Australia Books

I admit I'm not caught up on the whole "Phryne" series, but I think this is my favorite so far. There's a load of suspense, yet it seems a little more, um, gentle? than some others. We also get to learn a lot of history on more than one regular character, which is nice. I don't know how else to say it other than "Queen of the Flowers" hit the spot!!

There isn't much more one can say about the eccentric and charming Phryne Fisher, the thoroughly modern woman ensconced in Australia after the First World War: She has appeared in numerous entries in this series and her deductive powers as a detective continue to be acute.

Two missing young girls are at the heart of the story line. One is Phryne's adopted daughter, Ruth, who is seeking the father she never knew, the other, a 13-year-old, one of the flower girls serving Phryne, who is to be the Queen of the Flowers in the Flower Parade.

There have been many novels in this series before and after this one. PPP continues to publish them in no particular order--much to this reader's delight. Keep them coming!

Highly recommended.

The circus is in town and St. Kilda is having its first Flower Festival parade, in which Phryne Fisher is to be Queen. The only problem at first is an unstable flower maiden but when malady spreads to include Phryne's own adopted daughter and the mystery deepens to something much more personal and dangerous, QUEEN OF THE FLOWERS really heats up. Libraries strong in mysteries will find it a thrilling addition.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

In 1928 the townsfolk of St. Kilda are euphoric as they prepare for the annual Queen of the Flowers gala. Socialite Phryne Fisher is especially looking forward to the festival receiving the honor of being name the Queen of the event. This means spending time buying fancy dresses and dining in top restaurants, a hardship that Phryne will suffer with relish though the elephant may be a bit too much even for a woman who tries anything.

However, Phryne's adopted daughter, Ruth vanishes in search of her biological father after learning from her birthmother TB victim Anna Ross at the sanatorium who he is. Phryne has been hired by family friends in Melbourne to search for missing Rose Weston while she also plans to trace her adopted daughter. Her investigation proves stunning and shocking as she uncovers some horrific happenings.

As always with this excellent Australian historical mystery series, the characters especially the nonparallel Phryne make for a strong period piece. The investigations are fun to follow as the heroine begins to find horrific occurrences that shake even her. However, it is the heroine and her support cast who bring late 1920s Australia to life that makes QUEEN OF FLOWERS and the rest of the Fischer saga some of the best recurring lighthearted investigative tales.

Harriet Klausner

When are we going to get another wonderful novel for older children from Alison Lester! I read this book with my eight year old and we both found it gripping. We were sad when we had finished the book. This is a great example of the wonderful childrens literature that comes out of Australia. Please, Please, Amazon.com, get hold of more of this good quality Australian literature for us.

Excelent book. It is perfect for the age group. Perfect for a good night story. It gave a wonderfull scense of adventure. The discription was great I felt like i was there. I defanitly recomend this book

This book was really inspiring, it was such an excellent read, I couldn't put it down! The first chapter really gets you into the story, and it was so dramatic that you just had to find out what was going to happen next! The book is divided between the lives of totaly different characters. The first is a nine year old girl named Biddy, who lives on a cattle ranch and has her own pony, Bella. The second is a boy called Joe, who was brought to live in the wild with his young mother, Joycie, when he was just a baby. They both have interesting and mysterious lives which meet when Bella gets stuck in quicksand, and Biddy and her family are forced to leave her. I would definitely recommend this book to all ages, you will really enjoy it!

This is Lester's first novel for young adults, but I hope not her last. The Quicksand Pony is a gripping adventure story about two young people living on the Australian coastline. Biddy's live revolves aroung a loving cattle-ranching family and Joe has lived in hiding, in the wilderness, with his emotionally distrubed mother for as long as he can remember, having no contact with the outside world. After the death of his mother, Joycie, Joe decides that his need for human companionship is greater than the fear his mother has instilled in him of people. The actions of Biddy and Joe lead the reader on a breath-taking adventure of self-discovery and mystery as these two young people battle not only the natural elements of the wilderness but their individual emotions. This is a heart warming story that I find easy to recommend to readers.

Thor Heyerdahl's double achievement of the Kon Tiki and Ra expeditions are nothing short of incredible. In the Kon Tiki he set out to prove how the Pacific Islands had been originally populated. He succeeded. For Ra, he constructed a craft of local papyrus reeds and set out to show how ancient Egyptians reached the Americas thousands of years before Columbus. He succeeded again.

