Category: Book Haul

Book Haul – 10 August 2026

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I’ve had an excellent couple of weeks for books, as I was lucky enough to receive some incredible and amazing new novels from publishers and Netgalley.  These novels include some truly awesome new releases, including books that have the potential to be some of my top reads of the year.  I cannot wait to dive into them, and I so excited to see how they all turn out.

We Chase Shadows by Richard Osman

Let’s start this Book Haul post off strong with the new Richard Osman novel, We Chase Shadows. The sequel to Osman’s exceptional novel, We Solve Murders, We Chase Shadows will see some of Osman’s more entertaining protagonists embark on another international investigation to catch a deadly killer. I absolutely loved We Solve Murders and I have no doubt this amazing sounding sequel is going to be one of the best novels of 2026.

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Choppy Water by Jack Heath

I also was very happy to receive an early copy of the new Jack Heath novel, Choppy Water.  One of the more anticipated Australian releases of 2026, Choppy Water will feature a compelling locked-room mystery as a fugitive attempts to uncover a killer aboard a quarantined cruise ship.  I love the sound of Choppy Water, and I cannot wait to sink my teeth into Heath’s latest crazy crime fiction read.

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The Mortons by Justine Larbalestier and Scott Westerfeld

One of the more unique novels I recently received was the fantastic crime fiction novel, The Mortons. Written by the team of Justine Larbalestier and Scott Westerfeld, The Mortons follows a talented scion of a family of professional killers and manipulators, who find themselves dragged into a dark conspiracy surrounding their family. I’ve actually already finished The Mortons, and it turned out to be a deeply compelling and memorable novel I couldn’t get enough off.  Highly recommended, I’m hoping to review The Mortons soon.

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He Who Fights With Monsters by Travis Deverell (Shirtaloon)

I’ve recently received the cool LitRPG novel He Who Fights With Monsters by Australian author Travis Deverell, better known as Shirtaloon. A paperback reprinting of the author’s online LitRPG sensation, He Who Fights With Monsters sounds pretty amazing, and I’m hoping to dive into the massive novel soon.

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Templar Assassin by Angus Donald

Angus Donald continues to explore the Mongol horde from a unique perspective with his next book Templar Assassin. The sequel to his fantastic historical fiction novel Templar Traitor, Templar Assassin will continue to explore the life of an apparently rogue Templar Knight, who journeyed into Asia and joined the army of the legendary Genghis Khan. I look forward to reading this book, which should provide some excellent historical adventure and intrigue.

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The Reckoning by Vikki Petraitis

Vikki Petraitis continues to write timely and thought-provoking Australian fiction in 2026 with her latest novel The Reckoning. Following on from her previous novels The Unbelieved and The Stolen, The Reckoning once again returns to small town Australia divided to gender violence, when a poisoning targeted at two freed rapists threatens to kill multiple people. I am very curious to see where Petraitis takes her latest story, and The Reckoning will likely end up being one of the more intense and powerful Australian reads of 2026.

 

The Cruise by Naïma Brown

An intriguing new thriller that sees a woman and her squad of best friends attempt to get revenge on a man who wronged her many years ago. The Cruise sounds like a great book, and I look forward to diving into it.

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Full Circle by Chris Hammer

An exciting and intriguing standalone thriller from one of Australia’s best-known authors, Chris Hammer, Full Circle sounds like a great novel, and I’m hoping to finally read something from Hammer after all these years.

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Shadow of Dragons by Jacob Peppers

An intriguing epic fantasy novel with an awesome sounding plot. I am really hoping to get a chance to read Shadow of Dragons this year, and I’m sure I will love it.

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Five Voices by Tamara Moss

The final book I recently received is the young adult thriller Five Voices by Tamara Moss. An excellent sounding novel about murder and mystery surrounding a group of young podcasters, Five Voices sounds like a fantastic read and I’m very excited to check it out.

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Well, that’s the end of this latest Book Haul post.  As you can see I have quite a bit of reading to do at the moment thanks to all these awesome books that have come in.  Let me know which of the above you are most interested in and make sure to check back in a few weeks to see my reviews of them.

Book Haul – 6 July 2026

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I’ve had an excellent couple of weeks for books, as I was lucky enough to receive some incredible and amazing new novels from publishers and Netgalley.  These novels include some truly awesome new releases, including books that have the potential to be some of my top reads of the year.  I cannot wait to dive into them, and I so excited to see how they all turn out.

Adam & Eve by Jeffrey Archer

The first book I want to feature in this Book Haul post is the upcoming release from Jeffrey Archer, Adam & Eve. The final book written by Archer, Adam & Eve is a compelling, standalone historical epic which sees two lovers divided by class dragged into the chaos surrounding World War II and the German invasion of England.  Sure to be an excellent and captivating novel, Adam & Eve is high on my to-read list, and I am deeply intrigued to read Archer’s final book.

