Cirrus@Austlit

'A night at the Melbourne Zoo drinking champagne seems a fine idea, until an animal's death throws milliner and sleuth Catherine Kint into another mystery. Before you can say 'monkey business' Catherine and her trusted barman Boris are annoying everyone from zoologists to police. The investigation would challenge the best detectives, but this is Catherine and Boris on the case. Secrets, accidents, rivalries, egos and lust all set the dung flying. By the time this is finished, reputations will be tarnished, gin will be drunk and someone's gonna get fed to the lions ... or some other carnivore.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Ken, a middle-aged Chinese engineer arrives in Australia with a fake identity on a holiday working visa. He has big dreams of wealth to be made for the benefit of his family. But his arrogance makes him a target at work. Racial tension emerges as xenophobic Red and Ken try to reconcile their differences. His imminent visa expiry forces him to enrol in a communication course at TAFE, an alternative plan to gain employment with a multinational company on returning to China.

'Meeting Julia, his communication teacher shifts his quest to embracing life. The Red-Ken friendship chips off the fossils in Ken’s heart – Julia’s love penetrates it. Ken’s Quest gives insight into migrants’ frustrations over work place dynamics, under employment, discrimination and alienation. It exposes Australians’ fear of displacement. ' (Publication summary)

Private investigator and milliner, based in Melbourne.

One Spring morning a woman is found dead in a Melbourne laneway adorned with symbols of the occult. Catherine Kint, milliner, gin enthusiast and raconteur, has no reason to be involved until her friend is under investigation. Armed with her sharp wit, a crime scene background and a barman named Boris, Catherine walks into a world of new age prophecies, curses and money. Honestly, it would drive a girl to drink.' (Publication summary)

'Invisible threads from the past draw together in a tragic and fateful way, two strangers on the Greek island of Nausikaa. Belinda Babchek has fled the monotony of suburban Melbourne for Europe. Robert Aimard is a much older Englishman, novelist and inn-keeper, abandoned by his wife and little daughter. Belinda and Robert’s casual meeting changes their lives forever.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.