Merry Christmas, Alex Cross by James Patterson

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Genre - Thriller


Detective Alex Cross once again finds himself on Christmas Eve having to attend a crisis scene whereby a father is threatening to murder his own family. Not only does he have to appease his family, but again is called out on Christmas Day to discover a wanted women by the FBI who threatens in the name of Allah to destroy as many American citizens as she can. Alex needs to find out her co-conspirers and once again, is in a life threatening situation.


A good read for Patterson fans. Did you know that James Patterson has also written children’s books which started off as an encouragement for his own son who did not always like reading?


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Alone by Lisa Gardner

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Genre - Thriller


Psychological thriller – Massachusetts State Trooper Bobby Dodge finds himself in the position of being a sharp-shooter under the direction of the Police, kills a man who was aiming a gun at his wife and small child. Was this the case? The wife, Catherine Gagnon is the daughter in law of the infamous Judge Gagnon who is out to put Bobby behind bars.


Not so easy as it seems, delving deeper into Bobby’s, Catherine’s and the Judge’s lives, rears an ugly head. Bobby is left on his own to defend himself as a true lawman.

Good fast read and very sticky ending situation.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Educating Alice by Alice Greenup

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Genre - Biography, Australian


This is one of the best biographies you can read. Set in rural outback Queensland, the sheer power of Alice’s transformation from an outgoing 18yo from the leafy suburbs of Brighton Beach (Melbourne) to the humble beginnings at Yepoon and then further afield. From an outgoing teenager who knew all and a gap year to ride around Australia with her brother’s friend, finding herself dumped in Alice Springs, brings a revelation that life has not started.


Alice has had to learn the outback ways, what is expected with her first job as a Governess to a very strict couple and in her spare time no television, radio or even not able to use a mobile. Is this the life for her? After all, a cow is a cow and likewise so is a horse is her only knowledge of the running of an outback station.


Alice’s empathy with the land and her transformation took quite some time with hard work and always at the back of her mind to finish her studies which she did. Time away from her beloved ‘mate’ Rick was a test in the strength of their relationship. With adversities from the dry weather conditions, Alice’s health and an accident which did not seem possible to come through unscathed.


The story starts a bit on the slow side, but nevertheless descriptive to the environment keeps you reading and wishing there was another book in the offing.


I have never read such a great biography with so much emotion and feelings for our beloved country, makes you feel lucky no matter what your situation is.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

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Genre - Thriller


Gracie Doyle who took over her father’s business in running a Casino in Manchester and is known to run a tight ship. She has been estranged from her mother and 2 brothers since she found out that her mother was having affairs. Gracie is visited at her Casino by police who inform her one of her brothers is critically injured in a London hospital.


London is also where her estranged husband of 5 years Lorcan also has a casino. Gracie returns to London and finds herself embroiled in the life style of her brothers and mother, which she discovers, are also in danger.


Rather a powerful read and a few home truths on the seamy side of the Casino lifestyle.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Shadow Woman by Linda Howard

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Genre - Romance, Suspense


Intriguing storyline with a few twists and is a book you can’t put down.

Lizette Henry wakes up one morning and wonders who she is. First she is jolted with a blinding headache and then very sick. Each time she starts to think, her illness progresses. She does not recognize herself in the mirror, and upon looking at her hairline and faceline she finds tiny scarring.


Who is she and what is her past. She can only recall 3 years ago and has lost 2 years of her life. Lizette works out if she thinks too much, then this ‘illness’ advances; she is able to control after a time and feels she is being watched. Deep inside she knows she is not the woman in the mirror.

Suddenly, events come to her which she finds herself being ‘hunted’ and has to leave everything behind. Nowhere to go and wondering how she is still been followed. She bumps into a ‘hunk’ of a man who leaves her weak-kneed at the pharmacist where she is getting urgent supplies, and unbeknown to her, this man as she knows as X is in fact trying to protect her. From whom and where can she go? On the run until the very end with more than one person after her life and that of X who is called Xavier.


---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat

Destined to Fly by Indigo Bloome

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Genre - Romance


The author has lived and worked in both Australia and UK and recently moved to Tasmania. General fiction and a read that does keep you wondering and spellbound.


The main character Alexandra Blake has a rare blood condition that is wanted by the head of a well-known Pharmaceutical giant who will stop at nothing to have Alex for her experiments Alexandra together with her 2 children and love of her life (her husband Quinn) escape to the African jungle where she is to find a Sharman to help her with perhaps changing her blood type.


This is not the case and her travels into the unknown mentally and physically leads her into the world of her past involving changes to the mind, and exploring her sexuality to great lengths wondering if it is true or not.

---- Reviewed by Judy, Rowville Bookchat