Book Review: Little Red Death by A. K. Benedict

ONCE UPON A TIME LIKE YOU'VE NEVER READ IT BEFORE ..... 

 

Little Red Death by A.K. Benedict pulled me in right from the sinister sounding prologue.

 

There is not much I can say about the plot without giving spoilers and this is one story you need to go into without any spoilers. 

 

DI Lyla Rondell is investigating a series of murders that appear to be based on Grimms fairy tales. As the murders mount up the clues all lead back to the unsolved disappearance of Lyla's best friend 25 years ago.

I really don't like horror stories but I was so hooked on the mystery that when the gruesome murders started I couldn't stop reading.

 

I read The Complete Grimms Fairy Tales as a buddy read in 2023 and I remember how dark and gruesome they were. A. K. Benedict has used these pre-disneyfied fairy tales as the basis for the murders.

 

Little Red Death is a genre mash-up of fairy tale retellings, mystery, crime, horror, supernatural and locked-room thriller with twist upon twist upon twist.

 

Did I say I couldn't put this book down!!

 

I did have an inkling where the story was heading but I was totally unprepared for the jaw-dropping final few chapters.

 

Fans of twisty crime mysteries will love this dark, addictive crime thriller.

 

My rating 4.5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

 

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Australia

Publication date: 5th March 2025

Genre: Crime / Thriller

Pages: 384

RRP: AU$34.99 (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

 

Book Review: Tuesday Jocks and other stories by Fin J. Ross

I thoroughly enjoyed Billings Better Bookstore & Brasserie by Fin J. Ross so I was eager to read more of her work and I was delighted to receive a copy of Tuesday Jocks and other stories to read. 

 

Tuesday Jocks and other stories is a diverse collection of crime stories with Ross's trademark touches of humour. 

Fifteen short stories to suit all reading tastes; vigilantes, bushrangers, science fiction, historical, revenge and body in the library. Many of the stories have a feminist lean, but the women aren't always the victim here.

 

With lots of light-hearted humour and a few twists included, I found Tuesday Jocks and other stories a fun read. It's a book that is easy to pick up and read a few short stories whenever you have a break. 

 

My favourite story was What's a Girl To Do which had a spectacular twist that had me going back and reading the story again to see if I could pick up any clues.

 

Tuesday Jocks and other stories would make the perfect gift for someone that you aren't sure of their taste in books. It definitely has something for everyone. 

 

My rating 4.3 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (averaged over the 15 stories) 

 

Publisher: Clandestine Press

Publication date: 1st November 2024

Genre: Crime

Pages: 253

RRP: AU$32.95 (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

 
 

Book Review: The Big Book of Australian Yarns by Jim Haynes

Jim Haynes' The Big Book of Australian Yarns and amazing true stories is a fabulous collection of little known Aussie historical events and a fun look at some of the people who made Australia the country it is today. Daredevils, larrikins, legends, rule-breakers, entrepreneurs, the charismatic and the down-on-their-luck, all have a story and Jim Haynes brings those stories to life.

 

Jim Haynes himself has been well travelled, and well lived, and I can only imagine the extensive amount of research that went into this knowledgeable book as it is filled with names, dates and quotes from real news articles. 

 

I learnt so much about Australia's unknown history and also history in general. Looking back over events mentioned in the book I can see how times have changed. An aerial display from a hot-air balloon set to take place in Townsville caused a scandal and was later debated in parliament as the women were deemed to be too scantily-clad and also the performance being on a Sunday was said to be assisting the desecration of the sabbath. And who knew parachutes were invented before aeroplanes!

 

A story that really shocked me was, the Army riot in 1916, when Army recruits mutinied, defied orders, marched into Liverpool, took over the town and wrecked the hotels. Thousands then took the trains into Sydney and terrorised the city. I honestly can't imagine this happening today.

 

I liked that the book was set out in sections with each group of stories in that section relating back to the main topic. This meant I didn't need to read the book straight through, cover to cover. I could just pick a topic to read when I had time. 