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The Wreck by Riley James

Next on this list is the excellent upcoming Australian crime fiction release, The Wreck by Riley James.  The second novel from James after her 2024 debut, The Chilling, The Wreck will see a group of UFO chasers trapped on a deserted island, with a dangerous presence stalking them from the shadows. I am very curious to read this second book from James, and I look forward to diving into The Wreck later this year.

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Every Time She Wakes by Petronella McGovern

One of the more intriguing novels I recently received was Every Time She Wakes by Petronella McGovern. A compelling Australian crime fiction read with some interesting time travel elements to it, Every Time She Wakes has a lot of potential, and I’m actually hoping to read it next.

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The Doubles by Jacob K. Gallagher

Another particularly interesting Australian novel I recently received was the cool fantasy read, The Doubles by Jacob K. Gallagher. A unique urban fantasy novel with some local Australian flair, The Doubles sounds like a great book and it’s one I’m looking forward to reading.

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The Death Row Club by V. A. Vazquez

Next up we have the very entertaining and ultra-intense debut from V. A. Vazquez, The Death Row Club. A murder mystery thriller set at a gathering of the adult children of notorious serial killers, The Death Row Club sounds extremely awesome and I’m hoping to read it soon.

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The Burn by Jessica Mansour-Nahra

A compelling and drama laden novel, set amid a climate of intense bushfires hitting Australia.

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Devil Mountain by Inessa Jackson

An intense and impressive sounding Australian crime fiction novel, where an investigator must uncover dark and potentially occult secrets in a small Australian country town.

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Just Like The Night by Michael Caleb Tasker

Another great sounding Australian read, featuring a con-woman mother who attempts to save her daughter from the dangerous criminal element she has become entangled with.

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Island X by Marissa Yarrow

The final awesome book I recently received was Island X by Marissa Yarrow. A fantastic and creepy horror novel, where influencers at an exclusive music festival are being hostage by mysterious events and the dark whims of their social media accounts. I am very intrigued by Island X, and it sounds like it could be a weird, yet very fun, novel to check out.

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Well, that’s the end of this latest Book Haul post.  As you can see I have quite a bit of reading to do at the moment thanks to all these awesome books that have come in.  Let me know which of the above you are most interested in and make sure to check back in a few weeks to see my reviews of them.

Book Haul – 31 May 2026 – Second-hand Books

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In addition to my two Book Haul posts about recently released international and Australian books I’ve gotten my hands on, I’m also going to do a Book Haul post about some awesome second-hand novels I’ve also found. This is because I recently did an excellent road trip where I visited several great second-hand bookstores. Of course, I managed to grab a ton of amazing and fun sound books while I was out these places, including one or two I’ve been hunting for a while. So let see what other older books I’m hoping to read soon.

The Daughter’s War by Christopher Buehlman

The first entry in this Book Haul post is the one I’m probably the most excited for with The Daughter’s War by Christopher Buelhman. The prequel to Buehlman’s awesome and gritty fantasy adventure The Blacktongue Thief, The Daughter’s War will provide the full history of one of the previous book’s more brutal and tragic protagonists, as she embarks on a war that has killed so many people before it. I loved The Blacktongue Thief and I’ve heard this prequel is even better, so I’m extremely excited to read it. I’m hoping to get to this one soon, especially before the sequel to The Blacktongue Thief comes out later this year.

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Plugged by Eoin Colfer

I was also extremely happy to find a copy of Plugged by Eion Colfer.  An adult thriller from Colfer, who is best known for his Artemis Fowl books, Plugged sounds like an entertaining and compelling read, full of gangs, murder and receding hairlines. I already know I’m going to love this book, and I was particularly happy that I found a copy of Plugged with Colfer’s signature, which is very, very cool.

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Chasing Embers by James Bennett

I’ve been meaning to read the entertaining urban fantasy novel, Chasing Embers for a while, so I was glad to find a good copy of this awesome James Bennett book.  Following the problems of an ancient dragon hiding out in human form in modern times, Chasing Embers has always really appealed to me, so I’m keen to finally check it out.

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Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell

A very cool and entertaining thriller about a former killer turned medical intern, who is forced to revisit his murderous ways during a hospital shift, Beat the Reaper sounds like a very awesome read with a great plot behind it.

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Allison Hewitt is Trapped and Sadie Walker is Stranded by Madeline Roux

I managed to get both of Madeleine Roux’s zombie novels as a set, with Allison Hewitt is Trapped and Sadie Walker is Stranded. Intriguing and exciting horror books about normal people trying to survive the zombie apocalypse, these sound like fantastic reads, and I’ll probably try to get through them one after another.

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The Butchers of Berlin by Chris Petit

An excellent historical crime fiction read set in wartime Berlin.

