New Titles and Recommendations May 2025

Mystery 
The Wrong Man | Tim Ayliffe
Mystery 
The Girls on Chalk Hill | Alison Belsham
Mystery 
Clete | James Lee Burke
Mystery 
Nobody's Fool | Harlan Coben
Mystery 
The Big Empty | Robert Crais
Mystery 
Good Bad Girl | Alice Feeney
Mystery
The Last Days of Kira Mullan | Nicci French
Mystery
Broken Country | Clare Leslie Hall
Mystery
Fear For Her Life | DK Hood
Mystery
Making a Killing | Cara Hunter
Mystery
An Ethical Guide to Murder | Jenny Morris
Mystery
Famous Last Words | Gillian McAlister
Mystery
The Bridesmaid | Cate Quinn
Mystery
Husband Missing | Lisa Regan
Australian
The Bluff | Joanna Jenkins
Australian
The Private Island | Ali Lowe
Australian
Wild Dark Shore | Charlotte McConaghy
Australian
Purgatory | Robert M Smith
Novel
Best, First, and Last | Amy Matthews
Novel
The Prospect | Fleur McDonald
Novel
The Secrets of Maiden's Cove | Erin Palmisano
Psychological
A Killing Cold | Kate Alice Marshall
Psychological
Message Deleted | KL Slater
Historical
The Last Party at Silverton Hall | Rachel Burton
Historical
Broken Country | Clare Leslie Hall
Scandanavian
Fatal Gambit | David Lagercrantz

Rosemary's Newsletter

Authors of the Month

Natasha Lester

Natasha has been awarded grants by the Australia Council for her work, and writing residencies from Varuna, The Writers House and the Katharine Susannah Prichard Writers Centre.

Natasha loves teaching writing courses and when she’s not working on her novels or teaching others how to write, she can usually be found reading, going to yoga, or playing dress-ups with her three children. Natasha lives in Perth Western Australia.

Natasha will be in conversation at the BMI on Thursday 1 May.

portrait of author with book cover

Nicole Alexander

Nicole was born and raised on the northwest plains of NSW. Her family property is located 110km north-west of Moree near the QLD border.

Correspondence school taught to her and her two brothers by their mother. Nicole later attended the local primary school in the village of Boomi for two years, followed by boarding school in Sydney.
A Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of New England, Armidale followed.

Nicole will be in conversation at the BMI on Thursday 28 May

Darcy Tindale

Darcy is an actor, author, theatresports player and director, and has appeared in television commercials, film and on stage. She has written comedy for radio, stage, media personalities, comedians and theatre restaurants. Her first novel The Fall Between, came out in 2023 and was shortlisted for the Davitt Awards and the Ned Kelly Awards.

Darcy will be in conversation at the BMI on Thursday 14 May.

Book of the Month
The Mademoiselle Alliance.
Natasha Lester.

How did a young Parisienne mother, celebrated for her beauty and glamour, come to lead the largest spy network in France? A powerful, heartbreaking historical novel by the New York Times bestselling author.

Morocco, 1928.
Eighteen-year-old Frenchwoman Marie-Madeleine is not the kind of woman who goes through life sitting down, something her new husband can attest. Her unconventionalities – rally car driving, flying planes and dabbling in intelligence work for the government – earn her a reputation, but she knows who she is at heart: an adventurer.
Paris, 1938.
As Europe teeters on the brink of war, a chance encounter with a mysterious man codenamed Navarre turns Marie-Madeleine’s life upside down. Recruited to help build a resistance network known only as Alliance, she conceals her identity – and gender – as she navigates a perilous double life away from her children and the man she loves. Capture and death are only a heartbeat away.
book cover
Recommended Reads
Broken Country
Clare Leslie Hall.

Beth was 17 when she first met Gabriel. Over that heady, intense summer, he made her feel alive. When Gabriel left, she was broken.

It was Frank who picked up the pieces and together they built a home. Watching her husband and son, she remembered feeling so sure that, after everything this was the life she was suppose to be leading.

But when Gabriel returns,all Beth’s certainty about who she is and what she wants crumbles. Even after ten years, their connection is instant. She knows it’s wrong and she knows people could get hurt. But how can she resist a second chance at first love?

The Prospect.
Fleur McDonald.

After a scandal, investigative reporter Zara Ellison and her partner, policeman Jack Higgins, have moved to Kalgoorlie but they are each struggling with this fresh start.

Sara feels adrift in the swirling red dust of the lawless bush city, without sources or any leads for the hard-hittng stories she’s known for. Jack is out of the detective squad and trying to find his feet back in uniform.

On an isolated stretch of highway, a pair of grey nomads is involved in a devastating accident which leaves more questions thatn answers. Zara starts digging for her own kind of gold, while Jack’s investigation sends him on a parallel path towards a dangerous smuggling ring.

In the wide open spaces of the outback, some secrets are buried deep.

Stay informed of our new releases

Subscribe to our Newsletter

with Nicole Alexander

28 May at 6pm

Ballarat Heritage Festival BMI Day Tours

Two tours  on 20 &  21 May 

 

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

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

Fundraising Dinner
17 May. 

  Performance – 18 May.

Ballarat Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

16 to 25 May 

Connections to War from a Ballarat Perspective

Wed 2-30 April, 5.30pm

Australian Heritage Festival Events at the BMI

18 April to 18 May

Dame Nellie Melba Birthday Celebration

Fundraising Dinner
17 May. 

  Performance – 18 May.

Christmas Holiday Closures | Library

Monday 23 December – Sunday 5 January

Devonshire Tea & Fashion Parade

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

The Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute 2025 Calendar

Featuring the BMI Image Collection | Now $20

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.

BMI Fundraiser

Featuring:
The Hideaways,
The Harmonies &
Surf Shadows. 

2 course dinner & lots
of dancing