Reviewed by Rod McLary F Scott Fitzgerald – in his 1924 short story The Rich Boy – wrote ‘Let me tell you about the very rich. They are different from you and me’. Robert Lukins’ new book is essentially about one very rich family – the Gulch family – and they are one very different
Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve This is a beautiful book, in both the illustrations which feature the natural wonders of the objects washed up by the tide, and the unfolding way the facts are revealed. The format is large, the illustrations have the softness of watercolour and the fold-out pages engage a young listener, readily. The
Reviewed by E.B. Heath Money, like faith, is a product of the human imagination. David McWilliams In his latest book, Money, David McWilliams advances the theory that the invention of money and consequent financial innovations have caused technological and social progress. He guides readers from the Ishango Bone to cryptocurrency, to make his point that
Reviewed by Norrie Sanders Some people die, then live again. This book is about them. Not so much about their “near death experience” but about how they died, how they were revived and how it affected them long term. Dr Matt Morgan, an intensive care doctor, has assembled a small cast of people who have
Reviewed by Ian Lipke No doubt every reviewer in the land has commented on the unusual spelling of the word ‘ascendency’. I would ask that MUP check the spelling. This book is essentially a collection of papers written by experts in various aspects of Robert Menzies’s life and career. Each chapter breathes authenticity so that
Reviewed by Richard Tutin How often have we thought that it would be great to go on an adventure? In asking this question I refer to the desire to travel to far flung places where few have gone before us. We could say that there aren’t many places left in the world where this can
Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve The word ‘Nesting’ may conjure up an image of a happy young woman, eagerly awaiting the birth of her baby by preparing her home with all the touches that will create the best environment for the new arrival. Roisín O’Donnell’s novel, in stark contrast to the conventional notion of nesting, is
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke Rachael Johns, author of The Bad Bridesmaid, is an Australian writer of contemporary relationship stories around women’s issues, a genre she has coined ‘life-lit’. Johns drew inspiration for her new book from The Parent Trap in writing what she called a “reverse Parent Trap for grown-ups”. In this story, which is
Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve Janice Hallett’s latest thriller has to almost be read without pause, as it grabs the reader’s interest and unrolls a plot that weaves and twists until the end. For the bulk of the book, no actual crime emerges to solve; however the dynamic between characters has an edgy ominous tone. Ben
Reviewed by Richard Tutin Religious communities are often the least understood part of the Christian faith. Usually found in the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Orthodox Churches these communities of women and men live and work together under a rule of life. Some are enclosed while others are regarded as active. The Order of the Blessed
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke Many journalists put their talents to use to write novels, but I doubt few would have attempted the range of genres that Sue Williams has. Her works range across biographies, true crime, travel, non-fiction and historical fiction. Some of her biographies include The Girl who climbed Everest, a shark attack survivor,
Reviewed by Colleen McLennan Maggie Alderson is a British author with extensive editing experience in both England and Australia. She is author of ten novels and four collections of her columns from Good Weekend magazine. Her children’s book Evangeline, the Wish Keeper’s Helper was shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Literary Award. In her latest book,
Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve The cosily indulgent title suggests an account of how family and others might deal with doing the best for an exceptionally intelligent child. This is not remotely like the plot of this surprising novel. A thriller, a psychological delving into the possible impact of motherhood and a scary supernatural experience all
Reviewed by E B Heath Dr. Richard Scolyer is a world-renowned melanoma pathologist and one of the world’s top melanoma researchers. He is co-director with Georgina Long at the Melanoma Institute Australia. In 2021 he was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia for his outstanding service to medicine in the field of melanoma and
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke Lėonie Kelsall’s latest book is part of her series set in South Australia in her fictitious town of Settlers Bridge, so when reading this story, it is no surprise when the reader comes across characters they may have encountered in her previous books. The Homestead in the Eucalypts was the origin