Another excellent novel from Christian White! Wild Place has an authentic, small-town feel with relatable characters and it’s totally addictive with plenty of twists and turns. I felt clever that I picked a key aspect about 15 pages before it was revealed, but many surprises I didn’t pick. Christian reaffirms his place as one of Australia’s best writers of crime fiction.

Jay, Dymocks Rouse Hill

Get ready to be lost in The Deep. Forest walks out of the ocean and into his family’s arms, no questions asked. But should there be questions? Who is he? Where has he been all these years? Secrets, lies, love and loyalty all twist and turn on the whim of a Black Wind.

Julie, Dymocks Waurn Ponds

Chris Hammer takes us with Detective Sergeant Ivan Lucic to the flies, heat and dust of Finnigan’s Gap, to investigate the death of an opal miner in this small remote community. What unfolds over the next week will keep you enthralled and engaged as a great cast of characters, including billionaires and cult figures, are all involved in mystery, scheming and intrigue. There are many secrets that won’t remain buried.

Ted, Dymocks Nowra

This brilliant work of fiction almost reads like a memoir, such is Chris Hadfield’s ability to draw on his time in space. His ability to convey the feeling of flying into space aboard Apollo 18 is surpassed only by the depth of his characters and the suspenseful storyline that takes us back to the time of the cold war. Fans of The Martian will appreciate the technical aspects of this story, told from the perspective of a real-life astronaut. The espionage and mystery of the well-thought-out storyline will keep you hooked until the very end!

Colin, Dymocks Neutral Bay

Well yes, I am a Robotham fan and he has hit the mark again with this new thriller. In When You Are Mine there are two main female characters that weave an absorbing interaction. Throw in some shady relos, cops with a history and a nosey journo, and you have the perfect recipe for disaster! This gripping drama has just the right mix of relationship angst and allure of who will come out on top.

Ted, Dymocks Nowra

With a science fiction thriller framework, Girl One explores the fascinating theory of virgin birth and the implications of such. Will these children be miracles or monsters? Alderman’s The Power meets Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale in this powerful acclamation of feminism, empowerment, and ambition. A book that will spark your curiosity and your imagination.

Jess, Dymocks Joondalup

Incredibly smart, humorous and gripping, this book has all the necessary elements of an epic sci-fi adventure. The characters will steal your heart and leave you wanting more of their wonderful story - I loved it!

Tanaya, Dymocks Marketing Coordinator

I went in with zero expectations (I've never read anything by Andy Weir before) and a little trepidation as the 'waking up in a strange place with no memories' trope is pretty overdone. Boy was I pleasantly surprised! The first section of the book is really well written, with plenty of humour and of course a lot of mystery. And then comes the...?? I can't tell you! It will spoil too much, but it's when the book really comes alive! The characters and their relationships and motivations; I just couldn't put this one down.

Erin, Dymocks Rouse Hill

Psychological thrillers and crime are my jam at the moment and this debut is outstanding. It fits right in with the established authors in this genre who have been keeping me enthralled over recent weeks. This book is told from the perspective of a true crime podcast investigator. Her last couple of seasons have resulted in arrests and Ellie hopes that this new one will be no different. There are twists and turns that will keep you on your toes. Highly recommend this book if you are a super fan of the psychological thrillers. I look forward to reading Amy Suiter Clarke's future books.

Julie, Dymocks Waurn Ponds

Christina Sweeney-Baird's The End of Men asks: what if there was a pandemic that was even more scary than the one we are in the midst of? What if it only affected men? This book examines gender roles in society and how much the world around us has been shaped by them. It forces you to look around at the ones you love and imagine life without them. A thought-provoking read perfect for 2021. I loved every moment of this book!

Bree, Dymocks Chermside

This is a very different spin on the usual crime novel; a beautiful, sad and powerful story of what happens when a woman dies and nobody knows who she is, told from the perspective of the victim. I absolutely adored reading this in Alice's voice. It's a story that will stay with the reader long after they've finished.

Karina, Dymocks Canberra

Told through the eyes of four family members, this is an adventure and a roller coaster ride, well written and full of twists and turns. This book is about a family who needs desperately to heal and whilst everyone thinks they are doing just that, they are only surviving and going through the motions, rather than living their best lives. Do they have what it takes to find a way through to the other side? Just be warned that once you start reading, you'll do everything in your power to make sure you can keep reading! This is an excellent example of the depth of writers we have in this country.

Julie, Dymocks Waurn Ponds

Gripping and enthralling! Joe is back at it again, endeavouring to be a nice guy in order to impress his newest fixation, a librarian who’s living a Gilmore Girls-esque life. In this cat-and-mouse thriller, you'll continue to question why you relate to Joe, hoping he won’t get caught, simply because Caroline Kepnes writes him as if he believes that he is a righteous hero. This book certainly subverts expectations in a grippingly suspenseful way that will keep you guessing until the very last page.

