Category Archives: Book Reviews

An intriguing novel about WWII intrigue

Posted on 26 April 2022 by Debbie Terranova

The Imitator by Rebecca Starford My rating: 4 of 5 stars An enjoyable novel about the role of women in WWII espionage. By the author’s own admission, the characters are in the main invented and the story is loosely true, … Continue reading →

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Easy read, compelling story

Posted on 26 April 2022 by Debbie Terranova

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens My rating: 4 of 5 stars Despite the dark themes of alcohol addiction and domestic violence, this novel is a delight to read. In particular, the writing is tight, succinct, and appropriate. The … Continue reading →

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Review of ‘Still Life’ by Sarah Winman

Posted on 7 April 2022 by Debbie Terranova

Still Life by Sarah Winman My rating: 4 of 5 stars I fell in love, and then out of love, with this novel. The writing – which utilizes an expansive vocabulary that had me reaching for the dictionary – is … Continue reading →

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What was it like in a WWII internment camp?

Posted on 1 March 2022 by Debbie Terranova

A rare first-hand chronicle of internment that sheds new light on Australia’s wartime history. Mr Koike’s diary, which survived despite all odds, is beautifully translated and edited. Continue reading →

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A gripping 1880s migrant adventure

Posted on 13 December 2021 by Debbie Terranova

Paradiso A Novel by Steve Capelin My rating: 4 of 5 stars A gripping tale of hope and despair on the high seas. Set in 1879-80, a group of migrants from the struggling north of Italy chases the promise of … Continue reading →

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A gently-written novel about heartache and healing

Posted on 16 September 2021 by Debbie Terranova

The Labyrinth by Amanda Lohrey My rating: 4 of 5 stars Question: What does a mother do when her only son is in prison with a life sentence? Answer: She buys a crumbling shack by the sea and builds a … Continue reading →

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A memorable memoir by Brisbane author, Krissy Kneen

Posted on 6 September 2021 by Debbie Terranova

The Three Burials of Lotty Kneen by Krissy Kneen My rating: 5 of 5 stars When Krissy Kneen was a speaker at my authors’ group a few months ago, I was intrigued by her latest book. I’ve read some of … Continue reading →

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Human rights tyrants and how to stop them

Posted on 26 May 2021 by Debbie Terranova

Bad People – and How to Be Rid of Them: A Plan B for Human Rights by Geoffrey Robertson My rating: 4 of 5 stars While this book provides a history of human rights dating right back to the 17th … Continue reading →

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WWII in pictures: the voyage of the notorious ‘Dunera’

Posted on 6 March 2021 by Debbie Terranova

Dunera Lives: A Visual History by Jay Winter My rating: 5 of 5 stars Beautifully put together, this visual history shows through paintings, cartoons, photographs what happened to a shipload of German, Italian, and Jewish men – most of whom … Continue reading →

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An escape to the magical ‘deep country’ of our ancient land

Posted on 28 October 2020 by Debbie Terranova

All Our Shimmering Skies by Trent Dalton My rating: 4 of 5 stars An epic tale, in the spirit of the Brothers Grimm, set in the impossibly harsh country of Australia’s Top End. The characters are intriguing and larger-than-life, in … Continue reading →

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