Tag: fremantle press

Bad Seed, by Alan Carter

Cato could recall exactly the moment he no longer wanted to be Matthew Tan’s godfather. It was warm sunny afternoon in late spring…

When Cato Kwong is called in to a brutal murder scene, he quickly realises that this investigation is going to be very personal. The victims are his old friend Francis Tan and his family. the sole survivor is Tan’s eldest son Matthew, who has moved out of home, and is the first suspect. The investigation takes Cato places he never expected to go – including to Shanghai, where he learns about the country of his forbears = both its highs and its lows.

Meanwhile, his boss, DI Hutchens, deals with health issues and ghosts from his own past, and Lara Sumich too has plenty of distractions of her own, even if they are of a very different kind.

Bad Seed is the third title featuring Cato (Phillip) Kwong, a Fremantle based detective with a strong sense of justice and a determination to uncover the truth. Each title stands alone, though Cato is a character you want to read more about, so going back and reading the other two is no hardship.

 

Bad Seed

Bad Seed, by Alan Carter
Fremantle Press, 2015
ISBN 9781925162257

Available from good bookstores and online.

Black Light, by K.A. Bedford

“I have been having the most frightful dreams, Ruth. Something was happening to you – something terrible. I saw someone trying to kill you, someone with the most enormous hands – “

Twelve years ago Ruth Black’s husband was killed in mysterious war-time circumstances. Since then she has built herself a new life, resettling in rural Western Australia and forging a career as a novelist. But the arrival of  her Aunt Julia heralds the start of a series of unsettling events. Julia has travelled from England to warn her niece that she has forseen her murder. Ruth is not sure whether to believe her Aunt’s eerie premonition, but is startled by her knowledge of Ruth’s home, without ever having visited it.  As events unfold, Ruth must take her Aunt’s warnings seriously – but how is she to stop her enemies, and who is she to trust?

Black Light is a spine-tingling supernatural crime thriller, set in 1920s Western Australia. The town of Pelican River is fictional (though loosely modelled on Mandurah, south of Perth), and populated with an intriguing cast, including the eccentric Ruth herself; her widower neighbour Gordon, who copes with his grief by inventing things and surrounding himself with dogs; and a parish priest who believes Ruth is evil.

An intriguing blend of mystery, thriller and the supernatural, Black Light is absorbing, though at times a little confusing. For example, Ruth – and it seems everyone else – is acceptant of the fact that elves populate the neighbourhood, and that Gordon can cast protection spells, but struggles with other paranormal or supernatural possibilities. Still, it is perhaps this unpredictability which make the book intriguing.

Recommended for lovers of the paranormal.

 

Black Light

Black Light, by K. A. Bedford
Fremantle Press, 2015
ISBN 9781925161410

Available from good bookstores and online.

Lucky Thamu by Cheryl Kickett-Tucker & Jaylon Tucker

‘Come on, Eli!’ shouted Dad. ‘Just throw your jocks in the bag next to your socks – that way you’ll remember to change your jocks as well.’

‘Ahh. Don’t embarrass me, Dad,’ replied Eli.

Ten-year-old Eli was a Noongar-Wongi kid. His mum was a Noongar from the south-west of Western Australia and his dad was a Wongi from the north-eastern Goldfields. Elie was a gentle, shy boy with a birthmark shaped like a boomerang just above his right eye and shiny black hair down to his collar. Eli had four older brothers, two older sisters, two dogs named Bunthar (look out) and Moorditj (solid), and a fat, fluffy ginger cat named Inni (yes).

‘Come on, Eli!’ shouted Dad. ‘Just throw your jocks in the bag next to your socks – that way you’ll remember to change your jocks as well.’

‘Ahh. Don’t embarrass me, Dad,’ replied Eli.

Ten-year-old Eli was a Noongar-Wongi kid. His mum was a Noongar from the south-west of Western Australia and his dad was a Wongi from the north-eastern Goldfields. Elie was a gentle, shy boy with a birthmark shaped like a boomerang just above his right eye and shiny black hair down to his collar. Eli had four older brothers, two older sisters, two dogs named Bunthar (look out) and Moorditj (solid), and a fat, fluffy ginger cat named Inni (yes).

Perth-raised Eli is going to visit this grandfather (Thamu) and his grandmother (Garbarli) in Kalgoorlie for the school holidays. He’s visited before but this time is extra-special as it’s the first time he’s going on his own. He wants to be just like his grandfather when he grows up. He loves Thamu’s all of Thamu’s stories. This time, Thamu has an extra surprise. They are going camping and prospecting. Eli is keen to learn everything and perhaps to find a gold nugget of his own.

