Category: Adult Fiction

Far Horizon, by Tony Park

Ex-Australian Army Officer Mike Williams has a dream job as a travel guide in Africa. But when he hears that Captain Theron of the South African police wants to speak to him urgently, he knows instantly what it’s about.

Twelve months ago, Mike’s world was destroyed by a chance encounter with illegal hunters which left his girlfriend murdered and his head filled with unshakeable nightmares. Now he must revisit those memories and work alongside the police to catch the hunters.

With a busload of tourists to look after, Mike must choose between his need for revenge and his duty towards their safety. But, as the hunters and the travellers continue ther parallel journey across the continent, the choice may no longer be Mike’s to make.

Far Horizon is a gripping adventure set against the mysterious and beautiful African landscape. With the hard-hitting revenge plot unfolding entwined with a backpacker’s tour, it is likely to appeal to those who have enjoyed such travel, as well as all who enjoy gripping action.

Far Horizon, by Tony Parks
Macmillan, 2004

Spinning Around, by Catherine Jinks

Not so long ago, but almost in another lifetime, Helen had everything a girl could want: a great job, a good figure, a cutting edge haircut and a gorgeous boyfriend. Now, though, Helen seems to be losing control. She has two kids, a renovation that seems to be a never-ending story and a part time job which seems easier than anything she has to deal with at home. That gorgeous boyfirend has become an impractical and annoyingly impulsive husband.

Then, in one terrible week, Helen faces losing it all. Matt (her husband) has been seen in company with a girl with purple hair and suddenly Helen is caught up in a string of lecherous private detectives, clandestine drawer-checking, and outright spying. Whatever problems married life may present, she doesn’t want to give it up without a fight.

Author Catherine Jinks continues to surprise with her versatility. Her last novel, The Gentleman’s Garden was historical literary fiction. Spinning Around is a contrast, but doesn’t disappoint in maintaining Jinks’ high standards.

Funny and warm.

Spinning Around, by Catherine Jinks
Allen and Unwin, 2004

Wonderful, by Andrew Humphreys

In the years of prohibition and the Great Depression, a Hungarian ‘doctor’ by the name of Jozsef Kiss arrives in Hollywood with his chimpanzee, Siggy, who he is determined to make a star. Siggy soon becomes Siggy the Wonder Chimp, with a rapidly growing list of movie credits, including the widely applauded Jungle Man films.

Both Siggy and Joszef must adjust to life amidst the whirl of Hollywood, at times stumbling from one movie to the next, one drink to the next.

At times funny, at others poignant, the story seems to capture the essence of the golden age of the Hollywood studio system, where stars were stars, and where the world of film offered an escape from the economic, social and political troubles of the time. Movie buffs will love the nostalgic feel of the book, and the movie blurbs which punctuate the novel, illustrating Siggy’s career.

The second novel for Sydney-born Andrew Humphreys, Wonderful is a story of friendship, dreams and history.

Wonderful, by Andrew Humphreys
Allen & Unwin, 2004

A Handicap for the Devil? by Allen Lyne

Reviewed by Molly Martin

Jonathan Goodfellow, accountant nearing retirement lives a humdrum life, and works at a humdrum job. Landlady O’Reilly tells him what to do. Overweight Miss Bloomingdale, company receptionist is a real pain in the neck. His fellow workers, Jones P senior THE boss, and Jones P junior the head of the accounting department all are vexatious and perhaps even more. Jones P. – the P stands for Percival – is a devilish member of an occult Black Circle Club whose members practice trances, and all become lawyers. The world’s attorneys, led by the obese Jones P. senior, have formed a strange alliance with Satan. In exchange for particular compensations he will give them the world. Hell has been transformed into a golf course where the Devil wants to be left alone to play golf and hopefully break 100. The dwarf, Earnest Jamieson, Marijuana, an odd assortment of roomers, Cowley, Sampson, The Crone, a handgun and a five iron all figure in Goodfellow’s strange move toward death and return to earth to act as a Messiah. Jonathan wakes up in heaven facing a hippie god, who is moved to give humankind one more chance. God charges Johnathan, who has to be the mildest man on earth, to serve as his Messiah to bring back the directive that we mortals are to revise our behaviour. If we falter, God vows that he will disregard his plan to end the world when it becomes due. Jonathan and the astonishing bedlam he creates while on his mission from God is a most extraordinary jaunt and a most startling aftermath. Talking bunnies, a star over his boarding house – life is getting strange.