Whilst a plethora of so-called experts scoffed at the very notion - claiming any such craft would simply disintegrate in anything more than a calm sea, Heyerdahl and his 6 man crew set sail from North Africa. After 2,700 miles they were eventually battered into submission by a great storm and had to abandon their craft. Within a year, however, they were back with Ra II and made the crossing from Morocco to Barbados in 57 days. The distance - a mere 3,270 miles. Now we know why Pyramids are also found in Central and Southern America...

Heyerdahl's achievements rank alongside being the first man on the moon or the first to climb Everest - except that he has two such credits to his name. In this book, his latter adventure is recorded in the most interesting, yet factual way, and is a joy to read.

NM

This book could be the best adventure book I have ever read and best anthropology book ever. I could not put this book down. How could I have gone 36 years without reading it. I read Kon Tiki 20 years ago and loved that as well. This ranks up there with Bryson and Cahill for adventure/history writing.

After his sailing from South America to Easter Island Thor has decided (after his visit to the pyramids in Egypt, where he saw the papyrus boats and after he saw that there were some Egyptian coins and pottery in South America) to make a papyrus boat and sail over Atlantic. He first employed two workers from Chad, where they were seen to make papyrus boats for lakes. They have sailed from egypt but the boat didn't manage to reach the American coast due to construction failure (as it was seen later, the boat was too heavy and they forgot to include the binding rope). Second attempt was made afterwards, this time the builders were Indians and they have constructed lighter boat. This one lasted till they reached American shore and has proven the theory that if Pharaoh has ordered to sail to America, the task could be achieved thanks to knowledge of ocean streams (and they had that knowledge for sure). We won't deprive Columbus for his "discovery" of America for quite some time. After all, he was the first after many years who sailed there where almost forgotten kings once made trade, allies and foes. we are slightly realizing that our ancestors weren't so barbaric and stupid as we thought of them, they were in some views even some steps ahead of us. Can we accept this fact or not?

Forget the sea crossing! This book is a humdinger just for its descriptions of secluded societies in Africa. Islands that move, secluded monasteries, this book has it all. The account of the crossing is great, but doesn't quite live up to Kon-Tiki. Heyerdahl's style has improved a lot, and this book never slows down. I didn't think this book would be funny, but the boatmakers are a hernia waiting to happen. Great Stuff. Jeremy Swanson

This book had already been out of print, and when it can be reprinted? I can hardly find it.Why it is out of print????
This person died last year and I am looking forward to the new biography of him coz he is such a great man to me. Anyway, I will buy the second-hand book first here.Thanks for sending me the Email!

Kerry Packer is the businessman' businessman. Takes no prisoners and runs his business with an iron fist. Plays polo. He is the man. I had to get a friend of mine from Australia to find me this book. Thanks Rejskes

A remarkable bio, of one of Australia's leading business leaders. Worth an update, written about 1993, and this review was writen in 2001, the book is complete with well researched, and objectively portrayed material. The author critically sets out to explore who and what Packer is, and I feel comes to respect Packer. The book is well worth the journey.

One of the best examples of the emotional extremities. From a surprising sense of loyalty and generosity to an unforgiving cold-hard nature. That's exactly how you have to be when your seated at number one on the rich list of Australia or any rich list for that matter. The book is extremely black and white, just like Kerry Packer himself. Plays hard ball and does not beat around the bush. Paul Barry the author, I think has done a clever recollection of the big man's endeavours as he is a very private man and hates hearing his name in prime time. From the first quote in the book from Kerry Packer's mouth, you get a sense of what he is all about. Inherited a small printing establishment and television station from his father, who said that Kerry would never run the fort. He changed that small media inheritance to a multi billion dollar empire, and still making more. He is impatient at times, suffers horrible mood swings and is dislexic. He always does things differently and looks "beyond the square." He does not expect people to like him and doesn't give a damn what anyone else thinks!

I was entranced by the descriptions of Pittwater, and the vivid images.
The description of her journey through cancer, and her breakdown 18 months after being widowed is real. This is a book about survival, and finding life again. This is one of the best books I've read in a while.

I dont usually read this style of book but I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. Initially I didnt feel any real connection with the author, and yet the book was engrossing. As the book progressed my feelings towards her changed. The author manages to absorb you into her day to day life, and writes so well I can clearly envision Pittwater and the characters (and dogs) of whom she writes. I recommend this to anyone who is looking for a fun read with a message which creeps up on the reader, doesnt hit you between the eyes.

