Talking Aussie Books

Amy Hutton is a Sydney-based author who grew up on the northern beaches and became an award-winning television producer. But about 7 years ago now, Amy gave up her job in network television to pursue her love of writing. ‘Sit Stay Love’  - Amy’s first novel - was published by Simon & Schuster in 2023 and Amy followed that up with her second novel ‘Love from Scratch’ only a year later. Amy describes herself as the writer of swoony love stories.  And having read all three of her books now, I can definitely attest to the veracity of that description. I was thrilled to welcome Amy to Talking Aussie Books recently to talk about the publication of her third novel ‘Ghosted’  - a delightfully dark and sexy paranormal romance publised by Atria Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. 

I recently had the pleasure of chatting to author Holly Cardamone about her sparkling debut novel 'Summer, In Between' (Hawkeye Publishing).When not writing Holly runs a boutique communications and writing consultancy from Melbourne where she helps people tell their story and grow their brand.‘Summer, In Between’ won the 2024 Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript Development Prize and has now been officially released into the world. An evocative coming of age novel, Holly has captured the essence of a beachside Australian summer along with the teenage angst of being no longer a child, but not yet an adult. Its about teenage romance and future dreams. About family, cultural identity and about belonging. A gorgeously uplifting novel and thoroughly enjoyable read and a chat well worth listening to.

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.