Talking Aussie Books

Episode 44: In 2018, former journalist Chris Hammer shot up the literary charts with his debut international best-selling, award-winning crime novel, 'Scrublands' (Allen & Unwin). An instant hit in a genre that has now been dubbed "Antipodean Noir'. In 'Scrublands' we meet traumatised journalist Martin Scarsden when he's sent to an isolated Riverina country town to write a story about a young prie...

Episode 43: Nadia Worland is the co-author of the POWman book series. The first instalment, POWman: Unleash the Hero Within (Harbour Publishing House) released in 2018 was a runaway success. Created by Nadia and Dave "Powman" Tabain, the book was written to help start difficult conversations around the insidious issue of bullying and to help kids turn negative experiences into positive ones. A yea...

Episode 41: Sara Foster is the best-selling author of six psychological suspense thrillers. Her latest "You Don't Know Me" (Simon & Schuster) is a stunning example of why Sara is fast becoming an international sensation. A darkly compelling tale that is part murder mystery and part family drama, set in Sydney and Thailand, "You Don't Know Me" will keep you on the edge of your seat until its mind-b...

Episode 40: Rachael Johns is one of Australia's best-loved authors. Her novels are international best sellers that include the 2016 ABIA award-winning "Patterson Girls" a host of rural romances and more recently books that she terms "life lit". In her words, the stories she writes are "about normal people creating pretty amazing happy every afters." They are about characters you can relate to and...

Jenn J McLeod writes stories about small towns with big hearts, loveable characters and embracing second chances. A former city girl and corporate high-flyer, Jenn is now a nomadic novelists who travels across this wide country of ours in a fifth wheeler caravan she calls Myrtle the Turtle. Jenn's 6th novel, 'House of Wishes' is about to be released into the world. It's the third of her books set...

In addition to being an internationally-exhibited painter, Melbourne-based author Kate Murdoch has written two historical fiction titles and a host of short stories. Her latest novel, 'The Orange Grove' (Regal House Publishing), set in 18th century France is a remarkable study of domestic politics within the French aristocracy. Full of intrigue and heart-stopping tension, this beautifully written...

'Maternal Instinct' by Rebecca Bowyers is a book that reconstructs our world, reimagines it as a place in which the welfare of children in a paramount consideration. Set in 2040, the world within the pages of Rebecca's novel is one where child-bearing and child-rearing is a state-sanctioned event. Where women give birth to babies and then hand them over to professional carers - the Maters and Pate...

Luke Devenish is an internationally acclaimed Australian author with a long list of stage and screen credits to his name. He wrote scripts for long-running Australian TV dramas Neighbours and Home and Away before making the leap to novel writing. His latest book, 'The Heart of the Ritz' released by Simon & Schuster earlier this year is a beautifully evocative, witty exploration of Nazi-occupied Pa...

Fiona Palmer is a best-selling rural fiction author, farmer and speedway racer who's brand new novel 'Matters of the Heart' (published by Hachette) reimagines Jane Austen's classic novel, 'Pride and Prejudice' - transporting us from rural 19th century England to a remote farming property in 21st century Australia. 'Matters of the Heart' is a rich, heart-warming tale about family, finding love and...

Pamela Cook is the author of 4 rural fiction titles published by Hachette Australia between 2012 and 2016. Titles which Pamela herself describes as fiction about 'feisty women, tangled family relationships and a healthy dose of romance'. Three years after her last book, Pamela is releasing her fifth novel. Only this time, she's going it alone, plunging headfirst into the world of self-publishing....

Barbara Hannay is the multi-award winning author of more than 50 novels. Barbara had always enjoyed writing and discovered romance novels whilst teaching high school English deciding then to pursue her dream of becoming a published writer. Her brand new novel, "Meet Me in Venice" (Penguin) a beautifully written, compelling Australian drama that shows why Barbara is one of Australia's most popular...

Kate Forsyth is one of Australia's most loved and prolific authors. Hailing from a long line of literary ancestry, Kate has published more than forty novels and sold over a million books world wide. Her new novel, 'The Blue Rose' was released by Penguin Random House in July 2019 and was inspired by the parallel events of revolutionary France and Imperial China in the 18th century. A fascinating in...