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Seven Princes by John R. Fultz

An intriguing and epic fantasy novel that caught my eye the moment I saw it, Seven Princes looks set to deliver fantasy warfare and carnage, with an amazing story about revenge and justice.

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The Empress Game by Rhonda Mason

The final second-hand book I want to highlight in this post is the awesome science fiction novel, The Empress Game by Rhonda Mason. An exciting and intense read set around a brutal tournament, The Empress Game has a ton of potential, and I’m expecting to have an incredible time with it.

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Well, that’s the end of my Book Haul posts. As you can see, I’ve now got quite a lot to read, so I better get to it. Let me know what books you like the sound of the most in the comments below.

Book Haul – 31 May 2026 – Australian Fiction

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After highlighting some great international releases in my last Book Haul Post, I’m now going to dive into several new and upcoming books I’ve recently received, written by Australian authors.  As fans of this blog will know, due to my location in Australia, I tend to receive a ton of awesome novels by my fellow countrymen, who are capable of writing some very impressive novels.  2026 in particular has been an epic year for Australian fiction, with some incredible and unique reads recently rocking up on my door.  As such, I’m very keen to highlight the latest batch of impressive new Australian novels I’ve received, including some outstanding novels with a ton of potential.

Bad Neighbours by Joanna Jenkins

The first new Australian novel I recently received is the new Joanna Jenkins novel Bad Neighbours. Following on from her previous novels, How to Kill a Client and The Bluff, Bad Neighbours is another intriguing thriller with some interesting legal twists to it.

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Stay Buried by Jane R. Miles

The next recently received book I want to highlight is the intense novel Stay Buried by Jane R. Miles. A dark thriller tied into a compelling and disastrous piece of Australian history, Stay Buried has a ton of potential and may be one of the more unique Australian novels of 2026.

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Click by Sarah Bailey

Another intense crime fiction novel from one of Australia’s best authors, Click works as a loosely connected sequel to Bailey’s previous novel, The Housemate.  Featuring another dark and complex mystery in Melbourne, Click sounds like an outstanding read and its one I’m keen to dive into.

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The Lineup by Nicholas Timms

A fun new Australian debut, The Lineup by Nicholas Timms has a great story behind it, as a former surfer must return to the waves to uncover a deadly killer.

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We Did It Anyway by Carla Salmon

Last year Australian author Carla Salmon had an amazing Australian debut with the young adult crime fiction novel, We Saw What You Started. Her next book, We Did It Anyway, will featuring another cool story, as several teens find a fortune in gold on an isolated island. An awesome new book from a great rising talent.

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The Yacht by Kayte Nunn

I love the sound of the next book I recently got, The Yacht by Kayte Nunn. Set to feature a twisty tale of revenge and deceit on a fancy yacht filled with treacherous elites, this cool book sounds very intriguing and I look forward to diving into it.

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LIT by Anna Woods

I’m slightly cheating with the next entry, LIT, as it’s a New Zealand novel rather than Australian (a major distinction, trust me).  However, I think it fits nicely amongst these other Oceanic books, and I like the sound of LIT’s dark, psychological thriller plot.

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Red Lake by Jason Summers

The final Australian book I want to highlight is the new novel from Jason Summers, Red Lake. Another excellent and intriguing rural crime fiction read, Red Lake has a ton of potential and it is a great book to finish this post on.

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As you can see, I’ve got my hands full of fresh new Australian releases.  All the above have some amazing and intriguing stories behind them, and I cannot wait to dive into them all.  In the meantime, I’m about to highlight some cool secondhand books I also recently received in my third and final book post of the night.

Book Haul – 31 May 2026

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It’s been a while since I’ve done a Book Haul post on this blog, and I think it’s time I remedied this, especially as I have been extremely lucky to receive an amazing number of books in recent weeks.  Indeed, I’ve either received and managed to find and buy so many awesome novels and new releases, that I’m actually going to break this next Book Haul post into a few pieces.  The first of which will cover some amazing and unique new and upcoming releases from an array of international talent.

Sisters of the Lizard by Jackson Ford

The first book I want to highlight in this post is the very cool fantasy novel, Sisters of the Lizard by Jackson Ford. The sequel to Ford’s 2025 novel, The Bone Raiders, Sisters of the Lizard will continue the chaos of the series, as a small group of independent raiders attempt to hold back a vengeful empire with their new giant, fire-breathing lizard mounts.

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A Trade of Blood by Robert Jackson Bennett

I was extremely happy to receive a copy of A Trade of Blood by Robert Jackson Bennett.  The epic follow-up to Bennett’s incredible fantasy murder mystery novels, The Tainted Cup and A Drop of Corruption, A Trade of Blood will present another unique and shocking crime in a fantasy realm constantly beset by giant monsters.  Sure to be one of the cleverest and most compelling novels of 2026, A Trade of Blood has so much potential, and I cannot wait to read it.