Xavier, Dymocks Waurn Ponds

Two ten-year-old boys who have grown up and bonded as close friends, in part because of a missing father figure in their lives, find themselves on the run from the authorities and their parents after a desperate accident has occurred. As they start a perilous journey into a forest and down a river, their four rescuers/hunters find themselves on their own journey, in situations that force them to confront their own demons and purpose in life. This is both a coming-of-age and transformation story that is as moving as it is exhilarating. Perfect for fans of Where the Crawdads Sing.

Lynne, Dymocks Rouse Hill

What a debut! I was hooked within the first ten pages and struggled to put it down. This book reads like someone who has been writing thrillers for years. Our main character is not only flawed on the home front but struggling from being a victim on a previous case; what happens when both of these worlds collide, and how will she cope and do her job whilst keeping her family together? I look forward to reading about more adventures from Henley and her team. This is not a book for the faint-hearted crime fan. Psychological thriller fans will find this one hard to put down.

Julie, Dymocks Waurn Ponds

Other People’s Houses is a compelling psychological thriller about obsession, deception and finding out what lies beneath the perfect facade that many people hide behind. Kate is such a captivating protagonist turned amateur sleuth and it was as if she were a character right out of Hitchcock’s Rear Window. What makes this story even more captivating is the fact that it is as much a mystery as it is a story about grief, loss and coping with your emotions. An emotional roller coaster ride perfect for fans of books such as The Woman in the Window.

Josh, Dymocks Sydney

This story, based on the true case of three missing lighthouse workers in 1900, is an interesting take on the classic “locked door” mystery, as the workers all disappeared but the lighthouse was inexplicably found locked from the inside. The story alternates between 1972, the time preceding the disappearance of the men, and 1992, when a writer looks to solve the mystery and spends time interviewing the three women who were their partners. The Lamplighters was a very atmospheric read, with the sense of isolation at the lighthouse being excellently portrayed, delivering a plausible theory as to what could have happened in 1972.

Jay, Dymocks Rouse Hill

Twists and turns, a complex plot, wonderful characters, trademark humour, and an unpredictable ending, Winis everything we’ve come to expect from a Harlan Coben novel. Many longtime fans will be delighted that Windsor Horne Lockwood III finally has his own series but rest assured, this reads perfectly as a standalone. Recommended!

Karen, Dymocks Adelaide

This fascinating book is as mysterious as The Dry and as moving as Where the Crawdads Sing. Whilst the reader is sent back and forth between the 1940s, 1960s and 1980s, The Silent Listener does so seamlessly to the point that the reader really does feel like they are smoothly transported to vital events of the narrative. Through the innocent eyes of Joy Henderson, we explore her life on an isolated farm in rural Australia, and how she struggles to make sense of the the cruelty and people that surround her life - in particular, her father George, who is loved and adored by the community but who behind closed doors is another individual altogether. One day, one of the local children Wendy goes missing and Joy can’t put herself at ease with the disappearance. If you are looking for a book that is hard to put down, then The Silent Listener is for you.

Gina, Dymocks Neutral Bay

Three wives – well, you know it’s going to be interesting! There’s the damaged husband who is a breakaway from a traditional Mormon community and the wives, all very different in personality and skills but all broken for different reasons. Great storyline - including rebellion, drama, sex, religion and cult worship – with a nice twist.

Mike, Dymocks Busselton

In Abigail Deans' debut novel Girl A, we are granted an insight into what it means to be a survivor of both physical and psychological abuse. When Girl A's mother dies in prison, she and her siblings are forced to come to terms with what happened to them long ago. This gripping psychological thriller is a beautifully constructed slow burn with a heartbreaking storyline set firmly in the realm of realism. Perfect for any crime enthusiast who likes to explore the long-term repercussions of crime on its victims, and the challenge survivors have to not only live but to thrive.

Kyle, Dymocks Wollongong

Box 88 is a secret spy agency that shares common ground and values with MI5 but is also able to act outside the confines of the law. Set in both 1989 and 2020, we get the back story of the protagonist Lockie Kite, a member of Box 88, and learn how these earlier events conspire to see him kidnapped and in mortal danger in 2020. This is a very readable and engaging spy thriller that also throws light on the two very different worlds of espionage in 1989 and 2020. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Jay, Dymocks Rouse Hill

Oh J. P. - you’ve done it again! You sucked me in, good and proper. You will not be able to put this book down - if you’re looking for an addictive read that won’t drag out at all, THIS is your book. The lies had me all the way through; they got me, and they kept me. Even when they started punching me in the face I still couldn’t see my way through them. Well done Mr. Pomare!

Julie, Dymocks Waurn Ponds

Another multi-layered, cleverly constructed top shelf thriller from Jane Harper. The Survivors takes you from the simmering sub story of unresolved discontent in a small coastal town to the current events that has everyone on edge. When another tragedy occurs the tension that Jane brings to the page is palpable. I loved this book - it’s an absolute must-read and a 10/10!

