At night she owned this road. During the day no one noticed her, she made sure people didn’t. Unobtrusive. Comments, no opinions. Greys, black, beige clothes, no decoration. No bright glasses. No hooting laughter. No cheeky grin or wry sense of humour. Nothing, because at night she owned this road. The street lights, an occasional[Read more]
Author Archives: boxa
His pride and joy was this garbage truck. Small and compact, he washed her every day after the job, cleaning and scouring just like the manual recommended. Oh yes, he’d read the manual. Cover to cover during the strikes, when she sat idle and waiting. She cornered tightly, and handled like a dream. The left[Read more]
She sat, at first calm. He was in the best of hands. She went through the motions, called the children let them know, they’d meet her as soon as they could. He said he felt a bit off colour and went to sit outside under the jacaranda tree. Her favourite. The only one he’d let[Read more]
As he stepped into the river, he could feel the cooler waters from off the mountain creeks whirl and mix with the lower valley water. Both crystal clear, untouched by man, except for a few swimmers upriver and the occasional animal passing. Over the rapids the water burbled encouragement as he balanced the riffle square[Read more]
She was there to pick up a book she’d had on hold for the last week: 4Play – Meals to Excite. She made her way down the ramp in the bookshop and circumnavigated the tree, a previous business’s folly, to arrive at the counter. She had reserved the book by phone, and wanted to have[Read more]
The Garden of Evening MistsBy Tan Twan EngSnappy ReviewPure poetry and prose. A remarkable read that cries out for more time to be savoured, than the ready world we live in gives us. An absolute must!SynopsisThe International Bestseller Winner of the Man Asian Literary Prize 2012 Winner of the Walter Scott Prize for historical fiction[Read more]
My Italian BulldozerBy Alexander McCall-SmithSnappy ReviewAnother brilliant story that may not take you to the top of the roller-coaster and back down again, but gives you a glorious ride regardless.SynopsisA brand new stand alone novel from best-selling Alexander McCall Smith, based on an immensely popular short story. When writer Paul Stewart heads to the idyllic[Read more]
The Sea DetectiveBy Mark Douglas-HomeSnappy ReviewWhy oh why have we not heard of him before? Why has it taken so long to arrive here? Brilliant oceanographic exploration of several crimes that twist and weave a fantastic tale.SynopsisCal McGill is an Edinburgh-based oceanographer, environmentalist and one-of-a-kind investigator. Using his knowledge of the waves – ocean currents,[Read more]
The LeavingBy Tara AltebrandoSnappy ReviewI dont usually read this genre but smashed it in a single sitting. A fascinating mystery of who, where, and why without being too emotional or hysterical.SynopsisEleven years ago, six five-year-olds went missing without a trace. After all this time, the people left behind have moved on, or tried to. Until[Read more]
For Rach. The hum of the massive silver espresso machine gave the chocolatey room a warmth that belied the sleekness of the chrome. Booth seats lined the walls, the only light coming from the folded glass doors pulled back to let in the air and customers in, and a few well-placed lamps. Outside the sun[Read more]