 

I recommend The Big Book of Australian Yarns to everyone. It is chock full of nostalgia, humour and wow moments. Legends, larrikins, eccentrics, bizarre and unconventional characters, Jim Haynes has included them all.

 

The Big Book of Australian Yarns is entertaining and enlightening, a remarkable history of unknown and forgotten Aussie characters. 

 

 My rating  5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 29th October 2024

Genre: Non Fiction / History

Pages: 544

RRP: AU$34.99 (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

 

 
 

Book Review: Exiles by Jane Harper

I've read and loved the first two books in the Aaron Falk series, The Dry and Force of Nature, however I found the plot of Exiles felt a bit tired. It was like Harper was already over the series before she had written this third book.

 

The story involves the mysterious disappearance of a woman after abandoning her young baby at the local festival. Aaron was in the town, to attend his friend's son's christening, when this happened. The Christening was cancelled. Twelve months on and everyone has gathered again to attend the Christening. It gives the townsfolk a chance to go over the details of the disappearance and ask for any new information. 

Exiles has a slow, drawn out mystery and there is lots of backstory on Aaron Falk's life included as he thinks back over events in his life. However if you've read the first two books there is nothing new here.

 

The concept of the story was very clever, "we see what we think we should see", however the execution was slow.

 

Not my favourite Jane Harper book but still worth a read.

 

My rating 3 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher: Macmillan Australia 

Publication date: 20th September 2022

Series: Aaron Falk #3

Genre: Crime / Mystery

Pages: 407

Source: Own copy

 

Book Review: The Sugar Palace by Fiona McIntosh

 I thoroughly enjoyed this Historical Fiction, set in the 1920's, by prolific Australian author Fiona McIntosh.

I think that the setting of Sydney CBD enhanced the story for me and gave me an added connection to the characters, as being my home town, all scenes were easily imagined. 

 

Grace Fairweather works in her parents' grocery store however she has dreams of one day owning her own confectionery store.

When she meets the charismatic Alfie Sweeting she is immediately smitten. Alfie encourages her to reach for the stars and pushes her to realise her dreams but all is not easy going as Alfie has ties to the dark underbelly of Sydney and those ties are not easily broken.

 I loved all the mentions of the sweets that Grace was making and how they came up with names and marketed the business.

There is lots of tension as the seedier side of Sydney is prevalent in Alfie's life and McIntosh adds an element of reality by including some of the more infamous characters from that era.

 

I was barracking for Grace to succeed. She was strong and determined. She spoke her mind and didn't judge people less fortunate than herself.  

The Sugar Palace was an engaging tale of double crossing, crime, drug dealing and extortion wrapped around toffee apples, fairy floss and chocolates.

 

I am so glad that The Global Girls Online Book Club picked The Sugar Palace as their monthly read.

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia 

Publication date: 10th October 2023

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 382

Source: Own Copy

 

 

 

 

Book Review: One Dark Night by Hannah Richell

 One Dark Night was my first read by English/Australian author Hannah Richell and I'm pleased that she has a great backlist that I can catch up on.

 

It's the night of Halloween and a group of teenagers meet in the woods near an area that is believed to be haunted by the ghost of a girl in a white dress. The next day one of the teens is found dead.

 

As the investigation gets underway we can see a lot of the teens are lying, and seem to be hiding something.

DS Ben Chase is leading the case and the story includes some of his tumultuous personal life.

 

Richell incorporates plenty of red herrings steering the reader this way and that. There was an ever growing list of suspects and I was sure I had picked the murderer many times. I love a thriller where I can't make up my mind whodunit, and it has me jumping to conclusions.

 

One Dark Night is a fabulously creepy and atmospheric thriller with the perfect setting that creates chills up your spine, a superb cast of characters and a final reveal that took me totally by surprise.

 

One Dark Night is a must-read for thriller fans, one that will keep you up late into the night.

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Australia

Publication date: 1st January 2025

Genre: Crime / Thriller

Pages: 432

RRP: AU$32.99 (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

 

 

Book Review: Present Tense by Natalie Conyer

After reading and loving Shadow City I was delighted  to receive a copy of Present Tense, Natalie Conyer's debut novel.