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Green City Wars by Adrian Tchaikovksy

I have had a pretty amazing time reading books from Adrian Tchaikovksy in 2026, but it looks like I’m only getting started as I just received a copy of his next entertaining novel, Green City Wars.  An intriguing crime fiction read, where the protagonists are genetically engineered, sentient animals created to serve humanity, Green City Wars looks set to be one of the more unique releases of 2026, and I already know I’m going to love it.

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Eight Tastes of Treachery by Ryan Rose

After falling in love with Ryan Rose’s debut novel, Seven Recipes for Revolution, last year, I’m excited for the author’s second outing with the awesome upcoming sequel, Eight Tastes of Treachery.  Looking set to continue Rose’s cool story of revolution, magic and cookery, Eight Tastes of Treachery sounds like an outstanding novel, and I look forward to diving into it.

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Duel of Beasts by Boyd and Beth Morrison

One of the more exciting novels I recently received is the next Tales of the Lawless Land entry, Duel of Beasts.  The fourth historical fiction book from the duo of Beth and Boyd Morrison, Duel of Beasts throws the series’ protagonists into a deadly quest in medieval Spain, as they try to save a widowed noblewoman from a deadly conspiracy. Sure to be a compelling and intense read, Duel of Beasts is going to be a ton of fun, and I’ve deeply enjoyed the previous three books from these great authors.

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The Dragon Has Some Complaints by John Wiswell

One of the more hilarious sounding novels I recently received is the very entertaining The Dragon Has Some Complaints by John Wiswell.  Following an argumentative three-headed dragon with some major issues as it finds itself accidently befriending a human, The Dragon Has Some Complaints sounds like pure fun, and I cannot wait to check it out.

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The Bone Docs by Matthew Scura

Another entertaining new novel I recently received is the very amusing The Bone Docs by Matthew Scura. A desert island thriller that sees a group of stranded dentists go to war with similarly shipwrecked chiropractors, The Bone Docs has some absurd potential, and I’m very keen to see how crazy it gets.

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Star Trek: The Last Starship: Volume 1 by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing

A very cool sounding new Star Trek comic, that will take an iconic character from The Original Series and set him to adventure in the far future.

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The Damned by Matt Rogers

An intriguing spy thriller that sees a desperate protagonist trapped in the Columbian mountains being hunted by dangerous criminals

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The Deep and the Drowned by Ian Green

Another recently acquired book that I am very excited to read is the epic upcoming fantasy novel, The Deep and the Drowned by Ian Green.  Featuring a cool nautical narrative, set in a fantasy realm made up on thousands of chaotic islands, The Deep and the Drowned sounds so damn awesome and sure to be incredible.  In addition, it also has one of the coolest covers of 2026, which can only indicate great things.

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We Are For The Dark by Gretchen McNeil

An intriguing horror thriller from an author that I’ve had an outstanding time with in the past.

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Drop Dead Famous by Jennifer Pearson

The final recently received book I want to highlight in this post is the cool young adult thriller, Drop Dead Famous by Jennifer Pearson. An intriguing crime fiction read set around the dark side of the music business, Drop Dead Famous sounds pretty amazing, and I’m very keen to read it.

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Well, that’s the end of the first Book Haul post of the night. In my next post, I’m going to dive into some of the awesome new novels from Australian author’s I’ve recently received.

Book Haul – 2 March 2026

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I’ve had an excellent couple of weeks for books, as I was lucky enough to receive some incredible and amazing new novels from publishers and Netgalley.  These novels include some truly awesome new releases, including books that have the potential to be some of my top reads of the year.  I cannot wait to dive into them, and I so excited to see how they all turn out.

Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead by K. J. Parker

The first book I recently received was the cool and sure to be hilarious fantasy novel, Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead. The first book in a new trilogy by K. J. Parker, this novel will follow a compelling nun character, who solves her church’s various problems through murder.  However, her latest mission at an important religious conference quickly goes terribly wrong when certain impossible guests show up.  I love the sound of Sister Svangerd and the Not Quite Dead’s plot, and I already know this book is going to be amazing, especially after how damn impressive Parker’s previous two trilogies were.

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Our Lady of Blades by Sebastien de Castell

I was also very lucky to receive an early copy of one of the most anticipated fantasy novels of 2026, Our Lady of Blades by Sebastien de Castell.  The next book in de Castell’s Court of Shadows series (Play of Shadows and Crucible of Chaos), which is set in his larger Greatcoat universe, Our Lady of Blades will be another mostly standalone fantasy read, that explores conspiracies and crimes in the author’s fantasy realm.  This next book sounds particularly impressive with an The Count of Monte Cristo inspired plot, as it follows a masked duelist who seeks revenge on her city’s elite after her family was betrayed and destroyed. I cannot wait to finally dive into this cool novel, and I have very high hopes for this incredible sounding book.