Story: The Way of Water

As a fellow author in the biography genre, I was hugely impressed by the passion, honesty and sheer beauty of Susan Duncan's writing. As a fellow Australian, Dorothea Mackellar fan and Sydney bush dweller, I found lots to entice in this story of life, of death and of living in the moment. It was sheer joy to share the author's experiences of life among the small bayside communities of Pittwater, with their idiosyncrasies, their down to earth attitude to living and their enormous generosity. The author also shares with us both her experiences of living with cancer and watching those she loves most die from cancer. Yet this is one of the most positive and romantic tales of recent times. Salvation Creek is a wonderful title and wonderfully evocative of the essence of the book. Can't recommend this highly enough.

Anne E. Lenehan
Author "Story: The Way of Water"
The biography of astronaut and philosopher Story Musgrave

This was the best read I have had in many years. Anyone who is a cancer survivor, or going through chemotherapy and loss, will gain such strength from this story.
Susan is able to put words to the feelings you have when you have been hit with the news. All throughout the book I kept saying "yes, that's exactly how I felt" and in many ways it was like listening to that song "Killing me softly" where the boy is singing her thoughts.
Never does the author get maudlin or depressing ... quite the contrary. She is so positive and practical and just a complete joy. I love her to bits!

Sebastian lives in a hat is well written but the story is really told and reaches a higher level through the detailed realistically sketched illustrations. It is a classic great book (written in 1985) to teach children of the important role that wildlife carers do (although it does portray the experience to be a bit simpler and easier than it is in reality, but this is a kids book after all). What makes this story work so well is that Sebastian is an actual normal wombat and not one taking on human child traits, other than on the last page where grown up he's wearing a hat he is portrayed as an orphaned animal would be. The imagery throughout is child friendly when it needs to be such as the mother killed by a car is not squashed with blood and guts hanging out of her like would obviously be the case in real life but the majority is very realistic looking.

Sebastian Lives in a Hat is the tale of a wombat whose mother was hit by a car (an important lesson to teach children who can remind their parents when driving at night to look out for wildlife), and how he is nursed into an adult wombat. The book maybe could have said what happened to Sebastian in adult life, especially since it was a true story, but then again we don't know what really happened, it might unfortunately not be the positive ending children would be looking for so maybe we are better of making our own suggestions such as he went to a wildlife park to educate school children.

This book would be an excellent motivation for a teacher or someone to use for a class of children to do a small fundraiser for injured wildlife organisations such as Wildcare in Australia, wildlife animal hospitals or to donate towards research and breeding programs for the endangered northern hairy nosed wombat. All over the world there are similar carers and causes, a good book to motivate others.

Another good educational children's picture book that portrays animals such as they actually are and not as human type characters is Python by Pauline Reilly.

My mother used to read this book to me when I was a child and it was one of my favourites (I also loved Koala Lou and Samantha Seagulls Sandals). I think the editorial on this book is way too harsh and neglects the consideration that books geared towards the very young are usually written for an adult to read out loud to the child. When an adult reads to a child reading can become a way to explore new ideas, such as learning what a pouch is. I love this book and have given it as a gift to many youngsters.

"Sebastian lives in a hat. It's a brown woollen hat. Sebastian is a pink fuzzy wombat."

Australian Marsupials are iconic to the Australian image; kangaroos, koalas, possums, wallabies and bandicoots all belong to this special group of animals.

These animals are wild and often roam close to our highways, resulting in a lot of road accidents. Australians are taught from a young age that if you accidentally hit and kill one of these animals it is important to check it's pouch for a baby.

"Sebastian lives in a hat" explores the care needs of a baby wombat after it's mother dies in a car accident. As a kindergarten teacher with over 10 years experience I can honestly say that there would be few kindergartens in Australia that does not have this book in their library. This book won best children's book in the 1985 Whitley Awards, and was shortlisted for the Australian Picture book of the year in 1986. It is beautifully illustrated and teaches the important concept of caring for orphaned animals.

This book is not patronizing, as suggested by the editorial, it is written simply so to be understood by young children. The gaps in this book, as also suggested in this editorial, will serve to promote questions from your child that will generate further interest to know more about such concepts as Australian animals, mammals and marsupials, indigenous animals to your own Country, special care for animals etc.

Please do not dismiss this book, based on the above editorial, it is an excellent story with important messages and concepts.

