The Laughterhouse by Paul Cleave

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Genre - Thriller


A fast tracking thriller, not for the feint-hearted. Theodore Tate, ex policeman turned private eye and wanting to get back into the police force; always remembered his first case involving a little girl whose killer was found and arrested. Fifteen years later a new killer on the loose and someone out for vengeance with Tate trying to find out who and why.

The killer kidnaps a Doctor with his 2 young girls and 12 month old baby Octavia. Vengeance is the plan and time against the survival of the girls and their father.

Good read if you can get over some of the gruesome predicaments that involve the latest killer who has murdered 4 others very quickly and plans to murder more.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

A Wanted Man by Lee Child

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Genre - Thriller

This is another Reacher thriller all on his own and all the powers that be after him, and the fact that as all Reacher readers know, he is not necessarily the guilty party.


Reacher, an ex Marine and no place of residence, once again finds himself hitching a ride in the car with 2 wanted men and perhaps an innocent lady as well. This is not what it seems, but leads a merry chase involving the kidnapping of a 10year old girl as well as Reacher ending up in the desert with all the bad guys.

A must read, and anyone that has seen the latest film with Tom Cruise playing the role as Reacher is disillusioned. Reacher in actual fact is 6’5” tall and with a heavy build and famous for his ‘trivia’ brain that keeps him out of trouble, not quite the complete role play of Cruise. Therefore, the book is a must read for all.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Shifting Sands by Anthea Fraser

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Genre - Mystery

Anna’s family hopes that the safari holiday in South Africa will help her to get over her beloved husband’s death. Critiqued as “told from multiple viewpoints and rich with the details of Rona’s family and their lives… another solid entry in an entertaining series from a genre veteran.”

This is a very light murder mystery read and one that rambles on with family traumas and hard to keep the reader interested as you can work out the murderer well before it is written, once you get through the absolute dramas involved every day family life.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

No! I Don't Need Reading Glasses by Virginia Ironside

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Genre - Humour

Ironside has also written childrens books and this particular book is one that you can relate to, particularly if you are retired. It is hard to describe, but you can certainly compare yourself with the main character Marie, who starts up with a huge hangover on New Year’s Day.

For the first time, Marie makes out a New Year’s Day resolution list and tries to make it stick. The story makes you laugh at her thoughts, ideals which are somewhat scary to that of what we all are but won’t admit, and a bit of brainstorming which does not go astray. A very funny book which often brings tears of laughter to the reader. It is at times crazy but with a bit of truth in Marie’s outlandish thoughts.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Bones are Forever by Kathy Reichs

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Genre - Mystery, Suspense

Dr Temperance Brennan a well renowned forensic anthropologist to the province of Quebec is brought to investigate the shocking discovery of dead babies. The trail leads to Yellowknife, a vast, cold and once known mining town on the edge of the Arctic Circle. More dead bodies are found and risks taken to unravel the connection to the remains of the babies found in more than one State. A good read and certainly if you are a Reichs fan, a must to finish.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville

Revenger by Tom Cain

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Genre - Thriller


This is certainly a thriller. Great read and not for the light-hearted. Sam Carver (personal friend of the President of the USA) just wants a quiet drink with his old friend in the south of London. They end up being caught in a riot which involves street kids and the like and gets very nasty. The end result that this riot was organized by a political party and Sam, the most wanted man in London and USA, intends to find out who is behind the riots and why.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Temple by Matthew Reilly

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Genre - Adventure, Australian Author

Great Australian fiction writer with plenty of action and certainly keeps you in suspense. Mostly for the men folk and those that like Indiana Jones type action with state of the art arms and weapons used.

Storyline is set around the jungle in Peru for the hunt of a legendary Incan idol that was made from a meteor which resulted in producing a material that could be used to completely eradicate earth. Sounds a bit wild, but the leading role is that of a learned Professor in languages, particularly Incan. The history into the Incan tribe makes very interesting reading, and the fact that the Spanish overtook most of the tribes to make it what it is today.

Professor Race approached by the hierarchy of the USA is forced to go along for the ‘ride of his life’. Not only is he in danger, but what he encounters makes you to keep reading this fast moving action packed thriller.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Watching the Dark by Peter Robinson

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Genre - Mystery

Based in UK, Detective Bill Quinn is killed by a cross bow in the grounds of a police rehabilitation centre and compromising photos are found in his room. DCI Banks is brought in to investigate and has to contend with Joanna Passero, an Inspector from Professional Standards. It also involves Annie Cabbot who is back at work in the force having being seriously injured and ready to assist. Banks finds himself involved in a 6 year old mystery of a missing girl of which the dead policeman was investigating. This leads Banks to Estonia and evidence unfolds into a more wide-spread case involving more missing young girls.

Once again a good read by Robinson but if you haven't read some of his previous books, then the history of Banks and Cabbot is easier to follow in this particular story.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

The Geneva Trap by Stella Rimington

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Genre - Spy Fiction, Thriller


When a Russian spy approaches British security with vital information about an impending cyber attack, he will only discuss it with Liz Carlyle of MI5. Meanwhile, an Air Force base in Nevada, one of their drones plummets out of control and panic spreads throughout the British and American intelligence services. Liz wonders if it is a Russian plot or is it someone from the Middle East? She discovers a mole which not only threatens intelligence services, but Liz herself in extreme danger. 

Did you know: Dame Stella Rimington joined MI5 in 1968. During her career she worked in all main fields of the Service particularly in counter-terrorism. She was appointed Director General in 1992, hence her insight to such a great read.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Boockchat