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Dead Fall Lake by S. R. White

I also just received the latest unique outback murder from author S. R. White, Dead Fall Lake.  Following on from Prisoner, Red Dirt Road and White Ash Ridge, Dead Fall Lake will force its detective protagonist to investigate the murder of a local sports hero, whose body is found in a sinkhole he routinely freedived into.  This has the potential to be an outstanding Australian murder novel as White has no doubt written another amazing and complex mystery.

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City of Others by Jared Poon

I also recently grabbed a copy of one of my most anticipated debuts of 2026, City of Others by Jared Poon.  A cool sounding urban fantasy novel set in Singapore, City of Others sounds like an outstanding read, and I have been looking forward to it for a while.  I am hoping to keep up my roll of great 2026 debuts by reading City of Others soon, and I already know I’m going to love this cool book.

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The Book of Fallen Leaves by A. S. Tamaki

One of the more unique and striking novels I recently received was the intriguing fantasy novel, The Book of Fallen Leaves by debuting author A. S. Tamaki.  A samurai inspired novel with some compelling dark fantasy elements, The Book of Fallen Leaves sounds very interesting, and I cannot wait to see what awesome world Tamaki has created in his first novel.

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Star Trek: Red Shirts by Christopher Cantwell

I was very happy to receive an early copy of the new Star Trek comic miniseries, Red Shirts. A darker read that follows the expendable and doomed security officers of Starfleet, Red Shirts sounds like a particularly wild ride, and the above cover clearly shows that this isn’t going to be your typical, light-hearted Star Trek story.  I am very curious to see how this comic turns out, and it looks set to be a particularly awesome read.

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There Will Be Bodies by Lindsey Davis

I managed to finally get a copy of the Lindsey Davis novel; There Will Be Bodies.  The 2025 entry in Davis’ Flavia Albia series, There Will Be Bodies promises to be another excellent read, that throws the protagonist into another investigation in the Roman Empire. This latest novel features a cool plot involving murders during the eruption of Pompeii, and I look forward to diving into this book when I get a chance.

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The Debt by Glenn Cooper

Next up, I recently received a copy of the new novel from Glenn Cooper, The Debt.  An intriguing thriller that features a cool plot about a debt owed by the Vatican, The Debt sounds like an excellent read, and I’m hoping to dive into it when I get a chance.

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Finding the Bones by Natalie Conyer

A unique, multi-generational Australian crime fiction by a very talented author.

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I, Claudia by D. N. Potter

A highly entertaining novel of revenge, murder, and lethal marriage that sounds quite delightful.  I, Claudia promises to be an excellent read, and I cannot wait to dive into it.

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What Rhymes with Murder by Penny Tangey

The final book I recently received was the Australian cozy murder mystery, What Rhymes with Murder by Penny Tangey.  Following a group of amateur sleuths who attempt to solve a murder that took place at their local library, What Rhymes with Murder sounds like a lot of fun, and I am hoping to read it in the next few weeks.

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Well, that’s the end of this latest Book Haul post.  As you can see I have quite a bit of reading to do at the moment thanks to all these awesome books that have come in.  Let me know which of the above you are most interested in and make sure to check back in a few weeks to see my reviews of them.

 

Book Haul – 10 February 2026

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I’ve had an excellent couple of weeks for books, as I was lucky enough to receive some incredible and amazing new novels from publishers and Netgalley.  These novels include some truly awesome new releases, including books that have the potential to be some of my top reads of the year.  I cannot wait to dive into them, and I so excited to see how they all turn out.

 

Antihero by Gregg Hurwitz

Let’s start this Book Haul post off strong with one of my most anticipated books of 2026, Antihero by Gregg Hurwitz.  The next entry in Hurwitz’s excellent Orphan X spy thriller series, Antihero will follow on from the tragic conclusion of his previous book, Nemesis, and will follow his highly damaged vigilante protagonist as he takes on an unusual job, get justice without any violence.  Sure to be one of the more heartfelt entries in this outstanding series, Antihero has a ton of potential, and I’m hoping to read it very soon.

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Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman

The next new book that I want to highlight is the very awesome science fiction novel, Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman.  A very fun sounding novel that sees a group of farmers living on an isolated planet attempt to protect their planet from murderous drones piloted by bored gamers on Earth, Operation Bounce House promises to be an extremely entertaining read with a ton of over-the-top content.  I have been looking forward to reading Operation Bounce House ever since I became obsessed with the author’s Dungeon Crawler Carl series last year, and I have no doubt this new standalone novel from Dinniman is going to be a particularly epic read.

