As often as I stop to think, then forget to start again, I am also plagued by bouts of my mind wandering off unattended and delivering all sorts of random thoughts that I then share with the world. This is generally not a good thing: it is important to have some sort of filter system […]
What do rats dream about? Read Post »
In 1939, two young men in a Picadilly Circus hotel are unaware that their lives are about to change in drastic and unforseen ways. Charles and Anselm are arrested for homosexuality. Charles is discharged from the RAF, and Anselm is sent to a labour camp in France. In 2012, Edward, a diplomat who has been
Harrowing and heartbreaking Read Post »
New releases coming in April. FICTION This Change in the Light: a collection of poems, by Fiona Kidman: A superb collection of poetry from one of New Zealand’s top writers (Godwit, RRP $37). An Isolated Incident, by Emily Maguire: When Bella Michaels is brutally murdered in a small New South Wales town, the community is stunned and a
On the bookshelves: April 2016 Read Post »
Coming up over the next month from New Holland publishers: FOR THE FOODIES Superfoods for Kids by “superfood expert” Rena Patten, who reckons she has found a way not only to get kids to eat superfoods (think quinoa and kale). The book includes recipes for breakfasts, school lunches, dinners, special treats and even baby friendly
April highlights from New Holland Read Post »
Here’s another decent read from the prolific James Patterson, this time in a standalone novel with David Ellis. Ben Casper sees his best friend fall to her death from the balcony of her apartment and realises his life is about to change. And not for the better. Diana – who worked for the CIA –
Another goodie from Patterson Read Post »
Life for the average 16-year-old can be pretty tough, and for Dylan Mint, it is tougher than most. Dylan isn’t particularly average. In fact, he has Tourette’s and his life is a constant battle to control his swearing, his tics, and – when he’s under stress – his howling like a dog. Could things be any
Hilarity amid deluded need for bucket list Read Post »
Scottish author Stuart MacBride has delivered yet another gritty, gruesome and somewhat uncomfortable murder mystery in A Song for the Dying. Detective Inspector Ash Henderson was on the trail of a brutal killer dubbed “the Inside Man”, who abducted and killed four women, and left a further three in critical condition with their stomachs slit
Gory, dark but compelling Read Post »
New releases coming in March. FICTION Wild Pork and Watercress, by Barry Crump: Film tie-in to the movie Hunt for the Wilderpeople, which is based on this Crump classic. Directed by Taika Waititi and starring Sam Neill, Oscar Kightley and Rima Te Wiata (Penguin, RRP $38). 15th Affair, by James Patterson: Detective Lindsay Boxer will have
On the bookshelves: March 2016 Read Post »
Three women have been murdered in their own homes, all have been strangled with no sign of a break-in. For Detective Constable Maeve Kerrigan, it looks like the victims must have let their killer in because they knew him. And worst of all, it also looks like the sadistic killer could be someone she knows:
Mystery that will keep you guessing Read Post »
Music can evoke memories and emotions and using that ability, Kay McKenzie Cooke has created a collection of poetry that highlights people and places from her past. Cooke grew up in the rural Southland of the 1950s and 60s and the song tracks, titles and lines she has used for inspiration in this collection take
Kiwi poetry a raw look at life Read Post »
