On the shelf – December & January 2025

Whether you are poolside, beachside or riverside this summer, our reviewers – Belinda O’Keefe, Rebecca Greaves and Lucinda Diack – have something to help you while away those long summer days.

Rebecca Carter and her daughter Monica are on the run, hiding a horrifying secret as they travel the American West in a van, isolating themselves from the outside world.

FBI agent Marc Donner has spent the last two years attempting to identify a serial killer who leaves no clues other than the victims’ bodies. Finally he gets a solid lead that sends him hot on the trail of the mother and daughter duo.

This fast-paced cat-and- mouse thriller turned out to be very different from the usual crime novels I’m used to, taking an unexpected turn about a third of the way through. Some gruesome scenes, but a gripping, atmospheric read – I could easily imagine it on the big screen. BO

This is a retelling of one of literature’s classic novels, Oliver Twist, told from Nancy’s point of view.

The author transports us to the grimy streets and dark alleys of London, where Nancy is trapped in a life of disrepute under the watchful eye of violent Bill Sikes.

When she crosses paths with mysterious Mr Rufus, she glimpses the chance at a life she never thought possible. But Nancy is torn between her own freedom and saving cherubic orphan Oliver Twist from the clutches of a dastardly villain.

It’s easy to become attached to Nancy’s humble character with her authentic Cockney narrative, as she struggles to break away from her sordid life. An engaging tale of heartache, sacrifice, love and redemption from a very different perspective. BO

Woolsheds
Annette O’Sullivan & Jane Ussher
Massey University Press

Woolsheds hold a special place in the heart of rural New Zealand. There’s something nostalgic about stepping inside a heritage woolshed, like stepping back in time. The smell, the stencils, names etched on the walls, a chronicle of those who have gone before us, harking back to the glory days of wool.

With the collapse of wool prices and the decline of the industry, many are now disused and in danger of being lost. Design historian Annette O’Sullivan wished to document them, and their stories, before it was too late.

This glorious book celebrates the rich history of the woolshed, capturing some of the most iconic woolsheds in New Zealand, accompanied by the wonderful visual storytelling of photographer Jane Ussher. A beautiful addition to any coffee table. RG

Your Asian Veggie Patch
Connie Cao
Murdoch Books

Connie Cao is a Melbourne- based urban permaculture gardener, homesteader and creator. Her backyard is bursting with vegetables, fruits, berries, cut flowers and beneficial plants; and she believes any- sized space can become a garden. Her encouragement that everyone embrace the ‘imperfect perfection of nature’ was great for someone like me who is lacking a green thumb!

Her book includes a curated selection of annuals and perennials, each with an easy- to-follow guide for growing, harvesting and cooking.

This beautifully presented informative guide to growing will not only inspire you to start your own Asian veggie patch, but have you thinking outside the square when it comes to what to plant and cook with. LD