Reviewed by Richard Tutin The word “myth” has two meanings. One is that it is a sacred story that tells the origin of something while the other is a story that isn’t quite true even though it may have been based on fact. In exploring Australian war myths, Mark Dapin seems to hover between both
2024 Ned Kelly Awards Winners The Ned Kelly Awards are Australia’s oldest and most prestigious recognition honouring published crime fiction and true crime writing. The categories are Best Crime Fiction, Best Debut Crime Fiction, Best True Crime and Best International Crime Fiction. Entries are accepted for books published in the 12 months prior to 1 March each
AUTHOR EVENTS COMING UP SUNDAY OCTOBER 6 2024 | INSTORE EVENT 2.00pm for a 2.30pm start | 60 mins Join Chris Hammer for the launch of his new book The Valley. The latest stunning thriller from the bestselling author of Scrublands and The Seven. Nell Buchanan and Ivan Lucic are back – and Nell is
Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve Adjectives such as ‘charming’ are not usually attached to a thriller, but Belinda Alexandra’s latest novel can be classified as that. It is also entertaining as it embraces the Parisian art world around WW2, in a convincing and compelling way. Descriptions of the opulence of the art collector, the beauty of
Booker Prize Shortlist Australian author Charlotte Wood has been shortlisted for the 2024 Booker Prize for her novel Stone Yard Devotional (A&U). The six books shortlisted for the £50,000 (A$97,828) prize are: Creation Lake (Rachel Kushner, Jonathan Cape) Held (Anne Michaels, Bloomsbury) James (Percival Everett, Mantle) Orbital (Samantha Harvey, Vintage) The Safekeep (Yael van der Wouden, Viking) Stone Yard Devotional (Charlotte Wood, A&U).
Reviewed by Rod McLary Firmly anchored in the Aboriginal landscape – stolen from the First Nations people with much bloodshed – this collection of short stories by John Kinsella speaks of people living on the edges of the community. Primarily known as a poet, John Kinsella brings to his short stories that sense of landscape
Reviewed by Norrie Sanders Mt Townsend is Australia’s second highest mainland peak. It is an attractive mountain, with a rocky top that demands some scrambling, before revealing breathtaking views of the Snowy Mountains and Victorian Alps. But the mountain, much like the man it was named for, is little known despite its formidable attributes. Peter
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