Lucky Thamu is a new title in the Waarda series of stories from Fremantle Press. They are short, action-packed stories for young readers and are supported by online teacher notes. Each title presents indigenous stories and culture. Lucky Thamu is a contemporary story and portrays the special and important relationship that exists between grandparent and grandchild. Their adventure in the bush is enriched by story and shared experience. Recommended for newly-independent readers.

 

Lucky Thamu , Cheryl Kickett-Tucker & Jaylon Tucker Fremantle Press 2014 ISBN: 9781925161304

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

The Last Viking Returns, by Norman Jorgensen & James Foley

The two littlest Vikings are getting bigger and stronger and wilder every day. Nothing scares them at all and that worries Knut no end.

Josh loves all things Viking – so much so that he prefers to be called Knut, Prince of the Vikings. Hardly anything scares him, except perhaps his little twin siblings, who get into everything and don’t seem to be scared of anything. When Nan and Pop take the family to Viking World, a theme park, the twins’ adventurous antics will land them in a whole lot of trouble, which only Josh can save them from.

In the meantime, up in Asgard, the Norse Gods have their eye on Knut and the twns. When Thor decides to head down to Viking World, he leaves his friends unprotected. Josh’s actions down below could unwittingly help out his unearthly friends.

The Last Viking Returns is a sequel to the popular The Last Viking,though it stands comfortably on its own. There’s plenty of humour and action, and the twin plot lines mean this will appeal to readers well into the school years. The illustrations, using pencil and digital watercolour, are rich and detailed, and the endpapers include a map of the theme park, and a code in runes.

Great fun!

The Last Viking Returns, by Norman Jorgensen & James Foley
Fremantle Press, 2014
ISBN 9781925161151

Available from good bookstores or online.

Crashing Down, by Kate McCaffrey

She’s sitting under a tree, knees pulled up to her chest, waiting for her mum. All she can imagine is Carl and JD in the car. She cringes and tries to make the images disappear, but they won’t. She imagines Carl and JD in hospital beds. A broken neck – that doesn’t necessarily mean paralysis; she’s sure she’s heard of people who have broken their necks and totally recovered. And what’s a coma anyway – isn’t that just sleeping? Don’t people usually wake after a little while?

The end of year 12 is drawing close, and Lucy can sense change coming. It’s time to knuckle down and study hard, to make sure she does well. She has plans for after school, too. Perhaps she doesn’t need to be a serious relationship with Carl, especially when he seems to smother her – except for the night of the formal when he ignores her. Breaking up with someone can be difficult, but for Lucy, it’s very very complicated.

Crashing Down is a gripping tale of consequences, life choices and growing up the hard way. Like any seventeen year old school leaver, Lucy has hopes and dreams, but she also has some pretty hefty decisions to make, and after her boyfriend is injured in a car accident, and she realises she is pregnant, those decisions are pretty weighty.

McCaffrey doesn’t shy away from putting her characters in difficult situations, and Lucy’s situation is one which would challenge any teen – or adult. But the chain of events which follows is both plausible and thought provoking.

Suitable for older teens.

Crashing Down, by Kate McCaffrey
Fremantle Press, 2014
ISBN 9781922089854

Available from good bookstores or online.

The Break, by Deb Fitzpatrick

‘…You mean live there?’
‘Yeah.’
The woman next door was clattering about in her garden, shushing the dog when it barked.
‘Well…’ He struggled to get it into his head. ‘Why would we do that, exactly?’…
‘To be our own people,’ she eventually managed, in a whisper.
‘Instead of…’ And he was quiet for a moment. ‘Being other people’s people,’ he said finally.

Rosie can’t be a journalist if it involves chasing ambulances and looking for shock value. Cray has had enough of the fly in fly out lifestyle, especially when it means long stretches away from home. When they throw in their jobs, they decide to make a change, and head down to Margaret River, a place they’ve always loved. But starting again in a place that’s facing challenges of its own might not be all plain sailing.

Fergus and Liza have always lived in Margies, and Fergus runs the farm which his father built up. Their son Sam loves life – watching stars, fishing and swimming in the river, and following his favourite sci-fi serial on the computer his much loved uncle gave him. The only thing he doesn’t like is when his parents fight. Lately they’ve been arguing more, especially about Uncle Mike.

