The Three of Us

By: Kim Lock ISBN: 9781525275883 Publisher: Macmillan Australia “The Three of Us” is a sensitive and human depiction of a loving relationship that happens to be a little different from what society calls “normal”. Thomas Mullett is 75 years old and facing a dilemma. He’s dying, and he doesn’t know how to tell either one … Continue reading The Three of Us →

Stop Them Dead

By: Peter James ISBN: 978-1529089974 Macmillan (2023) “Stop Them Dead” is the latest novel in the long running Roy Grace series by Peter James. Offering very much the same as earlier novels in the series, this will please ongoing readers. It’s also very accessible to readers new to the series. The novel presents a solid … Continue reading Stop Them Dead →

The Disorganisation of Celia Stone

By: Emma Young ISBN: 978 1760 992040 Fremantle Press (2023) Although I enjoyed this novel immensely, I didn’t find it at all funny, despite the promises on the cover. I went in expecting something a little light-hearted, but found instead a story that was emotional and moving. Celia Stone is very focused on being organised. … Continue reading The Disorganisation of Celia Stone →

Past Lying

By: Val McDermid ISBN: 978-0-8021-6149-9 Atlantic Monthly press (2023) I have to be honest: at this point I think the only way Val McDermid could write a bad book is if she actively tried. However, even by her consistently high standards, “Past Lying” is a stand out crime novel. While further developing some on-going characters, … Continue reading Past Lying →

Voices in the Dark

By: Fleur McDonald ISBN: 978 1 76106 648 1 Allen & Unwin (2023) This novel is a part of McDonald’s long-running series centred on the town of Barker. Like many others in that series, it’s hard to define by genre: not quite crime, not quite rural romance (particularly in this case), but not quite what … Continue reading Voices in the Dark →

A Holly Jolly Ever After

By: Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone ISBN: 978-0-06-322264-9 Avon (2023) This contemporary romance didn’t quite hit the mark for me, but it’s likely to succeed with a large number of romance readers. Winnie Baker is in her thirties, and she’s done everything right all her life. And yet somehow, her life is in ruins: she’s … Continue reading A Holly Jolly Ever After →

Stone Yard Devotional

By: Charlotte Wood ISBN: 978 1 76106 949 9 Allen & Unwin (2023) “Stone Yard Devotional” is a difficult novel to summarise, but not to read. It is a relatively short novel, and I found it thought provoking and interesting. The novel is the internal musings of a woman living with a religious community in … Continue reading Stone Yard Devotional →

A Multitude of Dreams

By: Mara Rutherford ISBN: 978-1-335-45796-7 Inkyard Press (2023) This is the fifth novel from Mara Rutherford. It shows an increasing maturity in her work, but is still an extremely effective young adult novel that will also appeal to many older readers. Princess Imogen is trapped in Eldridge Hall with her family and a significant number … Continue reading A Multitude of Dreams →