Talking Aussie Books

Wendy James is the author of nine novels, including best-selling title "The Mistake" and "The Golden Child" which was shortlisted for a Ned Kelly award in 2017. Her debut, "Out of the Silence" won the 2006 Ned Kelly Award for best crime debut and was also shortlisted for the Nita May Dobbie award for women's fiction. Her latest novel, "A Little Bird" (Lake Union Publishing) was released in the US in November last year. A gripping and atmospheric Australian small-town thriller about a journalist who returns to the town she fled years earlier only to come face to face with her grief over the mysterious disappearance of her mother and sister. Highly recommended reading for lovers of crime fiction. I had the pleasure of chatting with Wendy about this book on the podcast a little while back.

Hilde Hinton is a bestselling author of two books and big sister to Connie and Samuel Johnson. Her debut novel, "The Loudness of Things Unsaid" propelled Hilde reluctantly into the literary realm. But with her second novel now out in the world, in my humble opinion Hilde has unequivocally arrived. Released earlier this year, "A Solitary Walk on the Moon" (published by Hachette) is a delightful, tender and warm tale about ordinary people who make a difference and also about finding family outside of blood ties. A story which I suspected reflected elements of Hilde's extraordinary life. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to speak with Hilde about this book on the podcast a little while ago.

Joanna Buckley is a Melbourne-based author whose debut novel 'Lily Harford's Last Request' (HQ Fiction) blew me away. A novel that was borne out of some of Joanna's personal experiences. It's a book that makes us confront some of the big issues we face as a society today and the choices we are forced to make along the way. A thought-provoking, moving and brave novel that I absolutely loved. I had the joy of welcoming Joanna to the podcast a little while back to talk about this wonderful book.

Maryrose Cuskelly is an award-winning Melbourne-based author of both fiction and non-fiction. Her debut novel, "The Cane" was published earlier this year by Allen & Unwin. A gripping, atmospheric crime novel set in the fictional sugarcane town of Quala in North Queensland in the 1970s. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and was delighted to have the chance to speak with Maryrose on the podcast recently.

"The Understudy" (Simon & Schuster) by Sydney-based author Julie Bennett is a brilliant new debut novel inspired by the Sydney Opera House and Julie's own childhood. A fascinating, page-turning glimpse into the underbelly of the theatre world, along with the rivalries, politics and machinations behind a history-making opera performance in 1973 Sydney. I am in complete awe of Julie's achievement with this magnificent novel and was delighted to have the chance to speak with her recently for the podcast.