Category Archives: Book Review

Scare Me to Death by CJ Carver – 2021

Posted on April 13, 2021 by alysonebaker

Well, overactive, synesthetic Detective Constable Lucy Davies and shonky memory “attracted danger like blood attracted sharks” Dan Forrester, are back. And they are in a ripper of a thriller, dealing with bombs on planes, public hysteria, and shocking family secrets. … Continue reading →

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Southern Cross Crime by Craig Sisterson – 2020

Posted on April 10, 2021 by alysonebaker

Craig Sisterson, founder of the Ngaio Marsh Awards, journalist, reviewer, administrator of the Crime Watch blog, organiser of book events and festivals  in Aotearoa and elsewhere, tireless supporter and promoter of works of #YeahNoir – has given us a three-for-one … Continue reading →

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Dance Prone by David Coventry – 2020

Posted on April 3, 2021 by alysonebaker

Con Welles was a punk rocker in the 1980s, touring the U.S. in a van and bludging food to stay alive. Most of his friends from that time, later became professionals: lecturers, lawyers, artists … But Con had been left … Continue reading →

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Deadhead by Glenn Wood – 2020

Posted on March 29, 2021 by alysonebaker

Spencer is a teenage genius, he makes a bit on the side to help his solo Mum pay the bills, by procuring things for school mates, or by providing them with answers to upcoming exams. But one job goes awfully … Continue reading →

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Lullaby Beach by Stella Duffy – 2021

Posted on March 28, 2021 by alysonebaker

Lucy is a “fourth-generation child of Westmere” weighed down by a burden of secrets. Beth, Lucy’s mother, and Lucy’s Aunt Sara are both living with sorrows of the past. All three have always found solace and comfort in Kitty, the … Continue reading →

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The Quiet People by Paul Cleave – 2021

Posted on March 20, 2021 by alysonebaker

Cameron Murdoch is living a reasonably successful life as a crime writer, writing in collaboration with Lisa, his wife. They live in Christchurch and “In the books we used to pretend that Christchurch was Dante’s Seventh Circle of Hell, but … Continue reading →

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Neands by Dan Salmon – 2020

Posted on March 18, 2021 by alysonebaker

Charles Feynman Rutherford, the son of scientists, was named after scientists, and was expected to become a scientist. But Charlie is growing up in a world were science is being taught less and less. Science is being replaced by Christian … Continue reading →

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The Stone Wētā by Octavia Cade – 2020

Posted on March 3, 2021 by alysonebaker

We are in a dystopian future where governmental and commercial interests have ensured the suppression of scientific information about climate change. Any efforts to inform humanity about the gravity of the ecological situation, and what might be done to halt … Continue reading →

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Katipo Joe by Brian Falkner – 2020

Posted on February 28, 2021 by alysonebaker

Joseph St George is enjoying his life as the son of British diplomats in late 1930s Berlin. His only regret is not being allowed to wear long trousers like his older friend Klaus, and not being old enough to join … Continue reading →

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A Trio of Sophies by Eileen Merriman – 2020

Posted on February 21, 2021 by alysonebaker

Ever since Sophie Mac first arrived at Eastbrook High School, feeling excluded as her solo Mum had no money for things like nice shoes, she has always stuck with the first two girls who befriended her: Sophie A and Twiggy … Continue reading →

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