Book Review: Wings Above the Mallee by Léonie Kelsall

Wings Above the Mallee is Léonie Kelsall's 7th novel and finds us back in Settlers Bridge, a small town that has entered my heart along with all of its residents. I love the community spirit, the gossip and the matchmaking seniors.

Amelia arrives in Settlers with her rescue pets, dusty the magpie and Biggles the possum. She is running from heartache and won't connect with anyone too deeply as the fear of caring again is too great. She has come to visit good friend Taylor and work a temp job for a few months before moving on again.

 

Heath is now living in Settlers Bridge with his father Sean who is battling an alcohol addiction. Heath is angry and despondent which is his way of coping with the guilt and grief over the death of his wife.

I loved the relationship between Sean and Heath. Sean kept an eye on Heath and always looked for some brightness in every day and made sure to point this out to Heath. He never gave up on Heath even though he had his own problems.

Wings Above the Mallee is the story of two broken people coming together but fearing that their combined grief may be too much to bear. There is always an underlying message of hope that they could help each other to heal.

You will find lots of heartache in Wings Above the Mallee, which overwhelmed me at times, however the lovely community balanced this out with their matchmaking and fun gossip. Throw in a dose of animal rescue, communities working together and some teenage rage all making Wings Above the Mallee a book not to be missed.

Wings Above the Mallee is an exploration of grief, loss, guilt and addiction and the long process to forgiveness and healing.

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 7th January 2025

Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Rural Romance

Pages: 338

RRP: AU$32.99 (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Other books by Leonie Kelsall

THE FARM AT PEPPERTREE CROSSING

THE WATTLE SEED INN 

THE WILLOW TREE WHARF

THE RIVER GUM COTTAGE 

THE BLUE GUM CAMP

THE HOMESTEAD IN THE EUCALYPTS

 

 

Book Review: The Homestead in the Eucalypts by Léonie Kelsall

Firstly I want to thank fellow blogger Helen Sibbritt for generously sending me a copy of The Homestead in the Eucalypts. I absolutely loved it!! I think it may be my favourite book of 2025. I'm calling it early. What a way to start the year! 

 

The Homestead in the Eucalypts is a dual time-line narration which is something different from Léonie's previous book and she really smashed it. The change between time-lines was smooth and the connection was well plotted.

The prose are beautiful and the historical love story between Anna & Luke was perfectly portrayed. But I've digressed because The Homestead in the Eucalypts is Taylor's story. Taylor is the compassionate and hardworking doctor we have all come to love from the previous books. Taylor initially comes across as self-centred as she is having a hard time with life not quite going her way. She is pulled between living her own life and also supporting her mother. But underneath this pouty exterior is the Taylor we love and we see it emerge throughout the book.

 

I loved how Léonie Kelsall connected the two time-lines with parallels between Taylor and Anna's lives. There is lots of character growth and even though it includes two love stories Anna & Luke's captured my heart.

 

The Homestead in the Eucalypts also brought together exactly how many of Setters Bridge residents  are related and it truly added another dimension to the previous books.

 

Bravo Léonie Kelsall, you went out on a limb and made it work!! More historical fiction please! 

 

My rating 5 / 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 2nd July 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction / Romance

Pages: 432

Source: Gifted from a friend

 

Other books by Leonie Kelsall

THE FARM AT PEPPERTREE CROSSING

THE WATTLE SEED INN 

THE WILLOW TREE WHARF

THE RIVER GUM COTTAGE 

THE BLUE GUM CAMP

 

 

Book Review: Out in Nowhere by Fleur McDonald

 Out in Nowhere is the novel where we say goodbye to Detective Dave Burrows, the country detective who wears his heart on his sleeve. Readers have been through much with Dave and it's sad to see him hang up his hat. However, Barker Police Station looks to be in good hands with Constable Mia Worth.

 

Mia really proved she's got what it takes to be a great country cop in Out in Nowhere.

Fleur McDonald knows how to pull her readers into a story and I was fully invested within the first few pages.

A young farmer is found dead at the bottom of a windmill. It is written off as a farming accident by everyone including Dave, but Mia is not so sure and thinks more questioning and more digging needs to be done. I loved Mia's tenacity and drive!

