Cirrus@Austlit

'Stephen Whiteside knew that Spargo's Hut in the Australian mountains near Mt Hotham had been abandoned for many years. However, when he first visited it in 1982, he got a shock. It looked like it was still inhabited. Could he have been mistaken? Closer inspection revealed that it was, indeed, abandoned. However, its remoteness had allowed it to remain crammed full of all the items necessary for everyday living. There was a bed and pillow, a table and chairs, a Coolgardie safe, pots and pans, crockery and cutlery, a cheese grater, a fly spray pump, an oven mitt, a golf putter, books and magazines, and much, much more.

'It looked to him as though a woman had lived there as well as a man. Who were these people who had lived in this one room hut above the snow line, and why? He resolved to find out...'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Homicide detectives Mark Amos and Zac Harris are called out in the early hours of a cold, wet morning to investigate a naked corpse curled up in a laneway off Exhibition Street, Melbourne. The face of the corpse is twisted in torment. Numerous knife wounds and cigarette burns litter the torso. The experienced detectives have not seen anything like it. There are no clues and the dead man is unidentifiable. But they can feel the perpetrator's frenzied rage.

'Weeks pass, then one night, Detective Mark Amos catches a lucky break. It eventually leads him to the Smyth family in Tasmania, where Mark's investigations reveal misappropriation, a wrongful death, a suicide and the destruction of a respected family.

'This spin-off of The Taroona Incident is a tale of hubris, the greed of others, drugs and fateful decisions.

'A Body in the Lane is a suspenseful crime thriller that'll keep you hooked until its shocking climax.' (Publication summary)

'Can you find all the ants and objects hidden in ten gorgeous double-spread antscapes?Each picture has been meticulously crafted, packed with fun, excitement, and secrets! Illustrator Kev Howlett has created a whole range of fascinating worlds where ants rule and objects hide. You'll have fun on every page searching for a list of targets while also discovering a whole range of hilarious situations. It's never boring in Antworld where the ants are doing weird and wonderful things while creating a whole lotta chaos!' (Publication summary) 

'A body.

'A secret.

'A reckoning.

'When four-year-old Rebecca finds the lifeless body of her much-loved Aunt Pat in the Derwent River in 1952, the course of her life changes forever. Plunged into loss, despair and grief, Rebecca navigates the years that pass like a boat searching for shore.

'Cecil Newton hides in many ways. Running from a past he doesn't want to face, he moves from town to town, burying his secrets and hoping they stay hidden.

'When years pass and paths cross, the past comes ashore. Rebecca meets the truth. Cecil meets fate.' (Publication summary)

'Ash and Destiny enjoy a happy life in Melbourne with their young son, Tomas, a large and slightly dysfunctional family, a successful art gallery, and Destiny’s new exhibition about to debut. But everything changes for Ash on one extremely hot Summer Solstice when a car crash leaves his family shattered.

'Waking in hospital Ash knows his whole life has been flipped on its head and his long journey to adjusting to loss and pain is just about to begin. But as time passes both Ash and Destiny struggle to return to their normal life in Melbourne.

'When all seems to be lost and stagnating in their lives, the option to move to country Victoria presents itself. An unlikely move for the city-dwelling couple turns into a new and rejuvenating experience that is the start of a new family, connection to old family, and a healing process for all, despite more disasters looming in the distance.' (Publication summary) 

'Earflaps on kneecaps? What a design flaw that would be! The designer of our bodies knew just how to build our bodies perfectly. He gave us five senses so we could explore the world around us. We use our senses every day as we smell, taste, hear, see, and touch our amazing world; and he put them in the right place on our bodies so they will work well. What a disaster it would be to have your senses in the wrong places!' (Publication summary) 

'One day the hippo heard it mentioned

that an important Head of State

revealed that he had no intention

to care for the planet's fate.

'Anonymous Hippopotamus faces his most evil foe:

A head of state whose selfishness and greed

threaten the future of our planet.

Can our humble hero stop him before it's too late?' (Publication summary)

'"He is the scourge of poachers

The nightmare of polluters

The bane of wildlife traffickers

And the foe of nature looters..."

'Meet Anonymous Hippopotamus,

a humble superhero on a mission to

protect animals everywhere from

human cruelty and greed.

'A fun book with tongue-in-cheek humour about heroes and good deeds. Fill colour, comic-style images that will delight children and adults alike.' (Publication summary)

'The throb of diesel engines and the blast of horns greet Mary O'Rourke as she enters the railway station bound for the next phase of her life.

'The Western District of Victoria beckons with the promise of employment at Roscommon Downs.

'Excited and somewhat apprehensive, Mary is determined to make the most of the opportunity.

'With an upbringing at an orphanage well behind her, new people enter, influence and shape her future. A future that eventually leads to an unexpected discovery.

'Join Mary on her journey as through times of joy and trouble she eventually fulfils a lifelong ambition when circumstances emerge to uncover the hidden truth that lies behind her constant search for answers.'  (Publication summary)

'"Dr Wize said, 'When I was a young man, a long time ago...' He laughed, trying to lighten the subject. 'I was given the best advice a man could receive, and I am going to pass it on to you.'"

'Arthur is a young man in West Heidelberg with a drive to get more out of life. He loves cars, motorbikes... and girls. But it isn't until he meets Doctor Wize that he truly understands the complicated rule to relationships.

'This book is a reflection on the highs and lows of life, tied together with a punchy, distinctive voice that will keep your eyes glued to the page as Arthur dissects his past.

'With a quintessential, home-grown feel of Australia in the 1960s, Two Heads in Two Decades follows Art's journey as he navigates family, friendships, love and sex. With the help of his brother, Al, and the advice of Doctor Wize, Arthur sets out to find the strength to overcome the challenges that life throws at him - and hopes that this book will help you do the same.'  (Publication summary)

'Silly stuff for kids of all ages

'Yum, yum

'Here are 77 original nonsense poems, plus drawings to go with them - silly stuff for kids of all ages

'John Jenkins is a widely published writer of poetry, fiction and non-fiction. But there's nothing serious here, in a feast of pun fun and play with words.

'John wrote the poems and also did the line drawings, and here serves up a delightful dish of half-baked treats, nuts and nonsense.

'Bon appetit'  (Publication summary)

'Fler studied all areas of the paranormal and spiritual.

'These inspired her to write poetry and began her lifelong interest in Astronomy and Cosmology.

'Fler became the Australian President of the International Association for the Near Death Studies and a well-known lecturer.

'Fler believed that God is imminent in all creation and felt his presence guiding her in her later years.

'Her collection of Divine Love Poetry comes from high spiritual sources whispering of Eternal Love and Light.'  (Publication summary)

'Melbourne, 1956. An intelligent, but unworldly Alison meets sophisticated, man-about-town Andrew and her middle-class life is transformed.

'The sparkle and excitement of Melbourne's 1950s elite social scene makes her whirlwind romance with him seem perfect. But not everyone is happy.

'Behind the veil of wealth and prestige, Alison finds sinister intentions. A story that rolls through fifty years of history across the playgrounds of Melbourne and Hong Kong society.' (Publication summary)

'Grandma and Luca are reading a bedtime story from the magic shoebox. This story is about Chickaboo and his next adventure. Chickaboo lives on Blossom Ridge with Farmer Bill. There are lots of other farm animals enjoying the sunshine: Bridie the Goat, Flossy the Sheep and Ruffy the noisy dog, all lounging around under the Jacaranda tree. Chickaboo suddenly announces he wants to go on an adventure. Let's all go on the adventure with them.'

Source : publisher's blurb