This week, Jeff Popple reviews three new novels ideal for rainy, winter reading. More of Jeff’s reviews can be found on his blog: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry
Red Tower, $34.99
Fantasy romance, or ‘Romantasy’, is one of the hottest genres in the publishing world today. Mixing popular romance tropes with fantasy plots about magic and monsters, it is finding a very eager audience. Devney Perry’s Shield of Sparrows has already raced to the top of bestseller lists overseas and a movie is currently in production at Amazon Studios. The story revolves around a princess who is chosen to fulfil an ancient treaty, and is sent on a quest with an infamous monster slayer to dangerous foreign shores. Full of legends, magical creatures, adventure and hot romance, Shield of Sparrows is a must for ‘Romantasy’ fans.
Be a Good Girl, Valerie by Marcia van Zeller
Ventura, $32.99
Offering more serious fare is Marcia van Zeller’s Be a Good Girl, Valerie. Moving between London in 1978 and Perth in 2018, it tells the story of a wise and bold woman in her 60s, Valerie, who must confront her past as she tries to help her savvy Gen-Z co-worker Anna. When Anna is fired for rejecting her boss’s advances, Valerie becomes her champion, but in the process, she is forced to relive her own traumatic experiences as an aspiring TV reporter in 1970s London. This is a moving and enjoyable story about standing up for your rights and those of others.
The Neighbours by Emma Babbington
Harper Collins, $32.99
Fans of twisty crime novels with a strong focus on family relationships will enjoy Emma Babbington’s The Neighbours. The peace and quiet of a well-to-do Sydney street is shattered when the body of Richard Wellington, a popular surgeon and TV personality, is found in the local park. Known as the surgeon to the elite, Wellington also has a dark side, which gradually comes to light after his death. The pleasant cul-de-sac where he lived is now teeming with rumours and rampant speculation, but for Liv Elliot, her main concern is why her daughter was in the park the morning of the murder. Enjoyable, moderately paced fun.
