Thomas's bookshelf: all en-US Mon, 13 Oct 2025 02:49:52 -0700 60 Thomas's bookshelf: all 144 41 https://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg <![CDATA[The Immortality Key: Uncovering the Secret History of the Religion with No Name]]> 51174256 A groundbreaking, controversial dive into the role psychedelics have played in the human experience of the Divine throughout Western history, and the answer to a 2,000 year old mystery that could shake the Church to its foundations.

The Immortality Key connects the lost, psychedelic sacrament of Greek religion to early Christianity—exposing the true origins of Western Civilization. In the tradition of unsolved historical mysteries like David Grann's Killers of the Flower Moon and Douglas Preston's The Lost City of the Monkey God, Brian Muraresku’s 10-year investigation takes the reader through Greece, Germany, Spain, France and Italy, offering unprecedented access to the hidden archives of the Louvre and the Vatican along the way.

In The Immortality Key, Muraresku explores a little-known connection between the best-kept secret in Ancient Greece and Christianity. This is the real story of the most famous human being who ever lived (Jesus) and the biggest religion the world has ever known. Today, 2.4 billion people are Christian. That's one third of the planet. But do any of them really know how it all started?

Before Jerusalem, before Rome, before Mecca—there was Eleusis: the spiritual capital of the ancient world. It promised immortality to Plato and the rest of Athens's greatest minds with a very simple formula: drink this potion, see God. Shrouded in secrecy for millennia, the Ancient Greek sacrament was buried when the newly Christianized Roman Empire obliterated Eleusis in the fourth century AD.

Renegade scholars in the 1970s claimed the Greek potion was psychedelic, just like the original Christian Eucharist that replaced it. In recent years, vindication for the disgraced theory has been quietly mounting in the laboratory. The rapidly growing field of archaeological chemistry has proven the ancient use of visionary drugs. And with a single dose of psilocybin, the psycho-pharmacologists at Johns Hopkins and NYU are now turning self-proclaimed atheists into instant believers. No one has ever found hard, scientific evidence of drugs connected to Eleusis, let alone early Christianity. Until now.

Armed with key documents never before translated into English, convincing analysis, and a captivating spirit of quest, Muraresku mines science, classical literature, biblical scholarship and art to deliver the hidden key to eternal life, bringing us to what clinical psychologist William Richards calls "the edge of an awesomely vast frontier."

Featuring a Foreword by Graham Hancock, the New York Times bestselling author of America Before: The Key to Earth's Lost Civilization.]]> 352 Brian C. Muraresku 1250207142 Thomas 4
The Immortality Key, by Brian Muraresku, is not an easy read. Muraresku is a practicing New York barrister with a Catholic background who just happens to be a university graduate in Latin, Ancient Greek, and Sanskrit. And it shows.
There were several times when I had to reread whole passages to understand what was being presented. It took me almost three weeks in total to get through this book.
Imagine, if you will, a non-fiction version of a Dan Brown book, using real research and visiting real places to unearth and explain real historical mysteries. In this case, the origin of all religions.

I won't go into all the theories he proposes. It would take far too long to do that properly. What I will say is that I believe every thinking person, whatever their religious bent, should at least attempt to navigate the contents of The Immortality Key. Muraresku's insights into the Christian inquisitions and witch-hunts alone are eye-opening.

Among other gems is the concept that we are all eternal beings and we need to "die before we die" in order to appreciate that. The inference is that if we all undertake at least one psychedelic experience at one point in our lives we will live forever, even though our bodies die. Does anyone else have a problem with that?
I don’t doubt that experiencing LSD (whether the modern laboratory version or from ergot) or psilocybin can make one feel that way, but what if that's an illusion also?

By the time I finally put this book away, I was left with just as many further questions as answers.

Anyway, if nothing else I can walk away feeling a bit like an intellectual just for having read this book, and for actually understanding most of it, at least.
The Immortality Key may not contain all the answers, but it does contain enough intelligent questions to promote sensible soul-searching. I think this is one of those books I will return to more that once before I shuffle off this mortal coil.]]> 4.23 2020 The Immortality Key: Uncovering the Secret History of the Religion with No Name
author: Brian C. Muraresku
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.23
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2023/12/24
date added: 2025/10/13
shelves:
review:
What a way to end the year! Although it's not actually 2024 just yet, and I'm currently reading a light-weight Judy Nunn novel, I feel inclined to propose this tome as my last official read of 2023.

The Immortality Key, by Brian Muraresku, is not an easy read. Muraresku is a practicing New York barrister with a Catholic background who just happens to be a university graduate in Latin, Ancient Greek, and Sanskrit. And it shows.
There were several times when I had to reread whole passages to understand what was being presented. It took me almost three weeks in total to get through this book.
Imagine, if you will, a non-fiction version of a Dan Brown book, using real research and visiting real places to unearth and explain real historical mysteries. In this case, the origin of all religions.

I won't go into all the theories he proposes. It would take far too long to do that properly. What I will say is that I believe every thinking person, whatever their religious bent, should at least attempt to navigate the contents of The Immortality Key. Muraresku's insights into the Christian inquisitions and witch-hunts alone are eye-opening.

Among other gems is the concept that we are all eternal beings and we need to "die before we die" in order to appreciate that. The inference is that if we all undertake at least one psychedelic experience at one point in our lives we will live forever, even though our bodies die. Does anyone else have a problem with that?
I don’t doubt that experiencing LSD (whether the modern laboratory version or from ergot) or psilocybin can make one feel that way, but what if that's an illusion also?

By the time I finally put this book away, I was left with just as many further questions as answers.

Anyway, if nothing else I can walk away feeling a bit like an intellectual just for having read this book, and for actually understanding most of it, at least.
The Immortality Key may not contain all the answers, but it does contain enough intelligent questions to promote sensible soul-searching. I think this is one of those books I will return to more that once before I shuffle off this mortal coil.
]]> Mixed Bag: Short Stories 231284251 Mixed Bag is a short stories collection and as the name suggests it caters to various types of literary genres namely Children’s, Drama, Romance, Horror, Thriller, Crime, Supernatural and New Adult.

The collection delves into the theme of Betrayal, Revenge, Power Struggle, Murder, Heist, Rivalry, Racism, Morals, Love and many more; with each tale laden with emotions, twists and a shock ending.  ]]> 134 Tajammul Kothari Thomas 3 4.20 Mixed Bag: Short Stories
author: Tajammul Kothari
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.20
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2025/06/13
date added: 2025/06/12
shelves:
review:
I really enjoyed Tajammul's stories. He has a gift for creating intriguing tales with twisty endings. Just the sort of thing I like. His writing is good, and will improve over time. I can't wait to read more from him in future.
]]> <![CDATA[Warrior: A Ronnie Lake Short Story (A Ronnie Lake Mystery)]]> 228392506 A grieving mother, still reeling from her son's death in Afghanistan, discovers an unexpected link to him through his military working dog.
_______________________________________________
A moving short story prequel to book one in the Ronnie Lake series.]]> 28 Niki Danforth Thomas 4 In this case, the character is a dog. But don't let that put you off.
Warrior is not just unimportant backstory; it's also a glimpse into the writing style of Ms Danforth.
Well worth the read, in my opinion.]]> 4.44 Warrior: A Ronnie Lake Short Story (A Ronnie Lake Mystery)
author: Niki Danforth
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.44
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2025/04/10
date added: 2025/04/25
shelves:
review:
It's always interesting to discover more about a book series and the characters.
In this case, the character is a dog. But don't let that put you off.
Warrior is not just unimportant backstory; it's also a glimpse into the writing style of Ms Danforth.
Well worth the read, in my opinion.
]]> <![CDATA[Feargus (The Kincaid Saga, #2)]]> 229505967 When his girlfriend is attacked by three thugs, he and his best mate mete out their own form of rough justice, setting in train a series of events that will propel them into the shady world of gangsters, protection racketeers, and The Mafia. In the 1940s and 50s, life in Australia was simple. Feargus is about to see how complicated it can get.

After a confrontation that leaves him with severe injuries, and despite his best intentions, Feargus finds himself drawn into a life of crime and drug addiction from which escape seems impossible. With the help of his friend and partner in crime, Paddy, he struggles to attain redemption for himself and a secure future for his sons.

Sometimes, however, Fate has other ideas.]]> 328 Thomas Greenbank Thomas 5 4.33 Feargus (The Kincaid Saga, #2)
author: Thomas Greenbank
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.33
book published:
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2025/03/31
shelves:
review:

]]> Here One Moment 208516656 If you knew your future, would you try to fight fate?

Aside from a delay, there will be no problems. The flight will be smooth, it will land safely. Everyone who gets on the plane will get off. But almost all of them will be forever changed.
 
Because on this ordinary, short, domestic flight, something extraordinary happens. People learn how and when they are going to die. For some, their death is far in the future—age 103!—and they laugh. But for six passengers, their predicted deaths are not far away at all.
 
How do they know this? There were ostensibly more interesting people on the flight (the bride and groom, the jittery, possibly famous woman, the giant Hemsworth-esque guy who looks like an off-duty superhero, the frazzled, gorgeous flight attendant) but none would become as famous as “The Death Lady.”
 
Not a single passenger or crew member will later recall noticing her board the plane. She wasn’t exceptionally old or young, rude or polite. She wasn’t drunk or nervous or pregnant. Her appearance and demeanor were unremarkable. But what she did on that flight was truly remarkable.
 
A few months later, one passenger dies exactly as she predicted. Then two more passengers die, again, as she said they would. Soon no one is thinking this is simply an entertaining story at a cocktail party.
 
If you were told you only had a certain amount of time left to live, would you do things differently? Would you try to dodge your destiny?
 
Liane Moriarty’s Here One Moment is a brilliantly constructed tale that looks at free will and destiny, grief and love, and the endless struggle to maintain certainty and control in an uncertain world. A modern-day Jane Austen who humorously skewers social mores while spinning a web of mystery, Moriarty asks profound questions in her newest I-can’t-wait-to-find-out-what-happens novel.]]> 512 Liane Moriarty 0593798600 Thomas 4
A flight from Hobart to Sydney is delayed, leaving the passengers with no alternative but to wait it out on board. During this time, a mysterious woman, seemingly in what seems to be a trance-like state, approaches the passengers one by one and proceeds to tell them how she “expects” them to die and at what age.

From then on, this story follows several of the passengers and Cherry, the deliverer of this news, as they cope—or in some cases, don't—with Cherry’s revelations. The story becomes more intriguing as time passes and some of her predictions appear to be coming true.

Here One Moment follows an assortment of passengers as they deal with the news, each in their own way.

Liane Moriarty is a clever and skilled writer. I’ve read several of her works and enjoyed each one. She crafts believable characters and places them in almost unbelievable situations. Just as any novelist worth their salt should.

If I had to be critical of anything concerning this book, it might be that there are so many characters, with so many interwoven stories, that as a reader I found it difficult at times remembering who was who. There were several point-of-view changes and character jumps and sometimes I’d begin a chapter without knowing exactly where each person fitted in the overall narrative. That’s a minor point, though, as it would all become clear after a couple of paragraphs.

Overall, I’d give this book four out of five stars. If you’re looking for high drama and action I’d suggest giving it a miss. If you’re looking for a damn good read that won’t give you nightmares or send your blood pressure soaring, then grab a copy today.]]> 3.93 2024 Here One Moment
author: Liane Moriarty
name: Thomas
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2024
rating: 4
read at: 2025/02/20
date added: 2025/03/19
shelves:
review:
How would you react if someone predicted your death?

A flight from Hobart to Sydney is delayed, leaving the passengers with no alternative but to wait it out on board. During this time, a mysterious woman, seemingly in what seems to be a trance-like state, approaches the passengers one by one and proceeds to tell them how she “expects” them to die and at what age.

From then on, this story follows several of the passengers and Cherry, the deliverer of this news, as they cope—or in some cases, don't—with Cherry’s revelations. The story becomes more intriguing as time passes and some of her predictions appear to be coming true.

Here One Moment follows an assortment of passengers as they deal with the news, each in their own way.

Liane Moriarty is a clever and skilled writer. I’ve read several of her works and enjoyed each one. She crafts believable characters and places them in almost unbelievable situations. Just as any novelist worth their salt should.

If I had to be critical of anything concerning this book, it might be that there are so many characters, with so many interwoven stories, that as a reader I found it difficult at times remembering who was who. There were several point-of-view changes and character jumps and sometimes I’d begin a chapter without knowing exactly where each person fitted in the overall narrative. That’s a minor point, though, as it would all become clear after a couple of paragraphs.

Overall, I’d give this book four out of five stars. If you’re looking for high drama and action I’d suggest giving it a miss. If you’re looking for a damn good read that won’t give you nightmares or send your blood pressure soaring, then grab a copy today.
]]> Jasper Jones 8407173
Rebellious, mixed-race and solitary, Jasper is a distant figure of danger and intrigue for Charlie. So when Jasper begs for his help, Charlie eagerly steals into the night by his side, terribly afraid but desperate to impress. Jasper takes him to his secret glade in the bush, and it's here that Charlie bears witness to Jasper's horrible discovery.

With his secret like a brick in his belly, Charlie is pushed and pulled by a town closing in on itself in fear and suspicion as he locks horns with his tempestuous mother; falls nervously in love and battles to keep a lid on his zealous best friend, Jeffrey Lu.

And in vainly attempting to restore the parts that have been shaken loose, Charlie learns to discern the truth from the myth, and why white lies creep like a curse.

In the simmering summer where everything changes, Charlie learns why the truth of things is so hard to know, and even harder to hold in his heart.]]> 397 Craig Silvey 1742372627 Thomas 4 I can't agree with that. This book is so much better.

Maybe it's just the dated style but I found Mockingbird rather slow and dull. Perhaps it's better once you get right into it; I don't know as it was a DNF for me.

Jasper Jones, on the other hand, held my attention from the start and I read it in record time.

If I had to be critical (and this is the reason I only gave it four stars) I'd point out that the thought processes of the 13-year-old protagonist were far too deep and mature for one his age. It may be several decades in the past but I still remember how I thought at that age.

Don't let that stop you, though. Jasper Jones is a damn fine read. I need to now seek our more of Silvey's work.]]> 4.08 2009 Jasper Jones
author: Craig Silvey
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2009
rating: 4
read at: 2025/03/17
date added: 2025/03/19
shelves:
review:
I just finished this a couple of days ago. I noticed in the blurb that it was promoted as "Australia's answer to ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’"
I can't agree with that. This book is so much better.

Maybe it's just the dated style but I found Mockingbird rather slow and dull. Perhaps it's better once you get right into it; I don't know as it was a DNF for me.

Jasper Jones, on the other hand, held my attention from the start and I read it in record time.

If I had to be critical (and this is the reason I only gave it four stars) I'd point out that the thought processes of the 13-year-old protagonist were far too deep and mature for one his age. It may be several decades in the past but I still remember how I thought at that age.

Don't let that stop you, though. Jasper Jones is a damn fine read. I need to now seek our more of Silvey's work.
]]> Lord of the Flies 7624 182 William Golding 0140283331 Thomas 4 3.71 1954 Lord of the Flies
author: William Golding
name: Thomas
average rating: 3.71
book published: 1954
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2025/03/19
shelves:
review:

]]> Keeping Faith 10913 — Richmond Times Dispatch “Extraordinary.”
— Orlando Sentinel From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult ( Nineteen Minutes, Change of Heart, Handle with Care ) comes Keeping Faith : an “addictively readable” ( Entertainment Weekly ) novel that “makes you wonder about God. And that is a rare moment, indeed, in modern fiction” ( USA Today ).]]> 422 Jodi Picoult 0060878061 Thomas 0 to-read 3.79 1999 Keeping Faith
author: Jodi Picoult
name: Thomas
average rating: 3.79
book published: 1999
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2025/03/19
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Chasing the McCubbin 56779375
Experienced collector Ron senses new possibilities: swift evictions provide hard-rubbish to scour and garage-sales have doubled. There’s only one problem: since losing his wife, Ron has struggled to navigate the suburbs alone. Plus, his deteriorating health slows him down.

This all changes through a chance meeting with Joseph, a troubled, withdrawn and unemployed 19-year old who knows nothing about antiques. As Joseph comes to understand and appreciate Ron’s world of eccentric bargain hunters, and hopefulness, his ability to navigate a history of family violence and to see a future for himself grows. Both come to share the wild dream of finding a rare bargain such as an original Frederick McCubbin painting and making their fortune. So begins an exhilarating adventure and an unlikely and beautiful friendship.

