Local author Margaret Hickey has taken out a Ned Kelly Award from the Australian Crime Writers Association for her fourth novel, 'The Creeper'.

Margaret (who released the book in July last year and has since followed it with another, 'An Ill Wind', this year) won the best Australian crime novel award at last week's ACWA presentation in Melbourne.

Other winners were 'All You Took From Me' by Lisa Kenway (best debut), 'A Thousand Miles from Care' by Steve Johnson (best true crime); and 'A Case of Matricide' by Graeme Macrae Burnet (best international crime).

Published by Penguin Books, 'The Creeper' is a mystery novel set in the fictional Mount Beauty-esque town of Edenville in Victoria's high country, which is still haunted by the murders 10 years earlier of five hikers and bushland loner Bill 'Creeper' Durant.

Durant was a man with a known reputation for stalking campers, and the conclusion in the case was murder-suicide, but as the anniversary of the massacre draws near, Detective Constable Sally White finds herself drawn into the dark world of the notorious Durant family.

Lex Durant is protesting his brother's innocence and accusing the police of persecution, and as Sally combs the investigation to prove him wrong, it becomes clear that each murdered hiker had skeletons in their closet - and possible enemies in their past.

The panel of judges for the Ned Kelly Awards praised Margaret's novel for its "chilling storytelling, incredible setting, and for seamlessly drawing readers into the dark world of the protagonist".

The annual awards are Australia's oldest and most prestigious recognition for published crime fiction and true crime writing.

Margaret, who had previously been shortlisted for best debut for her 2021 release 'Cutters End', said she was shocked when she heard she'd won the prestigious prize for best novel.

"It's the highest award in the country for crime writing, and has been won previously by Jane Harper, Michael Robotham and Peter Temple, who is my idol," she said.

"It's the ultimate validation from the industry, and really elevates your work."

With five crime novels to her name, and another in the works - this one set in the North East and centring on the illegal tobacco trade - Margaret said the award made her feel she'd "earned a place" among the genre's big names.

"Every author has a bit of imposter syndrome, so an award like this relieves some of that when you feel it," she said.

Margaret said she enjoyed the camaraderie of the crime writers' community, and had been thrilled by the reaction of fellow authors to her win.

"Crime writers are so wonderful - so many have texted since the presentation," she said.

There is a nice symmetry in the fact that a writer who lived for many years in Glenrowan before moving to Beechworth has won a Ned Kelly Award, and it was a link Margaret mentioned at the award presentation.

She said she loved being part of the local community, and appreciated the support of the region as she pursued her writing dream.

Currently 55,000 words deep into that next novel, which again features Detective Constable Sally White, Margaret is also focused on marking SACs (school-assessed coursework) and practice exams for her three Cathedral College Wangaratta year 12 English classes as the school year builds to its end.

While she's loved combining teaching with writing, she is set to take a break from it next year to focus on her novel-a-year schedule.

"It's been terrific having both; I've taught for 25 years and I love teaching, so it was a difficult decision," she said.

"I will really miss it, but I won't be a stranger, I'll definitely come back and help out at times."

However, the move offers the chance to explore other writing-related opportunities - something that will surely be welcomed by Margaret's legions of readers.