Cirrus@Austlit

'Psychics and a secret cult, assassins, a wily police detective and quantum physics are all woven together in this intriguing tale about time travel.

'Beattie Atkinson has a psychic reading, and it is revealed that a star on her palm signifies that she is a Tresoriun time traveller. The psychic belongs to an ancient cult which guards the secret of Tresoriun time travel and watches over potential Tresoriun time travellers.

'The psychic tells Beattie to head to Eumundi in Queensland and seek out the cult Leader to find out more about Tresoriun time travel. However, she warns Beattie that she must keep the matter a secret, as "There are bad people out there."

'Later when Beattie disappears from Noosa beach, at exactly the same place of a childhood family tragedy, Inspector Murray has to determine what has happened to her. Has she drowned? Has she been kidnapped or murdered by the unknown assassin who has been pursuing her for some time?

'The matter is further complicated when Beattie's fiance gives Inspector Murray a journal, recently written by Beattie, which discusses Tresoriun time travel. This indicates that he at least needs to consider the strange possibility that she may have travelled to a different time.

'The author explains that the wonder of Tresoriun time travel is that it's a natural phenomenon which does not require laboratories, complex scientific equipment or time machines to occur. When it happens, it's a spontaneous event, and the time traveller only travels within their own lifespan.

'It is Beatrix's hope that should a time-travel event occur, then she will travel back in time to the time of the Noosa family tragedy. But even if she does, can history change and rearrange itself?

'The author explores some facts of quantum physics, especially considering the mystery of dark matter and dark energy and whether they can play a role in the appearance of the Tresoriun star that always accompanies Tresoriun time travel.

'The story invites the reader to contemplate the cosmos and to look at the unknowns of science with curiosity and interest. She stresses the benefits of using one's imagination when trying to solve some of science's fundamental mysteries.' (Publication summary)

'In 2076 an advanced artificial intelligence escapes from a research institute in the USA and infiltrates the care robots in some nursing homes in the UK. The elderly residents and robots mysteriously disappear overnight, but it is not long before the elderly are found, having been cruelly killed by the robots, who have used the euthanasia devices available in the nursing homes. 

'The UK community is rightly outraged that some robots have gone on the rampage and killed the elderly residents, and this action sends shock waves throughout the world, as such behaviour has not been anticipated. Humankind now foresees the possibility that it could be on the brink of war with these enhanced robots, certainly presenting as formidable opponents. 
 

'Ilona Richardson, a retiree living in Sydney, realises that an obscure novel written by her grandmother some sixty years earlier closely parallels the situation now occurring overseas. She decides to send the book to authorities in London, where it has a positive reception. She then goes on to play a pivotal role as further events unfold worldwide. 

'The plot weaves between the USA research institute, Scotland Yard in the UK and Sydney Australia, and shows how simple human attributes such as cunning, good police work, and sound judgement prove a formidable match for the advanced artificial intelligence possessed by the robots.' (Introduction) 
 

'About eighty thousand years ago in eastern Africa, a young native named Nibu witnesses some lions kill his parents while out hunting. It is extraordinary that even after such a horrific event, Nibu is inspired to invent the throwing spear, a weapon that is far superior to the old hand spear.

'This proves to be a momentous achievement for modern humans, as it enables man to become the top predator in Africa. This will change our history forever!

'After his invention, Nibu adopts the name "The Spear Thrower," and goes on to become a living legend in Africa.

'In this novel we follow his adventures, and those of his grandson, Tubula. ' (Publication summary)

'The story is set in south-western France about 41,000 years ago, and the seasons are just starting to cool. A clan of Neanderthals is living peacefully, unaware that life is about to change dramatically for its Clan members.A scouting party of modern man has left Morocco and travelled through Spain, to reach the Neanderthals' area for the first time. This is a momentous new experience for the Clan members, who call these new people 'Outsiders'. The Outsiders arrive with a strange religion, and this serves to further complicate this encounter.The story is told by one of the Clan females, Ula, who describes what happens to the Clan in the year that follows this encounter, whilst the Outsiders are living in their area. There is a great fight, but some of the Clan members manage to survive. You will be touched by their courage and tenacity, as they rebuild their lives.Definitely expect the unexpected in this story, as the book aims to humanise the Neanderthals and cast aside old clichés and past stigmatisations of them. Readers are invited to consider the uniqueness of the Neanderthals, and they are presented as a loving, intelligent and courageous group of people.The author believes that the Neanderthals deserve our greatest respect, as they managed to survive living in small, isolated clans, sometimes in very harsh climates, for over 200,000 years.' (Publication summary)