Title: Return to Sender Author: Lauren Draper Genre: Mystery Publisher: Pan Macmillan Published: 25th Jube 2024 Format: Paperback Pages: 384 Price: $26.99 Synopsis: SHORTLISTED FOR THE QLD LITERARY AWARDS YOUNG ADULT BOOK AWARD 2025SHORTLISTED FOR THE AUSTRALIAN BOOK DESIGN AWARDS 2025 BEST DESIGNED YOUNG ADULT COVERAfter three years away, seventeen-year-old Brodie McKellon has returned to… Continue reading Return to Sender by Lauren Draper
Tag: mystery
It Takes a Town…To Solve a Murder by Aoife Clifford
Title: It Takes a Town…To Solve a Murder Author: Aoife Clifford Genre: Crime Publisher: Ultimo Press Published: 3rd April 2024 Format: Paperback Pages: 352 Price: $34.99 Synopsis: So many people had reason to hate her, but did anyone have reason to kill her? Everyone dies famous in a country town, but glamorous Vanessa Walton was a… Continue reading It Takes a Town…To Solve a Murder by Aoife Clifford
Total Women
Each year, I try my best to read as many books by women as possible, and to read as diversely as possible. In 2025, I read 234, participated in judging an award, and of course, continued to do my reviewing. Reading across as many styles and genres as possible, based on what I had from… Continue reading Total Women
Best Idea Yet (Willa and Woof #8) by Jacqueline Harvey
Title: Best Idea Yet (Willa and Woof #8) Author: Jacqueline Harvey Genre: Contemporary Publisher: Puffin Published: 8th October 2024 Format: Paperback Pages: 128 Price: $12.99 Synopsis: Adventure, imagination and loads of fun! When Willa accidentally learns that Sunset Views Retirement Village, home of her best old-age friend, Frank, is about to be sold, she has… Continue reading Best Idea Yet (Willa and Woof #8) by Jacqueline Harvey
Young Adult books read in 2025
In 2025, I read 50 young adult books, mostly by Australian authors in all sorts of genres and styles, and who all had different identities. Some of these books probably crossed over with middle grade, but they’re here because they could also be enjoyed by a young adult audience, or in the case of the… Continue reading Young Adult books read in 2025
Australian Authors Read
Every year, I aim to focus by reading on Australian authors, because I see authors from the UK and the US get widely promoted, and I feel that a lot of Australian authors, unless they’re super popular, get overlooked. Particularly the kids and young adult authors. So in 2025 I read 239 Australian authors in… Continue reading Australian Authors Read
The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland
Title: The Invocations Author: Krystal Sutherland Genre: Crime/Mystery Publisher: Penguin Australia Published: 30th January 2024 Format: Paperback Pages: 400 Price: $24.99 Synopsis: From the author of New York Times bestseller House of Hollow comes a darkly seductive witchy thriller where, though both men and demons lurk in shadows, girls refuse to go quietly into the night. Three girls, one… Continue reading The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland
The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill
Title: The Mystery Writer Author: Sulari Gentill Genre: Crime Publisher: Ultimo Press Published: 6th March 2024 Format: Paperback Pages: 304 Price: $34.99 Synopsis: Theo has one dream—to become a bestselling author. Determined to make her mark in the literary world, she heads to the US on a whim to stay with her brother Gus and… Continue reading The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill
Safe Haven by Shankari Chandran
Title: Safe Haven Author: Shankari Chandran Genre: Fiction Publisher: Ultimo Press Published: 1st May 2024 Format: Paperback Pages: 320 Price: $34.99 Synopsis: It was a beautiful evening. The wind gathered speed, lifting the frangipanis from the grove behind him, pink and yellow petals defying gravity. Beyond the trees, hidden by the foliage and rows of towering palm trees,… Continue reading Safe Haven by Shankari Chandran
Adult books read in 2025
In 2025, I read 70 adult books, covering a wide range of genres, but with a focus on women and Australian women. Much of my reading in adult books this year came from some judging work, but there were some very good ones in everything I read. One that stood out to me was Slashed… Continue reading Adult books read in 2025
