Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

The MacGuffin is Distracting

The Seven by Chris Hammer

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I’m going to state at the outset that I think it was a fantastic call on Chris Hammer’s part to move on from Martin Scarsden (protagonist of previous novels Scrublands, Silver and Trust) as his lead character, and instead follow Ivan and Nell, the detectives, into new novels.  Martin was getting to be annoyingly omniscient, and ever so slightly… overbearingly self righteous about it.  Following the detectives means we have a legitimate entry point into each new murder, and allows Hammer to mine the back […]

“Like all self-mythologising rebels, Mira preferred enemies to rivals”

Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton

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Read “real fiction” Nart, they say. “You’ll love it” they say. Pass. Plot: Anarchist, socialist, sometimes illicit gardeners Birnam Wood are fighting for a better future with fiery leader Mira  at the helm and her long suffering second Shelley. Yes, like in Macbeth, so you probably know what’s coming. Unfortunately, given that they are a bunch of law breaking anarchist socialists, they can barely keep their operation running, let alone have wide reaching influence. Mira is determined to find a way to break through though, […]

Adventures in Bedtime Reading III

How To Speak Dragonese by Cressida Cowel

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This third book in the How To Train Your Dragon series continues the adventures of Hiccup, his dragon Toothless, and his best mate Fishlegs as they attempt to learn how to be a real viking. The book begins with Hiccup and Fishlegs attempting to navigate in their own, handmade boat, The Hopeful Puffin. As part of their training, they and their ilk have been set the task of boarding a peaceful fisherman’s boat and scaring them with the Hooligan Warcry. Unfortunately, The Hopeful Puffin is […]

Still on my auto-read list

Between Us by Mhairi McFarlane

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Mhairi McFarlane has become a must-read author for me. I’ve enjoyed all of her books, although Don’t You Forget About Me is probably my favorite. So, when I heard that she had a new book out, I immediately put a hold on it at my library. Between Us (2023) was another interesting read, although it wasn’t my favorite of McFarlane’s novels. Although I liked the characters and the story kept me reading, the romance was underwhelming. The main characters in this book have all been friends for the last […]

Creepy Crime Novel Perfect for the Plane

Holly by Stephen King

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It’s a long, long way from Melbourne to Honolulu, and I spent a large part of it with Stephen King’s Holly Gibney (funnily enough, I read Needful Things on my first trip to US – SK is apparently my go-to companion for the long haul flights).  Regular King readers will recognise her as a recurring character, but Holly can be read as a standalone. Holly is a creepy, creepy old novel, a lot like The Outsider’s early sections in vibe, actually.  A taut crime/horror/suspense novel, […]

These are getting better as they go on, actually

Retribution by Sarah Barrie

Vendetta by Sarah Barrie

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It must be noted that the word “actually” is viewed as a deadly insult in my family – the implication is always that one expected otherwise.  “Actually, that roast lamb turned out ok!” ; “Actually, I quite like your partner.”  So when I say that these are actually getting better… yeah, I just expected that I’d be reading some ongoing treadmill trash.  I reread the first two books in the series before starting Vendetta, and I was surprised to find that by the time I […]



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