FICTION

A white-knuckle ride into a nightmarish outback setting, where a man searching for mercy encounters a town baying for violent vengeance. A pulse-pounding literary thriller with a stunning final twist. `Think three-fifths of the way to fuck-all-nowhere-ville. Pioneering grazing family. Once hallowed farming country gone to shit. Rabbit plagues and feral pigs. Never-ending drought. Full of Flat Earth Party-voting, climate-change-denying, God-bothering, gun-nut, ground-zero, wife-beating, racist, fundamentalist f*ckers. Pardon my French. Apart from that it’s just a great place.’ Welcome to The Leap, an outback town fuelled by fear, churning with corruption, prejudice and misogyny – and blighted by its inescapable history of frontier violence. Into this nightmarish morass falters traumatised British diplomat, Benedict Fotheringham-Gaskill. He’s on his first Australian mission, one seemingly straightforward enough – until he arrives in The Leap to battle a town conspiring against him. The Leap is baying for vengeance over the alleged murder of the celebrated daughter of a powerful local grazier. But Benedict is on an impossible quest for the opposite: mercy for the young woman’s two accused female killers. The townspeople will challenge and threaten him at every turn as he fights for justice, his future, his sanity – and ultimately his life. From the acclaimed author of Jesustown comes a pulse-pounding throat-punch of a literary thriller, filled with humour, horror, blistering historical truths, indelible characters and a final twist that will take your breath away.

The hilarious, thought-provoking new novel from the Somerset Maugham and British Book Award-winning Ben Brooks. ‘A sharp-witted tragicomedy about money, morality, and a family teetering on the brink. A splendidly funny novel.’ Jenny Jackson, New York Times bestselling author of Pineapple Street 'Brooks is a frighteningly young talent.' Tim Key 'I love Ben Brooks.' Matt Haig Arthur Candlewick spends three days in a disused mineshaft with only his son’s drug stash, a book on the concept of ‘effective altruism’ and a bottle of medium-priced Bordeaux for company. When he emerges, he has made the life-changing decision to become a good man. Deciding to sell the family timber business and give away his wealth to charity, Arthur’s family becomes convinced that he has lost his mind. His university-bound daughter, Evangeline, wants to change the world but perhaps not at the cost of her own privileged life. His son, Emil, good at maths and not much else, becomes more distant than ever. And his wife, Yara, who arrives at airports four hours early and fears that AI and climate change will leave her children unemployed, just wants the doctor to run another brain scan on her husband. Incisive, hilarious and unflinchingly human, The Greatest Possible Good asks fundamental questions about what it means to live a good life while introducing the world to one of the great families of contemporary literature. ‘Ben Brooks is a magical imp who pumps out dark nuggets of poetry and makes you snort with laughter.’ Noel Fielding ‘Brooks has the timing of a genius stand-up comic.’ Richard Milward ‘Ben Brooks is a writer who genuinely excites me.’ Colin Herd, 3:AM Magazine

In 1915, two days before being sent to fight in WWI, Jack O'Rourke dived into Sydney Harbour to save a drowning stranger, Samuel Lomond. Four years later, battle-scarred and weary, Jack returns home only to discover that Samuel has been brutally murdered – and that he's been left his rural property, Booroomba. When Jack arrives in Warrawolong, a small town near Eden, to claim his inheritance, he finds only hostile stares. Suspected of the crime by the townsfolk and local constable, Jack launches his own investigation into Samuel’s death – and soon discovers the townsfolk aren’t as innocent as they seem. Now Jack must expose a killer hiding in plain sight – before he becomes the next victim of a decades-old conspiracy. A neighbour coveting water rights, a struggling newspaper proprietor, a vengeful labourer, a secret affair and two Russian émigrés lead Jack right to the heart of the crime. A small town hides big secrets, in A L Booth’s deeply evocative historical whodunnit.

