Debbie's cafe was where all her friends congregated and when it was decided they form a book club, meeting at the cafe once a month after it closed inDebbie's cafe was where all her friends congregated and when it was decided they form a book club, meeting at the cafe once a month after it closed in the evening, everyone was excited. Gradually they worked their way through their chosen books, all by Australian authors, (most of which I've also read), as well as eating delicious snacks, enjoying a wine as well as talking and laughing. Several of the women were pregnant, with their babies due fairly closely together. There was excitement, anxiety and happiness for them all.
When Millie was hired to be manager for Debbie's cafe while she was off on maternity leave, Millie slotted in easily. She also joined the book club and came to know the friends well. But when tragedy struck, the town came together and the cafe became a place for friends to grieve...
The Barrington Book Club is #8 in the Barrington Series by Aussie author Susan Mackie and I thoroughly enjoyed it! It reminded me of when I was in a face-to-face book club many years ago, and the fun we'd have once a month, with our differing opinions of a particular book. The characters are great, easy to get to know - I was entertained completely with this book, and recommend it highly.
With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read and review....more
Australian investigative journalist Matt Latham had arrived in Kharkiv from London, prepared to interview a Russian billionaire who had fingers in manAustralian investigative journalist Matt Latham had arrived in Kharkiv from London, prepared to interview a Russian billionaire who had fingers in many pies. He was accompanied by an interpreter, Katya Fomina, a beautiful young woman whose family lived in Ukraine. When they approached the Club where the interview was to take place, Matt stopped to take a call, while Katya went on. With shocking suddenness, the club exploded, knocking Matt unconscious, while many were killed, including Katya. Matt was in hospital in an induced coma for days, but when he was finally released, he was angry.
Learning from Katya's parents that she'd been searching for her younger sister, Nadiya, who'd been abducted by traffickers, Matt decided to continue Katya's quest. As he dug deeply into Nadiya's story, his mission took him across Europe. Would he ever find her? Was she still alive? The world was filled with danger, and Matt was embroiled in it...
Shadow Lives by Aussie author Neil A. White is a fast paced, electric thriller which I really enjoyed. Matt gets himself into all sorts of scrapes, trying to help people; his investigative skills are second to none. He's a flawed character, but an extremely likeable one. Highly recommended....more
Firstly, Reuben was adopted. The wild, rough, loveable dog who caused trouble, but was loved deeply by the whole Zusak family, especially Kitty, the yFirstly, Reuben was adopted. The wild, rough, loveable dog who caused trouble, but was loved deeply by the whole Zusak family, especially Kitty, the young daughter. Then came Archer, another troublesome rescue dog who was Reuben's lieutenant in all that they got up to. But before Archer, Noah was born and the two Zusak children were protected and loved from the get go. Markus would walk the dogs at dawn and often trouble found them. And when he was away on book tours, it was his wife, Mika, who did the walking. The whole Zusak family were animal lovers who had two cats prior to the dogs arriving, and of course there were the usual dog/cat spats about who was boss! The entertainment, the chaos, the deep love - there were chuckles and tears...
Three Wild Dogs (and the truth) is a wonderful memoir by Aussie author Markus Zusak which I loved. To be honest, I wouldn't be courageous enough to adopt those dogs, so I admire the Zusak's for their dedication and love to dogs no one else would (possibly) love. But really?!! Are they gluttons for punishment? Or just a wonderful dog family :) An excellent book that I recommend....more
Senior Constable Bec Whitfield accepted her transfer to Bowen River in Northern Queensland, hardly believing that with all the stations in Queensland Senior Constable Bec Whitfield accepted her transfer to Bowen River in Northern Queensland, hardly believing that with all the stations in Queensland she could have been transferred to, it was Bowen River, her home until she was sixteen and with her parents still there. Bec's relationship with her father had been tumultuous to say the least, but she missed her mother. The day she arrived in town, she discovered that an old school friend, Leanne Delaney, had gone missing, leaving two young children with no one to care for them. Her superior, Mark Lovatt, asked her if she could start work straight away to get a jump on the case and immediately Bec was engrossed in finding everything she could, that would lead them to Leanne.
