Talking Aussie Books

Deb Jordan is a Perth-based author whose debut novel 'The River Whispers' was published by Bloodhound Books UK earlier this year. A novel set between the Swan Valley and the Margaret River - two wine growing regions of WA - 'The River Whispers' centres around a tragic accident and its deadly aftermath. A terrific story that was as compulsive as it was entertaining. I was thrilled t...

I may not have previously shared with my podcast listeners that I'm a huge whisky fan! I love learning about it and have travelled extensively to sample different whiskies. So when I learnt Tasmanian-based author Karen Brooks not only co-owns a brewery/distillery in Hobart where they make their own spirits - including whisky - but has written a book about whisky, I knew I had to chat with her....

Matt Rogers  is a Melbourne-based million copy bestselling writer who’s written more than 36 thrillers.  He wrote his first novel at the tender age of 16 and published his first at 18.  This year, however, Matt makes his debut in the traditional publishing world with the first instalment of a new series featuring the absolute kick arse ex-contract killer for the CIA, Logan Booth.  A thrilling, fas...

Laura McCluskey is a debut author whose novel was described to me as ‘the hottest debut crime novel of 2025’. Since the book’s release  back in February I have watched in awe at the manner in which this book has shot to success.  It was the Book of the Month for QBD Books, Dymocks, Booktopia AND WHS Smith. It’s a spooky Scottish detective mystery called ‘The Wolf Tree’ published by Harper Collins...

Fleur McDonald is the author of 24 novels clocking up more than 850 000 book sales across a career that has spanned more than 16 years. She is a best-selling rural crime author and has built a loyal fanbase of readers with her incredible cast of characters and settings - the most popular and recognisable of course is Detective Dave Burrows.  But in a move that is set to cement Fleur’s reputation a...

Hilde Hinton is a bestselling author of three novels, as well as a big sister to Connie and Samuel Johnson.  A one-time prison officer and second hand book seller, a mother and carer of people in need of temporary housing and support, Hilde’s stories are filled with the kinds of characters that reflect her larger than life experiences and her writing is infused with empathy and insight into the im...

Valerie Miller is a Brisbane-based writer who teaches high school by day and writes stories at night. In late 2024, Valerie decided to self-publish her debut novel 'There's Something About You Olivia Bennett'. A dual-time line historical novel which flips between Sydney of the 1960s and late 1980s. This is a book that Valerie has coloured with her experiences as a child of Italian migr...

Maithree Wijesekara is an Australian-Sri Lankan writer based in Melbourne who graduated with a Masters in Dentistry in 2021, and who, this year, became a published novelist with her debut novel, 'The Prince Without Sorrow' (Harper Voyager). Now, Maithree splits her time between telling people to brush their teeth, and writing stories inspired by the fantastical and the real world. A richly imagine...

Natasha Lester is a international bestselling author whose novels have been translated into 21 languages. Novels which include 'A Kiss From Mr Fitzgerald', 'Her Mother’s Secret', 'The Paris Seamstress', 'The French Photographer', 'The Paris Secret', 'The Riviera House', 'The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre' and "The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard'.   Natasha’s latest book is inspired by yet another...

Chris Flynn is the author of several novels that include the astonishing novel ‘Mammoth’ - told from the point of view of a 13000 year-old fossilised mammoth. A book which was shortlisted for a number of awards in 2021 - and which drew praise from some of the brightest literary minds.  His new book, ‘Orpheus Nine’, published by Hachette Australia, is a deeply thought-provoking, compelling book set...

Listeners it’s been almost 3 years since I last welcomed my next guest to the podcast.  Back then we were talking about a truly remarkable novel which just over a year later went on to win the prestigious Miles Franklin Literary Award.  That book was, of course, Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens and the author, Shankari Chandran.  In the time since that first podcast chat, I’ve watched in absolute awe...

Jackie French is one of Australia's best-loved, bestselling authors and earlier this year, she released another new novel.   Called ‘The Whisperer’s War’ (published by HQ Fiction) it’s an incredible war-time story set in England between 1938 and 1947. A story that examines - amongst many other things - the cost of war and the quest for wealth, power and status that drive it.  A unique and enti...

**Discussion of Domestic Violence, Intimate Partner Abuse and Other Mature Themes. Please proceed with caution.** Jo Skinner is a Brisbane based author of two novels, a practising GP as well as a long-distance runner. I connected with Jo online a couple of years ago now and have watched on with delight as she achieved her publication dream last year with the release of her debut novel ‘The Truth A...

