Tuesday 19 March 2024
Book Review: Devil's Lair by Sarah Barrie
Friday 8 March 2024
Book Review: The Accident by Fiona Lowe
The Accident
by
Fiona Lowe
Review: The Accident
Saturday 2 March 2024
Book Review: The Beacon by P. A. Thomas
The Beacon
by
P. A. Thomas
Review: The Beacon
Friday 23 February 2024
Book Review: Kaikoura Rendezvous by Stephen Johnson
Kaikoura Rendezvous
by
Stephen Johnson
Review: Kaikoura Rendezvous
Thursday 30 November 2023
Book Review: Deep in the Forest by Erina Reddan
Deep in the Forest
by
Erina Reddan
Review: Deep in the Forest
Wednesday 11 October 2023
Book Review: Girl in the Rearview Mirror by Kelsey Rae Dimberg
Girl in the Rearview Mirror
by
Kelsey Rae Dimberg
Review: Girl in the Rearview Mirror
Monday 25 September 2023
Book Review: Force of Nature by Jane Harper
Force of Nature
by
Jane Harper
Review: Force of Nature
Saturday 23 September 2023
Book Review: Simply Lies by David Baldacci
Simply Lies
by
David Baldacci
Review: Simply Lies
Wednesday 20 September 2023
Book Review: A Disappearance in Fiji by Nilima Rao
A Disappearance in Fiji
by
Nilima Rao
Review: A Disappearance in Fiji
Friday 15 September 2023
Book Review: Sleepless in Stringybark Bay by Susan Duncan
Sleepless in Stringybark Bay
by
Susan Duncan
Review: Sleepless in Stringybark Bay
Wednesday 6 September 2023
Book Review: Dirt Town by Hayley Scrivenor
Dirt Town
by
Hayley Scrivenor
Review: Dirt Town
WINNER OF THE 2023 CWA ILP JOHN CREASEY (NEW BLOOD) DAGGER AWARD
WINNER OF THE LAMBDA LITERARY AWARD FOR LGBTQ+ MYSTERY 2023
WINNER OF THE DAVITT AWARDS DEBUT CRIME BOOK 2023
SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2023 MARGARET AND COLIN RODERICK LITERARY AWARD
SHORTLISTED FOR THE NED KELLY AWARD FOR BEST DEBUT CRIME FICTION 2023
SHORTLISTED FOR THE INDIE BOOK AWARDS 2023 FOR DEBUT FICTION
SHORTLISTED FOR THE ABIA THE MATT RICHELL AWARD FOR NEW WRITER OF THE YEAR 2023
SHORTLISTED FOR THE DAVITT AWARDS ADULT CRIME NOVEL 2023
FINALIST FOR THE 2023 ITW THRILLER AWARDS FOR BEST FIRST NOVEL
Thursday 31 August 2023
Book Review: Mole Creek by James Dunbar
Mole Creek
by
James Dunbar
Review: Mole Creek
Sunday 27 August 2023
Book Review: The Murders at Fleat House by Lucinda Riley
The Murders at Fleat House
by
Lucinda Riley
Review: The Murders at Fleat House
Wednesday 26 July 2023
Book Review: Four Dogs Missing by Rhys Gard
Four Dogs Missing
by
Rhys Gard
Review: Four Dogs Missing
Wednesday 12 July 2023
Book Review: The Dry by Jane Harper
The Dry
by
Jane Harper
Review: the Dry
Saturday 1 July 2023
Book Review: After the Smoke Clears by Kylie Kaden
After the Smoke Clears
by
Kylie Kaden
This review first appeared on Beauty and Lace Book Club
Review: After the Smoke Clears
School teacher Lotti finds herself falling for August Nash and his 6 year old son Otto. Auggie has a bad boy outer shell but a mushy and gentle heart although he refuses to open up about his past. When August heads back to his hometown after receiving an urgent call for help from a friend, Lotti along with Otto decides to follow him.
As she asks around in Auggie’s hometown she starts to wonder if she really knows the man at all. What dark secrets is he hiding?
After the Smoke Clears, narrated by both Auggie and Lotti in present day 2009 and also by Auggie in 1989, is a compelling mystery read that slowly unfolds over both timelines.
Kylie Kaden has written a small country town mystery with themes of institutionalised abuse, mental illness, feeling of shame and victimisation.
I loved all the 80’s nostalgia throughout the story and Kaden’s depiction of small town policing and bullying were well portrayed. I did however find the story a bit too angst ridden for my liking and I felt the plot kept running round in circles and not moving forward fast enough for me. Still, a compelling read.
Saturday 17 June 2023
Book Review: The Ghost of Gracie Flynn by Joanna Morrison
The Ghost of Gracie Flynn
by
Joanna Morrison
My review of The Ghost of Gracie Flynn
Tuesday 16 May 2023
Book Review: Into the Night by Fleur McDonald
Into the Night
by
Fleur McDonald
Publisher: Allen & Unwin