In what at first appears to be a straightforward story, a teenage boy is told his father – a soldier – has been killed in action in Afghanistan but then something extraordinary happens: he receives a communication from his father. The boy, Tyler, hires private investigators Sean King and Michelle Maxwell in this latest in […]
King and Maxwell more enjoyable in right order Read Post »
There’s a lot more to uber-genius Stephen Hawking than a big brain and a debilitating illness, and this memoir offers a glimpse into what makes the man tick. This is the first book Professor Hawking has written entirely on his own since the groundbreaking A Brief History of Time back in 1988, which managed to
Behind the speech synthesiser, a wit Read Post »
As a young novice monk in a Buddhist monastery, Tao’s life is simple, ordered and inward looking. All that changes when Kai enters his life. Kai is a young dragon whose arrival spells disruption and adventure for Tao, whom he has sought out because he believes they are linked. On their perilous journey of discovery
Engaging tale set in China Read Post »
While the horrors of war are something we would all rather avoid, sometimes it is through those horrors that great things emerge. During World War I, surgeons had a new challenge: That so many of the soldiers who survived being injured were left with devastating facial problems. They would survive to go home to their
The ugly face of war Read Post »
The internet is an easy place to hide, to lie and to be completely absorbed by. It can be a place where you trust someone so completely that you can hand over your life to a complete stranger. Lottie Moggach tackles these disturbing realities in her unique and utterly compelling debut novel, Kiss Me First.
Riveting morality study Read Post »
An old-age pensioner living the quiet life in a London suburb, Joan’s world is rocked when her name is linked to a spy scandal dating back to the 1940s. Gradually, as she is interviewed by British security services, the tale is told in a series of flashbacks of how she had indeed become part of
Youthful enthusiasm leads to treason accusation Read Post »
Unpacking the Kists: The Scots in New Zealand is an informative study of the nature and effect of Scottish migration to New Zealand. The book by Brad Patterson, Tom Brooking and Jim McAloon covers myriad topics including where in Scotland the settlers came from and their distribution patterns in New Zealand, how Scottish settlers have
Tracing NZ’s tartan history Read Post »
New releases coming in May and June. FICTION At the Water’s Edge, by Sara Gruen: Out in May and published by Allen & Unwin (RRP $40), this is a tale of privilege, loss, and love from the author of Water for Elephants. Hush Hush: A Tess Monaghan novel, by Laura Lippman: A powerful and emotive mystery
On the bookshelves: May-June 2015 Read Post »
Dana is a princess in the hidden Kingdom of the Rose, a sheltered, magical land that allows no war or disease to penetrate its borders. Protected by the Guardian – always a woman of the royal family who pays a terrible price – the kingdom is eternally at peace. However, Dana is special. Not just
Good pace in author’s first novel Read Post »
In what is a deceptively compact little book, former Southland Times farming reporter John Cutt packed in a wealth of history and information that covers 100 years of the Winton A & P Association. Subtitled ‘‘celebrating the achievements of the Winton A&P Association’’, the book is also a celebration of the people who have contributed
Celebrating the wonder of ‘show day’ Read Post »
