Talking Aussie Books

I may not have previously shared with my podcast listeners that I'm a huge whisky fan! I love learning about it and have travelled extensively to sample different whiskies.

So when I learnt Tasmanian-based author Karen Brooks not only co-owns a brewery/distillery in Hobart where they make their own spirits - including whisky - but has written a book about whisky, I knew I had to chat with her.

'The Whisky Widow' (published by HQ Fiction) is an incredible, sweeping tale about whisky and those involved in its production during a tumultuous period of...

Matt Rogers  is a Melbourne-based million copy bestselling writer who’s written more than 36 thrillers. 

He wrote his first novel at the tender age of 16 and published his first at 18. 

This year, however, Matt makes his debut in the traditional publishing world with the first instalment of a new series featuring the absolute kick arse ex-contract killer for the CIA, Logan Booth. 

A thrilling, fast-paced, high-stakes story with a plot twist that will make you gasp out loud, ‘The Forsaken’ was released by Simon & Schuster on 2 July.

I was delighted to have welco...

Laura McCluskey is a debut author whose novel was described to me as ‘the hottest debut crime novel of 2025’.

Since the book’s release  back in February I have watched in awe at the manner in which this book has shot to success. 

It was the Book of the Month for QBD Books, Dymocks, Booktopia AND WHS Smith.

It’s a spooky Scottish detective mystery called ‘The Wolf Tree’ published by Harper Collins Australia. 

And I was thrilled to have the chatte...

Fleur McDonald is the author of 24 novels clocking up more than 850 000 book sales across a career that has spanned more than 16 years.

She is a best-selling rural crime author and has built a loyal fanbase of readers with her incredible cast of characters and settings - the most popular and recognisable of course is Detective Dave Burrows. 

But in a move that is set to cement Flour’s reputation as a master of crime writing, Fleur has  released a brand new novel called ‘The Prospect’. 

Published by HarperCollins Australia, "The Prospect' is a gripping...

Hilde Hinton is a bestselling author of three novels, as well as a big sister to Connie and Samuel Johnson. 

A one-time prison officer and second hand book seller, a mother and carer of people in need of temporary housing and support, Hilde’s stories are filled with the kinds of characters that reflect her larger than life experiences and her writing is infused with empathy and insight into the impact of grief, loneliness and trauma.

This year, Hilde’s third novel ‘The Opposite of Lonely’ was released by Hachette Australia. 

A deeply moving boo...

Valerie Miller is a Brisbane-based writer who teaches high school by day and writes stories at night.

In late 2024, Valerie decided to self-publish her debut novel 'There's Something About You Olivia Bennett'. A dual-time line historical novel which flips between Sydney of the 1960s and late 1980s.

This is a book that Valerie has coloured with her experiences as a child of Italian migrants. A book that explores amongst other things, post-war proxy brides, the difficulties faced by migrants as they tried to assimilate into the Australian way of life, the importance and value of...

Maithree Wijesekara is an Australian-Sri Lankan writer based in Melbourne who graduated with a Masters in Dentistry in 2021, and who, this year, became a published novelist with her debut novel, 'The Prince Without Sorrow' (Harper Voyager).

Now, Maithree splits her time between telling people to brush their teeth, and writing stories inspired by the fantastical and the real world.

A richly imagined tale of sibling rivalry and thirst for power, 'The Prince Without Sorrow' is a stunning addition to the fantasy genre.

And I thoroughly enjoyed my recent chat with Maithree for the...

Natasha Lester is a international bestselling author whose novels have been translated into 21 languages. Novels which include 'A Kiss From Mr Fitzgerald', 'Her Mother’s Secret', 'The Paris Seamstress', 'The French Photographer', 'The Paris Secret', 'The Riviera House', 'The Three Lives of Alix St Pierre' and "The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard'.  

Natasha’s latest book is inspired by yet another incredible, brave woman whose story was not widely known. In fact, I had never heard of her before. 

A woman who was not only a mother, a rally car driver, and journalist  - but a spy who...

