AustLit

'Lancaster, Northwest England, the naked body of a woman is found lying across a railway line in the middle of the night. The site is near a spot where couples go for casual sex at night, and it is in the vicinity of a large mental hospital. Police are totally unable to identify the victim, and there are no clues as to exactly what happened.

'Eventually a report of a missing woman leads to an identification, but there are still remarkably few details or clues available - it is as though she was not a real person. Further investigation reveals a different identity, which leads to a number of possible suspects but the police are unable to incriminate a single one of them.

'The investigation is helped by a young woman who had suffered domestic abuse, a young man who is somewhat socially disconnected, a pest control officer in a large mental hospital, and a long-suffering police sergeant, amongst others. Each provides a small amount of evidence over time, and their lives gradually intertwine in friendship.

'But one person has known all along. She knew who had committed the murder, where and when, but she is not able to tell anyone about it. In frustration she takes her own dramatic action.' (Publication summary)

'Letters From a Hard Country is a sweeping tale of conflict, murder, action, adventure, family bonds, politics, romance, love, and loss. A story of heroes and villains, good and evil, and a tragic genius who left a lasting legacy.

'Award-winning broadcaster and master storyteller Bob Maumill takes readers from a beautiful part of Wales to the hard country of the eastern goldfields, Kimberley region, and arid outback of Western Australia.' (Publication summary)

'1962, a time in the Western world emerging from society’s constraints. Annabelle is soon to be married. Having lived her life as the perfect daughter, she feels stifled. She requests one year to travel and learn about herself. Against the wishes of those closest to her, she sails away.

'Life is wonderful. Opportunity arrives and Annabelle travels to her dream destination, the Aegean Sea and the Greek islands.

'Temptation pulls her in. She finds herself in deep, murky waters. Her knowledge of the world has not prepared her for what is to happen.' (Publication summary)

'Canberra, Country, City, whatever, wherever, the subject is the same. People die, motives are mixed and popular Detective Inspector Maria Lech is back, relocated to Canberra. Enjoy the mayhem.' (Publication summary)

'Three Sydney-ites muddle through a comedy of errors discovering their vulnerabilities and revealing their personal foibles. This is a calamitous, darkly amusing series of interconnected novellas. Read them as distinct stories or as a suite.' (Publication summary)

'The body of a young woman is found roughly buried in a remote spot in the Queensland Gulf Country. Forensic evidence from maggots in the body suggests that she must have been killed in Papua New Guinea, but the body could not possibly have moved from PNG to the Gulf within the timeline available.

'Further investigation shows that she might have been caught up with drug smugglers and cattle thieves, but clues are still not forthcoming.

'A maggot expert investigates in northern Cape York, aided by a young aboriginal girl who knows her country and its wildlife well. Together they try and work out what must have happened when, and who did it. They are aided by a wise hotel chambermaid, and a bird of paradise and a tree kangaroo.' (Publication summary)

'A HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL STAR

A HUMAN TRAFFICKING MOGUL

A WANTAWAY GANG MEMBER

EVIL WEARS MANY FACES

'East Los Angeles is brimming with anticipation. It's been years since a local high school football team had a genuine shot at the national title. Auriel Lopez is the star quarterback to make it happen. But not everyone is aboard the Lopez hype train.

'One of the skeptics is Raul Jiminez, a disillusioned soldier for the Belvedere Familia who dreams of leaving gang life behind. He knows about the degrading sexual acts Auriel records to share with teammates.

'Another is Detective Addison Mowbray.

'When the scorched bodies of teenagers from marginalized neighborhoods start turning up around the city, it seems only a matter of time before their worlds collide.

'It's been three months since Addison and his partner Jed Perkins made a pact to eradicate the snuff club Filii Reprobi.

'The renegade investigation has been progressing slowly, but that is about to change if Sean Brody has his way. Freshly retired from the LAPD and his vigilante activities, Sean has time on his hands, and blood on his mind.

'However, staying ahead of the Old Man and the group isn't easy with the detectives' families in Filii Reprobi's cross hairs.

