This week, Jeff Popple reviews three entertaining books about myths, romance and murder. More of Jeff’s reviews can be found on his blog: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
Lest by Mark Dapin
Scribner, $34.99
Mark Dapin’s true crime memoir Carnage was one of the most fascinating books I read in 2023 and he has now followed it up with the equally good Lest. Sub-titled ‘Australian War Myths’, it takes a clear-eyed look at many of the ill-founded common beliefs that underly our military history. From the truth about Simpson and his donkey, to the white-feather women of World War I, to the presence of homosexuals in the military, to his thoughtful chapter on the reaction to the Vietnam War, he cuts through the myths to show what really happened. Lucidly written and illuminating, it is a great read.
Outback Nurse by Fiona Lowe, Carol Marinelli and Amy Andrews
Mills & Boon, $19.99
Mills & Boon Australia and New Zealand are celebrating fifty years of producing local romance novels by releasing four special Anniversary Collections. The four collections celebrate a different series line of Modern, Medical, Suspense and Western stories, and feature some of their most popular authors. Outback Nurse focuses on medical stories set in remote parts of Australia and contains reprints of novels by Carol Marinelli, Amy Andrews and Fiona Lowe, who has now established herself as one of the leading writers of small-town dramas. A must-read collection for anyone enchanted by local romance stories.
Middle of the Night by Riley Sager
Hodder & Stoughton, $32.99
If you like well-plotted thrillers that cross the line between domestic suspense and something a bit darker, then Riley Sager is for you. Thirty years ago, ten-year-old Ethan and his best friend, Billy, fell asleep in a tent set up on a manicured lawn in a quiet New Jersey cul de sac. In the morning, Ethan woke up to find the tent sliced open and Billy missing, never to be found. Now Ethan has reluctantly returned to his childhood home and begins to notice strange things happening in the middle of the night that lead him to re-investigate Billy’s disappearance. A twisty, clever tale.
