I love a good historical mystery, how have I never read this author before?! Thank you to Harlequin Australia for this surprise book mail, it was a deI love a good historical mystery, how have I never read this author before?! Thank you to Harlequin Australia for this surprise book mail, it was a delight to read. It is fun to step back in time for a few hours and learn something about the past about this wonderful country that I live in. I always wonder how I would cope living in these times, so different from the modern world.
Molly Bentley is one tough cookie. She is a woman ahead of her time in 1881. She has always yearned to travel and finally the opportunity arises when her father sends her off to the colonies of Western Australia with her aunt Collette to stay safe from his enemies. Loving her freedom in Albany until she is run down by a horse and suddenly she finds herself on the run to stay safe.
There was such a wonderful cast of characters in this book. I loved Molly and her determination. Romance is not my thing but I really did enjoy it in this story and I wanted her to get her happy ending. Travelling across Australia by horse and wagon would be rough and the author really gives the reader a sense of what that journey would have been like. I did like the tie in the real life royal visit as well .
A great escape to the past. I always enjoy historical fiction, especially Australian books when I read them. I must do it more often.
The Adventuress of Albany is out on November 25th and I highly recommend it. ...more
As soon as I heard about this book I knew I had to read it. A story set in Victorian times, in Whitechapel when Jack The Ripper was at large. FascinatAs soon as I heard about this book I knew I had to read it. A story set in Victorian times, in Whitechapel when Jack The Ripper was at large. Fascinating.
But this book is not so much about the killer, but about the victims, and 3 women who wanted justice for them where the police were failing them. Emma, the wife of the lead detective, Bet, a young cleaner with a good eye and Maggie , a female private detective. These women worked together to stop the Ripper, finding themselves in danger along the way.
What I loved about this book was the friendship between these woman, they were strong, independent women which was not the norm at this time. They wanted better for women, for those that had been murdered.3 women who would not normally be friends found each other formed a strong bond. It was interesting to see some real life people from the time in the story as well, the author captured the time so well, the fear that the women were feeling, the way the community banded together to protect each other.
Yes it is fiction and of course we need an ending. I throughly enjoyed reading The Women in the Shadows, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.
Thank you so much to HQ on NetGalley for my early copy of this book to read. Out October 1st....more
Oh my goodness, Billie Walker is back!! It has been 3 years since The Ghosts of Paris and I have been eagerly awaiting this next book. Thank you Tara Oh my goodness, Billie Walker is back!! It has been 3 years since The Ghosts of Paris and I have been eagerly awaiting this next book. Thank you Tara Moss for bringing us more from 1940s Sydney and the amazing Billie Walker PI.
The events in Paris certainly took their toll on our heroine and she is in desperate need of a break. The team have been working hard with the agency and things are going well. When Billie finally gets the courage up to clear out her father’s filing cabinets in the office, she comes across an old dusty box that holds a secret should could never have imagined. Billie being Billie can’t help but do some digging. This leads her to board the luxury cruise ship Luxor and head to Naples.
I just love stepping back in time to Sydney in the 1940s. Fascinating to learn about how things have changed and developed since then. And Billie, what can I say? She is a brilliant, strong woman, ahead of her time. She won’t back down from a fight, she is determined and sassy. I love going on adventures with her, and learning all about post-war life in Australia and beyond with her.
Thank you so much to Harper Collins Australia for allowing me to binge-read this one early. Such a pleasure! Publishes in Australia on August 26th....more
I love my trips back to 1950s Hollywood with Lily and the gang. I wish I could find a time slip and spend a day there. The movie stars Lily is just caI love my trips back to 1950s Hollywood with Lily and the gang. I wish I could find a time slip and spend a day there. The movie stars Lily is just casually hanging out with just blows my mind! this is book 3 and each time I say that it is my favourite ❤️ Such a fun and interesting series where we get to pretend that the world isn’t quiet as bad as it really is in 2025.
