The Reading Room | 30 August

One Woman’s War by Christine Wells Victoire “Paddy’’ Bennett walks into the Admiralty’s Room 39, home to the Naval Intelligence Division, expecting nothing more than a secretarial position to the charismatic Commander Ian Fleming. But soon her job is so much more, and when Fleming proposes a daring plot to deceive the Germans about Allied invasion plans, he requests the newlywed Paddy’s help. The bright, lively young woman jumps at the chance to work as an agent in the field,

Day’s End by Garry Disher HIRSCH’s rural beats wide. Daybreak today’s end, dirt roads and dust. Every problem that besets small towns and isolated properties, from unlicensed driving to arson. In the time of the virus, Hirsch is seeing stresses heightened and social divisions cracking wide open. His own tolerance under strain; people getting close to the edge. Today he’s driving an international visitor around; Janne Van Sant, whose backpacker son went missing while the borders were closed. They’re checking

Forever Home by Graham Norton Carol is a divorced teacher living in a small Irish town, her only son now grown. A second chance at love with the older Declan brings her unexpected connection and belonging, but sparks local speculation: what does a woman like her see in a man like him? What happened to his wife who abandoned him all those years ago? The gossip only serves to bring them closer, but when Declan becomes ill things start to

The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth. Before the woman went over the cliff, Pippa and Gabe were happy. They had the kind of marriage that everyone envies, as well as two sweet young daughters, a supportive family, and a picturesque cliffside cliffs not become so popular among those wishing to end their lives. Gabe has become somewhat of a local hero since they moved to the cliff house, talking seven people down from stepping off the

The Bellbird River Country Choir by Sophie Green Bellbird River, 1998: Teacher and single mum Alex is newly arrived in the small New South Wales country town of Bellbird River after escaping the city in search of a change of pace and the chance to reconnect with her young daughter. Across town, well-known matriarch Victoria and her globe-trotting, opera-singing cousin Gabrielle find themselves at a crossroads in their personal and professional lives, while local baker Janine and newcomer to the

Broad River Station by Fleur McDonald Mia, a newly graduated constable, is assigned to the small country town of Broad River. And as certain as she is about her ability to do the job, on day one she’s already in conflict with colleagues who believe that women shouldn’t be coppers. It takes the shine off coming home, where her grandmother, Clara is in the early stages of dementia. Mia is accustomed to their conversations often not quite making sense, but