Chris Flynn is the author of several novels that include the astonishing novel ‘Mammoth’ - told from the point of view of a 13000 year-old fossilised mammoth. A book which was shortlisted for a number of awards in 2021 - and which drew praise from some of the brightest literary minds. 

His new book, ‘Orpheus Nine’, published by Hachette Australia, is a deeply thought-provoking, compelling book set in a tiny rural Australian town against the backdrop of a mysterious global event killing nine-year old children.

A supernatural thriller that will have you turning pages deep into the night and...

Listeners it’s been almost 3 years since I last welcomed my next guest to the podcast. 

Back then we were talking about a truly remarkable novel which just over a year later went on to win the prestigious Miles Franklin Literary Award. 

That book was, of course, Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens and the author, Shankari Chandran. 

In the time since that first podcast chat, I’ve watched in absolute awe and wonder at the stratospheric rise of Shankari’s writing career. 

Earlier this year I was privileged to attend the launch of...

Jackie French is one of Australia's best-loved, bestselling authors and earlier this year, she released another new novel.  

Called ‘The Whisperer’s War’ (published by HQ Fiction) it’s an incredible war-time story set in England between 1938 and 1947. A story that examines - amongst many other things - the cost of war and the quest for wealth, power and status that drive it. 

A unique and entirely gripping account of the war and one woman’s fight to save her country from falling into Nazi hands. I absolutely loved it.  

I was honoured to have the c...

**Discussion of Domestic Violence, Intimate Partner Abuse and Other Mature Themes. Please proceed with caution.**

Jo Skinner is a Brisbane based author of two novels, a practising GP as well as a long-distance runner.

I connected with Jo online a couple of years ago now and have watched on with delight as she achieved her publication dream last year with the release of her debut novel ‘The Truth About My Daughter’ and again this year with her new novel, ‘A World of Silence’. 

Published by Hawkeye Publishing, 'A World of Silence...

**Discussion of some mature themes**

While Lauren K McKellar is no stranger to publishing, this year marks the release of her first foray into women's fiction with a thoroughly delightful, uplifting and thought-provoking novel entitled 'The Calendar Mums'.

Published by HQ Fiction, 'The Calendar Mums' is a novel about motherhood and the importance of female friendships. A novel that, to me, was 'The Calendar Girls' meets 'Big Little Lies'.

Trust me when I tell you this is a must-read novel for anyone woman who...

Cassie Hamer is not only an Australian bestselling author of 3 novels  - 'After the Party', 'The End of Cuthbert Close' and the 'Truth About Faking It' - but a colleague, a writing buddy and most importantly, a dear friend.

This month, Cassie has a new novel out. And listener’s it’s an absolute cracker. 

‘The Stranger at the Table’ published by HQ Fiction is part crime, part family drama that’s pacy and page-turning.

Filled with a cast of flawed but relatable characters and a killer plot twist at the end, 'The Stranger at...

Sara Foster is a Perth-based author of six best-selling psychological suspense novels that include ‘You Don’t Know Me’ The Hidden Hours’ and ‘All that is Lost Between Us’, along with the acclaimed dystopian thriller ‘The Hush’.

Two of Sara’s novels have been optioned for TV and ‘You Don’t Know Me’ - a book I have read and absolutely loved - was adapted into a chart-topping drama podcast series by Listnr. 

Sara’s newest novel ‘When She Was Gone’ was released by HarperCollins earlier this month. And listeners, what a nail-biting thriller this one is. 

Taut, pacy and u...

Listeners, I may have mentioned once or twice on the podcast before that I’m a huge francophile.

So whenever I have the chance to read a book that takes me back to France or immerses me in the sensory heaven that is French food and wine, I’ll savour it like a glass of Moet and Chandon. 

And so when a book called ‘Eat Your Heart Out’ set in France crossed my desk earlier this year, I knew it was going to be something I would enjoy.

Published by Affirm Press in February...

