Recently arrived fiction from Aotearoa New Zealand
A close-knit Kāpiti Coast community faces devastation after a tsunami, brought about by the rupture of the Alpine Fault. As the government enforces a managed retreat, a determined group of villagers refuses to abandon their homes, their resilience tested not only by the natural disaster but also by Adrian Stokes, a powerful businessman seeking to exploit the situation for his own profit. As always, Pattrick weaves a compelling narrative of survival and resistance, highlighting the strength found in unity, community and self-sufficiency in the face of both environmental catastrophe and human greed.
See How They fall by Rachel Paris
The sudden demise of Turner Corp's founder, a titan of luxury goods, ignites a firestorm within his family. His three sons convene at their lavish estate for a long week, only for the arrival of an unexpected illegitimate sibling to shatter the fragile peace. Before anyone can grasp the implications, tragedy strikes. Skye, an outsider by marriage, navigates her husband's gilded world with growing unease, guarding her own secrets while striving for normalcy for their young daughter. The idyllic weekend descends into a parent's ultimate horror, propelling Skye into a desperate quest for the truth behind the Turner dynasty. Detective Mei, tasked with a swift resolution, finds herself ensnared in a labyrinth of deceit, as each unraveled thread threatens to expose the empire's rotten core. Homegrown thrills for fans of Lucy Foley, Alice Feeney and Freida McFadden
The Secrets of Maiden's Cove by Erin Palmisano
Following her father's death, Grace leaves her controlling husband Richard and returns to her childhood home of Maiden's Cove on the stunningly picturesque Chesapeake Bay, with her daughter Bayla, inheriting the struggling Cleary's Crab Shack. Her estranged childhood best friend Isla's return reignites old mermaid rumors, giving them one last chance to mend their fractured bond. However, the summer's promise darkens as Richard's presence looms, threatening Grace's newfound independence and her reconnection with her past, where delicious food, summer romance, and a touch of local magic intertwine. Erin is a local Nelson writer and author of the hugely popular The Secrets of the Little Greek Taverna.
When the Deep Dark Bush Swallows You Whole by Geoff Parkes
Summer 1982, deep in the dense and rugged King Country bush, Finnish backpacker Sanna Sovernen vanishes without a trace. A year later, her sister Emilia arrives, determined to uncover the truth, knowing her sister isn't the only woman swallowed by the unforgiving wilderness. Teaming up with Sanna's former lover, Ryan, Emilia's search stirs up long-held secrets within the close-knit community and for Ryan, who is holding his own past close to his chest. Told through 12 rotating points of view, this is a tense and page turning thriller where any character could be the killer.
The Amber Owl by Juliet Marillier
In an isolated village bordering the perilous Heartwood Forest, the animal-gifted Stasya is an outcast, finding solace only with her dog and the goatherd Lukas, a fellow storyteller. Their peace shatters with the arrival of soldiers seeking fabled treasure deep within the forest, a task deemed impossible due to its dangers and dark legends. Protesting this decree, Stasya is taken to the Ruler's court where the Lady Elisabeta enlists her unique skills, but Stasya refuses to betray her vow to protect Heartwood. Amidst courtly secrets and hidden enemies, Stasya and unlikely allies embark on a dangerous mission, discovering that the forest's uncanny tales might hold truth.
Surplus Women by Michelle Duff
A powerful collection of fifteen short stories exploring the multifaceted lives of women across various ages and eras. Drawing its title from the historical phenomenon of "surplus women" sent to colonies like New Zealand, Duff blends realism with speculative elements to craft vivid characters – from overwhelmed mothers to granny-spies – who navigate housing insecurity, exploitation, and the complexities of motherhood. The collection offers a sharp, feminist critique of patriarchal systems, celebrating women who reclaim their power and find resilience amidst challenging circumstances.
The Book of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey
In an alternative 1979 England identical triplets Vincent, Lawrence, and William are the last residents of Captain Scott House, part of the mysterious government "Sycamore Scheme," cared for by "Mother Morning, Afternoon, and Night." Their days are meticulously structured: learning from the outdated "Book of Knowledge," their dreams recorded in the "Book of Dreams," and their transgressions noted in the ominous "Book of Guilt." A pervasive "Bug" requires daily medication, and the boys dream of escaping to the mythical Margate. As the Scheme faces closure, unsettling truths begin to surface, intertwining with the secluded life of a girl named Nancy, ultimately questioning identity, bioethics, and the value of human life.
On Te Motu Kairangi, the Miramar Peninsula, Wellington seven-year-old triplets Ada, Oona, and Hanna, the daughter of Dr. Matti Lovelock, are growing up at Wonderland, their father Charlie's once-thriving amusement park, while Matti is dedicated to delivering babies. When a grieving woman, incognito and fleeing scandal, arrives from the other side of the world, her presence sparks the triplets' curiosity and provides Matti with new work, diverting them all from the unfolding situation at Wonderland. In a bold and imaginative reimagining, this mysterious woman is none other than Marie Curie, the renowned scientist famous for her work on radioactivity. As she finds solace and wonder in Aotearoa, the story blends historical figures with a unique family dynamic and the fading magic of an amusement park, creating a captivating and layered tale. Farr, a former scientist herself, infuses the narrative with a blend of scientific insight and lyrical prose.