When the deceased's old Uni friends gather for the funeral another of their group is found dead after a terrible accident.

 

With a compelling, tension filled mystery and cliff-hanger chapter endings Out in Nowhere is a book I found impossible to put down. I read it in one day.

 

Fleur McDonald writes about the hardships, remoteness and isolation of rural life with an authentic rural voice.

Out in Nowhere is a fitting, suspense filled ending to the Det Dave Burrows series.

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 29th October 2024

Genre: Crime / Mystery / Suspense

Pages: 336

RRP: AU$32.99 (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher 

 

Other books I've read by Fleur McDonald

RED DUST

THE SHEARER"S WIFE 

BROAD RIVER STATION

VOICES IN THE DARK 

INTO THE NIGHT

DECEPTION CREEK 

WITHOUT A DOUBT

RED DIRT COUNTRY 

SOMETHING TO HIDE 

RISING DUST

SHOCK WAVES 

 

Book Review: Kookaburra Cottage by Maya Linnell

Kookaburra Cottage is set in the wine region of rural South Australia. I love that Maya Linnell showcases different types of agriculture in her books, such as wineries, horticulture and floriculture.

 

April Lacey is a horticulturist and her produce wins many awards at the local Penwarra Show each year. Her father owns and runs the Lacewing Estate winery.

April hopes to bring the tired looking winery up to date but is facing resistance from her father. She decides to start on the old cottage turning it into a B&B.

Connor Jamison has arrived from England to learn all he can from Australian wine makers and secures a job at Lacewing Estate.

 

Kookaburra Cottage is a gorgeous heart-warming story filled with the most fabulous characters. I loved the fun of the baking disasters and the cooking classes taken by April and Connor. The lead up to the Penwarra Show and all the events of the day were a delightful part of the story.

 

There are ups and downs for April and Connor to work through and a disastrous event that has everyone pitching in to help out.

Both April and Connor have old hurts to overcome. Can they let go of their past to start over again?

 

Kookaburra Cottage is a heart-warming story filled with sweet country charm, perfect to sit back, relax and immerse yourself in rural South Australia's wine country.

Kookaburra Cottage would have to be my favourite of all Maya Linnell's novels.

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 1st January 2023

Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Rural Romance

Pages: 376

Source: Own Copy

 

Other books by Maya Linnell

PAPERBARK HILL

MAGPIE'S BEND

BOTTLEBRUSH CREEK 

WALLABY LANE

 

 

Book Review: Paperbark Hill by Maya Linnell

Paperbark Hill is Maya Linnell's fourth novel featuring the McIntyre sisters Lara, Diana, Penny and Angie. 

 

Paperbark Hill is Diana's story. Two years on from her husband's tragic death from an accident Diana is realising her dream of growing dahlias on a commercial level whilst also caring for her four young sons.

 

Ned Gardiner and his two children are off to their next stop for Ned's locum work as a pharmacist when he gets a call that his father has died. Putting his job on hold he returns to the family farm to sort out his father's affairs.

 

Paperbark Hill is such a fun story. I loved Diana! She is bubbly and confident, speaks her mind and is not afraid to ask for help.

Ned and Diana both have tragedy in their past and whilst Ned needs to reconcile with his mother and forgive the past, Diana is wracked with feelings of betrayal when she thinks about spending time with Ned. She also must deal with her eldest son's antagonism toward Ned as he feels he will take his father's place.

Paperbark Hill is not only Diana's story but a story about the whole community and how they come together and help each other.

 

Maya Linnell's sweet, slow-burn romance reads are very realistic. Spend a country Christmas with the McIntyre clan. I enjoyed being back with Diana, Lara, Penny and Angie. 

 

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 31st May 2022

Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Rural Romance

Pages: 384 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

 

Book Review: Magpie's Bend by Maya Linnell

 Magpie's Bend is Lara McIntyre's story and as with the previous books all McIntyre sisters pop in and out of the story showing what a close-knit family they are.

 

Lara is a single mother to teenager Evie, who is at boarding school. When the general store owner has a fall and ends up in hospital the whole town , led by Lara, pitches in to help run the store.

