#Aussie Author

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Review: Red River Road – Anna Downes

Red River Road
Anna Downes
Affirm Press
ISBN:9781922863751

Description:
Anna Downes’s extraordinary next thriller follows a woman desperate to discover what happened to her sister on a solo road trip through the Australian outback.

Katy Sweeney is determined to find her sister. A year earlier, just three weeks into a solo van life trip, free-spirited Phoebe vanished without a trace on Western Australia’s remote and achingly beautiful Coral Coast. With no witnesses, no leads, and no DNA evidence, the case has gone cold. But Katy refuses to give up.

Using Phoebe’s social media accounts as a map, Katy starts to retrace her steps, searching for the clues that the police have missed. Was Phoebe being followed? Who had she met along the way, and what danger did they pose? Was she as happy as her sun-bleached, lens-flared photos seem to suggest?

Then Katy’s path collides with that of Beth, a young woman on the run from her own dark past—and very recent present. And as Katy realizes that Beth might be her best and only chance of finding the truth, the two women form an uneasy alliance to venture forth into increasingly wild territory to find out what really happened to Phoebe in this breathtaking but maybe deadly place, and how her fate connects them all.

Anna Downes takes us on a twist-filled journey into the dark side of solo female travel, in this gripping novel that explores what drives us to keep searching for those we have lost, the family bonds that can make or break us, and the deception of memory.

My View:
This book “reads” like one of the horror stories you used to watch on tv – with hand over your face, peaking through your fingers as you didnt really want to miss anything.

I nearly gave up….the fear factor escalated with my connection to “van life”, it’s no secret we have a caravan …and we have travelled the route of Katy’s road trip many a time. I put the book down and had a restless night’s sleep.

The next day I resumed reading – and was so glad I did!

What an perfect sense of place, of van life, of travelling up the west coast of Western Australia, of adventure… of fear. And then we have the pitch perfect insight into relationships gone very wrong.

This is a five star read from me.

If you will be in the Margaret River region in June, Anna Downes will be hosting a book event as part of the Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival. Lucky us! https://mrrwfestival.com/in-conversation-with-anna-downes/ Hope to see you there.



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Review: Greater City Shadows – Laurie Steed

Greater City Shadows
Laurie Steed
UWA Publishing
ISBN: 9781760802691

Description:
A man treads water in the Swan River, hoping to bring his friend back to shore. Three siblings gaze skyward seeking a comet among the stars. A mother and daughter grapple with their fraught relationship and an inappropriate birthday cake. Bushfires sweep a Perth suburb while a woman, still burnt from a previous relationship, lessens the divide between an individual and their community. In Greater City Shadows, Laurie Steed shines a light on the tremendous complexity and beauty of everyday relationships. From unrequited first love and burnt flames of the past to early parenthood stresses and tense friendships. These short stories are vulnerable and tender — a captivating collection reminding us that to be connected is to be human.

‘Evocative and engaging, Greater City Shadows shows how the short story form, in the hands of a skilful writer, can offer profound insights into people’s inner and outer lives.’ — Susan Midalia‘Timely, tender and true, Greater City Shadows is a superb collection of stories.‘ — Ryan O’Neill

My View:
I don’t know what else I can add to my review that hasn’t already been said; “though provoking, tender, profound insights into people’s inner and outer lives, evocative…”

Perhaps I will just add; moments that make you pause and think…make you feel, moments you can relate to, I see a little of this writer’s soul in every short story and I like it.

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Review: Ripper – Shelley Burr

Ripper
Shelley Burr
Hachette Australia
ISBN:9780733647857
RRP $32.99

Description:

Gemma Guillory knows her once-charming town is now remembered for one reason, and one reason only.

That three innocent people died. That the last stop on the Rainier Ripper’s trail of death seventeen years ago was her innocuous little teashop.

She knows that the consequences of catching the Ripper still haunt her police officer husband and their marriage to this day and that some of her neighbours are desperate – desperate enough to welcome a dark tourism company keen to cash in on Rainier’s reputation as the murder town.

