Imprints

Mike Somerset Reviews The Latest In Books.

"Magdalena The Sinner" by Lilian Faschinger (Hodder Headline, $24.95) is a suspenseful murder story and a compelling novel of sexual psychology. Abducting a catholic priest at gunpoint to hear her confession and give absolution, Magdelena weaves a story of seven men who were her lovers but had failed her at some point. She had to punish them – with death. Her life is poured out to the priest, who is drawn to Magdelena yet doomed to disappoint her. And, it seems to be her eight victim.

Australia has always valued its military history and the veneration of its famous soldiers is second to none in the world. In return Australian soldiers have had a large impact in shaping the nation’s politics. Chris Coulthard-Clarks’s book "Soldiers In Politics" (Allen & Unwin, $29.95) chronicles the influence senior military figures have had on Australia’s development. Coulthard-Clark describes soldiers who have been governors and governor-generals, politicians and the centre of pressure and lobby groups. The book is recommended for military enthusiasts who would like to widen their knowledge on army military history.

Crime fiction is always a perennial favourite with readers so those who enjoy it should read " Murder for Love", a collection of 16 new stories edited by Otto Penzler (Orion, $19.95). It is said that love and hate are 2 sides of the same coin and the crime writers featured here give a new twist to the saying. Full of recipes for love gone wrong, this cookbook of murder proves that all passion lasts a lifetime-however brief that may be.

Binjamin Wilkormirski’s Fragments (Picador $24.95) is an extraordinary memoir of a small boy who spends his childhood in a Nazi death camp. In the book he gives us "fragments" of his recollections in such a way that we see the horrifying world of the Majdanek death camp through the unsparing vision of a child. A powerful account of what human beings do to each other.

And lastly a legal thriller from Jean Hanff Korelitz, A Jury of Her Peers (Pan $14.45) where a young man is accused of stabbing a young girl, with witnesses to his crime and conclusive forensic evidence. However cracks start appearing in the open-and –shut case when the young man’s lawyer, Sybylla Muldoon, starts to uncover a conspiracy of great magnitude. Smart and stylishly written.

The latest book from Lynda La Plante "Cold Blood" (MacMillan) is a high-energy thriller that readers won't want to miss. Private detective Lorraine Page is hired to find a movie star's daughter after a mysterious disappearance. With a promise of a million dollars if the daughter is found, page is lead into the deadly world of voodoo and black magic. Don't read it late at night.

And finally, a streetwise thriller form the pen of Michael Connelly: "Trunk Music" (Orion) s0-called because the Mafia leave the end results of their hit jobs in the trunks of cars, in this book the victim being a Hollywood producer. LAPD Homicide detective Harry Bosch starts following the clues even though the organised crime unit is curiously uninterested. When Harry gets close to the truth he is pushed off the case. Corruption and deceit in the LAPD? Read the book and find out

Outback South Australia And Central Australia

By Stuart Nicol

Pub. by the R.A.A of S.A. Inc.

In the June 1997 edition of the Police Journal I reviewed "Adelaide Region" by Stuart Nicol, part of the ongoing 'Discovering South Australia' series put out by the RAA. "Outback South Australia and Central Australia" is also part of the series and, though published earlier than "Adelaide Region", is comparable in quality and value for money. Stuart Nicol's meticulous and thorough approach to his subject has given us a book as expansive and varied as the outback itself.

Once again I am amazed at the wealth of detail Nicol manages to fit into a book, apparently covering everything possible that the traveller can encounter. Nicol divides the outback area into four regions, making the planning and preparation of journeys an easy task. Detailed information on sights, large and small, both on and off the beaten track, gives visitors a chance to make their journeys interesting and immensely pleasurable. However, being a guide to the sights is just part of the book. We can also read of the history of the area and Nicol has included stories of the colourful characters that have contributed to the unique way of life that fills the outback. Explanations of the formation and evolution of the natural environment gives breadth and understanding to the features and wildlife that are so much of an attraction to visitors. The dangers and pitfalls of travelling in the outback are also discussed with Nicol elaborating on how a visitor can be prepared for most eventualities that inevitably occur in the remote regions.

With 312 pages, fully illustrated with colour and black and white photos, and an extensive bibliography at the end, this book is a comprehensive guide to the outback and should find a place on the bookshelves of all discerning travellers who love adventure.

