Talking Aussie Books

Having graced our television screens in popular series like Love My Way and The Slap along with roles in worldwide smash hit Game of Thrones and a host of movies, Brendan Cowell is an actor many Australians would be familiar with.

He's well-known in writing circles as a novelist as well as an award-winning screenwriter and playwright.

A multi-talented artist whose new novel "Plum" has just been published by HarperCollins Australia. An irresistible, eye-opening and raw novel on so many levels. A book that gives readers insight into brain injuries in players of full contact sports like rugby league. So timely and so very topical. . .

I was delighted to chat with Brendan on the podcast recently.

Chris Hammer, former journalist and foreign correspondent, is a highly acclaimed, award-winning international bestselling author of the thrilling trilogy - 'Scrublands', 'Silver' and 'Trust'.

This year, Chris has offered up a new stand alone novel. Called 'Treasure & Dirt' (Allen & Unwin), this novel is a sensational, suspense-filled, turbulent read that centres on a murder investigation in the fictional town of Finnegan's Gap on the NSW/Queensland border.

With multiple story lines and themes, a cast of characters from the quirky to the fanatical and down-right dangerous, 'Treasure & Dirt' plunges us into a complex world where nothing is as it seems and secrets can't stay buried forever.

Chris and I had a fabulous chat about this book a little while ago for the podcast.

In his new book, "If Not Us" (Text Publishing), Mark Smith has spotlighted an important issue - not only for the characters in the story, but for society at large.

Through the eyes of a young man who has experienced heart-wrenching loss, Mark has crafted a beautiful and compelling coming-of-age, David versus Goliath story which will inspire and engage young and older readers alike.

A novel which is both timely and topical.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Mark about his book on the podcast recently.

Joshua Pomare, or JP Pomare as he is otherwise known, is a Melbourne-based author hailing from New Zealand who hit the literary scene in 2018 with a best-selling, award-winning debut in his psychological thriller "Call Me Evie".

His success with this book was followed up with "In the Clearing" in 2019, and then "Tell Me Lies" in 2020.

This year, Joshua is back with another edge-of-your-seat, spine-chilling thriller that will forever leave you nervous about renting a stay in someone else's home.

"The Last Guests" (published by Hachette Australia), is a compelling, tightly-woven and suspenseful read I simply could not put down.

JP and I had a fabulous chat on the podcast recently.

Ruth McIver is a Melbourne-based crime writer who grew up in Perth and in the US. Her first novel, "Nothing Gold", was runner up in the inaugural Banjo Prize and was selected to be pitched at the Bloody Scotland Crime Festival in 2014.

Her new novel, "I Shot the Devil", published by Hachette, won the 2018 Richell Prize. And listeners, I have to tell you, I can see why.

Tense and terrifying, this book uses true crime as a framework to explore a dark and explosive story that takes a look at murder and violence along with the legacy of trauma on its victims.

A breathtaking, exceptionally clever novel from a talented writer with whom I was super excited to chat a little while back.

Mary-Lou Stephens is a Tasmanian born author, whose divine debut novel "The Last of the Apple Blossom" (HQ Fiction) I recently had the pleasure of reading.

In this book we get to re-live the highs and lows of being an apple orchardist, through the eyes of two life-long friends Catherine Turner and Annie Pearson.

This was a spectacularly rich, thoroughly researched and highly emotive family drama that offers a poignant insight into the drawn out demise of this once thriving industry and the incredible courage and resilience of the families affected by this tragedy.

An absolute cracker.

I was thrilled to have the chance to speak with Mary-Lou on the podcast recently.

From award-winning bestselling author, Sarah Bailey, comes a brand new nail-biting thriller.

"The Housemates", published by Allen & Unwin, is Sarah's fourth book and her first stand-alone novel.

A gritty urban crime novel, "The Housemates" introduces us to Olive Groves - a Melbourne -based journalist who became obsessed by a case dubbed the "Housemate Homicide" involving three housemates: one murdered, another missing and one accused of murder.

Listeners, this was one heck of a thrilling read.

I was so excited to welcome Sarah to the podcast earlier this year.

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of reading a new novel from Sydney-based writer, Tessa Lunney.

Called "Autumn Leaves, 1922", it's the second book in Tessa's Kiki Button mysteries. A novel that does much to capture post-war sentiment in Europe at the time.

Think Phrynne Fisher meets The Great Gatsby. A complex tale with a colourful and vibrant cast of characters - both real and imagined.

I was thrilled to have the chance to speak with Tessa on the podcast.

Margaret Hickey's novel, "Cutter's End" (Penguin) is a deeply atmospheric, mesmerising crime novel that explores the chilling underbelly of the Australian outback. In a story that has echoes of Jane Harper's "The Dry" and Chris Hammer's "Scrublands" fans of outback noir are in for a treat.

This was a highly entertaining, addictive page-turner that I cannot recommend highly enough.

I was so delighted to have the chance to speak with Margaret on the podcast a little while ago.

Barbara Hannay is an international best-selling Australian author. With over 50 titles to her name and over 12 million books sold globally, Barbara is a force to be reckoned with.

Her new book, "The Garden of Hopes and Dreams" (published by Penguin) was released in early August 2021.

A delightfully heartwarming book about the importance of community and connection that I thoroughly enjoyed.

I was delighted welcome Barbara back to the podcast a little while ago.