Readers of my reviews and blog know I love Lumsden’s noir modern alt-history fantasy world. What to Expect A new adventure for Shade the Collector and his buddy Dwayne. This time a river spirit entrusts him with a coprolite (petrified excrement) to hide and guard. Naturally, the shadowy intelligence agency that employs him on occasion […]
Book Review
Book Review: Mole Creek, by James Dunbar
Mole Creek is not far from where I live, and as I enjoy Tasmanian crime fiction I thought I’d give this a try. What to Expect Expect a fast-paced thriller, taking place in modern day Australia and during the Vietnam War. Most of the novel is from the point of view of the protagonist, Xander […]
Book Review: An Instance of the Fingerpost, by Iain Pears
I’ve had this on my TBR for a while, and when it was recommended by The Rest Is History podcast I decided it was time. What to Expect A Rashomon-style story in 17th century England. A Venetian dilettante physician arrives in England nominally to address his father’s collapsing business concerns, but spends very little time […]
SeriesReview: The Dungeoneers, by Jeffery Russell
Because who doesn’t need a bit of escapist fun on occasion? What to Expect Expect a light-hearted comedy, a satire about Dungeons & Dragons and similar fantasy role-playing games. A city guard finds himself accompanying a team of professional dungeon-clearing dwarves due to mistaken identity, and everyone gets a bit stressed when they find his […]
Book Review: Coffee Cakes & Dragon Aches, by Cherie Baker
This came up as a random recommendation, and looked cute enough to try. What to Expect A modern day, hard-to-classify, fantasy tale about an apprentice magician and unusual circumstances. AS Raj is following various assignments towards graduation as a ‘mathemagician’, he runs further into all sorts of situations. At the same time, Eliza, a baby […]
Book Review: Vanishing Falls, by Poppy Gee
Continuing my quest of reading Tasmanian crime fiction and mysteries. What to Expect Expect a psychological thriller set rural Tasmania, in a fictional village that feels true to real life. A husband comes home late at night to find the front door open and everything in place except his wife which seems to have gone […]
Book Review: Deadman’s Track, by Sarah Barrie
This came up in a list of Tasmanian thrillers to try, and I do love Tasmanian crime/gothic novels for their uncommon settings. What to Expect A romantic suspense and crime thriller, set in Tasmania. While the story’s point of views shift between a few characters, the first half is centered around crimes (robberies escalating to […]
Book Review: Funny Fairy Tales. by Reut Barak
Who doesn’t like a twisty fairytale, and could use a bit of comic relief these days? What to Expect Sixteen re-telling of classic stories, from The Frog Prince to Alice and Wonderland. These aren’t your traditional versions, but tongue-in-cheek wild twists, rife with pop-culture references. They are funny with mildly risqué humour, and are sure […]
Philosophical Discourse about the Nature of Stories, wrapped inside a Book Review
I’ve heard Matt Dicks on a podcast, and since I’m always trying to improve my storytelling craft I dove into his books as well. What to Expect Expect a very easy to read book, filled with stories and anecdotes that helps explain Dicks’ take on storytelling. Dicks takes you through recognising moments in your life […]
Book Reviews: ‘Big Stake’ and ‘The Square Up’, by SJ Brown
I’ve enjoyed the first two in the series before (books one and two), and felt like finishing the year with some good old police work. This review covers the last two books in the DI Mahoney series, but as noted below you can jump right in. What to Expect Big Stake: Life’s a Gamble: Expect […]