FICTION

A dark comedy about how to live your best life, even when you're dead. Stacey was trying to live her best life, but now she’s dead. But why hasn't she passed on? Could it be her fatal car accident was actually murder? Detectives Ed Beaufontaine and Rosie Garafino certainly think so. They have a long list of suspects, chief among them Stacey's fiancé, Liam. His business dealings and new relationship with Emily Jackson are raising a few eyebrows. As the detectives dig deeper, so does Stacey. With nothing but time on her hands, she forensically examines her past relationships – her pathological ex, unreliable father, controlling psychologist, and toxic girlfriends – realising she might have been better off without them. She's hoping she can steer the detectives in the right direction before she's doomed to wander for eternity. Because in the city of angels and 12-step programs, even the dead need a little help from time to time.Praise for Twelve Steps to a Long and Fulfilling Death ‘Such a wry and deft interweaving of the real and unreal. A unique voice. I loved it.’ – Rachel Ward 'Half thriller, half ghost story, 100% page turner, Sarah Smith’s brilliant debut novel has more precarious twists and turns than its Mulholland Drive setting!' – Kym Wilson 'A really great mystery. Loved it!' – Rebecca Gibney ‘A whip-smart and twisty debut that will keep you up all night.’ – Rose Hartley, author of Maggie’s Going Nowhere ‘Part detective story, part dark comedy and ghost story, Twelve Steps to a Long and Fulfilling Death has plenty of twists, turns and red herrings to keep readers guessing ... this is a fun ride for fans of Richard Osman or Janet Evanovich.’ – Books + Publishing

Sydney Morning Herald Best Young Australian Novelist Winner of the ABIA Book of the Year Award Winner of the ABIA Award for Literary Fiction of the Year Winner ABA Booksellers Choice Award for Fiction Winner of the MUD Literary Prize Shortlisted for The Readings Prize for New Australian Fiction Shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year for Fiction Shortlisted Indie Book Award for Debut Fiction Shortlisted ABIA Matt Richell Award New Writer of the Year‘set to be one of the year’s most talked about books’ – Vogue Australia ‘a great read that will become an Australian classic’ – Sydney Morning Herald‘an absolute cracker, Love & Virtue lobs right into the current moment with a clarifying light. I hope EVERYONE reads this book.’ – Helen Garner, bestselling and award winning author of The First Stone and The Spare Room‘one of the best novels I have read this year ... it’s clever, pacy and wonderfully thoughtful. Read it!’ – Zara McDonald, Shameless PodcastSex. Power. Consent.Whenever I say I was at university with Eve, people ask me what she was like, sceptical perhaps that she could have always been as whole and self-assured as she now appears. To which I say something like: ‘People are infinitely complex.’ But I say it in such a way—so pregnant with misanthropy—that it’s obvious I hate her. Michaela and Eve are two bright, bold women who befriend each other their first year at a residential college at university, where they live in adjacent rooms. They could not be more different; one assured and popular – the other uncertain and eager-to-please. But something happens one night in O-week – a drunken encounter, a foggy memory that will force them to confront the realities of consent and wrestle with the dynamics of power. Initially bonded by their wit and sharp eye for the colleges’ mix of material wealth and moral poverty, Michaela and Eve soon discover how fragile friendship is, and how capable of betrayal they both are.Written with a strikingly contemporary voice that is both wickedly clever and incisive, issues of consent, class and institutional privilege, and feminism become provocations for enduring philosophical questions we face today. Praise for Love & Virtue ‘Diana Reid will be called the new Sally Rooney – you’re certain of it by the end of page one. By the end of this real, raw and startling novel, you know Reid is the talent to whom every smart young novelist who follows her will be compared – or hope to be.’ – Meg Mason, author of Sorrow and Bliss ‘Love & Virtue captures the near-erotic thrill of being a young woman, alone and adrift, who finds, in another young woman, an intellectual equal ... Like Elena and Lila in Elena Ferrante’s My Brilliant Friend, a touchstone for Reid, their spark feels charged, given to exploding.’ – Sydney Morning Herald ‘Love & Virtue is an accomplished novel – by turns funny and furious, and full of the plangent longing and confusion of early adulthood.’ - The Saturday Paper ‘It is not enough to say Love & Virtue heralds the arrival of a new literary talent: Reid is intensely incisive and brilliant.’ – Sarah Schmidt, author of See What I Have Done ‘Reid’s prose interrogates everything we think we know about love. Heartfelt and unputdownable, this is a remarkably self-assured debut.’ – Victoria Hannan, author of Kokomo<p> ‘A fierce new voice at just the right moment, shining a light on consent and class with clarity and grace.’ – Inga Simpson, author of Where the Trees Were and Understory</p>

