This week, Jeff Popple recommends three Australian books to put under the tree this Christmas. More of Jeff’s reviews can be found on his blog: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com

River Song by Di Morrissey

Macmillan, $39.99

Fans of legendary Australian author Di Morrissey will appreciate a copy of her latest book for this Christmas this year. River Song is Morrissey’s thirtieth novel and is primarily set in the gorgeous Manning Valley. The arrival of a well-known New York composer brings a touch of glamour to the small town of Fig Tree River and gives four female friends in the local musical theatre a chance to shine. The joint purchase of a winning lottery ticket adds further hope and excitement but also results in unwanted dilemmas and disasters. Another enjoyable novel from the always reliable Di Morrissey.

A Country Farm Christmas by Pamela Cook, Penelope Janu, Lily Malone and Stella Quinn

HQ, $32.99

Lovers of rural romance will greatly enjoy A Country Farm Christmas. Featuring stories from four of Australia’s leading writers, Pamela Cook, Penelope Janu, Lily Malone and Stella Quinn, it is a Christmas feast of romance. The stories traverse Australia, from Queensland to New South Wales to southern Western Australia, and all feature a Christmas deadline. The scenarios and the ages of the central characters vary across the stories, but all feature the same appreciation for rural living and a love of life. Vivid descriptions mix with interesting country characters and heartwarming conclusions to produce a delightful Christmas present for romance readers.  

The Valley by Chris Hammer

Allen & Unwin, $34.99

Finally, offering something a little darker is the latest slice of outback noir by Chris Hammer. The Valley is Hammer’s seventh novel and brings back his popular detective pairing of Ivan Lucic and Nell Buchanan. This time they are called in to investigate the death of a controversial entrepreneur in a remote mountain valley not far from Canberra. Despite the peaceful surroundings, they soon find themselves contending with a range of potential suspects, including cowboy lawyers, conmen and bullion thieves. Also, Nell discovers a disturbing personal connection to the victim. Well-written and powerful, The Valley confirms Hammer’s place as a master of bush crime.