 

Present Tense is the first book featuring South African Detective Schalk Lourens, named by his literary father after Oom Schalk Lourens, the main character in Herman Charles Bosman's novels. I loved that there was that tiny bit of humour as Schalk's namesake is mentioned by everyone he meets.

Present Tense is a dark and atmospheric political thriller set during the explosive time preceding an election.

Having read book 2, Shadow City, first I did know some outcomes but it didn't spoil the story for me.

 

Schalk is a flawed character, some of his decisions aren't the best, but he is trying to do the right thing in a country shrouded in corruption, cover ups and murderous acts of revenge.

 

Conyer expertly renders the civil unrest in South Africa but lightens it with the beauty and majesty of a beautiful land, showing how fiercely loyal South Africans are to their country. 

 

Keenly plotted with wonderful support characters, Present Tense will delight fans of hard-boiled police procedurals. 

 

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 3rd December 2024

Series: A Schalk Lourens Mystery #1

Genre: Crime / Mystery

Pages: 296

RRP: AU$32.99 (trade paperback)

Source: courtesy of the publisher

 

My review of SHADOW CITY

 

 

  

Book Review: The Night on the Darling River by Darry Fraser

 The Night on the Darling River is a wonderfully immersive historical fiction set in 1894 Australia, during the rising tensions of the shearers' strikes.

 

Whilst most of the story is set in Echuca on the Murray River, it was the night Tess spent on the Darling River that changed her life forever.

 

Tess has finally summoned the courage to leave her abusive husband, stealing away in the dead of night, only to find herself hiding on the wrong boat. She is inadvertently caught up in the violence between union and non-union shearers and ends up wounded and stranded on the banks of the Darling River. Tess finds friendship in Ava, a young woman deserted by her husband.

Darry Fraser brings to life the tent cities on the banks of the Darling where women have the choice of following their husbands from town to town or staying put and praying they will return.

 

I was totally addicted to Tess's story and the action and danger never let up. Fraser has created some marvelous characters; strong women banding together, kind generous men and there are always those we want to see get their just deserts. 

I love Australian Historical Fiction and The Night on the Darling River did not disappoint. Darry Fraser has given her readers a story that is rich in danger with a light romance thread dispersed throughout. Fraser highlights the plight of women during this period of history and the devastating effects of flooding on the riverside towns and their residents.

 

I'm excited to read more of Darry's backlog!

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Content: domestic violence

 

Publisher: Harlequin Australia

Publication date: 4th December 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 416

RRP: AU$32.99 (paperback)

Source: courtesy of the publisher

 

Other books I've read by Darry Fraser:

The Milliner of Benigo

The Last Truehart 

 

Winner of a copy of My Name is Gucci announced!!

 

A huge thank you to everyone who entered my giveaway for a paperback copy of My Name is Gucci by Sun Jung.  The giveaway closed on the 21st March 2025 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.

 

Thank you to Transit Lounge Publishing for sending me an extra copy to give away.

 

Please check under the Giveaway tab for more great giveaways! 

Book Review: Ten Ways to Find Love ... and how to keep it by Dr Lisa Portolan

I'm probably not the best person to review Ten Ways to Find Love as I've been married for 40 years and the dating scene has changed a lot since I met my husband. However, the "How to Keep It" part may be of interest to those in relationships AND those looking for love. 

Dr Lisa Portolan has a PhD that relates to dating apps and how intimacy is navigated and negotiated through digital landscapes. This makes me think that Lisa is well equipped to write a thought provoking book on love. 

The book is written in two parts with part one being Ten Ways to Find Love.

1. Date like you're on holidays 

2. Turf the little white lies

3. Sharing

4. Kindness

5. Get rid of the shopping list

6. Accept yourself as perfectly flawed

7. Invest in yourself

8. Get beyond the chitchat

9. A delicate balance

10. Positivity

I agreed with Lisa's 10 key headings, they all seemed pretty straightforward. However when she gets into case studies it's all about hook-ups, fakeness online and unrealistic expectations. It's little wonder people can't find a real lasting relationship.