Journalist Toby Paxton is new to town and Lara has caught his eye. Their first meeting didn't go so well and now he is eager to make a good impression volunteering to help out at the store.

 

Magpie's Bend is a fabulous story that showcases country community spirit with everyone helping with the store and fundraising events including a singles ball.

I love that Maya's love for baking makes its way into all her books.

 

We get a little of Lara's backstory and find out why she values her privacy. The community is tight-lipped as they close around one of their own. Can Lara put her trust in someone again and find love? 

 

Magpie's Bend is a super sweet, clean romance story that is more about the community than the burgeoning romance between Lara and Toby. It's a slow burn romance but we still get that much anticipated HEA.

 

My rating 3 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐ 

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 1st June 2021

Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Rural Romance

Pages: 360

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Previous books by Maya Linnell

BOTTLEBRUSH CREEK

 

Book Review: Bottlebrush Creek by Maya Linnell

I've had a pile of Maya Linnell books on my shelf, crying out to be read, for a while now. So, I decided to read the four books back-to-back.

There is nothing like immersing yourself in an author's characters knowing you will be back with them all again as soon as you open the next book. 

 

First off is Bottlebrush Creek where I was introduced to the McIntyre sisters, Lara, Diana, Penny and Angie.

Bottlebrush Creek is Angie's story. She has moved away from her family with her husband Rob Jones and their young daughter Claudia. Rob and Angie have purchased a cottage that needs extensive renovations. It is not until they move that Angie finds out it borders Rob's parents farm.

Bottlebrush Creek is a highly engaging family centric story about compromise, the stress of money worries and the involvement of well meaning grandparents.

Angie finds it hard to cope with Rosa's over zealous grandparenting and constant advice, always comparing her actions to what she thinks her deceased mother would do. All Rosa wants is her whole family together again and is overjoyed to spend time with her granddaughter.

 

Bottlebrush Creek is a heart-wrenching story of a family at breaking point that will have readers eager for a second chance for the whole Jones family.

 

Maya Linnell focuses her novels on country communities and the problems that can be faced in rural areas. However, her readers can always be assured of a happy ending.

 

Bottlebrush Creek is a delightfully sweet story about family, forgiveness and helping each other.

 

My rating 5 / 5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 2nd June 2020

Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Rural romance

Pages: 352

Source: Own Copy

Book Review: Sarah Evans by Bernice Barry

 Sarah Evans is the powerful debut novel by Australian author Bernice Barry and I was totally immersed from the first to the very last page. After I'd read the last page and closed the book I actually said Wow! It was that impactful.

Set in early 1800's London, the story follows the life of Sarah Evans. Wrongly accused of theft she is sentenced to transportation to Australia (a fate considered worse than death). However when she catches the eye of the imperious Governor Aris he spirits her away to be his housemaid. What follows is a life of physical and sexual abuse in a time when women had no rights, none more so than those in poverty.

 

Sarah Evans is a totally captivating and heart-wrenching story. Closely based on the real life circumstances of Sarah Evans with events and dialogue drawn from original documents and prison records.

 

Bernice Barry brings her readers into a world filled with violence, corruption and ingrained poverty. It was a time of political upheaval and men championing social justice and equality were imprisoned. 

 

Through Sarah Evans we are given a protagonist who is down trodden, beaten and raped but still finds her voice for women's rights and never gives up the hope of freedom.

Sarah Evans is a powerful story where women don't judge each other's actions but do whatever they can to help each other whether it be a morsel of food or a bed for the night.

If you read historical fiction, Sarah Evans is one book not to be missed.

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 3rd September 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 304

RRP: AU$32.99 ( trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Book Review: Twist of Fate by Karly Lane

 Before I add my review of Twist of Fate I will just add the giveaway link again as third time lucky I'm sure it's all okay now. If you didn't get to enter for all the packs you were interested in just fill out the form and enter again. https://forms.gle/SdVozaKVmv2tPNRS8

 

Twist of Fate is yet another brilliant read from Australian author Karly Lane. It is funny, engaging and heartwarming.

 

Bel Buckley is all about positive affirmation and believes all she needs to do to manifest her soul mate is write a list of exactly what she wants in a soulmate and sit back and wait.