I'm a college student, and my roomie, from Australia, read this book to me. It's not only a wonderful book with whimsical value for a college girl, but also gives great lessons for children about rehabbing animals. The pictures are adorable!

What is relegion? Why do we believe what we believe? These are important questions since all of us look for meaning within our existence. This book offers valuable insight into those issues. Not just a travel book.

This well written book takes you deep into the South Pacific like no other book I have read before. In many ways this book transcends the travel category and takes you into the relm of relegion and theology as well as anthropology and a little political science thrown in too just for good measure. I was very pleasantly surprised.

I also like the way this book helps to educate us on a part of the world that is so far off the beaten path, at the edge of our existence, that we ignore it. Huge mistake. Read this book, ponder the issues it brings up, and you will learn a lot.

As a correspondent I was in the Solomons for most of the key moments - and many of the darker moments of the civil war on Guadalcanal. Montgomery, whose original motivation was plainly to write some kind of family travel account, was deeply changed by what he saw and felt. As were we all. I never met him during the dramas, suggesting he kept away from the media events linked with it all. For this we all owe a very deep debt of thanks; he has bought a powerful light to parts of the story that needed to be illuminated. The horrors of Harold Keke and his gang, off set by the glories of the Melanesian Brothers. This is a major Pacific work; something to be celebrated and cherished.

We're all interested in God. (Even atheists make a theological statement when saying there is no god; and presumably, they've said so based on an informed consideration of some sort.) Montgomery takes us on an extra-ordinary quest in pursuit of God-knowledge. And he does so in the footsteps of his great grandfather, who was a missionary to the people of the south sea islands. He starts as a well-studied skeptic on a grand adventure. Along the way we encounter history and myth surrounding magic, cannibal stories, hallucination, faith, and genuine self-sacrifice. And we see our stalwart tour guide grow as a result of his quest. His appreciation for the power of myth expands to reveal the truth that it can convey. And his spirituality makes a significant transition from that of someone inquiring into the basis of religion -- to observing its significant influence on the human family, in practice.

There are occasional sentences written in a creole which might require a bit of a stretch for some readers -- but it really is English if you sound them out carefully. (Let your eye and ear work together to parse those words, out loud, if necessary.) The editors would have done well to include a glossary for those who are intimidated by foreign-looking words. But please don't let this discourage you from this very enjoyable book which tracks a coming of age from spiritual infancy into a dawning maturity.

~eric.

Having a missionary ancestor is a fine prompt for travel. Most early missionaries, to justify their existence and purpose, were dogged journal keepers. Montgomery's grandfather was no exception. Rev. H.H. Montgomery had not only kept extensive notes, but much of that collection and other thoughts were produced in a book, "The Light of Melanesia". Discovering that account led Vancouver-born Charles to light out to the Pacific to see the results of his grandfather's and other missionaries' endeavours. In keeping his own records, Charles has produced a 21st Century adventure yarn of captivating interest.

If there is a pivotal point in this book, it is the 1871 "murder" of Bishop John C. Patteson. The bishop seems to have died happy - martyrdom has an appeal to some religious folk. The century following may have justified his bizarre view, since his death has become a symbol to the local people. For one thing, they are able to brag that "we don't kill white folks any more". The author has some reason to doubt this claim as he travels through Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. He has trouble separating the various Christianities spread throughout the islands. A good many of them are still practising various forms of ancient witchcraft as part of their new religious activities.

Montgomery sets himself a quest to find Melanesian witchcraft in its pure form. This is easier told than accomplished, since today's missionaries, and many of their converts, hunt down the practitioners. Sometimes with violence. The islanders, however, have a long warrior tradition supporting their activities and working out winners and losers is challenging. Still, for him to unearth the ancient practices, he must trek deep into mountain hideaways, convince those claiming to hold special powers that he won't reveal them to Christian authorities, and come away unscathed. If the Melanesians don't do him in, the weather is always waiting for its own chance. "Getting there is half the fun" as the author haunts docks and ships seeking elusive transport. Ships run weekly, monthly, or when fuel money is produced. His persistence ought to be worth some kind of award.

