An Event in Autumn, by Henning Mankell (Harvill Secker, RRP $27): Here’s a treat for fans: new novella featuring the now world-famous (but, sadly, now retired literary character) of Scandinavian detective Kurt Wallander. After three decades of solving crime, Wallander is…
Month: September 2014
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,…
■ REVIEW
Coast A New Zealand Journey
It’s our place … and it’s beautiful: Kiwi writer Bruce Ansley has followed up his tribute to the legendary Mesopotamia high country station with another collaborative celebration of New Zealand’s beauty. This time Ansley has teamed up with photographer Jane…
Sweet story with life lessons to boot
Little Truff and the Siamese Cat, by Ann Russell: The second of a planned trio of books featuring the cute Little Truff, a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel. My parents had a Cav: he was decidedly dizzy and even in old…
A clunky disappointment
The Eye of Minds, by James Dashner (Doubleday Childrens, RRP $27): James Dashner may be better known for his bestselling dystopic Maze Runner series. He returns with The Eye of Minds, the first in his new series, The Mortality Doctrine.…
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…
Excellent NZ fiction for teens
Night Vision, by Ella West (Allen & Unwin, RRP $19): Award-winning Mosgiel-based author, Ella West, was born in Invercargill and studied at the University of Otago. In her new thriller for younger readers, 14-year-old Viola has a genetic condition whereby…
We’re just crazy about our pets
Creature Comforts: New Zealanders and their Pets, by Nancy Swarbrick (Otago University Press, RRP $55): (Reviewed with help from Seymour and Norman) Kiwis tend to fall into two categories when it comes to our furry, feathered and/or scaled friends: we…
Perfect blend of classic and modern
The Kill List, by Frederick Forsyth (Random House, RRP $38): It’s hard to know exactly how much of The Kill List is based on fact. The worrying part is that it could all be based on actual events, because of…
Excellent final book for Ranger’s Apprentice series
Ranger’s Apprentice – The Royal Ranger, by John Flanagan (Random House, RRP $23): Horace and Cassandra don’t know what to do with their daughter because she is so troublesome, sneaking into the forest at night to catch game. It is…