'A vivid story of small town allegiances and secret grudges that drew me in and didn’t let go! I was pinned to my chair.' – Amanda Hampson, author of The Tea Ladies 'One of the most enjoyable crime reads of the year.' – Hayley Scrivenor, internationally best-selling author of Dirt Town So many people had reason to hate her, but did anyone have reason to kill her? Everyone dies famous in a country town, but glamorous Vanessa Walton was a shining star. A celebrity since she was a child, Vanessa is back on the front page for all the wrong reasons; after a terrible storm she has been found dead at the bottom of her stairs. At first her death seems to be a simple accident, but anonymous letters are discovered that suggest otherwise – and when 16-year-old Jasmine Langridge claims it is murder, she suddenly disappears. As the police begin to investigate, secrets are exposed and friendships unravel. What happens to a community when murders and abductions sit alongside petty workmates, teenage tribulations and longstanding friendships? It will take a town to solve this crime, but what will be broken in the effort to piece together the truth?PRAISE for It Takes a Town: ‘There's a warmth and an edge to this beautifully written, nicely judged crime novel, which has at its heart the importance of female friendship.’ –Sydney Morning Herald ‘a complex and immersive read.’ –Canberra City News ‘A page-turning, easy read with a story driven by lively characters, It Takes A Town offers readers glimpses of a community that has more bubbling below the surface than can be contained within this novel.’ –Books + Publishing

SHORTLISTED FOR THE NED KELLY AWARD FOR BEST CRIME FICTION SHORTLISTED FOR THE ABIA FOR GENERAL FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR <p>SHORTLISTED FOR THE DANGER AWARD - BEST DEBUT CRIME FICTION</p>Once you’re online, there’s nowhere to hide Is it paranoia – or is someone watching? For years, Reagan Carsen has kept her life offline. No socials. No internet presence. No photos. Safe. Until the day she stumbles on a shocking murder in a Sydney laneway. The victim looks just like her. Coincidence? As more murders shake the city and she’s increasingly drawn out from hiding, Reagan is forced to confront her greatest fear. She’s been found. A riveting psychological thriller drawn from true events, Dark Mode delves into the terrifying reality of the dark web, and the price we pay for surrendering our privacy one click at a time.PRAISE: ‘Thrilling and twisty – get ready to be paranoid’ – J.P. Pomare, author of The Wrong Woman ‘twisty and tantalising... Dark Mode is a thrilling read for when you need to get consumed by a good thriller instead of a social media binge.’ – Arts Hub Australia ‘a darkly sparkling gem’ – The Canberra Times ‘Absolutely terrifying! I turned every page with my heart in my mouth, utterly hooked by this explosive thriller. Ashley Kalagian Blunt taps into the dangers we face online every day and the monsters in our midst. Dark Mode is a powerful and disturbing story which will keep you thinking long after you’ve finished reading.’ – Petronella McGovern, author of The Liars ‘With Dark Mode, Ashley Kalagian Blunt has turned her love of true crime and passion for suspense fiction into a fierce wake-up call of a thriller, one that looks unflinchingly at the horrors of the dark web and sheds light on the unimaginable. Riveting, tense and supremely chilling, this is an eye-opening must-read for crime fiction fans everywhere.’ – Anna Downes, author of The Shadow House ‘Wow. Page turning, chilling dread that kept me guessing until the end. Ashley Kalagian Blunt hits it out of the park, creating a dark world where your worst fears aren't the worst thing to fear – not even close.’ – R.W.R McDonald, author of Nancy Business ‘Dark Mode’s greatest achievement is that, as the pieces fall into place, it’s not just Reagan Carsen’s world that’s turned upside down – it’s ours. Its stunning payoff doesn’t just reverberate through the pages, but beyond the book and into the world at large, where its implications are of urgent significance … there are some realities most of us would sooner pretend are impossible than acknowledge are already here. Kalagian Blunt forces our gazes upon them in this compulsive and breathless thriller.’ – James McKenzie Watson, author of Denizen ‘Dark and twisty, this thrilling offering from Ashley Kalagian Blunt is absolutely not to be missed. This book will keep you up at night’ – Hayley Scrivenor, author of Dirt Town ‘If you think that what happens on the dark web will never affect you, this book begs the question: are you sure about that? Like, sure-sure? A twisty, terrifying thriller, Dark Mode will have you buying a flip phone and moving off the grid the second you turn the final page, just so you can breathe again. I loved it.’ – Pip Drysdale, author of The Next Girl ‘A chilling and utterly gripping read that shines a light on misogyny and toxicity thriving in plain sight and its devastating consequences for women. Ashley Kalagian Blunt plunges the reader into the darkest corners of the internet and it could not be more terrifying! A superb thriller that will keep you riveted to the page and dial up your tech anxieties to eleven.’ – Dinuka McKenzie, author of The Torrent