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Dark Sanctuary by Sarah Barrie

One of the book’s I was particularly happy to recently get a copy of was the dark Australian thriller Dark Sanctuary.  Written by talented Australian author Sarah Barrie, who previously impressed me with her great Lexi Winter series, Dark Sanctuary promises to be another intense and shocking read, as several desperate protagonists are drawn together.  I cannot wait to read this new book from Barrie, and Dark Sanctuary has the potential to be one of the top Australian novels of 2026.

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Ironwood by Michael Connelly

I was very lucky to receive an early copy of the upcoming Michael Connelly novel, Ironwood.  A sequel to the author’s 2025 novel, Nightshade, Ironwood looks set to continue the compelling crime fiction adventures of a banished cop on the surprisingly crime-ridden Catalina Island, this time with an intriguing plot tied into one of Connelly’s other long-running shared crime fiction series.  I have no doubt this will be an incredible novel, and I can’t wait to read it.

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Redbelly Crossing by Candice Fox

The awesome Australian fiction of 2026 continues to flow into my bookshelf with the new Candice Fox book, Redbelly Crossing. Set in outback Australia, Redbelly Crossing sees two estranged cop brothers forced to work together to investigate a high-profile murder.  However, it soon becomes apparent that only one sibling wants to solve the crime, while the other wants to bury the truth.  Sure to be another outback thriller from one of Australia’s best crime-fiction authors, Redbelly Crossing has a ton of potential, and I cannot wait to dive into it.

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The Exes by Leodora Darlington

I was very happy to get my hands on one of the more entertaining debuts of 2026 with the awesome new novel, The Exes by Leodora Darlington. A fun and gritty sounding crime fiction read about a woman with a complicated and deadly past when it comes to relationships, The Exes is going to be an awesome read and I look forward to diving into it.

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Haze by Sam Elliott

I also received a copy of the cool Australian debut Haze by Sam Elliot, which features a great sounding narrative about a small-town country cop who is forced to try and find a missing child in the middle of a deadly Australian bushfire.  I love the sound of this awesome book, and I have a feeling that Haze is going to be one of the strongest Australian debuts of the year.

 

The Red Winter by Cameron Sullivan

An extremely interesting fantasy debut from another new Australian author. The Red Winter sounds like a particularly gripping read, and I’m curious to check out Cameron Sullivan’s take on a classic tale.

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The Couples Retreat by Mercedes Mercie

A complex and compelling sounding Australian thriller with some interesting twists behind it.

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The Ascension of Souls by Bronte-Marie Wesson

The final book I recently received was the compelling new fantasy novel, The Ascension of Souls by Bronte-Marie Wesson.  The start of a cool new fantasy series, The Ascension of Souls sounds particularly fascinating, and I cannot wait to read it.

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Well, that’s the end of this latest Book Haul post.  As you can see I have quite a bit of reading to do at the moment thanks to all these awesome books that have come in.  Let me know which of the above you are most interested in and make sure to check back in a few weeks to see my reviews of them.

Book Haul – 22 December 2025

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I’ve had an excellent couple of weeks for books, as I was lucky enough to receive some incredible and amazing new novels from publishers and Netgalley.  These novels include some truly awesome new releases, including books that have the potential to be some of my top reads of the new year.  I cannot wait to dive into them, and I so excited to see how they all turn out.

Usagi Yojimbo: Ten Thousand Plums by Stan Sakai

The first new book I want to highlight in this Book Haul post is the awesome Usagi Yojimbo comic volume, Ten Thousand Plums by Stan Sakai. An excellent new volume in one of my favourite comic series, Ten Thousand Plums features two excellent new stories that sees the titular rabbit ronin continue to encounter trouble in his treks across feudal Japan. I have already read this outstanding new volume and it was another deeply impressive read with some real emotional heart to it. A truly incredible comic and a great starting point for this post.

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The Trespassers by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez

I was also very happy to receive a copy of the young adult thriller The Trespassers from Jennifer Lynn Alvarez. An amazing sounding novel that will follow a group of teens as they try to cover up the events of a deadly party in the Alaskan wilderness.  I have been looking forward to reading The Trespassers for a while, especially after deeply enjoying Alvarez’s previous young adult thrillers, Lies Like Wildfire and Friends Like These, and I am sure this is going to be another gripping novel.

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The Gambler by J. P. Pomare

The next book I recently received is the intriguing 2026 thriller, The Gambler.  The upcoming novel from acclaimed Australian author J. P. Pomare, The Gambler will see the author’s returning private investigator protagonist investigate deadly political violence. I’ve heard a lot of good things about Pomare’s previous books, and I am very keen to try out his next book in the new year.

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The Delivery by Gregg Hurwitz

While thriller author Gregg Hurwitz has a full novel coming out in 2026, with his next Orphan X entry Antihero, I was very happy to find out that he was also releasing a cool sounding novella with The Delivery. A somewhat more science fiction focused novel than his typical work, The Delivery will see a struggling family deal with the attention of a murderous AI, in what is sure to be an exciting and captivating read.