Set against the background of the early 1990s, Chasing the McCubbin is funny and sad in equal measure. A story of loneliness and the ageless desire for belonging, it will be the most heartbreaking yet feel-good novel you will read this year.]]> 272 Sandi Scaunich 1925760596 Thomas 5 I rarely read "Literary" fiction (I suppose that's what you'd classify Chasing The Mc Cubbin as) because in my opinion, it tends to be slow and plodding; full of flowery purple prose and introspection, and lacking in dramatic substance.
Definitely not this tale. The author drew me in from the start with colourful character descriptions and settings. As the story progressed, and more backstory gradually unfolded, it just got better and better.
It's difficult to elaborate on the plot without giving away spoilers, but I'll try:
The growing symbiotic relationship between Ron—the ageing collector, and Joseph—his at first reluctant protegé, is the nuts-and-bolts of the story. We're drawn into Ron's world of eccentric dealers and scroungers while at the same time gradually learning what it is that makes Ron and Joseph who they are.
At one point, near the end, I thought I could see the finalé coming, but I was cleverly mislead.
This story alludes to family violence; drug abuse and addiction, poverty and despair, without being over the top. It also shows us that there is always hope. That the human spirit can triumph.
I'm willing to admit it left me with a tear in my eye and a smile on my face. Highly recommended!
* I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest and unbiased review.
You can check it out for yourself here: https://bookshop.org/a/108464/9781925...]]> 3.89 2021 Chasing the McCubbin
author: Sandi Scaunich
name: Thomas
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at: 2021/04/30
date added: 2024/12/17
shelves:
review:
This book is destined to become a classic! There, I've said it!
I rarely read "Literary" fiction (I suppose that's what you'd classify Chasing The Mc Cubbin as) because in my opinion, it tends to be slow and plodding; full of flowery purple prose and introspection, and lacking in dramatic substance.
Definitely not this tale. The author drew me in from the start with colourful character descriptions and settings. As the story progressed, and more backstory gradually unfolded, it just got better and better.
It's difficult to elaborate on the plot without giving away spoilers, but I'll try:
The growing symbiotic relationship between Ron—the ageing collector, and Joseph—his at first reluctant protegé, is the nuts-and-bolts of the story. We're drawn into Ron's world of eccentric dealers and scroungers while at the same time gradually learning what it is that makes Ron and Joseph who they are.
At one point, near the end, I thought I could see the finalé coming, but I was cleverly mislead.
This story alludes to family violence; drug abuse and addiction, poverty and despair, without being over the top. It also shows us that there is always hope. That the human spirit can triumph.
I'm willing to admit it left me with a tear in my eye and a smile on my face. Highly recommended!
* I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest and unbiased review.
You can check it out for yourself here: https://bookshop.org/a/108464/9781925...
]]> A Dead-End Job 59096920 Death needs a vacation. Badly. But there's a There are people who cheat the system, always falling through the cracks and not dying like they're supposed to. Who's going to take care of them while Death's sipping on sangria?
The answer is Death needs an intern, and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that one prospect, Buck Palasinksia-a bankrupt hitman with a roleplaying addiction-might have what it takes. While scoping out his next target, Buck gets drilled in the forehead by a bullet and falls right into Death's lap.
If they shove him back into his body, he'll have a few weeks to prove that he has what it takes to be Death's right-hand.
All he has to do is take out Public Enemy No. 1, John Dillinger, and quit smoking.]]> 330 Justin Alcala 1956136088 Thomas 2 A Dead-End Job is a strange mixture of horror and absurd comedy. The premise is that Death needs a holiday and basically blackmails a pro hitman into filling in for him.
I really liked the author's style and enjoyed the read, for a while. What spoiled it for me—and should do for everyone—is the lack of decent editing. The book is crawling with typos, incorrect verb tenses, clumsy sentence structure, and even many completely incorrect words. Case in point: Using Partisan when he obviously meant Partition for the dividing wall in a toilet. That's just one I remember out of dozens.
As I said, the author does have talent and style. It's just that the finished product is a bit below par.
In the back matter, we're informed that the ‘publisher’ put the book through several rounds of editing. I'd be demanding my money back!
Sadly, A Dead-End Job falls flat for me, which is a shame. It could have been so good.

You can check it out for yourself here: https://bookshop.org/a/108464/9781956...]]> 3.96 2021 A Dead-End Job
author: Justin Alcala
name: Thomas
average rating: 3.96
book published: 2021
rating: 2
read at: 2024/12/10
date added: 2024/12/17
shelves:
review:
I received a PDF of this book in return for an unbiased review.
A Dead-End Job is a strange mixture of horror and absurd comedy. The premise is that Death needs a holiday and basically blackmails a pro hitman into filling in for him.
I really liked the author's style and enjoyed the read, for a while. What spoiled it for me—and should do for everyone—is the lack of decent editing. The book is crawling with typos, incorrect verb tenses, clumsy sentence structure, and even many completely incorrect words. Case in point: Using Partisan when he obviously meant Partition for the dividing wall in a toilet. That's just one I remember out of dozens.
As I said, the author does have talent and style. It's just that the finished product is a bit below par.
In the back matter, we're informed that the ‘publisher’ put the book through several rounds of editing. I'd be demanding my money back!
Sadly, A Dead-End Job falls flat for me, which is a shame. It could have been so good.

You can check it out for yourself here: https://bookshop.org/a/108464/9781956...
]]> Boy Swallows Universe 37558445
Brisbane, 1983: A lost father, a mute brother, a mum in jail, a heroin dealer for a stepfather and a notorious crime for a babysitter. It's not as if Eli's life isn't complicated enough already. He's just trying to follow his heart, learning what it takes to be a good man, but life just keeps throwing obstacles in the way - not least of which is Tytus Broz, legendary Brisbane drug dealer.

But if Eli's life is about to get a whole lot more serious. He's about to fall in love. And, oh yeah, he has to break into Boggo Road Gaol on Christmas Day, to save his mum.

A story of brotherhood, true love and the most unlikely of friendships, Boy Swallows Universe will be the most heartbreaking, joyous and exhilarating novel you will read all year.]]> 474 Trent Dalton 1460753895 Thomas 5 I avoided reading this book for a while. There was too much hype around it and I rarely read novels that have won literary awards. Usually, I find them long on purple prose and lacking drama and action. I spotted this one on a visit to my local library and after checking inside to see if it had quotation marks (it does) I decided to give it a go.
It took me a few pages to come to terms with the author's style, but once I did I could hardly put it down. I won't go into plot details, as so many others have already covered that. What I will say is that Boy Swallows Universe is not for the faint-hearted. There's a lot of violence—most of it very graphic—and enough profanity to make a drunken sailor feel at home. On the other hand, and this is something few reviewers have mentioned, it has some laugh-out-loud moments and examples of true sincerity.
Some scenes felt like they might have fitted better in a Stephen King story, but mostly it's just straightforward Aussie working-class drama. If your work happens to involve heroin trafficking, that is.
If I had to be critical, the only thing that didn't quite gel with me was the way 12-year-old Eli see-sawed between talking and thinking like a pre-teen kid and a middle-aged adult. I still remember what it was like to be 12, and no way would I have come up with some of the stuff Eli said and thought at that age. Having said that, it didn't detract from the story one bit.
I had to take a break before tackling another read after finishing this. Some books affect me that way. I've already placed a hold on Dalton's second book, though. I can't wait to do it all again.
This would definitely be one of the best books I've ever read. I'd recommend it to anyone who isn't into cosy mysteries or Mills and Boon romances. Definitely worth Five Stars!



]]> 4.31 2018 Boy Swallows Universe
author: Trent Dalton
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.31
book published: 2018
rating: 5
read at: 2022/09/03
date added: 2024/12/01
shelves:
review:
I think I have a new favourite author.
I avoided reading this book for a while. There was too much hype around it and I rarely read novels that have won literary awards. Usually, I find them long on purple prose and lacking drama and action. I spotted this one on a visit to my local library and after checking inside to see if it had quotation marks (it does) I decided to give it a go.
It took me a few pages to come to terms with the author's style, but once I did I could hardly put it down. I won't go into plot details, as so many others have already covered that. What I will say is that Boy Swallows Universe is not for the faint-hearted. There's a lot of violence—most of it very graphic—and enough profanity to make a drunken sailor feel at home. On the other hand, and this is something few reviewers have mentioned, it has some laugh-out-loud moments and examples of true sincerity.
Some scenes felt like they might have fitted better in a Stephen King story, but mostly it's just straightforward Aussie working-class drama. If your work happens to involve heroin trafficking, that is.
If I had to be critical, the only thing that didn't quite gel with me was the way 12-year-old Eli see-sawed between talking and thinking like a pre-teen kid and a middle-aged adult. I still remember what it was like to be 12, and no way would I have come up with some of the stuff Eli said and thought at that age. Having said that, it didn't detract from the story one bit.
I had to take a break before tackling another read after finishing this. Some books affect me that way. I've already placed a hold on Dalton's second book, though. I can't wait to do it all again.
This would definitely be one of the best books I've ever read. I'd recommend it to anyone who isn't into cosy mysteries or Mills and Boon romances. Definitely worth Five Stars!




]]> All Our Shimmering Skies 48814878 The bestselling author of Boy Swallows Universe, Trent Dalton returns with All Our Shimmering Skies - a glorious novel destined to become another Australian classic. Darwin, 1942, and as Japanese bombs rain down, motherless Molly Hook, the gravedigger's daughter, turns once again to the sky for guidance. She carries a stone heart inside a duffel bag next to the map that leads to Longcoat Bob, the deep-country sorcerer who put a curse on her family. By her side are the most unlikely travelling companions: Greta, a razor-tongued actress and Yukio, a fallen Japanese fighter pilot. Run, Molly, run, says the daytime sky. Run to the vine forests. Run to northern Australia's wild and magical monsoon lands. Run to friendship. Run to love. Run. Because the graverobber's coming, Molly, and the night-time sky is coming with him. So run, Molly, run.

All Our Shimmering Skies is a story about gifts that fall from the sky, curses we dig from the earth and the secrets we bury inside ourselves. It is an odyssey of true love and grave danger, of darkness and light, of bones and blue skies; a buoyant, beautiful and magical novel abrim with warmth, wit and wonder; and a love letter to Australia and the art of looking up.]]> 448 Trent Dalton Thomas 3 This book, not so much. I still like his writing style and enjoyed the read but I was left feeling that the whole thing could have been so much better had it been at least 20% shorter. So much of the time, the story dragged on with very little actually happening. I mean, how many descriptions do we need of the lush NT countryside?
There was also one particular segment that I felt could have been totally omitted without affecting the plot. I'm referring —for those who have read it—to the part where the central characters meet a bunch of loonies dwelling in caves and living on ... what? Add that to the business with Molly's mother's literal heart of stone and I was left wondering what genre I was reading. Adventure? Drama? or Fantasy?
After completing this one and giving up half-way through All The Light We Cannot See I was ready for a classic, so I buried myself in The Grapes of Wrath (again) for a dose of real literature.
Just finished that (review coming) and not sure where to go from here.]]> 3.95 2020 All Our Shimmering Skies
author: Trent Dalton
name: Thomas
average rating: 3.95
book published: 2020
rating: 3
read at: 2023/10/13
date added: 2024/12/01
shelves:
review:
After Boy Swallows Universe I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book. I loved Dalton's style and gave it five stars.
This book, not so much. I still like his writing style and enjoyed the read but I was left feeling that the whole thing could have been so much better had it been at least 20% shorter. So much of the time, the story dragged on with very little actually happening. I mean, how many descriptions do we need of the lush NT countryside?
There was also one particular segment that I felt could have been totally omitted without affecting the plot. I'm referring —for those who have read it—to the part where the central characters meet a bunch of loonies dwelling in caves and living on ... what? Add that to the business with Molly's mother's literal heart of stone and I was left wondering what genre I was reading. Adventure? Drama? or Fantasy?
After completing this one and giving up half-way through All The Light We Cannot See I was ready for a classic, so I buried myself in The Grapes of Wrath (again) for a dose of real literature.
Just finished that (review coming) and not sure where to go from here.
]]> <![CDATA[Journey to 2125: One Century, One Family, Rising to Challenges]]> 218110735 The story of a family facing our future

It’s 2125 when a long-separated grandson suddenly arrives on his doorstep looking for answers. Max MacGyver retells their family story and secrets, revealing a century of challenges that they’ve faced. Journey to 2125 is one family’s touching story, across generations, of adventure, rivalry, loss, survival, and resilience.

This is the story of a family facing our future. A small boy escapes war in Asia. A young woman flees catastrophe driven by climate change in Africa. Some family members build technology companies, while others deal with the trauma of jobs lost to automation. A young couple fight for privacy and democracy. Lives are positively transformed by biomedical science and threatened by it.

At its heart, Journey to 2125 is the story, told over a single day, of a young boy and his grandfather. Why did his parents decide to move to the Commune? What family secrets will his grandfather share?

Parts political drama, family saga, and hard-science speculative fiction, Journey to 2125 is the story of how humankind might collectively weather the tragedy and chaos that we can expect from accelerating change. What will it feel like to live during these next one hundred years? Take this journey with Max MacGyver and his grandson, as they reveal their family history, and the road ahead for you and yours.]]> 396 Gary F. Bengier 1648861121 Thomas 3 There was little or no tension in any of the chapters. Backstory is provided mainly with dialogue. You know, "Do you remember when so-and-so happened?" Or intricate details of medical and scientific procedures etc being explained to a family member. This is fine in small doses. I do it myself. In large measures? Not so much. Nobody talks in info dumps, so neither should your characters.
Overall, I found Journey to 2125 thought-provoking in general but boring at the same time.
Many thanks to Voracious Readers for supplying me with a review copy.]]> 3.87 Journey to 2125: One Century, One Family, Rising to Challenges
author: Gary F. Bengier
name: Thomas
average rating: 3.87
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2024/10/28
date added: 2024/10/27
shelves:
review:
This book is an enlightening read in many ways. The author has obviously done a huge amount of research, and combined with realistic and believable theorising on future outcomes this could have resulted in a riveting read. Unfortunately, the narrative just doesn't deliver.
There was little or no tension in any of the chapters. Backstory is provided mainly with dialogue. You know, "Do you remember when so-and-so happened?" Or intricate details of medical and scientific procedures etc being explained to a family member. This is fine in small doses. I do it myself. In large measures? Not so much. Nobody talks in info dumps, so neither should your characters.
Overall, I found Journey to 2125 thought-provoking in general but boring at the same time.
Many thanks to Voracious Readers for supplying me with a review copy.
]]> <![CDATA[The Last Thing He Told Me (Hannah Hall, #1)]]> 54981009 Don’t miss the #1 New York Times bestselling blockbuster and Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick that’s sold over 5 million copies

Before Owen Michaels disappears, he smuggles a note to his beloved wife of one year: Protect her. Despite her confusion and fear, Hannah Hall knows exactly to whom the note refers—Owen’s sixteen-year-old daughter, Bailey. Bailey, who lost her mother tragically as a child. Bailey, who wants absolutely nothing to do with her new stepmother.

As Hannah’s increasingly desperate calls to Owen go unanswered, as the FBI arrests Owen’s boss, as a US marshal and federal agents arrive at her Sausalito home unannounced, Hannah quickly realizes her husband isn’t who he said he was. And that Bailey just may hold the key to figuring out Owen’s true identity—and why he really disappeared.

Hannah and Bailey set out to discover the truth. But as they start putting together the pieces of Owen’s past, they soon realize they’re also building a new future—one neither of them could have anticipated.]]> 307 Laura Dave 1501171348 Thomas 4 Well, quite a bit, actually.
This book started well, I'll say that. I was in the local library with a bit of time to spare and browsing the shelves when this book caught my eye. I'd never heard of the author, or the book itself. I picked it up and started reading. Ten minutes later I checked it out.

The main thing that spoiled the book for me was the writing style. In particular, some of the wording employed. I mean; ‘It may be why of everything I'm guessing she'll say to me in the moment, the one thing I don't expect is what comes out of her mouth.’ What the hell does that mean? And it doesn't stop there. Many times I found myself rereading a sentence or paragraph in order to figure out what she was trying to say. That is the sort of thing that jolts a reader out of the story in an instant. To some, it might have led to a DNF. Probably did.

There were also several instances of confused verb tenses (using past tense when writing in present tense eg) to contend with. The story is mostly told in first person present tense and it's so easy to slip into past tense while writing.

