Another wonderful book from the pen of TM Clark. Set in South Africa it follows the story of Lily, a doctor with the World Health Organisation. She haAnother wonderful book from the pen of TM Clark. Set in South Africa it follows the story of Lily, a doctor with the World Health Organisation. She has been sent to South Africa after the murder of a colleague. As she delves into his cases she finds that things are not adding up. Cases of meningitis are occurring where they shouldn't, and patients are not responding to medications as they should.
Was her colleague murdered because he found this out and was onto the culprits? Or was he covering something up? Ad Lily and her team investigate she finds that things are more dire than even she hought, and soon her own life, and those of her friends, are at risk.
I must say this is a thought-provoking read. (view spoiler)[It brings to light the power that pharmtaceutical companies do have. (hide spoiler)] Yet as always the power of the African land, the animals and the people is to the fore. With wonderful, realistic characters, this book is worthy of being on anyone's to read list. Recommended.
My thanks to Harlequin/Mira for an uncorrected proof to read and review. The opinions are entirely my own....more
The Bass Rock is an account of the lives of three women, separated by time, whose lives revolve around a small town in Scotland. The three timelines aThe Bass Rock is an account of the lives of three women, separated by time, whose lives revolve around a small town in Scotland. The three timelines are woven around them, detailing their lives, but I found that they jumped about a bit too much and was sometimes confused as to where I was up to. The consequence of this was that I didn't feel a connection with any of the women, and I didn't receive a great deal of satisfaction from it. It's not a bad book by any means, just not my cup of tea.
My thanks to Better Reading and the publisher for an uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review....more
Another enjoyable novel by Tea Cooper, The Girl In The Painting is a dual timeline account of brother and sister Michael and Elizabeth Quinn, who arriAnother enjoyable novel by Tea Cooper, The Girl In The Painting is a dual timeline account of brother and sister Michael and Elizabeth Quinn, who arrived in Sydney by boat in the 1860s. The first timeline is set in the gold mining town of Hill End, where their parents have settled, and Michael and Elizabeth are to join them from Ireland. The second timeline is set years later in Maitland, where Michael and Elizabeth have settled after the gold rush.
One day at a local art exhibition Elizabeth is found cowering on the floor in a right state and Michael, along with his mathematical genius ward Jane, are determined to get to the bottom of the problem. What has reduced Elizabeth to such a state? Is it one of the paintings, or taxidermied birds on display? And why? As Michael and Jane investigate it becomes clear that not everything is as straight forward as they believe it to be, and as the mystery deepens long hidden secrets come to the fore.
The Girl In The Painting is an immensely readable book, full of historical detail, and with well-meshed, believable, characters. From the gold fields, to the Hunter Valley, the reader is immersed in the lives of Elizabeth, Michael and Jane, and the conclusion is both surprising and satisfying. Recommended for all lovers of Australian historical fiction.
My thanks to Harlequin Australia for an uncorrected proof to read and review. The opinions are entirely my own....more
An enjoyable enough novel set in Shanghai during WW2, it sees Romy flee Vienna with her Jewish family after the Nazi's have taken over, only to have hAn enjoyable enough novel set in Shanghai during WW2, it sees Romy flee Vienna with her Jewish family after the Nazi's have taken over, only to have her new home in China suffer the same fate when the Japanese arrive.
We follow Romy and her friend's lives as they try to survive the war in a hostile climate, their loves and alliances. Meanwhile in a second timeline Romy's granddaughter Alexandra is in Shanghai, searching for her family's history. The two timelines intertwine as Alexandra gets ever closer to the secrets that Romy is so reluctant to let go of.
I did find this book to be a bit slow, and was never really riveted to it. To me it lacked a focal point of interest and was just another war story. It's an ok read, but I'll probably find it to be forgettable....more
What would you do if you found out that your husband was cheating on you? What would you do if you found your whole life was a lie? Charlie's world coWhat would you do if you found out that your husband was cheating on you? What would you do if you found your whole life was a lie? Charlie's world collapses when quite by accident she finds her husbands profile on a dating site. When she confronts him he laughs it off, but things aren't adding up. She finds more signs of extra marital affairs, and then everything implodes, and she turns to her girlfriends for help.