As Detective Todd Davenport arrived to assist, they worked at interviewing everyone they could. The solar farm company - Strathallyn Solar - that Leanne was dead set against, had a few persons of interest; but it was what was found at Leanne's house, and what happened that made them realise they must be getting closer. But would they find Leanne alive? What would happen to her two young children?
Another thrilling start to a new series, Bowen River is #1 in A Bec Whitfield Mystery by Aussie author Annie Seaton and she's done it again! Tense, fast paced, action packed and full of chilling details, Bec is an excellent character; caring and compassionate but as strong as steel! With the inclusion of Elspeth Valentine and Strathallyn Station in 1925, and what happened to her which influenced future generations, I can see this will be another winning series by Ms Seaton. I am looking forward to #2 already - Shadows on the Shore - which will be published in June 2025. Highly recommended.
With thanks to the author for my ARC to read and review....more
Bridey McCaffrey and her three children were basically prisoners on the farm - Mindaleny Ridge - controlled by a brutal and cruel man, her husband ThoBridey McCaffrey and her three children were basically prisoners on the farm - Mindaleny Ridge - controlled by a brutal and cruel man, her husband Thom. The children were timid and scared of the man who was their father, while the eldest, six year old Alex, did all he could to keep his mother safe. The day tragedy struck on the farm was the day their lives changed; would it be a good change or turn their situation into something much worse? A phone call for help that Bridey answered, changed things again; then Sergeant Cole Delaney entered their lives.
Cole had arrived in the small township of Moonie River from Perth in Western Australia, hoping for a quiet life. When he was called out to Mindaleny Ridge, he knew the quiet life was a long way away. Bridey needed help, he could see that. And the children needed to trust again. Was it possible? The case that opened right up was a horrific one, and one Cole was determined to solve. These people had seen enough suffering...
Shattered is #4 in the Unfinished Business series by Aussie author Juanita Kees and it was outstanding. Fast paced, chilling, filled with tension and murder, it's another well-written episode in the series, all of which I've read. Some great characters, namely Chewy the goat who loved eating petunias; Gus, a gentle giant who was an excellent chef and was loved by all, especially children. Mrs Lee - many memorable characters in a book I highly recommend.
With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read and review....more
Ben Sharpe was a country boy, having grown up on a farm with his parents. But when the family farm went to the wall, and Ben's father blamed Ben for tBen Sharpe was a country boy, having grown up on a farm with his parents. But when the family farm went to the wall, and Ben's father blamed Ben for the decisions he'd made, Ben left for the city, finding a job in the insurance business. He lived in a shoebox apartment and travelled into Sydney's CBD every day by train, doing the same in the evening to return home. Ben hated his job, and with his health teetering on the edge - headaches, migraines, anxiety - and no answer as to what was causing the problem, he got some coordinates with the help of his landlady, and after ditching his phone, headed for the Blue Mountains.
When he found the hippy community living off the grid, deep in the bush and buried in the mountains where there was no service of anything electronic, Ben was convinced to stay. The peace and tranquility saw Ben having the best nights' sleep he'd had in a long time. Working with the crops took him back to his life when things were simpler, and it felt good to be a part of the team. But after a few months, Ben's gut feeling that something wasn't right dogged him. Could he investigate quietly without anyone knowing? Or would it be the last thing he ever did?
Off The Grid is Aussie author M.J. Kelly's second foray into the world of fiction, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Ben was a great character, determined to do what was right, and to make up for what had happened in his past. Set in both Sydney and the Blue Mountains made it familiar to me, and I could appreciate the beauty of the landscape that surrounded the characters. A tense, chilling and exciting read, Off The Grid is easy to recommend....more
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