His luck might be due to some recognition, as well. In the islands, the witchcraft Montgomery seeks is based on "mana". Mana is the life force and may be transferred from one human to another - by head hunting [cognitive scientists take note]. The more exalted the victim, the greater the mana. The missionaries, and the military forces they frequently called in to support them, sought to quell the practice. Their substitution was "Christian love", which often took a beating when the islanders objected to their land being taken or their wives and daughters raped. Montgomery laces the history of missionary work with his personal account seamlessly. Daily confronting the results of what the missionaries imposed [this book was originally titled: "The Last Heathen"] Montgomery's scepticism of their work can only be enhanced. Belief, however, is an immense force among humans. Montgomery realises he cannot dismiss it thoughtlessly. The result of his quest results in a fascinating essay on what "religion" has come to mean to the Pacific Islanders. It's far from what the missionaries intended - and intend - but it's demonstrably real. The book is a valuable social commentary, both about the Pacific islands and our own culture. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

Before he became a world famous novelist, Nevil Shute Norway started an aircraft company and built it up to over 1,000 staff. This was a company started in 1932 - the Great Depression.

How he did that and the types of issues he faced are fascinating. His thoughts on why he choose possibly inflated figures for some of his company's assets and risked going to jail as a way to obtain financing and prevent the lay off of 500 people during the depression are very memorable.

A great read.

This book is a great read. It's Nevil Shute's non-fictional account of his years as an airplane designer prior to becoming a full time author. Over a third of the book relates his experiences as a junior engineer on the R.100 zeppelin construction project. Led by Barnes Wallis, the R.100 was built as a commercial project, simultaneously with the infamous government-designed R.101 which crashed with much loss of life on it's maiden voyage. This disaster put paid to the R.100 as well as it was never flown again.

After that, he helped found the Airspeed airplane company. His tales of keeping the start-up afloat are reminiscent of many of the dot-coms during recent years.

Shute writes very smoothly, and the book has the feel of a long conversation. If there's a flaw, it's that he doesn't talk much about the other people he met. It would be nice, for example, to see a few sentences on Barnes Wallis, designer of the R.100, the Lancaster bomber, and the dam busting bombs used in WW2.

That said, there's plenty to read here and this is one of those books you can't put down once you start.

This is a fascinating autobiography of the early life of one of Britain's premier aeronautical engineers (and adventure novelists!). Nevil Norway was closely involved in pioneering work in the airship industry (a fascinating technological dead-end) and writes with verve and authority on his experiences of starting his own airplane works (no threat to Boeing!).

However, the story ends with his resignantion from Airspeed (his company) as the clouds of World War 2 are gathering. Shute Norway's later life seems to have been equally adventurous and I would dearly loved to have been able to read of his wartime experiences and his solo flight to Australia in the late 1940's.

Nevertheless, this is a well written and smooth reading work which is as well crafted and entertaining as any of his novels.

Nevil Shute's autobiography is an extraordinary work, and captures the flavor and pace of early aeronautical development, as well as the challenges of trying to gain support for the burgeoning aircraft industry in the early 1920's-late 1930's. As well, it captures the dualism of the industry: the rivalry between proponents of large airships and proponents of airplanes for the future of air transportation. It is best remembered for its frank and merciless critique of the R-100 and R-101 airship programs, and the differences between the "capitalist" R-100 (which worked) and the "socialist" R-101 (which crashed disastrously, killing almost all on board). Shute writes with authority as an insider, and with the grace that characterizes his novels. In addition to this work, I would recommend that readers also read J. P. Morpurgo's biography of Barnes Wallis (entitled simply BARNES WALLIS). Shute worked for Wallis on the R-100, and Morpurgo's book offers its own very useful insights into the great British airship rivalry. As well, readers of this work should read Shute's posthumous novel STEPHEN MORRIS which is itself a surprisingly good work (it was his first attempt at a novel), and which carries on many of the themes he explores in his autobiography SLIDE RULE. In sum, SLIDE RULE belongs on the shelf of anyone interested in the history of flight, and, particularly, anyone involved in the design and development of aircraft for commercial or military purposes. An excellent read!!!

i loved the book! it was a great book. i liked how they brought dane in tol his world. it was soo cool to see him from baby hood to adult hood. and they accepted his behavoirs. thanks june for a good book.

When Dane Waites was born in 1974, tolerance towards autism was just starting to move out of the shadows and into the light. His behavior was autistic from infancy; he smiled at trees and at the shadows they made on his walls. Largely nonverbal, he reached some milestones at a later rate, e.g. mastering toileting at age 7.