This book has Lily already in the past, having decided that she wants to stay. She is living her best life in a dream job and with some really good friends..one who could be more but how could that even work with her not technically being born yet! Poor Louis. She is working on the new Kitty Fox film when she remembers that Kitty goes missing without a trace very soon. Of course they need to find out why and what happens, putting themselves in danger but also some hilarious situations l
I hope this series will keep going for a very long time. Lily and her converse in the 1950s just needs more books! As does the thrill of star spotting James Dean and Marilyn Monroe ❤️
Thank you once again to Lisa Hall and Hera Books for my advanced copy of this amazing book to help l Publishes on July 24th....more
I love Australian historical fiction books and Alli Sinclair is one of my favourite authors in this genre. I have loved all of her books and A Woman’sI love Australian historical fiction books and Alli Sinclair is one of my favourite authors in this genre. I have loved all of her books and A Woman’s Voice was just spectacular. It had me enthralled from the very beginning, with the dual timelines, so invested in both Laura’s and Idas lives.
In 1911 we meet Ida Naber, a talented craftswoman who is unable to live her dream. It was a time when women had so few rights and their fathers had the right to marry them off to whoever they chose. Ida is a strong woman and find the suffragette movement right when she needs it. She wants more from her life, to live how she wants to and to spend her life doing what she loves and enjoys.
In 1965, Laura Hartley is a famous violinist in Europe when her life is turned upside down. Not only has her beloved grandmother died, but the violin that she gave her and has used all her life is stolen. She suddenly finds herself unable to play or write music and is in a deep depression of grief. She travels to out Back Queensland to sort out her grandmothers estate and home in an effort to find the joy in life again.
2 strong and determined women in 2 very different times. Both are stubborn and will not settle for anything less than they feel they deserve. They have lived incredible lives and are similar in so many ways. I loved them both and found their stories absolutely fascinating. It was an eye opening read, learning about the women who fought for the rights that have today.
There is just so much to love about A Woman’s Voice. It made ma laugh, made me cry, made me angry and made me thankful to be alive in this day and age.
Just brilliant once again Alli. A must read.
Thank you so much to Penguin Books Australia for sending me this book to read. Out now. ...more
A fun historical/cozy mystery which was a mash up of Jane Austen and Agatha Christie. Always fun when you have references to Mr Darcy ❤️
This was a quA fun historical/cozy mystery which was a mash up of Jane Austen and Agatha Christie. Always fun when you have references to Mr Darcy ❤️
This was a quick read , a missing maid, a murder and lots of secrets. Caroline and her friend Georgina are determined to solve the case, despite what the men say. It was a different time for women, and Caroline is certainly before her time. I can see this being. The start of a fun series.
3.5⭐️ thanks to HQ for my advanced copy of this book to read. Out in April 10th....more
I loved the sound of this historical rural crime and mystery book. It is the second book to feature Gus Hawkins, a war vet and now police officer. I hI loved the sound of this historical rural crime and mystery book. It is the second book to feature Gus Hawkins, a war vet and now police officer. I haven’t read Bone Lands yet, and I am wondering how that one passed me by. I will certainly be rectifying that omission very soon after loving Skull Riverrl.
I could not stop reading this once I started it, Hawkins is back and this time sent to the small town of Colley. He hasn’t been there long when chaos erupts. His partner is shot, and the police station with all its records is burnt to the ground. This is just the beginning. There is a high body count in this one, with plenty of dodgy characters. But it was hard to know who to trust.
I really did love the main character of Hawkins. He is damaged and suffers PTSD after what her did and saw in the war. He loves his lady despite not being with her, and he is a dog lover. What else do you need to know.
With an intriguing ending, I will absolutely be looking out for book 3 in the future, thanks to Simon and Schuster Australia, Affirm for my NetGalley copy and physical arc....more
Gosh David Baldacci can write a story can’t he!! He has been one of my favourite crime writers for a long time and his historical fiction book last yeGosh David Baldacci can write a story can’t he!! He has been one of my favourite crime writers for a long time and his historical fiction book last year, A Calamity of Souls, was my favourite book of the year. So when ai saw that he had written a story set in WWII London I just had to read it.
