Reviewed by Richard Tutin Cleopatra has evoked many images and thoughts through the centuries. While it is the name of ancient Egypt’s greatest queen we forget, as Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones points out, that it is also the name of seven of her ancestors whose presence and actions form a large part the history of the Ptolemaic
Reviewed by Norrie Sanders The Pilbara is not a place for the faint of heart. Home to Marble Bar’s Warmest welcome from Australia’s hottest town, it is a harsh and stunning land of rocky peaks, gorges and arid plains. To survive, let alone thrive, requires a special toughness and resilience. The first inhabitants of the
The winners of the 2024 NSW Premier’s History Awards, worth a total of $85,000, were announced on 6 September at the State Library of NSW (SLNSW) as part of NSW History Week. The winning titles in each category, chosen from shortlists announced in August, can be found on the SLNSW website. One of the winners is
Reviewed by Rod McLary The basic premise for this novel is a rather daunting one. D – his full name is never revealed – is a psychopath held in a secure facility for crimes which also are never revealed. He has been asked by his psychiatrist to write down his thoughts, admissions and uncertainties. What
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke For her first novel Brooke Hardwick has produced a story based on her fascination with psychological killers. Her book, The Fog, like all previous novels and films of the same name is a story of hidden threats. The book cover sets the tone with a solitary building on the edge of
Sisters in Crime has announced the winners of the 2024 Davitt Awards for the best crime books by Australian women. The winning titles in each category, chosen from shortlists announced in July. Among the winners is – Readers’ choice The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies (Alison Goodman, HarperCollins). This book has been reviewed by QRC. To read
Reviewed by Rod McLary On 13 August 1987, seventeen-year-old Jasper Haigh died following a car accident in Geelong. Jasper – or Jaz – was the younger brother of Gideon Haigh the well-known author and journalist. As would be expected, the sudden death of his young brother had a significant impact on the life of Gideon
Reviewed by Norrie Sanders Next time you find yourself doing some mundane work, imagine what it would be like to be paid to step onto the stage of the Sydney Opera House every night, to perform in front of a cheering audience. A recent French TV series portrayed an opera company as a hotbed of
Reviewed by Rod McLary Sex trafficking – or human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation – is a scourge across the world. Estimates of the number of persons subjected to forced sexual exploitation suggest around five million victims may be involved. It is within this dark and abusive world that Shadow City is set.
Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve The sweltering days of Summer will lose their impact while reading The Chilling. The graphic descriptions of Antarctic conditions which threaten the very survival of a group of scientists and academics were so striking that I had to seize a woolly jacket while reading it! Riley James has captured the cruel
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke Ann Cleeves OBE is a British mystery crime writer. She wrote the Vera Stanhope, Jimmy Perez, and Matthew Venn series, all three of which have been adapted into TV shows. In 2006, she won the Duncan Lawrie Dagger for her novel Raven Black, the first novel in the Jimmy Perez series.
Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve Liane Moriarty’s books are undeniably popular. Over 20,000,000 copies have sold worldwide. She has been crowned the modern Jane Austen in her ability to capture modern urban life in all its variety, lacing this with her perceptive wit. Her writing is not ‘chick lit.’ escaping into a stereotypical world. Plots are
Reviewed by Richard Tutin Across Australia many private schools have an elite squad of sporting students called the First XV. This group is made up of the most promising players of Rugby Union and who, it is thought, will go on to achieve greater things in the sport. It is from this nursery that many
Reviewed by Wendy Lipke According to the promotional material provided, this book is the first comprehensive biography of the godfather of Australian bushranging – Frank Gardiner – leader of the Lachlan gang and mastermind of the largest gold heist in Australian history. The author, Ian W. Shaw, has published over a dozen books. He believes
Reviewed by Gail McDonald This book, The Brightest Christmas Star, is the first book by Laura Motherway and what a great story for families with children living in warmer climates during Christmas – a story that they will be able to relate to. The children will be able to see themselves on the beach, in