Book Review & Giveaway: Deception Creek by Fleur McDonald

 Deception Creek

by

Fleur McDonald

 

When secrets from the past threaten, loyalties are questioned

 

 Publisher: Allen & Unwin

 

Publication date: 2nd November 2021

 

Series: Detective Dave Burrows 

 

Genre: Rural crime

 

Pages: 376

 

RRP: $ 29.99AU

 

Format read: Paperback

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

About the book

 

Emma Cameron, a recently divorced farmer and a local in Barker, runs Deception Creek, the farm that three generations of her family have owned before her. Every day Emma pushes herself hard on the land, hoping to make ten-year-old memories of a terrible car accident disappear. And now there are more recent nightmares of an ex-husband who refuses to understand how much the farm means to Emma.

When criminal Joel Hammond is released from jail and heads home to Barker, Detective Dave Burrows and his officer Senior Sergeant Jack Higgins are on high alert. Joel has a long and sorry history with many of the townsfolk and they are not keen to see him home to stay.

Not all of the Barker locals want to see Joel run out of town though. Some even harbour doubts about Joel's conviction. The town finds itself split down the middle, families pitted against each other with devastating outcomes.

 

My review

 

I simply can't get enough of Detective Dave Burrows! This series is one I will definitely keep on my shelf to read again.

 

Joel Hammond is back in town after nine years in prison. His parents have passed away and Barker is the only home he knows. Joel wants a quiet  life but the residents of barker have long memories and a penchant for bearing grudges.

 

Emma having recently celebrated her divorce thinks it may be time to start dating again when an old friend, she shared a tragedy with in the past, comes to visit and clearly shows his interest in her and the farm.

 

Deception Creek is another suspense filled rural crime novel. Characters I have come to know and love reappear in this story and I gained a little more insight into their personalities.

 

Zara the investigative journalist and girlfriend of police officer Jack Higgins again has a major roll in this novel as she works along side Dave and Jack.

Fleur McDonald again features PTSD and the importance of counseling. Through Joel, who is still professing his innocence, we see the difficulty to adjust to everyday lofe after being in prison.

Dave Burrows is always cool and calm, keeping his feelers out for any trouble but never taking sides or judging anyone.

The mysteries start to build as an accidental death 29 years ago is questioned.

McDonald includes themes of white collar crime, online blackmail and long held secrets, mixing these with everyday farming techniques to give her books a true Australian flavour.

Fleur McDonald knows how to add mystery into every element of the story leaving her readers eagerly turning the pages.

 

My rating  5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

After growing up on a farm near Orroroo in South Australia, Fleur McDonald’s first job was jillarooing in the outback. She has been involved in agriculture all her life, including helping manage a 8000-acre station for twenty years. Today she and her two children, along with a Jack Russell and her energetic kelpie, Jack, live in Esperance, Western Australia, 

 

Giveaway

 

Thanks to Allen & Unwin I have one paperback copy of Deception Creek to giveaway to one lucky entrant. Australian addresses only.

 

This giveaway is closed - the winner was announced here

 

 

Book Review: The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa

The Cat Who Saved Books 

by

Sosuke Natsukawa

translated by Louise Heal Kawai 

 

 

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

Imprint: Picador 

 

Publication date:  14th September 2021

 

Genre: Fantasy / Contemporary Fiction

 

Pages: 224

 

RRP: $19.99AUD

 

Format read: Paperback

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

About the book

 

Bookish high school student Rintaro Natsuki is about ewto close the secondhand bookshop he inherited from his beloved grandfather. Then, a talking cat named Tiger appears with an unusual request. The cat needs Rintaro’s help to save books that have been imprisoned, destroyed and unloved.

Their mission sends this odd couple on an amazing journey, where they enter different labyrinths to set books free. Through their travels, Tiger and Rintaro meet a man who locks up his books, an unwitting book torturer who cuts the pages of books into snippets to help people speed read, and a publisher who only wants to sell books like disposable products. Then, finally, there is a mission that Rintaro must complete alone . . .

 

My review

 

I really thought I would love this book about a boy and a talking cat and how together they were going to save book, however it fell flat for me.

 

After his grandfather's passing, introvert Rintaro skips school and hides away in his grandfather's secondhand bookstore immersing himself in his favourite books. A talking tabby cat appears and asks for his help to save all books by completing three quests.

On each quest Rintaro must stop someone from doing what is perceived as mistreating books, by debating his views. He draws on ideals taught by his grandfather to complete these quests of words and principles.

 

I found the quests quite boring and the problems encountered not really that monumental. Maybe I'm missing the big picture but for me it was marred by airs of superiority. If we don't read classics, over and over, we don't love books?

