Annette (Netty) and Gerald Feldwick arrived at their new home – La Sanglier, nestled in the woods of the Dordogne in France – and Netty’s heart sank. Annette (Netty) and Gerald Feldwick arrived at their new home – La Sanglier, nestled in the woods of the Dordogne in France – and Netty’s heart sank. This was the first she’d seen of it as Gerald had done the buying, assuring Netty it was perfect for their needs. They were escaping Oxford, escaping a tragedy that Netty couldn’t reconcile herself with – her grief a constant. Gerald, pushing, bumbling Gerald, was positive this would be the change they needed to resurrect their marriage. But the old house was not a home, even after the work done on it…
Gerald and Netty met and befriended many French people in the area and while Gerald seemed at ease, Netty was not. The house terrified her and when Gerald returned to England for business, Netty ventured to the house of the Professor at the bottom of the hill. She couldn’t be alone in that old mausoleum. It was while Gerald was away that mistakes were made and the trajectory path of life went off track.
The Chase is a strange, melancholy rambling by Lorna Fergusson and I’m afraid it wasn’t for me. Secrets, lies, deep, dark woods, fetishes – you name it. I need something light after this one. ...more
Hannah was back at her old home, at Sargasso, the beachside house her father designed when she was seven years old. The old house nestled on the side Hannah was back at her old home, at Sargasso, the beachside house her father designed when she was seven years old. The old house nestled on the side of the cliff looked tired and worn – there had been tenants in it but now that her mother and father were both gone, it was her grandmother who had left Sargasso to Hannah after her recent death. Two hours from Melbourne and Hannah had taken three months compassionate leave from her job; her plan was to renovate the old house and decide what to do with it. Her boyfriend Tristan visited on the first weekend she was there, missing her and wanting her to return to Melbourne.
But Hannah had a visitor, and he was a blast from the past. When she had first arrived with her parents and sister, she met a boy a little older than her by the name of Flint. He was a withdrawn, private boy, but he and Hannah became good friends. She’d never been to his house – didn’t even know where it was, but now that she was an adult, when Flint turned up, she was astounded and ridiculously happy to see him again. As Flint spent more and more time with Hannah, she became obsessed with him, and his possessiveness soon overwhelmed her. What was happening to Hannah?
I don’t know quite what I was expecting, but this wasn’t it! Sargasso by Aussie author Kathy George is an intense, dark and deep novel which went from being ‘normal’ at around halfway, to strange and slightly weird. It wasn’t until I neared the ending that what I’d wondered was confirmed; the twist was a beauty. An intriguing, captivating and mysterious read, Sargasso is one I recommend highly.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review. ...more
Clare Cassidy was a high school English teacher with her main focus being on the writer R.M. Holland, who had actually lived in the old house which waClare Cassidy was a high school English teacher with her main focus being on the writer R.M. Holland, who had actually lived in the old house which was now the school. Many would swear to the ghost of his wife, Alice, being seen at the school, while his daughter Mariana was an enigma. Clare was fascinated by the history and was in the process of writing her own book about the writer. Her fifteen-year-old daughter lived with Clare, while her ex-husband, Georgie’s father lived in London with his new wife and children.
But when Clare’s best friend and fellow English teacher was found murdered in her home, with words from Holland’s story, “The Stranger” by her side, Clare’s horror at the parallels was immense. The suspicions of the police, led by DS Kaur, further confused and caused her concern, while the words in her diary came back to haunt her. What was going on? Not sleeping, not knowing who she could trust – would the killer be caught before it was too late?
The Stranger Diaries is the first I’ve read by Elly Griffiths, and it won’t be my last! Incredible twists; I loved that the mystery was connected to a book within this book. Fast paced and electric, the plot was a complex one which kept me on my toes. An excellent murder mystery which I highly recommend.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review. ...more
As a long ago student of Professor Theo Parmitter, Oliver had taken to visiting his old friend in his apartment at Cambridge whenever he was in town. As a long ago student of Professor Theo Parmitter, Oliver had taken to visiting his old friend in his apartment at Cambridge whenever he was in town. On this particular visit, Theo decided he wanted to tell Oliver the story of the old Venetian painting which was on his wall and had been in his possession for decades. The painting was an eerie and mysterious vision of revellers at a carnival, many of them wearing masks. The story Theo told and the events which had occurred caused profound unease in Oliver…but worse was to come.
Unease and a deep sense of foreboding travelled through each and every person who had a story to tell about the Venetian painting – there was a power attached to it; an evil presence…
I don’t read horror as a rule, but needed one for a challenge I was doing. So when I discovered The Man in the Picture buried deep in the recesses of books forgotten, and knowing I’d read a Susan Hill before, I thought it would be perfect for the category needed. And it was! Creepy, eerie and sinister – author Susan Hill knows how to make her readers shudder. Recommended for fans of horror and the paranormal. ...more
Set in the small fictional outback town of Mululuk in the far north of South Australia, an hour from Coober Pedy, the people of the town were sud4.5★s
Set in the small fictional outback town of Mululuk in the far north of South Australia, an hour from Coober Pedy, the people of the town were suddenly split in two – north and south. The cause: the bridge joining the two parts of the town inexplicitly collapsed, crashing into the chasm below; with it went the car which was being driven over the bridge at the time.
