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The Dry: Jane Harper, 5 stars

Tuesday, 7 March 2017

The Dry

Written by: Jane Harper

Narrated by: Steve Shanahan

Length: 9 hrs and 37 mins

Unabridged Audiobook

U.S. Publisher: Macmillan Audio

ISBN: 9781250117632

Australian Publisher: Wavesound Audio

Publishers Summary:

After getting a note demanding his presence, Federal Agent Aaron Falk arrives in his hometown for the first time in decades to attend the funeral of his best friend, Luke. Twenty years ago when Falk was accused of murder, Luke was his alibi. Falk and his father fled under a cloud of suspicion, saved from prosecution only because of Luke’s steadfast claim that the boys had been together at the time of the crime. But now more than one person knows they didn’t tell the truth back then, and Luke is dead.

Amid the worst drought in a century, Falk and the local detective question what really happened to Luke. As Falk reluctantly investigates to see if there’s more to Luke’s death than there seems to be, long-buried mysteries resurface, as do the lies that have haunted them. And Falk will find that small towns have always hidden big secrets.

A bit more about the book .....

Some twenty years after being hounded out of Kiewarra, Aaron Falk is back, summoned by a note from Gerry Hadler, the father of his old friend Luke.

The note read:

“Luke lied, you lied. Be at the funeral”

Review

Apart from being uniquely Australian, there is definitely something a bit special about this book.

The writing, whilst not flowery, is beautifully descriptive, easy to read with not a wasted word.

There are no blazing blue lights, wailing sirens or high octane action to drive this story, it is all about the characters, the narrative and the search for secrets.

Some of the characters are not quite as they first seem, but the truth of their lives is divulged in an enticingly measured manner. This leads the reader to doubt their true natures, one minute you are trusting someone and the next you find yourself feeling a bit mistrustful, even of Falk himself.

This is an outstanding, satisfying read.

The audiobook is narrated by Steven Shanahan, an Australian voice-over artist with a really easy on the ear voice and accent.

His style is so very different to that of other narrators in that he seems mainly to use one voice, however, subtle nuances of tone, rhythm plus little vocal sound effects do identify the characters. Very clever!

Whatever his technique is, it certainly works, as it feels just like someone sitting down with you and telling you a story, a more intimate style which works perfectly for The Dry.

I don’t know who picks narrators but I think author Jane Harper must be absolutely thrilled with whoever chose Steve Shanahan. I'm hoping he will be narrating more audiobooks.

An outstanding story, an excellent narrator and a high quality recording, what more could you want?

Review copy provided by Macmillan Audio

Last word

Yes, this prize winning debut novel by Jane Harper certainly lives up to the hype. In fact the story of how the book came about is a pretty incredible story in itself, well worth visiting her website to find out. Take a look at The Road to Publication (bottom of page) Here

Huntsman = a spider, a very, very large spider as big as handspan, luckily it is harmless!

Ute = Utility vehicle known elsewhere as a pick-up truck

Mount Buggery to Nowhere Else: 4 STARS

Monday, 14 November 2016

Mount Buggery to Nowhere Else

The stories behind Australia's weird and wonderful place names

Author: Eamon Evans

Publication date: 25 Oct 2016

ISBN: 9780733635588

Imprint: Hachette Australia

Page count: 288

Source: Hachette Australia

Note:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this publication contains names and images of people who have passed away

Publishers Summary

The stories behind Australia's many, many strange, and downright hilarious place names.

From Dismal Swamp to Useless Loop, Intercourse Island to Dead Mans Gully, Mount Buggery to Nowhere Else, Australia has some of the strangest, funniest, weirdest and most out-of-place names going - now described and explained in one humorous and fascinating book.

Australia's vast spaces and irreverent, larrikin history have given us some of the best place names in the world. Ranging from the less than positive (Linger and Die Hill, NSW), to the indelicate (Scented Knob, WA), the idiotic (Eggs and Bacon Bay, TAS) to the inappropriate and the just plain fascinating, MOUNT BUGGERY TO NOWHERE ELSE is a toponymical journey through this nation of weird and wonderful places.

Review

Well, you just cannot ignore the title can you? It’s certainly what drew me to the book. Put this on your coffee table and nobody will be able to resist picking it up and diving in. In fact that is the perfect way to read and enjoy this book.

We begin with how Australia (eventually) got its name, then, each state and territory is given its own chapter prefaced by the origins of that state or territory name. Some are pretty much self explanatory, such as the Northern Territory and the imaginatively named Western Australia but, it seems, no one can come up with a good reason for how New South Wales got its name.