 

There were some wonderful quotes about books teaching us compassion and empathy and how through books we can learn about other people and other places.

I enjoyed Rintaro's growth, through the quests he gained confidence and started to think about his own life differently and believe in himself.

 

Faultlessly translated by Louise Heal Kawai the words flowed effortlessly.

 

I am certain this philosophical Japanese fantasy will be loved by many. Just not me!

 

My rating 2 / 5   ⭐⭐ 

 

About the author

 

Sosuke Natsukawa is a Japanese physician and novelist, born in Osaka Prefecture in 1978. He graduated from the Shinshu University Medical School and practices medicine at a hospital in the largely rural prefecture of Nagano. His multivolume debut novel, Kamisama no Karute, published in 2009, won several prizes and sold over three million copies in Japan. The Cat Who Saved Books is set to be translated into over twenty languages around the world. 

 

 

Mailbox Monday: October 25th

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week (or month). It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday Blog.

 

 Happy Monday

 

It was so good to finally celebrate Freedom Day for New South Wales Australia.  We were allowed to have 10 visitors to our house which was just enough have our children and their partners visit to celebrate our youngest son's 30th Birthday.

 

 I've also been enjoying trips to the local shops and actually sitting down and having a coffee. The simple pleasures. 😀

The Prevention Australia virtual walk was held yesterday. It is a 10km walk to raise money for breast cancer trials. It has been lots of fun over the last 6 weeks training for our 10km walk.

 

 Jay found the perfect place to wait out the small shower of rain during our play at the park.

 I found this gorgeous Christmas decoration at Myer.

Book Fairies all over the world hid copies of Pony by R J Palacio on publication date. This is one of my books waiting to be found.

 

Books I've received and purchased over the last month.

 

 

 

 

Do any of the above peak your interest? What has arrived in your mailbox lately? 

 

 

Book Review: At the End of the Day by Liz Bryski

 At the End of the Day

by

Liz Bryski

 

It is never too late to make friends....

 

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

Publication date: 28th September 2021

 

Genre: Contemporary fiction

 

Pages: 336

 

RRP: $32.99AUD

 

Format read: Paperback 

 

Source: courtesy of the publisher

 

About the book

 

 When Mim Squires and Mathias Vander are stranded together on a disrupted flight home to Perth, they are surprised to find that they have much in common. Mim owns a bookshop, Mathias is a writer, and both are at turning points in their lives. Mim's childhood polio is taking a toll on her life. Mathias is contemplating a cross-continent move to be nearer his daughter.

But life back in Perth is not smooth sailing, with their respective family members going through their own upheavals. As Mim and Mathias both struggle to adjust to the challenges of being in their late seventies, secrets from the past that neither wishes to face rise to the surface, challenging their long-held beliefs in their independence and singularity.

At the end of the day, can they muster the wisdom and the courage they need to change?

 

My review

 

Miriam Squires is on her return to Perth after visiting her sister in England. She is starting to feel the effects of post polio and wonders if she will have the strength to make this trip again.

Mathias Vander is stopping over in Perth , to visit his daughter, on his return from Brussels where he was visiting his childhood friend Luc. Luc is dying and Mathias knows that was the last time he would see his old friend.

 

Miriam and Mathias meet while on an unplanned extended stopover and  find they have a lot in common. Their ensuing friendship enriches and changes not only their lives but also the lives of the people they hold most dear.

 

This was my first Liz Bryski novel and I love how her characters are real people with real flaws; they get annoyed with people, say the wrong thing at times and are often overwhelmed with life.

 

Miriam and Mathias had both migrated to Australia many years ago leaving behind family and friends and Liz Bryski highlights the dilemma caused by advancing age as they each find the trips back home harder and harder

As we watch Miriam and Mathias'  friendship grow the couple find they can open up about events they suffered as children and have kept locked away.

 

I enjoyed Liz Bryski's engaging writing style and even though many of the characters had faced adverse circumstances during their lives, which were quite emotional to read, the story on a whole was heartfelt and touching.

The book concludes on the cusp of the Covid19 pandemic. And we all know how that pans out!

 

Liz Bryski delivers engaging women's fiction through likeable characters and relatable life events. I am looking forward to reading some of her back list. 

 

my rating 4 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

 

Photo: Goodreads

 Liz Bryski is a novelist, non-fiction writer, former journalist and ABC broadcaster, with more than fifty years experience in the British and Australian media. She is the author of eleven bestselling novels, including Gang of Four and A Month of Sundays, as well as more than a dozen non-fiction books. She lives close to Freemantle in Western Australia, with Gazza, her three-year-old rescue dog who is in charge of exercise, household security and chasing cats. She has two sons and twin grandsons.