 

Part two is ten ways to keep love. Again with ten key headings.

1. Love as work

2. I choose you

3. Use your words

4. Once upon a time in love

5. Physical touch and passion

6. Create a relationship that's right for you

7. The individual and the team

8. Kindness

9. Breaking the rules

10. Fun

Part two also includes case studies and quotes from people who have been in long term relationships.

 

"Complicating the issue is our consumer culture's fixation on the disposable and the new. When it comes to finding love, many of us become stuck in a cycle of looking for the next, even better relationship. Ironically, while we are on this quest for romantic novelty, we may also be craving long-term partnerships, feeling like failures if we don't achieve them." 

Although I didn't really find anything to connect with in this thought provoking book I think it will be of interest to readers who enjoy self-help books.

 

My rating 3 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 4th February 2025 

Genre: Non Fiction / Self Help

Pages: 272

RRP: AU$29.99 (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

 

 

Book Review: The Dressmaker's Secret by Michelle Vernal

I was pleasantly surprised by The Dressmaker's Secret as I had no idea it was a timeslip story. I do love a time travel trope!

 

The pull of a mystery had me intrigued right from the prologue when a woman loses her 3 year old daughter.

 

Eighteen years later it's 1981 and Sabrina is living with Evelyn who had found her outside her bridalwear shop and had brought her up as her own.

The story follows Sabrina and best friend Florence as they go about their daily lives. When Sabrina meets Adam she realises she still has unresolved abandonment issues and needs to find out why her mother left her before she can have a meaningful relationship.

 

The story moves to 1928 when Sabrina moves through a timeslip. The 1928 timeline is narrated through Jane's point of view. Jane is a young housemaid in the manor where Sabrina finds a job. The more outspoken Sabrina helps Jane with her fledgling romance.

Vernal compares the everyday life and societal expectations of young women in each era.

The Dressmaker’s Secret is a light, easy and enjoyable read. I read it in a day! Filled with likeable and engaging characters with an intriguing mystery at the centre of the story. This is the first book in a series so the key plotline is left unresolved.

 

My rating 3 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐ 

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication date: 18th March 2025

Series: Brides of Bold Street #1

Genre: Historical Fiction / Time Travel

Pages: 309

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley 

 

Book Review & Giveaway: My Name is Gucci - A Dog's Story by Sun Jung

 My Name is Gucci is a poignant exploration of connection, past traumas, and the profound impact animals have on our lives.

Sun Jung's novel, narrated from the unique perspective of Gucci, a rescue dog, masterfully unravels the secrets that bind him and his owner together.

 

Gucci, a cross dalmatian bitzer, lives in a Singaporean animal shelter until he finds himself transported to Sydney, Australia after being adopted by an unnamed writer. The story delves into the interwoven destinies of Gucci and his adopter.

Gucci's owner's past traumas are revealed through Gucci's memories of past lives as Jung skillfully shows how lived experiences can haunt our present, shaping our fears and influencing our actions.

 

The recurring theme of reincarnation suggests an almost spiritual connection between dog and owner that transcends time.

 

Told with warmth and wit My Name is Gucci is a compelling read for anyone who has experienced the unconditional love of an animal.

 

I quickly fell in love with Gucci and became totally caught up in his story. He has an intuitive sense of how those around him feel. Gucci is timid and anxious, yet brave, and fully committed to helping his owner overcome her traumas.

 

My Name is Gucci: A Dog's Story is a beautifully written, poignant and heart-wrenching story. I found this lovable and quirky read hard to put down. 

Content: dog fighting, allusion to suicide, puppy farms.

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher: Transit Lounge Publishing

Publication date: 1st November 2024

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Pages: 272

RRP: AU$32.99

Source: courtesy of the publisher

 

GIVEAWAY

 

With thanks to Transit Lounge I have two paperback copies of My Name is Gucci to give away.

