Cincinnati series, bk 2. Headline, 2015. ISBN 9780755390014
(Age: Adult) Recommended for fans of romantic suspense. Human
trafficking. Murder. Scarlett Bishop is called out in the night by
former Army Ranger Marcus O'Bannion. When she arrives she discovers
a young girl murdered and Marcus injured. Marcus had responded to
the 17 year old Asian's girl's call for help. Further investigation
shows that the girl was a victim of human trafficking and had been
held as a sex slave. Scarlett and Marcus are plunged into a
dangerous world of corruption where crime bosses have no compunction
about murdering anyone who gets in their way.
Although very long (589 pages) Rose maintained a high level of
suspense as the authorities, aided by Marcus, follow a trail that
uncovers human trafficking at its worst. There are some ugly scenes
of torture and murder which are not for the faint-hearted and a lot
of good people are targeted by some very nasty villains. The main
theme of human trafficking is explored in depth and gives the reader
much to think about greed and exploitation of innocent people.
The romance between Scarlett and Bishop, both flawed characters, is
a highlight of the book but doesn't dominate the suspenseful plot,
so that readers of mysteries and also romantic suspense will enjoy
the combination. Rose explores the nature of being a police member
and having to face trauma, mutilated bodies and depravity constantly
and how her main characters cope with this is also a riveting theme
for the reader.
Although this is the second in the series, there is enough
information given about the large supporting cast for it to be read
as a standalone novel. These secondary characters are also
fascinating and some of them no doubt will be explored more fully in
subsequent books in the series.
Pat Pledger
Tricky Twenty-Two by Janet Evanovich
Stephanie Plum bk. 22. Headline, 2015. ISBN 9781472201652
(Age: 16+) Recommended for fans of the series. The Stephanie
Plum series is back with the 22nd book, and readers will
welcome the familiar themes and humour that Janet Evanovich offers.
Stephanie is chasing a student, Ken Globovic (Gobbles) who was
supposed to have beaten up the Dean of Students at Kiltman College
and has not appeared for his court date. At the same time Doug
Linken has been gunned down in his back yard and Stephanie becomes
involved as Joe Morelli, her boyfriends and Ranger, the darkly
handsome security expert try to find the murderer.
I had not read many of the more recent novels in the series, but
found that little had changed: Stephanie is still involved with Joe
Morelli, although this time he breaks the relationship off; Ranger
is still alluring and hot and prepared to supply her with an
unlimited number of cars, and Lula and Grandma Mazur provide some
wonderful side-splitting lines.
The mystery surrounding Gobbles builds up to a surprising climax and
Stephanie proves once again that she can overcome almost
insurmountable obstacles. There are some moments of suspense but it
is the humour that keeps the reader absorbed.
Fans of the series will be happy to sit back and read this happily
entertaining escapist novel, a perfect summer read.
Pat Pledger
Phoenix rising by Bryony Pearce
Stripes Publishing, 2015. ISBN 9781847154507
(Age: Young adult) Highly recommended. Themes: Dystopian literature;
Environmental issues; Piracy; Adventure. This is amazing! It is a
cross between an environmental disaster story and Pirate adventure,
with a teen hero discovering his own strengths, rising to overcome
opposition while working on a risky salvage operation on the high
seas. A blurb quote describes it as 'Junk-Punk'. Whatever the genre,
it is an entertaining read.
A preface with clips of newspaper headlines gives some idea of the
reasons this world is so different to our own. As an example of a
dystopian futuristic world, it is unique and gives the reader a view
into a disastrous view of the world following a major environmental
disaster. The oceans are seething with 'junk', which is either a
major shipping hazard or is being salvaged and repurposed in a new
world where power sources cannot be relied upon, and those in power
cannot be trusted. The pirates are out for themselves and will not
let anything get in the way in their search for 'treasure'. The
Phoenix is the vessel upon which Toby sails as a self-trained ship's
engineer. His coming of age and his acceptance as a mature member of
the crew comes after he attempts to rescue a ship stowaway from an
attack from a rival pirate ship. There is a violent encounter, a
potential romance and renewed respect from his own crew, and
eventually the wounded vessel makes its way into further danger.