The boy also celebrated his first Christmas at age 7. The Waites, wanting him to enjoy Christmas as his peers did, taught him about Santa. Junee Waites even said that once introduced, she feared Santa would be with them forever. By the time Dane reached his teens, he accepted the explanation that Santa only comes to younger children. Dane's poignant comment, "I'm too old for Santa, right" makes one feel a tad sad for him. One cannot help but wonder if Dane still believed. I think another approach would be to tell him, "Dane, Santa is fun pretend and a game many people play with their children as a Christmas tradition" or whatever verbiage got through to him. The remote possibility that Santa might remain an enduring belief far past that of his peers was unfortunate and in which case, it seems the honest approach would be better. Fortunately for all, Dane learned to open gifts without fear of the unknown and participate in holiday activities.

Dane was enrolled in a mainstream kindergarten and it was there he met his lifetime friend, Jenny. She accepted Dane unconditionally; she said that she knew he could talk and when she asked him her name, he said, "Jenny." She was his defender and protector; a photograph of the pair at Dane's 5th birthday party shows Jenny at his side, ready to go to bat for him at any time. I just loved that part.

Jaeger, the German short-haired pointer was another faithful protector Dane enjoyed. The beautiful dog (1983-1992) was an important part of Dane's life and rarely left his side. Her untimely death might make you cry, but you will certainly be cheered by the strides Dane made.

Dane's immediate community accepted him as well. There was a large Italian community in his town and he learned to make many Italian dishes; Junee took conversational Italian and out of this, many friendships were made. Dane was quickly and readily absorbed and accepted by his friendly neighbors; from these friendships came lasting bonds and an abiding respect for Italian food, language and culture.

Dane's world expanded tremendously; the Waites took Dane on trips and moved twice during their son's boyhood. Dane was happiest when outside and enjoying nature. Luckily a farm family with 3 children had him work with them on their farm and Dane thrived in that environment. He also got to travel to the Fiji Islands and appreciated Fijian culture. I like the way he took an open interest in other people.

Junee Waites is wonderfully candid about life with Dane and working within his challenges. She is a person I truly admire and her unflagging faith in her son along with the kind nuns and priest who also taught him and helped him understand and appreciate his faith truly warms the heart. I loved the part when Dane received his First Communion at age 10 and the priest who wrote a lovely account of this in a book. Dane's spiritual development is nicely chronicled as well; an especially moving account of this was when Dane told a man in a wheelchair he would pray for him. Dane also insisted on bringing apples to feed homeless people in a neighborhood park.

The Waites' odessy with autism came full circle when they encountered Jenny, Dane's boyhood friend in a restuarant. By then the manager of the place, Jenny told them how she understood about Dane and knew how to reach him as only a compassionate peer could. That was my favorite part along with Dane's First Communion.

Dane's travel and spiritual development no doubt helped him become a rather well rounded young man. He also demonstrated physical prowess in early adulthood when he took up running; marathon biking and weight lifting. Although still autistic, Dane continues to remain an active, thriving member of his society and has held down jobs since the age of 14.

Junee Waites provides readers with rich descriptions of the parts of Australia where she and her family lived; readers are treated to the places that they visited as travelers. To make a good thing even better, a list of resources as well as descriptions of resources available in Australia are provided. This is truly an outstanding book. It makes me think of the hymn, "On Eagle's Wings" and the song "You Are the Light of the World," as Dane emerged from shadows into the light of conversing and providing explanations of his experience with autism.

I read this book from cover to cover and then I read it all over again. I am a mother of a child with special needs (including autistic traits)and know of many others with young ASD children. This is a book I could recommend to them, for the insight it offers into both autism and a parent's journey. I learned so much, began to see life through the eyes of the ASD child and to understand why he acted as he did, and related it to much of what my friends' children did, or my own. The mother's love shone throughout the book yet she was very honest about how she felt and how hard that journey was at times. Always though, it was a book of hope and of love and remained positive throughout.

Like the previous reviewer, I too would like to write to the author to say how enormously helpful this book is. It should become an ASD classic, to inform and inspire parents, professionals, the general public - and those with ASD themselves.

Thank you so much for this book. Junee is inspiring and warm, her love for her son and respect for his rights is uplifting for any parents dealing with the ups and downs of raising a child with autism. I am a single mother of two autistic children and while reading this book I was touched beyond words, I hope one day to inspire other parents as Junee has for me and many more parents around the world. Is there any way of emailing her or atleast a way for me to say thank you to her and let her know how much she has touched my family?

