winner in the Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards, won a Davitt Non-Fiction Award for Best Non-Fiction crime book and was shortlisted for the 2021 Stella Prize. 

Louise's debut novel, Pheasants Nest published in 2024 (Allen & Unwin). 

Praise for Pheasants Nest:

'A compelling story, written with tautness and wit.' Annabel Crabb

'A gripping, sinister—yet also wryly funny and realistic—crime thriller.' Jane Caro

'A crime novel that could only be written by a fine journalist—so original, funny and true.' David Marr

'Wry observations of popular culture and Australian foibles ... I simply didn't want the book to end given the sheer delight of the storytelling.' The Age

Her second novel is Shellybanks, a haunting tale of secrecy and survival, charting how two women find strength in each other as they reckon with Ireland's hidden histories and the scars that endure across generations. It will publish with Allen & Unwin in March 2026.

Early praise for Shellybanks:

'So much more than a crime novel. I loved it. Beautiful. The humanity shines through. A stunning dive into Ireland's dark past.' Chris Hammer, author of Legacy

'Taut, atmospheric and deeply human, Milligan masterfully weaves tension, truth and place into every page.' Brigid Delaney, author of The Seeker and the Sage

'The chaos and fervour of an Irish homecoming, a town dense with secrets, and a seemingly unsolvable crime - Shellybanks has it all. I was captivated at first by the prose; I could hear the singing, I could feel the cold press of the Dublin fog. But it's the characters who ultimately carry the novel, and Kate Delaney is particularly unforgettable. After just two books she feels like an old friend, I just want to head to the pub with her, order a double Jameson, and solve the world's problems. I love this series and Louise Milligan has proven once again that she is the real deal.' J.P. Pomare, author of 17 Years Later