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Guest Review - by Tony Park

Mark Wales' 2021 biography, 'Survivor' soundly proved this multi-talented Australian could add 'author' to his action-filled and varied resumé which has so far included Special Air Service officer, Afghanistan veteran, reality TV and movie star, MBA graduate and fashion entrepreneur.

'Outrider' promises a new career path for Wales as a successful novelist. Set in the near future with China invading and occupying half of Australia (Victoria was the first state to capitulate...) the story sees Special Forces veteran Jack Dunne having to link up with a female CIA agent who will bring much-needed fire-support to a beleaguered outpost of Australian resistance fighters.

Wales is an actor in the new Mad Max movie and that series' inspiration is clear in the story which is full of high speed pursuits as Jack and his son, and their American charge, scream across Australia in a succession of running-and-gunning battles.

But it's not just an action shoot-em-up. Jack's recently widowed and his grief, guilt, love for his son, and the promise of a new love are deftly handled by Wales. I'm a slow reader, but I devoured 'Outrider' in double time. 

Wales' personal experience of war makes this a gritty and chillingly believable thriller. An absolute page-turner. Hopefully he's working on his next novel.

Five from five!!!

 

Finding Hannah by Fiona McCallum

 

I’m so happy I found Fiona McCallum! Finding Hannah is an earlier one of hers from the  wonderful Borrow Box.

Hannah is a young Melbourne woman who suffers a devastating loss when her husband and parents are killed in a car crash. I don’t like giving away any part of a story but that bit was necessary in order to say that this book is a beautiful, serious and inspirational study of grief and its consequences for one person. 

There is no quick-fix for Hannah as she navigates her way through the uncharted territory of her new life. She has to hold herself back from rushing into new situations and I admired her determination to deal with the tragedy at her own pace, while accepting the help her friends were offering, knowing they had her best interests at heart.

The sweetest and best part of this story is that it tells of the redemptive powers of the love of, and for, animals. This is not a maudlin book. It is warm and real and I think fans of Anne Tyler would love it.

Published by Harlequin Books.