Listeners, if you tune in regularly, I’m sure you appreciate that I read eclectically and I’m fascinated by how books come into being - whatever path that happens to take. 

Indie or trad, I’m interested in it all. 

So when my fellow writer and friend, Sal Gallaher took the plunge and decided to self-publish her debut, I was keen to have a chat about it. 

Sal is a writer and photographer. A Dane by birth but has long called Australia home. 

Her debut novel ‘Secrets in the Lakes’ was published...

Listeners I last spoke to my next guest, Maryrose Cuskelly, when her debut novel ‘The Cane’ was published by Allen & Unwin back in 2022. 

"The Cane" was an atmospheric crime novel set in a fictional sugarcane town in North Queensland in the 1970s. A terrific story reminiscent of 'The Dry' and other Australian rural and outback noir, that became an Australian bestseller and was later shortlisted for a Davitt Award in 2023. 

Recently, Maryrose’s second novel ‘The Campers’ was released. And listeners, this novel is just as good - if not better - than 'The Cane' in my humble...

Listeners today I’m so excited to introduce you to another Aussie author whose book has simply floored me. 

Fiona Hardy - a writer, bookseller and reviewer from Melbourne - is the author of a new book published by Affirm Press earlier this year called ‘Unbury the Dead’. 

 A contemporary crime fiction novel about two best friends who are hired to undertake some morally questionable activities and who then find themselves caught up in a deadly high-stakes drama. 

Fast-paced, gritty and compulsive, Fiona Hardy is a talented, fresh new voice in Australian crime literature...

Marion Taffe is a Melbourne-based writer who after a 20 year career as a journalist, decided to turn her hand to novel-writing. 

A graduate of the RMIT degree in Professional Writing and Editing, Marion was named Creative Industries Student of the Year in her graduating year of 2023. She was also runner-up in the Grace Marion Wilson Emerging Writers Prize (non-fiction) in 2022 and a recipient of a Varuna Residential Fellowship in 2023.

Marion’s novel ‘By Her Hand’ was released in early March by HarperCollins’s Fourth Estate and what an impressive, wondrous and exploration of an historical era along...

When a friend that you've been toiling alongside in the writing space for years can finally call themselves a published author, there's many reasons to celebrate.

Chrissie Bellbrae is a talented Australian writer who took control of her writing career by self-publishing her debut novel 'The Florentine Quilt' early in 2025.

I'd had the pleasure of reading an early draft of this novel some five years ago and knew then this story was special.

To now see it out in the world in all its stunning glory, is immensely satisfying.

A novel...

There are many Australian writers out there producing quality book after quality book each and every year - satisfying the voracious demands of their eager fans. 

Penelope Janu definitely falls into that category. 

And if you haven’t heard of Penelope’s work as yet, then dear listeners you’re in for a treat. 

Penelope is a former lawyer  - a longtime legal academic - whose debut novel ‘In at the Deep End’ was published by HarperCollins in 2017. In the time since, Penelope has gone onto publish another 8 novels and three novellas. 

Late last yea...

Unsurprisingly, I’m very much drawn to the work of debut Australian authors. And this year, I’m delighted to be interviewing a number of them, one of whom is my next guest.

Kate Horan is Sydney-based ex-English teacher who once taught at high schools in Western Sydney loving being able to inspire teenagers with a love of reading. 

For the last seventeen years, however, Kate has worked in corporate communications - helping executives pitch and present. 

Early last month her debut novel was released by HQ Fiction. 

Called ‘The Inheritance’ Kate’s stor...

Ella Ward is a Melbourne-based author of memoir '27 Letters to My Daughter' and a brilliant debut novel 'The Cicada House'.

Released by HarperCollins in January 2025, 'The Cicada House' is a gorgeously uplifting, magical coming of age story that starts out one way and takes readers on an unexpected but utterly delightful journey. Following 40-year-old protagonist Caitlin, we move from London to Arana Bay in Victoria, this story is beautifully written and heralds an exciting career for author, Ella.

A highly entertaining chat!