One here on my blog and one on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/theburgeoningbookshelf/  

This giveaway is open to Australian addresses only and ends at 6pm AEDT on 21st March 2025

 

This giveaway is now closed and the winner was announced here: https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogspot.com/2025/03/winner-of-copy-of-my-name-is-gucci.html

 

 

Book Review: Murder at the Loch by Dee MacDonald

Murder at the Loch is book 2 in Dee MacDonald's Ally McKinley Mystery Series.

 

Murder at the Loch is another fun cosy mystery set in the Scottish Highlands. If you've read the first book, Murder in the Scottish Highlands, you will already know all the delightful residents of Locharran. However if you haven't, MacDonald includes plenty of backstory on everyone, so you will know exactly who is who.

Murder at the Loch involves two murders, seemingly unrelated, but when Ally finds herself on the suspect list she is determined to find out who did  the killings.

 

Murder at the Loch is an easy read. The story mainly focuses on the quirky characters, and I loved them all. Lots of red herrings had me guessing then back tracking as a few people had plausible motives to murder the women. 

The Ally McKinley Mystery series is an enjoyable series. Ally is a likeable protagonist as are all the supporting characters. I am eager for the next book.

 

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication date: 3rd March 2025 

Series: Ally McKinley Mystery #2

Genre: Cosy Crime 

Pages: 252

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley

 

 

 

 

Book Review: The Book Club & Other Stories by Natalie Conyer

 The Book Club & Other Stories is a collection of nineteen crime stories by Australian author Natalie Conyer.

 

I loved Shadow City and I was excited to read a collection of short crime stories written by the same author.

The Nineteen stories cover many different crime scenarios; there is murder, mystery, the supernatural, scammers and twists galore.

 

What I loved about these stories is although most involved a murder it wasn't overly descriptive and the humour in each story far outweighed any gruesomeness. The stories were all so different in character, setting and plot which made each one feel like a whole new adventure.

 

The Book Club & Other Stories features nineteen highly engaging stories. It is a book you can pick up and put down at will or you can simply read it all the way through, like I did.

 

My rating 4.42 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐(averaged over 19 

 stories)

 

Publisher: Clan Destine Press 

Publication date: 1st November 2024

Genre: Crime / Short Stories

Pages: 229

RRP: AU$32.95 (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

 

 My review of Shadow City

Book Review: The Lost Recipes by Ross Dobson

 Losing yourself in nostalgia is like a balm. Ross Dobson brings his readers The Lost Recipes, forgotten recipes, steeped in nostalgia. Recipes that have been overlooked, disregarded and barely noticed.

 

If you love cooking, nostalgia and all things Australia, you will love The Lost Recipes. Honestly, even if you hate cooking you will love this book! Filled to the brim with simple, delicious and easy to make recipes, with a huge dollop of nostalgia.

The recipes are set out in four sections:

• Fruit & Veg
• Meat & Seafood
• Baking
• Sweets

Each recipe is headed with the source; town and date.

Some recipes are from as early in Australian Colonial history as 1876 to 1952. Some recipes include a few words from Ross about techniques and his memories.

 

The book includes an extensive bibliography of the newspapers and magazines he found the recipes in, most of which no longer exist although can still be read through Trove.

 

I remember The Commonsense Cooking Book used in school Home Economics classes and I feel Ross Dobson has taken common sense cooking to a whole new level.

 

My rating 5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 29th October 2024

Genre: Non Fiction / Cooking

Pages: 240

RRP: AU$34.99

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

 

Book Review: Lemons are a Girl's Best Friend by Janet Hayward

With girls using beauty products at a younger age Lemons are a Girl's Best Friend is a fabulous tool to empower girls to look for all natural treatments for skin, body, hair and nails. Treatments that you can make at home.

 

This cute little pocket sized book gives us 30 inexpensive and natural beauty treatments and 30 healthy treats to nourish your body from the inside and outside.

 

DIY Beauty is huge with #diybeauty and #diyskincare garnering millions of views on Tiktok.

