The Mijo Tree, by Janet Frame (Penguin, RRP $25): This is an odd little tale. Published posthumously, the manuscript gathered dust in the Hocken Library archive for many years. Illustrated to great – and somewhat dark effect – The Mijo…
Category: General fiction
Confusing but interesting tale
The Silver Gaucho, by Jackie Ballantyne (The Doby Press): This is an almost local novel with part of the story set in Dunedin and Central Otago. It follows the adventures of Lockie Steele as she travels to Argentina in search…
Another memorable effort from Kiwi author
Reach, by Laurence Fearnley (Penguin, RRP $38): Successful artist Quinn lives with Marcus, who left his wife for her and subsequently lost contact with his young daughter as a result of that breakup. Quinn is busily preparing for an upcoming exhibition,…
Period drama with ‘Wilbur Smith’ feel
War Clouds Gather, by Peter Watt (Macmillan, RRP $38): War Clouds Gather is the latest instalment in Peter Watt’s broad-reaching family saga that spans the world but has its heart firmly placed in Australia. The story takes up in the…
Author brews up a good read
The Tea Chest, by Josephine Moon (Allen & Unwin, RRP $37) Kate Fullerton is the co-owner of The Tea Chest in Brisbane – a boutique tea store that focuses on creating perfect blends. When an opportunity comes up for Kate to…
Rich vein of humour uncovered
Crazy Rich Asians, by Kevin Kwan (Allen & Unwin, RRP $37): We all enjoy a sneaky peek into the lives of the fabulously rich and, over the years, those financially blessed citizens have copped more than their fair share of sniggers…
African saga a welcome improvement
One Hundred and Four Horses; A Memoir of Farm and Family, Africa and Exile by Mandy Retzlaff (HarperCollins, RRP $30): After the last, very bad, African saga I read, I decided that I would read no more about that troubled…
Engrossing, dark story of tragedy
A Treacherous Paradise, by Henning Mankell (Harvill Secker, RRP $38): Best known as author of the chilling Kurt Wallander crime novels, Henning Mankell has certainly opted for a change of pace with his latest novel. A Treacherous Paradise is a…
Birthright, by T K Roxborogh (Penguin, RRP $35): Birthright is the third book in the Banquo’s Son trilogy. Fleance, the son in question, is now king of Scotland. He is married and his wife, Rachael, is pregnant with an heir.…
Unhappy wife meets gardener
I Take You by Nikki Gemmell (HarperCollins, RRP $33) Australian author Nikki Gemmell has a great handle on delivering well-written erotica. A co-worker introduced her work to me last year, lending me With My Body and then, shortly after, The…