Review: The Cross Thieves by Alan Fyfe

The Cross Thieves is a sharply observed literary fiction set in a small town on the outskirts of Mandurah, Western Australia. 

Alan Fyfe highlights the plight of the homeless, food insecurity and the difficulties faced by the impoverished in our digital world.

The Cross Thieves is set over one night where brothers Gark and Pell, two teenage boys who have found themselves homeless after a series of unfortunate events, go on a quest for revenge after the murder of a friend. The brothers' hunger and desperation is vividly described.

Fyfe keenly depicts the boys' passion for what is right. In a spontaneous act of revenge, and not really thinking through the consequences, they steal a cross with their nemesis' name engraved on it, a member of the town's biggest criminal family.

The Cross Thieves, although set over one night, has backstory told through letters from their mother to her sister and conversations between characters. The author often breaks the fourth wall and speaks to the reader directly.

Fyfe adds plenty of dark humour as the boys race through the night, cross in tow, coming across other characters in their covert operation. I loved that the boys spent the whole night running and fearful, not knowing what to do next only to end up right back where they started. This really appealed to my sense of humour.

There is a side story about a religious zealot, Pastor Joshua Chord, who twists religious texts to suit his own agenda. His involvement in the boys' mother and aunt's lives is told through letters between the two women. Crossing paths with the boys on this fateful night will have dire consequences for the pastor.

The Cross Thieves is the second book in a trilogy and I can honestly say I didn't feel like I had missed anything by not reading the first book. There is plenty of backstory interspersed throughout to let the reader know what preceded. I'm not generally good with literary fiction but I found The Cross Thieves grew on me more after I finished the book. I kept thinking about the characters and how true to life they felt.

Fyfe portrays Gark and Pell's circumstances with compassion and highlights the fierce bond the brothers have.

The Cross Thieves is coarse, violent and darkly funny with real characters, straight from struggle street.

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: Transit Lounge

Publication date: 1st March 2026

Genre: Literary Fiction

Pages: 208

RRP: AU$32.99

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Quikmark Media

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Review: Flowers in July by Anna Maynard

I really enjoyed Dancing With Bees by Anna Maynard and Flowers in July is even better! Flowers in July is an emotional and heart-warming read.

Mary moves to Hobart, Tasmania with her boyfriend Felix to complete a six month term at Hobart hospital to advance her career in medicine.

Mary feels responsible for her family; her sister is a struggling single mother and her mother is alcohol dependent. The guilt over leaving them behind is immense.

When she finds out her boyfriend is cheating on her, again, she packs up and leaves. However her confidence is low and she finds herself blaming his actions on her own failings.

Mary has seen the brooding and intimidating emergency doctor Abel Sutherland at work and does her best to stay out of his way. But when a wilderness training retreat throws them together sparks fly.

Anna Maynard portrays the grumpy, brooding male protagonist so well. Her men always have a kind and gallant heart inside that grumpy exterior.

Mary was very easy to like. She was smart, kind hearted and a bit socially awkward.

Flowers in July was such a fun read. I liked both Mary and Abel and loved seeing them get flustered around each other. This is a slow-burn romance but not frustratingly slow. I feel that Maynard paced it well.

There are themes of living your own life and the fact that propping people up all the time, even though you love them very much, isn't helping them get their life together.

Flowers in July is a witty, heartfelt and uplifting read filled with lovable characters and laugh-out-loud moments.

My rating 5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 31st march 2026

Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Romance

Pages: 336

RRP: AU$34.99 (trade paperback)

Source: courtesy of the publisher

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