Literary Legends and True Crime Tales
Australian readers have an exciting selection of new books to explore this season, ranging from literary memoirs to gripping true crime accounts. Leading the pack is Margaret Atwood with her highly anticipated Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts, offering intimate insights into the life of the celebrated author of The Handmaid's Tale.
In the non-fiction realm, former police detective Duncan McNab delivers a compelling narrative of one of Australia's most talked-about criminal cases in Recipe for Murder. The book meticulously reconstructs the Leongatha mushroom poisoning incident that resulted in three deaths and captivated the nation throughout 2025.
Military History and Political Power
Another significant non-fiction release comes from former Australian Financial Review writer Aaron Patrick, whose book The Last Battle examines the controversial Battle of Shah Wali Kot in Afghanistan. Patrick provides forensic detail about the 2010 firefight that resulted in SAS corporal Ben Roberts-Smith receiving the Victoria Cross, while also exploring the disputes and regimental divisions that followed.
For political enthusiasts, Phoebe Saintilan-Stocks offers a unique perspective on power dynamics in The Right Hand. The book features conversations with chiefs of staff to influential leaders including Nelson Mandela, Tony Blair, Julia Gillard, Jacinda Ardern, and John Howard, revealing what it's like to be the trusted advisor behind major historical decisions.
Fiction and Children's Literature
The fiction selection brings both seasonal cheer and dark comedy. Mary-Anne O'Connor delivers a heartwarming historical romance in Christmas Joy, set in 1889 England and perfect for readers seeking festive entertainment.
Jack Heath follows his successful Kill Your Husbands and Kill Your Brother with another comically dark mystery in Kill Your Boss. The story begins when Detective Sergeant Kiara Lui witnesses the fatal fall of much-loathed library services head Neville Adams, trapping all potential suspects in the building for investigation.
In children's literature, acclaimed collaborators Alison Lester and Jane Godwin present Where Would You Go?, a thoughtful journey through the imaginations of children at The Royal Children's Hospital that encourages appreciation for life's possibilities.
Rounding out the notable releases is Olivie Blake's Girl Dinner, which gives the viral phrase a dark feminist twist in a satire exploring the lengths women might go to achieve perfection through the perspectives of a college student and a struggling professor.