 

Lemons are a Girl's Best Friend has a list of 30 ingredients; fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, with some facts about the benefits of each ingredient, and recipes to make delicious food and drinks with each ingredient plus how each ingredient can be made into a beauty product for skin or hair. 

I loved this little pocket book that extols healthy habits in a fun and fresh format.

 

Lemons are a Girl's Best Friend is the perfect gift for tweens and teens. It would be a great alternative to chocolate this Easter.

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication date: 30th October 2024

Genre: Non Fiction / Beauty

Pages: 128

RRP: AU$24.99 (hardcover)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

 

Book Review: A Santorini Secret by Rose Alexander

A Santorini Secret is a brilliantly conceived novel combining fact and fiction to deliver a deeply moving story of heartbreak and heroism narrated through a dual timeline.

 

2024 - Carrie has uncovered a sketch of a woman amongst her deceased uncle Sol's belongings, the sketch seems to be connected to a mission he was on in Santorini during WWII. Carrie is intrigued to find out more and a trip to Santorini to visit her friend Xanthe is the perfect opportunity.

1944 - A group of British Commandos are hiding on the island of Santorini ready to strike down the German camp. Vassia is asked by her father, the mayor, to take them food and water, under cover of darkness.

 

Both timelines were seamlessly delivered and although I enjoyed the mystery of Carrie uncovering the events involving her uncle, I found Vassia's story much more compelling. I loved Vassia's spirit and tenacity, and the evolving love story between Vassia and Sol.

I found the character of Carrie a bit melodramatic but that is a very minor gripe in this overall fabulous story.

 

A Santorini Secret is an emotionally charged dual timeline story of courage and love.

 

My rating: 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication date: 25th February 2025 

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 394

RRP: AU$4.99 (Kindle edition)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Review: The Summerfield Saddler by Penelope Janu

Penelope Janu is passionate about the environment and conservation and I love that her stories reflect this passion and also include women that are strong and resilient and swoonworthy males that are respectful and caring.

 

Mackenzie Henry 'Mac' is passionate about continuing her ailing grandfather's fight to have a closed mine site rehabilitated. When he is accepted to make a documentary on the site and the proposed rehabilitation he asks Mac to go in his place. Norwegian conservationist and Antarctic explorer Kit Thorsen will be heading the documentary.

When Mac and Kit first meet after an accident on a film set, Mac's fierce independence and Kit's need to protect form an instant barrier between the two and sparks fly.

Now they must put their own grievances aside and work together. 

 

The Summerfield Saddler is a fabulous story about two very independent people who find they have the same core values however it takes the two of them some time to realise that they don't have to fight against their feelings. This is a heartfelt slow-burn romance with a touch of spice and wonderful descriptions of  Australia's beautiful flora and fauna.

I've enjoyed Janu's previous books and I found The Summerfield Saddler to be another moving and inspiring read.

 

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher: Harlequin Australia

Publication date: 4th December 2024

Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Romance

Pages: 435

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Book Review: The Nanny Share by Emily Shiner

 The Nanny Share is a psychological thriller, with a deep seated mystery, that had me guessing all the way through.  

 

When two young girls go missing on the same night Detective Kate Martin is called in to investigate.

It appears the children had much in common, their mother's were once best friends and they share the same young nanny.

Emily Shiner has produced a compelling mystery full of simmering menace. With a cast of conniving, unlikable characters, who all had something to hide, and no-one could be trusted to tell the truth it made for some interesting reading. Even Det. Kate Martin was inadvertently connected to the case.

 

I never did unravel the mystery and the final conclusion came as a shock. 

The Nanny Share was an enjoyable read with an easy plot-line and a couple of great twists that kept me entertained throughout.

 

My rating 3 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication date: 21st February 2025

Genre: Crime / Thriller

Pages: 373

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley

 

 

Book Review: Opal by Patricia Wolf

A DS WALKER THRILLER

 

Opal delves into the high-stakes dog eat dog world of opal mining. 