'Set against a backdrop of organized crime, high school sports, and a human trafficking network, the stakes have never been higher for Addison. Can he stop the monsters in time? Or will he lose everything trying?' (Publication summary)

'It is the year 2204, and things are not quite right at The Bibliotek - the world's largest library and the last hope for the books stored in its 75 subterranean levels.

'Mads Ingridson, the Bibliotekar, or the 'Keeper' as his staff call him, is facing a hidden threat on several fronts. His best friend and colleague, Rafe Nagy, the most senior and best Finder of books for The Bibliotek, is also a target. But why?

'Is the sect that is determined to finally rid the world of printed books behind the escalating danger, or something or someone else?

''Finder, Keeper' examines a future world where humankind's obsession with books and destroying them reaches a zenith. Mads finds himself navigating political intrigue, Rafe finds himself the target of more violent actions.

'Together they must find out who they can trust and why secrets are being kept, all the while doing what they do respective best as Finder and Keeper.' (Publication summary)

'No Flag is a Good Flag is a story for adults who sense that our freedoms are slowly being restricted, and who believe creative writing still has a place to defend them. The text is alive with psychological tension. At its heart is the concept of emancipation from malign narratives. The story is set in 2014, with Joe as one of its characters. He is a decorated 66-year-old Vietnam veteran with PTSD who runs The Rocking Chair Motel. A 12-room establishment located on a lonely West Texas highway. Travellers arrive, and each have a story they are unable to tell. Subjects addressed include the human cost of war, child abuse, pornography, the secret state, domestic violence, and racism. Graphic descriptive passages leave little to the imagination. The book is for the mature reader who can continue to think about disquieting material while continuing to trust in an author’s positive intention.'  (Publication summary)

'A SATANIC SNUFF CLUB
A RUTHLESS VIGILANTE
AN INTRICATE WEB OF DECEPTION
WHO CAN YOU TRUST?

'Los Angeles is a city under siege.

'When Detective Addison Mowbray begins investigating the murders of two young women in the Hollywood Hills, he can’t  imagine where the case will lead. He suspects the crimes were inspired by an occult fascination, due to some missing body parts and the inverted Christian cross branded on the victims’ breasts. But apart from Addison’s temperamental partner, Jed, the only other person keen on them pursuing that line of investigation is Lilly Coniglio, a medical examiner from the Coroner’s Department. The LAPD is already under immense public pressure due to all the  bad press another killer – a vigilante – has brought to their door: it’s been over a year since the first organized-crime figure showed up full of holes, with a plastic police badge beside his body.

'As Addison and Jed navigate a murky, disturbing occult landscape in search of answers, they uncover something even more terrifying than a killer hiding in the shadows: an organization so vile and powerful that it changes their lives forever. These two  troubled detectives are all that stand between this organization  and a spectacular season of carnage.

'Set against a backdrop of urban bleakness and social inequality,  Sons of Brutality combines deeply flawed protagonists with human monsters, integrating strong dialogue, violent action and gripping suspense.' (Publication summary)

'A Walk Within the Mafia

'Who is this man Susan finds herself married to? What is her secret? What does she know? Can Susan love her husband, Tony Caperelli, flawed, caring and battling hidden demons? What is his hidden world?

'One moment Susan is sitting at home under the fan in country Queensland, the next in New York City, what a ride! It's an adventure that comes unexpectedly, and she's loving every moment. His people are mafia, cosa nostra; secrets lie behind hidden doors, danger abounds. Susan takes up self-defence, against Tony's wishes. Meetings and violence are commonplace, and murder is inevitable. The FBI are watching.

'Who is Ma Barker? How is she connected? What danger does she bring? Don Carlo's youngest son, struts the catwalk; the oldest wishes to see his father dead. Suddenly kidnapped, Susan finds her bodyguards dead or injured. The drug lord is boss here, below the border. Jorge is his second. What does he hide? Where does he go on those moonlit horse rides with his pretty women?