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Red Star Rebels by Amie Kaufman

Australian author Amie Kaufman looks set to continues to dominate the young adult genre in 2026 with her new science fiction novel Red Star Rebels. A cool sounding science fiction adventure set on futuristic Mars, Red Star Rebels will see two fractious teens attempt to stop a deadly explosion and the mercenaries behind it. I’m sure this is going to be a very fun read, and I’m keen to check it out.

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A Sociopath’s Guide to a Successful Marriage by M. K. Oliver

Up next we have a very fun sounding debut, A Sociopath’s Guide to a Successful Marriage, that will see a murderous housewife attempt to cover up her deadly deeds while also achieving her other ambitious designs for herself and her family. I really loved the sound of this book’s fantastic plot, and I have a feeling it is going to be a very special debut.

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Payback by Elizabeth Rose Quinn

The final new book I recently received is the entertaining thriller Payback by Elizabeth Rose Quinn. Another novel that looks set to blend mystery with humour, Payback will see the seven inmates of a luxury weekend prison attempt to solve the murder of their abusive guard before they lose their cushy arrangement. I really love Payback’s fantastic plot, and I cannot wait to read it next year.

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Well, that’s the end of this latest Book Haul post.  As you can see I have quite a bit of reading to do at the moment thanks to all these awesome books that have come in.  Let me know which of the above you are most interested in and make sure to check back in a few weeks to see my reviews of them.

Book Haul – 6 December 2025

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I’ve had an excellent couple of weeks for books, as I was lucky enough to receive some incredible and amazing new novels from publishers and Netgalley.  These novels include some truly awesome new releases, including books that have the potential to be some of my top reads of the year.  I cannot wait to dive into them, and I so excited to see how they all turn out.

King Sorrow by Joe Hill

I finally got my copy of the cool new Joe Hill book, King Sorrow. An extensive novel that will follow a group of friends who make an unwise, life-time bargain with an ancient dragon, King Sorrow sounds really awesome, and I’ve heard some great things about it.  I’m actually hoping to start reading King Sorrow next, and I have no doubt it is going to be something special.

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The Feeding by Anthony Ryan

I was very happy to receive a copy of Anthony Ryan’s new novel, The Feeding, especially after having so much fun with his other 2025 release, Born of an Iron Storm. The Feeding is an excellent post-apocalyptic novel, set in a future overrun with vampires. I’ve actually already read The Feeding, and it was an outstanding novel that I deeply enjoyed.

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The Blackfire Blade by James Logan

I was very happy to get a copy of The Blackfire Blade by James Logan in the last week. The sequel to Logan’s outstanding debut, The Silverblood Promise, The Blackfire Blade features another awesome plot as the protagonist journeys to another dangerous and unique fantasy city to uncover more clues about his father’s death. I really enjoyed Logan’s first novel, and I cannot wait to see how this sequel unfolds.

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Pretenders to the Throne of God by Adrian Tchaikovsky

My reading list for 2026 is already off to a strong start, as I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of Pretenders to the Throne of God by Adrian Tchaikovsky. The fourth book in the Tyrant Philosophers series, Pretenders to the Throne of God is set in an unique and complex fantasy world and will follow on from outstanding books like City of Last Chances, House of Open Wounds and Days of Shattered Faith. Set to feature more war, magic and brilliantly damaged characters, Pretenders to the Throne of God is one of my most anticipated books coming out in 2026 and I cannot wait to dive into it.

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Tyrant by Conn Iggulden

I recently grabbed a copy of Tyrant by Conn Iggulden, which I have been keen to read all year. The entertaining sounding sequel to Iggulden’s 2024 novel, Nero, Tyrant will continue to follow the rise of the infamous Roman emperor, with this book focusing on his teenage years. I had a lot of fun with the previous entry in this series, and I cannot wait to see more of Iggulden’s unique take on this iconic historical figure.

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Forged in Rome by Conn Iggulden

I also managed to grab a copy of Iggulden’s other 2025 release, Forged in Rome, which I honestly didn’t realise was coming out. Set to follow a former slave turned treasured scribe, Forged in Rome should be a unique Roman story and I cannot wait to dive into it.

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Everyone Wants to Rule the World by Ace Atkins

A fun 1980’s thriller with some entertaining twists to it. I look forward to checking this book out, especially as I haven’t read anything from Ace Atkins before.

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On the Edge by Kate Horan

An exciting and complex Australian murder mystery that should be a highlight of early 2026.

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No Man’s Land by Richard K. Morgan

One of the more distinctive novels I recently received a copy of is the cool historical fantasy novel No Man’s Land by Richard Morgan. A gritty standalone novel that envisions England being overrun by a race of fae during World War I, No Man’s Land has a lot of potential, and I feel it is going to be one of the most impressive fantasy novels of 2026.