Janice Harding woke from the month long coma - which was a miracle they said – but she was confused; her words wouldn’t form. But she remembered her baby Flora; would her husband Craig bring her to see her? And she remembered Shane…
Young Rachel had arrived from Melbourne to stay with her uncle, Father Nott, in Mululuk, her greyhound Moustache by her side. But immediately she was enshrouded in the mystery of why the bridge had fallen. Was it sabotage? Or was it something far more sinister? As events moved closer to the march Father Nott had organised, Shane Mannis took Rachel’s eye. But old Charlie, enigmatic and secretive, knew what was going to happen – his dark past led him to the beliefs he’d always followed – there was only one thing which would reunite the town…
All Fall Down by Aussie author Cassandra Austin is steeped in mystery and indigenous beliefs; the red dust has a life of its own and the storm is the catalyst. Intriguing and dark, All Fall Down is a thoroughly enjoyable read and one I highly recommend.
With thanks to the author for my copy to read and review. ...more
When Elena Jameson was granted the opportunity to foster six year old Tyson, she was thrilled. Her recent divorce had left her fragile – caring for thWhen Elena Jameson was granted the opportunity to foster six year old Tyson, she was thrilled. Her recent divorce had left her fragile – caring for this little boy would be therapy for them both. Learning that the name Tyson made the boy shudder with apprehension, Elena started calling him Daniel – his second name – which suited them both. Daniel had lost his mother to death and his father was a cruel, vindictive and abusive man, currently locked away. Elena chose not to think about the future and what would happen when he was released…
Living a quiet and secluded life in the small bay not far from Melbourne in Victoria, just Daniel, Rafi (their little dog) and Elena, she knew this was the life she wanted. Daniel was a different child, and Elena loved him in the devoted manner of any mother anywhere. Daniel was doing well at school – they explored the beautiful surrounding bush in their leisure time; and soccer brought Daniel joy. But with a terrifying suddenness, everything changed. Violence erupted around Elena and Daniel – the danger was crippling. What would Elena do? She knew she needed to do everything in her power to keep her son safe; but what…?
The Bay of Shadows is the debut novel by Aussie author Samantha Wood and in my opinion it’s exceptional! A gripping and intense plot with a fast pace and riveting emotions – The Bay of Shadows has everything I love in a psychological thriller (even a touch of the Dreamtime). I have no hesitation in recommending this novel highly, and will be eagerly watching for this author’s next book :) I also love the cover!
With thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review. ...more
Harry Baird and his younger brother Cal were let run wild through the summer holidays. Their dad would be at work; their mum had gone away to the2.5★s
Harry Baird and his younger brother Cal were let run wild through the summer holidays. Their dad would be at work; their mum had gone away to the city for a few weeks. So Harry and his mates had free reign – their little town of Calliope Bay had caves and cliffs, the wharf and the killing rooms of the old works – a veritable playground for young boys looking at creating mischief. And create it they did; especially Harry!
Sam Phelps, scarred and silent, owns Sydney Bridge Upside Down; a horse of indeterminate age. They seem to be everywhere, looking on impassively at what was happening in and around the town. The day Harry and Cal’s cousin Caroline arrived to visit for the holidays, there was a subtle shift in the way everyone reacted – especially around Caroline. A lovely girl, she had both men and women ogling her; the men for obvious reasons, the women with dislike and jealousy. But Caroline was only a young girl – Harry’s feelings were confused.
This is a strange book – dark and weird - I found it difficult to follow at times. Harry was not a nice character – in fact there wasn’t much to like about any of them. The horse maybe! But I will say it was definitely gothic; also atmospheric; but rather disturbing. This classic by New Zealand author David Ballantyne has both high and low ratings; I’m afraid mine is on the low end of the scale. ...more
As Sergeant Quinn Walker contemplated the vast blue ocean surrounding him with the murmur of the other soldiers behind him, he wondered at life – wondAs Sergeant Quinn Walker contemplated the vast blue ocean surrounding him with the murmur of the other soldiers behind him, he wondered at life – wondered at his survival while many others did not. The Military Cross he had received for bravery; acts he couldn’t remember but received assurances of the lives he had saved. The bitterness was deep within him, the savagery intense as he hurled the award far into the ocean, imagining it sinking into the depths as he sometimes wished he could do. The troopship Argyllshire was returning the wounded, desolate soldiers home to Australia, home to a land which was suffering terribly from a plague of influenza.
The year was 1919 when Quinn returned to his home town of Flint in NSW – ten years since he had fled after his beloved sister, twelve-year-old Sarah had been murdered. He was unaware when he ran that he was being accused of her murder – but knew now that this was the case, and he needed to set things right. For Quinn knew who the murderer was – and he also knew he was in great danger if he showed himself to the locals.