Rosie gets to know Liza and Sam, through their common concern of the effects a big development will have on their favourite piece of coastline. Development, though, proves the least of their worries, when the coastline itself proves a natural enemy.

The Break is a heart-wrenching novel about family, community, loss and change, set in the South West of Western Australia in the 1990s. Though there are parallels with real events,including the Gracetown Cliff Collapse in 1996, this is a work of fiction, allowing readers into the lives of deftly drawn characters and allowing readers to consider one version of how such an event might impact individuals and a community. Fitzpatrick does this with a special touch.

This is Fitzpatrick’s first novel for adults, but would also be suitable for young adult readers.

 

The Break, by Deb Fitzpatrick
Fremantle Press, 2014
ISBN 9781922089632

Available from good bookstores and online.

Riddle Gully Runaway by Jen Banyard

Someone had said the view from the top of the rollercoaster was amazing but Will Hopkins had only one thought as the carriage rattled its way up the steep steel incline: ‘I’m only thirteen! I’m too young to die!’

Beside him in the lead car, Poll di Nozi strained against the safety bar, pointing excitedly. ‘Would you look at that bolt there, Will! It’s wobbling like crazy! This rig needs a good going over with a welding torch if you ask me! There’s another loose one! Look!’

Someone had said the view from the top of the rollercoaster was amazing but Will Hopkins had only one thought as the carriage rattled its way up the steep steel incline: ‘I’m only thirteen! I’m too young to die!’

Beside him in the lead car, Poll di Nozi strained against the safety bar, pointing excitedly. ‘Would you look at that bolt there, Will! It’s wobbling like crazy! This rig needs a good going over with a welding torch if you ask me! There’s another loose one! Look!’

Will Hopkins is not a huge fan of rollercoasters. It’s clear that too much can go wrong. His friend, Poll, couldn’t be more different, she seems to have no fear. In fact, Poll seems determined to run at everything, sometime too fast to be sure it’s a good idea. When the Mayor’s nephew, Benson, leaves town in a hurry, Poll and Will and Poll’s pet ram Shorn Connery give chase. More than one reputation is at stake. Will is a timid but resourceful Watson to Poll’s madcap Holmes. And Shorn? Who knew that this adventure would make his heart beat so fast.

It’s often said that life is a rollercoaster, and it’s certainly true for the characters in this novel, both literally and metaphorically. Particularly for Will Hopkins who really doesn’t seem to have much control of this adventure. Despite this, he hangs on for the ride and provides assistance that the adventure cannot succeed without. Even when he’d really rather be at home having takeway Chinese dinner with his mother and stepfather. Puns abound in this adventure mystery, while the problems encountered by the characters are all too realistic. Riddle Gully Runaway is a wild adventure with a clear message about facing your fears, even if running away initially seems an easier option. Recommended for mid- to upper-primary readers.

 

Riddle Gully Runaway, Jen Banyard Fremantle Press 2014 ISBN: 9781922089878

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com

Darcy Moon and the Deep-Fried Forgs, by Catherine Carvell

‘The night you were born,’ he said, ignoring my question, ‘there was a rare lunar eclipse. The planets were aligned.’ He lifted a webbed foot and waved it in the air as if the planets were hovering in front of him. ‘When the eclipse passed,’ he continued, ‘the first ray of moonlight hit your newborn eyes and a cosmic does of planetary magic passed to you.’
Darcy Moon has a few problems – the biggest ones being her embarrassing parents, whose funny smells and hairy armpits are stopping her fitting in with the cool crowd.So when the animals at the local swamp start speaking to her, she doesn’t want to know. She can’t help them – and if anyone knows she talks to frogs, she’ll become a laughing stock. But Jumpy the frog and Wizen, the Western Swamp Tortoise, are pretty persistent, and when Darcy realises why the local frogs are disappearing she realises she has to help.

Darcy Moon and the Deep-fried Frogs is a fun adventure with an important message about ecology and the environment. Darcy is a gutsy girl who must use her nous to help the animals, and get out of some scrapes, which she does with aplomb.

Suitable for primary school aged children, Darcy Moon and the Deep-fried Frogs is a great début novel from West Aussie Catherine Carvell.

Darcy Moon and the Deep-fried Frogs, by Catherine Carvell
Fremantle Press, 2014
ISBN 9781922089717

Available from good bookstores and online.

Getting Warmer, by Alan Carter

Cato stepped back with the rest as the shovels came ut and two men began to dig.
A stench rose. The body was crawling with maggots and other insects. Flies descended on the uncovered feast. It was a metre and a half long and it had four legs.