This was such a moving story, so many times I had tears in my eyes while listening to this tremendous cast of narrators. They really did bring Strangers in Time to life, along with the authors brilliant writing. I feel like I was walking the streets of London with these characters. Any story set during wartime is going to be emotional, and this one really does tug at the heartstrings.
It is a story of 3 people that are brought together by the war. 3 people from different backgrounds and places in society, that may not have met under normal conditions. Charlie lives with his gran in the East End, and they battle for every penny and morsel of food that they can get their hands on. Molly has just returned to her home in affluent Chelsea after being sent to the country for years to escape the war. And Ignatius is a widowed bookseller who has plenty of dark secrets of his own. The 3 form a friendship that gets stronger and stronger the more that is thrown at them.
This is a story of war, of family, of friendship, betrayal, survival and love. It is an eye opening look at the real people that the war affected. It shows the real courage of those who did what they had to do to survive and protect the people that they loved.
Thank you so much to Hachette Audio for my advanced audio copy to listen to. Out on April 15th....more
In the last few years, I have become a fan of Natasha Lester and her incredibly powerful and inspiring historical fiction novels. I was thrilled when In the last few years, I have become a fan of Natasha Lester and her incredibly powerful and inspiring historical fiction novels. I was thrilled when I was given the opportunity by Hachette Books Australia and Better Reading to read an advanced copy of The Mademoiselle Alliance, which comes out March 26th.
This book took me longer than most to read but not because didn’t like it. It is a book full of historical facts and amazing characters that you just need to slow it down and take it all in. This book is based on the life of the only woman to lead an Alliance for France in WWII. She led 3000 agents to bring down the Germans, with her bravery, her determination, and her courage. She was one incredible woman that so many, including myself, have never heard of.
Marie-Madeleine was a fiery girl who loved to travel and drive race cars. She was a mother, and she was passionate about her children and those close to her. She led with her heart and her head. She had to make some tough decisions, and she had to keep everybody alive.it was a story that will stay with me. I highly recommend reading the authors note after you have finished the book, as always get some insight into Natasha’s writing process and research, which is always so interesting....more
Alice Marble was an incredible woman. A remarkable tennis player in the 1930’s and 40’s that I had never heard of. She blitzed her opponents on court Alice Marble was an incredible woman. A remarkable tennis player in the 1930’s and 40’s that I had never heard of. She blitzed her opponents on court with her determination to win and proved herself to the world. When the war comes and all professional tennis is halted she wants to help in anyway she can. Her photographic memory makes her the perfect candidate to be a spy.
Based on her memoir, this was entertaining, emotional and inspiring. The narrator was fantastic I don’t think you need to be a big tennis fan to enjoy this book, but for me I loved all the tennis stories and rivalries. This is my second historical fiction book for 2025 my second winner.
Thanks to Libro.fm for my advanced listening copy. Out now....more
My first historical fiction book for 2025 and what a way to start! This book was so much fun and I was sad when it ended. This year one of my reading My first historical fiction book for 2025 and what a way to start! This book was so much fun and I was sad when it ended. This year one of my reading goals is to read more Agatha Christie and this book was nice side read. I can’t believe that this was inspired by real life adventures! These women were fabulous and the narrator was brilliant. She did a fantastic job at giving each character a unique voice, and I was especially impressed by her kiwi accent.. not easy to do without sounding awful!
It is the early 1930s and women are still trying to be taken seriously. 5 incredible crime writers are on a quest to have them seen as equals to their male counterparts. Agatha Christie, Dorothy Sayers, Margery Allingham, Baroness Emma Orczy and Ngaio Marsh form their own society and decide to solve a real life murder and show the men what they are made of. A young nurse, May Daniels went missing in France months ago and now her body has been discovered. They use all their research and knowledge of crime fiction to work together to solve this case.
