The Dark Side
Crime Fiction
Adult mysteries, layered characters, and stories where every clue has consequences.
Browse crime titlesLatest Release
Old Games
Writer of crimes. Maker of stories. Friendly neighbour (usually).
An unsettling mystery where history, memory, and survival all keep score.
Two Worlds, One Author
Dark at night. Sunny by day.
Yes, Fiona wrote a crime novel. No, children need not be alarmed. Her middle-grade work is still here, still joyful, and still full of curious adventures.
The Sunny Side
Kids' Fiction
Middle-grade stories, school-friendly events, and safe reads for younger audiences.
Browse kids titlesCrime books are written for adults. Children's books remain age-appropriate and clearly marked.
The Library
Backlist, split by audience
Crime
Old Games
An unsettling mystery where history, memory, and survival all keep score.
A buried incident from the past drags a close-knit group back into dangerous territory, where old alliances crack and the real rules of the game are finally exposed.
Crime
Unbury the Dead
Debut crime novel. A tense Melbourne noir with old debts, hidden motives, and one impossible body.
A decades-old disappearance resurfaces when a body is found in suburban Melbourne. As secrets unravel, loyalties fracture and every answer comes with a cost.
Kids
How to Write the Soundtrack to Your Life
Music, friendship, and identity collide in a warm, witty middle-grade read.
When life gets loud, one kid turns to music to make sense of family, friendship, and the pressure to be exactly who everyone expects.
Kids
How to Make a Movie in 12 Days
Fast-paced adventures for curious readers who like humor with heart.
Armed with big ideas and very limited time, a young crew sets out to make a movie before everything falls apart, including their friendship.
Kids
How to Tackle Your Dreams
Bold, funny middle-grade fiction for readers discovering who they are.
Dreams, doubts, and school chaos collide as one determined kid learns that bravery is less about being fearless and more about showing up anyway.
Short Stories & Extras
Proof of crime credentials
Not admissible in a court of law
New story idea
There are stories that are in Fiona's head and she sometimes writes them down
Read moreScarlet Stiletto Winner
Award-recognized crime short fiction with razor-sharp pacing and tone.
Read morePublished Snippets
Selected magazine pieces, anthologies, and short-form mystery work.
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About Fiona
Melbourne-based. Genre-flexible. Slightly suspicious.
Fiona Hardy is an author, editor, and all-round storyteller from Melbourne. She writes crime novels for adults and middle-grade books for younger readers, often with a dry sense of humor and a soft spot for people who make questionable decisions.
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