CANBERRA WEEKLY 3 APRIL 2025: NEW BOOKS BY HARLAN COBEN, MICHELLE PRAK AND SUSAN NEUHAUS
This week in the Canberra Weekly, I reviewed three enjoyable books for an Australian autumn read. Included in the mix are two good contemporary thrillers by Harlan Coben and Michelle Prak, and a historical war novel by Susan Neuhaus.
Former distinguished Australian army officer and surgeon Susan Neuhaus, has produced a well researched and engaging historical novel about a remarkable woman. The Surgeon Of Royaumont, (HQ, 2 April 2025), is an evocative story that captures the reality of war on the Western Front during World War I
In the Canberra Weekly I said:
“As one of the few female medical graduates working in Sydney, Clara Heywood refuses to be denied the chance to become a surgeon because of her sex, and heads off to France to work as a doctor on the Western Front during World War I. There she is thrust into the brutal realities of war while working at the Scottish Women’s Hospital at Royaumont Abbey. Although excelling as surgeon, Clara is beset by doubts and the terrible impact of war.
A moving and powerful novel, The Surgeon Of Royaumont is a fascinating portrayal of a determined woman and a horrible time.”
A thought provoking novel that arrives just in time for ANZAC Day.
Harlan Coben is a master of the twisty thriller and his latest one, Nobody’s Fool (Century, 25 March 2025), is another good page turner.
In the Canberra Weekly I said:
“Harlan Coben can always be relied upon to provide good entertainment, whether it is a novel or one of his Netflix adaptations. Nobody’s Fool is probably one of his best books in recent years and follows former Detective Sami Kierce, who is trying to determine the truth about a tragic incident from his youth. When he sees the face of a woman that he thought was dead, Sami becomes caught up in an old mystery and some very current dangers.
This is a typically fast paced, enjoyable tale by Coben, with plenty of twists and turns and unexpected detours. Good fun.”
I always enjoy a Harlan Coben thriller and this one was no exception. I did a longer review a couple of weeks back: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/2025-blockbusters-nobodys-fool-by-harlan-coben-and-the-summer-guests-by-tess-gerritsen/
Michelle Prak’s Rush was one of my favourite thrillers of 2023 and she has now followed it up with the equally tense Barren Cape, (Simon & Schuster, 2 April 2025).
In the Canberra Weekly I said:
“Michelle Prak uses the current housing crisis in Australia to good effect in her tense second novel Barren Cape.
When Mac and Erika are forced out of their apartment, they struggle to find a place to rent. In desperation Mac takes up residence at an unfinished luxury beach resort, which is now just wire fence and cement. It’s stark, but quiet, and seemingly safe. But things change for the worse when Mac encounters Brex, who is also looking for a place to stay. Shifting the viewpoint between the three young women, Michelle keeps the suspense at a high level and the surprises coming. Recommended.”
This is a different type of crime novel for Michelle, which really goes to the core of some major issues in Australia today. I did a longer review back in March 2025: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/downunder-crime-update-march-2025-news-reviews-and-previews/
So three good, entertaining novels to curl up with on an increasingly cooler autumn evening.