You've landed where I share my book reviews. I believe in being honest in a book review - although also, hopefully, tactful. I also believe that most books do have an audience somewhere. So if I dislike a book, I'll tell you so, but I'll also try to tell you why in such a way … Continue reading Where are you?
Cold River
By: Margaret Hickey ISBN: 9781761351136 Penguin Random House Australia (2026) This is another great crime novel from Margaret Hickey. It’s a twisty crime novel with thrilling action and a surprisingly big emotional kick. The novel sees the return of Constable Sally White, whom readers first met in The Creeper. If you haven’t read that novel, … Continue reading Cold River
How To Kidnap a Fake Date
By: Effie Campbell ISBN: 9781807437626 Boldwood Books (2026) This is a light and funny romance with a slightly crazed premise. Most romance readers will find this amusing and engaging, an enjoyable story which doesn’t demand too much of you. Maggie Hamilton is in a bit of a pickle. She comes from a long line of … Continue reading How To Kidnap a Fake Date
Redbelly Crossing
By: Candice Fox ISBN: 9798892425650 Crooked Lane Books (2026) This is a thriller where both characters and plot have equal weight. For most readers, it’ll be the characters who are particularly memorable. This was one of those really compulsive reads where it was really hard to take a break – I kept wanting to know … Continue reading Redbelly Crossing
The Night Market
By: CA Byford ISBN: 9780008821717 HQ Fiction (2026) This is a fascinating and atmospheric novel which will draw you in and keep you reading. There is some great imagery, and wonderful turns of phrase, as well as an interesting story. I felt the world building was a little weak, and created minor problems for the … Continue reading The Night Market
A Pen to Change the World
By: Solomon Schmidt ISBN: 9781648210983 Skyhorse Publishing (2026) This book is badly written, badly structured, and largely unenlightening. I found it boring for the most part, despite the potentially interesting subject matter. I can’t recommend it to anyone. This is an unauthorised biography of JK Rowling, famous for writing the Harry Potter novels. As you’d … Continue reading A Pen to Change the World
The Swan’s Daughter
By: Roshani Chokshi ISBN: 9781399717571 Hachette Australia (2026) This is essentially a fairy tale, told in a modern and wry tone, and with a modern sensibility. I thoroughly enjoyed it; as expected, there are some predictable story beats, but this is told with a zest and originality that makes those moments part of the fun. … Continue reading The Swan’s Daughter
A Treason of Magic
By: Melissa Marr ISBN: 9781662536939 47North (2026) This is an interesting fantasy novel, with a narrative tone that brings to mind old fashioned fairy tales, but a social environment that is in many ways very modern. Some readers may like to note that although this reads in large part like a young adult novel, there … Continue reading A Treason of Magic
Out Law
By: Jim Butcher ISBN: 9798347030026 Podium Entertainment (2026) This novella will be a delight for fans of the Dresden files. Although it doesn’t advance the overall story much (if at all), it reminds us of the reasons we care so much about what happens to the wizard Harry Dresden. Dresden owes gangster Marcone, and although … Continue reading Out Law
Man One
By: Loren D. Estleman ISBN: 9781448316052 Severn House (2026) I first read one of Estleman’s Amos Walker novels several decades ago, and it was such a pleasure to read a new one. Estleman has maintained the noir tone and characters that I love, while subtly moving Walker into the current day. Sage Holland was acquitted … Continue reading Man One
Lies Weeping
Book 12 of the Black Company By: Glen Cook ISBN: 9781035929832 Head of Zeus (2026) Fans of the Black Company novels are going to thoroughly enjoy this. New readers may find it a little difficult to get into, but many will enjoy it regardless. After a disastrous campaign, the Black Company has retreated to their … Continue reading Lies Weeping
Other Dreams, Other Lives 