New Titles and Recommendations June 2025

Mystery 
Strangers in Time | David Baldacci
Mystery 
Little Red Death | AK Benedict
Mystery 
Open Season | Jonathan Kellerman
Mystery 
When Shadows Fall | Neil Lancaster
Mystery 
Crucified | Lynda La Plante
Mystery 
25 Alive | James Patterson & Maxine Paetro
Mystery – Aus
One Night | Rozzi Bazzini
Mystery – Aus
Vanish | Shelley Burr
Mystery – Aus
Skull River | Pip Fioretti
Mystery – Aus
The Deadly Dispute | Amanda Hampson
Mystery – Aus
The Wolf Tree | Laura McCluskey
Mystery – Aus
The Unquiet Grave | Dervla McTiernan
Mystery – Aus
How They Fall | Rachel Paris
Mystery – Aus
When She Was Gone | Sara Foster
Mystery – Aus
Pacific Heights | SR White
Historical
The Secrets of Summer House | Rachel Burton
Historical – Aus
The Nurses of eastby End | Anna Jacobs
Historical – Aus
book cover
The Mademoiselle Alliance | Natasha Lester
Historical – Aus
Right Way Up | Fiona McCallum
Historical – Aus
The View from the Balcony
Scandanavian
The Wolf | Samuel Bjork

Rosemary's Newsletter

Authors of the Month

Gail Holmes

Gail Holmes grew up in Scotland. In 2013 Gail moved to Australia. Her creative writing journey began when she was a working mum with very young children in Shanghai, China. Unable to get back to sleep one night, Gail started writing short stories about living in Shanghai. As this writing habit continued to grow, she attended short courses at the City College of Literature in London and then later studied at the Melbourne University’s Master of Creative Writing.
In The Margins is her first novel.

Gail will be in conversation at the BMI on Wednesday 4 June.

Book of the Month
There Are Rivers in the Sky.
Elif Shafak.

This is a rich, sweeping novel set between the 19th century and modern times, about love and loss, memory and erasure, hurt and healing, centred around three enchanting characters living on the banks of the River Thames and the River Tigris – their lives all curiously touched by the epic of Gilgamesh.

Recommended Reads
The Secrets of Summer House
Rachel Burton.

A Hidden letter will change everything.

1976 Cambridge undergraduate Alice Kenzie bumps into PHD student Tistan Somers and so begins a whirlwind romance and a promise of their future together. But when Tristan is killed in a car accident, Alice takes their baby to Tristan’s family home in Suffock, before she disappears.

2018 Olivia Somers has always been told that her mother died in the same accident as her father. But when she finds a bundle of old letters in Summer House, everything she ever believed about her mother is called into question. Can she find her – and even more importantly, forgive her.

See How They Fall
Rachel Paris.

Following the death of Sir Campbell Turner, the family gathers at an exclusive property north of Sydney to discuss his estate. Tensions rise when an illegitmate heir arrives, and the weekend ends in tragedy: one family member is dead, and another
is fighting for their life…

The Nurses of Eastby End
Anna Jacobs.

When Rachel qualifies as a district nurse, she does so because she wants to help others and make a difference. But she is also running from a secret that must stay hidden forever. But her past is catching up with her.

She hears about an opportunity in a village near Rochdale she seizes the opportunity, even though it takes her closer to the home she fled from. She knows nothing about Eastby End and she is shocked to find it little more than a slum.

A meeting with the mayor, Walter Crossle,gives her focus and direction and introduces her to local landowner, Joss Townley, who is equally appalled to see his new neighbours’ misery anger.

Stay informed of our new releases

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Ballarat Winter Festival

Events at BMI

5 July – 27 July 

Ballarat Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

16 to 25 May 

Tax Deductible 

Your gift will be tax-deductible this financial year if you make it before June 30.

We need
your help.

2024 End of Financial Year Appeal 

Or alternatively go to our Donations web page.

Our Challenge

Like many organisations the BMI faces significant funding challenges. 

We thank you for your support.
The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 2025 Calendar

Featuring the BMI Image Collection | Now $20

Devonshire Tea & Fashion Parade

Bubbly on arrival & Featuring quality items from our Vintage Shop | $60

Christmas Holiday Closures | Library

Monday 23 December – Sunday 5 January

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

  Performance – 18 May.

Australian Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

18 April to 18 May

Connections to War from a Ballarat Perspective

Wed 2-30 April, 5.30pm

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

  Performance – 18 May.

Ballarat Pride Month

Events at BMI

The Month of June 

portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm

guides dressed in period costum

Australian Heritage Festival

Minerva's Secrets

25 April – Tour 1 at 7.30pm – fully booked
Tour 2 at 9.30pm – still tickets. 

portrait of author with book cover

Australian Heritage Festival

Natasha Lester in conversation

1 May at 6pm

Ballarat Heritage Festival BMI Day Tours

Two tours  on 20 &  21 May 

 

with Nicole Alexander

28 May at 6pm

with Gail Holmes

 Wed 4 June at 6pm

with Kylie Ladd

 Wed 25 June at 6pm

BMI Fundraiser

Featuring:
The Hideaways,
The Harmonies &
Surf Shadows. 

2 course dinner & lots
of dancing