This book is full of drama, and is well-written. It will definitely
be enjoyed by young adult readers. It is stirring, fast-paced and .
. . there will be a sequel! Unusually for a YA book, there is no
offensive language, and although there are violent encounters and
sword fights which might be problematic on film for a young
audience, in text this imagination limitation just makes the story
spectacular.
Carolyn Hull
Career of evil by Robert Galbraith (AKA J.K. Rowling)
Cormoran Strike, bk. 3. Hachette, 2015. ISBN 9780751563580
(Age: 18+) Recommended. This is the third book in the Cormoran
Strike series, but can read as a stand-alone. This book
continues story of Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott who work as
Private Investigators.
The story explores a range of relationships: Cormoran with his
mother (now dead), Robin with her fiance, Matthew, and the
complicated relationship shared by Robin and Cormoran. Cormoran is
also strongly connected to the three suspects in this murder
mystery: Donald Laing, Noel Brockbank, and Jeff Whittaker. And these
relationships underpin the plot of the book. An interesting addition
to the relationships is that of Shanker to Cormoran and Robin.
Shanker has a pivotal role in the book, exuding the virtues loyalty
and honour from behind an unkempt and very smelly exterior.
The relationship between Cormoran and Robin is deftly examined
throughout the story, and is the glue that holds the plot together.
Relationship to self is also explored in an interesting way through
including Body Integrity Identity Disorder (BIID) in the plot. This
disorder causes sufferers to seek to have an otherwise healthy body
part amputated. Here the story presents two very opposing views and
gives the reader opportunity to learn more about the personalities
of Cormoran and Robin.
The tone of the segments written from the point of view of the
killer in the story is extremely gruesome, to the point of excess at
times. There is an unevenness to the writing that leaves the reader
confused at times. The very obvious hints in the story, as to who
the suspect really is, are seemingly missed by Robin and Cormoran,
and this doesn't fit with the impression otherwise generated for the
reader: that Robin and Cormoran are a tight team, missing nothing.
There is, however, some very welcome relief throughout the story in
the form of black humour, such as Cormoran's remark upon the
delivery of a leg by courier, 'And it's not even my size.'
Musically knowledgeable readers will enjoy the references to Blue
Oyster Cult and the song lines that are from this group that open
each chapter of this captivating book.
Linda Guthrie
Silence is Goldfish by Annabel Pitcher
Hachette, 2015. ISBN 9781780620008
(Age: 13+) Recommended. 'I am Pluto. Silent. Inaccessible.
Billions of miles away from everything I thought I knew.'
Did you, as a child, look around and wonder if you belonged in your
family? Are you a person who thought they must have been adopted?
Tess has just read that her father, Jack, is not really her father.
Not only that, but he was revolted by his first sight of her.
Tess is an introverted 15 year old and her already uncomfortable
world has been turned upside down. Now she is looking through eyes
that see everything Jack and her mother do as somehow sinister and
deceitful. She begins a mute protest, refusing to speak to anyone.
Her once strong, and mutually strengthening relationship with her
friend Isabel is the first casualty of this decision.
Tess' relationship with her Grandmother is touching and genuinely
caring. It also serves as another lens through which Tess examines
her parents and relatives.
Tess has been ruthlessly bullied at school, and on the internet.
Being mute escalates the bullying and Tess survives this torment by
relying on Mr Goldfish. Mr Goldfish acts as confidante and ally. The
challenges to Tess' thinking and decisions are generated by Mr
Goldfish and at times prevent her immaturity and naivety overtaking
her. He helps her understand that people are not always as they
appear, even when you think you know them really well.
This book sensitively probes the intensity of the teenage years
through the themes of friendship, family relationship, bullying and
body image. The bullying is unfortunately not addressed or resolved
in this story. The characters are believable and there is humour
provided by Mr Goldfish that serves to break the tension.