According to the acknowledgements in the back matter the book took several years to write and went through many edits and rewrites. In that case, I'd say the editors were more at fault than the author. I know from experience how easy it is to miss a typo when we've read and reread the same passage a gazillion times.

I'm torn between giving three or four stars. It could so easily have been five if it were better written.
Do I recommend this book? Absolutely! The story itself will be enough to keep most readers engrossed and not everyone is as anal as I am about grammatical precision.]]> 3.78 2021 The Last Thing He Told Me (Hannah Hall, #1)
author: Laura Dave
name: Thomas
average rating: 3.78
book published: 2021
rating: 4
read at: 2024/03/22
date added: 2024/03/21
shelves:
review:
A gripping premise, relatable characters, a plot that doesn't fall flat in the middle, and an ending that is both predictable and surprising at the same time. What more could you ask for?
Well, quite a bit, actually.
This book started well, I'll say that. I was in the local library with a bit of time to spare and browsing the shelves when this book caught my eye. I'd never heard of the author, or the book itself. I picked it up and started reading. Ten minutes later I checked it out.

The main thing that spoiled the book for me was the writing style. In particular, some of the wording employed. I mean; ‘It may be why of everything I'm guessing she'll say to me in the moment, the one thing I don't expect is what comes out of her mouth.’ What the hell does that mean? And it doesn't stop there. Many times I found myself rereading a sentence or paragraph in order to figure out what she was trying to say. That is the sort of thing that jolts a reader out of the story in an instant. To some, it might have led to a DNF. Probably did.

There were also several instances of confused verb tenses (using past tense when writing in present tense eg) to contend with. The story is mostly told in first person present tense and it's so easy to slip into past tense while writing.

According to the acknowledgements in the back matter the book took several years to write and went through many edits and rewrites. In that case, I'd say the editors were more at fault than the author. I know from experience how easy it is to miss a typo when we've read and reread the same passage a gazillion times.

I'm torn between giving three or four stars. It could so easily have been five if it were better written.
Do I recommend this book? Absolutely! The story itself will be enough to keep most readers engrossed and not everyone is as anal as I am about grammatical precision.
]]> Cycle of the Werewolf 550844
Now scenes of unbelieving horror come each time the full moon shines on the isolated Maine town of Tarker Mills. No one knows who will be attacked next. But one thing is sure.

When the moon grows fat, a paralyzing fear sweeps through Tarker Mills. For snarls that sound like human words can be heard whining through the wind. And all around are the footprints of a monster whose hunger cannot be sated... Cycle of the Werewolf.]]> 128 Stephen King 0451822196 Thomas 4 Cycle of the Werewolf is classic Stephen King horror fare. The cycle in the title refers to a twelve-month period starting from the emergence of the beast and chronicling its reappearance every full moon thereafter. Who is the beast? How did he/she become a werewolf? The answers will be revealed at the end, of course. Highly recommended for all King fans.]]> 3.69 1983 Cycle of the Werewolf
author: Stephen King
name: Thomas
average rating: 3.69
book published: 1983
rating: 4
read at: 2024/02/07
date added: 2024/02/08
shelves:
review:
I read this in under two hours. At not much more than 120 pages, it's hardly a lengthy tome, but once I started I just couldn't put it down! Cycle of the Werewolf is classic Stephen King horror fare. The cycle in the title refers to a twelve-month period starting from the emergence of the beast and chronicling its reappearance every full moon thereafter. Who is the beast? How did he/she become a werewolf? The answers will be revealed at the end, of course. Highly recommended for all King fans.
]]> Black Sheep 123726828
Orphaned at sixteen, James Wakefield was determined to be a gun shearer like his father. Now he’s killed twice, changed his name, and is on the run from the law.

He had his reasons for both murders, and he felt no joy in taking life … Or did he?

Ben McKinnon, meanwhile, is heir to the vast Glenfinnan sheep property near Goulburn, New South Wales. He too has a secret that, if ever revealed, would shatter the privileged lives of his father, Alastair, and his sisters, Jenna and Adele.

When fate brings James and Ben together, a powerful friendship is forged, both men gladly becoming the keeper of the other’s secret.

Then Ben insists his new friend come to work at Glenfinnan Station. Has James finally found the family he’s always longed for? Or has the McKinnon dynasty just unwittingly adopted a black sheep?

From the Shearing Wars of Queensland to the exclusive gentlemen's clubs of Sydney, Melbourne and London; from the woolsheds of Goulburn, to the trenches of the Western Front, Judy Nunn once again brings Australian history vividly to life.]]> 512 Judy Nunn 176134014X Thomas 4 to-read
What a difference! I was a bit critical of Khaki Town but this one, I really enjoyed.
Over a timeframe from 1881 to 1920, it chronicles the lives of three generations of an Australian sheep-growing family and the ‘black sheep’ (plural) within it. It has twists, it has drama, it has pathos, and lots more. The chief protagonist, James Wakefield/Brereton-McKinnon leads us on a wild ride through family intrigue and secrecy, business underhandedness, and murder, culminating in an ending I did not see coming.

This one, I definitely recommend.
]]> 4.01 Black Sheep
author: Judy Nunn
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.01
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2024/01/15
date added: 2024/01/14
shelves: to-read
review:
I decided to begin my reading year with two Judy Nunn books. The first was Khaki Town (review already posted) and Black Sheep was the second.

What a difference! I was a bit critical of Khaki Town but this one, I really enjoyed.
Over a timeframe from 1881 to 1920, it chronicles the lives of three generations of an Australian sheep-growing family and the ‘black sheep’ (plural) within it. It has twists, it has drama, it has pathos, and lots more. The chief protagonist, James Wakefield/Brereton-McKinnon leads us on a wild ride through family intrigue and secrecy, business underhandedness, and murder, culminating in an ending I did not see coming.

This one, I definitely recommend.

]]> Khaki Town 45030915 Khaki Town, Judy Nunn's stunning new novel, is inspired by a wartime true story which the Government kept secret for over seventy years.

'It seems to have happened overnight,' Val thought as she pulled the beers. 'We've become a khaki town.'

It's March 1942. Singapore has fallen. Darwin has been bombed. Australia is on the brink of being invaded by the Imperial Japanese Forces. And Val Callahan, publican of The Brown's Hotel in Townsville, could not be happier as she contemplates the fortune she's making from lonely, thirsty soldiers.

Overnight the small Queensland city is transformed into the transport hub for 70,000 American and Australian soldiers destined for combat in the South Pacific. Barbed wire and gun emplacements cover the beaches. Historic buildings have been commandeered. And the dance halls are in full swing with jitterbug and jive.

The Australian troops, short on rations and equipment, begrudge the confident, well-fed 'Yanks' who have taken over their town (and women). And there's growing conflict, too, within the American ranks. Because black GIs are enjoying the absence of segregation and the white GIs do not like it.

Then one night a massive street fight leaves a black soldier lying dead in the street, and the situation explodes into violent confrontation.]]> 382 Judy Nunn 0143795171 Thomas 3 I've read a few of this author's books, mainly because she is probably the biggest-selling author in her genre, which happens to be the genre I also wrote my first two books in.

Khaki Town is not Ms Nunn's best work, but it's OK. For those of you who don't live in Australia, let me explain that Judy Nunn is a household name here in Oz. She played one of the most popular characters in probably the most successful soap opera here for many years. The lady has a following.

Khaki Town is a fictional story set against the backdrop of a little-known event that occurred during World War II in North Queensland. It highlights the racial tension that was prevalent at the time, especially between white and black American soldiers stationed in Australia. The characters are well fleshed out but, sadly, there is little tension in this tale. The author frequently falls into the trap of "telling" instead of "showing".

Overall, though, it's a fairly nice read.]]> 3.79 2019 Khaki Town
author: Judy Nunn
name: Thomas
average rating: 3.79
book published: 2019
rating: 3
read at: 2024/01/08
date added: 2024/01/14
shelves:
review:
I started this book in late December, '23, but I'll consider it my first read and review for 2024.
I've read a few of this author's books, mainly because she is probably the biggest-selling author in her genre, which happens to be the genre I also wrote my first two books in.

Khaki Town is not Ms Nunn's best work, but it's OK. For those of you who don't live in Australia, let me explain that Judy Nunn is a household name here in Oz. She played one of the most popular characters in probably the most successful soap opera here for many years. The lady has a following.

Khaki Town is a fictional story set against the backdrop of a little-known event that occurred during World War II in North Queensland. It highlights the racial tension that was prevalent at the time, especially between white and black American soldiers stationed in Australia. The characters are well fleshed out but, sadly, there is little tension in this tale. The author frequently falls into the trap of "telling" instead of "showing".

Overall, though, it's a fairly nice read.
]]> Steadman's Blind 49901113
Chief Deputy Randall Steadman knows how to read people, making him tough to face in the interrogation room. He learns the hard way the same tactics don't apply at the poker table.

Watching the last of his money disappear in a pile of plastic chips, Steadman thinks it can’t get worse. That’s when disaster strikes, spinning him off on a quest to catch a killer and protect an innocent girl, aided only by his new and untried partner, Detective Cory Frost.

Extortion, a deadly volcano, and a triple homicide mark the beginning of a long and winding road for Steadman and Frost. If you like a story full of twists and nail-biting suspense, Steadman’s Blind is what you’ve been waiting for!

Excerpt of interview with the author:

Jake: What do you mean “get the rest of the story?” How does Steadman’s Blind relate to Nocturne In Ashes?

Joslyn: Nocturne In Ashes shares the same time and setting as Steadman’s Blind—during the devastating aftermath of Mt. Rainier’s eruption. In Nocturne, a series of murders occurs and Steadman and Frost are dispatched to the scene of the crime. When you read Nocturne, you see it takes them three days to arrive. When you read Steadman’s Blind, you find out why. This book is the story behind those three days.

Jake: I get it. Intriguing idea. So, do the two stories ever come together?

Joslyn: The stories do intersect during a couple of chapters, so if you’ve read one book, you’ll be seeing the same scene through another character’s eyes. I think that makes it more fun and interesting for the reader, getting those different perspectives.

Jake: And do you have to read one book to get the full impact of the other?

Joslyn: No, you don’t have to, but I highly recommend it. Each can be read as a stand-alone, but it’s more fun reading them together!]]> 337 Joslyn Chase Thomas 4 This is not the first time I've read one of Ms Chase's books. It probably won't be the last.
Jocelyn has a great knack for wringing the most in terms of drama and tension out of a scene.
Her characters are believable and her villains are despicable. Just how I like them.
This is a spin-off from an earlier book, Nocturn in Ashes, and features some of the characters from it. The story is a gripping drama with nice twists set against the backdrop of an eruption of Mount Rainier. We have a serial killer, a psychotic serial kidnapper, and a Chief Deputy determined to solve both cases. We also have a good personal back-story that adds to the human element.
All in all, a damn good read!]]> 4.55 Steadman's Blind
author: Joslyn Chase
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.55
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2024/01/04
date added: 2024/01/14
shelves:
review:
I received a copy of this book via the Book Sirens ARC service in return for an honest review.
This is not the first time I've read one of Ms Chase's books. It probably won't be the last.
Jocelyn has a great knack for wringing the most in terms of drama and tension out of a scene.
Her characters are believable and her villains are despicable. Just how I like them.
This is a spin-off from an earlier book, Nocturn in Ashes, and features some of the characters from it. The story is a gripping drama with nice twists set against the backdrop of an eruption of Mount Rainier. We have a serial killer, a psychotic serial kidnapper, and a Chief Deputy determined to solve both cases. We also have a good personal back-story that adds to the human element.
All in all, a damn good read!
]]> Dogboy v Catfish 157694003
The police investigation into Dogboy’s disappearance leads them into the dark world of counterfeit designer goods, money laundering, and drug smuggling.
With Dogboy’s assets frozen and the mob protecting their interests, the missing persons case escalates to homicide. Catfish is in a race against time to get hold of Dogboy’s assets before the police get hold of her.

One question remains - is Dogboy dead or alive?]]> 320 Luke Gracias Thomas 2 The formatting was off (dialogue and exposition jumping from one character to another within the same paragraph makes for a difficult read) and the actual dialogue seemed to have come by way of a bad translation from another language. It was stilted, overly formal, and just didn't sound at all natural.
The character of Katherine (Catfish) was shallow, uninteresting, and one-dimensional. I notice others mentioned this as well. Dogboy might have been more interesting if I'd got to meet him.
I really wanted to read and enjoy this book. The blurb and premise were so promising. Unfortunately, life is too short to waste on books that aren't enjoyable.]]> 4.04 2023 Dogboy v Catfish
author: Luke Gracias
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2023
rating: 2
read at: 2023/01/01
date added: 2024/01/14
shelves:
review:
My apologies to all those who gave glowing reviews to this book, but I didn't make it past the 20% mark.
The formatting was off (dialogue and exposition jumping from one character to another within the same paragraph makes for a difficult read) and the actual dialogue seemed to have come by way of a bad translation from another language. It was stilted, overly formal, and just didn't sound at all natural.
The character of Katherine (Catfish) was shallow, uninteresting, and one-dimensional. I notice others mentioned this as well. Dogboy might have been more interesting if I'd got to meet him.
I really wanted to read and enjoy this book. The blurb and premise were so promising. Unfortunately, life is too short to waste on books that aren't enjoyable.
]]> <![CDATA[The Captivating Flames of Madness]]> 39722058 298 Jeff Parsons Thomas 3 This collection of short stories contains some of the most descriptive, dramatic writing I've read in quite a while. The stories are graphic and sometimes plainly horrific. Fans of gore-fest books will probably love it.
Unfortunately, it's also not very well written. There are plot holes, weird point-of-view shifts, and sometimes glaring grammatical mistakes. I read almost all but had to put it away at about the 75% mark.
Not for me, I'm afraid. As I said, though, some will probably love it and be more forgiving of the errors.]]> 4.09 2018 The Captivating Flames of Madness
author: Jeff Parsons
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2018
rating: 3
read at: 2023/12/23
date added: 2024/01/14
shelves:
review:
I was given a PDF of this by the author. Here's my unbiased review:
This collection of short stories contains some of the most descriptive, dramatic writing I've read in quite a while. The stories are graphic and sometimes plainly horrific. Fans of gore-fest books will probably love it.
Unfortunately, it's also not very well written. There are plot holes, weird point-of-view shifts, and sometimes glaring grammatical mistakes. I read almost all but had to put it away at about the 75% mark.
Not for me, I'm afraid. As I said, though, some will probably love it and be more forgiving of the errors.
]]> Wish You Were Here 57701764
But then a virus that felt worlds away has appeared in the city, and on the eve of their departure, Finn breaks the news: It’s all hands on deck at the hospital. He has to stay behind. You should still go, he assures her, since it would be a shame for all of their nonrefundable trip to go to waste. And so, reluctantly, she goes.

Almost immediately, Diana’s dream vacation goes awry. Her luggage is lost, the Wi-Fi is nearly nonexistent, and the hotel they’d booked is shut down due to the pandemic. In fact, the whole island is now under quarantine, and she is stranded until the borders reopen. Completely isolated, she must venture beyond her comfort zone. Slowly, she carves out a connection with a local family when a teenager with a secret opens up to Diana, despite her father’s suspicion of outsiders.

