February Picks

Castor, Helen (2024) The Eagle and the Hart: The Tragedy of Richard II and Henry IV. Allen Lane.

Boy king Richard II was born to inherit, son of the Black Prince, he was reared alone, ascending the throne at the age of ten, believing in his divine right to rule. His cousin Henry Bolingbroke (later Henry IV) was the same age, brought up amongst his many siblings in the busy household of his soldier-statesman father, John of Gaunt. One man becomes a delusional tyrant forcing the other to usurp his throne. A story of birthright, rivalry, power, corruption, war and bloodletting in late medieval times. This is an epic historical portrait of ruthless proportions, supported by extensive research. A rich and accessible read.

Rating: 5/5

Palmer, Geoffrey (2025) How to Save Democracy in Aotearoa New Zealand. Victoria UP.

This provocative book of essays is a call to action. Sir Geoffrey Palmer lawyer, academic and former Prime Minister expounds his insights on the state of New Zealand politics and offers inspiration to encourage the populace to reclaim their essential role in governance. As liberal democracies decay, global pressures increase and democratic principles come under threat citizens must engage to protect their own democratic future. A strong and robust civil society is important. He concludes with an appeal for greater accountability from our politicians and presents options for governance reform. Democracy matters.

Rating: 3/5

Brissenden, Michael (2025) Dust. Affirm Press.

When caravan-dweller Aaron Love finds a body, near Lake Herrod’s dried up lakebed, he uncovers evidence that his missing father is still alive and is involved in criminal activity. As the murders pile up Detective Martyn Kravers, and his rookie side-kick, arrive in the dying NSW rural town. This is a tale of corruption, drought and disadvantaged people. People who are living on the margins, where disinformation and conspiracy theories reign, and where there is agitation against renewable energy projects. New entry in the outback crime genre. Dark, action-packed thriller.

Rating: 3/5

Atwood, Margaret (2025) Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts. Chatto & Windus.

Atwood calls her book a memoir, but it is more an autobiography of her 85 years. We follow Atwood, called Peggy, from her early years in the Canadian wilderness to the remarkable genesis of her literary masterpieces. She had a happy nomadic childhood, raised with her two siblings by her entomologist father and tomboyish mother between Toronto and the wilds of northern Quebec. As a nerdy teenager she faced bullying and later had academic success. Her adult life is anchored by literary triumphs, feminism and a great romance. Her voice throughout is self-effacing with a touch of glamour and eccentricity. A narrative full of larger than life characters. A big read at nearly 600 pages. Conversational and engaging.

Rating: 5/5

Jurczyk, Eva (2025) 6.40 To Montreal. Poisoned Pen Press.

Agatha was coming to terms with her cancer diagnosis when her husband buys her a business class train ticket from Toronto to Montreal. He sees this an an opportunity for a writing retreat, but she sees it as a chance to escape domesticity and have a bit of ‘fun’. However her plans are put into disarray when the train breaks down during a snow storm; then a passenger dies in the seat assigned to her, and it looks like murder. Suddenly it’s more than a struggle against the elements. There is an unknown enemy amongst her fellow passengers. Will Agatha make it out alive? A closed-carriage murder mystery is a good premise but this novel fails to fire. Slow, far-fetched and rather silly. Unsatisfactory.

Rating: 2/5