Talking Aussie Books

Katharine Pollock holds a PhD in creative writing from Western Sydney University and is the Program Manager at Writing NSW. Katharine contributes regularly to 'The Guardian' online and has been published by Fremantle Press, Vitagraph Publishing and 'Folly Journal' amongst many others. Katharine’s debut novel ‘Her Fidelity’ was published by Penguin Random House in 2022  - a book I loved and for which Katharine and I had a fabulous conversation for the podcast a couple of years ago. But this year, Katharine has a new novel out. ‘Starry Eyed’ recently published by Wakefield Press is a delightfully clever, humorous - sometimes laugh-out-loud novel about one woman’s quest to figure out who she is and more importantly who she wants to be. I thoroughly enjoyed my recent chat with Katharine about this book and how she came to be writing it. For information on the upcoming Writing NSW Course mentioned during the interview, see:https://writingnsw.org.au/whats-on/courses/seminar-setting-up-for-success-build-your-community-and-brand/

January Gilchrist is a Brisbane-based author  and mother of two whose debut thriller 'The Final Chapter' was recently published by HQ Fiction. An atmospheric locked-room thriller reminiscent of an Agatha Christie novel, 'The Final Chapter' was inspired by January’s stint at the prestigious Varuna Writer’s House in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney and her desire to write about women reclaiming their own narratives. Compelling, page-turning and a little spooky, this book was right up my alley. A thoroughly enjoyable read which has been aptly described as ‘Benjamin Stevenson meets Nine Perfect Stangers’. 

Tune in as Cassie Hamer chats to Angie Faye Martin about her incredible debut novel 'Melaleuca' published by HQ Fiction. An evocative, dual time line crime novel that draws on Angie's Indigenous heritage and explores themes of identity as well as racism, intergenerational trauma and corruption.A propulsive read from a refreshing new voice in Australian fiction. A wonderful interview which I hope you'll enjoy as much as I did.

Alison Booth writing as AL Booth is the author of 8 novels that include titles  such as 'A Distant Land', 'The Indigo Sky', 'Stillwater Creek', 'The Painting' and 'Bellevue' amongst others. Born in Melbourne and raised in Sydney, Alison is not only a novelist, but an award-winning academic and emeritus professor at the Australian National University in Canberra. Alison is a fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia and can not only write terrific fiction, but has published extensively in scientific journals. A woman of many talents.Alison’s latest novel ‘Death at Booroomba’ is published by Ventura Press and is in fact Alison’s first foray into crime fiction.  An evocative and immersive story that blends a murder mystery with meticulous research to paint an accurate picture of life in a small town in 1919 along with the political and societal issues facing Australians at that time. I was delighted to chat with Alison about her new book recently for the podcast.

Apologies to all the Jason Bourne fans out there, but there's a new guy on the block - an Aussie ex-cop turned vigilante called Jack Carlin.He's starred in other books, but 'High Rise', the new action-packed heart-in-your-mouth thriller from Melbourne-based author Gabriel Bergmoser, is Jack's most death-defying challenge yet. From the top floor of a crumbling Melbourne high rise building, Jack has to find a way to get his daughter Morgan to safety and in the process battle an army of bounty-hunters eager to claim the price on his head. From the bestselling author that brought you 'The Hunted' 'The Caretaker' and 'The Hitchhiker', 'High Rise' is a thrilling, page-turning story.Tune in to this incredibly entertaining chat with a master thriller writer.

Kimberley Freeman is an award-winning bestselling author of some thirty novels across a variety of genres. Based in Brisbane, Kimberley is a senior lecturer at the University of Queensland and this year her new novel 'The Secret Year of Zara Holt' was published by Hachette Australia. A novel inspired by the life of Dame Zara Bate - fashion designer and business woman - known as the wife of Australia's 17th prime minister, Harold Holt, who disappeared off the coast of Portsea and whose body was never recovered.'The Secret Life of Zara Holt' is a poignant, compelling story of love, scandal and betrayal that stretched across more than forty years and the passionate bond that kept Zara imagining that Harold would find his way back to her. A captivating read from an exceptional story-teller. Cassie had a fascinating, wide-ranging chat with Kimberly about this incredible novel. Do tune in.

