Laura McCluskey is a debut author whose novel was described to me as ‘the hottest debut crime novel of 2025’.

Since the book’s release  back in February I have watched in awe at the manner in which this book has shot to success. 

It was the Book of the Month for QBD Books, Dymocks, Booktopia AND WHS Smith.

It’s a spooky Scottish detective mystery called ‘The Wolf Tree’ published by Harper Collins Australia. 

And I was thrilled to have the chatted with Laura for the podcast recently.  

Fleur McDonald is the author of 24 novels clocking up more than 850 000 book sales across a career that has spanned more than 16 years.

She is a best-selling rural crime author and has built a loyal fanbase of readers with her incredible cast of characters and settings - the most popular and recognisable of course is Detective Dave Burrows. 

But in a move that is set to cement Flour’s reputation as a master of crime writing, Fleur has  released a brand new novel called ‘The Prospect’. 

Published by HarperCollins Australia, "The Prospect' is a gripping, high-stakes thriller exploring the Australian gold mining industry, outlaw motorcycle gangs and most interestingly the ever-increasing phenomenon of grey nomads who are hitting the roads across this vast country of ours. 

A fantastic story which had me hooked from its opening pages and I was delighted to welcome Fleur to the podcast recently to chat about it. 

Hilde Hinton is a bestselling author of three novels, as well as a big sister to Connie and Samuel Johnson. 

A one-time prison officer and second hand book seller, a mother and carer of people in need of temporary housing and support, Hilde’s stories are filled with the kinds of characters that reflect her larger than life experiences and her writing is infused with empathy and insight into the impact of grief, loneliness and trauma.

This year, Hilde’s third novel ‘The Opposite of Lonely’ was released by Hachette Australia. 

A deeply moving book in which Hilde puts her finger on the pulse of modern Australian society, exposing the tender underbelly of the most vulnerable members of our community and showing that what we need most is often right in front of us. 

A beautifully written story about friendship, motherhood, family and the quiet strength of ordinary people that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading it. 

And I was delighted to have the opportunity to chat with Hilde about ‘The Opposite of Lonely’ for the podcast recently. 

Valerie Miller is a Brisbane-based writer who teaches high school by day and writes stories at night.

In late 2024, Valerie decided to self-publish her debut novel 'There's Something About You Olivia Bennett'. A dual-time line historical novel which flips between Sydney of the 1960s and late 1980s.

This is a book that Valerie has coloured with her experiences as a child of Italian migrants. A book that explores amongst other things, post-war proxy brides, the difficulties faced by migrants as they tried to assimilate into the Australian way of life, the importance and value of female friendships and the different types of family bonds forged in the absence of biological ones.

A heart-warming, nostalgic story that took me back to my own childhood in many ways.

I loved this chat with Valerie and hope you will too.

Maithree Wijesekara is an Australian-Sri Lankan writer based in Melbourne who graduated with a Masters in Dentistry in 2021, and who, this year, became a published novelist with her debut novel, 'The Prince Without Sorrow' (Harper Voyager).

Now, Maithree splits her time between telling people to brush their teeth, and writing stories inspired by the fantastical and the real world.

A richly imagined tale of sibling rivalry and thirst for power, 'The Prince Without Sorrow' is a stunning addition to the fantasy genre.

And I thoroughly enjoyed my recent chat with Maithree for the podcast.

Natasha Lester is a international bestselling author whose novels have been translated into 21 languages. Novels which include 'A Kiss From Mr Fitzgerald', 'Her Mother’s Secret', 'The Paris Seamstress', 'The French Photographer', 'The Paris Secret', 'The Riviera House', 'The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre' and "The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard'.  

Natasha’s latest book is inspired by yet another incredible, brave woman whose story was not widely known. In fact, I had never heard of her before. 

A woman who was not only a mother, a rally car driver, and journalist  - but a spy who rose to the top of the Gestapo’s most wanted list for her work in the resistance movement during World War II.

Called ‘The Mademoiselle Alliance’ this is a most remarkable, moving, inspiring story about a woman whose work to help free France from Nazi occupation went largely unrecognised until recently. 

And I was thrilled to welcome Natasha back to the podcast to talk to me about the woman who inspired this utterly brilliant novel. 

Chris Flynn is the author of several novels that include the astonishing novel ‘Mammoth’ - told from the point of view of a 13000 year-old fossilised mammoth. A book which was shortlisted for a number of awards in 2021 - and which drew praise from some of the brightest literary minds. 

His new book, ‘Orpheus Nine’, published by Hachette Australia, is a deeply thought-provoking, compelling book set in a tiny rural Australian town against the backdrop of a mysterious global event killing nine-year old children.

A supernatural thriller that will have you turning pages deep into the night and hugging your children close when you’re done. 

I was thrilled to welcome Chris to the podcast recently to chat about it.

Listeners it’s been almost 3 years since I last welcomed my next guest to the podcast. 

Back then we were talking about a truly remarkable novel which just over a year later went on to win the prestigious Miles Franklin Literary Award. 

That book was, of course, Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens and the author, Shankari Chandran. 

In the time since that first podcast chat, I’ve watched in absolute awe and wonder at the stratospheric rise of Shankari’s writing career. 

Earlier this year I was privileged to attend the launch of Shankari’s most recent novel - Unfinished Business (also published by Ultimo Press). An explosive, heart-in-your-mouth thriller that follows CIA Agent Ellie Harper as she travels to Sri Lanka to investigate the death of a local journalist.

I was more than a little thrilled to welcome the highly impressive Shankari Chandran back to the podcast a little while ago.

Jackie French is one of Australia's best-loved, bestselling authors and earlier this year, she released another new novel.  

Called ‘The Whisperer’s War’ (published by HQ Fiction) it’s an incredible war-time story set in England between 1938 and 1947. A story that examines - amongst many other things - the cost of war and the quest for wealth, power and status that drive it. 

A unique and entirely gripping account of the war and one woman’s fight to save her country from falling into Nazi hands. I absolutely loved it.  

I was honoured to have the chance to speak with Jackie about this novel recently for the podcast.

**Discussion of Domestic Violence, Intimate Partner Abuse and Other Mature Themes. Please proceed with caution.**

Jo Skinner is a Brisbane based author of two novels, a practising GP as well as a long-distance runner.

I connected with Jo online a couple of years ago now and have watched on with delight as she achieved her publication dream last year with the release of her debut novel ‘The Truth About My Daughter’ and again this year with her new novel, ‘A World of Silence’. 

Published by Hawkeye Publishing, 'A World of Silence' is one of those books you want to press into the hands of every woman you know. A commentary on modern society and the kind of life many women lead, it explores the consequences of speaking up in the face of unspeakable truths and also the consequences of staying silent. 

A book I had the very great honour of reading ahead of publication and for which I could only offer the highest praise. 

A remarkable read from a rising talent in Australian contemporary women’s fiction.