Special Operative Mitch Rapp faces an old foe bent on destabilising the Middle East in a ‘bloody, electrifying adventure’ (The Real Book Spy). APRIL 2011: On a remote mountain overlooking the remains of the Iranian nuclear weapons program, Azad Ashani witnesses a Quds Force demonstration of a capability meant to up-end America’s war in the Middle East. Ashani, director of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security, recognises the demonstration’s true significance, and the nation-ending conflict it will provoke. Alone, he stands no chance of preventing this rush to madness. But with the help of one man, he just might. In Washington, DC, CIA director Irene Kennedy briefs the president that the operational window to kill or capture Osama bin Laden at his recently discovered compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan, is rapidly closing. But before he’ll authorise a commando raid on Pakistani soil, the president demands irrefutable proof of bin Laden’s presence. Proof he trusts just one man to provide. Preventing a looming war in the Middle East while delivering justice for the nearly three thousand Americans killed on 9/11 would be a big ask for anyone. Good thing Mitch Rapp isn’t just anyone.PRAISE FOR THE MITCH RAPP SERIES ‘Sizzles with inside information and CIA secrets’ – DAN BROWN

From legendary Australian feminist writer Barbara Hanrahan, Annie Magdalene is a quietly moving, funny and perfectly formed novel of a beautifully ordinary life. With a new introduction from Farrin Foster. Born at the turn of the century, Annie Magdalene grows up in a suburban cottage in Adelaide. She is devoted to her family but makes up her mind when she is sixteen that she doesn’t want a husband or children, instead prioritising friendship, work, independence and a sense of self. In a style that is both simple and full of wonder, legendary Australian feminist artist and author Barbara Hanrahan creates a full portrait of life – its small pleasures, its beautiful flaws, and its inevitable intersections with death. First published in 1985, Annie Magdalene still feels entirely fresh, capturing sleepy war-era Australia as well as many universally enduring truths. With a new introduction from Farrin Foster, this is a moving, funny and perfectly formed novel of a beautifully ordinary life. ‘Quietly and gleefully challenging.’ – Farrin Foster ‘Hanrahan’s tour de force.’ – The Canberra Times ‘A small treasure.’ – Los Angeles Times

The Society Of Unknowable ObjectsFrom the author of the Sunday Times bestselling The Book of Doors comes a second fantastical, stand-alone novel bursting with adventure and magic and heart. A handful of very ordinary individuals are members of a rather extraordinary society - its sole purpose being to track down unknowable objects that are out there, hiding in plain sight, to keep these items safe from the outside world . . . and the outside world safe from them. The world of unknowable objects - those seemingly ordinary items that most people have no idea possess magical powers - has been quiet for years . . .But just in case, there exists a secret society whose sole purpose is to gather these artefacts together, and keep them safe from the outside world. And the outside world safe from them.Called the Society of Unknowable Objects, it meets every six months in the basement of a London bookshop, and it's at one of these meetings that Frank Simpson, the society's longest-standing member, reveals that a previously unknown item has surfaced in Hong Kong. And he asks the newest member, author Magda Sparks, to investigate.Within hours of her arrival in the city, Magda is confronted by a killer who seems to know all about these unknowable objects. She manages to escape, but only by using a magical artefact of her own that the society knows nothing about.Safely back in London, Magda learns that hers is not the only secret that's been kept from the other members. And that the most pernicious secret of all seems to concern the very nature of the society itself.The enormity of what Magda discovers takes her on a perilous journey - across the Atlantic to the deep south of the United States - in pursuit of an unknowable object and a seemingly unknowable individual; in pursuit of answers about her legacy and the society she serves.Magic may be too powerful to be allowed out into the world, but there is something even more potent- the Truth . . .Praise for Gareth Brown's The Book of Doors-'Joyful, exuberant, and crackling with adventure. This book is as magical as those it celebrates.' STUART TURTON, author of The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle'A stunning fever dream of a story that feels completely real - don't miss this fantastic thriller debut.' LEE CHILD'A real page-turner - incredibly ambitious and inventive, The Book of Doors is a great read.'ROSIE ANDREWS, author of The Leviathan