A Breathtaking Thriller from the Miles Franklin Award–Winning Author of Chai Time at Cinnamon GardensSri Lanka, 2009. Decades of civil war and bloodshed are finally coming to an end—by any means necessary.In Colombo, the capital city, tenacious journalist Ameena Fernando is executed on a busy street near her home, with no witnesses to the crime. Her murder sends shockwaves through the nation.Under mounting pressure to solve the case, CIA agent Ellie Harper is sent to investigate. Her orders are clear: uncover something, but not too much. It’s Ellie’s first time back on the island since her last mission ended in tragedy four years earlier, and she has more than one ghost haunting her.As international powers vie for influence in post-war Sri Lanka, Ellie begins unraveling a web of secrets and lies, following a dangerous trail to uncover a truth worth killing for.Praise for Unfinished Business“An explosive thriller that pulses with the weight of history. Forget James Bond, Ellie Harper is the real deal.”—Dinuka McKenzie, author of The Torrent and Tipping Point“Tense, gritty, and deeply urgent, Unfinished Business is an action-packed thriller with international intrigue and real-world heft.”—Ashley Kalagian Blunt, author of Dark Mode“Passionate and courageous—a thrilling tale of espionage and intrigue, and a high-stakes rollercoaster by one of Australia's most exciting writers.”—Caroline Overington, author of The Lucky One and The One Who Got Away“Unfinished Business expertly evokes the hyper-surveilled metropolis of Colombo as Harper moves through morally impenetrable circles of diplomats, warlords, bureaucrats, and spies.”—Books + Publishing

‘The Pool is Christos Tsiolkas’s The Slap with an added whodunnit layer.’ – Books+Publishing Prince of spin and life of the party, Baz King, is missing. Nine years ago, at an innocent summer barbecue in Melbourne, everything imploded. For the Kings and the four other young families there that fateful day marriages fractured, friendships crumbled and lives were upended. Nothing would ever be the same. Now in their forties and their children teenagers, Baz King cannot be found. Has his charm finally run out? With a history of dodgy dealings and no shortage of motives, anyone could be a suspect – his ex-wife, Birdie; his colleague, Alex Turner; his lover, Jess and her husband, Richard; his friend’s nanny and new wife, Madison – who wants him out of the picture? A biting domestic noir, The Pool examines the enduring shrapnel of tragedy: if you witness the worst thing imaginable, how does it change you? Could it make you a murderer? PRAISE FOR THE POOL ‘Hannah Tunnicliffe creates a tangled web of love, betrayal and tragedy … It gripped me from start to finish.’ Anna Snoekstra, author of The Ones We Love ‘a bold and deeply intriguing story of morally ambiguous lives … it depicts a world full of domestic and corporate duplicity that could very well be the one you’re living in right now’ Lyn Yeowart, author of The Silent Listener ‘for fans of Garry Disher and Robert Gott—and anyone who loves a classic Australian mystery.’ –Books+Publishing

He’s the world’s most famous frontman. She couldn’t care less.Lexi is already an Oscar-winning documentary director at just 30 years old. But when she’s asked to ditch her current project to film Rebel Heart—a reunited boy band—she’s far from thrilled. Lexi didn’t work this hard to follow a boy group on tour, documenting their every manufactured move for teenage fans.Then she meets Aidan, the unofficial leader of the band, and sparks fly—but not the good kind. To Lexi, he’s egotistical, entitled, and impulsive. To Aidan, she’s high-strung, secretive, and emotionally unavailable.As tensions rise and Lexi struggles to separate work from her complicated feelings for Aidan, she’s forced to confront the painful past she’s carried with her: a father who abandoned her and a belief that no one stays in her life for long. Aidan might just challenge everything Lexi thought she knew—about herself, her work, and love.Will this project prove her wrong in ways she never expected?A classic enemies-to-lovers romance for fans of Hannah Grace and Ali Hazelwood.Note: I Knew You Were Trouble contains mature content and is recommended for readers aged 18+.Readers are falling in love with Emma Rae:“A mouth-watering read.” – Laura Starkey“The perfect spicy summer read… Emma’s writing style is very enjoyable! Great characters and a lovely bit of escapism.” – Margie the Hun“I devoured the whole novel in one sitting.” ????? Reader Review“I cannot stop thinking about this book… I absolutely loved this!” ????? Reader Review“A great love story… you won’t be disappointed.” ????? Reader Review“This book has stayed in my mind for quite some time after reading it—very much the mark of an outstanding book.” Reader Review“This one got me hooked. I finished the book in one sitting.” Reader Review