I couldn’t think of a better way to kick off a brand new season of Talking Aussie Books than with my next guest author, historical fantasy writer, Kell Woods. 

I've had the pleasure of interviewing Kell once before on the podcast - and that was for Kell’s debut novel ‘After the Forest’ back in 2023. 

I remember distinctly finishing that book and thinking I had just read something incredibly special. A perfect mix of history, fantasy, romance and fairytale, I was utterly captivated by Kell’s storytelling prowess. 

Luckily, this year, Kell is back with...

If you’re a fan of crime fiction, you may have noticed that cosy crime is making a come back in a big way of late - certainly in Australia in any event. 

A sub-genre of crime that many attribute to Agatha Christie has spawned many wonderful Australian novels that recently include 'The Tea Ladies' Mysteries by Amanda Hampson,  the Poppy McGowan Mysteries by Pamela Hart, Miss Fisher' Mysteries by Kerry Greenwood, the hugely successful Ernest Cunningham Mysteries written by Benjamin Stevenson and now Kate Solly’s ‘The Parade Heights Craft Store Stitch Up’ published...

Alexandra Almond is a Melbourne-based author who, before turning her hand to writing, worked in a variety of roles - which included being a stable hand and a clown!

Her debut novel, 'Thoroughly Disenchanted', was recently published by HarperCollins Australia. And what a delightful, romantic - and despite its title - enchanting novel it is.

It’s about 4 friends, a cursed country house and a weekend away that stretched over a hundred years. An example of the romantasy genre (albeit cosy romantasy) that is currently taking the publishing world by storm.

I was del...

'The Last Love Note' written by Canberra-based author Emma Grey was one of my most memorable reads for 2023 - a book that Emma wrote in the wake of her husband’s sudden death.

It’s been incredibly successful both in Australia and NZ (selling more than 100,000 copies so far) and it was also picked up in the US and was selected for Book of the Month and Target’s book club.  

Having said all that, it may surprise you to learn that this was Emma debut novel for adults. 

Earlier last month, Emma’s second a...

'Immortal Dark' (Hachette Australia) by Tigest Girma heralds a new and exciting era of vampire fiction. As a debut it is a remarkable, fresh, rich and clever reimagining of a tale as old as time.

An Ethiopian writer based in Melbourne, Tigest is passionate about exploring East-African stories and myths - weaving them with dark and fantastical themes.

'Immortal Dark' is 'Twilight' meets older 'Harry Potter' and 'A Discovery of Witches' all rolled into one utterly compulsive read.

I was delighted to welcome Tigest to the podcast recently to chat about her sensational...

Sydney-based Joanne Fedler is an international bestselling author of 15 books.

A writing mentor, women's activist and keen ocean swimmer, Joanne's books have sold over 750,000 copies worldwide.

Earlier this year, Joanne's new novel 'The Whale's Last Song' was released by HarperCollins Australia. And what a beautiful, magical and portentous book it is.

So much so, I knew I had to speak with Joanne about it for the podcast.

Tune in to this wonderful, uplifting chat with a truly talented writer.

Brisbane-based author Christine Wells is the author of sixteen novels and is a powerhouse in the historical fiction space. 

Her new novel, ‘The Paris Gown’ (published by William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins) is about three women who meet at the Paris Cordon Blue cooking school in the 1950s and become firm friends, only to go their separate ways afterwards. 

Years later, they’re reunited in Paris by a Dior gown, but their lives are much changed. 

Think the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, but with...

'Double Happiness' (Midnight Sun Publishing)  by Melbourne-based writer, editor and arts journalist Rochelle Siemienowicz is a work of auto fiction and explores the complexities of non-monogamy and what it’s like to love two or more people - equally but differently. 

Set in Melbourne, the book is told from three different perspectives and spans a seven-year period in which Anna, her husband Brendan and her lover Jeremy, try to navigate a polyamorous lifestyle.

Beautifully written, this book is raw, moving and heartfelt. A surprisingly delightful read.

