Death of the Reader

We discuss chapters 19-27 of Ngaio Marsh's Eighth Roderick Alleyn novel, 'Overture to Death'. The stage is set to catch a killer, and the domino that tipped all this monstrosity into place. So the ordeal began in the theatre, it will return. Roderick Alleyn and his squad of investigators must bring all the information together to decide on who is guilty, who is responsible, and if those two are even the same person.

We also talk with Gabriel Bergmoser about the print release of his latest audiobook; The Hitchhiker. Almost a theatre piece itself, one lone and unprepared man ventures happily into the outback, only for an unsettled teen to flag him down and join the ride.

Thank you to Harper Collins for providing copies of The Hitchhiker, and helping arrange our time with Gabriel.

We discuss chapters 10-18 of Ngaio Marsh's Eighth Roderick Alleyn novel, 'Overture to Death'. Alleyn is now on the case, and unpicking the local drama of Pen Cuckoo. The murder weapon is determined to be a rigged-up pistol linked to the soft-pedal of the piano. More the domain of childish pranks than murder weapons, Alleyn hunts down clues that lead him to Georgie Biggins, a local boy who confesses to setting the trap, but with a water pistol. As the list of suspects presents themselves to Alleyn, can he prove who turned Biggins' prank deadly?

We discuss chapters 1-9 of Ngaio Marsh's Eighth Roderick Alleyn novel, 'Overture to Death'. In Pen Cuckoo, the village's top families get together to discuss their latest community effort - a fundraising play to buy a new piano. All of the village drama comes to the fore as the inheritor of the largest estate seeks to marry, setting off dominos of interpersonal drama in the love lives of those involved. It all comes to a head when on opening night, the last-minute pianist for the concert's head erupts in blood as a gunshot fires from within the venue. How did this grizzly fate come to bear? Herds is tasked to find out.

We discuss chapters 24-33 of Michael Te Arawa Bennett's 'Return to Blood', the second novel in the Hana Westerman series. As the pieces of the puzzle begin to slot into place, Hana once again is forced to wrangle with the personal cost of justice. Addison is deep in Kiri's social circle, coming to terms with how similar they may have been had Kiri's parents not been ripped away from her as a kid. The Gods of Auckland have no favours to lend in the dying hours of this case.

We discuss chapters 12-23 of Michael Te Arawa Bennett's 'Return to Blood', the second novel in the Hana Westerman series. It would seem the killer has been revealed, but could it be so easy? Hana's investigation digs up clues as to the disappearance of Paige, 20 years ago, but can she link him to Kiri's recently found skeleton? And crucially, can she do it without committing crimes herself? Addison is drawn deeper into the world of Kiri Thomas, as a rift develops between her and definitely-not-lover Plus One.

We're also joined by Catherine du Peloux Menagé, the artistic director of BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival, to talk about some of this years' upcoming panels and themes.

Thank you to BAD Sydney and DMCPR for providing tickets to this year's festival to Death of the Reader.

We discuss chapters 1-11 of Michael Te Arawa Bennett's 'Return to Blood', the second novel in the Hana Westerman series. Hana has retired from the Auckland police, but her place as a crime fiction protagonist means trouble is never far away. Her daughter stumbles upon a skeleton in the sand in her hometown on a weekend away, replicating a horrible murder that happened in Hana's youth. Was the wrong killer put away, or is a copycat on the loose? Hana's successor in the police is on the case, but can Hana herself stay on the right side of the law?

We're also joined by Margaret Hickey to talk about her latest novel, 'The Creeper'; a young cop is stationed in a small town ten years on from its darkest day. As the shadow looms again, will Sally White find the truth was buried deep enough?

Thank you to Penguin Australia for providing us copies of 'The Creeper' and helping us arrange our time with Margaret.

We discuss various screen adaptations of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple story, 'A Caribbean Mystery'. As is often the case with Christie's less renowned stories, the writers of adaptations take creative license that either makes things better, or makes things "better". This time around, Flex brought us the ever-reliable BBC adaptation; Agatha Christie's Miss Marple starring Joan Hickson, and Herds brought the French reimagining, Les Petits Meurtres D'Agatha Christie. Where one absorbs the flaws of the novel and reimagines them to tell arguably a stronger story, the other takes absurdities and turns it comedic. What remake did you watch?

We discuss chapters 18-25 of Agatha Christie's 10th Miss Marple Novel, A Caribbean Mystery. The resort is plunged into open chaos as a third murder takes place and it's up to the unlikely duo of Miss Marple and the deposed Mr Rafiel to solve everything at the last minute and set the record straight. Flex and Herds debate the implications of a medical murder mystery as Nemesis takes the stage...

We're also joined by Michael Brissenden again to discuss his recent novel release 'Smoke' and to talk about how murder mystery goes hand in hand with voicing the unvoiced. A lesson that Agatha Christie adapters have taken to heart... but more on that next week!

Thank you to Affirm Press for providing copies of Smoke, and arranging our time with Michael Brissenden.

We discuss chapters 10-17 of Agatha Christie's 10th Miss Marple Novel, A Caribbean Mystery. A second murder has shaken up the holidaygoers in St Honoré. One of the hotel staff, Victoria, found dead by a bloodied Molly Kendal. Molly was seen roaming with the knife that did her in, but no alibi seems to quite line up. Has a killer struck twice, or is desperation turning more of us to monsters? It's up to Herds to find out...

We're also joined by Nicola Moriarty to talk about her latest novel 'Every Last Suspect', expanding our week of complex marriages to talk about the chaos that protagonist-of-sort Harriet Osman is left to reflect on in a pool of her own blood as she tries to leave a message to solve her own murder.

Thank you to Harper Collins for providing copies of Every Last Suspect, and arranging our time with Nicola.

We discuss chapters 1-9 of Agatha Christie's 10th Miss Marple Novel, A Caribbean Mystery. Sent on her lonesome for a holiday she'd perhaps rather not have taken, Jane Marple is in St Honoré. After an abrupt conclusion to conversation with the usually verbose Major Palgrave, Miss Marple's perplexion turns to alarm when he is found dead the following morning. Who amidst the many scorned lovers on the island has the most to hide?

We're also joined by Michael Brissenden to talk about his newest novel; Smoke. Alex Markov is tangled amidst bushfires, corruption, and the local politics of the small town Big Jasper. You're challenged to peer through the haze of privilege and violence as she struggles to set things right.

Thank you to Affirm Press for providing copies of Smoke, and arranging our time with Michael Brissenden.