Showing results by narrator "Kirsty Gillmore" in All Categories

In this revealing biography, journalist Madeleine Chapman discovers the woman behind the headlines. Politically engaged from an early age, Ardern has encountered her fair share of sexism, but rather than let that harden her, she advocated 'rising above' critics. In her first press conference, she announced an election campaign of 'relentless positivity' - the tactic was a resounding success. But can Ardern live up to her promise? And what can we learn from the world's reaction to this inspiring leader?

Melbourne is a city on the brink, suffering from arson-fed bush fires, searing heatwaves and the potential threat of terrorism. Detective Inspector Robbie Gray, falling foul of police bureaucracy, gets called to a body found lying in a rural swamp. When the nationality of the victim is revealed, ASIO takes over her investigation, and she is sidelined. Convinced they are misinterpreting the evidence, Robbie—along with a disenfranchised policeman—secretly digs for the truth.

Anaesthetic fellow Rory McBride is adrift. Since a routine procedure went horribly wrong, he has been plagued by sleeplessness, flashbacks and escalating panic attacks. Jodi Waterstone has recently started work as a first-year doctor at the same hospital, and the night shifts, impossible workload and endless hours on duty are taking a toll.

1948. After serving with the French Resistance during the Second World War, codenamed La Chatte Noire, Phryne Fisher escaped to Australia in search of sunshine, butter and peace. So she’s furious when tragedy intrudes upon her newfound tranquillity and she discovers a dead man on Somerton Beach - well-dressed, good-looking and with a secret smile on his lips. The police are baffled as to his identity and cause of death - not to mention the scrap of paper bearing the words TAMAM SHUD found upon him, and the coded message in the book from which it was torn.

In 1948, a man was found dead on Somerton Beach in Adelaide, Australia. Well-dressed and unmarked, he had a half-smoked cigarette by his side, but no identity documents. Decades later, the Somerton Man's identity and death remain mysteries. From his clothing's missing labels, to the tiny piece of paper with the words Tamam Shud found in the fob pocket of his trousers, this cold case is brimming with facts that are stranger than fiction.

Judi Westerholme has been through it. Brave and strong-willed, she's just about coping in her new role as foster parent to her orphaned niece, taking a job at the local pub to help make ends meet. Then the pub's landlord and Judi's friend, army veteran Pete 'Macca' Macclesfield, is murdered and her world is suddenly turned upside down. Despite warnings from the city police to keep out of it, Judi can't help but get involved in the search for Macca's killer.

Young wombat Lola doesn’t quite fit in. Wombats are supposed to be shy and quiet, but Lola is talkative, curious, and always getting into trouble. When her village is attacked by a Tasmanian devil leading a group of swamp rats, Lola’s parents are captured - and the rats say it's on the orders of the queen! To rescue her parents, Lola will have to leave home for the very first time and set off on a wild adventure. Even with the help of friends she meets along the way, Lola will need every ounce of her bold bravery to help rescue her family and save the kingdom!

Judi Westerholme is happy living in secluded Candlebark, growing her own food, bothering no one - until the cops come knocking. Informed that her estranged brother Andy has been murdered, she assumes it’s connected to his long-term drug addiction. But when she returns home, Judi is shocked to discover that Andy had been clean for years and had a wife - now missing - and a two-year-old child, Mia. Andy seems to have been leading an ordinary life. But if he had turned things around for himself, why was he killed in a drug-deal shooting? And where is his wife?

On the rebound from being dumped after 10 years with the man she'd hoped would be the father of her children, Maggie Ellis buys a neglected cottage in Tingara on acreage to start her life over and fulfil her dream of owning a garden nursery. Divorced truck driver and single dad Nick Logan has his hands full enough raising three sons alone without getting distracted by his new neighbour.