As she digs into Oliver's life she is stunned to find that he, and others around her are hiding secrets, big secrets, and she isn't the only one being betrayed.
In 'The Strangers We Know' Pip Drysdale has a more than worthy follow up to 'The Sunday Girl'. It sucks you in at the start and spits you out at the end. Though I did have my suspicions who was behind it all, and I was right, this didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book, which I read quickly in a day. I recommend this book to all lovers of psychological fiction.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
I must say, for an award winning novel, I expected more of this book.. It wasn't bad, but it seemed to ramble a bit and to me it lacked sharpness. It I must say, for an award winning novel, I expected more of this book.. It wasn't bad, but it seemed to ramble a bit and to me it lacked sharpness. It sees disgraced lawyer Charlie being sent to the boondocks to try to get a witness in a murder trial to change his obviously bogus statement. You would think Charlie would be out to prove himself and atone for his errant ways when given a second chance, yet all he seems to do is succumb to alcoholism.
I'm glad this book was short as I lacked focus when reading it, I just wasn't sucked in to the narrative. It was okay, just not gripping or unputdownable.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
When Noah meets Alice in Thailand he is stunned, swept off his feet not only by the stunning girl, but by how much she looks like his brother's girlfrWhen Noah meets Alice in Thailand he is stunned, swept off his feet not only by the stunning girl, but by how much she looks like his brother's girlfriend Lizzie, who disappeared in mysterious circumstances twelve years ago. However holiday romances must come to an end, and Noah reluctantly leave Alice behind teaching English in Bangkok and return to his family's restaurant in Sydney.
All is not going well at home though, the inquest into Lizzie's disappearance is quickly coming up, and his estranged brother will be turning up for it from wherever he ran off to after he lost Lizzie.. Noah's parents are making more and more demands of him at the restaurant, selfishly not allowing him to have his own life. Then he hears from Alice, she's back in Sydney for family reasons.
Noah is feeling totally overwhelmed, not in control of his own life, and his relationship with Alice could be a blessing, or not. For Alice is hiding a secret of her own...
I did enjoy You Don't Know Me, It was easy and quick to read, yet I never felt really sucked in and invested in the plot. Alice's secret I found quite transparent, and though I wasn't entirely sure what happened to Lizzie, I narrowed the suspects down early on. I found the relationship between Noah and Alice to be realistic, yet the family situations they found themselves in simultaneously, not so much. Having said this I recommend this novel as a good beach/holiday read.
My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
Maggie's life is a train wreck, she has no job, has been dumped by her boyfriend, and been disinherited by her mother for being a no-hoper. So with thMaggie's life is a train wreck, she has no job, has been dumped by her boyfriend, and been disinherited by her mother for being a no-hoper. So with the last of her mother's money she buys an old caravan so she doesn't have to live on the street, and gets a volunteer job in a charity shop through Centrelink. The job has perks in the form of Reuben, hot ex-crim guitarist and IT expert, and Maggie spends most of her time trying to seduce him instead of trying to get her life back on track...
While this book doesn't have a lot of substance it's light and easy to read, and I found myself chuckling, and cringing, at Maggie's antics all the way through. As she plummets further and further, you can't help but admire her optimism, and uselessness, while she rides roughshod over everyone around her. Will she get back into her mother's will? Will she pay off her debts? Will she get the guy? I'm not going to tell you, you'll have to read this book yourself to find out. Recommended for all lovers of chick lit and women's fiction.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
My thanks to Better Reading Preview and Penguin Random House Australia for an uncorrected proof to read and review. The opinions are entirely my own....more
A wonderful book about one woman's amazing tale, Cilka's Journey is a book where you struggle to come to terms with man's inhumanity to man. I mean, hA wonderful book about one woman's amazing tale, Cilka's Journey is a book where you struggle to come to terms with man's inhumanity to man. I mean, how much can one woman go through in one lifetime? Based on the true story of Cecilia Klein, first incarcerated in Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp, when the camp is finally freed by the allies she finds herself arrested for collaboration with the Nazis, and sent to a Soviet gulag above the Arctic Circle.