Linda Guthrie
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Old School by Jeff Kinney
Puffin Books, 2015. ISBN 9780143309000
(Age: 7-12) The Diary of a Wimpy Kid books are still as
popular as ever and the new title (number 10 in the series), Old
School will please DOWK fans.
As usual Greg has many misadventures and mishaps. His Mum has
convinced the town to unplug and be electronics free, his granddad
has moved into Greg's bedroom and Greg has to share with his little
brother Manny, his lemonade stall has problems and volunteering in
the community has it's drawbacks.
Despite his original misgivings, Greg ends up going on camp to
Hardscrabble Farm. Life at the camp involves a variety of unpleasant
activities and experiences but the biggest issue is the camp story
of Silas Scratch, an undead farmer who couldn't be killed. The
constant fear of his appearance impacts on all the campers, but Greg
is determined to discover more about this scary character.
I laughed out loud at several parts of this story, the little
brother Manny with his 'no pants' antics, the not to be crossed girl
scouts and the grandfather driving the car were very funny.
The amusing storyline and simple cartoon illustrations are still a
hit and the book appeals to confident and less independent readers
alike.
I recommend this book to the many old and new fans of DOWK and
suggest that readers from 7 to 12 years will enjoy this novel.
You can hear Jeff Kinney talk about his book here.
Jane Moore
Lady Helen and the Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman
Lady Helen bk. 1. Angus & Robertson, 2015. ISBN
9780732296094
(Age: 15+) Highly recommended. Regency period. Paranormal. Lady
Helen Wrexhall is a young woman, about to be presented to Queen
Charlotte and ready to be launched in Regency society and into the
marriage mart. She is haunted by the memory of her mother who was
tainted by the reputation of being a traitor, and when she meets the
dark and dangerous Lord Carlston, she finds it very difficult to
believe that she has another destiny that of a member of the Dark
Days Club, fighting demons and rescuing people.
Goodman's research into the Regency period provides a fascinating
background to the story of Lady Helen, just making her debut, and
seeking a suitable man to marry. Marriage was the only way that a
woman could secure her future and the lack of independence and
economic power that were the lot of women was graphically described.
Lady Helen, although very intelligent, remains a Regency lady,
shopping, riding in the Park and looking over prospective suitors.
The customs, the shops, the clothes, and many real characters like
Beau Brummell, Lord Byron and the Regent himself too, are all
vividly described and make compelling reading for anyone who is
interested in this period of history. An especially interesting
aspect was the relationship between Lady Helen and the many servants
in the house, including Darby her ladies' maid and young Berta who
goes missing.
I loved the combination of Regency setting and paranormal
excitement. As more of the demonic world is revealed and Lady
Helen's acquaintance with the dark Lord Carlston grows, she is
plunged into great danger and sees first-hand what the demons in her
world get up to. She has inherited powers and a secret duty and has
to decide whether she will become part of the Dark Days Club and
ostracised by the ton, or marry a Duke and become a matron leading
high society.
It was a great read, one that lovers of the Regency period, and
authors like Georgette Heyer, Jane Austen and Mary Robinette Kowal
are sure to enjoy. I am eagerly looking forward to the next in the
series.
Pat Pledger
Friday Barnes: No rules by R. A. Spratt
Random House Australia Children's, 2016. ISBN 9780857987013
(Age: 10+) Recommended. Themes: Problem-solving; Detective story;
School mystery; Humour. Friday Barnes is a student wonder - with
amazing problem-solving and detective skills. However her fashion
skills are suspect!
This is the fourth book in the Friday Barnes Series, and at the
beginning of the book she is deported to Switzerland and spends a
period of time in the no-man's land of the Airport in a citizen-less
state. Her detective skills and ability to read clues help her to
solve a diplomatic mystery. During this time away from her
peculiarly run school, Highcrest Academy, a series of unusual and
potentially disastrous events occur that have need of her remarkable
detective skills. She returns to Highcrest in time to assist the
famously good-looking Ian in clearing his name, to prevent the new
Deputy Principal from introducing a new pedagogy of freedom and to
assist the headmaster in restoring his school to its normal state of
disorder.
