Worse Things Happen at Sea
Tales of Life, Love, Family and the Everyday Beauty in Between
by William McInnes & Sarah Watt (Hachette, 2011)
audiobook read by Clem Fechner (QNS Audio, 2014)
Entwined memoirs with a cumulative focus on family, mortality, embracing life and coping with death. McInnes reaches his conclusions through rambling associative leaps, Watt by more direct reflection. Fechner’s audiobook reading captures the sometimes humorous, always heartfelt tone (but not female voices).
Upright, Season Two
dir. Mirrah Foulkes (Fox Showcase, 2022)
A large and inevitable stepdown from Season One, more consciously offbeat in its performances and plot-twists yet still well capable of throwing laugh-out-loud punches. Alcock and Minchin jump headfirst back into their characters. The emotional arc is drawn freehand, wonky on painkillers.
Blackwattle Creek
by Geoffrey McGeachin (Viking, 2012)
audiobook read by Peter Hosking (Bolinda, 2012)
Plot-wise the second Charlie Berlin novel seems less involved than the first. It remains, however, a consummate portrait of person and place. A very Australian detective story that could just about be classified as feelgood nostalgia (were its underbelly not so dark).
Upright
dir. Matthew Saville (Sky Atlantic, 2019)
A perfect series to represent Australia. Stunning outback cinematography. Bravura performances by Tim Minchin and Milly Alcock. Beyond the entwined character studies, the scripting and delivery ensure a cavalcade of laugh-out-loud moments that keeps on rolling even when the going gets serious.
Death at Victoria Dock
by Kerry Greenwood (Poisoned Pen Press, 1992)
audiobook read by Stephanie Daniel (ABC, 2011)
Stephanie Daniel’s audiobook reading lends vivid personality to all the characters; Greenwood’s depiction of interbellum Melbourne society suggests considerable research; yet Phryne herself has become more goddess than investigator. She is adored and feared to the extent of encountering too little resistance.
Return of the Nimbin
by Jenny Wagner (Penguin, 1992)
Wagner plots an unusual path to conflict, channelling the heat of the Australian summer into a sweltering ennui that saps her protagonist of good decision-making. A sweet, sad story where affection is tempered by lethargy, and doing nothing—badly—has disastrous consequences.
Murder on the Ballarat Train
by Kerry Greenwood (Penguin, 1991); audiobook read by Stephanie Daniel (Bolinda, 2009)
As with ‘Flying Too High’, the mystery is not so much solved as forced to recognise the unstoppable poise and authority of Miss Phryne Fisher. An easy read of historical interest and with characters made even more memorable by the TV series.
Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries, Series 2
(Acorn, 2021)
The episodes have doubled in number since the first series but halved in length, resulting in slighter mysteries and a more light-hearted approach (litmus test: Chief Inspector Sparrow). Celebrates the 1960s but calls out Australian society for its dismissive attitude towards women.
Painting in the Shadows
by Katherine Kovacic (Echo, 2019); audiobook read by Casey Withoos (W.F. Howes, 2020)
Though the mystery and its investigation are quite slight, Kovacic concocts a cosy and somewhat fraught intrigue throughout. The text shines with passion for art, while Alex and John’s female/male friendship shows real Australian personality. Hogarth the Irish Wolfhound remains a delight.
Full Bore
by William McInnes (Hachette, 2016); audiobook read by William McInnes (W F Howes, 2017)
A gentle, rather wistful gathering together of memories and musings. McInnes presents recollections within recollections, the weave of his stories constituting less a riotous series of anecdotes and more an appreciation of life as a mosaic of shared happiness and small moments.