Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • The Official Agatha Christie After School Detectives Club: 50 Mystery Puzzles for Children – Agatha Christie Ltd, Dr Gareth Moore, Laura Jayne Ayres

    Hachette Australia Imprint: Laurence King Publishing Oct 28, 2025 | 9781510231924 | RRP $26.99 It’s been a pretty murder-y sort of week this Halloween special so it seems only apt to add this terrific book into the mix. How did I, Agatha Christie tragic that I am, never realise that there are Agatha puzzle books!!??? Inconceivable! Be assured, now…

  • Murder in the Cathedral (Phryne Fisher #23)- Kerry Greenwood

    November 2025 ISBN:9781760879341 Publisher:Allen & Unwin Imprint:Allen & Unwin RRP: $34.99 Like hundreds – nay, thousands of others, I was completely devastated to learn of Kerry Greenwood’s death back in March. Just this past week my FB memories told me that 11 years ago I was relishing another Phyrne Fisher title, and I would think…

  • Oxford Blood — Rachel Davis Featherstone

    Walker Books Synchronicity yet again. For one thing my other YA review for Halloween is also dark academia, full of privilege vs scholarship, ruthlessness, power-hungry educational institutions, murder/s, set in an elite institution. And, also, as I’ve just re-read via audiobook The Book of Dust #1 & #2 and the setting of Oxford with references…

  • Bonus Post – Inspiring Minds ezine

    Hey everyone – if you’ve not heard about it yet, Inspiring Minds is a recently launched new free magazine for kids, under the auspices of Daisy Lane Publishing. It’s not just for kids but, in part, by kids. Your kiddos are invited to submit their creative efforts – next issue’s submission date is 10th January.…

  • Halloween Bonus! Q&A with Jack Mackay

    Recently I reviewed the amazingly great Gloam, debut novel of Jack Mackay [honestly, READ it! – it is SO good!] and am thrilled, as well as grateful, for this generous response to my Q&A. Perfect Halloween timing!!! Jack, welcome to Just So Stories! I am so grateful to you for sharing some time with my…

  • Horror in Pleasantville: Stories from the Archives – Caleb Finn

    Penguin Australia August 2025 ISBN: 9781761345890 Imprint: Penguin RRP: $17.99 I’m guessing there would be some who have NOT heard of Caleb Finn – but that’s very likely not any of your readers or indeed anyone under the age of 25 at least. From his early days on TikTok his popularity has soared as an iconic purveyor of…

  • A Box Full of Murders – Janice Hallett

    Penguin Australia June 2025 ISBN: 9780241636183 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $16.99 It was actually quite serendipitous that as friend, Zanni Louise, mentioned she was enjoying a Janice Hallett murder-mystery – an author whose work I didn’t know – I replied by saying, I had just got a review copy of her first kids’ book, also a murder mystery. And…

  • The Cave Downwind of the Café – Mikey Please

    Harper Collins Australia October 2025 ISBN: 9780008639051 ISBN 10: 0008639051 Imprint: HarperCollins GB RRP: $24.99 I didn’t see the previous book, The Café at the Edge of the Woods, but as it won Waterstones’ Picture Book of the Year it would be obvious that it was a great success. Certainly, this quirky sequel confirms that. Actually, this is…

  • What Have They Done to Liza McClean? – Amy Doak

    Penguin Australia October 2025 ISBN: 9781761350641 Imprint: Penguin RRP: $19.99 No doubt about it, Amy Doak has rocketed into ‘force to be reckoned with’ status since Eleanor Jones first burst onto our YA shelves. After three hugely successful titles in that series, we now have a new aspect of Amy’s talent. Your kiddos who are into the whole…

  • Last Rites: Never-before-told stories of a legendary life from the rock ‘n’ roll hellraiser – Ozzy Osbourne.

    Hachette Imprint: Sphere Oct 7, 2025 | 9781408724064 | RRP $34.99 Of course, he’s not really Halloween at all, but for someone known as The Prince of Darkness and famed for his outrageousness, wildness and powerful lyrics, it seems appropriate to put this review into this week’s collection. I’m saying it openly. I’m not a metal fan – never…