The Makeover Murders

by Jennifer Rowe

Allen & Unwin

An old mansion, stormy weather, an ensemble of suspects and murder - all these classic ingredients and more are contained in this murder mystery set in Australia. Verity Birdwood, investigative journalist and amateur sleuth, has to find out 'whodunit' before the killer strikes again. Full of intrigue and suspense, this book should definitely be read on a stormy winter's evening.

Clementina

by Anne De Lisle

Bantam Books

This historical romance with a strong undercurrent of mystery and intrigue is set in the Scottish highlands in the early 17th century. To seal an uneasy truce between the unruly Scots and the English, King James VI orders arranged marriages between baronial families from opposing sides. Clementina, a young English woman, is sent to Scotland to marry into the Cameron clan. After a series of 'accidents' Clementina realises that not only does she have to fight for acceptance into the clan but has to fight for her life. Written with immediate and broad appeal, "Clementina" is Anne De Lisle's first book and shows a promising future for this Australian author.

Outlaws

by Tim Green

Bantam Books

This is a gutsy, riveting thriller full of raw energy and hard action. A very clever and deadly rogue C.I.A. agent grabs at a chance to make a huge fortune and will eliminate anyone getting in his way. Dangerously enmeshed in the agent's plans, an aging ex-football star and a beautiful defence lawyer desperately try to survive the sudden shocking violence erupting around them. Set against the backdrop of the harsh landscapes and even harsher cities of Texas, Tim Green has written a book that readers will find hard to put down.

Adelaide Region

by Stuart Nicol
( Pub. by the RAA of SA Inc.)

'Travelling is good for the Soul'. Those are wise words and in the Adelaide region one does not have to go far to harvest the rich pickings that travelling has to offer. 'Adelaide Region' by RAA touring writer and historian Stuart Nicol is a definitive guidebook about our capital city and surrounding area. Published by the RAA, this latest offering in the 'Discovering South Australia' series is more than just a touring guide, it gets at the heart of what makes the Adelaide region so unique.

Two years in the making, the result shows that the author has paid meticulous attention to detail. It is attractively set out with numerous colour photographs and a rich text that makes the subject come alive. Amongst its many features the book details the historical development of Adelaide from the first landing of white settlers in 1836 to the present day with Stuart Nicol making copious use of archival material in pictures, drawings and paintings.

It becomes clear with the reading of this book that the author has great admiration of the settlers who built a colony despite incredible hardships and setbacks. The energy and tenacity displayed by the settlers in carving out a home in a remote and distant land is well documented in various sections of the book. The history blends in with travel information guiding the traveller through the suburbs and outlying regions enhancing the historical perspective when encountering features such as historical buildings, homes and monuments.

This is only the start of this remarkable 400-page book. Sections on natural features such as wildlife, conservation parks and geological formations put the Adelaide region into a different perspective again, highlighting how lucky both visitors and residents are that these features are readily accessible to be enjoyed.

The book describes not only the well-known sites of Adelaide but also guides the reader off the beaten track to the lesser known features that are usually hidden from the eyes of most visitors and residents alike.

'Adelaide Region' is a must for visitors and residents who want to experience more of Adelaide, in fact it is a must for just about anybody who enjoys travelling or reading about travel. At $15 for RAA members or $30 for non-members, this book is definitely value for money.

Bush Tucker Man

Stories Of Exploration And Survival
By Les Hiddins
(ABC Books $39.95)

Les Hiddins is a colourful bushman personality and anyone who has seen his television programs on the ABC would agree that his love and enthusiasm for the bush is second to none. No less colourful is his book 'Bush Tucker Man: Stories of Exploration and Survival' published by ABC books as a companion to the television series. By focusing on selected episodes of exploration and survival from our past, Les Hiddins displays his phenomenal knowledge of the bush and bushcraft. A theme that runs throughout the book is how early explorers put their lives at risk through their sheer ignorance of the type of country they travelled through. Some paid the ultimate price, such as Burke and Wills, who starved to death amongst bush tucker that could have kept them alive. Illustrated by colour as well as black and white pictures and written in Les Hiddins' own unique style, this book give the reader a window into Australia's history from an unusual angle and pays homage to a group of courageous and tough men.

SOLITUDE OF ILLUSIONS

By Adib Khan
(Allen & Unwin $16.95)

Adib Khan has written a gentle book that tells of love and death, and a life that has corroded with regrets of missed opportunities. The main character, Khalid Sharif, is a successful businessman from Calcutta, who visits his son, Javid, in Melbourne. Racked by a terminal illness and with his impending death a constant companion, Khalid searches through his memories and reviews his life of being a young man in India in the turbulent 1940s. In those times Khalid met a young and beautiful courtesan and fell in love. He allowed the tyrannical obligations to his family overwhelm his desire to marry her, a decision that left him with shattering guilt and self-reproach that blighted the rest of his life. Khalid settles for mediocrity and material success that is reflected in Javid's life. It is a book that inspires us to re-assess our way of life and may give us courage to make the decisions that will give our lives meaning.

