Talking Aussie Books

Love Aussie crime novels? Well, what about 'quirky crime'?

This is how publishers are describing Nicole Crowe's debut novel 'The Washup' (Pantera Press).

A book set on idyllic Magnetic Island in Far North Queensland, 'The Washup' is a wonderfully entertaining mix of mystery and suspense delivered with dark humour - which follows Eve and her return to her childhood home on the Island in the wake of her parents' death two years earlier.

When a sky-dive goes wrong, Eve is compelled to find out if this was a tragic accident or well-planned crime, putting her life at risk to uncover the truth.

I loved listening to this chat with Nicole, ably facilitated by the wonderful Cassie Hamer.

Take a listen now!

Katharine Pollock holds a PhD in creative writing from Western Sydney University and is the Program Manager at Writing NSW.

Katharine contributes regularly to 'The Guardian' online and has been published by Fremantle Press, Vitagraph Publishing and 'Folly Journal' amongst many others. 

Katharine’s debut novel ‘Her Fidelity’ was published by Penguin Random House in 2022  - a book I loved and for which Katharine and I had a fabulous conversation for the podcast a couple of years ago. 

But this year, Katharine has a new novel out. 

‘Starry Eyed’ recently published by Wakefield Press is a delightfully clever, humorous - sometimes laugh-out-loud novel about one woman’s quest to figure out who she is and more importantly who she wants to be. 

I thoroughly enjoyed my recent chat with Katharine about this book and how she came to be writing it.

For information on the upcoming Writing NSW Course mentioned during the interview, see:

https://writingnsw.org.au/whats-on/courses/seminar-setting-up-for-success-build-your-community-and-brand/

January Gilchrist is a Brisbane-based author  and mother of two whose debut thriller 'The Final Chapter' was recently published by HQ Fiction. 

An atmospheric locked-room thriller reminiscent of an Agatha Christie novel, 'The Final Chapter' was inspired by January’s stint at the prestigious Varuna Writer’s House in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney and her desire to write about women reclaiming their own narratives. 

Compelling, page-turning and a little spooky, this book was right up my alley.

A thoroughly enjoyable read which has been aptly described as ‘Benjamin Stevenson meets Nine Perfect Stangers’. 

Tune in as Cassie Hamer chats to Angie Faye Martin about her incredible debut novel 'Melaleuca' published by HQ Fiction.

An evocative, dual time line crime novel that draws on Angie's Indigenous heritage and explores themes of identity as well as racism, intergenerational trauma and corruption.

A propulsive read from a refreshing new voice in Australian fiction.

A wonderful interview which I hope you'll enjoy as much as I did.

Alison Booth writing as AL Booth is the author of 8 novels that include titles  such as 'A Distant Land', 'The Indigo Sky', 'Stillwater Creek', 'The Painting' and 'Bellevue' amongst others. 

Born in Melbourne and raised in Sydney, Alison is not only a novelist, but an award-winning academic and emeritus professor at the Australian National University in Canberra. Alison is a fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia and can not only write terrific fiction, but has published extensively in scientific journals. 

A woman of many talents.

Alison’s latest novel ‘Death at Booroomba’ is published by Ventura Press and is in fact Alison’s first foray into crime fiction.  

An evocative and immersive story that blends a murder mystery with meticulous research to paint an accurate picture of life in a small town in 1919 along with the political and societal issues facing Australians at that time. 

I was delighted to chat with Alison about her new book recently for the podcast.

Apologies to all the Jason Bourne fans out there, but there's a new guy on the block - an Aussie ex-cop turned vigilante called Jack Carlin.

He's starred in other books, but 'High Rise', the new action-packed heart-in-your-mouth thriller from Melbourne-based author Gabriel Bergmoser, is Jack's most death-defying challenge yet.

From the top floor of a crumbling Melbourne high rise building, Jack has to find a way to get his daughter Morgan to safety and in the process battle an army of bounty-hunters eager to claim the price on his head.

From the bestselling author that brought you 'The Hunted' 'The Caretaker' and 'The Hitchhiker', 'High Rise' is a thrilling, page-turning story.

Tune in to this incredibly entertaining chat with a master thriller writer.

Kimberley Freeman is an award-winning bestselling author of some thirty novels across a variety of genres.

Based in Brisbane, Kimberley is a senior lecturer at the University of Queensland and this year her new novel 'The Secret Year of Zara Holt' was published by Hachette Australia.

A novel inspired by the life of Dame Zara Bate - fashion designer and business woman - known as the wife of Australia's 17th prime minister, Harold Holt, who disappeared off the coast of Portsea and whose body was never recovered.

'The Secret Life of Zara Holt' is a poignant, compelling story of love, scandal and betrayal that stretched across more than forty years and the passionate bond that kept Zara imagining that Harold would find his way back to her.

A captivating read from an exceptional story-teller.

Cassie had a fascinating, wide-ranging chat with Kimberly about this incredible novel. Do tune in.

Marcia van Zeller is a Canadian-born writer who arrived in Australia in the 1980s and embarked on a long career in journalism and professional writing.

Completing her first novel as part of her PhD thesis back in 2015, Marcia's second novel 'Be A Good Girl Valerie' was recently published by Ventura Press.

Exploring issues arising from toxic masculinity in the work place and the often very real consequences for women who stand up for their own rights as well as the rights of other women, 'Be A Good Girl Valerie' is both timely and topical.

Cassie Hamer recently welcomed Marcia to the podcast to chat about the novel and some of Marcia's real-life experiences that inspired Valerie's story.

A truly insightful and informative episode.

Holly Brunnbauer is a Victorian based, multi-award winning emerging fiction author whose debut novel 'What Did I Miss?' was recently released by HarperCollins Australia.

An absolutely delightful kind of coming of age novel with humour and heart that will leave you wanting more.

It was an absolute joy to welcome Holly to the podcast recently to talk about her journey to publication and her inspiration for this memorable story.

Kimberley Allsopp is a Brisbane-based author of two novels who is in the unique position of also working for one of Australia's largest publishing houses as a Senior Campaign Manager.

However, in between working with some of Australia's best authors and raising her children, Kimberley writes clever novels which offer a unique perspective on modern life.

'Rise and Shine' is her new novel and Cassie Hamer chatted with Kimberley for the podcast recently.

I really enjoyed this 'warts and all ' chat about publishing and writing life. Hope you do too.