Cirrus@Austlit

'After the corpse of a newborn baby is discovered in a nearby laneway, an adopted girl being raised in a funeral home finally appreciates the sanctity of her own life. A drug dealer goes missing and his many clients plot an outrageous plan to ensure his safe return, with comically fatal results. A middle-aged playwright conspires with a young university student to commit a scandalous act of literary fraud. A man takes a live-in job at the local funeral home so he can eventually transport kilos of marijuana inside funeral home’s coffins. A co-dependent mother suspects her beloved and mentally-ill son of murder, triggering a moral dilemma. A successful gynaecologist develops a severe cocaine addiction. A young boy about to testify in court about his mother’s innocence in a murder trial decides to lie under oath. An elderly drug runner for strippers and prostitutes plans to pass on the business to his only son. In the final, novella-length story, a young couple decides to escape the grime and noise of the city and camp on the property of an uncle’s farm, to help the uncle search for his teenage niece, who has mysteriously vanished without a trace.' (Publication summary)

'Lock the windows! Turn off the lights! Be prepared to shiver and shake when you listen to Really Scary Stories for Brave Children.

'Contains six scary, frightening and bloodcurdling stories by a selection of great Australian authors.' (Publication summary)

'After solving the mystery of the koala-nappers in The Tripp Diaries #1, Nick Tripp and his family are back on the road and facing their next challenge - the Nullabor Plain. Between each exciting chapter of the story.' (Publication summary)

'The much-loved series for adults and children alike.The adventures of an Aussie family on a driving holiday. Featuring original songs, comedy sketches and special guests – everything you need when you’re stuck in a car with your family!'

'The eagerly awaited third instalment in the riotous Tripp Diaries series. Written and read by one of the most entertaining children's narrators around, Stig Wemyss. Huge fan base. For some time we've wanted to let you know how much we have enjoyed your various reading exploits... we have three kids and you have become almost a part of our extended family, we hear you so much. Kind of like a fun, slightly manic (and I mean that in a good way!!) uncle. Very impressive work. You are far and away the best voice talent we have heard for storytelling. Thanks for a heap of enjoyment, especially the Tripp Diaries. - The Winkler Family. After two years of waiting, The Tripp Diaries 3 is coming! And this one is a top-of-the-range, fuel-injected, turbo-charged, streamlined, state-of-the-art, fully sick, Tripp Diaries with more added features, improved handling, leather trim and a bigger boot! Plus, it comes with its own airbag! This time, the Tripp family are heading up through the Pilbara in North West Australia in search of an outback adventure. But when Roadie's beloved Commodore snaps an axle, leaving the Tripp family stranded in the middle of the searing desert, panic sets in and the family must unite if they are to make it out alive... Featuring all your favourite characters, new songs, new sketches and ... a wedding!' (Publication summary)

'Backseaters! The complete In-car entertainment package for 8 to 88 year-olds! A two hour audio extravaganza, written and performed by Stig Wemyss and friends. Backseaters! features: The Tripp Diaries the adventures of an Aussie family on a driving holiday; original songs Are We There Yet? and Turn Off Your Radio, comedy sketches, and special guest: Neighbours star, Alan Fletcher. Backseaters! Everything you need when youre stuck in a car with your family!' (Publication summary)

'Though eight years old, his body is so small, his face so pinched, you would take him for five or six.

'Antonino is an abandoned child struggling for survival in the dark alleys of Naples. He is one of thousands whose waking hours are spent in petty crime and whose bed is a street grating above a bakers oven.

'Yet there is hope, in the shape of a young priest, Mario Borrelli. In a journey of self-transformation and love, Father Borrelli befriends the street children and sets up a support network for them: The House of the Urchins.

'Morris West spent time in the slums of impoverished postwar Naples. His chilling account of the local street urchins in his international bestseller Children of the Sun drew the world's attention to their plight, and offers a timeless insight into child poverty. West's portrayal of Father Borelli has inspired many others to follow in Borelli's footsteps.'

Source: Publisher's blurb (Allen & Unwin, 2017).

'The Answerth family's mansion seems to deserve its nickname of Venom House - perhaps because of its forbidding setting, an island in the centre of a man-made lake, its treacherous waters studded by the skeletons of long-dead trees. Perhaps it's because of the unquiet ghosts of the Aboriginals slaughtered by the Answerth ancestors. Whatever the reason, most people are content to give Venom House and its occupants a wide berth... until a couple of corpses turn up in the lake. Inspector Bonaparte has a sudden urge to get to knows the Answerths and their charming home much better... ' (Publication summary)

'Sudden, violent death enshrouded the island port of Marapai. The kind of death known only to voodoo cults and savages. On this island Europeans lost their civilization, their innocence–and their sanity. And famed anthropologist David Warwick lost his life. Rumors whispered suicide. But the rumors were lies. Everyone lied to haunted Emma Warwick, who suspected murder and set out to trap a killer–only to discover the very roots of terror!'

Source: Back cover blurb (Avon edition).