Writer Lyne has composed a whimsical, jocose work heavy in perceptive understanding about the human animal. A Handicap for the Devil? is an animated exploit filled with an extravagance of energy that strings together smoothly and grasps the fascination of the reader from the opening lines. Professional playwright Lyne’s inaugural novel, draws on his many years of stage experience to produce a premium and exceedingly engaging work.

Lyne’s plentiful list of intriguing characters, including even Jonathan’s talking bunnies are vivid and creditable. The band of often obsessed disciples, are as richly drawn as the at times preoccupied, psychedelic hippie god, both Jones’ P. Senior and Junior, the toughs, the dwarf and the balance of the often motley but always entertaining coterie gracing A Handicap for the Devil?

On the pages of A Handicap for the Devil? writer Lyne presents his tenets with respect to many of today’s social ills including the growing disparity between haves and have-nots, inhumanity, war, and famine. His notions are sure to agree with those held by with many readers.

Not for everyone: some graphic language included, and for the super religious some notions presented are sure to cause consternation.

A good tongue in cheek type work for reading on a rainy afternoon. Happy to recommend for those who enjoy the genre.

 

A Handicap for the Devil? , by Allen Lyne
Books Unbound E-Publishing Co.

The Empty Beach, by Peter Corris

Cliff Hardy is an established Private Investigator, but has private demons to battle. He’s given up smoking and cut back on alcohol. His brief marriage and other ghosts still haunt him.

When he’s offered a case in Bondi, Cliff thinks it will be a chance to enjoy the attractions of that suburb. The case seems straightforward – establish whether or not a long-missing millionaire is actually dead. Hardy soon remembers, though, that nothing is ever as simple as it seems. He finds himself fighting to stay alive as others around him are murdered.

One of twenty six Cliff Hardy titles, The Empty Beach was first published in 1982, and has been rereleased to coincide with the release of the latest installment, Master’s Mates. This edition includes a bonus novella, Man in the Shadows. Both are gripping reads.

For those new to the Cliff Hardy stories, The Empty Beach will provide an insight into the character in his earlier life.

The Empty Beach, by Peter Corris
Allen & Unwin, 2003

Mind's Eye , by Wendy Laing

Reviewed by Molly Martin

This is a delightful little work of twenty-two stimulating odes written for and about everything from the writer’s pets to what might have been ‘IF.’

Within the lines of “That’s Life” is presented: ‘The future will happen, despite what we ask. The present is precious, a time to enjoy all life’s moments, pain, hope and joy.’ Laing introduces Kaspar in “My Best Mate”, along with “Unspoken Love” portraying the unspoken devotion of a dog. I especially enjoyed odes “Cats” and “Break of Day” which are both directed toward my favourite critter: cats.

The question of what might have been is asked in the ode: “If”. ‘Have you ever wondered what might have been, if you’d been born of a different being?’ “Games that we Played” and “Summer Daze” ‘Just ponder about this lovely vision of two young girls, having loads of fun, in the long days and the hot summer sun’ forward the idea of childhood happiness. “Day Dream” time ruminations during a walk in nature, “I am What I Am” lauding an acceptance of self while “The Cross”, written about soldiers, along with “Magical Mist” (‘Our home town framed by this special treat. The magical mist spell was now complete!’) are guileless fine reading.

“Twilight Years” (‘Some of these folk, at the sunset of life are unable to talk, but manage in spite of all odds, to smile from inside.’) and “A Tranquil Walk” offer plain feel-good odes, while “Tinderbox” and “One Careless Match” are written about a scourge here in the US as well as in Australia. Wild fire is a terrifying experience when viewed close up or from afar.

“Forget-Me-Not” with ‘A Cottage and garden called Forget-Me-Not’, “The Trek” and “Seduction” each hold a surprise for the reader to enjoy. “Grains of Time” is Laing at her poignant best.
“The Light of Hope” and “An Ode to the Phantom Light” are written following Laing’s visit to a lighthouse. Writer Laing again proves her marvelous talent as author, children’s writer, poet. “Mind’s Eye”, filled with twenty-two very enjoyable works is a treat. The vast array of subject matter has proven no undue challenge for author Laing. Each ode is marvelously wrought.

The book is a perfect companion to a warm sunny afternoon sipping lemonade in the hammock on the porch, or curled up with a cup of hot chocolate in a huge chair in front of the fire in the midst of a January snow storm.