In the Galapagos Islands, where Darwin’s theory of natural selection was formed, Diana finds herself examining her relationships, her choices, and herself—and wondering if when she goes home, she too will have evolved into someone completely different.]]> 310 Jodi Picoult 1984818414 Thomas 5 I have to admit, I almost didn't even read it. I'd always assumed Jodie Picoult's work was Chick Lit. You know, light on action and heavy on sentimentality. (My apologies to all the Chick Lit readers who might be offended by that broad statement. I know. It's unfair. I'm a bloke. Sue me.)
I'd never read Ms Picoult's work before but if this is an example of the genre then I may have to read some more of it.
It's also the only book I've read (and I hear there are a lot) that's set during the Covid 19 pandemic.
This one finds the heroine stranded on the Galapagos Islands when she is forced to take a planned shared holiday without her fiance. Suddenly, the borders are closed, her accommodation is cancelled, and her money is running out. She befriends a couple of locals and soon finds herself questioning many things about herself and her partner, Finn. They communicate sporadically through an unreliable internet connection.
Get ready for a huge twist. I'm NOT going to spoil it, though.
I really enjoyed this one so much I couldn't help myself. Five Stars!!]]> 3.85 2021 Wish You Were Here
author: Jodi Picoult
name: Thomas
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at: 2023/08/07
date added: 2024/01/14
shelves:
review:
It's not often I give a book five stars. Anyone who reads my reviews will know that. This one, however, ticked all the boxes for me.
I have to admit, I almost didn't even read it. I'd always assumed Jodie Picoult's work was Chick Lit. You know, light on action and heavy on sentimentality. (My apologies to all the Chick Lit readers who might be offended by that broad statement. I know. It's unfair. I'm a bloke. Sue me.)
I'd never read Ms Picoult's work before but if this is an example of the genre then I may have to read some more of it.
It's also the only book I've read (and I hear there are a lot) that's set during the Covid 19 pandemic.
This one finds the heroine stranded on the Galapagos Islands when she is forced to take a planned shared holiday without her fiance. Suddenly, the borders are closed, her accommodation is cancelled, and her money is running out. She befriends a couple of locals and soon finds herself questioning many things about herself and her partner, Finn. They communicate sporadically through an unreliable internet connection.
Get ready for a huge twist. I'm NOT going to spoil it, though.
I really enjoyed this one so much I couldn't help myself. Five Stars!!
]]> <![CDATA[The 12th Imam: Rise of the Antichrist]]> 64858069
In a story that is ripped from today’s world headlines, Iran has developed the bomb and has finally launched a deadly attack on Israel and the Great Satan, the United States. Once the attack begins, it brings unexpected results when the missiles somehow go astray and destroy the Dome of the Rock. While the Israeli attack fails, Iranian agents succeed in destroying several American cities including the nation’s capital with a nuclear blast. These actions cause a series of ancient prophesies to culminate first with Christians being removed from the earth in a mass exodus; while simultaneously the 12th Imam, the long awaited Islamic Messiah returns from the Jamkaran well where he has been slumbering for nearly 1,200 years. These events unite Jewish, Islamic and the remaining Christian adherents as each of their end-times writings and prophesies converge on a single individual who unites three major religions that have been fighting for centuries.]]> 342 James W. Parker Thomas 2 The story opens with Iran sending three nuclear-armed missiles to attack Israel. Simultaneously, a nuclear weapon and several conventional weapons are discharged by terrorists in the USA, reducing Washington DC to a virtual pile of rubble and triggering the final showdown.
We then go through the ]]> 4.34 2013 The 12th Imam: Rise of the Antichrist
author: James W. Parker
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.34
book published: 2013
rating: 2
read at: 2023/12/12
date added: 2024/01/14
shelves:
review:
This was a difficult read. The 12th Imam is a fictional story based on what might happen if the Biblical End of the World were to happen today. It wasn't the subject matter that made it difficult, however, but I'll get to that shortly.
The story opens with Iran sending three nuclear-armed missiles to attack Israel. Simultaneously, a nuclear weapon and several conventional weapons are discharged by terrorists in the USA, reducing Washington DC to a virtual pile of rubble and triggering the final showdown.
We then go through the
]]> East of Alice 61175451 A gem-fossicking discovery echoes through time and leads to a dangerous journey through the red dust outback. A gripping mystery from Australian author Annie Seaton.


Gemma Hayden has returned to her hometown of Alice Springs for a new job as a primary school teacher. It's been six years since her family broke apart following the disappearance of her twin brother. And the scars still run deep.

Hard on the heels of her homecoming, Saul Pearce, the man she once loved, is reposted from Parks and Wildlife in Darwin back to Alice. When an old car wreck is uncovered, washed down the river to Ruby Gap, Saul investigates only to find that the wreck belonged to Ethan, Gemma's twin - and there's a coded note for her in the glovebox.

Joining forces, they trek through the rugged outback, piecing together clues that not only bring them to the attention of a criminal organisation, but lead them to uncover an even older puzzle ... One now lost to the history books.

With targets on their backs, will they unearth the truth in time?

'A taut, page-turning mystery, set in the magnificent Eastern MacDonnell Ranges of Central Australia, linking the past and the present into an adrenaline-fuelled rush for the truth. Couldn't put it down!' - Tanya Heaslip, author of Alice to Prague on East of Alice

PRAISE FOR ANNIE

'Emotional, mysterious, and gripping from page one, Seaton transports you to two different timelines in one of the greatest Australian settings ... The Great Barrier Reef.' - Better Reading

'With an insightful glimpse into the environmental issues at the heart of one of our nation's most treasured locations, combined with some fascinating history, compelling family relations and an equivocal adventure mystery, Osprey Reef has it all.' - Mrs B's Book Reviews]]> 380 Annie Seaton 148927779X Thomas 4 This is the second Annie Seaton book I've read. I didn't review the first and can't remember much about it. I do know it was a romantic tale but not too soppy.
This tale starts out dramatically. It's set in the arid ranges east of Alice Springs, Australia; an area I know fairly well. Ms Seaton tends to write stories set in remote, regional Australia, as I do.
There are plenty of twists and turns; lots of action, and yes, it does turn into a romance near the end as I knew it would.
I read this in two days. I think that's a record for me.
Recommended? Yes.]]> 4.19 2022 East of Alice
author: Annie Seaton
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.19
book published: 2022
rating: 4
read at: 2023/10/23
date added: 2023/11/19
shelves:
review:
I was at the library and struck up a conversation with a lady who had just finished a book by this author. She recommended it to me and I took her at her word. (Actually, the exact book she had was reserved, so I grabbed this one instead)
This is the second Annie Seaton book I've read. I didn't review the first and can't remember much about it. I do know it was a romantic tale but not too soppy.
This tale starts out dramatically. It's set in the arid ranges east of Alice Springs, Australia; an area I know fairly well. Ms Seaton tends to write stories set in remote, regional Australia, as I do.
There are plenty of twists and turns; lots of action, and yes, it does turn into a romance near the end as I knew it would.
I read this in two days. I think that's a record for me.
Recommended? Yes.
]]> Holly (Holly Gibney, #3) 65916344
Holly Gibney, one of Stephen King’s most compelling and resourceful characters, returns in this chilling “exploration of grief and delusion, just pure undistilled evil” (New York magazine) as she uncovers the truth behind multiple disappearances in a midwestern town.

When Penny Dahl calls the Finders Keepers detective agency, hoping for help locating her missing daughter, Holly Gibney is reluctant to accept the case. Her partner, Pete, has Covid. Her (very complicated) mother has just passed away. And Holly is meant to be on leave. But something in Penny’s desperate voice makes it impossible to turn her down.

Meanwhile, mere blocks from where Bonnie Dahl disappeared live Professors Rodney and Emily Harris. They are the picture of bourgeois respectability: married octogenarians, devoted to each other, and semi-retired lifelong academics. But they are also harboring a shocking, unholy secret in the basement of their well-kept, book-lined home, one that may be related to Bonnie’s disappearance. And it will prove nearly impossible to discover what they are up to…for they are savvy, they are patient, and they are ruthless. Now Holly must summon all of her formidable talents to outthink and outmaneuver these unimaginably depraved and brilliantly disguised adversaries in this chilling and unforgettable masterwork from Stephen King.]]> 449 Stephen King 1668016133 Thomas 4 In keeping with SK tradition, this is a dark, dark tale. What it lacks, in SK tradition, is any supernatural presence. It doesn't need it. No child-gobbling monsters or demons here. Just a gripping tale with a twist that slowly unravels as the story progresses.
Recommended to all fans of gritty drama.]]> 4.00 2023 Holly (Holly Gibney, #3)
author: Stephen King
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2023
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2023/11/19
shelves:
review:
Stephen King at his best, in my opinion. Holly is the last (I think) in the loose series based on Mr Mercedes. The books are all stand-alone stories. The protagonist of this tale, Holly Gibney, has progressed from a damaged and anxious person in the first book to the proprietor of the Finders Keepers Detective Agency once run by her mentor, ex-detective Bill Hodges.
In keeping with SK tradition, this is a dark, dark tale. What it lacks, in SK tradition, is any supernatural presence. It doesn't need it. No child-gobbling monsters or demons here. Just a gripping tale with a twist that slowly unravels as the story progresses.
Recommended to all fans of gritty drama.
]]> Bodies of Light 58420822 So by the grace of a photograph that had inexplicably gone viral, Tony had found me. Or: he’d found Maggie.

I had no way of knowing whether he was nuts or not; whether he might go to the cops. Maybe that sounds paranoid, but I don’t think it’s so ridiculous. People have gone to prison for much lesser things than accusations of child-killing.

A quiet, small-town existence. An unexpected Facebook message, jolting her back to the past. A history she’s reluctant to revisit: dark memories and unspoken trauma, bruised thighs and warning knocks on bedroom walls, unfathomable loss.

She became a new person a long time ago. What happens when buried stories are dragged into the light?

This epic novel from the two-time Sydney Morning Herald Young Novelist of the Year is a masterwork of tragedy and heartbreak—the story of a life in full. Sublimely wrought in devastating detail, Bodies of Light confirms Jennifer Down as one of the writers defining her generation.]]> 448 Jennifer Down 1925773590 Thomas 5 I always try to avoid spoilers, and I'll do so here. One thing I need to say, however, is that if you don't relate well to stories that feature child molestation and abuse, don't even open this book. Ditto for drug use.
Don't get me wrong; that's not all the story is about. Mostly, it's about the way children can grow into adults and not realise the weight of the emotional baggage they carry, and how difficult it can be for them to find their own quiet space in the world.
The timeline is quite long, but contrary to many long tales it doesn't suffer from ‘saggy middle’ syndrome.
Definitely recommended, with the above-mentioned caveat.]]> 4.24 2021 Bodies of Light
author: Jennifer Down
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.24
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at: 2023/10/14
date added: 2023/11/19
shelves:
review:
This is another of those books I can't possibly give less than five stars to. I almost passed it by. I tend to avoid major prize-winning novels as they can be overly ‘literary’ and lacking story for the sake of ‘artistic’ writing. Not this book, however.
I always try to avoid spoilers, and I'll do so here. One thing I need to say, however, is that if you don't relate well to stories that feature child molestation and abuse, don't even open this book. Ditto for drug use.
Don't get me wrong; that's not all the story is about. Mostly, it's about the way children can grow into adults and not realise the weight of the emotional baggage they carry, and how difficult it can be for them to find their own quiet space in the world.
The timeline is quite long, but contrary to many long tales it doesn't suffer from ‘saggy middle’ syndrome.
Definitely recommended, with the above-mentioned caveat.
]]> <![CDATA[A Deadly Game: A Reggie da Costa Mystery]]> 157373876
Melbourne, 1925. Reggie da Costa, The Argus ’s celebrated crime reporter, takes a break from investigating gangland crime to assist Ruby Rhodes, whose identical twin sister has died in mysterious circumstances. Together, they investigate how Katherine could afford a house, motorcar, expensive jewellery and a wardrobe of the latest fashions on the wages of a museum assistant. With Reggie’s assistance and protection, Ruby assumes her sister’s identity and infiltrates the illegal gambling dens and risqué social clubs of 1920s Melbourne to uncover the truth.

A Deadly Game is the third in the Reggie da Costa Mysteries .]]> 303 Laraine Stephens Thomas 3
Although this is the third in a series, it works well as a stand-alone, as all good books should. The only problem with that, however, is the need for backstory info dumps, which the author tends to overdo just a bit. We don't always need to be told everything about a character.

Another minor sticking point, for me, is the authors seeming obsession with describing the clothing of every character, in every scene, in minute detail. Who really cares what colour his tie or her blouse is? Or what make and model of car he drives, when we've already been told once? Get back to the action!

For the most part, though, the story does move along nicely. The characters are relatable and the plot believable.

I'd classify this as a "cosy" mystery, which isn't my favourite genre, but I did enjoy reading it. The scenes and settings worked for me.

I wish I could give this three and-a-half stars. Three would be a little too stingy, so four it is.]]> 4.33 A Deadly Game: A Reggie da Costa Mystery
author: Laraine Stephens
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.33
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2023/06/30
date added: 2023/11/19
shelves:
review:
I received a free review copy of this book through BookSirens in return for my unbiased review.

Although this is the third in a series, it works well as a stand-alone, as all good books should. The only problem with that, however, is the need for backstory info dumps, which the author tends to overdo just a bit. We don't always need to be told everything about a character.

Another minor sticking point, for me, is the authors seeming obsession with describing the clothing of every character, in every scene, in minute detail. Who really cares what colour his tie or her blouse is? Or what make and model of car he drives, when we've already been told once? Get back to the action!

For the most part, though, the story does move along nicely. The characters are relatable and the plot believable.

I'd classify this as a "cosy" mystery, which isn't my favourite genre, but I did enjoy reading it. The scenes and settings worked for me.

I wish I could give this three and-a-half stars. Three would be a little too stingy, so four it is.
]]> <![CDATA[All the Pretty Horses (The Border Trilogy, #1)]]> 469571 302 Cormac McCarthy 0679744398 Thomas 0 to-read 4.06 1992 All the Pretty Horses (The Border Trilogy, #1)
author: Cormac McCarthy
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.06
book published: 1992
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/10/26
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Die Trying (Jack Reacher, #2) 220969 Alternate cover for this ISBN can be found here

In a Chicago suburb, a dentist is met in his office parking lot by three men and ordered into the trunk of his Lexus. On a downtown sidewalk, Jack Reacher and an unknown woman are abducted in broad daylight by two men - practiced and confident - who stop them at gunpoint and hustle them into the same sedan. Then Reacher and the woman are switched into a second vehicle and hauled away, leaving the dentist bound and gagged inside his car with the woman's abandoned possessions, two gallons of gasoline. . . and a burning match. The FBI is desperate to rescue the woman, a Special Agent from the Chicago office, because the FBI always - always - takes care of its own, and because this woman is not just another agent. Reacher and the woman join forces, against seemingly hopeless odds, to outwit their captors and escape. But the FBI thinks Jack is one of the kidnappers - and when they close in, the Bureau snipers will be shooting to kill.]]> 567 Lee Child 0515142247 Thomas 0 4.04 1998 Die Trying (Jack Reacher, #2)
author: Lee Child
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.04
book published: 1998
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/10/03
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Killing Floor (Jack Reacher, #1)]]> 78129
Reacher is the only stranger in town on the day they have had their first homicide in thirty years. The cops arrest Reacher and the police chief turns eyewitness to place him at the scene. As nasty secrets leak out, and the body count mounts, one thing is for sure.

They picked the wrong guy to take the fall.


Although the Jack Reacher novels can be read in any order, Killing Floor is the first book in the internationally popular series. It presents Reacher for the first time, as the tough ex-military cop of no fixed abode: a righter of wrongs, the perfect action hero.]]> 474 Lee Child 0515141429 Thomas 0 4.08 1997 Killing Floor (Jack Reacher, #1)
author: Lee Child
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.08
book published: 1997
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2023/10/03
shelves:
review:

]]> Fairy Tale 60177373 Legendary storyteller Stephen King goes deep into the well of his imagination in this spellbinding novel about a seventeen-year-old boy who inherits the keys to a parallel world where good and evil are at war, and the stakes could not be higher—for their world or ours.

Charlie Reade looks like a regular high school kid, great at baseball and football, a decent student. But he carries a heavy load. His mom was killed in a hit-and-run accident when he was ten, and grief drove his dad to drink. Charlie learned how to take care of himself—and his dad. Then, when Charlie is seventeen, he meets Howard Bowditch, a recluse with a big dog in a big house at the top of a big hill. In the backyard is a locked shed from which strange sounds emerge, as if some creature is trying to escape. When Mr. Bowditch dies, he leaves Charlie the house, a massive amount of gold, a cassette tape telling a story that is impossible to believe, and a responsibility far too massive for a boy to shoulder.

Because within the shed is a portal to another world—one whose denizens are in peril and whose monstrous leaders may destroy their own world, and ours. In this parallel universe, where two moons race across the sky, and the grand towers of a sprawling palace pierce the clouds, there are exiled princesses and princes who suffer horrific punishments; there are dungeons; there are games in which men and women must fight each other to the death for the amusement of the “Fair One.” And there is a magic sundial that can turn back time.

