May Reading Update.

 It's been a slow reading month for me, only five books. BUT I did spend a lovely relaxing time on the Murray River in South Australia, cruising on the Murray Princess.

My author of the month was Michelle Montebello, you can go to her website here michelle

The first book I read was the Quarantine Station, set in Sydney at the old Quarantine Station on North Head. This is the link to more information about the qstation  or here Quarantine Station

The book is set both in 1918 and 2019, featuring Emma, whose grandmother, Gwendoline, was born on the quarantine station and now has dementia and wanders and from the past Rose Porter, Gwendoline's mother. Emma enlists the help of Matt, who works at the station and together they unravel the mystery. An excellent read, with twists and turns, that have you wanting more.

I then found another new author, recommended by a friend, Deb, who writes a book blog, debbish  The author was Darcy Tindale and the book was Burning Mountain. Set near Scone in the New South Wales Hunter Valley, on both Mt Wingen and Burning Mountain. Centred around the mystery disappearance of a school boy, 18 years prior, the lead detective Rebecca Giles, picks apart the statements given by friends and family and you have an ending you weren't expecting. Having hiked Burning Mountain in 2024, I couldn't resist the book and it didn't disappoint.

For more information read, Burning Mountain

I then read the first book in this series, The Fall Between. It took me a while to get into the book, again set in Scone but it was worth it. A copycat murder or something more sinister, a missing child, conflicting information and Rebecca Giles is out to find the killer. Lots of plot twists to have you second guessing your assumption as to who the killer is.

I then read Mind Mapping Made Easy for family historians, by Linda Hammond. Interesting but as I have used this technique, it didn't add to my knowledge on how to to use them. Good for someone who has never used them.

I then went back to Michelle and read The Lost Letters of Playfair Street. Set in The Rocks, Sydney in 1929 it features Charlotte Greene and her father, Walter, a supplier of steel for the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The house in Playfair Street is purchased by Xavier, who has Paige Westwood, set up the business and clean up the house, before he arrives. Paige stumbles upon a chest with old letters in them and traces the original owners, of the house, to tell them about the letters. With out spoiling it for you, there are two love stories, deceit, and several interesting twists.

Unable to put it down.

For information on The Rocks  follow this link or just Google, The Rocks. Playfair Street is a real street in the heart of the rocks.