NOVEMBER 2022. Last night at the REGAL.

 I joined my Burnside swim pal gals for an Author’s talk. 

FIONA McINTOSH. Hello Adelaide.

A bright personality in an emerald green dress over black tights she was greeted by an obviously adoring audience of mostly silver tops.  Women of this generation take reading fairly seriously.  They support the Burnside library, buy books, value, understand and follow characters as they reappear.

This was evident when Fiona announced to an enthusiastic audience that JACK is back.  Applause. 

Yes, she wrote a real thriller starring the handsome somewhat stereotypical detective.  (Lonely i.e.“available”, often arrogant.).  All I had read of her work was Mirror Man wherein Jack may not need the girls’ help but nevertheless he is obliged to share space with two perfectly able policewomen.  

Fiona tells her audience he will also appear on screen.  She suggested two superstar studs who may suit the role.  Applause.  Yes Jack is the treat served toasty and in Mirror Man he lead and solved the investigation into seriously gruesome killings. A serial killer was on the loose. 

Fiona McIntosh does not shy away from shocking her readers.   I initially thought her a brave young writer to open her novel with very graphic descriptions however all is redeemed as she tells a good story.  What will thrill us in Jack’s next appearance?

Her newest book is set in Australia, a first.  She outlined the landscape and characters, and the amount of research to make this believable, whilst not giving away the plot.  An interesting  part of her talk concerned some of the tricks of the trade.  The writers craft requires a title which will attract both publishers and the reader .  The audience enjoyed sharing the creative journey. 

OCTOBER 2022: two books on predator creatures in safe spaces. HENRY HIMSELF. ONCE THERE WERE WOLVES.

HENRY HIMSELF (Stewart O’Nan)

ONCE THERE WERE WOLVES (Charlotte McConaghy)

Predators?  Their den? Our den?

So without planning it, I had selected two books about dens.  Homes for humans and habitat for wolves.

USA.  Henry in his easy well written family history tells us about his home, his retirement, the holiday house.  You would think it was us, in Australia. Henry is keeping busy, sustaining his later years. He easily finds jobs to do and family members to share the load.

In Scotland twin sisters Inti and Aggie visit.  Aggi is studying and Inti’s formal job entails a project to introduce 14 breeding wolves to remote highlands. They have names.  Inti is passionately emotionally committed to animal welfare.  

In a forest, wolves find a safe place for breeding and feeding.  The wolves’ territory adjoins a sheep farm where open farmlands and fences beside a forest does not guarantee a farmer stock security. The good intentions of humans with regard to endangered animals are positive but shared property poses problems.   Both quadrapeds and bipeds need nourishment. 

The interaction among living creatures in this adventure is fraught with danger.  The best of intentions can implode.  Wolves could become extinct somewhat accidentally.  Both sisters surprisingly have entangled romances that could threaten their own survival from trusted lovers.