When the tour operator is killed by a Ripper copycat on Gemma’s doorstep, the unease that has lurked quietly in the original killer’s wake turns to foreboding, and she’s drawn into the investigation. Unbeknownst to her, so is a prisoner named Lane Holland.

Gemma knows her town. She knows her people. Doesn’t she?

My View:
mmmmm…where to begin? The prologue was captivating, the sense of tension, the landscape (small country town), the main character is established – a nineteen year old woman, the previous murders illuminated, and now… one more.

We then jump ahead to where the protagonist (Gemma) is married, with a teenage child of her own, in the same town she grew up in. Gemma lives with a silent regret for not getting help sooner, for the last victim. This regret tinges the entire read and I found it completely understandable. We get hints of so many potential back stories that could have been shared, that I was left wondering what exactly had been going on, in the town, with some of the characters ( there is big time leap from prologue to the rest of the narrative) …so much of interest to me that was not fleshed out.

Then boom! All the balls are in the air! What a delicate and amazing job the author did to keep so many threads, deceptions and incidents from falling to the floor. The later part of the book was exceptional.

Overall I think the beginning and the middle to end were electric! The beginning fell a little flat for me.

This is a book that will divide readers, I have seen some 5 stars and some average reviews of this one. If you have read this let me know what you thoughts are.

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Lunchbox Boss: No Fuss Beef Patties – George Georgievski

Lunchbox Boss
George Georgeievski
Plum
Pan Macmillan Australia
ISBN: 9781761265938
RRP $26.99
**photography by Mark Roper

“Once a week I make killer cheeseburgers for dinner – it’s a fun casual dinner where I smash some burgers together and we indulge. My daughter Anela once took the leftovers to school and they were such a hit – even with her friends – that I have modified the recipe to make them lunchbox friendly. See page 126 for how to use these patties to make beef sliders.” p53

Ingredients:
500 g beef mince
1 egg
50 g (1⁄2 cup) dried breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
olive oil, for cooking
Makes 8
NF DF

Method:
Put the mince in a large mixing bowl. Now this is going to sound nuts, but I let it warm up a little (for around 1 hour) because when I mix it up my fingers freeze and it’s not cool … well, it is cool, but
you know what I’m saying, right?


Drop in the rest of the ingredients in any order you like. Wash your hands before mixing the ingredients with your hands.


Prepare a large plate or tray lined with baking paper to place the patties as you make them. Use wet hands to make the patties so that the mixture doesn’t stick to your fingers. I make eight balls, then squash them on the grill when I start cooking. (I use a barbecue grill, however a frying pan works perfectly well, too.)


Drizzle a little olive oil into the pan or on the barbecue grill and line a large plate with paper towel. The cooking time depends on how flat you squash the patties; I like them crispy, so I squash them till they’re about 1 cm thick. The cooking time for 1 cm thick patties is around 3 minutes on each side.


I usually cook these the night before and pop them in an airtight container in the fridge once they cool down. In the morning, microwave them for 2 minutes so they’re super hot and then
put them straight into a hot thermos (see Tips).


TIPS
Once cooked, these beef patties will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days.


To keep the patties nice and hot, fill a thermos with boiling water and close the lid so the internal lining of the stainless steel heats up. Let it sit for 10 minutes before replacing the hot water with the hot food.


Gluten free – Use your favourite gluten-free breadcrumbs.


Egg free – Replace the egg with 1 tablespoon of milk.

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Lunchbox Boss: Blueberry Coconut Balls – George Georgievski

Lunchbox Boss
George Georgievski
Plum
Pan Macmillan Australia
ISBN: 9781761265938
RRP $26.99
**photography by Mark Roper

“Blueberries are my favourite superfood. I use them almost daily in my kids’ lunchboxes (a half-handful is enough for a healthy hit). I like to buy blueberries in bulk when they are in season, then freeze them so I can make these beauties year-round.” p177

Ingredients
155 g (1 cup) fresh or frozen blueberries
150 g (1 1⁄2 cups) rolled oats
1 tablespoon melted coconut oil or MCT oil (see Tips)
1 tablespoon chia seeds
2 tablespoons maple syrup
45 g (1⁄2 cup) desiccated coconut
Makes 15
NF DF EF VG

Method
Time to plug in your food processor and blitz some ingredients. Drop in the blueberries, oats, oil, chia seeds, maple syrup and 1 tablespoon of the desiccated coconut. Blitz until all the ingredients are pretty smooth and you want to dip your finger in to taste (but don’t do that … unless no one is watching).

