Review: Stillwater by Tanya Scott

As soon as I read the prologue of Stillwater I was completely hooked into the mystery. 

Tania Scott asks the question in Stillwater; "Can you ever outrun your past?"

Luke Harris is working for a disability support company and gets a call for home help with the Wylie family. Here he meets Emma, sister of Phil who Luke is working with. 

Luke has a self-imposed solitude but he clicks with Emma and they start seeing each other.

Luke and Emma both have stuff  going on behind the scenes and Tanya Scott shows through their interactions that non-one really knows what's going on for you or how your past defines you.

The story goes back in time to different parts of Luke's childhood living with his gambling, lying, cheating father and how he was neglected and abused. Luke learnt from an early age to rely on no one but himself. The mob picked him up and looked after him, for a price. There was no escape.

Stillwater is a harrowing story of being brought up by the mob and trying to build a better life, but trouble always seemed to find Luke. Scott builds empathy for her main character. We get to see his upbringing and want him to succeed.

Stillwater is a gritty story of criminal bosses, paranoia , manipulation and coercion.

Fast-paced and addictive, Stillwater is a powerful debut that I couldn't put down until I'd finished the last page. I'm excited for the next Luke Harris novel coming out in April 2027.

Content: child abuse

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 12th August 2025

Series: Luke Harris Thriller #1

Genre: Crime / Thriller

Pages: 375

Source: Own copy

Review: Gunpowder Creek by Alex Dook

Alex Dook's debut novel Gunpowder Creek is a fabulously entertaining read.

Gritty and action packed there is never a dull moment in this high octane crime thriller. 

Emily receives a garbled voicemail from her son Zach about someone coming after him. She races to his flat to find it trashed but empty.

Zach has been mixed up with the wrong people but when his latest job goes terribly wrong he finds himself held captive and his mother must complete the job or Zach will die.

Emily can't believe what she is doing, driving a stolen car to make a delivery to the remote town of Gunpowder Creek. She has three days to deliver or Zach will be killed. She will do anything for her only son.

What ensues is a race across the Australian desert where Emily's every move, every word is being monitored, but there is someone else who wants that package and they will stop at nothing to find Emily.

Alex Dook takes an everyday person and puts them in dire life or death situations showing how a mother's love transcends fear and pain. Emily is like a mother bear fighting off anyone who endangers her child.

I was stunned at how far Emily was pushed however, glimpses of her backstory shows she had a harsh upbringing. She was no quitter. Even though you will need to suspend your disbelief a little I found the descriptions of the punishing outback and Emily's desperation all felt real.

I liked how Dook had Emily fighting against the worst of humankind however when it came down to it she never lost her empathy.

Lots of dark humour had me laughing at times and were a welcome relief from the blood and gore.

Gunpowder Creek is an impressive debut. I raced through it. I'm now very excited to see what Alex Dook comes up with next.

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 2nd September 2025

Genre: Crime / Thriller

Pages: 320

RRP: $32.99AU (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

#gunpowdercreek #alexdook #debut #crime #thriller #ausbookbloggers 

Review: A Slowly Dying Cause by Elizabeth George

I really should do more research before requesting review books that are in a series.

A Slowly Dying Cause is book #22 in the Inspector Lynley series.

" The Inspector Lynley Mysteries series was developed for television by the BBC and ran for six seasons from 2001 to 2007. Britbox announced a reboot of the series to air in 2025."

When the body of Michael Lobb is discovered in his family's workshop police are called in to investigate. As the investigation continues the number of likely suspects increases.

I loved how Elizabeth George delved deeply into each character's life, making the story more about the characters and their nuances than the mystery itself. There seemed to be a theme around men's sexual fantasies and older men lusting after much younger women.

I found A Slowly Dying Cause to be a complex and satisfying read. It's a large book at over 600 pages and the intriguing mystery kept me entertained throughout.

A Slowly Dying Cause is a story about manipulation and deceit , infidelity and desire, and the family ties that bind us.

If you are already a Lynley fan you will not be disappointed with this new mystery however this book is not a good place to start even though the murder case is solved during the novel the focus on the characters' lives and their shared histories left me lost at times.

I enjoyed this enough to find some previous novels in the series to catch up on the characters.

My rating reflects on the fact I didn't know Lynley's and Haver's backstories and I found it hard to connect.

My rating 3 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

Publication date: 16th September 2025

Genre: Crime / Mystery

Series: Inspector Lynley #22

Pages: 643

RRP: $34.99AU (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

#inspectorlynley #aslowlydyingcause #elizabethgeorge #murdermystery #crime

Review: No Dancing in the Lift by Mandy Sayer

 With No Dancing in the Lift Mandy Sayer has written a raw, honest and compassionate ode to her late father Gerry Sayer.

Written like a love letter to her father No Dancing in the Lift reflects on the last few months of Gerry Sayer's life when Mandy became his sole carer.

Mandy Sayer's writing is very open and conversational. The story flows effortlessly making it an easy read.