Some secrets are too big to keep hidden. Neva Bradley, a third-generation midwife, is determined to keep the details surrounding her own pregnancy - including the identity of the baby's father - hidden from her family and co-workers for as long as possible. Her mother, Grace, cannot let this secret rest, even while her own life begins to crumble around her. For Floss, Neva's grandmother and a retired midwife, Neva's situation thrusts her back 60 years in time to a secret that eerily mirrors her granddaughter's - a secret which, if revealed, will have life-changing consequences for them all. Praise for The Secrets of Midwives 'A wonderfully satisfying story . . . touching, tender, and meticulously researched' - Liane Moriarty 'Enchanting . . . Hepworth's skilful storytelling means past and present fl ow seamlessly . . . it's easy to lose yourself in the lives of the three, strong female protagonists' - Daily Telegraph

Sally Hepworth is the New York Times bestselling author of nine novels, including The Good Sister and The Soulmate. Drawing on the good, the bad and the downright odd of human behaviour, Sally writes incisively about family, relationships and identity. Her domestic thriller novels are laced with quirky humour, sass and a darkly charming tone. They are available worldwide in English and have been translated into twenty languages. Sally lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her family and one adorable dog.

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Good Sister and The Mother-in-Law with new novel Darling Girls out soon. The moment she laid eyes on Heather Wisher, Tully knew this woman was going to destroy their lives. Tully and Rachel are murderous when they discover their father has a new girlfriend. The fact that Heather is half his age isn't even the most shocking part. Stephen is still married to their mother, who is in a care facility with end-stage Alzheimer's disease. Heather knows she has an uphill battle to win Tully and Rachel over, while carrying the burden of the secrets of her past. But, as it turns out, they are all hiding something. The announcement of Stephen and Heather's engagement threatens to set off a family implosion, with old wounds and dark secrets finally being forced to the surface. A garage full of stolen goods. An old hot-water bottle, stuffed with cash. A blood-soaked wedding. And that's only the beginning . . . SHORTLISTED FOR THE ABIA GENERAL FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022 LONGLISTED FOR THE AUSTRALIAN BOOK DESIGN AWARDS 2022 BEST DESIGNED COMMERCIAL FICTION COVER PRAISE FOR THE YOUNGER WIFE 'Smart, suspenseful, brimming with secrets. This is Sally Hepworth at her unputdownable best.' - Kate Morton 'At once familiar, wonderfully unpredictable and riveting. My kind of story.' - Rosalie Ham 'Completely compulsive. Sally Hepworth delivers with this stay-up-late one-more-chapter gem.' - Jane Harper 'Totally absorbing, brilliantly written and thoroughly enjoyable. An addictive, unputdownable read.' - Herald Sun 'Thrilling family drama' - Who WeeklyÂ

Prepare to be bewitched by Iceland and the book that has enchanted readers for decades – and imprisoned one of them. Longlisted for the Indie Book Awards 2024 Elva loves Iceland for many reasons – the epic landscape of gods and volcanoes, weather that’s the polar opposite of her home in Australia, and the fact that it’s where her mother might have gone back to when she disappeared. Iceland is where Elva’s beloved grandfather – the famous children’s book author – lives in a remote village and where the beings that haunt her imagination reside. Elva is interested in the odd things people make – Victorian collectibles, old spells, taxidermy, fairy tales. The weird, the wonderful and the sometimes macabre. She’s got a few quirks of her own that she’s (mainly) keeping under control. Except one. Working in a shop of curiosities, studying at an Icelandic language school, Elva begins to explore her obsessions, and when her grandfather suffers a stroke, they threaten to overtake her. Then she meets Remy, a painter who’s got some secrets of his own … In her captivating debut, Rijn Collins has created a beautifully evocative portrait of an enchanted mind in an enchanting place – a story of everyday magic, both dark and light; of families and the shadows they can cast; of the delights and dangers of the imagination. Fed to Red Birds will transport you to remote corners of both the world and the human heart. ‘Intensely evocative and beautiful.’ Hannah Kent, author of Burial Rights 'Rijn Collins is a writer of great humanity and intelligence who has fashioned a vividly realised portrait of a young woman trying to make a life for herself in the shadow of familial trauma and dysfunction.' Simon McDonald, Kill Your Darlings ‘Fed to Red Birds is dreamy and immersive … both travelogue and beautifully written literary fiction. It is for readers who loved the insightful prose and armchair travel of Cold Enough for Snow by Jessica Au and the brooding, fairytale-esque feelings of Hydra by Adriane Howell.’ Books+Publishing '[T]he sense of place in this novel is spellbinding – as is Collins’s prose in describing it.' Australian Book Review '[L]ost in this book, I have only put it down for long enough to write this column, and am already missing Iceland and Elva terribly ... I feel I am typing this with frost-bitten fingers while being watched by trolls.' The Canberra Times 'Fed to Red Birds is a quietly haunting novel that leads us to ponder our histories and genealogies, and how we hold onto the past through our obsessions and compulsions.' Better Reading