A story as old as myth, and as startling and iconic as the rest of King’s work, Fairy Tale is about an ordinary guy forced into the hero’s role by circumstance, and it is both spectacularly suspenseful and satisfying.]]> 607 Stephen King 1668002175 Thomas 3 The plot of Fairy Tale is convoluted, eerie, and on occasions, extremely violent. Just what we've come to expect from King. The protagonist, 17-year-old Charlie, finds himself in a world where fairy tales seem to have become normal. And they are the darkest versions of the old stories!
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Most of SK's books are about 20% too long. He can take forever to resolve a scene even when the outcome is obvious. This one is no different, but die-hard King fans will relish his macabre storytelling all the same.
I did finish this, which has to count for something as I'm becoming harder to satisfy lately. As SK himself said once: So many books, so little time.
I've given this three stars. It's not one of his best, but fans will love it, I'm sure.]]> 4.04 2022 Fairy Tale
author: Stephen King
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2022
rating: 3
read at: 2023/09/30
date added: 2023/10/01
shelves:
review:
This is my first Stephen King review in a while. I've recently read and enjoyed Mr Mercedes and its follow-up, Finders Keepers. (Reviews on these coming soon) but they're not the sort of thing Mr. King is best known for. Fairy Tale is King back at what he does so well.
The plot of Fairy Tale is convoluted, eerie, and on occasions, extremely violent. Just what we've come to expect from King. The protagonist, 17-year-old Charlie, finds himself in a world where fairy tales seem to have become normal. And they are the darkest versions of the old stories!
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Most of SK's books are about 20% too long. He can take forever to resolve a scene even when the outcome is obvious. This one is no different, but die-hard King fans will relish his macabre storytelling all the same.
I did finish this, which has to count for something as I'm becoming harder to satisfy lately. As SK himself said once: So many books, so little time.
I've given this three stars. It's not one of his best, but fans will love it, I'm sure.
]]> <![CDATA[Pearl Fields and the Oregon Meltdown]]> 63899361
But a few months ago, her luck went from bad to worse. Bounty hunters tracked her down. Jailers locked her away in a single cell with the well-worn gallows in her line of sight. A military court found her guilty of gunrunning during a declared disaster.

Now Pearl faces her toughest challenge yet—confronting her own part in the chaos while talking her way out of being the next inmate hauled up those rickety stairs to take the long drop.]]> 184 Drew Faraday Thomas 4 OK, now that we have that out of the way, let's look at the book itself:

I had a bit of trouble sticking with this book at the start but I'm so glad I persevered.
Told by the protagonist in first person point-of-view in the form of a letter to the man about to pass judgement on her (possibly a death sentence) it chronicles the events leading up to her arrest.

If that sounds basic, let me tell you it isn't. Pearl Fields and the Oregon Meltdown is a dystopian tale set in the Alsea River region in Oregon, USA, in the not-too-distant future. The scenarios and situations are unnervingly feasible.

The world, apparently, has undergone a series of pandemics and society has all but disintegrated. Pearl, the protagonist, is forced to fend for herself as best she can. This means breaking laws, dealing in whatever she has to in order to survive, and avoiding death from almost everyone she comes into contact with.

I generally avoid this type of story. I feel it's been almost done to death. Having said that, I'd definitely recommend this one if post-apocalyptic fiction is your thing. It's well-written, gripping in parts, and, as I said above, totally believable.

Human nature at its best—and worst.


]]> 4.00 2022 Pearl Fields and the Oregon Meltdown
author: Drew Faraday
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2022
rating: 4
read at: 2023/03/03
date added: 2023/03/06
shelves:
review:
I was given an ARC of this book by the author. This review is totally unbiased.
OK, now that we have that out of the way, let's look at the book itself:

I had a bit of trouble sticking with this book at the start but I'm so glad I persevered.
Told by the protagonist in first person point-of-view in the form of a letter to the man about to pass judgement on her (possibly a death sentence) it chronicles the events leading up to her arrest.

If that sounds basic, let me tell you it isn't. Pearl Fields and the Oregon Meltdown is a dystopian tale set in the Alsea River region in Oregon, USA, in the not-too-distant future. The scenarios and situations are unnervingly feasible.

The world, apparently, has undergone a series of pandemics and society has all but disintegrated. Pearl, the protagonist, is forced to fend for herself as best she can. This means breaking laws, dealing in whatever she has to in order to survive, and avoiding death from almost everyone she comes into contact with.

I generally avoid this type of story. I feel it's been almost done to death. Having said that, I'd definitely recommend this one if post-apocalyptic fiction is your thing. It's well-written, gripping in parts, and, as I said above, totally believable.

Human nature at its best—and worst.



]]> Outback Creed 37651102 Tom McLaren is the go-to negotiator for a corporate law firm, and is accustomed to success and all its trappings. His skills are put to the test when he and his colleagues head to the outback, hoping to persuade Aboriginal Elders to give up their land to a powerful mining company. The land is worth billions, but the Elders won’t budge, and Tom faces the rare prospect of failure. Yet there are hidden forces at play that will stop at nothing to make sure a deal is done, even if that means taking the life of an Aboriginal boy. When Tom and his colleagues discover the shocking plot, they also become targets, and the result is murder. In his frantic hunt for answers, Tom realizes his most dangerous enemy may be closer than he feared. With relentless killers closing in fast, Tom must uncover the truth…before it’s too late!

Award-winning narrator Steve Shanahan (Jane Harper's Bestsellers The Dry, Force of Nature, The Lost Man and more) delivers a riveting performance, bringing the Australian outback and its characters to life in a heart-stopping thriller loaded with action and shocking twists.]]> 180 Jonathan Macpherson Thomas 0 currently-reading 3.99 Outback Creed
author: Jonathan Macpherson
name: Thomas
average rating: 3.99
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2022/11/23
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> The Ravine and Other Tales 63029180
Written in a variety of genres as a Tasting Plate of his work The Ravine and Other Tales will serve as a starting point in discovering perhaps your next #1 fave author.

The EPUB of this book is available for free by subscribing to the author's mailing list at
thomasgreenbank (dot) com/join-the-tribe

This Large Print paperback edition has been made available at cost for those who prefer a "real" book.]]> 117 Thomas Greenbank Thomas 5 4.83 The Ravine and Other Tales
author: Thomas Greenbank
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.83
book published:
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2022/10/17
shelves:
review:

]]> Dirt Town 59633395 My best friend wore her name, Esther, like a queen wearing her crown at a jaunty angle. We were twelve years old when she went missing.

On a sweltering Friday afternoon in Durton, best friends Ronnie and Esther leave school together. Esther never makes it home.

Ronnie's going to find her, she has a plan. Lewis will help. Their friend can't be gone, Ronnie won't believe it.

Detective Sergeant Sarah Michaels can believe it, she has seen what people are capable of. She knows more than anyone how, in a moment of weakness, a person can be driven to do something they never thought possible.

Lewis can believe it too. But he can't reveal what he saw that afternoon at the creek without exposing his own secret.

Five days later, Esther's buried body is discovered.

What do we owe the girl who isn't there?

Character-rich and propulsive, with a breathtakingly original use of voice and revolving points of view, Hayley Scrivenor delves under the surface, where no one can hide. With emotional depth and sensitivity, this stunning debut shows us how much each person matters in a community that is at once falling apart and coming together.

Esther will always be a Dirt Town child, as we are its children, still. ]]> 352 Hayley Scrivenor 1761260375 Thomas 3
The plot: There was nothing wrong with the storyline. We learn right from the start that Esther Bianchi is dead. What we don’t learn until very near the end is how she died and who the perpetrator was. The story moves forward relentlessly toward that final denouement with a plethora of red herrings, as a good mystery should. Every time I thought I’d worked it out she threw in another twist.

Where I had difficulty was with a couple of points. Firstly, the author introduces so many characters; seemingly piled atop one another, and from so many different viewpoints, that I often had to reread passages and even whole pages to regain my bearings. It was just so hard to keep up and remember who was who. I read the book in several sittings because of this.
There were numerous sudden point-of-view changes, often within paragraphs or even sentences, that again had me temporarily confused.

The writer has a PhD in creative writing and it shows, though to me, not in a good way. I had the feeling she was trying way too hard to be “Literary”. The manuscript is full of sentence fragments and oblique references. Sometimes I was impressed and even envied her ability to evoke some of the images she did. Other times I was thinking “Where is this going?” (At least she uses quotation marks. If not, I wouldn’t have read it at all.)

Another point—and this will probably upset some of you so please, no hate mail—is that Ms Scrivenor seems to be enthusiastically pushing the LGBTQRST++ barrow a little too much. We had two 11-year-old boys engaging in a pash session, (Yes, really) and the lead detective, Sarah, eyeing off various female characters with less than professional interest. Why did she need to be gay, anyway? It had nothing to do with the case. (I’m definitely NOT homophobic, let me make that clear. I’m happy to include gay characters in my work in the interest of diversity and when it serves a purpose. You don’t live on this earth as long as I have without having friends from ALL aspects of society.)

Generally, Dirt Town is a fairly good read, if a little long-winded at times. After some soul-searching I give it three stars.]]> 3.81 2022 Dirt Town
author: Hayley Scrivenor
name: Thomas
average rating: 3.81
book published: 2022
rating: 3
read at: 2022/08/14
date added: 2022/08/13
shelves:
review:
I found this book difficult to read. There were both good and not-so-good aspects to it and I’ll cover them separately.

The plot: There was nothing wrong with the storyline. We learn right from the start that Esther Bianchi is dead. What we don’t learn until very near the end is how she died and who the perpetrator was. The story moves forward relentlessly toward that final denouement with a plethora of red herrings, as a good mystery should. Every time I thought I’d worked it out she threw in another twist.

Where I had difficulty was with a couple of points. Firstly, the author introduces so many characters; seemingly piled atop one another, and from so many different viewpoints, that I often had to reread passages and even whole pages to regain my bearings. It was just so hard to keep up and remember who was who. I read the book in several sittings because of this.
There were numerous sudden point-of-view changes, often within paragraphs or even sentences, that again had me temporarily confused.

The writer has a PhD in creative writing and it shows, though to me, not in a good way. I had the feeling she was trying way too hard to be “Literary”. The manuscript is full of sentence fragments and oblique references. Sometimes I was impressed and even envied her ability to evoke some of the images she did. Other times I was thinking “Where is this going?” (At least she uses quotation marks. If not, I wouldn’t have read it at all.)

Another point—and this will probably upset some of you so please, no hate mail—is that Ms Scrivenor seems to be enthusiastically pushing the LGBTQRST++ barrow a little too much. We had two 11-year-old boys engaging in a pash session, (Yes, really) and the lead detective, Sarah, eyeing off various female characters with less than professional interest. Why did she need to be gay, anyway? It had nothing to do with the case. (I’m definitely NOT homophobic, let me make that clear. I’m happy to include gay characters in my work in the interest of diversity and when it serves a purpose. You don’t live on this earth as long as I have without having friends from ALL aspects of society.)

Generally, Dirt Town is a fairly good read, if a little long-winded at times. After some soul-searching I give it three stars.
]]> Wild Dogs 60187515 Wild Dogs is a page-turning action thriller set in the WA outback, introducing Australia’s answer to Jack Reacher

'Tough, fast and hard – my kind of book.' -Lee Child

In the drought-ridden rangelands of Western Australia, Gabe Ahern makes his living trapping wild dogs for local station owners.

Still coming to terms with his wife’s death – and the part he played in it – the old bushman leads a solitary life. Until one morning, when he rescues a young Afghan man, Amin, from certain execution.

Now, with a gang of people smugglers on his tail and the lives of Amin's family on the line, Gabe is drawn into a ruthless game of cat and mouse. His main opponent is Chase Fowler, a kangaroo hunter with bush skills as wily and sharp as his own.

As the old dogger and roo-shooter go head to head, Gabe will need all his cunning to come out of this alive…


'Wild Dogs is a just-one-more-chapter thriller that kept me up long after lights out.' -Jack Heath]]> 351 Michael Trant 1760146161 Thomas 5 to-read I've had a bit of a slump lately, with several books turning out to be not as good as I expected and quite a few DNFs. Wild Dogs most definitely does not fall into that category.
This is a fast-paced thriller from start to finish. My kind of book, to paraphrase Lee Childs.
The old dogger, Gabe, is a believable Aussie character. Rough around the edges yet soft inside, no matter how he tries to hide it.
We are treated to hints of a past that involved the death of his wife and his internal suffering because of it. (Yes, it all is revealed at the end) We're taken with him as he goes about his business trapping dingoes in the outback. We're even given a couple of chapters from the perspective of a dingo herself—all written with the skill of a master storyteller.
Full of tension and twists, Wild Dogs grabs the reader as a true wild dog might and doesn't let go until the very end.
One of the best books I've read for ages.]]> 4.28 Wild Dogs
author: Michael Trant
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.28
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2022/08/02
date added: 2022/08/03
shelves: to-read
review:
Wow! What a ride this one is.
I've had a bit of a slump lately, with several books turning out to be not as good as I expected and quite a few DNFs. Wild Dogs most definitely does not fall into that category.
This is a fast-paced thriller from start to finish. My kind of book, to paraphrase Lee Childs.
The old dogger, Gabe, is a believable Aussie character. Rough around the edges yet soft inside, no matter how he tries to hide it.
We are treated to hints of a past that involved the death of his wife and his internal suffering because of it. (Yes, it all is revealed at the end) We're taken with him as he goes about his business trapping dingoes in the outback. We're even given a couple of chapters from the perspective of a dingo herself—all written with the skill of a master storyteller.
Full of tension and twists, Wild Dogs grabs the reader as a true wild dog might and doesn't let go until the very end.
One of the best books I've read for ages.
]]> Lagrange Rising 61489151 Each Lagrange book is a stand-alone thrill ride. Read this one now and enjoy!
The bodies of wealthy seniors are being dumped in Lagrange, their ID implants surgically removed, their bank accounts emptied. Authorities learn that the elderly victims were snatched from Nova Terra on the Moon. Lagrange is a sovereign nation, a massive space structure orbiting between Earth and the Moon, so the chilling crimes fall under the purview of the Interworld Marshals Service. Cuss Abbott, a resourceful and tenacious investigator, starts the case with few clues, a rising body count, and politicians demanding answers. The criminals are seemingly invisible, disappearing after each heinous act. Shadowed by his partner, an enhanced human named Ygo, Cuss corners the butchers, setting in motion a confrontation with tragic results. Distraught, he bulls ahead, pursuing the killers across worlds to a suspense-filled showdown.
Keywords: scifi thriller, police procedural, space opera, crime drama, futuristic detective, suspense, strong protagonist, light romance, space western, conflict, intrigue]]> 0 Doug J. Cooper Thomas 4 I used to read a lot of science fiction when I was younger. I'm not sure why I don't read SF so much these days. Maybe I should.
Lagrange Rising is not your typical sci-fi story, however. For a start, there are no aliens.
I guess the best way to describe this story is as a murder mystery set in the not-too-recent future.

The aspect that I was most impressed with is the extremely skilful and detailed world-building. The author has a background in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, and his knowledge of the subject is obvious in the way his future world operates. I won't go into detail. I'm sure others will.

Overall, Lagrange Rising is a skillfully written and crafted futuristic tale that draws the reader in from the very beginning. If I had to choose one negative aspect it would be that sometimes, the details of the operation of the orbital settlements can get a bit dry. But that's just me. I like action. Having said that, there is action aplenty in this tale. Definitely recommended.]]> 4.67 Lagrange Rising
author: Doug J. Cooper
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.67
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2022/08/03
date added: 2022/08/02
shelves:
review:
I received a review copy of this book from the author. This review is in no way affected by that fact.
I used to read a lot of science fiction when I was younger. I'm not sure why I don't read SF so much these days. Maybe I should.
Lagrange Rising is not your typical sci-fi story, however. For a start, there are no aliens.
I guess the best way to describe this story is as a murder mystery set in the not-too-recent future.

The aspect that I was most impressed with is the extremely skilful and detailed world-building. The author has a background in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, and his knowledge of the subject is obvious in the way his future world operates. I won't go into detail. I'm sure others will.

Overall, Lagrange Rising is a skillfully written and crafted futuristic tale that draws the reader in from the very beginning. If I had to choose one negative aspect it would be that sometimes, the details of the operation of the orbital settlements can get a bit dry. But that's just me. I like action. Having said that, there is action aplenty in this tale. Definitely recommended.
]]> Where the Crawdads Sing 36809135
But Kya is not what they say. A born naturalist with just one day of school, she takes life's lessons from the land, learning the real ways of the world from the dishonest signals of fireflies. But while she has the skills to live in solitude forever, the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. Drawn to two young men from town, who are each intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new and startling world—until the unthinkable happens.

In Where the Crawdads Sing, Owens juxtaposes an exquisite ode to the natural world against a profound coming of age story and haunting mystery. Thought-provoking, wise, and deeply moving, Owens’s debut novel reminds us that we are forever shaped by the child within us, while also subject to the beautiful and violent secrets that nature keeps.

