Fiction

17 November 2009

Set in Australia in a small mining town, this is a story told through the eyes of a young girl using the first person. The reader glimpses family life falling apart because of the actions of her older sister, and the impact this has on three generations. In parts sad, in parts amusing, this is an... More..

4 November 2009

Set in Nantucket Island on the eastern seaboard of the United States, this book follows the fortunes and dramas of a Boston banking family who have been spending their summers in the huge house that has been in the family for generations. This summer they are all gathering for Nona's 90th birthday,... More..

4 November 2009

If you are of a sensitive nature, then I would advise you to not read this book, number three in the series. However, if you enjoy a little of the macabre and some black humour, then this is a chuckle out loud read. In attempting to find a serial murderer in his home town of Miami, Dexter allows... More..

15 October 2009

Starting in 1939 and set in the small town of Augusta Falls, Georgia, twelve year old Joseph Vaughan, after hearing of the brutal murder of a young girl, sets up The Guardians with his friends to protect their neigbourhood. However, despite their efforts the murders continue for the next decade and... More..

15 October 2009

Among other things, the author is Professor for the theory and practice of medicine at Stanford University as well as an excellent writer. This story is about an unusual child, in an unusual setting who lives through unusual circumstances and one book I just couldn't put down. Set in Addis Ababa... More..

14 October 2009

I found this book engrossing and moving. Set in the present in England, it tells of two interwoven relationships, which are intricately enmeshed in a way hard to imagine but easy to believe because the characters are so well delineated by the author. It is written with such authority that even... More..

14 October 2009

This novel is set in 1960 in a department store in Sydney named Goodes, which is a fictionalised version of the Elizabeth Street store David Jones. The story is very character focused and centres on four females who work in the ladies’ cocktail frocks section. Patty and Fay are ordinary young... More..

13 October 2009

This debut novel from Tiffany Baker is an absolute treasure to read. I quickly became engrossed in the story of Truly, born with a genetic condition that keeps her growing until she is larger than everyone around her. This is ultimately a love story set in small town America, about family dramas... More..

13 October 2009

John le Carre turns his storytelling talents to the ‘War on Terror.’ Set in Hamburg, the story tells of a half-starved young Russian man claiming to be a devout Muslim, an idealistic young German civil rights lawyer, and a sixty-year-old banker, who form an unlikely alliance to get the young... More..

13 October 2009

In a nutshell, this is a book about a woman’s journey to understand who she once was. Set on board a cruise liner, which in itself supplies an interesting background, the story involves a number of disparate characters who each help her towards the resolution she has so far been denied. There are... More..

13 October 2009

Each story is tantalising, ending with possibilities yet to come. Many seem to be from the view of someone who is somewhat divorced from the conventional world, maybe even mad. In "Eyes of the Soul" a window treatment firm provides a fantastic solution to a dismal view...or does it? CAO More..

12 October 2009

For someone who is dead, Grace is having a lively time of it. She was shot while buying cigarettes (smoking is bad for you) but doesn't realise at first. She lives in a limbo, an almost copy of her old neighbourhood but occasionally, very rarely, she can step back into our world. The first time... More..

12 October 2009

A busload of variable teens and a team of scientists who have managed to transport creatures who may or may not be demons to our world. You just know that these groups are going to collide, but the villains and heroes are unexpected. An exploration of the ethics of way-out-there science within a... More..

12 October 2009

An eighty year old woman on her way to have lunch with the Queen has a car accident. As she awaits rescue she remembers her life with grace and gratitude. Beautiful writing.EO More..

12 October 2009

In a follow-up to the novel Boy in the World, Jay continues his search for his father. We left him in Ethiopia under the caring wing of Sister Bridget. But he still feels the pull to find his missing father - the link between his past and his future, and the piece that will complete the jigsaw... More..

14 September 2009

Although starting and finishing in the present in a prison cell in Guantanamo Bay, at the core of this story is the atomic bomb that was dropped on Nagasaki in 1945. The lives of characters from three very different cultures are cleverly interwoven in a tale of love and loss. In this beautifully... More..

14 September 2009

Written in truly voluptuous language, this is a delightfully realistic view of life through the eyes of eight year old Nyree and her younger sister Cia. Living in Rhodesia during the days of the "Terrs" and the fall of the white government, their idyllic life is to be changed forever when a... More..

14 September 2009

This is an absorbing story about a Republican First Lady, Alice Blackwell. The similarities to Laura Bush are plain - both were school librarians, both involved in a car crash in which someone was killed, and both married into wealthy, privileged families. Alice is depicted compassionately - her... More..

9 September 2009

If you enjoyed Lewycka’s A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian and Two Caravans you will love this read. It is a witty, fast-paced combination of eccentric characters who will have you laughing all the way.PT More..

9 September 2009

A slavery novel which follows the journey over six decades of an eleven year old African girl, from her capture right up until the time she stands before the British Parliament asking for the abolition of slavery. A wonderful, moving novel.EO More..

26 August 2009

Having read and enjoyed Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series, I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. The Host was written for an adult audience, and is about aliens invading Earth and taking over the bodies of human beings. The story follows one particular alien and her human "host", and as... More..

19 August 2009

The story begins with the murder of an illegal African street vendor in a busy Venetian campo while he was attempting to sell his fake designer handbags to a group of American tourists.This book deals with issues surrounding immigrants, race and immigrant labour. The detective Guido Brunetti must... More..

19 August 2009

Sunny Cooper is still recovering from her unusual upbringing on a commune, dealing with her relationship with her mother and haunted by her younger sister's death, when she suffers another personal tragedy and decides to start life afresh. She moves to the small town of Harmony on San Miguel... More..