**Discussion of some mature themes** While Lauren K McKellar is no stranger to publishing, this year marks the release of her first foray into women's fiction with a thoroughly delightful, uplifting and thought-provoking novel entitled 'The Calendar Mums'. Published by HQ Fiction, 'The Calendar Mums' is a novel about motherhood and the importance of female friendships. A novel...

Cassie Hamer is not only an Australian bestselling author of 3 novels  - 'After the Party', 'The End of Cuthbert Close' and the 'Truth About Faking It' - but a colleague, a writing buddy and most importantly, a dear friend. This month, Cassie has a new novel out. And listener’s it’s an absolute cracker.  ‘The Stranger at the Table’ published by HQ Fiction is part crime, par...

Sara Foster is a Perth-based author of six best-selling psychological suspense novels that include ‘You Don’t Know Me’ The Hidden Hours’ and ‘All that is Lost Between Us’, along with the acclaimed dystopian thriller ‘The Hush’. Two of Sara’s novels have been optioned for TV and ‘You Don’t Know Me’ - a book I have read and absolutely loved - was adapted into a chart-topping drama podcast series by...

Listeners, I may have mentioned once or twice on the podcast before that I’m a huge francophile. So whenever I have the chance to read a book that takes me back to France or immerses me in the sensory heaven that is French food and wine, I’ll savour it like a glass of Moet and Chandon.  And so when a book called ‘Eat Your Heart Out’ set in France crossed my desk earlier this year, I knew it was go...

Listeners, if you tune in regularly, I’m sure you appreciate that I read eclectically and I’m fascinated by how books come into being - whatever path that happens to take.  Indie or trad, I’m interested in it all.  So when my fellow writer and friend, Sal Gallaher took the plunge and decided to self-publish her debut, I was keen to have a chat about it.  Sal is a writer and photographer. A Dane by...

Listeners I last spoke to my next guest, Maryrose Cuskelly, when her debut novel ‘The Cane’ was published by Allen & Unwin back in 2022.  "The Cane" was an atmospheric crime novel set in a fictional sugarcane town in North Queensland in the 1970s. A terrific story reminiscent of 'The Dry' and other Australian rural and outback noir, that became an Australian bestseller and wa...

Listeners today I’m so excited to introduce you to another Aussie author whose book has simply floored me.  Fiona Hardy - a writer, bookseller and reviewer from Melbourne - is the author of a new book published by Affirm Press earlier this year called ‘Unbury the Dead’.   A contemporary crime fiction novel about two best friends who are hired to undertake some morally questionable activities and w...

Marion Taffe is a Melbourne-based writer who after a 20 year career as a journalist, decided to turn her hand to novel-writing.  A graduate of the RMIT degree in Professional Writing and Editing, Marion was named Creative Industries Student of the Year in her graduating year of 2023. She was also runner-up in the Grace Marion Wilson Emerging Writers Prize (non-fiction) in 2022 and a recipient of a...

When a friend that you've been toiling alongside in the writing space for years can finally call themselves a published author, there's many reasons to celebrate. Chrissie Bellbrae is a talented Australian writer who took control of her writing career by self-publishing her debut novel 'The Florentine Quilt' early in 2025. I'd had the pleasure of reading an early draft of this...

There are many Australian writers out there producing quality book after quality book each and every year - satisfying the voracious demands of their eager fans.  Penelope Janu definitely falls into that category.  And if you haven’t heard of Penelope’s work as yet, then dear listeners you’re in for a treat.  Penelope is a former lawyer  - a longtime legal academic - whose debut novel ‘In at the D...

Unsurprisingly, I’m very much drawn to the work of debut Australian authors. And this year, I’m delighted to be interviewing a number of them, one of whom is my next guest. Kate Horan is Sydney-based ex-English teacher who once taught at high schools in Western Sydney loving being able to inspire teenagers with a love of reading.  For the last seventeen years, however, Kate has worked in corporate...

Ella Ward is a Melbourne-based author of memoir '27 Letters to My Daughter' and a brilliant debut novel 'The Cicada House'. Released by HarperCollins in January 2025, 'The Cicada House' is a gorgeously uplifting, magical coming of age story that starts out one way and takes readers on an unexpected but utterly delightful journey. Following 40-year-old protagonist Caitlin, we move from London to Ar...