  

 

 

 
 

 

Challenges Entered: Australian Women Writers Challenge AWW2021

 

                                   Aussie Author Challenge #Aussieauthor21

 

 

Book Review: The Perfect Family by Robyn Harding

 The Perfect Family

by

Robyn Harding 

 

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Australia
 

Publication date: 28th July 2021

 

Genre: Mystery / Thriller

 

Pages: 336

 

RRP: $32.99AUD Paperback 

          $12.99AUD eBook

 

Format read: eBook

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley

 

About the book

 

Thomas and Viv Adler are the envy of their neighbors: attractive, successful, with well-mannered children and a beautifully restored home.

Until one morning, when they wake up to find their porch has been pelted with eggs. It’s a prank, Thomas insists; the work of a few out-of-control kids. But when a smoke bomb is tossed on their front lawn, and their car’s tires are punctured, the family begins to worry. Surveillance cameras show nothing but grainy images of shadowy figures in hoodies. And the police dismiss the attacks, insisting they’re just the work of bored teenagers. Unable to identify the perpetrators, the Adlers are helpless as the assaults escalate into violence, and worse. And each new violation brings with it a growing fear. Because everyone in the Adler family is keeping a secret—not just from the outside world, but from each other. And secrets can be very dangerous….

 

My review

 

The Perfect Family is a twisty tale of secrets, lies and family breakdown. Narrated in the first person by each member of the Adler family. Thomas is a real estate agent, Vivian an interior decorator, Eli a college football star, Tarryn a moody teenager.

 

We learn early in the book that each character has their secrets that are tearing at them and making their actions hurtful to others. 

The family home is targeted with what seems like random acts of vandalism but each family member thinks these attacks are brought on by something they did. As each person agonizes over their secrets and the problems they may be causing the family unit is further broken down.

 

Everyone in this book made me angry. Thomas was an idiot, Eli a coward and Tarryn a hypocrite. I didn't mind Vivian, her secret was a bit humorous and, although she wasn't doing a real good job of it, she was trying to hold her family together.

 

I think if the attacks on the family had have come first in the book, before I knew all their flaws, I may have felt more empathy as the attacks were quite terrifying. Although I didn't connect with the characters and found it mostly unbelievable the story did actually hold my interest and I was eager to get to the final conclusion.

 

No spoilers here, but that ending was just wrong!

 

The Perfect Family is a compelling family drama centred on peer pressure and standing up for yourself and what is right. 

 

My rating 3 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

 

Photo credit Goodreads

Robyn Harding is the author of several books and has written and executive produced an independent film. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and two children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Déjà Vu by Bobby Twidale

 Déjà Vu 

by

Bobby Twidale

Publisher: Cherry Publishing

 

Publication date: 30th April 2021

 

Genre: Romance

 

Pages: 253

 

Format read: eBook

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

About the book

 

Connie Bentley is not your average Newly Qualified Teacher. Moving back to live with her parents while working at St George's Independent Day School for boys is not how she imagined her life would be at thirty-two.

Art teacher Matt Turner is not average in any way. A relationship with a colleague eight years ago didn't lead to the happy outcome he'd expected — he’s now older, wiser, and warier.

When Connie and Matt meet, the spark of attraction is immediate and mutual. Although neither is going to admit to that because the more they learn about each other, the more they're both getting an uncomfortable feeling of déjà vu.

Will past hurt, raw wounds, and unexpected twists stand between them, or will they both get a second chance at love?

 

My review

 

Connie is back in her childhood home and on the bottom rung of a teaching career after a long term relationship ended badly.

I found the first half of this story really slow as it went through Connie's day to day life and her classes at the school. I did enjoy the slow burn romance with Matt, the sports teacher at the school. Matt was so sweet. He had been burnt before and was hesitant to open his heart.

 

I didn't warm to Connie at all and felt she was self-centred. Every decision she made was with herself in mind and she had done something previously that I just couldn't come to terms with.

 

With plenty of hurdles for the couple to negotiate there is also a big metoo moment in the story and I applaud Connie's courageousness where reporting this and following through was concerned.

 

Deja Vu is a slow burn romance story about starting afresh, making new friends and moving on with your life.

 

My rating 3 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐

 

 

 

Winner of a copy of Birds of a Feather by Tricia Stringer announced!!

 

 

Once again I would like to thank everyone who entered my giveaway for a copy of Birds of a Feather.  The giveaway closed on the 18th October and the winner was randomly selected (using Random org) from all correct entries. 

Congratulations to........   Betsy

 

 The winner has been notified and has seven days to provide a mailing address.

 Please look under the giveaway tab for more chances to win great books.

I have more giveaways coming, I just need to find the time to write up the posts 😀

and in November 2021