'Can Susan escape before the ransom is paid? Read on dear reader and enjoy the ride---' (Publication summary)

'Sometimes the stories grandparents tell seem just that, stories. After the death of her mother, Joanna Fallon visits an old lady who claims to be her grandmother, Maria. She tells Joanna a detailed story of how she met her grandfather, David, and how they ran a yacht charter business in the south of France in the late 1930s. David disappeared at the beginning of World War II. Now that the war records have been opened, Maria asks Joanna to find out what happened to David. A simple task? When skeptical Joanna sets out to confirm Maria's story she discovers it is true, but not the whole truth. There is a lot more. Unbelievably more. Has Maria cleverly set a trap using Joanna as the bait? What Joanna finds is the untold, horrifying other half of the story.' (Publication summary)

'Sol y Sombra, a cocktail, a type of ticket bought at a bullfight, and the name of a discotheque in Western Mexico made infamous by barbarism. Alcohol, machismo, excitement, and violence, all feature in this account of an epic journey undertaken by two friends. Their road adventure takes them from New York City to the Pacific coast of Mexico. They ride in a classic car. A 1968 Ford Mustang GT390 Fastback in dark Highland Green. Two very different characters. Black’s love of automobiles is intertwined with his thirst for the new, thrill seeking, and his willingness to take risks. White is no risk taker, but someone who can apply himself to tasks with discipline and determination. The desire to experience more from life drives the trip. The book is about their journey, and navigation of human appetites along the way.' (Publication summary)

'This story is about respect of others and their land.

'The people from the land of plenty find a holiday destination at a nearby island. The islaners welcome them in with open arms, trying hard to make them feel special. The story takes us on a journey with choices made by both the visitors and the island people and the consequences that follow.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Chicago, 1886. With anarchists on the march, bloody riots erupt at McCormick Reaper Works and Haymarket Square with tragic consequences. The aftermath claws at the very fabric of democracy as the city panics. Taking sides is not an option. Yet despite his particular involvement, Ashcliff Ryan is determined that his newspaper, The Globe, will not surrender the truth for the sake of either side of the conflict. But all of it will take a back seat to the arrival of a significant figure from his Cheyenne days, bringing with them a life-changing revelation.

'For ambitious freelance journalist Emmaline Roberts, the chance to work as a reporter for a big city newspaper is too good to resist. But is this where she truly belongs? The events that follow shape a deeply personal adventure.

'As each negotiates the unyielding crossroads of their lives, the only signposts left standing are truth and forgiveness.'(Publication summary)

'It's Fremantle, 1965. Decimal currency is still six months away. Women are questioning their role in society, especially ZEN Investigation's demure secretary, Cybil Albright.

'One day, Cybil receives a phone call from Monique Valliere, an affluent French woman living in Peppermint Grove. This sets our private detective, the nihilistic Mr Nyx, on a bizarre search for Monique's missing 17-year-old daughter, Rosie, and four irreplaceable paintings.

'Freo vs Peppermint Grove and bohemia. A battleground between the have-nots and haves. It seems that everyone wants a piece of Mr Nyx, especially the alluring Perdita, and Stella's adorable strippers who perform in the club below ZEN's office. Menacingly poised in the background are two hooligans intent on exacting the ultimate revenge on our perturbed protagonist.' (Publication summary)

'Grandma Ugogo's Zulu Hut is a delightful adventure about preserving culture and traditional values, maintaining distant relationships and being away from home for the first time. This vibrant story, interspersed with snippets of Zulu language, inspires love, trying new things and the importance of family bonds. The collaboration with the artistic genius of Anna Evans has brought the fairy tale to life.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Imagine a small boy who's mother can gleefully turn at will into any number of hideous creatures at his slightest misstep.

'Join Milton as he faces the day with giant mohair-clad monsters stamping and faffing about causing mayhem and madness. All Milton wants to do is play. Can he get away from the Raaaaarrrgh?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'This book dives into the challenges young people may have with disabilities. No matter what you face in life or the challenges it brings you, stay strong and never give up on your dreams.

'Some people are born with disabilities and other times it can come later on in life, either way, it should never stop you from chasing what you believe in.

'This book also focus’s on the effects of bullying and showing you the benefits of not letting bullies bring you down. Zac is a strong willed young man who loves football and dreams to play for the AFL but not without some struggles along the way.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.