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Star Trek: Shaxs’ Best (and Worst) Day by Ryan North and Derek Charm

The final book I recently was received was a copy of the fun Star Trek comic, Shaxs’ Best (and Worst) Day. Written by Ryan North and featuring art from Derek Charm, this cool entry serves as an entertaining spin-off to the pair’s Lower Decks comic, the first volume of which I recently reviewed. I love the sound of Shaxs’ Best (and Worst) Day, which will see the titular character attempt to save the day when the universe is rewritten by Lore. I’m sure this is going to be a ton of fun and I look forward to diving into it.

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Well, that’s the end of this latest Book Haul post.  As you can see I have quite a bit of reading to do at the moment thanks to all these awesome books that have come in.  Let me know which of the above you are most interested in and make sure to check back in a few weeks to see my reviews of them.

Book Haul – 17 November 2025

On By The Unseen LibraryIn Book Haul1 Comment

I’ve had an excellent couple of weeks for books, as I was lucky enough to receive some incredible and amazing new novels from publishers and Netgalley.  These novels include some truly awesome new releases, including books that have the potential to be some of my top reads of the year.  I cannot wait to dive into them, and I so excited to see how they all turn out.

Tyrant of Rome by Simon Scarrow

The first recently received book I want to highlight is the awesome historical fiction novel, Tyrant of Rome by Simon Scarrow. The latest entry in the always impressive Eagles of the Empire series, Tyrant of Rome brings back Scarrow’s long-running soldier protagonists as they take on the impossible task of maintaining law and order in ancient Rome. I have been looking forward to this book for a while, and I am hoping to read it next.

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Star Wars: Master of Evil by Adam Christopher

I was very happy to receive a copy of the intriguing new Star Wars novel, Master of Evil by Adam Christopher. A chilling and complex sounding Star Wars novel that will follow the newly forged Darth Vader as he completes his journey from Jedi to Sith Lord, Master of Evil is going to be pretty damn amazing, and I cannot wait to check it out.

Amazon

 

Hotel Lucky Seven by Kotaro Isaka

One of the more entertaining new novels I received is the amazing Japanese thriller, Hotel Lucky Seven by Kotaro Isaka. A follow-up to some of his previous novels, including Bullet Train and Three Assassins, Hotel Lucky Seven sees the unlucky protagonist of Bullet Train find himself trapped in hotel with several other deadly assassins. Based on the author’s previous books, Hotel Lucky Seven is going to be a ton of fun, and I cannot wait to check it out.

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The Knight’s Pledge by Scott Mariani

Scott Mariani continues his Will Bowman series with the exciting novel, The Knight’s Pledge. The sequel to Mariani’s other 2025 release, The Pilgrim’s Revenge, The Knight’s Pledge will place the author’s compelling protagonist in even more danger as part of the Third Crusade. Sure to be an exciting and intense historical read, The Knight’s Pledge sounds fantastic and I’m hoping to get to it soon.

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Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino

One of the more interesting new books I recently received was Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino. A fun debut novel from a new author, Best Offer Wins will examine just how far someone will go to win their dream house in the current housing market. Sure to be a gripping, and highly relatable read, Best Offer Wins sounds amazing and I’m planning to get to it in the next few weeks.

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The Shark by Emma Styles

While I’m still mainly focused on 2025, I have received some cool 2026 novels, including The Shark by Emma Styles, an intriguing Australian thriller I only recently highlighted. Set in Western Australia, The Shark will see two teenage protagonists kidnap the person they believe are behind a series of brutal killings, resulting in mind games and uncertainty. I love the sound of this book, and I cannot wait to dive into its compelling narrative.

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How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates by Shailee Thompson

Another great 2026 novel I recently received is the fantastic and funny sounding thriller, How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates. The first book from Australian author Shailee Thompson, How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates will feature a deadly series of murders at a speed dating event, in fun and apparently romantic, horror novel. I love the sound of this book, and I cannot wait to dive into it.

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To Cage a Wild Bird by Brooke Fast

Next, we have the excellent dystopian novel, To Cage a Wild Bird by Brooke Fast. Set in a prison where the rich hunt the inmates, To Cage a Wild Bird has a ton of potential and I’m keen to check it out.

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The Crossroads by C. J. Box

The final book I want to highlight in this Book Haul post is the awesome 2026 novel, The Crossroads. The next book in C. J. Box’s long-running Joe Pickett thriller series, The Crossroads sounds like another awesome and action-packed novel that will no doubt keep me very entertained.

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Well, that’s the end of this latest Book Haul post.  As you can see I have quite a bit of reading to do at the moment thanks to all these awesome books that have come in.  Let me know which of the above you are most interested in and make sure to check back in a few weeks to see my reviews of them.