The terrors of the plague (as people called it) had reached Flint as well – with Quinn hiding out in the bush, watching the town, watching and trying to work out what to do, he was surprised and shocked to be confronted by a young girl dressed in tattered, torn and ragged clothing, barefoot and mysterious. For Sadie Fox had been orphaned – her sanctuary was now the bush; but her wiles and canniness caused Quinn to fear her. And as time and sorrow moved slowly onward through days and weeks, could a war ravaged Quinn find peace at last? Would he see justice served – and what would happen with young Sadie?
What an amazing book! I thoroughly enjoyed it, and read it very quickly, unable to put it down. The depths of this gripping tale of tragedy, love and loss, of the deep need of one man for retribution was haunting. I have no hesitation in recommending this novel by Aussie author Chris Womersley highly. I would also like to thank my several Goodreads friends who recommended it to me. ...more
Ten year old William Bellman had the most amazing catapult; it was one he had crafted with his own hands and he was very proud of it. His friends wereTen year old William Bellman had the most amazing catapult; it was one he had crafted with his own hands and he was very proud of it. His friends were sure he couldn’t shoot the stone a very long distance, so the dare was on. A rook was sitting in a tree a long way distant – so far away it was difficult to see it. But William was like any other child, and couldn’t resist a dare. So searching for the perfect stone, round and smooth, he took his time, secretly hoping the rook would not be there when he looked up. But he was, so William sent the stone smooth and straight, with a curve sweet and true. And the rook fell to the ground. William felt sick, but his friends were in awe, yelling and screaming their delight and amazement to him as they raced to retrieve the rook’s body.
As William grew older, the death of the rook was mostly forgotten. He became very successful in business, becoming the owner of the Mill and creating profits of extreme magnitude. He met and married Rose, the love of his life, and they had daughter Dora, sons Phil and Paul and lastly, baby Lucy. But his cousins, uncles, relatives and friends all began to die, one by one. The funerals of each saw him looking at a strange, smiling man dressed in black – he came to each funeral, but Will never spoke to him, didn’t know who he was.
When he began losing his healthy and robust children, first Lucy, then the boys, and his beloved Rose to a terrible sickness which was taking people everywhere, Will was distraught. When his beloved Dora also became dreadfully ill, and he knew she would die, his grief was such that he went to his favourite pub and after becoming drunk, staggered to his wife’s grave, where Dora’s had also been prepared. And who should he encounter at Rose’s grave but the stranger in black. For the first time he had a conversation with this stranger. Quietly spoken, never mentioning his name, he suggested an enterprise to Will – with the miraculous survival of Dora, though she was still very ill, the idea grew in Will’s mind until it was a depth of paranoia never seen before. He was sure the two were connected – Dora’s survival and this new enterprise which he knew he must go ahead with.
I was disappointed in this book – it was very drawn out and wordy, with (in my opinion) endless and needless descriptions of places, events and various other “things” which had me skimming a lot. I was able to pick the salient points and appreciate the story even though I skimmed…
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review. ...more
The Governess was chosen for her youth and ability to look after the two children, Miles and Flora, joining the cook as another member of the householThe Governess was chosen for her youth and ability to look after the two children, Miles and Flora, joining the cook as another member of the household. The uncle of the children had instructed her not to contact him, to make all the decisions regarding the children herself, that he didn’t want to hear from her at all. She was excited to have the position, and delighted in the children, also finding a friend in the cook.
But all was not as it seemed, with two past employees appearing to be watching them on odd occasions. The Governess and the cook were struggling with what was happening…the children, beautiful angels they seemed, but maybe they weren’t so angelic? Or was it the sanity of the Governess that was the problem?
I struggled with this book. It was difficult to read, with long sentences which didn’t make a lot of sense at times. For me, the sense of horror wasn’t there, the passages seemed stilted and didn’t draw me in. I had no connection to the characters either. I know it was written a long time ago, but it was definitely not for me I’m afraid! ...more
As lawyer Mr Utterson had his usual Sunday walk through the streets of London with his distant cousin Mr Richard Enfield, they were in discussion abouAs lawyer Mr Utterson had his usual Sunday walk through the streets of London with his distant cousin Mr Richard Enfield, they were in discussion about varying subjects, as was the norm, but when Mr Enfield began to tell of his encounter with a strange and somewhat creepy individual in days past, they had no idea their lives and those of their dearest friends were about to change forever.
The man Mr Enfield had come across was in the midst of an act of cruelty to a child, one which fortunately had a happy outcome, and this person was named Mr Hyde; the horror of it all was that he claimed to be a friend of their dear friend Dr Henry Jekyll. When Mr Utterson heard the complete story, he was determined to approach Dr Jekyll about it – especially after once again reading the will which had been in his possession for some considerable time.
As the story unfolded, the antics of the enigmatic Mr Hyde and the strange demeanour of Dr Jekyll accelerated – until the final, horrible conclusion.
I’m sure everyone knows this story by R.L. Stevenson by now – I read it many years ago and remembered very few of the details so it was a real pleasure to read it now. A thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining story, one I have no hesitation in recommending to those few who haven’t yet read The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. ...more
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