Pour the mixture into an airtight container and pop it in the fridge for 2 hours or the freezer for 1 hour.

Place the remaining desiccated coconut onto a small plate or in a bowl. Use a tablespoon to scoop out the cold blueberry mixture, then roll it with your hands until it’s almost perfectly round. Roll the ball in the desiccated coconut until it is evenly coated. Repeat until you’ve used up all the mixture. (If you’re like
me you’ll have to taste test every third one just to make sure the kids will survive.)


These are best popped back into the fridge in an airtight container until you’re ready to dispatch them to the lunchbox.


TIPS
Available from supermarkets, MCT (medium-chain triglycerides) oil is great for gut health, the heart and energy levels. It doesn’t have a strong taste and is very similar to coconut oil.


These balls can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Or freeze for up to 1 month.


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Review: Etta and the Octopus – Zana Fraillon & Andrew Joyner

Etta and the Octopus

Zana Fraillon

Andrew Joyner – Illustrator

Hachette Aus

Lothain Chidren’s Books

ISBN:9780734421685

RRP $14.99

Description:

A hilarious, fully illustrated tale about an unlikely friendship between a girl and an octopus that is perfect for newly independent readers, from one of Australia’s most respected writers for children and an award-winning illustrator.

FOUND!

One octopus!

Likes to eat tuna sandwiches.

Goes by the name of ‘Oswald’.

It all began when Etta decided to take a bath . . . And realised she wasn’t alone. In the bath sat Oswald. Etta had never had an octopus in her bath before.

At first, Etta thinks it might be fun to have Oswald around. But she soon learns that octopuses are not very good at being tidy . . . or cooking . . . or sharing . . . or even playing nicely.

Just as Etta has almost had enough, someone comes to claim Oswald. Oswald isn’t perfect, but does Etta
really want to send him away?

My View:

A delightful, smelly, fishy, read for you to share with your new reader – and don’t all 5 year + enjoy a bit of smelly, fishy, type jokes? A narrative about friendship, kindness and fishy odours:) I think this is the prefect story, characters and design for animation.

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Review: Naked Ambition – Robert Gott

Naked Ambition

Robert Gott

Scribe

ISBN:9781922585967

RRP $29.99

Description:

You’re a politician, a public figure. What on earth were you thinking?’

Up-and-coming junior minister Gregory Buchanan has had a portrait painted of himself by the acclaimed artist Sophie White — a painting she intends to enter in this year’s Archibald Prize. Until then, Gregory has hung it in pride of place on his dining-room wall. It’s a life-sized standing portrait, practically photographic in nature. And it’s a nude.

His wife will be home soon and he thinks the painting will be a pleasant surprise. Even more surprising will be an unexpected accumulation of guests: his sardonic mother, his fundamentalist mother-in-law, his lycra-clad cycling-enthusiast sister, and the state premier, Louisa Wetherly — a senior minister has just resigned in scandalous circumstances, and she needs Gregory to step into the spotlight ahead of the coming election.

It’s going to be a wild afternoon, and an even wilder campaign — to do something about Gregory’s naked ambition.

My View:

Clever, wicked, intelligent and so funny. A great read.

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Review: Home Before Night – J.P. Pomare

Home Before Night

J P Pomare

Hachette Australia

ISBN:9780733649547

RRP $32.99

Description:

As the third wave of the virus hits, all inhabitants of Melbourne are given until 8 pm to get to their homes. Wherever they are when the curfew begins, they must live for four weeks and stay within five kilometres of. When Lou’s son, Samuel, doesn’t arrive home by nightfall, she begins to panic.