 

I sped through Twist of Fate. It is the perfect holiday read. A closed door rural romance with all the feels. 

Karly Lane adeptly writes about rural life and the ups and downs of living in the same small town all your 

life. 

Bel had always dreamed of leaving the small town of Wessex as soon as she could but when her grandmother became ill she decided to stay and care for her. Now she is content to escape through her romance novels where there is always the perfect hero to sweep a girl off her feet. That is until the embodiment of her latest book crush turns up in town to be best man at her cousin's wedding.

Twist of Fate is the un-put-downable story about small-town communities, people banding together in times of need, farming accidents, regenerative farming and taking a chance on love.

Twist of Fate is beautifully written with an authentic rural flavour, natural banter and unforgettable characters making it an absolute delight to read.

My rating 5/ 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 3rd December 2024

Genre: Rural romance

Pages: 352

RRP: AU$32.99

Source: courtesy of the publisher

 

Other books I've read by Karly Lane.

TAKE ME HOME

THE WRONG CALLAHAN

MR RIGHT NOW 

A STONE'S THROW AWAY 

SOMETHING LIKE THIS

FOOL ME ONCE

ONCE BURNT, TWICE SHY 

TIME AFTER TIME 

FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE 

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY

 

 

Book Review: Mural by Stephen Downes

Mural is a taut and haunting work of literary fiction. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it won awards one day. 

 

Most of the story went over my head. Literary fiction is not one of my strong points but I could still see the underlying genius of it.

In Mural Stephen Downes explores the mind of a criminal. D, all the reader knows him by, is imprisoned for an unknown crime. He is asked by his psychiatrist Dr Reynolds to write a journal of his thoughts, his life's reflections. 

 

Mural will appeal to readers working in the mental health industry and, with black & white images of artwork throughout, readers interested in the arts. 

 

I will leave you with this review by Nick Haslam as it sums the book up perfectly.

 

"A gripping interior account of an unhinged and violent mind. The narrator, D, institutionalised and guilty of unnamed atrocities, directs an extended monologue to his psychiatrist that is in turn reflective, cultured and misanthropic. D is a memorable character, vividly painted; a sharp-edged combination of erudition and paranoia. Downes skillfully creates a growing sense of menace as D's thoughts twist and turn around his varied tics and fixations. This is a viscerally compelling portrait of derangement that will appeal to readers of quality fiction."  Nick Haslam, Professor of Psychology, University of Melbourne and co-author of Troubled Minds.

 

My rating 3/ 5 ⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher: Transit Lounge

Publication date: 1st September 2024

Genre: Literary Fiction

Pages: 208

RRP: AU$32.99 (hardback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Quikmark Media 

Book Review: Grace & Marigold by Mira Robertson

Through Grace & Marigold Australian author Mira Robertson brings 1970's bohemian London to life on the page.

 

It's 1974 when 20 year old Grace leaves Australia to reinvent herself. Sloughing off her Australian accent she immerses herself in what she believes is the real London experience, living in communal squats, debating politics, attending drug fueled street parties and taking part in protest rallies.

The story follows Grace and her new found friends as she struggles with her sexuality and falls secretly in love with the charismatic and furtive Marigold.

 

Grace & Marigold will appeal to anyone who lived these rebellious, tumultuous days of the mid seventies and will bring back memories of a wild untamed freedom enjoyed by many of the 20somethings of that time. Young adult readers will enjoy an insight into the lives of their boomer parents/grandparents and may just be surprised how radical they were.

 

Grace & Marigold is a sapphic coming-of-age story and I enjoyed Grace's evolution. There are many tender moments and moments of tension with plenty of humour interspersed throughout the story.

 

My rating 3 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher: Spinifex Press 

Publication date: 6th August 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction / LGBT

Pages: 272

RRP: AU$32.95

Source: Courtesy of the publisher 

 

Book Review: The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth

The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth is a compelling mystery thriller centred around two married couples, Pippa & Gabe and Amanda & Max, and their unconventional love stories.