This is another book that understands a younger reader's demand for
adventure, mystery and young heroines. The adults in this book have
a Dahl-esque incompetence needing the wisdom of the young Friday
Barnes. It includes a series of mysteries and moves along at a
rollicking pace, rarely bogging down in detail. [R. A. Spratt has
written for Television, and the fast-paced, science themes would
appeal to a reading audience that has grown up with TV
entertainment.]
Recommended for readers aged 10+. This child-detective is aged 12,
and the beginnings of romance are hinting their arrival. A young
High School reader will still enjoy the implied quirky humour of
this book.
Carolyn Hull
Wilf the mighty worrier battles a pirate by Georgia Pritchett
Ill. by Jamie Littler. Quercus Books, 2015. ISBN 9781848669079
(Age:7-8) Recommended. Themes: Worry, Pirates, Boys, Adventure,
Humourous Stories. Young Wilf comes from a long line of worriers;
his family tree includes Norman the Neurotic, Annie the Anxious and
Freddie the Fretful. His current set of worries focuses on the
actions of Alan his evil next-door neighbour - who comes from a long
line of evil doers. Alan determines to follow in the footsteps of
pirate Long John Alan a distant relative. When Wilf enquires about
the necessary equipment - a ship, a parrot and an eye-patch, the
whole kerfuffle begins.
Anxiety and worry are Wilf's constant companions, even playing with
his best friend Stuart the woodlouse, knitting, whistling and
constantly referring to his new self-help leaflet do not really
help. Things take a turn for the worse when Alan begins to build a
pirate ship in his front yard. In seventeen days with a little help
from Kevin Phillips the dog, the vessel is complete and the worst
pirate in the world is ready to set sail. Wilf, Dot his baby sister
and Stuart unfortunately become stowaways on board trying to find
Dot's stolen bucket and spade . . .
Crazy scenes with an array of quirky characters, ably accompanied by
Jamie Littler's cartoon illustrations take the reader on an
action-filled adventure. Kerfuffle after kerfuffle occurs, with
several false finishes, Wilf learns to think fast, bringing the
story to a big finale. Has Wilf learned his lesson, has he stopped
worrying, no? Georgia Pritchett promises more adventures to come.
Rhyllis Bignell
Australia to Z by Armin Greder
Allen & Unwin, 2016. ISBN 9781760113186
(Age: all) Highly recommended. Australia, Racism, Icons. The image
of the globe with a magnifying glass being held over the continent
of Australia, warns us that this is not the usual A-Z of Australia,
with its koalas and Opera House but an acerbic positioning, a
sharper view of the cultural icons of Australia. And with these
cultural symbols under such a spotlight we are forced to look at
them in a different way, to look at things we hold dear with
questioning eyes.
Greder uses his black edged illustrative technique to great effect,
making many images standing out against the white background, with
seemingly few deft strokes encompassing all that needs to be said.
The first two, A and B herald the tone of the book, as A is
Aborigine showing a lone figure standing on the headland watching
the approach of a sailing ship, and B is Boat People, with a small
boat of refugees crossing the expansive ocean. What a contrast. Two
different groups of people approaching Australia for quite different
reasons. And anyone seeing these images will question Australia's
attitude to the three groups today.
To point out only a few amongst the smorgasbord of razor edged
images is difficult. Many made me stop in my tracks, N, Nationalism
shows a large, booted male individual caped in an Australian flag,
reminiscent of the Cronulla riots ten years ago, and R, Rupert shows
the eyeless man whose influence over the land of his birth seems
never ending.
No matter what the image created, each impels the reader to think
more about what is shown, from Yakka for hard work, Vegemite with a
child eating the stuff that visitors are always enjoined to try,
Waltzing Matilda, with the swaggie' s hat in the middle of the
billabong. Several are laugh out loud, Esky, Gold Coast, Ikea, for
example, while others bring a lump to the throat, Digger, Pokies,
Kangaroo.