Similarly, no one can do much better than to guess at the origins of some of the place names either.

Probably one of the first names readers will look up is Mount Buggery in the state of Victoria. There’s no explanation for this one other than in order to get there the valiant hiker must climb mountain after mountain in order to to reach it. The author settled on a cartoon of an exhausted hiker sitting on the mountain anddeclaring: “I’m Buggered”.

As good an explanation as any I guess. Thankfully nobody lives there, imagine having that for your postal address.

My first stop (following Mount Buggery) was my home state of Tasmania, where, incidentally we find the titular Nowhere Else located up the road (okay, dirt track) from Sheffield, which, authors comments aside, is quite nice really.

The whole book is written in a very humorous and slightly irreverent style, and it might just be my imagination, but did the author ramp up the irreverence levels a tad when he reached our little island state?

Yes, Mr. Eamon Evans, I read your “Monster Creek” entry! May Charlotte Badger (Badger Head) haunt your dreams!

This a great book for some entertaining reading and, what with knobs and boobies abounding, is also great fodder for schoolboy humour, as a bonus, there’s also plenty to learn too.

Put it on your Christmas want list and buy it for everyone else, not a one will be disappointed.

Copy provided by Hachette Australia for unbiased review.

Kevin The Koala: Rachel Bright Jim Field 5 STARS

Sunday, 11 September 2016

Author: Rachel Bright Illustrator: Jim Field

Audience: Children

Format: Hardcover

ISBN: 9781408331637

ISBN-10: 1408331637

Publication date: 13 Sep 2016

Page count: 32

Hachette Australia Imprint: Orchard Books

Source: Hachette Australia

Publishers Summary (excerpt)

Sometimes change comes along whether we like it or not . . . but if you let it, change can be the making of you. Kevin the Koala discovers this and more in this delightful picture book from the bestselling creators of The Lion Inside!

Review
Such a beautiful book!

This is a really lovely story that will help to teach children that new experiences can be fun, even those that might seem to be a bit scary at first:

Kevin the Koala won’t leave his tree, he feels safe and secure high above the world. Kevin is sure that if he leaves his little haven, bad things will happen. Even when his friend Wombat calls to him to come down and play Kevin makes up excuses to stay right where he is.

The story is told in a charming, lively four line rhyming style that is so easy for little ones to learn. Each rhyme is matched to a beautiful illustration rich in colour and detail, there will always be something new to look at and talk about.

The book itself is of high quality, a bright and sturdy covers encloses high quality paper meant to endure years of poking and page turning by little fingers. The size is just right for sharing the story, pictures and enjoyment, who doesn’t love a koala?

I highly recommend this book as a gift for a child of around 3 to 5 years of age, it would be an especially useful way to introduce the children of other countries to some of our Australian creatures such as Wombat, ‘Roo and Dingo.
Review copy provided by Hachette Australia

About the Authors
Rachel Bright is a writer, illustrator, printmaker and eternal optimist. She is the creator of the award-winning stationery and homewares range, The Bright Side, which has sold over 2 million cards worldwide. Rachel has written and illustrated several books for children, including Love Monster, What Does Daddy Do? and My Sister is an Alien. She lives on a farm near the seaside with her partner and new baby daughter.

Jim Field drew from a very early age with a burning ambition to 'make cartoons'. He studied animation at Hull School of Art and Design, graduated in 2002, gradually paved his way into the animation industry working as a director for Partizan in London. Meanwhile, he was also penning his way as a freelance illustrator working for editorial publications. His first picture book, Cats Ahoy! written by Peter Bently, won the Booktrust Roald Dahl Funny Prize in 2011 and was nominated for the Kate Greenaway award.
Available from Booktopia and Amazon

Resurrection Bay: Emma Viskic 5 STARS

Wednesday, 31 August 2016

Author: Emma Viskic

Format: Kindle Edition

Print Length: 231 pages

Publisher: Echo Publishing (1 September 2015)

ASIN: B013U6TSX

Source: Own Copy

5 stars

Publishers Summary

Caleb Zelic, profoundly deaf since early childhood, has always lived on the outside - watching, picking up telltale signs people hide in a smile, a cough, a kiss. When a childhood friend is murdered, a sense of guilt and a determination to prove his own innocence sends Caleb on a hunt for the killer. But he can’t do it alone. Caleb and his troubled friend Frankie, an ex-cop, start with one clue: Scott, the last word the murder victim texted to Caleb. But Scott is always one step ahead.

