The books I read and loved in May.

And they're not all murder mysteries!

Hello!

Anyone who has been following this newsletter for awhile knows that I love a good murder mystery. Give me a small town, a missing woman, and a link to a mysterious incident from twenty years ago and I’m in — hook, line and sinker. I love this genre so much that I’ve been working on my own small town murder mystery for the last couple of years, which I’m hoping to finally send out into the publishing world soon (cross all your fingers and toes for me, please!).

This year, as I finish the book, I’m really trying to broaden my reading habits. I want to read more memoirs, fall back in love with rom-coms, read more books that challenge me and read books that aren’t getting the buzz they deserve so I can share them with you.

I’ve been working on some new book content for you that I’m going to be rolling out from this month which I’m really excited about, but for now, here are all the books I’ve read and loved recently.

The Remarkable Truths of Alfie Bains by Sarah Clutton

Southern Highlands author Sarah Clutton’s new novel The Remarkable Truths of Alfie Bains is a mystery wrapped up in a warm hug.

The book follows nine-year-old Irish boy Alfie, who discovers he has family in Australia after his mother Emilia ends up in hospital with a burst appendix and decides it’s finally time to tell him. The pair then travel from Ireland to a Tasmanian farmhouse where Alfie meets his grandmother Penny, his great aunts, and a town full of people who know far more than they’re willing to share.

Determined to find out more about his father and the family he never knew, Alfie sets out to uncover buried family secrets only to discover that no one is willing to tell him the truth.

Fans of The Midnight Library and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine will fall in love with Alfie Bains and his long lost family, while being thoroughly entertained by the mystery at the novel’s heart.

The Cicada House by Ella Ward

I’ve followed Ella Ward on Instagram for a few years now and I’ve always been in awe of her humour and grace in the face of adversity.

The Cicada House is a true gem of a book that takes the reader on a glorious journey of self-discovery that ends up in the most unexpected places.

It follows Londoner Caitlin, who inherits a fortune on her 40th birthday and decides to surprise her husband Paul with a trip around the world. However, before she can tell him, Paul tells her that he’s in love with someone else.

Devastated, Caitlin books a single plane ticket to Australia instead. Once she arrives downunder, Caitlin embarks on a journey of self-discovery and finally learns how to forgive herself.

A deliciously unexpected romp through grief, sex and self-discovery, Ella Ward’s debut novel is proof it’s never too late to discover who you truly are.