Kirsty Manning is a Melbourne based author who grew up in Northern NSW and who now has seven novels to her name. 

Her first novel 'The Midsummer Garden' was published back in 2017, followed by the 'The Jade Lily', then 'The Lost Jewels', 'The French Gift'  and 'The Hidden Book'.

In 2022, Kirsty’s writing took a slightly different direction when she launched a new crime series.  

'The Paris Mystery' - set in pre-WW2 Paris was the first book in this new series and features Australian journalist Charlotte (or Charlie) James whose work for The Times newspaper in Paris gets her caught up in crime reporting and trying to solve those same crimes. 

The second book, ‘Murder in Paris’ has just been released by Allen & Unwin.  A glamorous novel whose events are set off by a glitzy gala and the Texan heiress who goes missing shortly thereafter. 

The perfect case for the infallible Charlie James.

I was delighted to welcome Kirsty to the podcast recently to chat all about it. 

The last time I interviewed award-winning, international bestselling author Dervla McTiernan was in February 2024. 

Back then we were chatting about Dervla’s new release ‘What Happened to Nina’ which of course went on to win the General Fiction Book of the Year at the 2025 Australian Book Industry Awards. 

And that same book is now currently in development for a screen adaptation - which is super exciting news for all of us who devoured that book. 

But this year, Dervla has a brand new stand alone book:  'Three Reasons for Revenge'.  

It’s not only Dervla’s 7th full-length novel - but the first to be set in Australia and introduces us to a cast of new characters - including a gritty, determined new female detective.  

Published by HarperCollins Australia in late April , 'Three Reasons for Revenge' is an intense, fast-paced, high-stakes novel about three people who each receive a mystery package designed to tear their life apart. 

https://geni.us/ThreeReasons4R

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Belinda Alexandra is a much-loved international bestselling Australian author whose novels are steeped in history, intrigue and adventure. History with mystery at its finest.

Belinda is the daughter of a Russian mother and Australian father and describes herself as someone with passion for travel, culture, dancing as well as a lover of all creatures. 

She is the author of novels that include 'White Gardenia', 'Wild Lavender' and 'Tuscan Rose' as well as 'The Invitation', 'The Mystery Woman,' 'The Divine Feline' and 'Emboldened' amongst many others. 

Belinda’s latest fiction offering ‘The Italian Correspondent’ was released by HarperCollins at the end of March and listeners its an absolute delight. 

Set in 1951 Italy - in the years when that country was trying to shake off its fascist past. It’s a story that follows the life and loves of a female correspondent for Vogue magazine who is quickly drawn into a complicated web of deceit.  Her feelings for the three men in her life are complex, but with the world on the edge of a nuclear war, their lives become inextricably entwined and they must work together to prevent catastrophe. 

I adored this book and was excited to have the chance to speak with Belinda recently about it. 

Katie Hoskins is a Sydney-based author whose debut novel ‘When the Party’s Over’ (Pan Macmillan) and has officially been on the shelves around the country since 31 March.  

An astutely crafted novel about motherhood and the power of female friendships with a clever twist at the end that totally blew me away. 

I enjoyed a wide-ranging chat with Katie recently about her writing journey, inspiration, friendship and motherhood.

A delightful conversation with an exciting new voice in Australian fiction.

Ten years on from her husband’s death, Emma Grey has become someone others can look to as an example of how you can not only survive such devastating loss, but thrive. As anyone who has been following Emma’s career over the last few years can readily attest to. 

An award-winning USA Today and Australian best selling author, Emma's books have attracted multiple foreign translations deals and a TV option. They’ve been reviewed in the New York Times, Oprah Daily, The Washington Post and People magazine.

So it’s no surprise that Emma’s new book ‘Start at the End’ has been hotly anticipated.

Not only is it another incredible, gut wrenching, sob-inducing read, but a book which commemorates Emma’s loss and grief and celebrates her family’s survival in the years since.

I was thrilled to have the chance to chat with Emma recently for the podcast.

From the bestselling author of 2025 smash hit novel 'The Wolf Tree' comes a brand new novel.

'The Cursed Road' by Laura McCluskey (published by HarperCollins Australia) picks up roughly ten months after the events of 'The Wolf Tree' and sees DIs Georgina Lennox and Richard Stewart head to the Scottish Highlands to investigate the murder of a young woman found on a road in a remote corner of the Highlands - a road with a bloody history and the subject of local superstition and legends.

Still dealing with their experiences on Milan Eardar the year before, both George and Richie are not keen to be working together on this case, but a clue found with the victim links the case to something way more sinister.

Atmospheric, gripping and tense, 'The Cursed Road' is every bit as good as 'The Wolf Tree' if not better.

I was delighted to welcome Laura back to the podcast recently.

In this final episode for 2025, I'm talking to a debut Aussie author whose book is being touted as one of the biggest releases of the summer. 

If you loved Netflix’s The Crown and devoured all the drama when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped away from the royal family and have wondered what that might have looked like behind the scenes, then this is the perfect book for you. 

It’s been released simultaneously here, the UK and the US and is already enjoying some incredible notoriety in the early weeks following publication. 

The book is ‘The Heir Apparent’ by Rebecca Armitage - a Tasmanian author and ABC journalist - who, it will not surprise you to learn, has reported extensively on the royal family in the course of her work.

After positively inhaling the book , I am in awe of Rebecca’s immense talent and am more than a little thrilled to have had the chance to chat for the podcast recently. 

Michael Burge is an author and journalist who lives at Deepwater in the New England region of NSW.

His debut novel ‘Tank Water’ was inspired by old family stories and explores the shameful legacy of unsolved gay-hate crimes, set in a fictional rural community - not unlike the place Michael calls home. 

‘Dirt Trap’ is a follow-up to ‘Tank Water’ - though it can be read as a stand alone.  A brilliant example of the rural noir novel Australians have come to love in recent years, but with Michael’s unique angle exploring the complexity and diversity of Australian country towns. 

A tense, compelling and rich story, 'Dirt Trap' is about one man’s dogged pursuit of justice and a town having to come clean of generations of secrets. 

Without a doubt - a five star read!

And was delighted to welcome Michael to the podcast recently to chat about his work amongst many other things. 

Libby Iriks is a Perth-based author and former Commissioning Editor of Romance for a boutique publishing house in the UK.

Combining her passion for story and romance has resulted in publication of her debut novel ‘Home to the Heart Country’ - a moving, beautifully romantic story about one woman’s quest to uncover her identity and a sense of belonging. 

Released at the end of November 2025 by HQ Fiction, ‘Home to the Heart Country’ heralds a bright future for this rising star. 

I enjoyed a wonderful chat with Libby for the podcast recently.

The last time I chatted with Pamela Cook for the podcast was back in 2019 - to celebrate her self-published release 'Cross My Heart'.

Six years later and 'Cross My Heart' is being re-released by Vinci Books and I took the opportunity to talk to Pamela about her journey from traditional published author, to indie publishing and back to traditional and the lessons she's learned along the way.

An illuminating discussion about the highs and lows of the writing life and what happens if you keep writing and stay open to new opportunities.

I loved this chat and hope you will too.