A mirror is held up to our society, pointing out things about us
which are hard to digest, but necessarily need to be discussed,
especially when our National Anthem forms an appendix underlining
the difference between some of our icons and the words we sing at
occasions of importance. We all know the words parrot fashion, but
reading them shows the divide between what we sing and what actually
happens.
This is a brilliant piece of theatre, one which classes can unpick,
discuss and debate, looking at the icons presented from a fresh
perspective, reading our national anthem with greater care, and
pondering how we can be changed for the better.
Fran Knight
I'll wait, Mr Panda by Steve Antony
Hodder Children's Books, 2016. ISBN 9781444916669
(Age: 3+) Highly recommended. Panda, Penguins, Good manners,
Patience. When Mr Panda strikes a pose in the kitchen with frilly
apron, large cooking bowl, wooden spoon and chef's hat perched
cheekily atop his head, the readers will know he is about to cook
something special. The other animals know as well, and crowd in
wanting to know just what he is cooking. Each animal that comes
along asks him the same question, and gets a similar response. They
are told to wait. But none does, stalking off airily. Not so
Penguin. A small voice from the bottom of the page assures Mr Panda
that he will wait, and wait he does.
Each delightful page renders a similar image, that of animals
pestering Mr Panda for a response, but he telling them to wait.
Children reading the story will be very familiar with that response
from an older sibling, parent or teacher and laugh uproariously
seeing it happen to others as well.
They will laugh again when Penguin's patience is rewarded and the
cake baked and given to him for being so patient. A lesson learnt.
The other animals, a llama, an armadillo, several rabbits and a
crane can only look on from the first endpaper as Penguin eats his
cake covered with hundreds and thousands on the last endpaper.
Each image of Mr Panda shows him baking his cake and astute readers
will notice some of his chosen ingredients. Apart from initiating
discussions about good manners and being patient, this book will
also encourage children to try their hands at making a cake,
recognising the various stages Mr Panda goes through with his cake
baking.
Fran Knight
Stone Rider by David Hofmeyr
Penguin, 2015. ISBN 9780141354439
(Age: 15+) Highly recommended. 'Welcome to hell,' Adam says, under
his breath.
This action-packed book is set in a dystopian future where the Earth
is barely habitable. One way to escape that life and earn the right
to live off world in a utopian existence on Sky-Base is to win the
Blackwater Trail byke race. This is an arduous and dangerous race
with a history of a 40 percent mortality rate. An interesting touch
in the book is that each chapter counts down and from the start of
this race.
Adam Stone has been saving to enter the race. He, Sadie Blood and
mysterious Kane have entered the race and form a team in order to
overcome the dangers of the desert, wolves, bandits and cannibals.
The writing style is fast paced and has the reader urging forward as
much as the riders in the race. Adam, Sadie and Kane each bring
special skills and abilities that enable the team to avoid many
desperate situations.
Those with motorcycle riding experience will appreciate the
descriptions of the rider expertise in the race. There are technical
details to enthral, including 'The Rider's Code' at the end of the
book (a mystical guide the byke riding and maintenance). An
interesting weapon used by the riders is a slingshot. Kane tells
Adam: 'a sling needs tenderness. You hold it like you hold a woman.
Loose, but strong.' More detail in the use of this weapon is
included in the Guide.
This book explores the theme of loyalty. The characterisation of
Adam, Sadie and Kane appear at first to be light, drawing on the
action, violence and starkness of the environment to stage the
story. As the story progresses the reader sees there is more to
Adam, and questions arise. Who are the Nakoda? How do they live so
well and how are they a part of the life of Kane? The planned sequel
to this book and the answers to these questions are already awaited
by this reader.
Linda Guthrie
Fall by Sean Williams
Twinmaker 3. Allen & Unwin, 2015. ISBN 9781743316481
(Age: 15+) Recommended. This, the third book in the series, is the
best so far. This is a fast paced, action packed scifi novel that
doesn't leave the reader time to catch a breath.