The Soulmate had me totally hooked right from the start! Sally Hepworth highlights all the messiness of marriage in this domestic suspense novel, and questions what makes the perfect marriage.

This is one of those stories where everyone is behaving badly and all the main characters have something to hide. So be prepared for unlikeable characters.

There is lots of back and forth with the then and now timelines which did cause some disconnection with the story for me.

The omniscient point of view of a character after they had died was a novel idea and I loved it!

The Soulmate is an  entertaining read filled with twists and turns. A story about love, family, betrayal, secrets and forgiveness. Sally Hepworth raises the question; What lengths would you go to for your soulmate?

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Content: suicide, postnatal depression, infidelity, mental illness.

Publisher: Macmillan Australia

Publication date: 25th October 2022

Genre: Mystery / Thriller

Pages: 320

Source: Own copy

Other books I've read by Sally Hepworth

THE MOTHER-IN-LAW

 

Book Review: Three Ways With Stale Bread by Ross Dobson

Three Ways With Stale Bread is a compilation of 300 plain and simple recipes presented in a casual and relaxed format with ingredients highlighted throughout the recipe rather than given as a list.

 

There is nothing flashy about Three Ways With Stale Bread. The book is plain and simple just like the recipes inside. There are no glossy photos of the finished dishes. This is more a recipe book to be left on the kitchen bench and actually used on a day to day basis.

In this innovative recipe book Ross Dobson has formulated a simple method of using leftover ingredients, with a list of 100 common ingredients you would find in fridges and pantries all over Australia and corresponding recipes.

 

Simply look up the ingredient you have at hand from the list of 100 common ingredients, turn to the relevant page and there will be three quick and simple recipes using that main ingredient.

100 ingredients and 300 delicious, fuss free recipes with an extensive index and conversion chart in the back of the book.

 

I'll let Rob have the last word:

 

This book is not about reinventing your pantry ..... it's all about making the most of what you have at hand. It is all about being creative, thoughtful and resourceful. 

- Ross Dobson

 

Three Ways With Stale Bread is the perfect book for gifting in times like these when we are all looking for ways to be more thrifty.

My rating 4/ 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 3rd September 2024

Genre: Non Fiction / Cooking

Pages: 224

RRP: AU$29.99 (paperback)

Source: courtesy of the publisher

 

Book Review: No Autographs, Please! by Katherine Wiles

No Autographs, Please is the highly entertaining memoir and backstage pass to life in the chorus by decades-long member of Opera Australia, Katherine Wiles.

 

Katherine has a very personable way of writing and I don't think I've enjoyed reading a memoir as much as I enjoyed No Autographs, Please! I found myself eager to pick the book up every chance I could get. High praise from someone who doesn't read much non-fiction.

Written with candour, Katherine writes about life in the chorus; the things that went right and the things that went terribly wrong, the rehearsals, bone-aching tiredness, the glamorous and not so glamorous, the friendships and the behind the scenes hijinks.

 

I've only ever been to the opera once, and that was in high school, but after reading No Autographs, Please! I felt I had a whole new appreciation of all it takes to put on a production. I have a real yearning now to watch a performance and become a part of the whole opera experience.

 

Katherine writes about the wonderful experiences she has had through Opera Australia, the impact of Covid, her battle with stage fright and her favourite onstage performances. All written with humility and real emotion. Katherine's love for all the opera encompasses shines through on every page.

 

You don't need to be an opera fan to enjoy this open, engaging and humorous memoir about life in the chorus line.

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 3rd September 2024

Genre: Non-Fiction / Memoir

Pages: 288

RRP: AU$34.99 (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

 

Book Review: Beam of Light by John Kinsella

John Kinsella's Beam of Light is a collection of 29 short stories emphasising his unique voice and writing style. Little vignettes of life, a snapshot in time.

Beam of Light has a subtle theme of fitting in and belonging. Most of the stories are set in country areas where poverty, isolation and drugs are at the forefront. Kinsella highlights pivotal moments in his characters' lives, a turning point or awakening.

 

I feel it can be very hard to achieve any character development in such few pages, however Kinsella has managed to accomplish a reader to character connection in many of his stories. I felt a real empathy for them as most were unsettled, nuanced characters facing dysfunctional relationships, environmental issues and feeling of disconnect.