This gripping, original and fast-paced crime thriller is set between a big city and a small coastal town, Resurrection Bay, where Caleb is forced to confront painful memories. Caleb is a memorable protagonist who refuses to let his deafness limit his opportunities, or his participation in the investigation. But does his persistence border on stubbornness? And at what cost? As he delves deeper into the investigation Caleb uncovers unwelcome truths about his murdered friend – and himself.

Review

How must it feel? Your best mate lying in your arms, dead, his throat cut, blood everywhere.

Caleb tortured himself with the thought that he should have got there quicker, if only he had read Garys' desperate text sooner.

This is how the book starts, by hooking the reader straight in from the very beginning and it never loosens it grip.

The murdered man was Senior Constable Gary Marsden, he and Caleb grew up together in Resurrection Bay.

Caleb, an insurance investigator, had taken on a big job investigating a warehouse robbery, a job that Frankie, his partner, had tried to talk him out of. The workload was more than Caleb had expected so he had asked Gary to help out for a bit of extra money.

Frankie, an ex police officer, had her own demons to deal with. Sometimes her behaviour was a little erratic and Caleb could never feel quite convinced that she could stay off the booze.

Detective Tedesco, the officer attending the crime scene, thought that Gary must have been involved with some shady dealings and this is what got him killed. Another cop, Detective Sergeant Mcfarlane, from Ethical Standards was also asking questions about Garys’ activities and movements.

Frankie and Caleb don't know why a detective from Ethical Standards would be involved in a murder case, both sure that Gary was a clean cop.

Caleb searched for answers and, in the process, got himself injured. With nowhere else to go he turned to his estranged wife Kat for help. He thought that the bad guys might come after Kat, and to protect her he must get her out of town. His health deteriorated and not wanting to risk attending a hospital, he and Kat returned to their home town, Resurrection Bay.

Kats mother is a doctor, the first Koori doctor in Resurrection Bay, she could be an intimidating woman, and she hadn’t thought too well of how he had treated her daughter, but Gary had no choice, he had to let her help him.

Resurrection Bay is where Gary and Caleb grew up together, when Caleb recovered enough he began to ask questions of all their friends. Caleb trusted no-one, including his own brother, Anton.

Instead of answers he found yet more questions but still got no closer to finding Scott, and the danger mounted ...

Once you start reading this story, your meals will be late, chores will be forgotten and you won’t want to stop reading, not even to sleep, it is relentlessly gripping.

Beautifully written with interesting, believable and well rounded characters. This really is a proper whodunnit that cuts no corners, and the reader is not cheated out of the chance to solve the crime. All the subtle little clues are cleverly woven in throughout the story but, I’m afraid I was truly hoodwinked by Ms. Viskic!

The ending is tension filled and unexpected - A wonderfully satisfying read.

Emma Viskics' "Resurrection Bay" has won three Davitt awards including readers Choice, and a Ned Kelly for Best First Fiction visit her WEBSITE

Dead Men Don't Order Flake

Friday, 1 July 2016

Author: Sue Williams

Publication date: 30 May 2016

Paperback Edition

ISBN: 978192524094

Image via Text Publishing

Publisher: Text Publishing

Cass Tuplin Series Book 2

5 STARS

Publishers Summary

On the night Leo Stone returns—notionally from the dead, in reality from the Democratic Republic of the Congo—Cass Tuplin gets a call from Gary Kellett. A call about an actual dead person: Gary’s daughter, killed in a car crash. Gary’s adamant it wasn’t an accident. Cass agrees to investigate. After all, not just Rusty Bore’s only purveyor of fine fast food, Cass is also the closest thing to a private detective within a couple of hundred k’s. The local police (Cass’s son Dean) try to warn her off. It’s true Cass’s status as a celebrated yet non-licensed nobody doesn’t entirely suit Dean. But Dean also believes Gary’s a delusional, grieving father. Is that the case? Or did a young journalist die after asking too many questions?Cass intends to find out. As soon as she’s dealt with some queries raised by the reappearance of Leo Stone.

Review

Are you a mystery lover? Does your overwrought mind need a break from all those dark and deeply disturbing psychological thrillers? Then meet Cassandra Ariadne Tuplin proprietor of the newly rebuilt Rusty Bore Takeaway and also part time Private Detective (unlicensed) for the town.

