This week, Jeff Popple reviews three fun novels for a mid-winter weekend read. More of Jeff’s reviews can be found on his blog: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
A Forsaken Prophecy by Stacey McEwan
Atria, $34.99
Fantasy romance, or ‘romantasy’, is one of the hottest publishing genres today. Mixing romance tropes with fantasy plots and magic, it is finding a very eager audience. Stacey McEwan’s A Forbidden Alchemy was one of the biggest romantasy books of 2025 and she has now followed it up with a second in the series, A Forsaken Prophecy. Once more featuring Patrick, the last Alchemist, and Nina, the world’s only known Earth Charmer, the book follows the star-crossed lovers as they traverse the battle-scarred Belavere Trench in search of a vital resource. Magic, sexy romance and gritty scenes make this a must-read fantasy.
The Frock Shop by Sophie Green
Hachette, $34.99
Sophie Green has established herself as a leading Australian writer of warm-hearted, engaging tales about female friendship and second chances. Her latest novel, The Frock Shop, sticks very much to the successful pattern, as it follows the lives of five women in 1990s Sydney. Centred around a charity frock shop in Mosman, it is an enjoyable story about finding your place in the world and the value of good friends. Deftly moving through heartbreak, family drama, new opportunities and finding happiness, it is a heartfelt read that champions the importance of clothes and the beauty of the second-hand. Warmly recommended.
A Spy in the Blood by Paul Warner
Bonnier, $34.99
Fans of intelligent, fast-paced spy fiction will enjoy Paul Warner’s A Spy in the Blood. Mark Wolfe was once one of England’s top spies. Now retired from active service, he spends his days working for MI6 as an affable recruiter of new agents. When his daughter, a new recruit to the organisation, disappears while on a mission, he resurrects his old skills of evasion and subterfuge and heads off to find her. Wolfe discovers, however, that it is a very different high-tech intelligence world now, and that the old rules no longer apply. An entertaining read that shows a real flair for storytelling.