AN EVIL LOVE:

THE LIFE OF FREDERICK WEST
By Geoffrey Wansell
(Hodder Headline $39.95)

In 1994 Frederick West, an English builder who was married with children, was arrested by police and charged with the murder of twelve young women, including two of his own daughters. It is almost certain that he was responsible for the disappearances and murders of many more during his 53 years of life. An amiable family man and a member of the Church of England, Frederick West appeared to be like so many other ordinary men. However, underneath the camouflage, he was a relentless murderer, killing for pleasure and enjoyment, and the equal of Jack the Ripper, Dr. Crippen and the Yorkshire Ripper. After West hanged himself in prison, the Official Solicitor to the Supreme Court commissioned Geoffrey Wansell, an experienced and acclaimed biographer, to write a book on the life of Frederick West. Wansell himself states in the introduction that it was one of the most difficult and soul-wrenching tasks he had to undertake. An extremely dark and foreboding book 'An Evil Love' describes how a man was consumed by evil and turned on his own kind.

If you've seen Shine, you've probably been touched by the plight of David Helfgott, the eccentric musician whose life inspired the film The Book Of David by Beverly Eley explores in more detail the story of his breakdown, and his devastating years in the wilderness.

This is an unforgettable account of courage and love, chronicling Helfgott's return to the musical world. Definitely worth reading, The Book Of David is released by Harper Collins.

 Unmasking Mr Kipper.
By Christopher Barry-Dee
(Smith Gryphon $16.95)

The Evil: Inside The Mind Of A Child Killer
By Margaret Hobbs and Andrew Rule
(Mandarin $12.95)

In the anonymity of our urban society stalks one of our most dreaded nightmares, a menace who is the subject of many television programs, films, books and newspaper articles: the lone psychopathic killer. These killers are more than terrifying, they almost become personifications of pure evil because of their ability to blend in our communities. At home in urban life and keeping up a camouflage of respectability, these killers strike at their prey again and again. They are no respecters of age, sex or status and often murder children and the aged, men and women, rich and poor in often extremely grotesque ways.
Christopher Berry-Dee, a criminologist, takes us on a journey through the mind and actions of one such killer in his book "Unmasking Mr. Kipper". On 28 July 1986 twenty-five year old London estate agent Suzy Lamplugh disappeared after she left her office to meet a Mr Kipper at a vacant house for sale. She has never been seen again and is presumed murdered. No-one has been caught and charged to date. In 1992 Michael Benniman Sams was convicted of kidnapping and murdering a prostitute and also kidnapping a female estate agent and is currently serving a life sentence. In his book Berry-Dee details the life of Michael Sams, who to the rest of the community appeared to be a lonely but hard working businessman. By examining his crimes and comparing them with Suzy Lamplugh's disappearance, Berry-Dee strongly suggests that Sams is most probably her killer. To this day Sams has never admitted to her abduction and murder.
"The Evil" by Margaret Hobbs and journalist Andrew Rule describes every child's fear and every parent's nightmare. On 29 June 1991 six year old Sheree Beasley disappeared in Rosebud, Victoria, whilst riding her bike on the way to the shops. Her mutilated body was discovered three months later in a drain in Redhill. Robert Lowe, a respectable church-going man, married with two children, became the prime suspect. Having a hidden history of sex offences during his life, Lowe was seeing psychotherapist Margaret Hobbs at the time Sheree was murdered. This book tells not only of the evil crime Lowe committed, but how Margaret Hobbs probed the dark side of this child-killer. It also tells of the patient and painstaking manner in which the investigating police managed to obtain and piece the information together to form a horrifying picture of an evil man and enabled him to be convicted. Two highly readable but very disturbing books.

Grand Jury
By Philip Friedman

(Hodder Headline, rrp $14.95)

A well-written, interesting novel from the pen of Philip Friedman, a practising attorney living in New York. Set in the world of the New York District Attorney's office, Friedman tells the story of an elderly Chinese couple arrested for drug trafficking and whose case comes before a Grand Jury. Two of the Grand Jurors, Susan Linwood, who is Chinese herself, and David Clarke are not convinced of the guilt of the accused. They start their own investigation, which takes them to Hong Kong and China, and unwittingly put their lives in extreme danger. Along with the main plot we also read of Susan's journey of discovery of her Chinese heritage and how David regains his self worth and passion for life. This is an intelligent, realistic novel that the reader will enjoy.