It begins with the normally healthy Beth - aged-care worker, wife of David, mother of Lettie and Gem - feeling vaguely off-colour. A locum sends her to Dr Yi for some tests. 'There are a few things here that aren't quite right,' says Dr Yi, 'and sometimes it is these little wrongnesses that can lead us to the bigger wrongs that matter.' Beth is sent on to Dr Twoomey for more tests. Then to another specialist, and another.

She's the victim. But is she so innocent? Sophie McCarthy is known for her determination, ambition and brilliance at work. She's tough, but only because she wants to get the best out of people. Aidan Ryan is strong, honourable and a family man. He's tough, too; the army requires it. When these two strangers are brought together in a devastating incident, Sophie's life is left in ruins. Her family wants to see Aidan pay for what he did. Aidan's prepared to sacrifice everything - including his marriage and his child - to fix the mess he's made.

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Those Other Women by Nicola Moriarty. From the author of The Fifth Letter comes a controversial and darkly comic story about the frustrations of being a childless woman in the modern baby-obsessed world.... Poppy's world has been tipped sideways: the husband who never wanted children has betrayed her with her broody best friend. At least Annalise is on her side.

At 17, Jodie Cramer survived a terrifying assault at the hands of three strangers. Now 35, her past is a horror she's buried deep. When she sets out for a country escape with three friends, all she has in mind are a few laughs and a break from routine. However, unknown to the four women, their secluded cabin was once the focus of a police investigation and, like Jodie, it nurtures a dark secret....

The frost and fairy lights only remind her it's been a year since she lost the mother who took her in as a baby and raised her. She's never felt more alone - until she discovers her birth mother's identity. And where to find her. A lifetime and thousands of miles have separated Evangeline and Bonnie. Now, travelling to New Zealand could be Evangeline's chance to confront the woman who gave her up. But is she ready for what she'll find there? The answers she's been looking for, a new family to heal her... Or someone she could never have expected?

Already struggling to juggle co-running Candlebark's pub/bistro along with her new childcare responsibilities, the last thing Judi Westerholme needs right now is more stress. Yet, as usual, it arrives in spades: she starts receiving threatening late-night phone calls before discovering one of her best employees, Kate, shot dead in her bed. Once again, Judi finds herself at the centre of a murder investigation, as well as the hunt for Kate's fourteen-year-old daughter who has been missing since the murder.

Betty's life is on repeat: waitress till late, drink till dawn, collapse into bed to forget. But partying like there's no tomorrow is no fix for the problems crowding in. Her ex is back and drinking at her favourite haunts, her flat was burgled, and she faces eviction if she can't pay late rent. Then there's the serial rapist dubbed 'the Psychic', who's terrorising women in their homes. When her ex is murdered and left in her bed, Betty and her flatmate Alabama turn to the bar world to find out who did it. Was it the Psychic - or someone closer?

Inlet Creek, Australia: Tragedy compels three estranged sisters to reconnect. Seeking a sense of belonging, Daisy Sheldon moves back to the small coastal town, but she soon realises where her heart really lies, hoping she hasn’t left it too late. Maddie Harwood-West hopes to rebuild her life after a wrenching loss. Her father wants her to stay and help him run the family sheep station, but Maddie is torn. At Inlet Creek, she meets a local fisherman who isn’t what he seems—and when he learns about her past, Maddie fears rejection.

The city of Wellington is unforgiving and unrepentant. Forget the politicians: they're poor amateurs in deception and crime. It's Saturday night down on the wharf. Celebrations are in full swing for the Westons' fortieth wedding anniversary. Their daughter Stella has returned from London to attend. Once shoulder-tapped as detective material, a few bad decisions and a questionable ethical dilemma saw her leave the police force under a cloud. She's now a private investigator in London, reduced to filming errant husbands for court cases.

Freelance journalist Claire Wright is offered a commission, with the kind of fee that would mean financial security for both herself and her daughter Annie. But the job is to write the story of serial sex offender Travis Crill, presently serving his term in prison. Entering Crill's world forces Claire into a winding labyrinth of ruthless pursuit and brutal secrets. Can she endure the revelations of the harm he has done to his victims?