Cato Kwong isn’t convinced that taking a convicted criminal out on the search for a missing girl is a good idea, especially when the victim’s mother is also present. But when the search uncovers nothing more than a decomposing pig carcass, he’s sure that the killer is leading them a wild goose chase. As he works to find out where Bree Petkovic is really buried, another murder happens on his patch. This time it’s a man with his throat slashed in a night club toilet. With organised crime gangs implicated, suspect cops joining in on the investigation, and a growing number of injuries and killings happening, Cato’s desire for some quiet summer nights seems to be slipping away.

Getting Warmer is the second detective story featuring Kato Kwong, a cop who likes to do things mostly by the book, but is also determined to get results and set things to right, goals which sometimes don’t mesh. Newly returned from exile down south, he is now based in Fremantle, and the setting is highlighted with a detail which will delight readers familiar with the port city even while the level and type of crime uncovered may surprise.

With suspense, twists aplenty and intriguing character development, Getting Warmer will appeal to lovers of crime fiction, who will be keen to see more of Cato.

 

Getting Warmer, by Alan Carter
Fremantle Press, 2013
ISBN 978192208920

Available from good bookstores or online.

Shimmer by Jennifer McBride & Lynda Nixon

‘I will not go!’ Kora folded her arms and looked away from her father.

‘It is not a choice, Kora.’ The Emperor placed a hand on her shoulder. ‘All genies of royal birth must go.’

She shrugged off his hand. ‘I know that, but why now?’ Amurru stood quietly by Kora’s globe. She strode over to him. ‘Tell them, Amurru,’ she said, jabbing a finger in the air towards her parents. ‘It is madness to send my away now.’

Amurru’s yellow eyes blinked slowly. ‘To learn how to rule you must first learn how to serve.’

She stomped her foot. This was ridiculous. …

… ‘Enough. I will argue with you no more.’ The Emperor signalled to Amurru. ‘You will leave immediately, Kora. I command it.’

The air around her began to stir. Her father’s command had activated her globe and she was being pulled in against her will. She took one last look around at her home and then glared at her parents.

‘I hate you,’ she spat. ‘I hate you both!’

‘I will not go!’ Kora folded her arms and looked away from her father.

‘It is not a choice, Kora.’ The Emperor placed a hand on her shoulder. ‘All genies of royal birth must go.’

She shrugged off his hand. ‘I know that, but why now?’ Amurru stood quietly by Kora’s globe. She strode over to him. ‘Tell them, Amurru,’ she said, jabbing a finger in the air towards her parents. ‘It is madness to send my away now.’

Amurru’s yellow eyes blinked slowly. ‘To learn how to rule you must first learn how to serve.’

She stomped her foot. This was ridiculous. …

… ‘Enough. I will argue with you no more.’ The Emperor signalled to Amurru. ‘You will leave immediately, Kora. I command it.’

The air around her began to stir. Her father’s command had activated her globe and she was being pulled in against her will. She took one last look around at her home and then glared at her parents.

‘I hate you,’ she spat. ‘I hate you both!’

Kora is royalty, daughter of Emperor and Empress genies. Their nation is at war with Vennum, who would ‘harness’ them to achieve control of their world. Kora, most powerful genie of her age, is to be sent away to Earth. It’s a normal part of royal genie experience, but she is reluctant to go now. She is sure she would be more useful staying home and helping with the war. But go she must. Then David, troubled earth teenager, accidently harnesses her to him and she must follow his every whim, grant his every foolish wish. This antagonistic pairing is exacerbated by the worsening war in Kora’s world, and David’s deteriorating home life. It is only when they acknowledge that their combined skills and knowledge may hold the key to solving their individual challenges that life begins to make some sense.

Shimmer suggests that having a genie may not be the answer to everything – particularly when that genie has issues of her own. Teenagers are often so wrapped up in their own challenges that they are unable to see those of others. Wrapped in a humorous story where trying to get your own way is a recipe for fireworks and misadventure, ‘Shimmer’ gently suggests that collaboration is more productive than banging heads. Kora’s challenges may be world-changing, but so – in their way – are David’s. Themes of empathy and collaboration sit alongside a dual-world adventure that will engage and entertain readers. Recommended for upper-primary readers.

 

Shimmer, Jennifer McBride & Lynda Nixon Fremantle Press 2013 ISBN: 9781922089434

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s author and bookseller

www.clairesaxby.com