This week, Jeff Popple reviews three new entertaining novels by Australian women authors. More of Jeff’s reviews can be found on his blog: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
The Ghost of Gracie Flynn by Joanna Morrison
Fremantle, $32.99
The Ghost of Gracie Flynn is a clever and unusual Perth-based mystery that revolves around two deaths, 18 years apart. The death of Gracie Flynn was tragedy that haunted her university friends, Sam, Cohen and Robyn for many years. Of the three, only Sam moved on and found success and happiness, but at the beginning of the book he, too, is dead. Alternating the viewpoint between the main characters, including Gracie’s ghost, Joanna Morrison tells an interesting story of how and why both Gracie and Sam died years apart. Well plotted with a credible cast of characters, it is an engrossing read.
Double Lives by Kate McCaffrey
Echo, $29.99
Also set in Perth is Double Lives. Amy Rhinehart is back in Western Australia trying to restart her spluttering radio career through the medium of true crime podcasts. Her first target is Jonah Scott, who is imprisoned for life for the murder of his transgender girlfriend. It seems an open and shut case, but as the podcast unfolds, Amy begins to question the perceived truth. Respected Young Adult writer Kate McCaffrey brings a good grasp of contemporary issues to her first adult novel, as she mixes elements of the mystery novel, true crime reporting and gender identity in a compelling story. Recommended.
Keeping Up Appearances by Tricia Stringer
HQ, $32.99
Popular author Tricia Stringer returns with another engaging tale of friendship, family drama and changing times with Keeping Up Appearances. Single mother Paige has fled to the small country town of Badara seeking a refuge from her former life. Once there, she falls in with the other ladies at the Tuesday Gym Club and becomes entangled in their dramas and secrets, which threaten to come to head at the forthcoming Celebrate Badara weekend. An enjoyable, warm-hearted read with relatable characters and a nice sense of place. Stringer once again demonstrates why she is one of the best chroniclers of small town Australia.
