It was a case that shocked everyone on both sides of the world: Malcolm Webster was convicted of murdering one wife in Scotland and trying to kill a second wife in New Zealand. Award-winning journalist Charles Lavery has followed the case closely and in The Black Widower he examines the crimes of this callous and […]
Killer’s web of deceit ably described Read Post »
I’m more than a little fed up with the whole vampire craze so I am enjoying the resurgence of interest in the other undead: zombies. Author Fredrik Brouneus has taken the zombie apocalypse theme and given it an awesome southern flavour with this young adult sci-fi novel set in Otago and Southland and the result
Zombie turns up in romp through southern lands Read Post »
It’s hard to believe it has been three since the deadly aftershock that hit Canterbury, following the September 2010 quake. Cantabrians have had an awful time since the quakes happened and even now, as the frequency and strength of the aftershocks diminish, things are still pretty rough for many living in those areas. Life goes
Quake-city humour to tickle your funny bone Read Post »
We have some odd little sayings in our Kiwi language but the origins of those phrases are often more odd than the saying themselves. Max Cryer – language expert, Kiwi broadcasting stalwart, author and all- round clever bloke – has compiled a collection that offers explanations for the expressions we use. To be honest, I’d
Cryer unearths the real McCoy Read Post »
An old truck on their family farm inspired sisters Margery Fern and Jennifer Somervell to produce a book that has received rave reviews from clients of Invercargill’s Wee Nippers Early Childhood Centre and a mention in the Purple Dragonfly Book Awards. Margery is deputy principal at Waitetuna Primary School, while Jennifer writes for New Zealand
Run-down truck inspired success story Read Post »
Knowing what to do, and when, is not always something that comes easily to everyone and, let us be honest, common sense is not quite as common as it once was. This little book is the go-to guide for anyone stuck in a tricky situation: you will learn how to navigate the minefield of 21st-century
Advice in times of need Read Post »
Kiwi screenwriter and author Donna Malane has finally produced her second novel and it was worth the wait. Once again, the main character is missing persons expert Diane Rowe, the stroppy, strong and perfectly flawed heroine of Malane’s debut novel, Surrender. And once again, she finds herself up-close-and-personal with a killer. However, this time the
Long-awaited novel an absolute cracker Read Post »
While we cheer on those who do well in their chosen field, we also enjoy hearing of the failures of others. I suppose it’s human nature to take just a little pleasure in the knowledge that there are others out there who aren’t perfect. This little book celebrates those imperfections in all their glory, with
It takes genius to get it terribly wrong Read Post »
Jo Nesbo’s Harry Hole series has been hugely popular with his home-based Norwegian fans and those of us in the rest of the world, and now those of us living down under can finally get our hands on the very first book in the series. These action-packed crime dramas/mysteries all feature Detective Harry Hole and
Nesbo’s debut was worth the wait Read Post »
New Zealanders are rather fond of their huts and this books shows why. Our backcountry huts are so very much a part of the Kiwi outdoors life, with a diverse network of huts spread throughout the country offering varying levels of comfort in some incredibly spectacular settings. These humble structures may not feature the latest