Marcia van Zeller is a Canadian-born writer who arrived in Australia in the 1980s and embarked on a long career in journalism and professional writing. Completing her first novel as part of her PhD thesis back in 2015, Marcia's second novel 'Be A Good Girl Valerie' was recently published by Ventura Press. Exploring issues arising from toxic masculinity in the work place and the often very real consequences for women who stand up for their own rights as well as the rights of other women, 'Be A Good Girl Valerie' is both timely and topical. Cassie Hamer recently welcomed Marcia to the podcast to chat about the novel and some of Marcia's real-life experiences that inspired Valerie's story. A truly insightful and informative episode.

Emma Babbington is a London- born, Sydney-based author and journalist who not only writes brilliant novels, but works as the News Editor for one of Australia’s bestselling weekly magazines, ‘Woman’s Day’. Emma is a dear friend, writing buddy, confidante and all-round talented wonderful woman who’s gripping book, ‘The Neighbours’ was published by HQ Fiction in both the UK and Australia recently. I’m proud of my friend’s incredible achievement and was absolutely thrilled to welcome Emma to the podcast recently.

Deb Jordan is a Perth-based author whose debut novel 'The River Whispers' was published by Bloodhound Books UK earlier this year. A novel set between the Swan Valley and the Margaret River - two wine growing regions of WA - 'The River Whispers' centres around a tragic accident and its deadly aftermath. A terrific story that was as compulsive as it was entertaining. I was thrilled to have the chance to speak with Deb about the book for the podcast recently.

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 Scotland's history. And I simply adored this chat with Karen for the podcast recently. If you love whisky (or the idea of it at least), you will enjoy this episode.

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 welcomed Matt to the podcast recently to chat about this book and his journey to publishing success.

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 chatted with Laura for the podcast recently.  

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, high-stakes thriller exploring the Australian gold mining industry, outlaw motorcycle gangs and most interestingly the ever-increasing phenomenon of grey nomads who are hitting the roads across this vast country of ours. A fantastic story which had me hooked from its opening pages and I was delighted to welcome Fleur to the podcast recently to chat about it. 

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 book in which Hilde puts her finger on the pulse of modern Australian society, exposing the tender underbelly of the most vulnerable members of our community and showing that what we need most is often right in front of us. A beautifully written story about friendship, motherhood, family and the quiet strength of ordinary people that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading it. And I was delighted to have the opportunity to chat with Hilde about ‘The Opposite of Lonely’ for the podcast recently. 

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 female friendships and the different types of family bonds forged in the absence of biological ones. A heart-warming, nostalgic story that took me back to my own childhood in many ways. I loved this chat with Valerie and hope you will too.

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 podcast.

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 rose to the top of the Gestapo’s most wanted list for her work in the resistance movement during World War II.Called ‘The Mademoiselle Alliance’ this is a most remarkable, moving, inspiring story about a woman whose work to help free France from Nazi occupation went largely unrecognised until recently. And I was thrilled to welcome Natasha back to the podcast to talk to me about the woman who inspired this utterly brilliant novel. 

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 hugging your children close when you’re done. I was thrilled to welcome Chris to the podcast recently to chat about it.

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 Shankari’s most recent novel - Unfinished Business (also published by Ultimo Press). An explosive, heart-in-your-mouth thriller that follows CIA Agent Ellie Harper as she travels to Sri Lanka to investigate the death of a local journalist.I was more than a little thrilled to welcome the highly impressive Shankari Chandran back to the podcast a little while ago.

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 chance to speak with Jackie about this novel recently for the podcast.