Tag Archives: australian authors

Book Review: You Must Remember This by Sean Wilson

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Shortlisted for the 2026 Miles Franklin Literary Award, this is a story about Grace’s aging and the effect on her and her daughter Liz.

Grace lives alone and manages to hide the fact that she has dementia until she is found wandering the streets lost and confused. Her daughter Liz is at a loss about her what to do about her condition and makes the difficult decision to move her into an aged care facility for her safety and well-being.

Many of us with elderly parents face these decisions but Wilson shows us the day-to-day practical issues along with the difficult emotional ones. Both characters are well drawn. Liz grapples to understand her mother’s disease as well as coping with being a working parent. We could judge her growing frustration but deep dive below that is her fear and loss and the beginning of the grieving process at work.

The chapter numbers are jumbled up reflecting Grace’s state of mind as it slips back and forth reflecting her past and present. Grace lives in her own world, bewildered and frustrated whilst understanding what is happening to her.

This is a well written, short read, powerful as it is sad. Check it out.

Book Review: In a Common Hour by Sita Walker

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Set in a State High school in QLD is teacher Paul Bush and his students who are in their last year. A disgruntled student does something devastating during a one-hour lunchtime which has devastating consequences changing Paul Bush’s life and impacting the students around him.

If you’re not a teacher, you will appreciate how difficult this profession is and if you are then a lot of this will hit home. Walker delivers believable characters in a genuine setting of a busy high school. It’s a compelling read and the writing captures the atmosphere brilliantly.

Each chapter represents a brief time block in the hour and at times it’s hard to believe so much happens within that time. Yet it seems to work considering it’s a fairly short novel.

The only down side is the number of characters and because I read this over a couple of days,  I was able to keep up and remember them all—just.

It’s a brave world out there in schools and I take my hat off to all the wonderful teachers who try to do the best they can.

Check this one out.

Book Review: The Buried Life by Andrea Goldsmith

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This story follows the lives of three people; Adrian an academic who specialises in the study of death, Kezi a young artist who is estranged from her parents and Laura, a town planner who hides problems about her seemingly perfect marriage.

Adrian, just out of a long-term relationship meets Laura at a cheese shop. He also happens to be Kezi’s neighbour. These three navigate the changes which happen to turn their lives upside down.

I had read only one other book by Goldsmith and I confess to not liking it at all (Reunion). I was reticent about this one particularly the pace of the first fifty pages. Soon I was thoroughly engaged with the characters and the clever way Goldsmith changed their arcs particularly Adrian who at first seems dull and spineless but towards the end reveals what a wonderful man he really is.

Laura on the other hand was more complex stuck in a marriage which was controlled by a spineless selfish man. The unravelling of the marriage drew sympathy as well as appreciation when she finally makes some decisions.

There is sadness with Kezi as well as joy and deep friendship and of course the setting in Melbourne made it all the more relatable. There was also reference to music which I didn’t fully engage with but nevertheless the writing is excellent.

There’s a lot to this book so give it a go.

Book Review: Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth

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I always enjoy Sally Hepworth’s books. They are easy to read with shades of light and dark with devious twists. Mad Mabel is no exception.

Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick is eighty-one living on the same street for decades concealing a horrible past. The tale switches between her childhood and present day when someone reveals her secret: she was a murderer. Coupled that with the death of the next-door neighbour and you have a great story with twists you won’t see coming.

You really can’t go too wrong with this novel. The character of Mabel is simply lovable, her eccentricities, her care and gruffness all make her delightful.

There are so many issues, Hepworth tackles: parental neglect, loneliness, grooming, small town prejudices, aging and more.

I really enjoyed this mystery; the characters and the story kept me turning the page. If you haven’t read any of Sally’s books, try this one first then tackle the rest.

Book Review: Mrs Kelly: The Astonishing Life of Ned Kelly’s Mother by Grantlee Kieza

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Ned Kelly has become folk lore here in Australia and there’s been a long-held fascination with him. While this book is about him, it’s also about what came before, notably his mother’s background story and the battles she had raising her family and keeping them alive.

Ellen Kelly was nine when she arrived on a ship in 1841 and died at 93 having outlived a number of her twelve children. She was also a pioneer trying with her ex-convict husband to forge existence on the land, harsh and unforgiving.

This is a remarkably well researched book and while Ellen is often overshadowed by her son’s story it is done within context of the landscape, the family and the difficulty placed on them by the law. It’s hardly surprising, the family turned to crime to survive then revenge when authorities were unfair.

I learnt a lot about the difficulties for women especially those in dire circumstances. Kieza also gives quite an insight into Ned for he was indeed quite unhinged when you review the crazy stunts he pulled.

I also enjoyed reading about the history of those places I’ve visited giving a better appreciation.It’s well written, meticulously researched with honest interpretation of events. Check this one out.

A New Novel Is Coming!

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I’ve been off line for most of the year while I write my sixth novel called Stanley Place. It will be out later in the year. I’m excited to share more with you coming months.

While I haven’t shared any book reviews for a while, I haven’t stopped reading so the reviews will roll out so watch out for them in the coming weeks.

Book Review: Hollow Girl by Lyn Yeowart

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It may be a long read but it’s a thrilling page turner of historical crime and mystery.

A dual time-line novel, the setting is 1961 and 1973 in Harrowford Hall, a home for unwed young women in country Victoria.  A body is discovered there in 1973 as the Home is being prepared for closure and a female detective is reluctantly given the case by her superior.

This is a powerful novel digging up the issues of unwed mothers, their treatment as well as those of their offspring. This is coupled with the sexism within the police force reflecting the disapproval across broader society.

Yeowart does a remarkable job uncovering these themes and at times it gets quite dark with twists I didn’t expect. It’s a well-researched story of the era, completely captivating page after page even if a little confronting.

You won’t put this one down until the last page is turned. Give it a go.