Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Some Shall Break – Ellie Marney

    Allen & Unwin June 2023 ISBN:9781761068010 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $24.99 Of course, we know we are blessed in this country to have so many superlative creators of children’s literature, but how lucky are we when an internationally acclaimed author chooses our great nation as their home – and then continues with…

  • You’ll Be the Death of Me – Karen M. McManus

    Penguin Australia November 2021 Really, this author and her books need no promo via my humble opinion, although I am more than happy to provide it. In my library and among my reading circle, these are just unstoppable – particularly so since the series exploded onto the small screens. The teen thriller market is just…

  • It’s Not You, It’s Me – Gabrielle Williams

    Allen & Unwin August 2021 ISBN: 9781760526078P Imprint: A & U Children RRP: $19.99 Yes, that tag line – Freaky Friday meets Pretty Little Liars – really hits the mark. This is one helluva time-travel that not just the life-swap but the cities/continents/decades swap as well! And what a ride it is, especially when there’s…

  • A Case of Grave Danger: The Violet Veil Mysteries #1 – Sophie Cleverly

    Harper Collins Australia Published: 3rd February 2021Publisher: HarperCollins PublishersCountry of Publication: GB ISBN: 9780008297350ISBN-10: 0008297355 RRP: $16.99 Sophie Cleverly’s Scarlet and Ivy series is one of the most popular in my library, particularly with our Year 7 and 8 girls and they are already madly excited to hear about this new series, and counting down until they can pounce on…

  • The Cousins – Karen M. McManus

    Penguin Australia December 2020 ISBN: 9780241376942 Imprint: Penguin RRP: $17.99 Attention all of you who loved One of Us is Lying! This YA thriller will get you and your readers in from the first page. I literally ate it up over just a couple of nights. Three cousins all the same age who barely know each other, having…

  • People of Abandoned Character – Clare Whitfield

    Harper Collins Australia December 2020 ISBN: 9781838932749 ISBN 10: 1838932747 Imprint: Head of Zeus – GB List Price: 32.99 AUD Imagine the man you married was a murderer, in fact, one of the most infamous murderers in history. Susannah Chapman fears she is married to the monster who came to be known as Jack the Ripper. Step into Victorian…

  • Death sets Sail – Robin Stevens

    Penguin Australia September 2020 ISBN: 9780241419809 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $16.99 All good things must come to an end – even great things must – and I foresee there will be gnashing of teeth amongst my readers who are so dedicated to this series as they realise this is the final chapter. Robin Stevens has turned detective/murder mystery fiction…

  • Moonflower Murders – Anthony Horowitz

    Penguin Australia August 2020 ISBN: 9781529124354 Imprint: Century RRP: $32.99 The Master triumphs again! Mind-bendingly clever and tricky, Horowitz has once again presented his readers with two devilishly complicated mysteries – once again a book within a book! I can only imagine how difficult it is to construct one complex murder mystery let alone two at the same…

  • His Name was Walter – Emily Rodda

    Harper Collins Australia March 2020 ISBN: 9781460756195 ISBN 10: 1460756193 Imprint: HarperCollins – AU List Price: 17.99 AUD Back in October 2018 I had the immense privilege of reviewing Emily Rodda’s new book His Name was Walter and immediately fell in love with it. I promoted it heavily with my kiddos and was very excited to be one of…

  • Murder Most Unladylike #8: Top Marks for Murder – Robin Stevens

    Penguin August 2019 ISBN: 9780241348383 Imprint: Puffin RRP: $16.99 Yes there are seven previous books but this series has been somewhat of a ‘sleeper’ in my library. Now, however, due to the enthusiasm of several devoted fans it is steadily growing in its popularity. I know that this newest volume will be avidly sought after and the reservation…