Such great Australian talent of late. Allen & Unwin are churning them out at a rate of knots. Thank you to that pubSo. Good. So. Horrifying. So. Real.
Such great Australian talent of late. Allen & Unwin are churning them out at a rate of knots. Thank you to that publisher for my physical copy to read and review. I will be keeping my copy, after loaning it to a fellow book lover from work.
An absolute common theme again for my latest reads, sexual assault, gendered violence, misogyny, and corruption shows itself to the extreme, here. In this instance, I felt our protagonist, Senior Detective Antigone Pollard was a safe, capable, and strong lead. I was never once left feeling she was unable to hold her own, stand up for herself and showing a good sense of knowing when to choose her battles.
The book opens as she is undercover, enticing a possible serial rapist out of the fold in a pub, by way of drink spiking. We see her physical strength straight away; she’s a fighter, tough and strong.
Again, this is a small country town run by overbearing, sexist, entitled and arrogant men. But luckily for us, and for Antigone, she stands up for herself, and her capabilities are such that she will not falter. She has an amazing partner (Wozza – yep you got it right!) and forms excellent alliances with the women of the town.
I loved Antigone’s faithful dog, Waffles, a loveable hound that failed at being a police dog. He wasn’t quite aggressive enough. I learned a lot about this type of dog, which is interesting to me as I work where the local canine unit train their dogs. I found this aspect of the story fascinating, how she cared for Waffles and how loyal and well trained he was.
Antigone forms friendships with the women of the town, who often meet up at the local CWA group where she holds self defence classes as part of her presence. Her boss Bob ‘Wheels’ Wheeler will have none of this, Wheels also takes offence to everything she does. Looking down on her at every turn, as do many of the men of authority in the town, such as the Mayor and the high school principal. In fact, most men she came across had a terrible attitude and assumed they were entirely unaccountable for their despicable treatment of women. Young men being raised in an unhealthy environment where the victims are treated as the offender, and the true offenders acting as the victim. The level of entitlement was what spurred me along, it was so very bad! Antigone was very switched on was able to control herself, she took and took and took the bad treatment, and saved it for when it was appropriate for her to act.
Brittany Higgins and Grace Tame were mentioned (current high profile Australian cases of blatant sexual mistreatment) so this book really does delve quite deep. Written by a researcher, teacher, and podcaster, is now able to tell her story to a wider audience after previously writing true crime, evidently this writer knows her content. The crime is fast paced and clever, deviating in all types of ways.
I found this book chilling, compelling, addictive, clever, maddening, and when it comes down to it, mostly horrifying as these things happen. The mistreatment of women where those in power have built a protective layer and those in need have no protection at all. Antigone’s arrival in Deception Bay is long overdue; she can handle the disgraceful treatment, but those at a higher risk cannot. Detective Antigone and her partner form an excellent alliance, helped by those brave enough in the community to make a stand.
I got a lump in my throat. Sometimes kindness came from the unlikeliness of allies. I gave him a small not of gratitude. He nodded back; no words necessary.
My experience with this book comes with a high recommendation. Very well written, edge of your seat pacing, and sadly, very real.
With my thanks to Allen & Unwin for my physical copy to read and review; keep doing what you are doing the formula works....more
Yet another strong and viable debut from a new Australian author. This one was great. I share my maiden name with the protagonist, a strong and fearleYet another strong and viable debut from a new Australian author. This one was great. I share my maiden name with the protagonist, a strong and fearlesss Detective Sergeant, Rose Riley. Set in western Sydney, my stomping ground, this was a page turning and thrilling ride. A gritty and palpable police procedural set around the corner; I should get my son to listen to the audio version, he wants to join the force. Not to mention my daughter, sharing Riley's name, my girl studying criminology. I love my book similarities.
Bring in a tired and heavy drinking journalist slogging out the graveyard shift for The National, Bowman has ties to the story that Riley is working on. A girl murdered on the grounds of an elite boarding school that he grew up on all those years ago. Bowman, an alcoholic with OCD tendencies, forms an alliance with the team while of course being vaguely under suspicion for some of the time. So many observations were spot on, Bowman trying to control his drinking, characteristics of the working class, and the snobbery found in schools like these. Journalism and its print demise features too, and of course, with the author’s background being this precise industry, we know we are in safe hands.
Suburbs from Breakfast point, to St Marys, Mt Druitt, Toongabbie, Pemulwuy, Blayney and Orange are mentioned, and for Australians and Sydney siders like me this always adds more depth. When you grow up just up the road it’s a bit of fun. Full of all the usual Aussie colloquialisms, this was down to earth writing matched well with an interesting and unique storyline.
Riley drank a lot of stubbies with Bowman, I’m not sure all detectives have that blokey feel, but stubbies certainly do fit the Aussie way and for the fiction element this fits. Riley fits in with the best of them and drinks like the blokes, beer, wine, she's not fussy. The author mentions the RTA (which is now Service NSW) but this doesn’t matter. My pedantic editorial vibe always has to make a mention!