Accomplice To the VillainOnce Upon a Time meets The Office in this laugh-out-loud romantasy book based on Hannah Nicole Maehrer's viral TikTok series about the sunshine assistant to an Evil Villain... and their unexpected romance.REWARD OFFERED- Apprentice to The Villain wanted for treason (light), magical property damage (alleged), and one incident involving a weaponized scone (accurate). Frequently seen with a grumpy frog (crowned, judgmental). Answers to "Evie" or "Stop that."Evie Sage didn't mean to become the right-hand woman to the kingdom's most terrifying villain. One minute, she was applying for an entry-level position that promised "light paperwork and occasional beheadings," and the next, she was knee-deep in magical mayhem, murder plots, and an entirely inappropriate crush on her brooding, sharp-jawed, walking disaster of a boss.Now, with a magical prophecy unraveling, assassins showing up in the break room, and a suspicious amount of frogs wearing crowns, Evie has to figure out how to survive her job without setting the kingdom on fire?or her dignity, which is hanging by a very sarcastic thread.Being evil-adjacent was never part of the five-year plan. But then again...neither was falling for The Villain.Readers can't wait to get their hands on a copy-'I have never been so hyped for a book before''I will be buying this book so quickly even the dragon will be spooked!!''OMG finally!! I can't wait to have it in my hands!''As soon as it is out, I am going to run to buy it!! Cannot wait.''Giggling. Kicking my feet. I can't wait to read this!''I love this series so much, I've been hooked since the beginning. I'm so excited for the book.''I love Evie and the Villain so I NEED it.'

A Theory Of DreamingFrom Sunday Times bestselling author, dive back into this lush and dreamlike world of Ava Reid's dark academic masterpiece A Study in Drowning in this stunning sequel and conclusion.Effy learned that when she defeated the Fairy King. Even though she may never know exactly what happened at Hiraeth, she is free of her nightmares and is able to pen a thesis with Preston on the beloved national fairytale Angharad. She has finally earned a spot at the literature college, making her the first woman in history to enroll.But some dreams are dangerous, especially when they come true. The entire university - and soon the entire nation - is waiting for her to fail. With the Fairy King defeated and Myrddin's legacy exposed, Effy can no longer escape into fantasy. Who is she without her stories?With Effy under threat, Preston is surprised to discover a rage simmering inside him, ringing in his ears like bells. He begins to dream of a palace under the sea, a world where he is king - visions that start to follow him even in waking.As the war between Llyr and Argant explodes, Effy and Preston find themselves caught in the crossfire- Effy losing her dreams and Preston losing himself in his.Are dreams ever truly just dreams?

The Kings Of Avalier (3)Lucien Thorne is the most vile monster in all of Thorngate. As Winter King, he rules our land with an iron fist and a cold, dead heart. And my father has just informed me that I am betrothed to marry him…As the Princess of Fall, it is my duty to marry whatever suitor my father chooses for me, but even duty can’t make me spend the rest of my life with someone like Lucien. However the more time I spend with this mysterious man, the more I wonder if the rumours about him are even true.As I get to know the real Lucien, I start to discover the secrets and dark history of his family. A history that explains his ruthless behaviour… And one I plan to expunge if I am ever to live out my life in the Winter Palace in peace.As much as I want to hate Lucien Thorne and everything he’s done to our realm… I cannot deny my heart.The Ruthless Fae King is book THREE of FOUR in the Kings of Avalier series. It's a full-length enemies-to-lovers standalone fantasy romance about the Winter King Lucien Thorne.

The Kings Of Avalier (1) The Dragon King is looking for a wife…The news causes a frenzy for the women in my village. The king will be sending out the royal guard to bring women of childbearing age to his castle in Jade City.There is only one requirement: his wife-to-be must carry enough magic to produce an heir for him.I know I won’t be chosen: I’m only human with a mere ten percent dragon magic lineage, but for some reason the magic sniffers command me to present myself to the king as a possible wife.I’m ready to go to Jade City until my mother tells me a terrifying secret. A secret that could get me killed… by the king himself.The Last Dragon King is book ONE OF FOUR in the Kings of Avalier series, featuring the Dragon King, Drae Valdren.