 

Some stories went over my head, others made me laugh and some were heart-wrenching. I found there to be a great mix for any reader and if I didn't connect with one story it was only a few pages until the next one. That's the joy of short stories!

 

John Kinsella has written stories that will move, fascinate and delight you. Beam of Light is a great introduction to newcomers to his work.

 

My rating 4.2 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (averaged over 29 stories)

 

Publisher: Transit Lounge

Publication date: 1st September 2024

Genre: Short Stories / Literary Fiction

Pages: 272

RRP: AU$32.99 (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

 

 

Book Review: A Cold Season by Matthew Hooper

A Cold Season is the searing debut novel from Australian author Matthew Hooper. It is a heart-rending story of loss and grief set during a freezing post WWI winter in a small house in the foothills of Mt Kosciusko.

 

The narrator is 14 year-old Beth as she retells what happened the year her 17 year-old brother Sam went missing. Sam was trekking the hills above their property when a storm came through and trapped him on the mountain. Their father, Owens, leaves to find him and also becomes trapped in the winter storm.

 

As they wait for Sam and Owens to return Beth's mother Grace, convinced they will never return, finds solace in the local outlaw, Wallace.

Her burden of grief turns to anger and she blocks out Beth's brother Sasha and lashes out at Beth. 

 

Matthew Hooper never lets the reader forget how bitterly cold and harsh the climate is.

 

"I felt colder, like my clothes was not working and the mountain's cold was right inside me, making me shiver and shake and rub my knees."

The use of prose that are both lyrical and illiterate portray an uneducated narrator as Beth tells the story in her own words.

"But mostly we was thinking about Owens and Sam, ........ and we was both filled to the brim with upset and worry what sat in our stomachs like heavy stones submerged in dark sorrow-water what filled us up."

A Cold Season is a deeply felt story about how grief is managed in different ways. It is a story filled with sorrow and love and hate, and a sadness that is all consuming.

 I'd love to see it on the big screen one day.

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If I could give it more stars I would!

 

Publisher: Transit Lounge

Publication date: 1st October 2024

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 224

RRP: AU$32.99 (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Quikmark Media

 

 

Book Review: The Paris Mystery by Kirsty Manning

The Paris Mystery is a cosy crime novel set in 1930's Paris, on the cusp of WWII. It is the first book in Kirsty Manning's Charlotte 'Charlie' James series.

 

Journalist Charlie James leaves Australia for a position at The Times Paris. She purposefully calls herself Charlie to circumvent preconceived notions of women in journalism.

Charlie is sent to cover a ball held by socialites Lord & Lady Ashworth. When a prominent Parisian is found murdered in the grounds of the ball, Charlie seizes the opportunity to interview attendees hoping this will be the scoop that will prove to her boss that she can do this job.

 

The Paris Mystery is an enthralling mystery. I had no idea who had murdered the victim and as Charlie, together with the police, interview each person we find that many people disliked the man enough to kill him.

 

An eclectic group of characters are introduced from many different countries that make up the Parisian community.

 

Kirsty Manning lusciously describes the beautiful gowns worn by Charlie and her friend Violet and evokes the sense of a flamboyant Paris before the hardships of war. The food, clothes and extravagant balls are all enchantingly described to bring the setting alive. 

 

As The Paris Mystery is the first in a series the pace is slow as the reader gets to know Charlie and the circumstances that led her to Paris.

 

Kirsty Manning takes her readers to 1930's Paris, to a world of luscious gowns, extravagant balls, illicit affairs, blackmail, murder and spirited females.

 

My rating 3 / 5   ⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 30th August 2022

Series: Charlotte 'Charlie' James #1

Pages: 320

Source: Own copy

 

Book Review: Head for the Hills by Tricia Stringer

 I'm finding Head for the Hills very hard to review. Whilst I enjoyed the storyline, and it kept me reading and engaged, I didn't enjoy the characters. For me, the story needed at least one character that was fun and cheerful.

 

When a local of Jesserton, a small town in the Adelaide Hills, dies unexpectedly the sale of his land to a large hotel chain divides the community and causes animosity between sisters Margot and Roslyn.