I was thrilled to welcome Rochelle to the p...

Listeners, it was a joy to welcome one of my favourite Aussie authors back to the podcast this week.

Tania Blanchard is an Australian, bestselling author whose skill as a storyteller has gone from strength to strength in the 6 or 7 years that I have known her. 

From her debut novel ‘The Girl From Munich’ to her latest, Tania has cemented her place as an international bestselling author and a powerhouse in the historical fiction space. 

I was thrilled to have the chance to chat with T...

Tricia Stringer is a multi-award winning bestselling Australian author of 17 novels which include 'Back on Track', 'Keeping Up Appearances', 'Birds of a Feather', 'The Model Wife' and 'Table for Eight' amongst others.

Tricia's brand new novel 'Head for the Hills' has just been released by HQ Fiction and what a joyful, insightful and timely read it is.

I was thrilled to welcome Tricia back to the podcast recently to chat about the problems the people of the fictional town of Jesserton in the Adelaide Hills face when the sale of a deceased estate wreaks havoc...

Julie Bennett is a Sydney-based author of two wonderfully rich, intriguing historical novels. 'The Understudy' published in 2022 and now 'The Lost Letters of Rose Carey' published earlier this year by Simon & Schuster Australia.

Storytelling is in Julie’s blood and that first novel was the most magnificent story - taking readers back to Sydney in 1973, inspired by her own childhood as the daughter of an opera singer as well as the Sydney Opera House itself.

‘The Lost Letters of Rose Carey’ is another glimpse into yesteryear, offering us a page-turning, immersive and fascinating story inspired by a t...

Christine Paice is the author of the incredible new novel ‘The Oxenbridge King’ which has just been published by HarperCollins Australia. 

Listeners to say that this was a novel I enjoyed, would be an understatement. 

'The Oxenbridge King' takes you back in time, giving you a glimpse into a by-gone era and ruminates on events we can only speculate about. 

A clever, funny and at times heart wrenching story, this book is enthralling and intriguing in equal measures. 

Inspired by the discovery of the bones of Richard III beneath a car park in...

Petronella McGovern is the author of 4 crime novels and two non-fiction titles. 

Her first book, Six Minutes - published in 2019 was an instant bestseller and was shortlisted for the Ned Kelley Awards in 2020. 

The Good Teacher was next, followed by The Liars. 

All masterful stories that examine the human psyche and what makes people behave the way they do. 

Petronella’s latest novel - The Last Trace - was released by Allen & Unwin last month. And listeners, I would say, t...

When Lizzy Dent’s new book landed on my desk a couple of months ago, I was excited.

'Just One Taste' (HarperCollins Australia) is a book with all the feels. Unforgettable characters, delightful romance, humour, food to salivate over and destinations to dream of.

An homage to Italy and complete sensory experience from an Aussie author that global bestselling authors Emily Henry, Marian Keyes and Beth O’Leary will happily cover quote for. 

I was thrilled to welcome Lizzy to the podcast recently to chat about 'Just One Taste'.

JP Pomare is a bestselling, award-winning author originally from New Zealand and who now lives in Australia. 

His first novel, 'Call Me Evie', published in 2018, won the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best First Novel, while 'Tell Me Lies' - his third novel, became a #1 Audible Bestseller and was shortlisted for the Ngaio Marsh Best Crime Novel award along with the Ned Kelly Award for Best Crime Fiction. 

This month JP’s brand new novel, '17 Years Later’ will hit shelves across Australia and NZ.

And listeners what a novel it is!

Publis...

Courtney Collins is an accomplished author screenwriter producer and podcaster.

Her first novel, 'The Burial' was published back in 2012 in ten countries and shortlisted for multiple prizes  - including the NSW Premiers Literary award and the Stella Prize.

Courtney’s second novel, ‘Bird’ has just been released by Hachette Australia. 

To say that this is a novel like no other I’ve read would be an understatement. It’s other worldly and yet so real in its exploration of themes that include misogyny and exploitation...