Remarkable books by four talented women.
Words — Karen McMillan, bestselling author
karenm.co.nz | nzbooklovers.co.nz
THE SECRETS OF THE LITTLE GREEK TAVERNA
Erin Palmisano
Every novel needs a little bit of magic to make it a winner. This one comes with a smattering of magical realism alongside a love story, a tale of friendships, and a healthy portion of Greek food. Who could resist such a delicious mixture? This novel celebrates the wonder of living as the central characters overcome loss in many forms.
Moa Press, RRP $36.99
WOMAN, MISSING
Sherryl Clark
Lou Alcott used to be in the police force but now is a private investigator. Trying to help at-risk women, she finds herself embroiled in two cases at once. Lou is a perfectly written, strong female lead with a rather edgy problem. Her grandfather is Melbourne’s biggest crime boss, while her father has a senior position in the police force. Compelling from start to finish.
HQ Fiction, RRP $36.99
BETTER LEFT DEAD
Catherine Lea
DI Nyree Bradshaw returns to investigate the killings of two down-on-their luck women found in a hoarder’s house in rural Northland. As a crime procedural, it ticks all the boxes, and Lea sympathetically examines what the hunt for justice could cost Nyree, who finds her commitment to her work at odds with the new responsibilities of her personal life. Excellent characters and a page-turning plot.
Bateman Books, RRP $36.95
A HOUSE BUILT ON SAND
Tina Shaw
The doctor is concerned Maxine has early-onset dementia. Her daughter Rose has a recurring memory of a locked cupboard. When they return to their old family home in Kutarere, secrets from many years ago surprise them both, and they learn that their memories may not always be reliable. This is an absorbing, haunting novel, beautifully and sensitively written with compelling characters.
Text, RRP $37.99