 

Mark is rumoured to have found a million dollar opal, soon after he is found dead, in bed with his ex business partner's wife. Both have been  brutally murdered.

Is this the work of a jealous husband or someone looking for the rumoured opal?

 When DS Walker arrives in the small outback town to pick up his cousin, Blair, he is immediately pulled into the investigation. Overnight the town becomes isolated by rising flood waters and there is no way out.

 

A town isolated by flood waters, relentless heat and a killer in their midst makes for compelling reading.

 

As DS Walker assists local police the suspect list rises and it appears many in the small town had a grudge against the murdered man. Throw in the mix disgruntled opal miners and a fugitive who doesn't want to be found and Wolf has created a tense and atmospheric read.

 

Each book in the series reads well as a standalone with the major murder investigation wrapped up by the end of the book. However there is also an ongoing story, throughout the three books, with an outlaw motorcycle gang involved in drug manufacture.

 

Even though Opal got a little bogged down at times this dark and gritty police procedural kept me invested until the final breath holding conclusion.

 

I highly recommend all three books to crime readers looking for a new series to delve into. 

 

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher:  Echo Publishing

Publication date: 1st October 2024

Series: DS Walker #3

Genre: Crime / Thriller

Pages: 320

RRP: AU$32.99 (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Other books in the series

OUTBACK 

PARADISE

Book Review: Australia's Greatest Stories by Graham Seal

 Australia's Greatest Stories wasn't quite the book I was expecting it to be. With a subheading of TrueTales, Legends and Larrikins, I was expecting a book of great Aussie yarns, true stories with a bit of a Banjo Patterson feel. 

Australia's Greatest Stories is more a series of events that formed Australia as we know it today. 

From pre-colonisation to major events in history that formed our nation; the changing face of politics in Australia, the gold rush, the Spanish flu, the great depression, world war two, major inroads by Australian women just to name a few.

 

Graham Seal has written a comprehensive history of Australia including facts and achievements by people who have previously been excluded from our history. 

I found these little known historical events to be quite interesting and at times amusing.

 

The book is not written in chronological order but rather through a series of nine headings with events, stories, poems and images that fit under each heading.

 

Graham Seal adds a very extensive notes section with links to articles to verify his research.

 

Australia's Greatest Stories would be of interest to anyone wanting to know the real Australia and the people behind some of the country's little known events. 

 

My rating 3 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 1st October 2024

Genre: Non Fiction / History

Pages: 343

RRP: AU$34.99 (trade paperback)

Source: courtesy of the publisher

 

 

Book Review: Endgame by Sarah Barrie

A CHAIN OF MURDERS, A PSYCHOTIC KILLER, A GAME SHE CANNOT WIN.

 

Endgame is the fourth and final book in Sarah Barrie's Lexi Winter series. 

 

I think anyone who has read the first three books in this series can't help but feel empathy and admiration for Lexi. She had an abusive childhood and problematic youth however turned her life around and became a vigilante chasing child abusers and dishing out her own justice until she was employed by the police to use her skills to uncover abusers with the law on her side.

Endgame is another action packed story and the pace is non-stop. Lexi must stop her nemesis, Damon Vaughn, a serial child predator, before more people are killed. Vaughn's mind games are relentless and Lexi starts to second-guess who she can really trust. 

 

Endgame has dual plot-lines of teen rape culture and drug use, and Lexi's chase to stop Vaughn. I was intrigued to see how the two storylines would connect.

There is also a myth about a ghost that haunts the beach causing paranoia to run rife amongst the teens of the town. 

 

Endgame is dark and gritty, a compelling read. I found Lexi wasn't as self-assured and hard hitting as in previous books but it was a fitting ending to the series with all loose ends nicely tied up.

 

The Lexi Winter series is a series that I would recommend be read in order to attain the full benefit of the stories.

 

My rating 3 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher: Harlequin Australia

Publication date: 13th November 2024

Series: Lexi Winter #4

Genre: Crime / Thriller

Pages: 416

RRP: AU$34.99 (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Other books in the Lexi Winter Series

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