Mind’s Eye, by Wendy Laing
Crystal Dreams, 2002

Mrs Cook, by Marele Day

Much has been written about Captain James Cook, who earned his place in history by circumnavigating the globe and charting previously unmapped coastlines. Little, however, has been written about his wife, Elizabeth.

In Mrs Cook, Marele Day presents a fictionalised account of the life of Elizabeth Cook. Drawing on historical fact combined with imagined emotions and responses, Day portrays Mrs Cook as a bright and strong woman whose devotion to her husband was unwavering, despite his long absences and his undying thirst for adventure.

Elizabeth Cook, left at home for years at a time, raised a family, experiencing birth, death, financial hardship and the fear, eventually realised, of never seeing her husband again.

Day’s powerful prose draws the reader in to Elizabeth’s life, establishing an intimate connection with the Captain’s wife.

Stunning.

Mrs Cook, by Marele Day
Allen & Unwin, 2002, republished 2003

Disordered Minds, by Minette Walters

When Howard Stamp, a disabled twenty year-old is found guilty of murdering his grandmother, no one is surprised and no one comes to his defence. Thirty years on, however, anthrooplogist and author Jonathan Hughes is keen to find out what really happened. He has found great discrepancies in the evidence and believes Stamp was wrongly convicted.

Working with an unlikely associate – a local councillor who has stumbled across Stamp’s case through conversations with a neighbour – Hughes works to clear Stamp’s name and bring the real murderer to justice.

Hughes faces numerous obstacles. But it is not the passage of time or the obstructiveness of some of the key players which proves most difficult. Rather, it is Hughes’ own past. Before he even begins his investigation he must fight the demons which threaten to overwhelm him.

Disordered Minds is an intriguing tale which makes novel use of form – with traditional narrative interspersed with emails, police reports and other documents. Walters has a reputation as an outstanding crime writer, and this title won’t disappoint.

Disordered Minds, by Minette Walters
Allen & Unwin, 2003

The Verge Practice, by Barry Maitland

When the young wife of renowned architect, Charles Verge, is found murdered, suspicion falls on her husband. Verge has disappeared, having seemingly staged a fake suicide.

For four months, police have searched for Verge fruitlessly, with the mystery the subject of intense public interest. Now, Chief D.I. Brock and his team have been handed the case, their brief to find fresh leads and put an end to the investigation. They must establish if this was, indeed, a crime of passion, with Verge now living in Spain or elsewhere, or if Verge is dead, a victim of the same murderer that killed his wife.

Once again Brock is aided by Detective Sargeant Kathy Kolla, determined to make her own contribution to the case despite the distractions offered by a committee posting and a complicated private life.

Together with other members of the team, the pair are intent on solving the mystery once and for all.

This is the seventh title in Barry Maitland’s highly acclaimed Brock and Kolla series. Previous titles have been nominated for awards including the Ned Kelly Award and the John Creasey award.

The Verge Practice is an intriguing read.

The Verge Practice, by Barry Maitland
Allen & Unwin, 2003

Forefathers, by Nancy Cato

Reviewed by Tash Hughes

At nearly 700 pages long, this epic story takes time to read. It is an interesting concept for a book – the overall central character isn’t born until page 546! The preceding parts are about the ancestors of young Joseph as they dealt with life in white Australia.

The story covers the period from 1824 to 1969, and it moves through the different eras seamlessly. Cato doesn’t waste time describing the differences between times; her characters live their lives, and their world is defined by the story.

Reading this book gives a broad overview of Australian history as it covers convict labour, aborigine extinction in Tasmania, early settlers, gold rushes across the nation, world wars, shearers’ rights, the depression, conscription, the aboriginal referendum, the Vietnam War, land rights, Holt’s disappearance, Collins’ trial and the Granville train disaster. It is an interesting refresher on our history, and often shows both sides of an issue through different characters.

The final part is the most political as much of the story revolves around the conditions of aborigines in the 1960’s and student politics.

Adventures in the story abound, with characters experiencing desert crossings, snowfalls, car crashes, a train accident, snakebite, diseases, a ferry sinking, fishing losses, droughts, floods and infidelities.

In its favour, the movement through generations and branches of Joseph’s ancestral tree ensures that there are characters for every reader to like and dislike. There is also enough overlap that characters in one part of the book may well be mentioned in another part, although it may be in passing.

However, the large time period and many generations covered makes for a vast cast of characters in the book. Although family trees are provided at the beginning of the book, it can still be difficult to keep track of who individuals are and how they interrelate with other characters.

Forefathers, by Nancy Cato New English Library, London, 1983