The story asks how isolation influences the behavior of a young woman, who like all of us, has the genetic propensity to belong to a group. The clues to the mystery are brushed into the lush habitat and natural histories of its wild creatures.]]> 384 Delia Owens 0735219117 Thomas 4 (I'd gone through a stage where I'd been accepting ARCs from self-pubbed authors and sadly not finishing most of them. I decided to break my funk by reading something that others had obviously enjoyed.)
Delia Owens has a great writing style. She paints a scene so vividly and expresses emotions so clearly the reader can feel drawn in despite themselves.
Kya may be the heroine and protagonist, but the marsh is the real main character.

Where the story fell short for me was a combination of the incredulity of the plot and the sometimes annoying time jumps, combined with many mistakes that would usually cause a manuscript to be rejected outright.
There were several instances of what we authors call "head-hopping"— where a scene is described from one character's point of view and then immediately from another's without segue. This can often mar an otherwise gripping tale. We all have occasions where these might slip through but an astute editor should have eliminated them. I guess it shows that the rules don't always apply equally to all.

I've given "Crawdads" four stars because, despite its flaws, I did enjoy the book and especially the author's style. I won't be watching the movie, though. Hollywood has a way of ruining the best stories and I can imagine the glamour-fest that this story will become.
]]> 4.34 2018 Where the Crawdads Sing
author: Delia Owens
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.34
book published: 2018
rating: 4
read at: 2022/07/26
date added: 2022/07/25
shelves:
review:
This book is a classic example of how the hype can overrun the substance. Yes, I did enjoy it, but no more than I've enjoyed many books.
(I'd gone through a stage where I'd been accepting ARCs from self-pubbed authors and sadly not finishing most of them. I decided to break my funk by reading something that others had obviously enjoyed.)
Delia Owens has a great writing style. She paints a scene so vividly and expresses emotions so clearly the reader can feel drawn in despite themselves.
Kya may be the heroine and protagonist, but the marsh is the real main character.

Where the story fell short for me was a combination of the incredulity of the plot and the sometimes annoying time jumps, combined with many mistakes that would usually cause a manuscript to be rejected outright.
There were several instances of what we authors call "head-hopping"— where a scene is described from one character's point of view and then immediately from another's without segue. This can often mar an otherwise gripping tale. We all have occasions where these might slip through but an astute editor should have eliminated them. I guess it shows that the rules don't always apply equally to all.

I've given "Crawdads" four stars because, despite its flaws, I did enjoy the book and especially the author's style. I won't be watching the movie, though. Hollywood has a way of ruining the best stories and I can imagine the glamour-fest that this story will become.

]]> GOLD! (The Kincaid Saga, #1) 56165411 EVERY FAMILY HAS SECRETS—SOME SECRETS ARE MORE DEADLY THAN OTHERS.

— "Gold mining is a dangerous enterprise. Malcolm Kincaid makes it more treacherous."..." If you enjoy tales of family history, high drama, and pathos, I recommend GOLD!" — Steven Ramirez, best-selling USA author.

Malcolm Kincaid is an honorable man. Ambitious; even ruthless by some standards, but honorable nonetheless. He tells himself so regularly. But then, Malcolm Kincaid is a liar.

Over three decades, Malcolm uses, abuses, and dominates associates and family alike, crushing all opposition in his pursuit of wealth and power. When he allows the pollution of an Aboriginal settlement’s water supply, however, he faces justice of a kind he could never imagine.

GOLD! is a saga of greed, betrayal, family conflict, and murder. It is also, however, a story of love and loyalty—and of how one man’s pride and prejudice can lead to terrible retribution.

This is a tale as big as the country in which it is set. A sprawling saga with unexpected twists and turns and a villain you'll love to hate.]]> 358 Thomas Greenbank Thomas 5 Definitely recommended if you love tales with complex, individual characters and plot twists written in a fast-paced style and with realistic dialogue. Not recommended for those who want to read a maudlin love story (although you will find a touch of romance in there) or stories about unicorns, vampires, shape-shifters etc.
This is a gritty Family Saga with true-to-life action set to the backdrop of the Western Australian gold-mining industry Circa 1975-2005.
Recently re-edited to align more closely with the upcoming Book 2, a prequel going back one generation.
I think it's one of the best books recently published, but then again, I may be biased.

]]> 4.37 GOLD! (The Kincaid Saga, #1)
author: Thomas Greenbank
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.37
book published:
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2022/06/24
shelves:
review:
This book was almost four years in the making. The story deals mainly with the deeds and misdeeds of a Misogynist businessman called Malcolm Kincaid and his family and coworkers.
Definitely recommended if you love tales with complex, individual characters and plot twists written in a fast-paced style and with realistic dialogue. Not recommended for those who want to read a maudlin love story (although you will find a touch of romance in there) or stories about unicorns, vampires, shape-shifters etc.
This is a gritty Family Saga with true-to-life action set to the backdrop of the Western Australian gold-mining industry Circa 1975-2005.
Recently re-edited to align more closely with the upcoming Book 2, a prequel going back one generation.
I think it's one of the best books recently published, but then again, I may be biased.


]]> On the Wings of Ideas 54295080 261 Gabriella Balcom Thomas 4 Gabriella's writing is clever and tight. The eclectic mix of subject matter makes for an interesting collection.
The topics of a couple of the stories border on what I'd classify as ‘disturbing’ but don't let that put you off.
Overall, I enjoyed On The Wings of Ideas immensely.]]> 4.12 On the Wings of Ideas
author: Gabriella Balcom
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.12
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2022/05/12
date added: 2022/05/11
shelves:
review:
I love a good short story collection. As an author myself, I often find it hard to read a lengthy novel without having long(ish) breaks and so losing the plot—literally.
Gabriella's writing is clever and tight. The eclectic mix of subject matter makes for an interesting collection.
The topics of a couple of the stories border on what I'd classify as ‘disturbing’ but don't let that put you off.
Overall, I enjoyed On The Wings of Ideas immensely.
]]> <![CDATA[Remembering the Dead and Other Stories]]> 60118321
These are just some of the characters in Lewis Woolston's new story collection Remembering the Dead and Other Stories.

In these snapshots from the fringes of Australian society, the past is never entirely done, the dead are not forgotten, and life takes turns both funny and tragic.]]> 117 Lewis Woolston 1922427586 Thomas 4 to-read
I enjoyed Lewis' first outing, The Last Free Man etc and also this one. I read the entire collection in one sitting.
In hindsight, I might have enjoyed this collection more if I'd given myself more time for reflection between the stories. I was strapped for time, however, but I did enjoy them all, regardless.

Lewis has a happy knack of telling a story in a way that gives the feeling of sitting in a bar or around a campfire while he recounts his, or others', adventures. (or misadventures) I think I said something similar when I wrote a review of his debut collection.

Some stories in this book are hard to read. That's not a detraction on Woolston's writing; merely a reflection of the subject matter. Many of the stories deal with death, drug addiction, domestic violence and other subjects some may not wish to read about. They are a part of life, though. A couple of them brought back dark memories for me.

If you like reading sweet romance or sugar-coated cosy mysteries, you'd probably be better off leaving this off your reading list. However, if you like reading dinkum Aussie tales, full of dinkum Aussie characters, told with feeling and sometimes humour, I recommend this book.

]]> 4.46 2022 Remembering the Dead and Other Stories
author: Lewis Woolston
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.46
book published: 2022
rating: 4
read at: 2022/04/11
date added: 2022/04/10
shelves: to-read
review:
Lewis was kind enough to send me an ARC of this book. This is my unbiased review.

I enjoyed Lewis' first outing, The Last Free Man etc and also this one. I read the entire collection in one sitting.
In hindsight, I might have enjoyed this collection more if I'd given myself more time for reflection between the stories. I was strapped for time, however, but I did enjoy them all, regardless.

Lewis has a happy knack of telling a story in a way that gives the feeling of sitting in a bar or around a campfire while he recounts his, or others', adventures. (or misadventures) I think I said something similar when I wrote a review of his debut collection.

Some stories in this book are hard to read. That's not a detraction on Woolston's writing; merely a reflection of the subject matter. Many of the stories deal with death, drug addiction, domestic violence and other subjects some may not wish to read about. They are a part of life, though. A couple of them brought back dark memories for me.

If you like reading sweet romance or sugar-coated cosy mysteries, you'd probably be better off leaving this off your reading list. However, if you like reading dinkum Aussie tales, full of dinkum Aussie characters, told with feeling and sometimes humour, I recommend this book.


]]> Unsound 59316736 The BookFest Spring 2023 Winner: 3RD PLACE IN CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE *
The BookFest Spring 2022 Winner: 1ST PLACE IN YOUNG ADULT ROMANCE *

Sometimes it’s the family you can’t choose who are the ones to save you.

un·sound /ˌənˈsound/ adjective not safe or robust; in poor condition. not based on sound evidence or reasoning and therefore unreliable or unacceptable not competent, reliable, or holding acceptable views.

As I watched the rich Washington landscape of mountains and thick green forests, I didn’t know what to expect. Granted, I was watching it from the back of a squad car, so it’s not like I had a choice in the matter.

High school is hard enough—dealing with hormones, grades, the pressure of college, social media, prom, sex ed… the list can go on forever. I wished for that kind of normalcy. Instead, I was being shipped way up to the middle of nowhere woods of Washington state—a serene community of cozy cabins, the smell of burning firewood… and enough troubled, drug-addicted, almost-criminal teens to make me wonder if this was a better option than juvie.

Little did I know that these drug-addled, societal misfits were exactly what I needed to become myself again.

Written in four cohesive POV's, Unsound follows a tight-knit group of troubled teenagers living at a boarding school for at-risk youths up in a remote forest in Washington State. These kids have had their childhoods ripped away from them, but they're on the journey to take their lives back.

345 page standalone with a sequel is in the works!
But no cliffhangers, because who really likes a cliffhanger!?

There are TRIGGER WARNINGS ranging from mental abuse, eating disorders, and depression to underage drug & alcohol use, underage sex, and mentions of rape, sexual abuse, and sex trafficking.

And please remember, Goodreads & Amazon reviews REALLY help indie authors!]]> 345 Ash Finley Thomas 4 to-read Unsound by Ash Finley is a sometimes harrowing account of a year or so in the lives of several teenagers who, for various reasons, find themselves lumped together in a care home environment.
The story is told, sometimes in flashback but mostly linearly, from the viewpoints of six chief characters. It follows them as they learn to deal with past and present traumas and also learn the value of trust in one another.
Despite coming from a generation that rarely heard the sort of tales exposed in Unsound (Though I'm sure there were many cases swept under the carpet) I found I related easily to the plights and difficulties of the young people depicted in this book.
I did find there were so many characters going through so much trauma that I sometimes had to reread sections to remind myself of just who was who. But that's just me.
All in all, I found Unsound to be a most intriguing and well-written story of the issues faced by many young people today. I believe there is a sequel in the pipeline. I'll look forward to reading about the next twelve months.]]> 3.81 Unsound
author: Ash Finley
name: Thomas
average rating: 3.81
book published:
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2021/11/14
shelves: to-read
review:
Whilst this is definitely not a genre I would normally read, I was happy to accept Ms Finley's offer of a free ebook in return for an unbiased review.
Unsound by Ash Finley is a sometimes harrowing account of a year or so in the lives of several teenagers who, for various reasons, find themselves lumped together in a care home environment.
The story is told, sometimes in flashback but mostly linearly, from the viewpoints of six chief characters. It follows them as they learn to deal with past and present traumas and also learn the value of trust in one another.
Despite coming from a generation that rarely heard the sort of tales exposed in Unsound (Though I'm sure there were many cases swept under the carpet) I found I related easily to the plights and difficulties of the young people depicted in this book.
I did find there were so many characters going through so much trauma that I sometimes had to reread sections to remind myself of just who was who. But that's just me.
All in all, I found Unsound to be a most intriguing and well-written story of the issues faced by many young people today. I believe there is a sequel in the pipeline. I'll look forward to reading about the next twelve months.
]]> The Grapes of Wrath 18114322
First published in 1939, Steinbeck’s Pulitzer Prize-winning epic of the Great Depression chronicles the Dust Bowl migration of the 1930s and tells the story of one Oklahoma farm family, the Joads—driven from their homestead and forced to travel west to the promised land of California. Out of their trials and their repeated collisions against the hard realities of an America divided into Haves and Have-Nots evolves a drama that is intensely human yet majestic in its scale and moral vision, elemental yet plainspoken, tragic but ultimately stirring in its human dignity. A portrait of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless, of one man’s fierce reaction to injustice, and of one woman’s stoical strength, the novel captures the horrors of the Great Depression and probes into the very nature of equality and justice in America. At once a naturalistic epic, captivity narrative, road novel, and transcendental gospel, Steinbeck’s powerful landmark novel is perhaps the most American of American Classics.]]> 536 John Steinbeck 067001690X Thomas 5 This Steinbeck classic was written in the late 1930s and the writing reflects this. However, it doesn't detract from the book's value in any way.
Mark Twain was famous for stating “A classic is something that everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to read.” but in this case, I think we have an exception.
I'll not go into the plot at all, you can read about that anywhere. What I will say, is that this book should be required reading for everyone. Especially soft-skinned millennials who think they are doing it tough.
End of!]]> 4.08 1939 The Grapes of Wrath
author: John Steinbeck
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.08
book published: 1939
rating: 5
read at: 2021/10/20
date added: 2021/10/30
shelves:
review:
How can anyone not give this five stars, despite the dated writing style?
This Steinbeck classic was written in the late 1930s and the writing reflects this. However, it doesn't detract from the book's value in any way.
Mark Twain was famous for stating “A classic is something that everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to read.” but in this case, I think we have an exception.
I'll not go into the plot at all, you can read about that anywhere. What I will say, is that this book should be required reading for everyone. Especially soft-skinned millennials who think they are doing it tough.
End of!
]]> Elevator Pitch 43309498
Right to the bottom of the shaft.

It appears to be a horrific, random tragedy. But then, on Tuesday, it happens again, in a different Manhattan skyscraper. And when Wednesday brings yet another high-rise catastrophe, one of the most vertical cities in the world—and the nation’s capital of media, finance, and entertainment—is plunged into chaos.

Clearly, this is anything but random. This is a cold, calculated bid to terrorize the city. And it’s working. Fearing for their lives, thousands of men in women working in offices across the city refuse leave their homes. Commerce has slowed to a trickle. Emergency calls to the top floors of apartment buildings go unanswered.

Who is behind this? Why are they doing it? What do these deadly acts of sabotage have to do with the fingerless body found on the High Line? Two seasoned New York detectives and a straight-shooting journalist must race against time to find the answers before the city’s newest, and tallest, residential tower has its Friday night ribbon-cutting.]]> 453 Linwood Barclay 0062678280 Thomas 0 to-read 3.77 2019 Elevator Pitch
author: Linwood Barclay
name: Thomas
average rating: 3.77
book published: 2019
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/10/10
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Treasure & Dirt (Ivan Lucic & Nell Buchanan, #1)]]> 58520598 An unputdownable thriller from the bestselling author of Scrublands.

In the desolate outback town of Finnigans Gap, police struggle to maintain law and order. Thieves pillage opal mines, religious fanatics recruit vulnerable young people and billionaires do as they please.

Then an opal miner is found crucified and left to rot down his mine. Nothing about the miner's death is straightforward, not even who found the body. Sydney homicide detective Ivan Lucic is sent to investigate, assisted by inexperienced young investigator Nell Buchanan.

But Finnigans Gap has already ended one police career and damaged others, and soon both officers face damning allegations and internal investigations. Have Ivan and Nell been set up and, if so, by whom?

As time runs out, their only chance at redemption is to find the killer. But the more secrets they uncover, the more harrowing the mystery becomes, as events from years ago take on a startling new significance.

For in Finnigans Gap, opals, bodies and secrets don't stay buried for ever.

A superb standalone thriller from the acclaimed and award-winning author of the international bestsellers Scrublands, Silver and Trust.]]> 512 Chris Hammer 1761063030 Thomas 0 to-read 4.04 2021 Treasure & Dirt (Ivan Lucic & Nell Buchanan, #1)
author: Chris Hammer
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/10/05
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Kal 696451 611 Judy Nunn 0091835070 Thomas 3 to-read
I had trouble getting into Kal at first, but persevered and by the time I was into chapter two, where the action moved from Italy to Western Australia I was invested. Unfortunately, I had to put it aside for a few days and when I returned I just couldn't get interested again.

