Culture
Books
Friends in need. But is it a friend who commits the deadly deed?
Three friends go cliff climbing in Hayley Scrivenor’s new crime novel, but one plummets to her death. Why?
- by Sue Turnbull
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A controversial scientist considers his many rights and wrongs
Paul R. Ehrlich’s memoir takes us through his long life in science.
- by Pat Sheil
These characters could have sprung from a steampunk Agatha Christie
Sarah Brooks fantasy debut is set on the Trans Siberian Express.
- by Flynn Benson
Building scaffolds of desire with sensuous female characters
The strength of essayist Lauren Elkin’s first novel comes from the interiority of her characters.
- by Molly Murn
A deep dive into history to find its driving force
Paul Ham has written an ambitious and stimulating book arguing that history is powered by ideas. Our reviewer is not entirely convinced.
- by Michael McGirr
Can crime fiction save lives? The clues are there if you know where to look
As I wrote my latest novel, I wanted readers to think about something bigger than ‘whodunit’.
- by J.P. Pomare
The ghost and his girlfriend: Evie Wyld’s novel of family trauma
The Stella and Miles Franklin winner’s latest novel, The Echoes, is narrated by the recently deceased Max.
- by Helen Elliott
Alexis Wright makes history with Miles Franklin, Stella wins in same year
Wright’s novel Praiseworthy was hailed by judges as “an astonishing feat of storytelling”.
- by Jason Steger
What to read next: A comedian’s first novel and memoir of East Germany
Our reviewers cast their eyes over recent fiction and non-fiction.
- by Cameron Woodhead and Steven Carroll
Australia breaks eight-year Booker Prize drought
Charlotte Wood has been long-listed for Stone Yard Devotional, the first book by an Australian on the prestigious list in eight years.
- by Kerrie O'Brien
Sick of winter? Survive the chilly nights with these eight books
Whether your favourite genre is romance, crime or history, there’s a new release to match your reading interests.