Black Glass by Meg Mundell

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Genre - Science fiction

This was an interesting book. Set in Australia in the not too distant future where climate change has caused major social change, two young sisters are left homeless when their father blows up their house and himself while cooking drugs. They are separated and make their way to the city where they each try to exist on the streets while attempting to find one another.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville

Ancestor Stones by Aminatta Forna

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Genre - Historical fiction

This is a beautiful series of stories told by several generations of women from Sierra Leone. The first stories tell about a time when the Chief was still the leader, the Gods were of the landscape, and the country and its people were thriving. The subsequent stories tell of the coming of a new God and the changes in their society brought on by the influx of foreigners. The final stories provide a gruelling insight into Civil War.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville

Drawing Conclusions by Donna Leon

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Genre - Mystery/Thriller

Mystery/thriller set in Italy and makes one feel as though they are in Italy during the story. The main story is about a young woman returning from holidays to find her elderly neighbor dead. The police seem to think she suffered from a heart attack, but further investigation and intrigue states otherwise. Good reading.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville bookchat

The Headhunter's Daughter by Tamar Myers

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Genre - Mystery

The author was born in the Belgian Congo and the story is quite a good story on a white baby that was raised by a tribe. When in early teenage years, the child is discovered by the white man, and naturally there is conflict all around. Good reading and very interesting reading the author’s anecdotes on the back pages, of her upbringing in the Belgian Congo.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville bookchat

I'll Walk Alone by Mary Higgins Clark

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Genre - Thriller

Suspense thriller that makes you want to finish the book. Zan Moreland, a gifted interior designer discovers that someone is using her credit cards and manipulating her finances. She is already haunted by the disappearance of her own son who was kidnapped in broad daylight.

This is excellent reading for those that like suspense thrillers.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville bookchat

Death in High Places by Jo Bannister

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Genre - Mystery

This is a mystery with a twist concerning 2 friends who climb the Anarchy Ridge and only 1 returns. The one that returned has his life in jeopardy as he is always on the run. Makes the reader feel for Nicky Horn and a twist develops throughout the story that brings an intense ending to the saga. Good reading.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville bookchat

Bad intentions by Karin Fossum

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Genre - Thriller

Set in Norway the writer makes the reader feel the atmosphere of not only the cold climate of Norway but you feel as though you are living through the ordeal.

This is a psychological thriller about 3 friends spending the weekend at a remote cabin on a Lake and only 2 return.  A good mystery read and easy to finish to the end.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville bookchat

Eve & Quinn by Iris Johansen

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Genre - Mystery

Eve - This is the first of a trilogy and the next is Quinn.  MUST READ.  Could not put books down.  Not too gruesome but a very good gripping read.

Eve Duncan who had her daughter stolen (7 yo Bonnie) never stopped looking for the culprit and it has haunted her over the years.  She has learned that the real father may be alive and not dead as previously presumed.  Her partner/husband Jo is always there to assist together with the help of her CIA friend Catherine Ling. Left you wondering if her husband Quinn will survive.

Quinn – all about Quinn and how he met up with Eve until the current situation  if he would make it or not and chasing the murderer of her missing daughter. Left you in suspense until the final of the triology Bonnie (due for release 11th Oct).

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville bookchat

A Bitter Legacy by Lynda Page

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Genre - General Fiction

General fiction – good story with plenty of drama.

Story is in the 1930’s to 1961 and concerns a young girl who is attacked and raped and resulting in pregnancy with an unwanted baby during very hard times.
Quite bitter sweet and makes you feel for the main character.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Djibouti by Elmore Leonard

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Genre - General fiction

General fiction – excellent reading with a good story.

Concerns Dara Barr a documentary film maker who has already received an award for her filming of Bosnian Women.  Looking for a bigger challenge, she and her right hand man, 72yo African American – Xavier LeBo head to Djibouti, on the Horn of Africa to film modern day pirates hijacking merchant ships.

They learn almost no one in the Middle East is who he seems to be and the story lines make you want to keep reading until finished.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

The Fates Will Find Their Way by Hannah Pittard

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Genre - General Fiction

A 16 year old girl disappears one night from a small tight-knit community. She leaves behind a group of boys who are all friends and who spend the next 30 years or so imagining Nora's life after her disappearance. A beautifully written story.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville

Bereft by Chris Womersley

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Genre - General Fiction

Just after WW2 and during the Spanish flu epidemic, Quinn Walker returns, battle scarred and shell shocked, to the small country town where he grew up. He left the town as a young teenager, accused of the death of his younger sister, and had not been back since. A story of revenge, but so much more as well.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville

Autumn Laing by Alex Miller

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Genre - General Fiction

During the 1930’s Autumn Laing meets artist Pat Donlon when her husband Arthur brings him home for dinner. Pat and his wife Edith come to stay for a weekend at Arthur and Autumn’s house in Ocean Grove. Autumn is bored with her marriage and enjoys playing the temptress and seduces Pat whilst he and his wife are visiting. In doing this not only does she compromise her own marriage but destroys the marriage of Pat and Edith and their unborn child. Fifty-three years later in old age Autumn regrets her actions of long ago and sets about writing her story to right the wrongs of the past.

The novel  Autumn Laing is loosely based on he life of Sunday Reed and her relationship with Sidney Nolan. The book is a good read and the correlation between Miller’s character Autumn Laing and Sunday Reed adds an interesting twist to the story .

At the end of the book Miller acknowledges Janine Burke’s biography of Sunday Reed, The Heart Garden (Vintage 2004) as being a useful source for the writing of his book.

---- Reviewed by Sharon, Healesville

The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell

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Genre- Historical Fiction

Jacob de Zoet is a clerk for the Dutch East Indies Company stationed on an island formed off Nagasaki by the Japanese to keep the foreigners separate. Set in late 18th and early 19th centuries, this was a fascinating story about the early years of Japan's contact with the rest of the world. Well worth reading.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville

Grace Williams Says it Loud by Emma Henderson

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Genre - General Fiction, Romance

What a wonderful book! Grace Williams, born in the 1940s with cerebral palsy lives in London with her parents, her brother and sister. At age 12 she is placed in The Briars which will be her new home for many years. It is here that she meets Daniel - a boy with no arms who also suffers from epilepsy - and who tells the most wonderful stories. This is a love story, but not like any other I have read before. Just wonderful!!

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville

Lovesong by Alex Miller

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Genre - Romance

This is a truly lovely story. Set mainly in Paris, but not the part of Paris we read about most often. This is set in the part of Paris where immigrants live and work. An Australian man meets a Tunisian woman in her aunt's cafe. When the aunt dies, they take over the running of the cafe. As deeply in love as they are, they are both deeply disappointed. He misses his home, she longs for the baby she seems fated to never have. Their story is told to an almost retired popular author who then must decide what he is going to do with it.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville