Talking Aussie Books

Maria Papas is a West Australian author who won the 2020 City of Fremantle Hungerford award for her unpublished manuscript which went onto become her debut novel "Skimming Stones". Published by Fremantle Press, "Skimming Stones" is a beautiful novel which explores the trauma inflicted on families (and siblings in particular) when children suffer life-threatening illnesses. A heartbreaking portraya...

Sara Foster is a West Australian author of six international bestselling psychological suspense novels. Titles that include 'Come Back to Me', 'Beneath the Shadows', 'Shallow Breath', 'All That is Lost Between Us' and the 'Hidden Hours'. Two years ago now, her last book 'You Don't Know Me' was released and I had the privilege of chatting with Sara on the podcast back then. This year Sara is back w...

Sally Hepworth is a best-selling author of seven novels. Her 2020 novel, "The Good Sister" was an instant best-seller and her 2019 novel, "The Mother-in-Law" has been optioned for a TV series by Hollywood actress and producer, Amy Poehler. Sally's books are available all over the world and have been translated into 20 languages. "The Younger Wife" is Sally's most recent novel (published by Pan Mac...

Robyn Mundy is a Tasmanian-based author of three novels whose work forms an exploration of nature in its wildest forms. Her fiction draws inspiration from her own adventures through Svalbard (a territory of Norway), Greenway, Antartica, the Norwegian Coast and Scotland. Her latest novel, "Cold Coast" (published by Ultimo Press) is a completely immersive and enthralling exploration of the majesty a...

If you're listening to this podcast, I'm sure that like me, books are something that you'll definitely be popping under the tree. And one book you'll definitely want to gift this Christmas is Joanna Nell's brand new novel "The Tea Ladies of St Jude's Hospital" (Hachette). I've been fortunate to have the opportunity to chat with Joanna before on this podcast. First, when in 2018, her debut novel "T...

"Hitler's Assassins" is the second book in Steve Matthew's Nazi trilogy (released by Big Sky Publishing). A book that takes us behind the scenes of Hitler's megalomania and paranoia during his reign as Fuhrer through the eyes of his personal staff and his closest military advisers. Listeners, this book is unlike anything I've ever read before and offers another eye-opening, chilling insight into w...

I met Sydney-based author Vanessa McCausland in early 2020, just after the release of her debut novel, "The Lost Summers of Driftwood". A hauntingly beautiful story that has stayed with me ever since. . . Following that meeting, Vanessa has gone on to write another two novels: "The Valley of Lost Stories" and now a brand new novel called "The Beautiful Words." Just published, "The Beautiful Words"...

I first met Vanessa McCausland in early 2020 when her debut, "The Lost Summers of Driftwood" was released by Vanessa McCausland. A hauntingly beautiful story that has stayed with me ever since. . . Following that meeting, Vanessa has gone on to write another two novels: "The Valley of Lost Stories" and now a brand new novel called "The Beautiful Words." Only just released, "The Beautiful Words" is...

Fleur McDonald is a bestselling Australian rural fiction writer. She's lived and worked on farms for most of her life and currently co-owns an 8000 acre property in regional WA. With 18 novels under her belt now and over 650,000 books sold, Fleur is well-recognised as a leader in this genre - having well and truly earned her title as the "Voice of the Outback". Fleur's new book "Deception Creek"wa...

Having graced our television screens in popular series like Love My Way and The Slap along with roles in worldwide smash hit Game of Thrones and a host of movies, Brendan Cowell is an actor many Australians would be familiar with. He's well-known in writing circles as a novelist as well as an award-winning screenwriter and playwright. A multi-talented artist whose new novel "Plum" has just been pu...

Chris Hammer, former journalist and foreign correspondent, is a highly acclaimed, award-winning international bestselling author of the thrilling trilogy - 'Scrublands', 'Silver' and 'Trust'. This year, Chris has offered up a new stand alone novel. Called 'Treasure & Dirt' (Allen & Unwin), this novel is a sensational, suspense-filled, turbulent read that centres on a murder investigation in the fi...

In his new book, "If Not Us" (Text Publishing), Mark Smith has spotlighted an important issue - not only for the characters in the story, but for society at large. Through the eyes of a young man who has experienced heart-wrenching loss, Mark has crafted a beautiful and compelling coming-of-age, David versus Goliath story which will inspire and engage young and older readers alike. A novel which i...

Joshua Pomare, or JP Pomare as he is otherwise known, is a Melbourne-based author hailing from New Zealand who hit the literary scene in 2018 with a best-selling, award-winning debut in his psychological thriller "Call Me Evie". His success with this book was followed up with "In the Clearing" in 2019, and then "Tell Me Lies" in 2020. This year, Joshua is back with another edge-of-your-seat, spine...

