Tess Merlin
Critically Acclaimed Author
Tess Merlin is an ex-police officer and author. She has written and published training resources as a trainer, facilitator and language teacher. She now writes adult fiction books in a style that presents the reader with a gripping story wrapped around a challenging and thought-provoking topic or social issue.
Critically acclaimed author
Tess Merlin
Tess Merlin’s first novel RANK was written from her lived experiences as a policewoman and as someone with personal experience of the trauma of being stalked. Red Dirt Blue Lights, is an historical fiction which tells of her time as a policewoman in the 1970s and the prevailing, disturbing divide between Police and Indigenous people. Red Dirt Blue Lights was shortlisted as a Finalist in the 2025 Queensland Literary Awards.
Her latest work is an untitled novel which demands fluidity and the opportunity to offer the option of personal interpretation by the reader.
Latest from Tess Merlin
Untitled (The Pinch)
Awards
Awards and Praise for works by Tess Merlin
Red Dirt Blue Lights was selected as a finalist for the Courier Mail People’s Choice Queensland Book of the Year Award.
Judges’ comments: “Set in 1970s rural Queensland around the Indigenous community of Cherbourg, a young and inexperienced policewoman juggles her responsibilities with her sensitivities towards the harsh realities of discrimination, racism and authoritarianism. Well researched and drawing on the real-life experiences of the author, this novella received close scrutiny and approbation by Aboriginal Elder Uncle Eric Law AM.”
Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Brisbane Times Booklist Review 28/11/25
Tess Merlin has written a nonfiction work, RANK, about her time as a policewoman in 1970s Queensland, and the glaring disparities and cultural disconnect between police and Indigenous communities. Her slender novella, Red Dirt Blue Lights is fictionalised, but it has the kind of directness, humility and empathy that allows it to serve as an important act of truth-telling. Told from multiple perspectives, the narrative comes steeped in the history of Cherbourg – an Indigenous community on Barambah Creek in Wakka Wakka Country, near Kingaroy, the hometown of Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen.
Jemma is a young Aboriginal woman torn between romantic love and familial and cultural obligation. She must decide whether to leave Cherbourg, and her ageing grandmother Merinda, to live with her boyfriend. Meanwhile, Tess, a naive police recruit posted to the area, witnesses first-hand Indigenous resilience, and how racist assumptions, ignorance, and a legacy of intergenerational trauma reverberate with continued injustice.
It’s a modest book, but an honest one; the author forges a firm alliance between imagination, historical research, cultural consultation, and the testimonial quality of lived experience.
Goodreads Reader Review:
Red Dirt Blue Lights is well-researched, with obvious cultural consultation and sensitivity. This beautifully written story is surprisingly positive, without holding back from telling the truth about the mistreatment of Indigenous Australians and the unfortunate relationship between Police and First Nations People. Written from the perspective of a policewoman in the 1970s, the story brings Cherbourg history to life with authentic, emotional characters and an engaging story.
There are similarities between this novella and Claire Keegan’s Small Things Like These. They both highlight a shameful part of their country’s history, with a similarly sensitive character seeing that things are not right and trying to do their small part in making a difference.
Services
Work with Tess Merlin
Workshops
Tess Merlin is an engaging speaker at events and a seasoned panelist. She is a qualified Trainer & Assessor and Workshop Facilitator.
Speaker Bookings
Tess has appeared at numerous festivals and events, and brings her wealth of knowledge and experience to engage the audience.
Editorial Services
Editorial Services are now available for writers and authors, or anyone who would like their written word presented to their audience in the best possible style.
Books
Books by Tess Merlin
Red Dirt Blue Lights
In a place and a time where most choices are taken from you, Jemma has a big decision to make. Stay in the confines of Cherbourg Aboriginal Community and look after her Nan, or run away to begin a new life with Syd. Nan has always been her rock, but Syd is the love of her life.
At midnight on the full moon Jemma must make her choice.
In the 1970s the Queensland police have a poor reputation for their interactions with Indigenous people, but young policewoman Tess is new to town and as yet uninfluenced by the pervasive racism. On her first visit to Cherbourg she finds a whole world she never knew existed and questions that she had never imagined. But finding the right answers really comes down to who you ask.
A unique perspective on life in and around Cherbourg—a small Queensland town with a big history.
Rank
A gripping Autobiographical Novel that seamlessly meshes fact with fiction, providing readers with a spine-tingling story and a glimpse into what it was really like for the early female police officers in Australia.
In the 1980s Tess is transferred to a country station with all male colleagues and whilst battling the boys’ club at work, she is also dealing with being stalked in her private life. With the stalker becoming more threatening, she must face her fears and work outside the law to put a stop to him. Her actions change his and her lives forever.
Hoping that 29 years is long enough for him to have let go, Tess ventures into the world of online dating after her divorce. She finds the online exposure daunting and is plagued by the question and the fear – Is he still out there seeking revenge?
Readers of Crime Fiction, Thriller or Memoir will all find this story a compelling read.
News
News from Tess Merlin
A New Concept in ‘Titles’ (The Pinch) is Visual, Fluid and Fully Interpretive
The first thing we see when we look at the cover of a book is the title. A word or a few words to encompass the tens of thousands of words within. Author Tess Merlin’s newest release refused to accept the limitations of a title, instead demanding fluidity and the...
Red Dirt Blue Lights Queensland Literary Awards Finalist 2025
Red Dirt Blue Lights - 2025 Finalist For the Courier Mail People's Choice Queensland Book of the Year Award. Judges' comments: Set in 1970s rural Queensland around the Indigenous community of Cherbourg, a young and inexperienced policewoman juggles her...
New Release Red Dirt Blue Lights
Tess Merlin's exciting 2025 release Red Dirt Blue Lights is an Historical Fiction for Adult and Young Adult readers. A snapshot of the history of Cherbourg in the 1970s is brought to life in a compelling story which is also subtly educational. Available via publisher...
Book Launch
Only two weeks left to book tickets for the official Launch of RANK on 15th August 6.30pm at Avid Reader Bookstore, West End. I'll be in conversation with Karen Farrell, Author of A Stella is Born. Tickets here
Book Club Discounts
As a member and supporter of book clubs, I am offering a 25% discount for orders by your group for copies of RANK. The discount will apply to all orders of three or more copies of RANK. Please order via email to ensure this discounted price: merlintess@outlook.com...
Introducing Tess Merlin – Writer
Only one week to go until publication date 1st February 2023! If you enjoy a thrilling crime fiction then here is an exciting new author to add to your must read list. Her debut novel RANK combines factual Police procedure, real life experiences and fiction to make...