Cilka was obviously an extraordinary young woman, only sixteen when first sent to Auschwitz, she did what she could to survive, and found she had to pay for it through the years that followed. We first met Cilka in the author's fantastic book The Tattooist Of Auschwitz, whereas Cilka's Journey is a fictional tale about her time spent in the gulags. Conditions in the camp come to the fore, Cilka having to cope with rape, coercion, and the bitter cold of Siberia. Yet through it all hope shines, hope that she will one day be free and be able to find love.
I found Cilka's Journey to be a compelling, yet harrowing read. A wonderful heroine, yet a hard subject, it leaves the reader feeling uneasy, the fact that this book is based on real life. However I have no hesitation in recommending it to all lovers of historical fiction.
My thanks to Allen & Unwin for a copy to read and review. The opinions are entirely my own....more
It took me forever to read this book, mainly because the first three quarters of it was so freaking boring. Too much politics and not enough story. I It took me forever to read this book, mainly because the first three quarters of it was so freaking boring. Too much politics and not enough story. I really don't enjoy reading about politics, though I don't mind if it's relevant to the story. In this case it was the only thing we read about. The last quarter of the book did pick up and was quite good, but by then I was over it.
2.5 stars rounded up.
My thanks to Allen & Unwin for an uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review. The opinions are entirely my own....more
I must admit I put off reading this novel, it's been sitting on my shelf for months, probably because of the size of it, at well over 500 pages. Now II must admit I put off reading this novel, it's been sitting on my shelf for months, probably because of the size of it, at well over 500 pages. Now I'm kicking myself! Chris Hammer has woven an intricate tale, with offshoots going off everywhere. Fast paced and gripping, you'll find yourself glued to the pages, until it comes to it's power packed ending, where all the offshoots combine.
Martin Scarsden has returned to his hometown, with his partner Mandy and her son Liam, only to find his childhood best friend murdered in the living room. And all the evidence points to Mandy. Martin immediately starts investigating to clear her name, yet he finds that this is no straight forward murder. As he faces old friends, and foes, he finds that old memories don't die, and the past has a way of coming back to haunt him.
Even though this is set in a fictional town Chris Hammer has totally brought it to life. It has a great setting, wonderful characters and an intriguing plot. What more can you ask for? So do yourself a favour and pick up a copy of this book, I highly recommend it!
My thanks to Allen & Unwin for an uncorrected proof to read and review. The opinions are entirely my own....more
A enjoyable book, The Fragments is about a manuscript that gets destroyed by fire in 1930's New York, only a few fragments of the book remain. It's reA enjoyable book, The Fragments is about a manuscript that gets destroyed by fire in 1930's New York, only a few fragments of the book remain. It's revered author famously perished with it. Fast track to 1980's Brisbane where bookseller Caddie goes to an exhibition featuring the fragments of the book, where she meets mysterious stranger Rachel, who seems to know more lines in the book than the fragments reveal. This seems impossible however, as the only people who had ever read the book perished in the fire.
This sends Caddie off on a quest to discover the truth about the book, it's author, and the elusive Rachel. What was the truth behind the fire? Did anyone else really read the book? And is Rachel legit or an imposter, making the words up on a whim?
While I did enjoy this book, I much preferred the timeline set in Brisbane, probably because I live there and am aware of the locations mentioned in the book. On the other hand I found the New York timeline quite tedious and was bored on those alternate chapters. And as for the twist at the end, I could see it coming a mile off. I am happy that I've read this book, but I don't think it's particularly memorable.
My thanks to NetGalley and Text Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
Each lace shawl begins and ends the same way-with a circle. Everything is connected with a thread as fine as gossamer, each life affected by what has Each lace shawl begins and ends the same way-with a circle. Everything is connected with a thread as fine as gossamer, each life affected by what has come before it and what will come after.