Ted, Dymocks Nowra

I really enjoyed Either Side of Midnight and became more addicted the further I read. A thriller with twists from the outset - is there a crime or not? I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy the writing style of Chris Hammer. I shall be seeking the author’s first book to read next.

Sharon Brown, Dymocks special guest reviewer

The Girl in the Mirror is an amazing thriller full of twists and turns. The story follows two identical twin sisters, delving into their unique relationship with one another, and will have you questioning how far one of them might go to be just like her twin. A fast-paced book that will have you hooked and unable to stop turning the pages until the very end (this I PROMISE!). Unlike anything I have read in a long time, this has to be my favourite book I have read this year. I highly recommend this fantastic crime thriller and I absolutely cannot wait to see just how big this book is going to be.

Liana, Dymocks Busselton

The death of a pope, a clandestine crusade, an art restorer, and a mysterious missing book all lead to another great read from Daniel Silva. The Order delves into the world of the papacy amidst murder and intrigue and is perfect for old fans and new readers of Daniel Silva alike.

Julie, Dymocks Waurn Ponds

The Hunted is exactly what it seems, but at the same time a complete surprise: a fast-paced cinematic novel that reads on the border of horror, action and suspense. This perfect blend of genres combined with intriguing characters allows the chills you felt when you first watched a scary movie to come back and swallow you whole... whilst maintaining an intelligent and thought-provoking plot to keep you hooked until the very end. It's no wonder this book is already in the works for a film.

Mathew, Dymocks Waurn Ponds

In this gripping follow-on from Good Girl Bad Girl, we continue on the enticing journey of Evie Cormac and Cyrus Haven. Michael Robotham has an uncanny ability to engage readers with his characters and keeps you breathless with anticipation as the story unfolds. Another 10/10 for this psychological thriller.

Ted, Dymocks Nowra

This is my first Karin Slaughter book and I know it won’t be my last! The Silent Wife is told in alternating voices and is done so very, very well. It contains flawed characters that I actually found myself empathizing with as well as a scary representation of the human psyche. Even if you read a lot of crime stories and believe you are hyper-sensitive to the clues, the manipulation of the reader in this instance is so well done that you will find the ending hard to predict. This is one of the best psychological thrillers I have read in a while.

Gina, Dymocks Neutral Bay

Deeply emotive and gorgeously written, Sheerwater is the stunning story of a mother’s love for her children. Told from multiple perspectives across just three days, we follow the disappearance of two little boys from their mother when she stops to assist with a plane crash. Whilst the mystery of what happened to the boys is at the forefront of this novel, Sheerwater is also an exploration of relationships, parenthood and domestic abuse, and a story you won’t be able to put down until it’s finished.

Tanaya, Dymocks Marketing Coordinator

I adored this novel and at the time of reading I couldn’t quite put my finger on why. I’ve since realised it is because there were so many elements I loved, like the Vancouver Island setting, the mysterious characters, and the fascinating inner workings of a Ponzi scheme to name a few. Fans of her previous novel Station Eleven - of which I am definitely one – may recognise a character or two, but this is a very different, but equally beguiling tale. It proves Emily St. John Mandel is a truly gifted storyteller.

Kate, Dymocks Category Manager

Book 19 is a fast paced read with Tempe running just as fast. This feels like a new style for both the author and protagonist. In fact, many of Tempe's issues in this book stem from the author's own experience with illness over the last 12 months. It feels like she is exploring that desperation a person feels when their life is on the line, knowing there is so much to be done, to be solved, but finding it hard to sort fact from fiction. Is Tempe really on the right trail or has a hallucination stepped her off the path? Working mostly solo we keep pace with Tempe in solving this latest Conspiracy of Bones...

Julie, Dymocks Waurn Ponds

In The Good Turn, Dervla McTiernan conveys mood so exquisitely. Most of the book feels grey, gloomy, morose – fitting perfectly with the storylines of the two main characters. Towards the end, you get a feeling of the sun just starting to break through, again matching the breaks in the cases beginning to appear. Just brilliant! The storylines are compelling, and I really love Cormac Reilly as a character.

Jay, Dymocks Rouse Hill

With Hollywood screenwriting credits of Jurassic Park and War of the Worlds to his name, Koepp knows how to write a tasty sci-fi thriller without the fat. Cold Storage is a sharp, tense and bitingly funny ride.

Tim, Dymocks Digital & Community Coordinator

I was stunned that this book is a debut - it is amongst the best campus novels I've read. The star academic Lorna Clay is such a mesmerising character who I kept thinking about long after turning the final page. This story about love, influence, and betrayal will leave you guessing well into the night. If The Truants is anything to go by, Kate Weinberg is one to watch.

Kate, Dymocks National Category Manager

I love a good mystery thriller and this one is A+. Sarah Bailey creates such a strong character that the reader is captivated and drawn into the many trials and tribulations in this great story. Fans of The Dry and Scrublands will love it.

Ted, Dymocks Nowra