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I Know What You’re Hiding – Jack Heath
Scholastic Australia May 2026 ISBN: 9781761526794 RRP: $17.99 My first introduction to Jack Heath and his amazing capacity for inventive and thrilling narrative was at the ASLA Conference Canberra [circa 2005 if I recall?]. I am quite sure his presentation was at The Shine Dome, which was great fun in itself but it’s been a…
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Freddie Jones: The Mystery of the Ghostly Garden – Kate Foster
Walker Books Australia May 2026 ISBN13:9781760659943 Australia RRP:$17.99 New Zealand RRP:$19.99 I am really loving this new series from Kate Foster, who writes not only entertaining narratives but ones that give us all a much clearer insight into neuro-diversity. Freddie is such a likeable character and his self-awareness, especially using the literary device of first-person…
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Hunt for the Nighthawks – Felice Arena
Penguin Australia July 2026 Knowing there was a brand new Felice Arena mystery/adventure on the way has been a very exciting prospect and thus, when the ARC arrived two days ago, I pounced on it immediately and I have loved every word of it! For one thing, I have always had a great interest in…
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The Odd Flamingo – Nina Bawden
Introduction by Martin Edwards New South Books British Library Publishing December 2025 ISBN: 9780712355438 RRP: AUD$22.99, NZD$27.99 I 100% guarantee you that I had no idea whatsoever that Nina Bawden, the talented writer of Carrie’s War and The Peppermint Pig – two of my favourite classic children’s books – also wrote some adult novels. Not…
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What Rhymes with Murder?Penny Tangey
Simon & Schuster Yesterday (as of time of writing this 21/1), I was treated to a guided tour of the stunning new Caloundra library [Thank you to Karen and Fran, my exemplary tour guides and instant friends!] and, at the mention, of Rhyme Time, I happily gave them a heads-up on this great new title…
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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…
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Catty Corner: #1 and #2 – Julie Murphy
I’ve been a fan of Julie Murphy’s writing since I first read Dumplin’ [wow! ten years old now!] when she gave fat girls back the power (by the way, the movie was pretty good too, if you’ve not seen it yet!). This is a new series for younger readers to MG, and again, puts the…
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Murder on North Terrace:a Petticoat Police Mystery #2 – Lainie Anderson
Hachette Australia Sep 30, 2025 | 9780733652097 | RRP $32.99 Around this time last year, I reviewed the first Petticoat Police mystery after thoroughly relishing it, so I was extra keen to get my hands on this one. And it is no disappointment. Equally engaging as the first, cleverly weaving in fact to the fictional aspects, with a little…
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Detective Galileo- Peter Helliar. Illustrated by Andrew Joyner.
Harper Collins Australia June 2025 While I’m not a big fan of ‘celebrity’ authored books in general, and always ready to be unimpressed, I have to say that this isn’t dreadful at all. And, in particular, if you have some kiddos who are reluctant or struggling readers who should be moving upwards in their reading…
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Eleanor Jones is Playing with Fire – Amy Doak
Penguin Australia July 2025 Anyone who has read the first two Eleanor Jones books will know exactly how pleased I was when this one arrived. You would also know exactly why the first two titles have been so highly acclaimed. Amy Doak has a great grip on the whole YA crime/mystery genre with characters which…
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