The Tailor Of Panama
John LeCarre

Hodder & Stoughton

John LeCarre has established himself as one of the best authors in the spy thriller genre. With the collapse of the USSR and the end of the cold war, the traditional heroes and villains have disappeared. In 'The Tailor Of Panama', Le'Carre has shown his extraordinary talent and skill in adapting to the New World Order, by creating a new dimension to good and evil. Panama is a country beset by civil unrest, but is also crucial to the world, politically and economically, because of the Panama Canal. The control of the Canal is to pass back to Panama from the USA on 31st December 1999, causing concern to the United States and Britain. Harry Pendel, English by birth, but who has made his home in Panama with a successful tailoring business is coerced into spying on the Americans, on behalf of the English, who want to control the Canal as a last ditch effort to save the remaining vestiges of the British Empire. This is another winner from LeCarre, who weaves a tale of deceit and intrigue in the best tradition of the espionage novel.

The Man Who Never Was
Ewen Montagu

Oxford University Press rrp$14.95

'The Man Who Never Was' is an intriguing account of one of the most successful espionage operations undertaken by the Allies during the Second World War. In April 1943, a body floats towards the Mediterranean sore of Spain, a supposed casualty from an air crash at sea. Amongst personal papers found on his body by Spanish officials and German intelligence agents, identifying the corpse as an officer of the Royal Marines, are highly secret letters from senior Allied Commanders giving vital information on Allied mission plans. But in the espionage world, all is not what it seems. Ewen Montagu gives a fascinating description of how he devised a daring and intricate operation to plant mis-information in the German High Command, causing it to re-deploy troops in the Southern Mediterranean region, leaving a vital area in Italy ripe for an Allied invasion. The book describes the detailed thought and planning that went into creating a man who would not only fool senior German officers but Hitler himself. 'The Man Who Never Was' is a highly readable book, with technical information kept to a minimum and a new introduction from a contemporary intelligence expert.

On The Couch

Chris Beck
(Harper Collins $17.95)

‘On The Couch’ is a series of short interviews that journalist and photographer Chris Beck has made over the years and have appeared in the "Age". In this book, which is illustrated by his own photographs, Beck questions the minds of several people, some of whom are well known and others not so well known. There is great diversity in the people selected including Edward De Bono, Phillip Adams, Peter Costello, Jimeoin, Wendy Hughes and Billy Thorpe. As can be expected, a wide variety of opinions and answers to questions is shown. Sharpness, wit, confusion, deepness, shallowness and sincerity - these and more are some of the responses to be found in this book. The direct, evenhanded questions gives these interviews and honesty and openness not often found elsewhere. This is an ideal book for light reading.

White Wash
By Simon Strong

Pan Books

Journalist Simon Strong gives a brilliant expose of how Pablo Escobar, a murderous, ruthless drug
trafficker , brought his home country of Colombia to its knees. Describing his rise from petty crime,
Strong paints a horrifying picture of a man who virtually ruled Colombia through a culture of murder, terror and corruption throughout the country. At the peak of his powers, Escobar had accumulated an estimated fortune of US$5billion from cocaine trafficking, and was contemplating the assassination of US President George Bush. The ensuing struggle to maintain his power and wealth against other drug cartels and the Colombian government, dubbed 'the cocaine wars' is chillingly described in the book. By presenting factual detail and being restrained in using emotional writing, Simon Strong has underlined the appalling tragedy that continues to consume Colombia to this day.

Trial By Fire
Nancy Taylor Rosenburg
Orion Paperbacks

Stella Cataloni is the star of Nancy Taylor Rosenburg's latest novel 'Trial By Fire'. Working in the
District Attorney's office in Dallas, Cataloni has a bright and promising career, which is threatened
when her past catches up with her. Arrested for murdering her parents sixteen years earlier, Cataloni not only has to prove her innocence, but she must also find out the identity of the real murderer.
Rosenburg juxtaposes this struggle with the daily lives of attorneys, their workload, professional
rivalries, and the toll on their personal lives. Suspense and action is the mainstay of any crime thriller
and this novel has plenty.

