I’m an Australian writer. I came to creative writing late in life but have been an avid reader since my early school years. My fascination with mystery thrillers started with Enid Blyton and included Raymond Chandler books—not usually recommended for an 11-year-old. I have always had an inquisitive mind, asking difficult questions and seeking understanding. My first degree was a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Chemistry. My diverse working life spanned a variety of roles, building a rich tapestry of experience. I relish layered, complex, and thought-provoking stories both as a writer and a reader. I hope you enjoy my recommended books as much as I have.
This book made me fall in love with John le Carre’s writing. The deliciously complex and layered plot held my full attention to the end. He is now one of my favorite authors.
I’m a fan of stories that focus on both plot and character. George Smiley is a substantial character, unusual for an espionage thriller. He is complex, deep, honorable, persistent, and very human. He feels very real to me.
John le Carre doesn’t write high-action novels, and that’s just the way I like it. I enjoy slow-burn stories and tales that unfold gently while keeping me intrigued. With so many subtle clues sprinkled liberally throughout the novel, I’ve even enjoyed re-reading this book—something I rarely do. I’ve also enjoyed the movie more than once. The portrayal of the political environment, the prevailing intrigues, and the world of international espionage during the Cold War made me reflect on today’s political climate. Very thought-provoking.
From the New York Times bestselling author of A Legacy of Spies.
The man he knew as "Control" is dead, and the young Turks who forced him out now run the Circus. But George Smiley isn't quite ready for retirement-especially when a pretty, would-be defector surfaces with a shocking accusation: a Soviet mole has penetrated the highest level of British Intelligence. Relying only on his wits and a small, loyal cadre, Smiley recognizes the hand of Karla-his Moscow Centre nemesis-and sets a trap to catch the traitor.
The Oscar-nominated feature film adaptation of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is directed by…
Provocative questions about redemption and second chances are at the heart of this story, and they made me dive deeper into my own ideas about these issues. The book shows that truth is never straightforward, and the burden of guilt and shame can complicate the lives of everyone involved.
I loved Macmillan’s story-telling style. Despite the novel unfolding gently—it’s a slow burn—I read it in 3 days. That’s a record for me. It’s a testament to how attached I became to the character’s plight and the suspense and tension created by the writer. It’s a profound and engrossing story.
It’s both plot and character-focused, and I was hooked from the beginning. It starts with a simple premise, then turns it on its head and introduces doubt and mystery. The author kept me guessing; just when I thought I knew what was happening, the ground shifted under my feet. There was so much more to this story than I expected.
The New York Times bestselling author of What She Knew returns with an electrifying new novel about how the past will always find us...
"Literary suspense at its finest.”—Mary Kubica, New York Times bestselling author of Pretty Baby
“A wonderfully addictive book with virtuoso plotting and characters - for anyone who loved Girl on the Train, it’s a must read.” — Rosamund Lupton
Zoe Maisey is a seventeen-year-old musical prodigy with a genius IQ. Three years ago, she was involved in a tragic incident that left three classmates dead. She served her time, and now her mother, Maria, is resolved…
I binge-watched the series on an overseas flight and got no sleep. I finished the entire series in one sitting. International flights from Australia are long hauls. At home, I grabbed the book from my bookcase. It had been waiting patiently in my to-be-read stash. Why did I wait so long? The book offers the added bonus of the author’s deeper story.
Moriarty reveals the plot from multiple viewpoints, highlighting how none of us can know what someone else is thinking or going through, what they're capable of, and what secrets they're keeping. I didn’t know what to believe, and I had to finish the book to find out. I loved digging into the character’s secrets and lies to root out the truth and piece the story together. It kept me guessing.
The portrayal of real life, domestic issues, and the secrets people conceal is a minefield. One I thought about long after I had finished the book. Be aware there are serious themes in the book: domestic violence, bullying, and more, all of which make it very true to life.
*Published as BIG LITTLE LIES in Australia and the United States*
Liane Moriarty, million copy selling author of The Husband's Secret brings us another addictive story of secrets and scandal.
Jane hasn't lived anywhere longer than six months since her son was born five years ago. She keeps moving in an attempt to escape her past. Now the idyllic seaside town of Pirriwee has pulled her to its shores and Jane finally feels like she belongs. She has friends in the feisty Madeline and the incredibly beautiful Celeste - two women with seemingly perfect lives . . . and their…
This gripping historical thriller has World War II intrigue and Norwegian spies, so it can be described as a wartime murder mystery interwoven with a gripping espionage thriller. It’s a layered story that resonates with that era's tensions, conflicts, and mistrust. I felt like I was there; it was so rich in historical details.
