Sunrise Over Mercy Court by Fiona McCallum Just when they thought they were done.... Publisher: Harlequin Australia Publication date: 5th April 2023  Genre: Contemporary Fiction Pages: 496 RRP: $32.99AU now in B format $22.99AU Source: Courtesy of the publisher   Review: Sunrise Over Mercy Court I have read a few of Fiona McCallum's novels and I have really enjoyed them. However, Sunrise Over Mercy Court was a miss for me.   Elsie and Howard have been together for almost 60 years and at 78 they are tired of the aches and pains, bored with life and low on finances. They p ..read more

 The Wartime Vet by Ellie Curzon Publisher: Bookouture Publication date: 4th April 2024 Series: A Village at War #3  Genre: Historical Fiction Pages: 331 Source: Courtesy of the publisher   Review: The Wartime Vet The Wartime Vet is a cozy mystery/historical fiction set in 1942 country England during WWII.   Laura moves from her job as a small animal vet to the country town of Bramble Heath where she is employed to care for the local farm animals; the sheep and cows that will provide food for the nation.   I loved that Laura was strong and determined, the 1940's were ..read more

 Last Chance in Paris by Lynda Marron Publisher: Echo Publishing Publication date: 3rd April 2024 Genre: Contemporary Fiction Pages: 280 RRP: $32.99AU (trade paperback) Source: Courtesy of the publisher    Review: Last Chance in Paris Last Chance in Paris is a poignant and heartfelt story of past regrets and new beginnings. Told through multiple points of view, Marron’s lyrical prose and unique writing style build empathy for her large cast of characters. The reader is introduced to people who are broken and looking to time in Paris, the city of love, to find purpose again an ..read more

Shock Waves by Fleur McDonald When a bomb blast rips apart a quiet country town Detective Dave Burrows kicks into action.   Publisher: Allen & Unwin Publication date: 3rd April 2024 Series: Detective Dave Burrows Genre: Crime / Thriller / Suspense Pages: 352 RRP: $32.99AU (trade paperback) Source: Courtesy of the publisher   Review: Shock Waves Shock Waves opens with gripping suspense right from the first page when I bomb is set off in a quiet country town. I was pulled straight into the mystery and I loved that Fleur McDonald didn't divulge too many clues making it nigh on imp ..read more

Those Girls by Pamela Rushby Publisher: Walker Books Publication date: 3rd April 2024 Genre: Young Adult / Historical Fiction Pages: 336 RRP: $19.99AU (paperback) Source: Courtesy of publisher   Review: Those Girls In Those Girls, Pamela Rushby writes about a little known area of women's involvement in the second world war. As men leave the country to join the fighting a void is left in the area of food production. This is where the Australian Women's Land Army (AWLA) was formed and many young women left their homes to make their contribution to the war effort, working on farms picking ..read more

 Body of Lies by Sarah Bailey A MISSING CORPSE. A SHOCKING CRIME.  FAMILY SECRETS TOO CLOSE TO HOME.   Publisher: Allen & Unwin Publication date: 27th February 2024 Series: Gemma Woodstock #4 Genre: Crime / Mystery / Thriller Pages: 480 RRP: $34.99AU (trade paperback) Source: Courtesy of the publisher   Review: Body of Lies Body of Lies opens about 18 months after Where the Dead Go and Gemma is on maternity leave. She is currently living back in her hometown of Smithson with partner Mac, son Ben and baby Scarlett.   When a woman dies in a car accident and her bod ..read more

 Where the Dead Go by Sarah Bailey A MISSING GIRL. HER MURDERED BOYFRIEND. A COP ON THE EDGE.   Publisher: Allen & Unwin Publication date: 4th August 2019 Series: Gemma Woodstock #3 Genre: Crime / Mystery Pages: 464 RRP: $22.99AU (B format paperback) Source: Uncorrected proof from publisher   Review: Where the Dead Go As Into the Night wasn't a big hit with me I was eager to read the next Detective Sergeant Gemma Woodstock novel. Can Sarah Bailey recreate the atmosphere and suspense from The Dark Lake? Well that was a resounding Yes! I could not put this book down! I read ..read more

 Into the Night by Sarah Bailey A BRAZEN MURDER WITH HUNDREDS OF WITNESSES - A CASE WHERE NO ONE CAN BE TRUSTED  Publisher: Allen & Unwin Publication date: 23rd May 2018 Series: Gemma Woodstock #2 Genre: Crime / Mystery Pages: 420 RRP: $22.99AU (B format paperback)   Source: Courtesy of the publisher   Review: Into the Night Into the Night by Sarah Bailey is her second novel featuring Detective Sergeant Gemma Woodstock. Gemma is a hot mess all the way through this novel. She is very hard to like. "..... there's a blandness about my appearance - I'm easily forge ..read more

 Devil's Lair by Sarah Barrie A lonely widow, a sinister act, a darkness rising from the past. Publisher: Harlequin Australia Publication date: 17th June 2019 Series: Calico Mountain #2 Genre: Crime / Thriller Pages: 448 RRP: $29.99AU (trade paperback) Source: Courtesy of the publisher   Review: Devil's Lair   I just found out whilst posting my review that this is book 2 in a series! I can confidently say it reads well as a standalone.  Devil's Lair opens with a ritualistic cult-like killing and I initially thought the story might be too dark for me however it soon ..read more

 Clamour and Mischief Edited by Narrelle M. Harris Publisher: Clan Destine Press Publication date: 1st December 2022 Genre: Anthology / Fantasy Pages: 248 RRP: $36.95AU (paperback) Source: Courtesy of the publisher   Review: Clamour and Mischief Clamour and Mischief is an anthology of short stories with the connecting theme of birds, or more precisely corvids (birds from the crow family).   I do love anthologies as the stories are short, giving instant satisfaction, and can be picked up and put down without fear of losing the plot line.    Corvids have been used prol ..read more