The Queens of Crime were formidable. Nothing stopped them from getting to the truth and justice for this poor woman. It was at times funny, at times sad. I got lost in the story. I need to check out books from the rest of these women now.
If you love a good mystery then grab yourself a copy of this fantastic book. Publishes on February 11th. Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for my advanced copy to listen to....more
What a story!! I was completely absorbed in this story from the beginning. Right until the very last word. It is complicated but easy to follow story What a story!! I was completely absorbed in this story from the beginning. Right until the very last word. It is complicated but easy to follow story of love, art, money, family and murder. So much going on you are never bored.
Triple timelines!! Yep, 3. First of all we have the point of view of Juliette, through her journal entries for, 1937/38. Juliette and her older lover, Oscar, perish in a fire in Paris’s along with their art work. Then we have 1991 in Cambridge. We met Caroline and Patrick, art students who fall in love whilst studying the life and art of Juliette Willoughby amongst others. Fast forward to the present day Dubai, and Patrick runs his own gallery and Caroline is the world expert on Juliette.
This is hard book to talk about the story as there is so many overlapping storylines and events and to do so would spoil things. There are so,e jaw dropping twists and ai did applaud these authors when they happened. They got me good!! a although the story is fictional, it was interesting to spend some time in the art world
Part historical mystery, part love story, there is something For everyone here.
Thanks so much to Macmillan Australia for sending me a copy of this clever book. ...more
I loved this book! I must read more historical fiction, especially ones set in Australia. I always love them when I do. This is my second book by thisI loved this book! I must read more historical fiction, especially ones set in Australia. I always love them when I do. This is my second book by this author and both have been such fantastic and interesting books.
We are taken back to 1950s Sydney, Australia. Television is about to come to Australia for the first time, women cannot work after they get married must keep house. Martha Berry has just turned 50 and has been working at the ABC since it started, 24 years earlier. She has worked in almost all departments, always as a secretary and has never had a raise. Now she is assigned to work with young man, straight out of university who is going to write and produce the new radio serial, As The Sun Sets. It soon becomes obvious that he really doesn’t know what he is doing and Martha must step in to save the show.
I just loved the women in this book. I am so happy that things have changed for women in this country, I cannot imagine growing up in these times. I really enjoyed the menopause storyline, as somebody of a similar age to Martha. It was wonderful the way she forced conversation.
This book made me laugh, it made me angry, it made me smile. So so good. The audio was superb, the narrator did a great job with all the voices. ...more
Travel back to Sydney in the 1920s with The Sugar Palace. The Harbour Bridge is being built and there is a sense of change in the air. Grace has big dTravel back to Sydney in the 1920s with The Sugar Palace. The Harbour Bridge is being built and there is a sense of change in the air. Grace has big dreams, she wants to open her own sweet shop in Sydney. But her family want her to marry the local police officer, settle down and start a family. Enter Alfie, the Englishman who doesn’t always stay on the right side of the law. Grace Is smitten ...more
This book is incredible. Ever since I studied the assassination of JFK in year 10 history I have been fascinated by the Kennedy family. I love readingThis book is incredible. Ever since I studied the assassination of JFK in year 10 history I have been fascinated by the Kennedy family. I love reading and watching anything about them, always a chance to learn something that I didn’t know. While this book is fiction, it is very well researched and I feel very close to the truth.
How could you not be intrigued by Jackie Kennedy. There was something so special about that woman, her style, her grace, her love of books and history. She was beautiful and loved her husband unconditionally. She was strong at a time when women were meant to just be a mother and wife. I loved that about her.
Now Jack Kennedy was not a saint, we all know that. But again, there is something that draws you into him. People loved him, women in particular. As a president he made mistakes, he wanted to great things when his life was cut short.