The plot captures the real tensions between Nazi-occupied Norway and neutral Sweden. I learned so much and gained insights into the murky motivations of the time. For someone who pays attention to politics, the complex interplay of different interest groups and their political maneuvering had interesting parallels to the present.
The story has it all: layers of family drama, shared history, divided loyalties, and deep-seated hatred, with storylines weaving in political ideology, the true nature of war, and distorted notions of patriotism, ambition, and revenge. There is so much to think about and apply to today's world. It is an intelligent, poignant, and atmospheric book and an enjoyable slow-burn thriller.
When a courier for Sweden's Press and Military Office is killed on his final mission, the Norwegian government-in-exile appoints a writer to find the missing documents ... breathtaking WW2 thriller.
**International NUMBER ONE bestseller**
'A stylish stand-alone thriller from the godfather of Scandi noir ... Ola Dahl ratchets up the tension from the first pages and never lets go' Sunday Times
'Absorbing, heart-rending and perfectly plotted' Denzil Meyrick
'Expertly crafted' John Harvey
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Summer, 1943. Daniel Berkak, who works as a courier for the Press and Military Office in Sweden, is killed on his last cross-border mission to Norway.
I was enthralled by this dark, terrifying historical thriller, and its being based on a true story made it more unsettling. The gothic horror vibe of Scandinavian dark winters and the island setting heightened my dread as I read. The rising tension had me on the edge of my seat.
Gustawsson has created an atmospheric mystery story that connects past and present murders—9 years apart. I didn’t know who to believe or trust, and I didn’t figure out the motive until the end. Multiple viewpoints and numerous twists and turns kept me guessing. Just when I thought I knew what was happening, another piece of information took me in a different direction, only to be thwarted yet again. I couldn’t have predicted the ending. It’s masterful storytelling.
There are great, believable, but also sinister characters, making it a complex read. The plot is rooted in Viking rites and sinister secrets and taps into the strength of belief systems and how they can warp perceptions. A thought-provoking contemporary issue.
An art expert joins a detective to investigate a horrific murder on a Swedish island, leading them to a mystery rooted in Viking rites and Scandinavia's deepest, darkest winter. The Queen of French Noir returns with a chilling, utterly captivating gothic thriller, based on a true story. FIRST in a new series.
'A dark, dark slice of Scandi Noir' Heat magazine *Book of the Month*
'Gustawsson's writing is so vivid, it's electrifying' Peter James
'Remember her name. Johana Gustawsson has become a leading figure in French crime fiction [and] Yule Island is impossible to put down' Le Monde
Australian mystery suspense thriller with political intrigue.
Buried Secrets. A web of deceit and betrayal.
Laura’s husband dies suddenly, and on the same night, a burglar ransacks his home office and steals important files. These papers documented his obsessive research into his employer’s secret Iraqi operations. When the shocking autopsy findings are released, and Laura stumbles onto a mysterious key accompanied by a cryptic clue, she is compelled to seek answers.
Laura investigates, navigating a treacherous landscape where the lines between trust and betrayal blur. Every step brings her closer to the truth but also deeper into a dangerous mystery: a deadly conspiracy involving organized crime and corruption. Will powerful people kill to protect their secrets? Can she expose the truth and safeguard her family?
About myself: As a novelist I’m crazy for detail. I believe it’s the odd and unexpected aspects of life that bring both characters and story worlds to life. This means that I try to be an observer at all times, keeping alert and using all five – and maybe six – senses. My perfect writing morning begins with a dog walk in the woods or on a beach, say, while keeping my senses sharp to the world around me and listening out for the first whisper of what the day’s writing will bring.
This book is a literary historical novel. It is set in Britain immediately after World War II, when people – gay, straight, young, and old - are struggling to get back on track with their lives, including their love lives. Because of the turmoil of the times, the number of losses, and the dangerous and peculiar circumstances people find themselves in, sexual mores have become shaken and stirred.
But what happened after the war, in the time of healing and settling down? This novel examines the emotional, romantic, and sexual lives of three characters searching for a way to proceed.
Love never dies in this novel by “a writer of addictive emotional thrillers” (The Independent).
Told from three perspectives A Particular Man is about love, truth and the unpredictable consequences of loss.
When Edgar dies in a Far East prisoner-of-war camp it breaks the heart of fellow prisoner Starling. In Edgar’s final moments, Starling makes him a promise. When, after the war, he visits Edgar’s family, to fulfil this promise, Edgar's mother Clementine mistakes him for another man.
Her mistake allows him access to Edgar’s home and to those who loved him, stirring powerful and disorientating emotions, and embroiling him…