A gritty and details heavy mystery with elements of childhood abuse, infidelity, and corruption. The school principal was an arrogant man, his callousness and greed, and lack of sympathy for a girl killed on his campus were awful; I wanted to wring his neck! He and other old boys had a grandiose sense of entitlement; these were all explained by the character I loved - the forensic psychiatrist Farquhar who throughout guided the team with ideas; the personality reflections were extremely interesting and to my untrained eye, it seemed a lot of research went into this, I think if one was to refer to the DSM-5, one would not be led astray. I don't think I've met a fictional character quite like him. His observations included a thought provoking correlation between his alcoholism and his books, an addictive personality filling a void with booze and books. Curious!
And of course, the wonderful Parramatta River tied this all together. Wonderfully evocative with well drawn and likeable main characters, this is a series to keep an eye on. Well done to Matthew Spencer on a quality debut. Us Aussies keep churning them!
With many thanks to Allen & Unwin for my physical copy to read and review, I had such fun with entering this one with the same name and growing up in the area. Thank you!...more
Just a few hours ago, I returned this book to my public library. I did not want to return it! It was a lovely book. If I did not own more than 500 booJust a few hours ago, I returned this book to my public library. I did not want to return it! It was a lovely book. If I did not own more than 500 books I would buy it so I could have it on my shelf.
I love quirky characters in my reading, and that, Tiffy was. I also love when the names chosen in books are lovely names. Her name really suited her. Tiffy is a lovely young woman, but she has not met a nice man. A topical subject which I read about often, is gas lighting. It disturbs me that dating and relationship happenings have so many terms these days, does it mean our world is becoming transactional? I think so. There are terms for liking someone a little, but hanging on until something better comes along, and liking someone enough to have sex with, but not enough to be faithful. Scary stuff!
Tiffy is a clever girl, she has gotten away from her obsessive ex-boyfriend, this has been very hard. At every chance he could get he would be breaking up with her, requesting a reconciliation and suggesting it was her idea in the first place. He would subtly communicate she was not allowed out with girlfriends, but so cunningly this was not obvious at the time. He would trick her into thinking she’d forgotten things when they did not exist in the first place. He was a nasty piece of work.
Working as an editorial assistant on a pitiful wage, Tiffy needs some new accommodations now that she has finally made the decision to rid of this nasty man. Ending up in a funny but workable situation with a shift working nurse, Tiffy has the flat at night, and Leon during the day. Thus begins an adorable post it note scenario of letter writing; they end up all over the flat. Tiffy has a wardrobe with personality, and Leon can’t quite work out who the woman is behind the post it notes, but conjures an image of an older and not so attractive woman!
Tiffy’s best mates are adorable, and Leon’s family situation and career very interesting and full of equally likable characters. This is a serious book and a lovely light hearted one all at once, if that is possible.
Tough. Raw. No holds barred! Easy 5 stars. A tasty and oh so clever read. Review of the audio version to follow. Hard copy to be purchased. Riddles toTough. Raw. No holds barred! Easy 5 stars. A tasty and oh so clever read. Review of the audio version to follow. Hard copy to be purchased. Riddles to read properly and probably shake my head at. No puns! Audio - amazing narrator!
This was a gritty and fabulously horrendously gripping read. Edge of the seat reading from the get go. The Hangman rips apart every likable thing about a protag, but forces you to like him still, even after discovering the despicable obsession; after all he is a psychopath.
But I still liked him. Is that horrible? Is that terrible?
He steps into cases that cannot be solved in exchange for a bizarre payment, he is clever, witty, and unafraid to be crazy.
I met Jack Heath, he is young, fresh and unafraid to talk his craft in front of an audience. I'd like to know where he gets his ideas from. This really is very good reading, perhaps at its best! Read it and look forward to number two, just as I am....more
Joyce Maynard is the type of lady I’d love to live next door to. I love her stories. I could grab some kitchen tips, life tips and talk books! I’d lovJoyce Maynard is the type of lady I’d love to live next door to. I love her stories. I could grab some kitchen tips, life tips and talk books! I’d love that. This is the second novel of hers that I have come across. The first one being Labor Day. From this you can just tell she’s a baker, always mentioning passionate food stories in both. I chose this one as I wrote to her here on GR, and she suggested this title. Just happened to have this on my shelf, thanks to my love of second hand book shopping.
This quietly and slowly stole its way onto my favourite list as I read along. It was a slow burn, I always wanted to read it but not full of tension like the usual thrillers I read. It was kind of sneaky, but I knew it was going to get better and better. I only noticed about 80 pages or so in that there were no quotation marks, this seemed less formal and a bit hippy-ish, which actually is just about how I imagine Joyce to be?!