He doesn’t answer his phone. He doesn’t message. His social media channels are inactive. Lou is out of her mind with worry, but she can’t go to the police, because she has secrets of her own. Secrets that Samuel just can’t find out about. Lou must find her son herself and bring him home.

My View:

I felt this was a book of two parts- the first – I just could not work out what was going on…the unreliable narrator worked exceptionally well but I was confused as to the point. The suddenly the pointy bits struck me! The later part of the book was masterful and made sense of everything else…A quick read…See if you can work it out before the end.

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Review: The Next Girl – Pip Drysdale

The Next Girl

Pip Drysdale

Simon & Schuster

ISBN: 9781761106644

Description;

Promising Young Woman meets High Fidelity in the dark and twisty new thriller from the bestselling author of The Sunday Girl, The Strangers We Know and The Paris Affair.

A bad day at work. A drunken night. A rogue Instagram follow. That’s all it takes to ruin a life …

The question is, whose life will be ruined? When Billie wakes up in a strange guy’s bed, her first thought is: what happened last night? She can’t even remember meeting him. And how the hell did she get to Coney Island?

Then reality bites and the memories flood in – the reason she was in that bar, drinking to start with: today she’s going to get fired. Because yesterday her law firm lost a big case: Samuel Grange v Jane Delaney. And it looked like it was her fault.

It wasn’t. Yet now Samuel Grange is free to drive off into the sunset in his stupid Porsche and do it all again to another woman. And all Billie can think is: What about the next girl? And the one after that? But there is nothing she can do to stop him.

Unless … She could expose the truth about him on her own. Then everyone would see what he was really like. And he wouldn’t be able to do it again.

The problem is, the only way to protect the next girl is to become the next girl. And, well, that could be a little risky … even deadly.

Praise for The Next Girl

‘Original. Breathtaking. Dangerous. The Next Girl is compulsory reading from an author at the top of her game.’ Loraine Peck, author of The Second Son

‘It hooked me in and left me breathless. Set aside your weekend because you won’t be able to put it down.’ Petronella McGovern, author of The Liars

‘Fierce, smart and packed with tension, The Next Girl grabbed me from the first page.’ Ashley Kalagian Blunt, author of Dark Mode

‘Pip Drysdale is one of the brightest new stars in the realm of first-person psychological suspense … Romantic suspense for the Netflix generation.’ Canberra Times

‘A twisty, suspenseful thriller with a heroine who makes doing bad things seem right.’ Tim Ayliffe, author of The Enemy Within

368 pages, Paperback

Published November 30, 2022

Dear Pip

Yesterday I had a massage – I had kinks and knots and aches and pains. The remedial massage was an hour of bliss (mostly ) Last night I continued to read your book, The Next Girl. I was reading curled up on the lounge, I could feel the tension in my neck budling…being “posture aware” I moved my reading to the kitchen table, I sat straight for all of 2 minutes and then the tension, almost like panic, fear, anticipation…came back. I was “in that room” with your protagonist. I tore through the final chapters, finished the book and exhaled. My muscles relaxed.

You owe me, one remedial massage 🙂

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Review: A Brief Affair – Alex Miller

A Brief Affair

Alex Miller

Allen & Unwin

ISBN: 9781761066573

Description:

A moving novel about storytelling, about truths, and love, from twice Miles Franklin Award winner Alex Miller.

From the bustling streets of China, to the ominous Cell 16 in an old asylum building, to the familiar sounds and sight of galahs flying over a Victorian farm, A Brief Affair is a tender love story.

On the face of it, Dr Frances Egan is a woman who has it all – a loving family and a fine career – until a brief, perfect affair reveals to her an imaginative dimension to her life that is wholly her own.

Fran finds the courage and the inspiration to risk everything and change her direction at the age of forty-two. This newfound understanding of herself is fortified by the discovery of a long-forgotten diary from the asylum and the story it reveals.

Written with humour, sensitivity and the wisdom for which Miller’s work is famous, this exquisitely compassionate novel explores the interior life and the dangerous navigation of love in all its forms.

My View:

This author has such a powerful yet subtle touch – his words to be savoured, his books to be treasured.

5 Stars *****