Clair is trying to restore her world and her relationships. The
complexities of perception, intention and memory are explored
through the incarnations of Claire and her friends/foes. This novel,
though set in the future, presents many conundrums that are
currently evolving in our society: 3D printing of food and medicine;
3D printing of human enhancements; bioprinting. The characters in
the novel provide many interpretations and options for managing
these complex issues.
This book allows the reader opportunities to grapple with the
ethical considerations of Artificial Intelligence and teams well the
ideas of Nick Bostrom when he stated: "Machine intelligence is the
last invention that humanity will ever need to make," during his TED
Talk What happens when our computers get smarter than we are?
South Australian readers will also enjoy the reference to Kupa-piti
ultramaximum-security penitentiary. The name Coober Pedy is said to
have developed from the Aboriginal "kupa piti", meaning "white man
in a hole". In August 2004 the Australian government abandoned plans
for the nuclear waste dump at Coober Pedy, but it seems Williams has
put the site to another 'out of sight out of mind' use.
Linda Guthrie
Editor's note: Published as Hollowgirl in the UK (Electric
Monkey, ISBN 9781405264419)
Night Owls by Jenn Bennett
Simon & Schuster, 2015. ISBN: 9781471125300
(Age: 17+) Recommended. Beatrix (Bex) Adams is artistic, very
talented and is seeking to win a scholarship by drawing cadavers
(Leonardo Da Vinci style). Jack is charming, too good to be true,
mysterious and dangerous. Their eyes meet across a crowded bus (The
Owl) and there is overwhelming attraction.
'His gaze lifted and met mine. We stared at each other.
And stared. And stared . . .
A strange heat sparked inside my chest and spread over my skin. - I
didn't know what was happening between us, but I honestly wouldn't
have been surprised if the Owl had burst into flames, veered off the
road, and exploded in a fiery inferno.'
This is a fine romance. There are many references to how gorgeous
Jack is (and he is, of course, rich), however there doesn't seem to
be a corresponding amount of depth to his character. Bex's mother
and brother are gritty and real with both having a very positive and
open approach to sex. There are many positive messages about safe
sex and caring relationships.
This is a book all about relationships: romantic, familial, and
platonic. The reader will discover why these simple words: BEGIN,
FLY, BELONG, JUMP, TRUST, BLOOM, CELEBRATE, ENDURE, RISE, and LOVE
can be so important, so illegal and so endearing. Will and Jillie
are two of the powerful characters who give depth and insight to the
world inhabited by Jack and Bex and develop another important theme
in the book - mental health. The author subtly portrays the very
different ways individuals manage (or deny) their issues and how it
ripples throughout their lives.
Linda Guthrie
I knew you were trouble by Paige Toon
Simon and Schuster, 2015. ISBN: 9781471118807
(Age: 16+) Recommended. This book is an enjoyable read and while it
follows on from the first book The Accidental Life of Jessie
Jefferson it can be successfully read as a stand alone.
Jessie is in High School and, following the death of her mother, has
recently found out she is actually the daughter of a famous rock
star. We see Jessie coming to terms with this new information and
adapting to the disruption this causes in her life and relationships
as the paparazzi learn of Jessie's existence.
This is a fabulous book about relationships. We see Jessie's
relationship with her stepfather (Stu), her biological father
(Johnny), and her Stepmother (Meg) mature and stabilise through some
lively misunderstandings and challenges. Jessie has heartbreak of
all kinds as she negotiates the changes in her friendships as she
becomes more famous. She discovers some friendships are not as solid
as she had imagined, and her romantic interests are not all they
appear to be. The characters lead the reader to think about the art
of forgiveness and the part it plays in forming our lives and
determining our path through life.
Importantly we see Jessie coming to terms with growing up in the
world of social media, where every mistake can be broadcast across
the world. While some of her exploits in LA are a little predictable
this book is a great read that leaves the reader with plenty to
think about.
Linda Guthrie
