Picture an Australian storyteller who spun a haunting tale of missing sisters that echoes through the bush—meet Felicity McLean! A journalist-turned-novelist, McLean burst onto the literary scene with her 2019 debut, The Van Apfel Girls Are Gone, a gripping Australian Gothic mystery that’s been compared to Picnic at Hanging Rock. With her knack for blending dark humor, nostalgia, and coming-of-age vibes, she’s carved a unique space in modern fiction.
The Making of Felicity McLean
Born and raised in Sydney, Felicity McLean grew up with a front-row seat to Australia’s vibrant cultural tapestry. Her early love for storytelling led her to journalism, where she honed her craft writing for outlets like The Good Weekend, The Daily Telegraph, and The Big Issue. McLean’s curiosity about human stories didn’t stop there—she ventured into ghostwriting, collaborating with celebrities and sports stars, including Olympian Leisel Jones on the award-winning biography Body Lengths. This diverse career shaped her ability to craft authentic, emotionally resonant narratives.
Felicity McLean’s Unforgettable Stories
McLean’s debut novel, The Van Apfel Girls Are Gone, is a standout, blending mystery with the hazy nostalgia of a 1990s Australian summer. The story follows Tikka Molloy, an 11-year-old grappling with the mysterious disappearance of her neighbors, the Van Apfel sisters. With its darkly comic tone and evocative setting, the novel earned international acclaim, landing as a Barnes & Noble Discover Pick and getting published in over half a dozen countries. Critics praised its psychological depth and atmospheric pull, likening it to The Virgin Suicides.
Her non-fiction work, Body Lengths, co-written with Leisel Jones, dives into the Olympian’s triumphs and struggles, earning the 2016 Australian Book Industry Awards Reader’s Choice for Small Publisher Adult Book of the Year and Apple iBooks’ Best Biography of 2015. McLean’s second novel, Red (2022), reimagines the Ned Kelly legend with a bold, contemporary twist, showcasing her versatility. Her writing style—sharp, lyrical, and tinged with humor—captures the messy beauty of human experience, often set against Australia’s wild landscapes.
Why Felicity McLean Matters
Felicity McLean’s work resonates because it taps into universal themes—loss, identity, and the search for truth—while staying deeply rooted in Australian culture. Her ability to weave suspense with emotional depth has made her a rising star in the Gothic and mystery genres. By tackling tough topics like domestic abuse with wit and sensitivity, she invites readers to confront the shadows of suburbia. Her stories linger, haunting readers long after the final page.
- Born: Sydney, Australia
- Key Works: The Van Apfel Girls Are Gone (2019), Body Lengths (2015), Red (2022)
- Awards: Australian Book Industry Awards Reader’s Choice (2016), Apple iBooks Best Biography (2015)
Ready to get lost in a world of mystery and nostalgia? Snag The Van Apfel Girls Are Gone and dive into Felicity McLean’s spellbinding Australian Gothic tales!