Sophie Green is a Sydney-based author with a number of fiction and non-fiction titles to her credit. Her second novel, 'The Shelly Bay Ladies Swimming Circle' was released by Hachette Australia in July and is a gorgeous, uplifting tale of friendship, love and belonging that I fell in love with. Sophie is inspired to write by places and this novel is an ode to Australian coastal living. Tune in as...

Fiona McArthur is one of Australia's best-selling novelists, drawing on her lifetime experiences as a nurse and midwife in rural and remote communities to bring her readers heartfelt stories of love and family in authentically Australian settings. Her latest novel, "The Desert Midwife" is set in Australia's red centre and is a testament to the courage and stoicism of the people that live and work...

Michael Robotham is one of Australia's leading and best-selling crime writers. With 14 novels under his belt now, a swag of awards and a host of TV and film adaptations of his work made or in the pipeline, this writer is scaling the dizzy heights of success and deservedly so. Join me as I chat to this prolific, entertaining writer about his new novel, "Good Girl, Bad Girl" (Hachette), his inspirat...

On this week's episode, I chat to Sydney-based author Suzanne Daniel. A journalist and communications consultant, Suzanne's debut novel, "Allegra in Three Parts" (Pan Macmillan Australia) is one of the most heart-warming, perceptive coming of age stories I've read in a long time. Set in 1970s Sydney, Suzanne takes readers on a nostalgic trip down memory lane as we follow 11-year-old Allegra throug...

A former script-writer for 'Home and Away', a long-running popular Australian TV drama, Kaneana May has now cracked the literary market with her intriguing exploration of a reality dating show in her debut novel, 'The One'. It follows the lives of three women - each of whom must decide how far they will go to find the one. . . Join me for this fascinating chat with an exciting new voice in Austral...

It's been just over a week since Tess Woods' latest novel, "Love and Other Battles" (HarperCollins Australia) hit Australian bookshelves and it seems the reading public can't wait to get stuck into this heartwarming story. A multi-generational story that delves into the lives of three women - each a product of their own time - it offers both an insight into our past and a glimpse of challenges we...

This week I chat to Maya Linnell, another fabulous debut Aussie author. Her book "Wildflower Ridge" (Allen & Unwin) was a delightful read that had me yearning to travel in the protagonist's footsteps through country Victoria and into the Grampian ranges. A heartwarming family saga that will leave you breathless and wanting more. Loved it!

In this Episode, I chat to Tabitha Bird about her remarkable debut novel, 'A Lifetime of Impossible Days' (Viking, Penguin Random House 2019). It's a magical story that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit. It will make you laugh and cry and no doubt will leave a lasting impression long after you've turned the final page. I was enchanted by the Willas' story and I know you will be too.

Ashley Kalagian Blunt is a Sydney-based writer whose debut book "My Name is Revenge" is a fictional exploration of a significant historical event and its continued effect on the geopolitics of the modern era along with impact of violence as a way of resolving violence. A thought-provoking and informative book and interview.

Christian White's debut novel "The Nowhere Child" has catapulted him to overnight international success. Winner of the 2017 Victorian Premier's Literary Award and shortlisted for the 2019 ABIA's, "The Nowhere Child" is a gripping story of secrets, cults and memories taking readers on a journey full of twists and turns, through the past and present to find out: who took Sammy Went. Join me as Chris...

Josephine Moon is one of Australia's favourite story-tellers. Famously describing her books as being "like chocolate brownies", more and more readers are tucking into these moreish stories. And her new novel, "The Gift Of Life" is another heartwarming tale that will have you flipping pages well into the night. A very special treat! Tune in as we chat organ donation, heart transplants, food, animal...

Richard Beasley is a Sydney barrister who exploded on the Australian literary scene with his first novel "Hell Has Harbour Views". A satirical look at life in a big city law firm, this novel resonated with many a young lawyer and was adapted for TV not long afterwards. After sixteen years and another four books, Richard wrote, "The Burden of Lies", the second in his Peter Tanner series. It's a leg...

With six novels already under her writing belt, Natasha Lester is one of Australia's fastest rising literary stars. Her novels are sweeping tales of love and war; of by-gone eras when women faced significant hurdles in their struggle for social change. Her latest novel, "The French Photographer" is another stunning example of Natasha's skill in the historical fiction space. A novel you won't forge...