19 August 2009

This is one of the feel-good books of the year. Set in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, canny, big hearted businesswoman Grace Tungaraza is a professional with a successful cake baking business. You are drawn into her life and learn about the strength of women who have endured the horror of genocide... More..

17 August 2009

When Bunty discovers her husband is having an affair, she is more concerned about how she will maintain the lifestyle she has become accustomed to than sorry that her marriage is about to end. With no money of her own and few work skills, having spent her time as a ‘stay at home’ mum watching... More..

17 August 2009

Laz is well-liked, loved and admired by his family and friends but he does have the habit of checking out of his life occasionally. At first, his wife Grace was alarmed by his disappearances, but he always returned with never a whiff of infidelity. But now he has been gone for several weeks. Grace... More..

3 August 2009

Charlotte Wood dedicated this novel to her parents whose love story inspired her to write it. The book is divided into four parts. The first part is set in 1963 in Australia and involves the meeting of Martin and Jocelyn who form a deep and loving relationship. Family problems come between them and... More..

3 August 2009

The latest in the series about Marcus Didius Falco, a private investigator in Ancient Rome. Falco looks into the sudden demise of Theon, the Chief Librarian at the Great Library of Alexandria in Egypt. A great read – amusing and fascinating.P.O. More..

3 August 2009

This is the most delightful story of two men and their tussle to ask a lady to a ball – which becomes a “bird – hunt”. Read on to see what unfolds.D.J. More..

3 August 2009

Deborah O’Roake a young DA is investigating a gang violence case and exposes fraud and drug trafficking. Early on she meets Cage Guthrie and of course, they fall in love and work together on this case. An enjoyable, relaxing read – a romantic suspense novel with a fantasy twist.H.B. More..

30 July 2009

Maggie McElroy, food writer, goes on a “working” trip to China to write about a young up and coming chef, Sam Ling, while also investigating a paternity suit against her late husband’s estate. This is an entertaining story with fascinating information on the food culture of China. Lots of strands... More..

30 July 2009

A page turner from start to finish. A psychological thriller, the title tells it all. Set in Minnesota a crime that was not solved, until now. Who really did kill Laura Star. you will find more of his titles at hereGarfield. More..

20 July 2009

Death by water is a tale of a woman detective, solving mysteries and uncovering secrets. The story begins on a cruise liner where a series of jewellery thefts from first class passengers have taken place. Phryne Fisher has being hired to solve the mystery of stolen jewellery Kerry Greenwood has... More..

20 July 2009

Based on a true story, this is a stunning book about an unusual subject and a different view of the American settlement of the west. Vivid and believable characters, outstanding bravery, brutal realities and the clash of cultures make this an unforgettable read. AH More..

20 July 2009

Set during the time of Edward IV, this book takes you into the world of the silk merchants and women's lives of the time. This well researched book brings to life the social and political scenes of this era and breathes life into real players at the court of the king. The story moves along at a... More..

17 July 2009

Intense and moving, this story of love, discovery, and the transformational power of music is set in the extraordinary situation of a hostage takeover.Strong friendships and bonds forged among the most unlikely people attest to humanity’s needs and desires being mutual and universal. Our continual... More..

17 July 2009

Coping with a terminally ill friend may not be everyone’s idea for the theme of a book, but this is written with humour and honesty, and is anything but gloomy. The reader finds that there is great empathy with the friend, who has been coerced into looking after her ill, but at times infuriating... More..

17 July 2009

Adam Dalgliesh and his team are called to a private clinic to investigate the death of an investigative journalist. A good read again from one of my favourite authors, though I did find this one slightly more predictable than any of her earlier books. Still worth taking home though. SJC More..

17 July 2009

Another great read from Kate Atkinson in the Jackson Brodie series. Crime, humour and good characters in the story of the consequences of a crime committed 30 years ago. Read “Case Histories and “ One Good Turn” to get to know Jackson Brodie. In each book he is just one of a good cast of... More..

17 July 2009

A beautifully told story of the tragic consequences of the wars in Afghanistan since the Soviet invasion. A Russian woman, an American ex-spy, a Special Forces soldier and a soldier of the Taliban are together in the home of an English doctor whose wife and daughter have been murdered by the... More..

7 July 2009

Book 10, in the No1. Ladies Detective Agency series, doesn’t fail to please if you need a dose of Botswana and its characters. Mme Ramotswe holds on to those who are dear to her, including her overworked and overloaded tiny white van. These stories are always a cure for downheartedness and Mme... More..

3 July 2009

If you’re in the mood for a truly delightful read then The Earth Hums in B Flat, the debut novel by Mari Strachan is the book for you. Set in a small Welsh town in the 1950s the story centres around the inquisitive and slightly ‘odd’ 12 year old Gwenni Morgan and her quest to solve the mystery of... More..

3 July 2009

At first one is tempted to think that Passage is an over-long book. But it builds and builds to the very end, and all the strands come together in one long rope that holds more questions than answers. Connie Willis writes about uncomplicated time travel coupled with wonderfully atmospheric... More..

3 July 2009

The main character is Rosa Fiore, a middle age Librarian and the only girl amongst 8 boys in a large Italian family.Rose lives a loveless life and her only passion is cooking until she meets the handsome English chef, and writer, Randolph Hunt. Randolph calls her L'Inglese and Rosa realises that... More..

22 June 2009

Always on the lookout for the unusual and the exceptional, I have just stumbled on this delightful book which features the Oscar Wilde as a sleuth. Set in the London of the 1880’s, memorable characters include the sweet Constance, Wilde’s sons, Lord Alfred Douglas, Conan Doyle and the entire cast... More..