Mandy shares her grief and memories of growing up with a father who was often absent; however their time together built lasting happy memories.

There are lots of fun moments as Mandy recalls many of her father's antics and some dubious fatherly outings. I can see life with him was never boring as we learn how her father's influence shaped the person she is today.

Their bohemian lifestyle as Mandy was growing up was a real eye opener for me and I appreciate the deep love she had for her father despite his failings.

I liked the honest and open way Mandy includes details of her dysfunctional and complicated family.

There is much to learn from Mandy's take on her experiences. Many would have looked back on this life and seen only disaster and neglect however Mandy is a glass-half-full woman and I really enjoyed her outlook on her unusual upbringing. 

If you like to read memoirs No Dancing in the Lift is one I would highly recommend.

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Publisher: Transit Lounge Publishing

Publication date: 1st September 2025

Genre: Memoir

Pages: 240

RRP: $32.99AU (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Quikmark Media

#nodancinginthelift #mandysayer #memoir #australianauthor #ausbookbloggers

Winner of a copy of The Ironbark Promise Announced!!

 I will be posting new giveaways in the first week of every month. March Giveaway is for a copy of The Napoleon of Africa by Phil Smart.

Bookmark my page and check back often so you don't miss a giveaway.

 A huge thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway for a paperback copy of The Ironbark Promise by Leonie Kelsall.  The giveaway closed on the 12th February 2026 and the winner was randomly selected (using Wheelofnames) from all correct entries. 

Congratulations to........ 

The winner has been notified and has seven days to provide a mailing address.

 

 

Please check under the Giveaway tab for more great giveaways!

Review: The Ironbark Promise by Léonie Kelsall

 It's been a slow beginning to the year as I've been catching up on reviews.

The Ironbark Promise was my last read of 2025

The Ironbark Promise is best selling Australian author Léonie Kelsall's ninth novel.

The Ironbark Promise has readers back in the lovely rural town of Settlers Bridge where love is in the air once again and one of my favourite characters, Hamish, meets his match.

Léonie Kelsall depicts farming life with ease and her descriptive language makes the town and its residents easy to visualise.

Hamish has a reputation as a bit of a playboy and even though he would secretly like to settle down he still plays up to the image everyone has of him.

Jemma is a high-flying city lawyer. The pressure at work is high and she also seems to have a stalker which is causing her some grief. Jemma decides to get away from the city and spend a few days in the country with her father, Pierce. (You can read Pierce and Sam's story in The Willow Tree Warf).

Kelsall builds tension with a mystery surrounding Jemma's life and the slow burn romance between Jemma and Hamish is filled with a multitude of problems for them both to work through.

I love coming back to Settlers bridge and catching up with all my favourite characters with each new book that Leonie Kelsall brings out. The town of Setters Bridge is a central part of each novel and just as much a character as the people who live there. 

The Ironbark Promise includes many themes relevant to rural living and the subject of criminal law including subtle moral messages making this an interesting and thought provoking read.

I can hardly wait for Léonie's next novel, The Windmill in the Silver Gums. I got goosebumps just reading the blurb!

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 6th January 2026

Genre: Rural Romance

Pages: 368

RRP: $34.99AU (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Other books by Leonie Kelsall

THE FARM AT PEPPERTREE CROSSING

THE WATTLE SEED INN 

THE BLUE GUM CAMP

THE WILLOW TREE WHARF

THE RIVER GUM COTTAGE 

THE HOMESTEAD IN THE EUCALYPTS

THE WINGS ABOVE THE MALEE

THE PATH THROUGH THE COOJONG TREES

Review: The Endless Sky by Di Morrissey

 With The Endless Sky Di Morrissey showcases the beauty of the Australian outback. She doesn't leave out the remoteness but puts greater emphasis on its alluring and fascinating beauty. A night sky devoid of city lights, that dull and dampen, is brought to vivid life on the page.

Renowned journalist Nicole Robertson is searching for the next big story and decides she will go off the beaten track and interview interesting people doing unusual things. She takes Stacie along with her and the two head to remote Central Queensland.

The Endless Sky is a nice, easy read. I really enjoyed the character of Nicole, middle aged, strong and intelligent, her journalistic instincts  always awake. All the supporting characters were well developed and believable.

I feel the story, for me, was let down by the addition of the characters' inner thoughts slowing the narrative.

With themes of fossil hunting, black market fossil trade, palaeontology digs and protecting remote areas from overuse, it is fascinating reading. Nicole interviews volunteers at a dig and is invited on a cave dive.

The Endless Sky is classic armchair travel. I lived it all as I read; the beauty, the danger, and the eclectic people who return to the digs year after year.

There is an unexpected little twist and a blossoming love story. Real photos at the start of each chapter add extra appeal.

The only let downs for me were the pace was a bit slow and there was too much dialogue - just pet dislikes for me.

My rating 3.5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐½

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Aus

Publication date: 25th November 2025

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Pages: 317

RRP: $39.99AU (hardcover)

Source: courtesy of the publisher