Now just because Cass runs a takeaway this book is no culinary cosy - or cozy, depending where you live - there are no cupcake recipes or any recipes really so the ingredients of the famous Chiko roll still remains a secret. You may, however, pick up a hint or two on the making of snotblocks and sausage rolls.

Cass is reeling from the shock of having her erstwhile friend and (almost) lover Leo Stone walk in to her takeaway and calmly order flake and chips. Leo was supposed to be dead, the town had held a memorial service for him, and Cass had laboured long over the words for his memorial stone (I must say, she seemed a tad put out by all that unnecessary effort) and here he was, bold as brass and nary a word about his long silence.

A phone call soon diverts her attention from handsome Leo, Gary Kellett wants Cass to investigate the death of his daughter, Natalie died in a car accident but Gary is convinced it was murder. Cass doesn't allow her non-licensed status deter her, before long she is deeply involved in the dirty doings of the townspeople.

One of the biggest obstacles to her investigation is Senior Constable Dean Tuplin who happens to be her son. Dean loves his clipboard, and is ever alert to the dangerous driving, parking and walking habits of his people, diligently issuing tickets to all and sundry, including his mother. As Cass says, he does his job to the best of his ability, which is part of the problem. However, Dean can be diverted by the judicious use of sausage rolls.

Cass has another son, Brad, who, according to Cass, happens to be an expert on everything. Anyway, Brad comes home to live (he has troubles at uni) and somehow becomes involved in the investigation, uncovering some political funny business which actually puts his mum in a rather dangerous situation.

There are some wonderful characters in this book, Showbag who owns a goat that once suffered from solar sickness (she still gets funny turns). Madison the ferret lady who is, (unknown to Australia), a National Ferret Icon! Oh, not forgetting Ernie, the 89 years old IPad geek now residing at the Garden of God Extended Care home. I loved Ernie. Not forgetting Cass herself who nervously cleans clean things, especially when Leo is around.

This book is pure entertainment the author captures the quirky ways of small town Australia perfectly, well, apart from murder that is, we don't get too many of them in these parts.

This is book 2 in the Cass Tuplin Series but there is enough backstory for it to be a standalone read.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants a break from the heavy stuff, appreciates a well written story, has interesting characters, lots of humour and yes, a murder mystery.

Thanks to Text Publishing for providing a book in return for an honest and unbiased review.

About The Author

Sue Williams is a science writer and chartered accountant who also holds a PhD in marine biology. She lives in Melbourne with her husband. Her first Cass Tuplin mystery, Murder with the Lot, also published by Text, was shortlisted in the Ned Kelly Awards.

Check out the first Cass Tuplin mystery:

Murder With The Lot

Front Page News

Thursday, 2 June 2016

Author: Katie Rowney

Publisher: e-penguin 1st May 2016

Sold by: Penguin Australia Pty Ltd

Format: Kindle Edition

Page length: 217

Source: NetGalley, Penguin

3 STARS

My Thoughts

Stacey McCallaghan, cadet journalist is attempting to make her mark in the small town of Toomey, rural Queensland. Her journalistic skills are not exactly challenged as, other than the the bowls club and other such country pursuits, there's nothing exciting happening. Until, that is, the first body turns up, and they continue to turn up! The police investigation is not going well and as Stacey always seems to be first on the scene the spotlight turns on her. If the murders aren't solved soon, Stacey could be in big trouble, she decides that the police are fumbling the investigation, so decides to turn sleuth!

I'd call this a cozy as it has all the elements of a humourous mystery; small town setting, lots of interesting and colourful local characters, and of course, a lead character who turns sleuth. There's a smattering of romance, loads of laughs and plenty of Queensland flavour. It's a refreshing change to read a few Australianisms (?) and for those who don't know what a "demountable" is, it's a portable building!

I found it a really quick and entertaining read, but maybe more suited to a reader a tad younger than me. A good debut novel. I'd recommend this book to those who love a cozy style mystery, a well deserved 3 Stars.

About the Author

Katie Rowney started out as a journalist in a small country town and saw her first dead body on her second day on the job. After shifting through several community newspapers and freelancing for Fairfax, she joined the dark side as a media officer for the emergency services. Her job involved everything from evacuating towns during cyclones to trying to train firefighters not to swear during live-to-air interviews. She’s currently a senior communications officer at a Queensland university, helping engineers and scientists with no social skills share their findings with the world. Front Page News is Katie’s debut novel. You can find her on twitter or online at katierowney dot com

ARC kindly provided by NetGalley and Penguin Books Australia