The Kings Of Avalier (4)Axil Moon broke my heart when I was fifteen and I’ve dreamed of getting revenge ever since. So when he becomes the king of all Wolven and summons me to compete for his hand in marriage in the deadly Queen Trials, I gladly accept. I want nothing more than to defeat the competition and leave him cold and alone when I slam the bedroom door in his face every night. Axil Moon will regret the day he thought he could discard me and get away with it.But the Axil I expect isn’t the one waiting for me. This grown Axil is different from the teenage boy I loved. This Axil begs me to believe it was never his choice to leave me, and my heart is torn.Now I have to try and stay alive in order to see what could be between us, but all the while there is an enemy in our midst and war on our border that could overturn the world as I know it, and all I can do is fight to keep that world alive.The Forbidden Wolf King is book FOUR of FOUR in the Kings of Avalier series. It's a full-length standalone fantasy romance about the Wolf King Axil Moon.

The Kings Of Avalier (2)I never should have taken that loan but my aunt needed meds I couldn’t afford. Now I’ve been sold to slavery and the Nightfall Queen’s guards have found out I’m not entirely human.I guess I’m lucky they didn’t kill me.The next thing I hear is that the Elf King himself has bought me, and I’m to be transferred to his castle. It will take me five years to pay off the debt but I get to be his personal assistant. Personal assistant to the king. That can’t be so bad, right?Oh how wrong I was.His council has tasked me with finding him a wife before they will fund his war against the Nightfall Queen. That part should be easy: he’s rich, disgustingly handsome, and smart to boot. The problem? He’s rejecting every high-born female I send his way.The more time we spend together, the more we realize I’m not just some half elf. There is a deep power that runs through my veins, one that makes me a target… or his solution?I enter into a fake marriage with him so that he can get the council off his back and I can get some protection.That’s a great idea, as long as I don’t fall in love with him. Should be simple enough…The Broken Elf King is book TWO of FOUR in the Kings of Avalier series. It's a full-length standalone fantasy romance about the Elf King Raife Lightstone.

QuicksilverCallie Hart is the Sunday Times and #1 New York Times bestselling author of the international phenomenon Quicksilver, along with many other bestselling dark romance and dark academia titles. A British expat now living in California, Callie can most likely be found sequestered away in the corner of a library, fantasising about exciting new realms and the brooding antiheroes who occupy them.

Scarred A dark contemporary fractured fairy tale reimagining based on the African folklore story that inspired the Lion King by BookTok sensation Emily McIntire.From BookTok sensation Emily McIntire comes a dark and delicious fractured fairy tale in her fan-favorite Never After series.She doesn't belong to him...she belongs to the crown.Prince Tristan Faasa was never destined for the throne. That was always his brother, Michael. The same brother responsible for both Tristan's tormented childhood and the scar that mars his face. When their father dies, Michael is set to assume the throne, and Tristan is set to steal it. The leader of a secret rebellion, Tristan will stop at nothing to end his brother's reign. But when Michael's new betrothed, Lady Sara Beatreaux arrives, Tristan finds himself in the middle of a new kind of war. The kind that begs the question of what's more important, the crown or the woman about to wear it.Sara has one plan. Marry the King and eradicate the Faasa line, even at the risk of her own peril. But she never expects the Scarred Prince. He's dangerous. Forbidden. And one of the men she's been sent to kill. But the line between hatred and passion has never seemed so thin, and as secrets come to light, Sara grows unsure of whom she can trust-torn between vengeance and the villain she was never supposed to love.

Arborescence Rhett Davis is from the Wadawurrung Country of Geelong and its nearby coastal towns. His debut novel, Hovering, won the Victorian Premier's Literary Award for an Unpublished Manuscript in 2020, and was shortlisted for the Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction and the Aurealis Award for Best Science Fiction. Rhett lives in Geelong with his partner and two talkative cats.