So begins The Lace Weaver, a compelling tale of two young women struggling to survive in Estonia during World War Two. First we have Kati, a farm girl and talented lace weaver, and we have Lydia, who grew up in a privileged household in Moscow, and finds herself fleeing to her mother's birth country of Estonia after her lover is arrested in the street in front of her. Their stories come together in the town of Tartu, at first under the Soviet regime, and then at the hands of the German invaders, who promise to free Estonia. These two women find within themselves a great strength while the world is in turmoil, we learn about their lives, loves and unbreakable spirit in the face of terror, grief and loss.
The Lace Weaver is a beautifully written, symbolic tale, rich with history and well-drawn believable characters. It did take me a little while to get into this book, but then I found I couldn't put it down. The look into Estonian history, and it's fate during the war, I found to be of great interest, especially as it's a country I didn't know too much about. I also found it a breath of fresh air as it just had the one time-line, unlike most authors these days who seem to think historical fiction needs two timelines interwoven. This novel proves that it's certainly not the case. All in all this book is a first rate read and I have no hesitation in recommending it to all lovers of the genre....more
I wasn't sure about this book when I started it, but I needn't have worried as I soon became totally immersed in it. It's a look into the life of a noI wasn't sure about this book when I started it, but I needn't have worried as I soon became totally immersed in it. It's a look into the life of a normal everyday farming family in South Australia, and how people can become totally overwhelmed by busy lives.
Our MC is Natalie, farmer's wife, teacher, and mother to three grown daughters, two of which have left home. The third lives and works on the family property, and will eventually take it over one day. Natalie has recently had an anomalous reading in her breast scan and that, on top of all the housework and cooking at the farm, an overbearing mother in law, and a husband who's so wrapped up in his work he wont listen to her. Adding to this is her teaching job, and a new young principal who seems to think her way of doing things is outdated. When one night her other two daughters both converge on the farm with their own personal problems, and an old betrayal comes back to haunt her, Natalie finds everything is too much for her, and what follows is how she deals with it.
This is a soul searching look at one woman's struggle to find herself in a busy world where she has been taught to put everyone else's needs before her own. Natalie is looking after everybody in her life, but no one seems to be looking after, or listening to her. Overwhelmed, Natalie deals with it in the only way she can, and leaves a bewildered family behind, who suddenly have to deal with life themselves.
A timely book, The Model Wife looks at the ways life can become too much for some, and the varied way people have with dealing with stresses. The characters in this book are all realistic, all with their own stresses and personalities, and we follow them over the course of a few weeks while they deal with their problems. But don't get me wrong, this is not a depressing book, there are light moments to counteract all the trauma, and Tricia Stringer has done a great job of setting the scene, and drawing this family. I did really enjoy this book and have no hesitation in recommending it to other readers.
My thanks to Harlequin Australia for an uncorrected proof to read and review. The opinions are entirely my own....more
An enjoyable read, The Collaborator is the story of one woman's journey to search out the truth of her family history. Annika travels to Budapest afteAn enjoyable read, The Collaborator is the story of one woman's journey to search out the truth of her family history. Annika travels to Budapest after seeing a photo of her grandmother in the Jewish museum in Sydney. Her grandmother denies it is her and immediately shuts the subject down, so Annika is on a mission to ferret out the truth. What she finds is much more than she bargained for! Her search takes her further afield to Tel Aviv, where she uncovers a transcript that reveals the shocking truth.