I cried so much reading the chapters leading into and after the assassination. It was heartbreaking. It is hard to put it into words. That family went through so much trauma and loss, with Bobby not so long afterwards.
All I can say is read this book. It didn’t feel like nearly 500 pages, in fact, I did not want it to end. The sign a of great book.
Thank you so much to Hachette Australia for feeling my Kennedy obsession. Published on June 27th....more
An action packed novel set in 1940, England. Germany in the brink of invading the UK and everybody is on edge. War veteran John Cook wants to sign up An action packed novel set in 1940, England. Germany in the brink of invading the UK and everybody is on edge. War veteran John Cook wants to sign up again and go to war. The powers that be have other ideas for him at home.
This book has everything.. there is murder, smuggling, spies, conspiracies and many many bodies. John was a character with a big heart and a lot of strength. You don’t want to be in his bad side. He will fight for what he feels is right, no matter what he is told. I love the way he worked with the others to make things right.
I don’t often read war stories but I really enjoyed this. Short chapters and realistic characters made this a fast read. So much research has gone into writing this book, I learnt so much.
Thanks to the author and Hodder and Stoughton via NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. Published on November 16th...more
Veil of Doubt is an historical, legal/medical fiction novel set in the late 1800s. Based on a true story, an insane amount of research has gone i3.5⭐️
Veil of Doubt is an historical, legal/medical fiction novel set in the late 1800s. Based on a true story, an insane amount of research has gone into this book. It is very detailed with medical information which was interesting. A totally different time in history, reading about the legal system and how things have changed for the better. Things that happened back then would not even be considered in todays world.
There is a huge emphasis on mental health in this book, and thankfully, much has change here too. I am thankful to be living now and not back then.
This is based on the story of Emily Lloyd, who was accused of murdering her family… her husband and 4 children. They say it was poison, they say she was insane, but was she? you will need ro read it to find out.
Thanks to Girl Friday Books for this advanced copy to read. I learnt a lot about this time period....more
Natasha Lester has once again sucked me into her fictional world and ai loved it. I don’t read a lot of historical fiction, but every time that I do INatasha Lester has once again sucked me into her fictional world and ai loved it. I don’t read a lot of historical fiction, but every time that I do I wonder why I don’t read more. I loved being transported back to the early 1970s in New York City for Astrid and Hawks story. An eye opening account of what life was like for women at this time.
3 generations of one family, with so much in common. We have Blythe in 2012, newly divorced, raising 2 kids and wanting a career in fashion. In 1973 we have Astrid, Blythe mother, who was an insanely talented fashion designer but only seen as Hawk Jones muse. And in 1917, grandmother, Mizza, is testing the rules of society, wanting more out of her life than marriage.
I couldn’t put this book down and read it in 2 sittings. I loved each timeline and the powerful women in each. Being set in the fashion world, there are lots of familiar names. These women had to work harder than any man in the same position had to, and still it was never enough. Why did Astrid disappear in 1973, just after having a baby? Was she still alive? It kept me turning the pages that is for sure.
Another fabulous book with a stunning cover from Natasha Lester. 5 stars. Thanks to Hachette Australia for sending me an advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes September 27th....more
Downton Abbey meets Oceans 11… that certainly had my attention. I have never read anything like this, an historical heist novel and it3.5 rounded up.
Downton Abbey meets Oceans 11… that certainly had my attention. I have never read anything like this, an historical heist novel and it was a lot of fun. The audio narration was excellent, with such a large cast of characters, they made it easy to distinguish between them all. Aside from feeling a little long at times, I really enjoyed my time in 1905 London.
When housekeeper Mrs King is dismissed from Manor House, revenge is in her mind. She gets together a team of friends and plan the robbery of the century, during the lady of the houses party of the century. There were many laughs, but some more serious subjects also came up.
If you enjoy historical fiction then give this one a go.
Thanks to Headline and a NetGalley for the advanced listening copy to read. Out in July 6th....more
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