Ruth McIver is a Melbourne-based crime writer who grew up in Perth and in the US. Her first novel, "Nothing Gold", was runner up in the inaugural Banjo Prize and was selected to be pitched at the Bloody Scotland Crime Festival in 2014. Her new novel, "I Shot the Devil", published by Hachette, won the 2018 Richell Prize. And listeners, I have to tell you, I can see why. Tense and terrifying, this b...

Mary-Lou Stephens is a Tasmanian born author, whose divine debut novel "The Last of the Apple Blossom" (HQ Fiction) I recently had the pleasure of reading. In this book we get to re-live the highs and lows of being an apple orchardist, through the eyes of two life-long friends Catherine Turner and Annie Pearson. This was a spectacularly rich, thoroughly researched and highly emotive family drama t...

From award-winning bestselling author, Sarah Bailey, comes a brand new nail-biting thriller. "The Housemates", published by Allen & Unwin, is Sarah's fourth book and her first stand-alone novel. A gritty urban crime novel, "The Housemates" introduces us to Olive Groves - a Melbourne -based journalist who became obsessed by a case dubbed the "Housemate Homicide" involving three housemates: one murd...

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of reading a new novel from Sydney-based writer, Tessa Lunney. Called "Autumn Leaves, 1922", it's the second book in Tessa's Kiki Button mysteries. A novel that does much to capture post-war sentiment in Europe at the time. Think Phrynne Fisher meets The Great Gatsby. A complex tale with a colourful and vibrant cast of characters - both real and imagined. I wa...

Margaret Hickey's novel, "Cutter's End" (Penguin) is a deeply atmospheric, mesmerising crime novel that explores the chilling underbelly of the Australian outback. In a story that has echoes of Jane Harper's "The Dry" and Chris Hammer's "Scrublands" fans of outback noir are in for a treat. This was a highly entertaining, addictive page-turner that I cannot recommend highly enough. I was so delight...

Barbara Hannay is an international best-selling Australian author. With over 50 titles to her name and over 12 million books sold globally, Barbara is a force to be reckoned with. Her new book, "The Garden of Hopes and Dreams" (published by Penguin) was released in early August 2021. A delightfully heartwarming book about the importance of community and connection that I thoroughly enjoyed. I was...

Tough times mean it's never been more important to have feel good stories we can turn to. Stories that send us on a welcome journey away from reality, if only for a little while. And that's exactly what Jodi Gibson's new book did for me. "The Five Year Plan" (Brio Books) is a super-fun story which follows the adventures of Melbourne woman, Demi Moretti, as she tries to navigate life bearing the we...

Hannah Bent is a Sydney-based author whose debut novel 'When Things Are Alive They Hum', was recently published by one of Australia's newest publishing houses, Ultimo Press. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Hannah studied Fine Art and Film in London before deciding to pursue further studies in writing in Sydney. Completing a Masters In Creative Writing, Hannah was awarded the Ray Koppe Young Writer's...

I was so thrilled to join this stellar cast of women podcasters recently to celebrate Dani Vee's 400th episode of her fabulous Words and Nerds Podcast. Not only is Dani an exceptional, authentic and inspirational human, she's a wonderful supporter of Australian writers and other podcasters. Join Dani, Pamela Cook, Alison Tait, Ashley Kalagian Blunt and I as we celebrate this incredible milestone e...

Simon Rowell is a Victorian based author with an eclectic working background. His first novel, "The Echo of Others" was an Amazon bestseller and went on to be Longlisted for the Ned Kelly Awards - Best First Crime for 2018. This year, he returns with a brand new crime thriller. A book that is propulsive, filled with twists and turns, and a new and unforgettable crime-busting duo. Called "The Long...

In mid-2020 I had the happy privilege of chatting with rural fiction author, Léonie Kelsall about her gorgeous book, "The Farm at Peppertree Crossing". With its well developed characters and strong sense of place, it was a book that offered humour and hope and a way of making sense of some of the tough issues often faced by our rural neighbours. So I guess it comes as no surprise to learn that thi...

Francesca Haig's "The Cookbook of Common Prayer" (Allen & Unwin) is a book that will forever leave an indelible imprint on my heart. Set between Tasmania and London, this book explores themes of grief, food, mental health and hope in a thoroughly compelling and unique manner. Heartbreaking and somehow uplifting at the same time, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I was overjoyed to have t...