Showing results by narrator "Kirsty Gillmore" in All Categories

Melbourne is a city on the brink, suffering from arson-fed bush fires, searing heatwaves and the potential threat of terrorism. Detective Inspector Robbie Gray, falling foul of police bureaucracy, gets called to a body found lying in a rural swamp. When the nationality of the victim is revealed, ASIO takes over her investigation, and she is sidelined. Convinced they are misinterpreting the evidence, Robbie—along with a disenfranchised policeman—secretly digs for the truth.

Jacinda Ardern: Leading with Empathy carefully explores the influences that have shaped Ardern. Peace activist and journalist Supriya Vani and writer Carl A. Harte build their narrative through Vani's exclusive interviews with Ardern, as well as the prime minister's public statements and speeches and the words of those who know her. We visit the places, meet the people and understand the events that propelled the daughter of a small-town Mormon policeman to become a social democrat, a passionate Labour Party politician and a modern leader admired for her empathy and courage.

In this revealing biography, journalist Madeleine Chapman discovers the woman behind the headlines. Politically engaged from an early age, Ardern has encountered her fair share of sexism, but rather than let that harden her, she advocated 'rising above' critics. In her first press conference, she announced an election campaign of 'relentless positivity' - the tactic was a resounding success. But can Ardern live up to her promise? And what can we learn from the world's reaction to this inspiring leader?

1948. After serving with the French Resistance during the Second World War, codenamed La Chatte Noire, Phryne Fisher escaped to Australia in search of sunshine, butter and peace. So she’s furious when tragedy intrudes upon her newfound tranquillity and she discovers a dead man on Somerton Beach - well-dressed, good-looking and with a secret smile on his lips. The police are baffled as to his identity and cause of death - not to mention the scrap of paper bearing the words TAMAM SHUD found upon him, and the coded message in the book from which it was torn. 

In 1948, a man was found dead on Somerton Beach in Adelaide, Australia. Well-dressed and unmarked, he had a half-smoked cigarette by his side, but no identity documents. Decades later, the Somerton Man's identity and death remain mysteries. From his clothing's missing labels, to the tiny piece of paper with the words Tamam Shud found in the fob pocket of his trousers, this cold case is brimming with facts that are stranger than fiction. 

The frost and fairy lights only remind her it's been a year since she lost the mother who took her in as a baby and raised her. She's never felt more alone - until she discovers her birth mother's identity. And where to find her. A lifetime and thousands of miles have separated Evangeline and Bonnie. Now, travelling to New Zealand could be Evangeline's chance to confront the woman who gave her up. But is she ready for what she'll find there? The answers she's been looking for, a new family to heal her... Or someone she could never have expected?

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Those Other Women by Nicola Moriarty. From the author of The Fifth Letter comes a controversial and darkly comic story about the frustrations of being a childless woman in the modern baby-obsessed world.... Poppy's world has been tipped sideways: the husband who never wanted children has betrayed her with her broody best friend. At least Annalise is on her side.

Anaesthetic fellow Rory McBride is adrift. Since a routine procedure went horribly wrong, he has been plagued by sleeplessness, flashbacks and escalating panic attacks. Jodi Waterstone has recently started work as a first-year doctor at the same hospital, and the night shifts, impossible workload and endless hours on duty are taking a toll.

Jacinda Ardern: Leading with Empathy carefully explores the influences - personal, social, political and emotional - that have shaped Ardern. Peace activist and journalist Supriya Vani and writer Carl A. Harte build their narrative through Vani's exclusive interviews with Ardern, as well as the prime minister's public statements and speeches and the words of those who know her.

Marjorie Hardaway is going stir-crazy. With the country under Level 4 lockdown, her entire world has shrunk to the size of a computer screen. Braden is stuck at the other end of the country and zoom meetings are very nice but they're no substitute for a chest-crushing hug. Her few ventures into the community to exercise or deliver meals on wheels are the only opportunity for company - at a strict two-metre distance.

Judi Westerholme is happy living in secluded Candlebark, growing her own food, bothering no one - until the cops come knocking. Informed that her estranged brother Andy has been murdered, she assumes it’s connected to his long-term drug addiction.  But when she returns home, Judi is shocked to discover that Andy had been clean for years and had a wife - now missing - and a two-year-old child, Mia. Andy seems to have been leading an ordinary life. But if he had turned things around for himself, why was he killed in a drug-deal shooting? And where is his wife?

She's the victim. But is she so innocent? Sophie McCarthy is known for her determination, ambition and brilliance at work. She's tough, but only because she wants to get the best out of people. Aidan Ryan is strong, honourable and a family man. He's tough, too; the army requires it. When these two strangers are brought together in a devastating incident, Sophie's life is left in ruins. Her family wants to see Aidan pay for what he did. Aidan's prepared to sacrifice everything - including his marriage and his child - to fix the mess he's made.  

At 17, Jodie Cramer survived a terrifying assault at the hands of three strangers. Now 35, her past is a horror she's buried deep. When she sets out for a country escape with three friends, all she has in mind are a few laughs and a break from routine. However, unknown to the four women, their secluded cabin was once the focus of a police investigation and, like Jodie, it nurtures a dark secret.... 

Marjorie Hardaway runs a cafe in the small New Zealand town of Hanmer Springs, overflowing with kittens looking for new "forever" homes. A busy job made more troublesome when life throws her into the path of unsolved crimes! With her own quirky style and with the help of friends from the tight-knit community, Marjorie sets to work to solve the puzzles.

Three sisters. Three journeys. One place to call home. 

With Christmas fast approaching, Marjorie is baking for the community center. They're hosting the annual foster family Christmas party, an event stuffed to the gills with presents, food, and good company. But when the Christmas gifts generously donated for the foster children are stolen, Marjorie can't stand idly by and let the kids go without. With the entire community already on edge, it'll take a Christmas miracle for them to band together and find the culprits, all while ensuring the annual celebrations go ahead. 

Marjorie Hardaway has a troublesome new Chartreux kitten on her hands. The aptly named Houdini is a master escape artist, regularly hiding in cupboards or running outside as though he can walk straight through walls. When a café regular, Fletcher Byrne, leaves behind a half-completed adoption form for Houdini, Marjorie is therefore eager for him to come back and finish the process. The problem is, nobody has seen or heard from Fletcher since that afternoon. The distance-learning student has disappeared into thin air!

Marjorie Hardaway is worried that her Cozy Kitten Cafe might soon go out of business. A property developer is building a rival store on the section in front, blocking out the wonderful view. However, her concern is soon replaced with a more serious problem when a new calico kitten turns out to be a witness to a murder!

It begins with the normally healthy Beth - aged-care worker, wife of David, mother of Lettie and Gem - feeling vaguely off-colour. A locum sends her to Dr Yi for some tests. 'There are a few things here that aren't quite right,' says Dr Yi, 'and sometimes it is these little wrongnesses that can lead us to the bigger wrongs that matter.' Beth is sent on to Dr Twoomey for more tests. Then to another specialist, and another. 

Who's caught Max's yawn? Spend a day with Max as he passes on his contagious yawn. From pre-school to the doctor's office and even Mum and Dad, Max's yawn just keeps on catching - even the cat catches it! Children will enjoy identifying with the characters and routines in this story, and observing the differences. This story has been designed as a discussion point, so that children and carers can talk about "same" and "different" so that children learn that we all lead different lives and that different doesn't mean wrong.