The Collaborator is a well researched and believable tale, based on true events. It has betrayal, secrets and a touch of romance. Even though it's nearly 500 pages I read this book in one day, the story is engrossing. The main problem I had with this book, however, is that I never really connected with any of the characters. I wasn't engaged enough that I never wanted the story to end. Having said that I did like the book and recommend it to lovers of World War 2 fiction, and it's aftermath.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for an ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
A worthy follow up to "The Dry", not quite as good as the first, but still worth reading. In this novel five women are forced to go bush on a corporatA worthy follow up to "The Dry", not quite as good as the first, but still worth reading. In this novel five women are forced to go bush on a corporate retreat, but only four make it out. What happened to the fifth? Aaron Falk is soon on the scene, as the missing woman was a whistleblower on a money laundering case he is working on. So is her disappearance because of the case he is working? Or something else entirely? You'll have to read it to find out. Recommended....more
I approached this book with great anticipation, having loved the author's debut novel The Greater Good, hoping that this offering would live up to it'I approached this book with great anticipation, having loved the author's debut novel The Greater Good, hoping that this offering would live up to it's predecessor. I'm happy to say it did, and more!
In this book John Bailey, a journalist battling demons, is witness to a terrorist attack in London, one that has far reaching consequences. Trouble has a habit of following Bailey, and back in his home town of Sydney things start to escalate as the war on terror touches Bailey personally. With the threat to his loved ones coming closer and closer, can Bailey hunt out the root of evil before a tragedy happens?
What can I say except I was glued to my seat the entire time I was reading this book. Tim Ayliffe can certainly tell a ripping yarn, and with John Bailey he has created a very real character, a world weary man who is totally relatable. It's a timely tale, as terrorism grips the world, and shows how fundamentalists really do come from all walks of life, and the threat is real and can be imminent. I highly recommend this book to all lovers of thrillers and suspense.
My thanks to the publisher Simon And Schuster Australia for an uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review. The opinions are entirely my own....more
You know, when I started reading this book I didn't think I was going like it, but soon found myself totally immersed in it and read it in a day. It wYou know, when I started reading this book I didn't think I was going like it, but soon found myself totally immersed in it and read it in a day. It wasn't that I became invested in the characters, they were all horrible! I think I was compelled to read more about the train wreck they had all made of their lives.
It starts out with Vernon visiting his estranged son in prison, after learning that he'd been badly beaten by a local thug, with the authorities turning a blind eye. He decides to go and talk to the thug's father, man to man, but as this man is the local drug king pin, with the police in his pocket, things aren't as easy as Vernon hopes. Let's just say everything goes to shit from there on in.
I found Snake Island to be a fascinating study of human behaviour. Some characters, when finding that things have gotten out of hand finally striving for redemption, just to find it get further and further out of their reach. Other characters just figure that they're going to hell anyway. Ben Hobson has woven a tale here that drags you in, then spits you out the other side, and you find yourself shaking your head wondering what just happened. It's my first book by this author, but definitely wont be my last. Recommended.
My thanks to Allen & Unwin for an uncorrected proof to read and review. The opinions are entirely my own....more
I hadn't read any of Sarah Bailey's previous works in this series, so wasn't sure what to expect, but I had read good reviews, and happily this book lI hadn't read any of Sarah Bailey's previous works in this series, so wasn't sure what to expect, but I had read good reviews, and happily this book lived up to them. I did feel I was missing out a bit without having the previous character development, but in the end this didn't detract from the story too much.
We have a fifteen year old girl going missing from a small town in northern New South Wales, then the next day her boyfriend is murdered. Enter Detective Gemma Woodstock, fresh from a family tragedy, and with her young son in tow. Gemma needs to get her head around recent personal events, and decides getting stuck into work is the best option (though whether it's the best option for her son seems to be irrelevant to her).
The similarities between this case and one that had tragic consequences seem to haunt Gemma, as she tries to figure out the truth from all the lies she's being told. She forges forward, with the seemingly reluctant help of the local police force, only to find the truth evasive, and an escalating threat to herself and her son.
I did enjoy this book, though the plotlines didn't really feel too realistic to me at times. However the characters made up for it, their interactions showing their flawed personalities well. I enjoyed the journey that Sarah Bailey set for us, slowly unveiling the truth, and it had me turning the pages well into the night. All lovers of intricately woven crime thrillers will like this book.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
My thanks to Allen & Unwin for an uncorrected proof to read and review. The opinions are entirely my own....more
Loading...
