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Good Reading : August 2017
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RATINGS ★ ★ ★★ ★★ ★★★ ★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★★ RG The Lone Child Anna George Neve Ayres has returned home, back to the coast of the Mornington Peninsula, where she spent so much time as a child – until the death of her mother. When her life took a sharp sideways turn after the birth of her son and the departure of her lover – who returned to his wife – Neve retreated to the familiar, anonymous safety of this coastal community. Her peace is shattered early one morning when she sees a lonely girl standing on the shoreline, preparing to throw herself into the swirling ocean currents. Reaching out, she drags her to shore. The girl, Jessie, returns to her parents, only to show up on Neve’s back doorstep a few days later, tired, hungry and cold. The longer she stays with Neve, the more Neve thinks that she would be doing the best by the child by keeping her hidden from parents, who allow their child to feel so abandoned. But Jessie’s mother is looking for her and will do anything to get her back. Neve wants to save Jessie and herself, but the cost may be too great. An atmospheric and intriguing read, this novel takes readers along on Neve’s journey. Neve struggles to come to terms with her own sense of loss at the death of her mother as she faces the prospect of raising her son alone. Her fears are brought sharply into focus as she faces the prospect of caring for a lost child as well as dealing with her feelings of being abandoned herself by those in her life who she loved the most. ★★★★ Viking $29.99 Reviewed by David Johnson The Whistler John Grisham American lawyer Greg Myers approaches the Florida Board on Judicial Conduct to lodge a complaint about a corrupt judge. His client, a state employee, can claim – once the corruption has been proved – millions of dollars under the Florida Whistleblower Statute. Michael Geismar, CEO of the board, arranges for Lacy Stoltz and Hugo Hatch to make an initial investigation and report back. The story that Myers tells involves bribery, extortion, intimidation, rigged trials, two murders and one wrongful conviction. The judicial conduct they are working on – a typical case, apparently – involves a judge who is fighting alcoholism, refuses to schedule hearings until after lunch, and often forgets to turn up. They are trying to negotiate a solution where the judge can retire with dignity. But a complaint that includes two murders is way outside their field of expertise. Lacy and Hugo are lawyers, not law enforcement officers. Michael Geismar decides that the complaint should be pursued – a decision that will haunt him to the day he dies. Naive r isks, trauma and tears will eventually result in greater awareness of the dangers and a more realistic appreciation of cr iminal depravity. It also results in an exhilarating page-turner for the reader. My one suggestion for the author is that he examine the need for repetition. One of Lacy’s thoughts is given to the reader. This thought is repeated later when she mentions it to another character. Further on, an update is give when a new character appears. This technique is ideal for readers who read a few pages and return in a week’s time, but it’s unnecessary for anyone who devours a book within a few days. ★★★★ Hodder $19.99 Reviewed by Clive Hodges under the Florida Whistleblower Statute. way outside their field of expertise. Lacy and Hugo are lawyers, not law enforcement officers. the complaint should be pursued – a decision that will haunt him to the day he dies. Naive risks, trauma and tears will eventually result in greater awareness of the dangers and a more realistic appreciation of cr iminal depravity. It also results in an exhilarating The Lone Child Anna George Nof the Mornington Peninsula, where she spent so much time as a child – until the death of her mother. AUSTRALIAN AUTHOR GOOD READING AUGUST 2017 41 GENERAL FICTION WOM word of mouth
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