This man can write! Riviting plots and good writing makes Disher a real find. I have read all his books published in the U.S. and can't wait for the next one.

I'm always looking for something new to attract my eye in the crime genre and I've been attracted to the publisher of the "Soho Crime" books. These stories take place in foregin locales and Mr. Disher's Detective Hal Challis stories take place in Austrailia. I've now read the first three in the series and each one is better than the last. Hal Challis plays the world weary police detective that has survived an assisination attempt by his wife who wanted him dead so she could be with another man only to have her heap guilt on him as she constanly calls him from prision to beg his forgiveness. Challis works with an assortment of well fleshed out characters from his female partner struggling with her attraction to Challis and a broken marriage to another cop; a bright, young upwardly mobile woman constable who spends her off time surfing and is stuck with a neanderthal, overzealous copper as a partner; and the ever insufferable Chief who stands in the way of Challis pursuing a killer that just might be his son-in-law.

Terrific prose, a well-conceived plot with a smashing and very believable climax and fleshed out characters make this a series worth checking out. Start with the first in the series to get the background but make your way to this book. It's off the beaten path but well worth the journey. The 4th book is out in hardcover and I've already ordered it.

Australian author Disher opens his latest Hal Challis procedural with a murder victim driving nervously to the scene of her execution, her 7-year-old daughter by her side, triumph on her mind. Point of view switches to the hit man and his dismayed slacker driver as the gruesome scene unfolds, culminating in the escape of the little girl into the woods.

Tense pandemonium breaks out in Challis' Mornington Peninsula homicide squad. The dead woman is the daughter-in-law of loathed Police Superintendent McQuarrie, who seems immediately intent on deflecting the investigation and shielding his son from police attention.

But the child is a surprisingly calm and observant witness and when the murder team discovers that the victim had secretly taken pictures at the sex parties her husband dragged her to and sent them to prominent participants (including her husband), murder for hire looks increasingly likely. And the husband, as cold and dislikable as his wife - she was a psychologist with a confrontational approach - is looking better and better as a suspect.

Fans will be pleased to find Challis' team intact. Hal himself is no longer seeing the local newspaper editor Tessa Kane, but has turned a guilty eye on his sergeant, Ellen Destry, unhappily married to a bitter traffic constable. Destry returns the regard, though both hold back.

Young Pam Murphy is still partnered with rude, misogynistic John Tankard, whose psychological counseling, mandated after last year's shooting, seems to have scrambled his brain. They're on a traffic assignment - driving around in an unmarked sports car rewarding courteous drivers - and provide as much comic relief as they do accidental aid, red herrings and missed chances. Scobie Sutton still chatters ceaselessly about his amazing little daughter and plugs away at his job wishing he had more of Challis' intuitive spark.

Before it's all over, more will lie dead on Australia's Peninsula coast and the lives of several of the continuing characters will have taken major turns. Disher delivers another fine story in an atmospheric, realistic, character-driven series.

-- Portsmouth Herald

Australian Garry Disher spins his first US release in "Snapshot", a slick little noir jewel from down under reminiscent of Ian Rankin and his Scottish detective John Rebus.

Off to a fast and sordid start, yuppie psychologist Janine McQuarrie succumbs to her husband's pressure and joins the swinger set, joining Melbourne's sex party crowd. Taking time out from the panting and rutting, she takes some clandestine cell phone snapshots of her groping buddies. Shortly after, she is gunned down on a deserted Mornington Peninsula suburb in front of her seven-year-old daughter in an apparent contract kill. Turns out her oversexed husband is also son of the local metropolitan police commissioner, adding a heavy dose of office politics to the baffling murder mystery that Inspector Hal Challis is trying to unwind while the senior McQuarrie does his best to thwart Challis' efforts and keep his son's reputation clean.

Disher's story moves briskly, chock full of cops chasing crooks through dead ends and plot twists while leaving enough time for them to fantasize and occasionally act out their own sexual trysts. You may want to hang out an extra couple of nights at your local Outback to get familiar with the Aussie lingo, unless "chuffing the weed", "sea fret", or "pittosporum" roll naturally off your tongue. And then there's a less-than-subtle dose of left-leaning politics injected unnecessarily into a story that doesn't need embellishment.

In the final analysis, though, "Snapshot" is a unique peek under the covers of southern Australian culture - a steady mystery and solid police procedural well worth the time.