If you’re a fan of crime fiction, you may have noticed that cosy crime is making a come back in a big way of late - certainly in Australia in any event. 

A sub-genre of crime that many attribute to Agatha Christie has spawned many wonderful Australian novels that recently include 'The Tea Ladies' Mysteries by Amanda Hampson,  the Poppy McGowan Mysteries by Pamela Hart, Miss Fisher' Mysteries by Kerry Greenwood, the hugely successful Ernest Cunningham Mysteries written by Benjamin Stevenson and now Kate Solly’s ‘The Parade Heights Craft Store Stitch Up’ published by Affirm Press.

Kate Solly is a writer, mother of six and enjoys crochet.  In fact crochet and crafting are prominent themes in both her first novel, 'Tuesday Evenings with the Copeton Craft Resistance', and her most recent follow up, ‘The Paradise Heights Craft Store Stitch Up’  which I’m was simply delighted to have the chance to chat about with Kate for the podcast recently.

A fun, uplifting episode you won't want to miss!

My final published episode for 2024.

Alexandra Almond is a Melbourne-based author who, before turning her hand to writing, worked in a variety of roles - which included being a stable hand and a clown!

Her debut novel, 'Thoroughly Disenchanted', was recently published by HarperCollins Australia. And what a delightful, romantic - and despite its title - enchanting novel it is.

It’s about 4 friends, a cursed country house and a weekend away that stretched over a hundred years. An example of the romantasy genre (albeit cosy romantasy) that is currently taking the publishing world by storm.

I was delighted to have the chance to speak with Alexandra about her novel and journey to publication on the podcast earlier this month. 

'The Last Love Note' written by Canberra-based author Emma Grey was one of my most memorable reads for 2023 - a book that Emma wrote in the wake of her husband’s sudden death.

It’s been incredibly successful both in Australia and NZ (selling more than 100,000 copies so far) and it was also picked up in the US and was selected for Book of the Month and Target’s book club.  

Having said all that, it may surprise you to learn that this was Emma debut novel for adults. 

Earlier last month, Emma’s second adult novel ‘Pictures of You’ was published by Penguin Random House Australia and Zibby Owens Publishing in the US. 

And as a testament to the incredible readership Emma has garnered already both here and in the US, 'Pictures of You' has already gone into a second print run in Australia and it’s hit the USA Today bestseller’s list!

Now if that doesn’t make you want to run out and find yourself a copy, then perhaps listening to Emma herself talk about the book and her inspiration behind this incredible new story will. 

I was absolutely THRILLED to welcome Emma to the podcast recently.

'Immortal Dark' (Hachette Australia) by Tigest Girma heralds a new and exciting era of vampire fiction. As a debut it is a remarkable, fresh, rich and clever reimagining of a tale as old as time.

An Ethiopian writer based in Melbourne, Tigest is passionate about exploring East-African stories and myths - weaving them with dark and fantastical themes.

'Immortal Dark' is 'Twilight' meets older 'Harry Potter' and 'A Discovery of Witches' all rolled into one utterly compulsive read.

I was delighted to welcome Tigest to the podcast recently to chat about her sensational debut.

Sydney-based Joanne Fedler is an international bestselling author of 15 books.

A writing mentor, women's activist and keen ocean swimmer, Joanne's books have sold over 750,000 copies worldwide.

Earlier this year, Joanne's new novel 'The Whale's Last Song' was released by HarperCollins Australia. And what a beautiful, magical and portentous book it is.

So much so, I knew I had to speak with Joanne about it for the podcast.

Tune in to this wonderful, uplifting chat with a truly talented writer.

Brisbane-based author Christine Wells is the author of sixteen novels and is a powerhouse in the historical fiction space. 

Her new novel, ‘The Paris Gown’ (published by William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins) is about three women who meet at the Paris Cordon Blue cooking school in the 1950s and become firm friends, only to go their separate ways afterwards. 

Years later, they’re reunited in Paris by a Dior gown, but their lives are much changed. 

Think the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, but with a Dior gown instead. 

A wonderfully entertaining novel about the bonds of friendship, love, romance, haute couture and…of course Paris. 

I enjoyed a delightful chat with Christine for the podcast recently. 

'Double Happiness' (Midnight Sun Publishing)  by Melbourne-based writer, editor and arts journalist Rochelle Siemienowicz is a work of auto fiction and explores the complexities of non-monogamy and what it’s like to love two or more people - equally but differently. 

Set in Melbourne, the book is told from three different perspectives and spans a seven-year period in which Anna, her husband Brendan and her lover Jeremy, try to navigate a polyamorous lifestyle.

Beautifully written, this book is raw, moving and heartfelt. A surprisingly delightful read.

I was thrilled to welcome Rochelle to the podcast recently to chat all things polyamory and this novel.

Listeners, it was a joy to welcome one of my favourite Aussie authors back to the podcast this week.

Tania Blanchard is an Australian, bestselling author whose skill as a storyteller has gone from strength to strength in the 6 or 7 years that I have known her. 

From her debut novel ‘The Girl From Munich’ to her latest, Tania has cemented her place as an international bestselling author and a powerhouse in the historical fiction space. 

I was thrilled to have the chance to chat with Tania about her the most recent career milestone, her 6th novel ‘An Undeniable Voice’ published by HarperCollins Australia. 

A fascinating discussion and well worth the listen.

Tricia Stringer is a multi-award winning bestselling Australian author of 17 novels which include 'Back on Track', 'Keeping Up Appearances', 'Birds of a Feather', 'The Model Wife' and 'Table for Eight' amongst others.

Tricia's brand new novel 'Head for the Hills' has just been released by HQ Fiction and what a joyful, insightful and timely read it is.

I was thrilled to welcome Tricia back to the podcast recently to chat about the problems the people of the fictional town of Jesserton in the Adelaide Hills face when the sale of a deceased estate wreaks havoc on the community.

Julie Bennett is a Sydney-based author of two wonderfully rich, intriguing historical novels. 'The Understudy' published in 2022 and now 'The Lost Letters of Rose Carey' published earlier this year by Simon & Schuster Australia.

Storytelling is in Julie’s blood and that first novel was the most magnificent story - taking readers back to Sydney in 1973, inspired by her own childhood as the daughter of an opera singer as well as the Sydney Opera House itself.

‘The Lost Letters of Rose Carey’ is another glimpse into yesteryear, offering us a page-turning, immersive and fascinating story inspired by a trailblazing Australian woman.

I was delighted to welcome Julie back to the podcast recently to chat about her work.