 

Margot is very much against the idea of the hotel and decides to gather the community together to voice their concerns. However as the hotel's sales team start to sweet talk the local business owners' allegiances move, causing conflict in the community. 

The story of the development revolves around a side story of relationships within Margot's own family. Which includes her children, their partners, her sister and sister-in-law.

There were lots of secrets being kept and I felt Roslyn seemed to undermine Margot by not being open with her about the things she was doing. The sisters were close; they lived next door to each other and there was plenty of opportunity to be honest and upfront.

I found all the characters to be very judgy of each other. The adult children came across as entitled and Margot's husband really got my ire up.

There is also a theme of homelessness when Roslyn is coerced into taking in a homeless teen who is escaping an abusive relationship. Amber is angry with the whole world but Roslyn starts to warm to her as she sees that Amber is really trying to make a go at life. This leads to Roslyn looking into what more she can do for the homeless and disadvantaged.

 

I did love the menu chapter headings for the family dinner nights.

Head for the Hills is a story about small towns, progress, homelessness and family. It would make for a great holiday read.

My rating 3 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐

 

Publisher: Harlequin Australia

Publication date: 2nd October 2024 

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Pages: 464

RRP: AU$34.99 (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

Books I've read and rated 5 stars by Tricia Stringer

TABLE FOR EIGHT

BIRDS OF A FEATHER
BACK ON TRACK

Also worth a read

KEEPING UP APPEARANCES

 

Book Review: Shadow Lives by Neil A White

Shadow Lives is an unforgettable and moving story. I was completely enamoured with Matt by the end of the book. His growth from a man who only thought of himself to someone who risked his life for a woman he didn't even know was so realistic and well plotted.

 

Addicted to prescription drugs and having an open contempt for authority Matt has no trouble getting himself into, and out of, life or death situations. This makes for a suspenseful and action packed story.

 

Foreign Correspondent Matt Latham is in Ukraine to interview Russian Billionaire philanthropist Arkady Voronin. A bomb goes off as he is about to enter the club in which the interview was to take place, killing his interpreter Katya Formina and causing Matt to end up in hospital with memory loss.

 

Feeling responsible for Katya's death Matt visits her parents and finds out Katya has been searching for her sister who left home two years ago for a modelling job. Matt decides he will find Nadiya and bring her home.

What starts out as an exclusive interview with a Russian Billionaire soon turns into a story of spys, human trafficking, rape, abuse, political intrigue and corruption. 

 

Shadow Lives is at times hard to read, especially the chapters on the trafficked teenage girls.

 

Fans of noir fiction will love this flawed protagonist. Matt Latham is both frustrating and endearing in equal measures.

 

I found Shadow Lives to be gripping, tension filled and highly engaging.

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Content: rape, abuse, drug use, suicide. 

Publisher: Echo Publishing

Publication date: 30th July 2024

Genre: Crime / Thriller

Pages: 325

RRP: AU$32.99 (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Book Review: Prize Catch by Alan Carter

I've always enjoyed Alan Carter's writing and Prize Catch is no exception. Not only are his characters engaging the settings are always evocative and beautifully described.

 

With Prize Catch Alan Carter has mixed a cleverly crafted plot with superb character development.

 

Sam Willard is a complex mixture of hero and villain. I haven't come across such a likeable anti-hero as Sam since Jack Dunne in Outrider.

Prize Catch is rich in suspense and although I found the beginning slow the pace soon picked up and I became totally immersed in the story.

I liked that it was set during the early days of Covid lockdowns which made an isolated Tasmania the perfect setting for a manhunt.

 

With dual plot lines of activists against a big salmon farm and war crimes in Afghanistan, I was eager to see how these two vastly different areas would come together.

 

Prize Catch is a riveting crime novel but I think it was the fabulous characters that really stood out to me. 

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: Fremantle Press

Publication date: 1st October 2024

Genre: Crime

Pages: 312pp

RRP: AU$34.99

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Good Reading Magazine

*This review appeared first for the Good Reading Early Bird reviews.

Other Alan Carter books I've reviewed:

DOOM CREEK

CROCODILE TEARS