This week’s book reviews offer a diverse array of reading options, from a fictionalized account of a cult leader and cozy crime, to Tasmania’s Indigenous past and the history of artificial intelligence. Whether you’re in the mood for a gripping mystery or a thought-provoking historical narrative, these selections promise to captivate and inspire. Happy reading!
Fictional Worlds: Mystery and Intrigue
This Is Not a Game by Kelly Mullen
Price: $34.99
Kelly Mullen’s This Is Not a Game is a clever murder mystery that plays with the locked-room subgenre. The story unfolds in a palatial abode on an island on Lake Huron, where a charity auction turns deadly amidst an epic snowstorm. Lusty, super-rich widow Jane Ireland is found stabbed to death, and two unlikely detectives, crotchety grandmother Mimi and her granddaughter Addie, unravel a sordid web of intrigue and blackmail. Mullen’s novel is a playful take on classic Agatha Christie-style crime fiction, filled with witty one-liners and gossipy backbiting.
The Bearcat by Georgia Rose Phillips
Price: $34.99
The Bearcat delves into the formative years of notorious cult leader Anne Hamilton-Byrne. Georgia Rose Phillips focuses on Anne’s early life, exploring the traumatic experiences that led her to harm others later. While Phillips’ imagery is striking, the novel’s inconsistencies may jar with historical accounts, leaving it less persuasive as both historical fiction and a psychological portrait.
Everything Lost, Everything Found by Matthew Hooton
Price: $34.99
Matthew Hooton’s novel spans nearly a century, following Jack from his unusual childhood in the Brazilian Amazon during the rubber boom to his old age in Michigan. The narrative is an emotive tale of grief and loss, vividly evoking the wild beauty and perils of the Amazon. Hooton weaves a rich tapestry of memory and family, capturing the haunted halls of Jack’s past.
The Nights Are Quiet in Tehran by Shida Bazyar
Price: $29.99
Set over four decades, this novel portrays an Iranian family forced to leave their homeland. It begins with Behsad, a young communist revolutionary, and follows his family as they adapt to life as refugees. Shida Bazyar captures the contradictions of her characters and their predicament, offering complex perspectives on exile and return.
A Shipwreck in Fiji by Nilima Rao
Price: $32.99
In A Shipwreck in Fiji, Nilima Rao continues her series of historical mystery novels set in early 20th-century Fiji. The story follows Sergeant Akal Singh as he investigates reports of Germans on the island of Ovalau. Rao’s novel is a retro delight, with an endearing detective navigating a web of cultures and resolving island troubles.
Non-Fiction: Insights and Reflections
Fearless Beatrice Faust: Sex, Feminism & Body Politics by Judith Brett
Price: $36.99
This nuanced biography of Beatrice Faust captures her contradictions, illuminating how her childhood experiences shaped her views on feminism and body politics. Judith Brett offers a tender tribute to Faust’s bravery, while also addressing her more perplexing views with clarity.
Trouwerner: A Tasmanian Elder’s Story of Ancient Wisdom and Hope by Aunty Patsy Cameron & Martin Flanagan
Price: $34.99
Journalist Martin Flanagan and Indigenous elder Patsy Cameron explore Tasmania’s Indigenous heritage through a tale that weaves the past with the present. The book centers on the story of Mannalargenna, a warrior leader, and his negotiations with George Robinson. It challenges readers to reflect on identity and heritage.
The Shortest History of AI by Toby Walsh
Price: $27.99
Toby Walsh provides a concise and entertaining history of artificial intelligence, tracing its evolution and future possibilities. His narrative is accessible and engaging, offering insights into the key ideas that have shaped AI, complemented by amusing interactions with ChatGPT.
Ignorance and Bliss: On Wanting Not to Know by Mark Lilla
Price: $44.99
Mark Lilla explores the tension between the desire to know and the fear of discovery. His narrative challenges readers to confront their inner conflicts, using historical and philosophical references to examine the human condition.
Diet, Drugs, and Dopamine: The New Science of Achieving a Healthy Weight by David A. Kessler
Price: $36.99
David A. Kessler delves into the science of weight management, offering insights into how diet, drugs, and dopamine influence our health. His work provides a comprehensive look at the challenges and strategies for achieving a healthy weight.
These new releases offer a wealth of stories and insights, each with its unique perspective and narrative style. Whether you’re drawn to fiction or non-fiction, these books promise to engage and enlighten readers across a spectrum of interests.