Ms Nunn obviously did a lot of research on this book. The amount of historical background and facts on the mining industry in the era it was set in is extensive. The problem, to me, was that facts and settings alone do not make for a gripping story. Try as I may, I found this book to be slow and plodding. Long on descriptions and settings but short on action, (with a few notable exceptions)

Maybe it gets better. I hope so. I just didn't have the inclination to find out. I read about 25% of this book, so maybe some would say I shouldn't be writing a review. Nevertheless, It's my opinion that as a writer, Ms Nunn makes a damn fine actress.
My rating is two stars for the story and the telling, and a bonus one star for diligence in research. ]]> 4.06 1996 Kal
author: Judy Nunn
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.06
book published: 1996
rating: 3
read at: 2021/09/20
date added: 2021/09/19
shelves: to-read
review:
I decided to read this book because a fellow author said my novel GOLD! reminded him of it. (Thanks, Lewis) Both Kal and GOLD! were set mainly in Kalgoorlie and both stories were centred around gold mining.

I had trouble getting into Kal at first, but persevered and by the time I was into chapter two, where the action moved from Italy to Western Australia I was invested. Unfortunately, I had to put it aside for a few days and when I returned I just couldn't get interested again.

Ms Nunn obviously did a lot of research on this book. The amount of historical background and facts on the mining industry in the era it was set in is extensive. The problem, to me, was that facts and settings alone do not make for a gripping story. Try as I may, I found this book to be slow and plodding. Long on descriptions and settings but short on action, (with a few notable exceptions)

Maybe it gets better. I hope so. I just didn't have the inclination to find out. I read about 25% of this book, so maybe some would say I shouldn't be writing a review. Nevertheless, It's my opinion that as a writer, Ms Nunn makes a damn fine actress.
My rating is two stars for the story and the telling, and a bonus one star for diligence in research.
]]> Dark Roots 1590487
Following her American debut in The New Yorker, Australian Cate Kennedy delivers a mesmerizing collection of award-winning stories that daringly travel to the deepest depths of the human psyche. In this sublimely sophisticated and compulsively readable collection, Kennedy opens up worlds of finely observed detail to explore the collision between simmering inner lives, the cold outside world, and the hidden motivations that propel us all to act.

In just a few pages, Kennedy captures entire lives, expertly documenting the risks and compromises made in both forging and escaping relationships. Her stories are populated by people on the brink: whether it’s a woman floundering with her own loss and emotional immobility as her lover lies in a coma; a neglected wife who cannot convince her husband of the truth about his two brutish, shamelessly libidinous friends; or a married woman who comes to realize that her too-tight wedding ring isn’t the only thing that’s stuck in her relationship. Each character must make a choice and none is without consequence—even the smallest decisions have the power to destroy or renew, to recover and relinquish.]]> 224 Cate Kennedy 0802170455 Thomas 0 to-read 3.59 2006 Dark Roots
author: Cate Kennedy
name: Thomas
average rating: 3.59
book published: 2006
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/09/14
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Portable Curiosities 28428343 Portable Curiosities. In these dark and often fantastical stories, Julie Koh combines absurd humour with searing critiques on modern society, proving herself to be one of Australia’s most original and daring young writers.]]> 256 Julie Koh 0702254045 Thomas 0 to-read 3.97 2016 Portable Curiosities
author: Julie Koh
name: Thomas
average rating: 3.97
book published: 2016
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/09/14
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> The Fat Man in History 2675130 The Fat Man in History, brought early acclaim to Carey for his brilliant and ingenious fiction. These twelve stories introduce visionary landscapes of intense clarity, where the rules of the game are bizarre yet chillingly familiar.]]> 234 Peter Carey 0702230200 Thomas 0 to-read 3.94 1974 The Fat Man in History
author: Peter Carey
name: Thomas
average rating: 3.94
book published: 1974
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/09/14
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Death Leaves the Station (Itinerant Mendicant, #1)]]> 53049547
Death Leaves the Station brings the cosy country-house intrigue of crime fiction's golden age to the Australian wheatbelt, and was written for fans of classic mystery and crime fiction.]]> 192 Alexander Thorpe 1925816001 Thomas 0 to-read 3.71 2020 Death Leaves the Station (Itinerant Mendicant, #1)
author: Alexander Thorpe
name: Thomas
average rating: 3.71
book published: 2020
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/09/14
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> My Purple Scented Novel 32499051 The New Yorker. Also available to read online.

‘You will have heard of my friend the once celebrated novelist Jocelyn Tarbet, but I suspect his memory is beginning to fade…You’d never heard of me, the once obscure novelist Parker Sparrow, until my name was publicly connected with his. To a knowing few, our names remain rigidly attached, like the two ends of a seesaw. His rise coincided with, though did not cause, my decline… I don’t deny there was wrongdoing. I stole a life, and I don’t intend to give it back. You may treat these few pages as a confession.’

A jewel of a book: a brand new short story from the author of Atonement. My Purple Scented Novel follows the perfect crime of literary betrayal, scrupulously wrought yet unscrupulously executed, published to celebrate Ian McEwan’s 70th birthday.]]> 34 Ian McEwan Thomas 4 to-read 3.89 2016 My Purple Scented Novel
author: Ian McEwan
name: Thomas
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2021/09/13
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> False Witness 55919055 He saw what you did ... He knows who you are. The stunning new standalone from the no.1 international bestselling author



AN ORDINARY LIFE ...

Leigh Coulton has worked hard to build what looks like a normal life. She has a good job as a defence attorney, a daughter doing well in school, and even her divorce is relatively civilised - her life is just as unremarkable as she'd always hoped it would be.

HIDES A DEVASTATING PAST ...

But Leigh's ordinary life masks a childhood which was far from average ... a childhood tarnished by secrets, broken by betrayal, and finally torn apart by a devastating act of violence.

BUT NOW THE PAST IS CATCHING UP ...

Then a case lands on her desk - defending a wealthy man accused of rape. It's the highest profile case she's ever been given - a case which could transform her career, if she wins. But when she meets the accused, she realises that it's no coincidence that he's chosen her as his attorney. She knows him. And he knows her. More to the point, he knows what happened twenty years ago, and why Leigh has spent two decades running.

AND TIME IS RUNNING OUT.

If she can't get him acquitted, she'll lose much more than the case. The only person who can help her is her younger, estranged sister Calli, the last person Leigh would ever want to ask for help. But suddenly she has no choice ...]]> 440 Karin Slaughter 1460757068 Thomas 0 to-read 4.00 2021 False Witness
author: Karin Slaughter
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/09/11
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> The Catcher in the Rye 5107 It's Christmas time and Holden Caulfield has just been expelled from yet another school...

Fleeing the crooks at Pencey Prep, he pinballs around New York City seeking solace in fleeting encounters—shooting the bull with strangers in dive hotels, wandering alone round Central Park, getting beaten up by pimps and cut down by erstwhile girlfriends. The city is beautiful and terrible, in all its neon loneliness and seedy glamour, its mingled sense of possibility and emptiness. Holden passes through it like a ghost, thinking always of his kid sister Phoebe, the only person who really understands him, and his determination to escape the phonies and find a life of true meaning.

The Catcher in the Rye is an all-time classic in coming-of-age literature- an elegy to teenage alienation, capturing the deeply human need for connection and the bewildering sense of loss as we leave childhood behind.

J.D. Salinger's (1919–2010) classic novel of teenage angst and rebellion was first published in 1951. The novel was included on Time's 2005 list of the 100 best English-language novels written since 1923. It was named by Modern Library and its readers as one of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century. It has been frequently challenged in the court for its liberal use of profanity and portrayal of sexuality and in the 1950's and 60's it was the novel that every teenage boy wants to read.]]> 277 J.D. Salinger 0316769177 Thomas 0 to-read 3.81 1951 The Catcher in the Rye
author: J.D. Salinger
name: Thomas
average rating: 3.81
book published: 1951
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/09/04
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Stoner 166997
John Williams’s luminous and deeply moving novel is a work of quiet perfection. William Stoner emerges from it not only as an archetypal American, but as an unlikely existential hero, standing, like a figure in a painting by Edward Hopper, in stark relief against an unforgiving world.]]> 292 John Williams 1590171993 Thomas 0 to-read 4.36 1965 Stoner
author: John Williams
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.36
book published: 1965
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/09/04
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> We of the Never Never 2452796 232 Jeannie Gunn 1406500232 Thomas 0 to-read 3.66 1907 We of the Never Never
author: Jeannie Gunn
name: Thomas
average rating: 3.66
book published: 1907
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/09/04
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> All the Light We Cannot See 18143977
In a mining town in Germany, Werner Pfennig, an orphan, grows up with his younger sister, enchanted by a crude radio they find that brings them news and stories from places they have never seen or imagined. Werner becomes an expert at building and fixing these crucial new instruments and is enlisted to use his talent to track down the resistance. Deftly interweaving the lives of Marie-Laure and Werner, Doerr illuminates the ways, against all odds, people try to be good to one another.

From the highly acclaimed, multiple award-winning Anthony Doerr, the stunningly beautiful instant New York Times bestseller about a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II.

An alternate cover for this ISBN can be found here]]> 531 Anthony Doerr 1476746583 Thomas 0 to-read 4.30 2014 All the Light We Cannot See
author: Anthony Doerr
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.30
book published: 2014
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/09/04
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> A Bough in Hell 16087242 286 Dymphna Cusack 174331289X Thomas 0 to-read 5.00 1971 A Bough in Hell
author: Dymphna Cusack
name: Thomas
average rating: 5.00
book published: 1971
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/08/31
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Me and Mr. Booker 9881091
Me and Mr. Booker is a story about feeling old whenyou’re young and acting young when you’re not.]]> 208 Cory Taylor 1921758112 Thomas 0 to-read 3.26 2011 Me and Mr. Booker
author: Cory Taylor
name: Thomas
average rating: 3.26
book published: 2011
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/08/29
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Sex and Thugs and Rock 'n' Roll]]> 13557206
For Billy it's a tantalising and dangerous new world and he soon find his life turned upside-down by an erotic menage a trois and a murder. And as if that's not enough, he joins a group called the Aztecs and within twelve months they have a national No. 1 hit.

Sex and Thugs and Rock 'n' Roll is a rollercoaster ride through this amazing year of Billy's life. Take the trip.]]> 400 Billy Thorpe 0330359924 Thomas 0 to-read 4.05 1997 Sex and Thugs and Rock 'n' Roll
author: Billy Thorpe
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.05
book published: 1997
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/08/21
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Arcadia 40698935 400 Morrissey Di 1760550388 Thomas 3 Some reviewers here have panned Arcadia severely. I'm giving it three stars, as I did manage to finish it.
The basic storyline, I found interesting, but underdone. The characters were very one-dimensional and saccharine-sweet. The only really interesting character (the antagonist) existed only as a shadow lurking in the background. He had no dialogue, and very little input into the story. A big opportunity lost, in my opinion.
Reading this book felt like attending a lecture on ecology and environmental awareness. I'm all for preserving the planet and all that. When I read a novel, however, I want to be entertained, not lectured to.
Sorry, Di, but this didn't do a lot for me. It was flat, plodding, and also badly edited. Having said that, so many traditionally published works these days read like they were edited by eighth-graders so that's nothing unusual.]]> 3.56 2018 Arcadia
author: Morrissey Di
name: Thomas
average rating: 3.56
book published: 2018
rating: 3
read at: 2021/08/22
date added: 2021/08/21
shelves:
review:
This was my first ever Di Morrissey book. I chose it because of the setting (I lived in Tassie for a time) and her reputation. I doubt if I'll ever read another of her works.
Some reviewers here have panned Arcadia severely. I'm giving it three stars, as I did manage to finish it.
The basic storyline, I found interesting, but underdone. The characters were very one-dimensional and saccharine-sweet. The only really interesting character (the antagonist) existed only as a shadow lurking in the background. He had no dialogue, and very little input into the story. A big opportunity lost, in my opinion.
Reading this book felt like attending a lecture on ecology and environmental awareness. I'm all for preserving the planet and all that. When I read a novel, however, I want to be entertained, not lectured to.
Sorry, Di, but this didn't do a lot for me. It was flat, plodding, and also badly edited. Having said that, so many traditionally published works these days read like they were edited by eighth-graders so that's nothing unusual.
]]> <![CDATA[The Last Free Man and Other Stories]]> 48509259 172 Lewis Woolston 1925536882 Thomas 4 to-read
Lewis Woolston's style of writing has a definite raconteur feel to it. It's as if we're sitting by a campfire somewhere out back and he's just telling a tale that popped into his mind.

Many of the stories are told in first-person point of view, giving them an authentic feel. As a reader, I was left wondering just how much of each story was fact, and how much was fiction.

Woolston's characters leap from the page with a life of their own. His descriptions and dialogue ring true in almost every case. If you wish to get a feel for what epitomises a true Aussie then this book is for you.

The downside? Sensitive readers who shy away from strong language should be warned: he's not afraid to drop the occasional F- and C-bomb, especially in dialogue. To over-censor, however, would have spoiled the realism.

Some stories will make you laugh; some will leave you feeling sad—maybe even depressed. All will (or should) make you think. There are tales of battlers, losers, heroes, and villains. True Aussies, each and every one.

Do I recommend this anthology? You bet.]]> 4.16 The Last Free Man and Other Stories
author: Lewis Woolston
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.16
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2021/08/06
date added: 2021/08/08
shelves: to-read
review:
As an Australian, I love to read books and stories set in Australia. I don't limit myself to Aussie reads, but there's something special about a story set in a place that I actually know. In the case of The Last Free Man and Other Stories, this applies many times over.

Lewis Woolston's style of writing has a definite raconteur feel to it. It's as if we're sitting by a campfire somewhere out back and he's just telling a tale that popped into his mind.

Many of the stories are told in first-person point of view, giving them an authentic feel. As a reader, I was left wondering just how much of each story was fact, and how much was fiction.

Woolston's characters leap from the page with a life of their own. His descriptions and dialogue ring true in almost every case. If you wish to get a feel for what epitomises a true Aussie then this book is for you.

The downside? Sensitive readers who shy away from strong language should be warned: he's not afraid to drop the occasional F- and C-bomb, especially in dialogue. To over-censor, however, would have spoiled the realism.

Some stories will make you laugh; some will leave you feeling sad—maybe even depressed. All will (or should) make you think. There are tales of battlers, losers, heroes, and villains. True Aussies, each and every one.

Do I recommend this anthology? You bet.
]]> Book of Lost Threads 7951429 Book of Lost Threads is a story about love and loss, parents and children, hope, faith and the value of simple kindness.

Moss has run away from Melbourne to Opportunity on the trail of a man she knows only by name. But her arrival sets in train events that disturb the long-held secrets of three of the town' s inhabitants: Finn, a brilliant mathematician, who has become a recluse; Lily Pargetter, eighty-three-year-old knitter of tea cosies; and Sandy, the town buffoon, who dreams of a Great Galah.
It is only as Moss, Finn, Lily and Sandy develop unlikely friendships that they find a way to lay their sorrows to rest and knit together the threads that will restore them to life.]]> 368 Tess Evans Thomas 4 to-read I can certainly see why so many have said they enjoyed it so much.
As I mentioned elsewhere, I did have trouble at first keeping track of the story as she introduced her two main characters by referring to them by different names without immediate explanation. It did all come together after a page or two, of course.
Tess Evans certainly is a talented writer. I hadn't heard of her before.
I really like stories that interweave lots of different characters and "Threads" certainly fills the bill on that.
I think she was let down by the editing team, however, as the book does have a few instances of "head-hopping" that should have been weeded out, (Authors will know what I mean here. If not, you can google it) and also several typos and grammar oopsies. My copy was an ebook from the library and was full of formatting errors but I'll assume they came from the transfer between formats. Such things as wordsthatranonwithoutspaces and so on were common.
I freely admit I'm pedantic about these things, so don't take this as serious criticism of the book's value.
All in all, I really enjoyed Book of Lost Threads (great title, by the way, as becomes pertinent in the end) and I'd recommend it to anyone who loves a good read about interpersonal relations. There's even a nice tear-jerker of an ending (he says, embarrassedly) Four Stars from me.

reply | edit | delete | flag *]]> 3.74 2010 Book of Lost Threads
author: Tess Evans
name: Thomas
average rating: 3.74
book published: 2010
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2021/08/03
shelves: to-read
review:
I've just finished Book of Lost Threads. Here are my thoughts:
I can certainly see why so many have said they enjoyed it so much.
As I mentioned elsewhere, I did have trouble at first keeping track of the story as she introduced her two main characters by referring to them by different names without immediate explanation. It did all come together after a page or two, of course.
Tess Evans certainly is a talented writer. I hadn't heard of her before.
I really like stories that interweave lots of different characters and "Threads" certainly fills the bill on that.
I think she was let down by the editing team, however, as the book does have a few instances of "head-hopping" that should have been weeded out, (Authors will know what I mean here. If not, you can google it) and also several typos and grammar oopsies. My copy was an ebook from the library and was full of formatting errors but I'll assume they came from the transfer between formats. Such things as wordsthatranonwithoutspaces and so on were common.
I freely admit I'm pedantic about these things, so don't take this as serious criticism of the book's value.
All in all, I really enjoyed Book of Lost Threads (great title, by the way, as becomes pertinent in the end) and I'd recommend it to anyone who loves a good read about interpersonal relations. There's even a nice tear-jerker of an ending (he says, embarrassedly) Four Stars from me.

reply | edit | delete | flag *
]]> The Perfect Family 58092212
Until one morning, when they wake up to find their porch has been pelted with eggs. It’s a prank, Thomas insists; the work of a few out-of-control kids. But when a smoke bomb is tossed on their front lawn, and their car’s tires are punctured, the family begins to worry. Surveillance cameras show nothing but grainy images of shadowy figures in hoodies. And the police dismiss the attacks, insisting they’re just the work of bored teenagers. Unable to identify the perpetrators, the Adlers are helpless as the assaults escalate into violence, and worse. And each new violation brings with it a growing fear. Because everyone in the Adler family is keeping a secret—not just from the outside world, but from each other. And secrets can be very dangerous….