As in Labor Day, at the end of the book she gives us a huge insight into the motivation behind writing the book, where she did this and how her own children’s relationships in part formed parts of the motivation. One of the reasons she writes a book like this she explains for a young girl with dreams of being a writer who lives life herself in an very uncertain part of the world. Tid-bits of real life stuff like this always adds an extra rich layer. This book is about loss and re-birth following 911. It was believable, appealing and special.
The author tackles this theme through the surprisingly wise eyes of a 13-year-old girl Wendy, and the way this was laid out to us was extraordinary. Not only is she dealing with indescribable grief, but she’s 13, and we see the gamut of emotions that go along with this. Not being able to say goodbye and tragic last moments of teenage angst being thrust upon her most beloved Mum. How does she cope without saying goodbye? Where is her place in the world now, having not lived with her birth father for more than a decade? What of her gracious step-father and gorgeous young brother she’d do anything for?
I’d love all my reading friends to read this sometime, this author just tells a story so honestly and in a really lovely way. Other funny throw away lines included Jennifer Lopez marrying again, Drew Barrymore divorcing (and has again since the book was printed, love my pop culture references!), and the owner of a small indi bookstore mentioning if Borders doesn't kill him maybe he's got a hope. Has anyone been to a bookstore called Davis in California? This book has ramped up my obsession with New York, I'll go there one day.
She had a saying: Treats make trouble. It was amazing how often that applied.
On her memories of her mum: Floodwaters now. More pictures coming at her than she had time to collect even, they rushed by so quickly. Catch it, catch it. Don’t let that one get away.
The word had an unfriendly, tight fisted sound to it, like a person who’s splitting the cost of a candy bar right down to the penny.
..or maybe not even spikes of green yet, just the barest blush of colour – something had begun to grow back in her.
And that of her lovely red clarinet: That could be true. But think of all the other colors.
I'm not being ultra articulate here, nor did I mean to make this so long. Along with lovable characters (I have to say every single one) the ensemble cast I loved as well. Carolyn, Alan, Tim, Violet. Read it and see for yourself!...more
Charlie is the type of character I just love, and this story is from his point of view, in the style of letters written by Charlie, to an unknown sourCharlie is the type of character I just love, and this story is from his point of view, in the style of letters written by Charlie, to an unknown source. He's a quirky youngster, one of those kids that just seem to get things the way not many kids get, but at the same time 'not getting it' in the conventional way. I'm so so glad Charlie isn't conventional. He's a thinker, eager to please in a good way. This is a coming of age story that is heartbreaking but at the same time fantastic. I was left with the impression that he would be ok, given the shock at the end which I didn't see coming. And I just really wanted him to be ok as I fell for this character. I have not read a book by Stephen Chbosky before, but I was glad I came across my copy. I think the author really did 'get' the angst of adolescence with a spot on delivery through a quirky guy we get to know as Charlie. Very cool book.
I first saw the film, but have only vague memories of it. I think a story such as this is best heard through the book, nothing can be left out and we see it in the manner which it was intended. In saying that the author directed and wrote the screen play as well. Interesting! I whole heartedly recommend this book. A little gem. ...more
This was a great read, really engaging, the characters were sweet and quirky, the main character is a good guy with various issues, he was so real thoThis was a great read, really engaging, the characters were sweet and quirky, the main character is a good guy with various issues, he was so real though and was happy to be himself. I found myself really gunning for him! Rosie sweeps into his life which places him into a bit of a spin, life is about to change, and it's a fun ride whilst this happens. She was great too, just like in real life it's nice to meet people who buck the trend and don't have to be like 'everybody else'. I recommend this book, it's a charming story and I felt like I had a friend throughout.
This is an example of fine storytelling, and I honestly think it's a great book to recommend to anyone looking for an Aussie read with an amazing amount quirk and spirit. It has got both in abundance. This author knows what he's doing!...more
This wee gem has been on my Aussie author radar for some time (Marianne our/my own Whisperer spoke of this unique novel a long time ago). It is also oThis wee gem has been on my Aussie author radar for some time (Marianne our/my own Whisperer spoke of this unique novel a long time ago). It is also one of the first books ever added to this site when I joined years ago. So in my own little way I can say I'm working on my Tbr. Doubtful, Suz.
Quirky it was. Grace (19 letters in her full name) has a number issue. Counting counting counting. OCD to the extreme, and she even has a partner in crime, Mr Nikola Tesla. He sits by her bedside, waxed moustache and all. This book is full of fact, and most entertaining fiction. Grace is a very likeable character, and I loved the journey she made, beginning with the handsome, totally understanding and endearing Seamus O'Reilly (again 19).
Loved loved loved loved it, Grace still ended up counting her poppy seeds et all, but on her terms. Toni Jordan has written a beautiful and just simply a lovely story, and in my opinion a sparkling debut. Please let me count on you to give it a whirl, I promise you a whole lot of quirk and special!...more
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