Hello JuneK !

Off-and-on for the past 2 years I've been looking for some wonderful Australian writer, but not ones from the past. Have never been to your strange and beautiful country -- but am fascinated by it! The book you describe sounds really intriguing, and I'll look for it.

Have just checked Amazon -- they have a TON of her books ... including the one you describe. A few about Paris, and the rest seem to take place in Australia. The reviewers' critiques (Amazon) on "Valley of Grace" are rapturous. The story line sounds like a mystery -- something about finding family artifacts in an attic in newly-bought house in Paris suburb.

Anyway, I will definitely try this one out. (I'd do it now, but yesterday I ordered two other books - a Ruth Rendell and a Barbara Vine.) Thanks for the tip!

laura m.

Hi laura m, I am sure that you will enjoy VOG, this writer is one that I shall follow up, she has won sooo many awards and is new to me. Yes the mystery in the attic is something special!! I like your wording "Rapturous" in describing this novel

I have discovered two new Australian writers this last year and really enjoyed their books.

Andrea Mayes - The Rose Notes and Shearwater.
(I would love to hear from you if you read Rose Notes.)

Alison Booth -Stillwater.

All very Australian in locations.

Junek

Hi June K --

Thank you for the recommendations. I've put all 3 on a computer list so I can look them up easily.

BTW: Here in New York City the news shows are reporting -- & showing pictures of --- HUGE flooding in Queensland. How is that doing now?

We've had very weird weather, too -- the biggest snow blizzard in a century (or something close to) happened Xmas weekend -- 12" to 19" (inches) of snow IN ONE NIGHT ... good reading weather!

Hi laura m,
The rivers are still rising in Queensland, major towns are isolated, it is heartbreaking to see the damage that the flooded rivers have caused.

I live on the far South Coast of New South Wales and we have no problems.

June

June K -

Good to hear that your area is doing fine. Yes, in U.S., as in many parts of Europe, there've been many enormous river floods in past 10 years, or so. And of course we all know about the BP Oil spill !! To give you an idea of how far-reaching the damage from that is -- My local inidividually-owned supermarket has posted a sign :
"We are not selling crabs from the Gulf Coast now -- or any other fish from that area. Are we upset about this? We own property down there for our NY fish supply ... You better believe we're upset about this!!"

laura, the seafood lover.