This twisty, addictively page-turning suspense novel about a perfect family’s perfect façade will keep you turning pages until its explosive ending.]]> 336 Robyn Harding 1760858889 Thomas 0 to-read 3.54 2021 The Perfect Family
author: Robyn Harding
name: Thomas
average rating: 3.54
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/07/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> The Action 32364040
[This story was originally published under the same title in Green's Magazine, Vol. XVIII, No.2., Winter 1990)]]> 14 Miles Watson Thomas 0 to-read 5.00 1990 The Action
author: Miles Watson
name: Thomas
average rating: 5.00
book published: 1990
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/07/18
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> The Turning Tide 22819185 A novel of secrets, mateship and betrayal, set against a dramatic backdrop of wartime Australia - a sweeping saga that will be enjoyed by readers who crave action and adventure with a little bit of spice.

When Mike Whalen revisits his former commando training grounds at rugged, beautiful Wilsons Promontory, he's shocked by a chance meeting with the granddaughter of his glamorous old friends, Helen and Johnny.

When Johnny died in the Pacific War, Mike was left with a burden of buried secrets. And as he's drawn back into the life of Helen's family, Mike finds himself overwhelmed by the past, from growing up in melting-pot Broome to tragic guerilla missions in Timor, desire in post-war Hiroshima and betrayal in the jazzy fifties.

Before Mike can turn the bitter tides of memory and have any hope of happiness, he must rebuild his bonds with wartime mates, face his long-held guilt, and finally confront Helen - and himself - with the truth.

From Broome to the Prom via war in the Pacific, this is a powerful saga of mateship, adventure, betrayal and passion.]]> 344 C.M. Lance 1760110744 Thomas 0 to-read 4.00 2014 The Turning Tide
author: C.M. Lance
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2014
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/07/03
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Unanswered Verses 41071349 47 Tajammul Kothari Thomas 3
It's clear English is not his first language. Despite this, he manages to express feelings many native English speakers would struggle to convey. Tajammul bares his emotions to us in this work. He draws us into his world—his feelings—as if we were reading a private diary. I admit there were times I felt as if I were eavesdropping on his private thoughts. I guess that's what poetry is all about, essentially.
If the essence of good poetry is how it moves the reader, this is undoubtedly good poetry.

My biggest criticism would be with formatting. Some might say that I shouldn't judge a work of poetry so clinically, but it is a work offered as a book.

Unanswered Verses is divided into sections, with the separate poems classified into groups. Unfortunately, in the copy I was given, it was hard to tell where one poem stopped and another started. I'd like to have seen each poem given its own page, or at least bold typeface and extra spacing for the titles.
In fairness, my copy was a PDF, and maybe the formatting didn't come through.
I think lovers of modern poetry will enjoy Tajammul's offerings.]]> 4.14 Unanswered Verses
author: Tajammul Kothari
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.14
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2021/05/20
date added: 2021/05/20
shelves:
review:
I confess I'm not that into free poetry. Perhaps I shouldn't be reviewing this book for that reason. Nevertheless, I did read the review copy Tajammul supplied to me and here's my take on it:

It's clear English is not his first language. Despite this, he manages to express feelings many native English speakers would struggle to convey. Tajammul bares his emotions to us in this work. He draws us into his world—his feelings—as if we were reading a private diary. I admit there were times I felt as if I were eavesdropping on his private thoughts. I guess that's what poetry is all about, essentially.
If the essence of good poetry is how it moves the reader, this is undoubtedly good poetry.

My biggest criticism would be with formatting. Some might say that I shouldn't judge a work of poetry so clinically, but it is a work offered as a book.

Unanswered Verses is divided into sections, with the separate poems classified into groups. Unfortunately, in the copy I was given, it was hard to tell where one poem stopped and another started. I'd like to have seen each poem given its own page, or at least bold typeface and extra spacing for the titles.
In fairness, my copy was a PDF, and maybe the formatting didn't come through.
I think lovers of modern poetry will enjoy Tajammul's offerings.
]]> Ruthless Pamela Jean 55297810
The author dares to make Iceberg Slim, the 60s most notorious "Pimp,” Pamela Jean’s go-to mentor! Mitchell says, “Why not?" After reading "PIMP" by Iceberg Slim, Pamela embraces Slim’s controlling metaphors to handle bullies in a dark tunnel that tried to kill her. There, Pamela builds her strength. She takes the bullies by the horn(s) while she fights back. One day of strength gives Pamela Jean Metcalf a lifetime of hope. Readers will engage with this “think-out-the-box” book like no other! Pamela’s initial survival comes from state psychiatrist Nancy Parker, who becomes PJ’s lifelong mentor. The doctor convinces Pamela to confront the abuse without violence by using her muses’ metaphors to build character and become a winner. What emerges is a woman in control of a man’s game. Survival means Pamela would enter the man’s game armed with an Ivy League education to create a very successful male escort startup that turns into pure gold. Pamela experiences a meteoric halt in the nation’s abuse as she sets out to save the world. Notwithstanding, as Pamela adheres to the doctor’s counseling, she is empowered by tragedy; she’s a warrior for the abused. From a broken child into one of the nation’s most powerful business women and a spokesperson against child bullying, Pamela Jean Metcalf emerges nicely as a savvy businesswoman who teaches the bullied how to take control and win!]]> 184 Carol Denise Mitchell Thomas 4 The way people turn out is a combination of who we are inside and how others see (and treat) us. Nature Vs Nurture. Ruthless Pamela Jean takes this concept and runs with it like the wind.
We're introduced to the heroine as an 8-year-old. A girl who is ostracised because she has boyish looks and pale skin despite being obviously black. She attends a school where her peers are African Americans and is bullied both physically and mentally.
Pamela does not react the way many children would. She internalises her hurt and determines to be a stronger person because of it. Unfortunately, she begins to do so in a negative way.
Without giving the story away, I can reveal that we follow her life well into adulthood as she builds a huge business empire on questionable grounds.
Will she find happiness in the end? You'll have to read and see.
My biggest problem with this book was understanding the language used. I'm an Australian, and I often had to re-read a passage to understand what was actually being said. The dialogue and narration rely heavily on urban Afro-American speech. That's my problem, however, and I refuse to let it taint my assessment.
All in all, I think fans of this genre will definitely enjoy Ruthless Pamela Jean.]]> 4.52 Ruthless Pamela Jean
author: Carol Denise Mitchell
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.52
book published:
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 2021/05/06
shelves:
review:
This book is not an easy read. That doesn't mean it's not a good read.
The way people turn out is a combination of who we are inside and how others see (and treat) us. Nature Vs Nurture. Ruthless Pamela Jean takes this concept and runs with it like the wind.
We're introduced to the heroine as an 8-year-old. A girl who is ostracised because she has boyish looks and pale skin despite being obviously black. She attends a school where her peers are African Americans and is bullied both physically and mentally.
Pamela does not react the way many children would. She internalises her hurt and determines to be a stronger person because of it. Unfortunately, she begins to do so in a negative way.
Without giving the story away, I can reveal that we follow her life well into adulthood as she builds a huge business empire on questionable grounds.
Will she find happiness in the end? You'll have to read and see.
My biggest problem with this book was understanding the language used. I'm an Australian, and I often had to re-read a passage to understand what was actually being said. The dialogue and narration rely heavily on urban Afro-American speech. That's my problem, however, and I refuse to let it taint my assessment.
All in all, I think fans of this genre will definitely enjoy Ruthless Pamela Jean.
]]> Colony 56807194
A remote, mist-shrouded island in the Russian Arctic.

Archaeology Professor Callum Ross makes the discovery of a a prehistoric ice mummy preserved for thousands of years by the sub-zero temperatures. Only, they didn't die of natural causes...

As Callum races to unravel the mystery of the mutilated corpse, others race to sabotage the expedition, and he and his team are left stranded on the island. And they are not alone. Someone, or something, relentless is stalking them.

As the arctic mist descends and the death toll rises, the team is thrust into a nightmare fight for survival, involving submarines, cyber warfare and Spetsnaz. But none of this can prepare them for the real terror that survives deep within the island’s a secret so ancient it's been overlooked by time itself.

COLONY is an edge-of-your seat action thriller that will appeal to fans of Clive Cussler, James Rollins and Michael Crichton.]]> 383 Benjamin Cross Thomas 0 to-read 3.58 2021 Colony
author: Benjamin Cross
name: Thomas
average rating: 3.58
book published: 2021
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/05/06
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Faithless: A Jane Doe Thriller (Hard To Kill Series Book 1)]]> 57847993 Her only memory is dying from her wounds…


Jane wakes up in a lab. She’s alone, immersed in a sterilized tank with wires and tubes connected to her. She looks around. There are others–test subjects like her. Except they’re all dead. What makes her different?


She has no answers, but she wants them. Wants them with a powerful drive that courses through her like the life she lost in a night raid in Afghanistan. It’s a life she shouldn’t have now. Someone brought her back without her memories–no doubt for a reason.


Only it seems they changed their minds. Men in gray suits are trying to kill her now. They shoot her, but she heals. As she flees, she leaves a trail of bodies. She knows they will pursue her unceasingly. Let them come.


Jane wants answers because none of this is accidental. Who is she? How was she brought back? What are the limits of her body? What causes the fever that rages in her? And one thing she wants to know above all.


Should she thank the people who did this–or kill them?

]]> 386 Steven Ramirez Thomas 4 I'd heard of Steven Ramirez, but this was the first time I'd read his work.
If you love stories with almost non-stop action and drama, you'll definitely enjoy this one.
Faithless is the first in a new series: The Jane Doe Cycle. It features an ex-marine, ‘Jane’—who can't remember even her own name—and follows her as she battles would-be assassins and villains whilst trying to learn the secrets behind her identity and previous life.
The writing style is punchy. The action is intense. All in all, a great read for lovers of action and intrigue.
]]> 4.58 2021 Faithless: A Jane Doe Thriller (Hard To Kill Series Book 1)
author: Steven Ramirez
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.58
book published: 2021
rating: 4
read at: 2021/04/21
date added: 2021/04/26
shelves:
review:
This book grabbed me by the throat from the first paragraph!
I'd heard of Steven Ramirez, but this was the first time I'd read his work.
If you love stories with almost non-stop action and drama, you'll definitely enjoy this one.
Faithless is the first in a new series: The Jane Doe Cycle. It features an ex-marine, ‘Jane’—who can't remember even her own name—and follows her as she battles would-be assassins and villains whilst trying to learn the secrets behind her identity and previous life.
The writing style is punchy. The action is intense. All in all, a great read for lovers of action and intrigue.

]]> <![CDATA[His Willing Marionettes (The Main Man Trilogy Book 1)]]> 44279862 Darren is handsome, rich, and clever, but it's unwise to befriend him - like his classmate Leroy did.
Darren is a bully and a coward, with no empathy or feelings of guilt. If you do his bidding and something goes wrong, you're on your own - like Leroy was.
When Leroy drowns in mysterious circumstances, Darren recruits Joel and Grace to take his place. But their triangle of friendship soon becomes tainted by deceit, jealousy and revenge.
Darren is a womaniser, breaking girls' hearts as well as the law. And, as his hedonistic lifestyle spirals out of control, the fortunes of all three of them are endangered.

But one of them has the luck of the Devil.
And only one of them can emerge unscathed.]]> 328 Jane Bean Thomas 3 I found the constant switching of points of view distracting, especially at first. That's a personal and subjective view, however, and I did get used to it as the tale progressed. Others may not be bothered by it at all. My recommendation would be to check out the Amazon "read inside" feature before buying. If it works for you, you'll likely love the book.
The subject matter is at times hard to take. This is definitely not a romance story. It is a tale of manipulation, rape, family violence, and death—against a background of teenage angst.
I won't dwell on the storyline. Others here have already given enough away.
I struggled with my star rating, opting for a conservative three. That's not to say you won't enjoy the read. My real issues were with technical points that others probably wouldn't notice.]]> 4.29 His Willing Marionettes (The Main Man Trilogy Book 1)
author: Jane Bean
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.29
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2021/04/26
date added: 2021/04/25
shelves:
review:
This story has everything some readers would want—and everything others would run a mile from.
I found the constant switching of points of view distracting, especially at first. That's a personal and subjective view, however, and I did get used to it as the tale progressed. Others may not be bothered by it at all. My recommendation would be to check out the Amazon "read inside" feature before buying. If it works for you, you'll likely love the book.
The subject matter is at times hard to take. This is definitely not a romance story. It is a tale of manipulation, rape, family violence, and death—against a background of teenage angst.
I won't dwell on the storyline. Others here have already given enough away.
I struggled with my star rating, opting for a conservative three. That's not to say you won't enjoy the read. My real issues were with technical points that others probably wouldn't notice.
]]> <![CDATA[Murder at the Church Picnic: A Mallory Beck Cozy Culinary Caper (Book 2)]]> 55820080
Murder has such a sting!

If anyone had told Mallory Beck she would become Honeysuckle Grove’s next amateur sleuth, she would have thought they were ten walnuts short of a brownie. Her late husband had been the mystery novelist with a penchant for the suspicious. She was born for the muffin pan, not the binoculars, and yet here she was, having just solved her first murder case. It had all started with delivering a casserole to a grieving family and finished with the help of a sarcastic teenager, a cop with kind-hearted green eyes, and a cat with a hunch.

Maybe she should have thought twice about delivering another casserole. But this one was for the potluck at the annual church picnic, and what could possibly go wrong at a picnic?

Find out when you order this cozy culinary caper now!]]> 180 Denise Jaden Thomas 4 Denise is an excellent writer; her works flow effortlessly, and this one is no exception
If you enjoy books in this genre, you'll LOVE Murder at the Church Picnic.]]> 4.38 Murder at the Church Picnic: A Mallory Beck Cozy Culinary Caper (Book 2)
author: Denise Jaden
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.38
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2020/11/17
date added: 2020/11/16
shelves:
review:
Denise was kind enough to gift me a review copy of Murder at the Church Picnic. While Cozy Mysteries are not my usual fare, I have to say I enjoyed this book from the start!
Denise is an excellent writer; her works flow effortlessly, and this one is no exception
If you enjoy books in this genre, you'll LOVE Murder at the Church Picnic.
]]> <![CDATA[Come and Get It (Prairie Classics)]]> 149152
Barney Glasgow, who had fought his way up from chore-boy in the lumber camps of Iron Ridge to lumber king of Wisconsin, is fifty-three and has much reason to be content when the granddaughter of his old friend, Swan Bostrom, disrupts his life. But destiny provides an ironic escape from folly, and Barney's son carries on the story—a story which was to end in those fatal months that closed the year 1929. Rich with the vibrant qualities of life itself, this is more than the story of Barney Glasgow and his children. It is the story of lumber, and the story of the making and breaking of a fortune, during one of the most fascinating periods in the history of Wisconsin, and of the nation.]]> 518 Edna Ferber 187948305X Thomas 0 to-read 4.13 Come and Get It (Prairie Classics)
author: Edna Ferber
name: Thomas
average rating: 4.13
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2018/09/12
shelves: to-read
review:

]]>