Sunday 10 July 2022
Book Review: Someone Else's Child by Kylie Orr
Sunday 3 July 2022
Book Review: Summer at Kangaroo Ridge by Nicole Hurley-Moore
My review of Summer at Kangaroo Ridge
Friday 1 July 2022
Spotlight on other books I've read this month - June
I read this book in a day. Tony Maguire writes Marianne's story with candour.
A young, lonely little girl manipulated and abused by a trusted neighbour. It's impossible to imagine that nobody stopped him, nobody cared for this child.
Narrated in two time-lines; Marianne as a young child and then in middle-age, married with her own grown children.
One thing I noticed in this book is Marianne doesn't delve on her mental state, which I would presume was bad, just a few mentions of self harm. This story is not about garnering sympathy, it's a cleansing, a coming to terms with her past.
My deepest regret is the perpetrator doesn't appear to have been punished. It's hard not to wonder if other victims followed.
A highly recommended read.
Through the Starr and Mabbett families Robbi Neal explores social and family issues relevant to the time period; the bonds of friendship, how the war affected all families, polio, air raid shelters, rationing and the importance of the church.
The story isn't so much about Connie but her whole family. Her father is the local pastor, a sensitive man who has bouts of depression due to feelings of failure. It is Connie's mother, Flora, who runs the household and supports the town folk in their time of need.
Robbi includes issues of underage sign-ups, teenage pregnancy and the loss of a child.
World events during the time period are seamlessly included throughout the narration.
A brilliantly observed story of people and their foibles, regrets, loves and disappointments.
In One of Us we get to climb security fences and peek through the hedges at the residents of an exclusive gated community.
One of Us is a gripping domestic noir filled with simmering secrets. I was intrigued with this story right from the prologue; a husband attacked and a wife in tears. The question of who was attacked is in the back of your mind as you read. Then there is the mystery of the attacker with many of the characters having a motive.
Monday 13 June 2022
Book Review: The Sawdust House by David Whish-Wilson
Crane asks Sullivan questions and Sullivan's replies form the story of his life. At times Sullivan turns the tables on Crane and asks him about his life. Crane tells of growing up as a Mormon, the harsh times in Missouri and move to Salt Lake Valley.
photo credit:Goodreads |
Monday 6 June 2022
Book Review: The Reunion by Polly Phillips
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
I love a great revenge story and The Reunion didn’t disappoint! This was a book I wanted to pick up every spare minute. I was pulled into the story right from the prologue.
Emily and
husband Nick are gearing up for their university’s 15 year reunion.
Now Emily has a perfect life; a doting husband and two gorgeous
children but her past still haunts her. She has avoided her year’s
cohort for 15 years and now she wants answers but mostly she wants
revenge.
Polly Phillips slowly builds a mystery about Emily’s Uni days, alluding to something big happening, expertly teasing the story out keeping me glued to the pages.
You never really know the people closest to you is a major theme running through the novel.
Photo credit: Polly Phillips |
Sunday 5 June 2022
Book Review: The Wattle Seed Inn by Léonie Kelsall
Told through the eyes of Gabrielle, a city girl with something to prove, Hayden, the country boy that has underlying demons and Ilse, family matriarch and original owner of The Wattle Seed Inn (formerly Wurruldi Hotel).
Sunday 29 May 2022
Book Review & Giveaway: Esther's Children by Caroline Beecham
Pages: 376
"On our shoulders rests the future of many of Europe's finest minds...."
Caroline Beecham's writing is exquisite and I found it easy to picture Esther and her colleagues. However, I didn't quite connect with the story the way I did with her previous novels. I found myself wanting more of Harry's story, Esther's love interest and a refugee himself. I was interested in his life in Vienna, the changing face of the city, then in the internment camp where aliens who were classed as a risk to British security were held.
Esther Simpson was an amazing woman, risking her own life and foregoing a family of her own to help many men and women who went on to achieve greatness in their field and I feel Caroline Beecham has done her story proud in Esther's Children.
My rating 3.5 stars ⭐⭐⭐½
About the author
Caroline is a novelist, writer and producer. She is the author of four books: the bestselling novel, Maggie's Kitchen, Eleanor's Secret, Finding Eadie and Esther's Children, and has been published in the UK and the US. Her debut novel, Maggie's Kitchen, was shortlisted for Booktopia's Best Historical Fiction in 2016 and nominated as book of the year and Caroline as Best New Author by AusRom Today. She has worked in documentary, film and drama, and discovered that she loves to write fiction and to share lesser-known histories; particularly those of pioneering women whose lives speak to us now. Caroline studied the craft of novel writing at the Faber Academy in Sydney, with Curtis Brown Creative in London, and has a MA in Film & Television and a MA in Creative Writing. She currently lives in Sydney, Australia with her husband and two teenage sons.GIVEAWAY:
Thanks to the generosity of Allen & Unwin I have one paperback copy of Esther's Children to give away. (Australian postal addresses only). Entry is via the form below. Giveaway closes at midnight on 5th June 2022.
This giveaway is now closed and the winner was announced HERE
Monday 23 May 2022
Book Review: The Nurses' War by Victoria Purman
Publisher: Harlequin Australia
Sunday 22 May 2022
Book Review: Dead Horse Gap by Lee Christine
Genre: Crime / Mystery
Photo: Goodreads |
Monday 16 May 2022
Spotlight on books I've read over the last few months
Published by Fremantle Press
I was pulled into the story from the first
few pages. The action never stops in this gritty crime novel and just
when you think Carter has thrown everything at his main character he
throws in another murder and a couple of personal tragedies for Nick
to cope with.
Published by Self Published
When someone is found dead at a wedding Daphne is officiating at she can't help but become involved in the investigation.
Daphne reminded me of Miss Marple, she has an eye for things out of place and people tend to open up to her.
This was a fun cosy mystery and I enjoyed Daphne's investigative process. The story had a couple of good twists that I didn't see coming.
If you enjoy light, fun, Miss Marple type reads, Till Daph Do Us Part will appeal.
Published by Simon & Schuster
It’s 1973 and Margaret is the lead in Madama Butterfly to open at the newly built Sydney Opera House. Sophie is her understudy. She has her eye on the top and she has a plan and is prepared to do anything to succeed!