Secret And Sanctioned:

Covert Operations And The American Presidency.
By Stephen F. Knott
(Oxford University Press)

It is a popular perception held by people both inside the U.S.A., and elsewhere that the Presidency of the U.S. did not make regular and organised use of covert operations until after WWII, in response to the Soviet Union and China. This book reveals that perception as false and misleading. By meticulous use of sources, including congressional and presidential papers, Knott shows that the Founding Fathers of "justice, freedom and the American way of life" were not shy of using clandestine activities to protect an infant U.S. from foreign malevolence, and to assist the effectiveness of their foreign policies. The book shows that these clandestine activities, used haltingly but effectively by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson has evolved into a routine tool utilised by policy makers of today.

So Far, So Good: The Autobiography
By Paul Eddington
(Hodder Headline)

To many people around the world Paul Eddington became a well-known face through the justly famous television series ‘The Good Life’, ‘Yes, Minister’ and ‘Yes, Prime Minister’. His autobiography ‘So Far, So Good’ gives us a chance to see beyond the characters he played on television, to the real Paul Eddington who lived a fascinating life. He tells his story with dry humour, charm and a certain amount of modesty. We read of the start of his acting career and, through this, gives us a remarkable insight into the world of British theatre. He also tells us of his twenty year fight with skin cancer and how, despite his sometimes overwhelming medical condition, he became a successful actor. Paul Eddington tragically died in 1995 and this honest autobiography is a fitting legacy to one of the great actors of stage and television.

Endpeace

By Jon Cleary
(Harper Collins)

‘Endpeace’ is a traditional murder mystery set in contemporary Sydney. Filled to the brim with suspects, red herrings, family feuds and more, the novel features the popular Detective Inspector Scobie Malone as he tackles a powerful and wealthy family dynasty which falls prey to murder. Jon Cleary’s smooth writing style will draw readers in, making it difficult to put the book down before reaching the end. This book shows that Jon Cleary has not lost the knack of writing a good story.

Revalations Of A Spainish Infanta

by Sallie Muirden
(Harper Collins)

This haunting novel of the Spanish Royal Family in the 1650's is Sallie
Muirden's first novel. It is a book of life and death, love and hate,
eroticism and celibacy. The overelaborate but barbaric lives of the Spanish
court is told through the eyes of the court painter Velazquez and of the
Spanish infanta herself. 'Revelations of a Spanish Infanta' has as much
relevance to contemporary women's lives as the history the novel represents.
This book will be a pleasure to read.

A Mythic Life

by Jean Houston
(Harper Collins)

In 'A Mythic Life', Jean Houston takes the reader on an extraordinary
journey of life and living, meaning and control. Myths and legends surround
all human cultures and by the use of myths and legends the reader is shown
in the book how people have the power to take control over their lives. Jean
Houston shows that the search for meaning and control in life is a search
for the essential truth that permeates the entire universe. There is truth
in the saying that a poet can see an entire world in a grain of sand. This
book will help the reader to start on the journey of self discovery, to help
the reader look on grains of sand through poet's eyes.

Sexual Astrology

by Martine
Dell Publishing; paperback, $10.95

Reviewed by Julie Jansen

So, you're still trying to figure how that special chick or bloke in your life ticks. This book is dynamite. It will make even jaded, seen-it-all Casanovas blush. Here's a (very tame) sample from among 251 pages of riveting astrological insights. Hm, seems there's more to them billy-goat Capricorn males than the hairy old horoscope books let on. You are warned!

"... Capricorns lend themselves easily to certain kinds of perversions and sadism. The more effort you make to avoid him, the more he'll be stimulated."

Or maybe you've been wondering about that shy and tidily-dressed Virgo woman. Well, there's a few shockers in here about her, too! "...She expects to be punished. Using a paddle on her buttocks is a physical rebuke that she understands."

The book covers each astrological sign, describing both the male and females' private pleasures. There is also a useful quick-reference guide to compatibility with each sign, so you can decide for yourself whether it's worth pursuing that delectable Taurus or quiet Cancer. Guaranteed hours and hours of curiosity-sating tidbits are to be found within the pages of Martine's scintillating secrets. When I wasn't blushing, I was rolling about laughing.

S&M, mutual masturbation and soul-kissing aside, the book is written with a professional knowledge and an absolute lack of pretence. It explains the various zodiac signs with far more depth and insight than most such books.
Great relationship and party fodder.

As this book is about sex it spares absolutely no lurid detail. It's a fascinating and informative read and a very refreshing view on relationships. Highly recommended for the curious lovestruck person who needs to be pushed (or spanked) in the right direction. Watch out for those Capricorns, though... and if you fancy an Aquarius, run a mile! :)

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