I have actually listened to quite a few more audiobooks so far in 2026 than I did at the end of last year, so once again I am giving them their own post. However, I am going to put all three Crimson Lake books into one, as they follow on in the series. I am then going to do the same with the Harriet Blue series.

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

I really have no idea how to review this, so let’s start with the cats. There are cats everywhere, ginger, tabby, Persian – they figure in the mysterious stories and in Zachary’s own life. There are no dogs, strangely. I guess cats are more ethereal.

The book opens with stories about pirates and painters and acolytes, and ‘ships that sail upon a starless sea’.

Zachary Ezra Rawlins is the main character in the book. He’s a student in Vermont who finds a book of stories in which his childhood is featured. As for the rest – his ending is ‘not yet’.

For my full review click here

Crimson Lake series books 1 – 3 by Candice Fox

I loved this book. It’s taken me on walks with my dog and I’m sure I ended up walking further because I was so engrossed.

Ted Conkaffey was a Sydney detective, thrown out of the force after being accused of child rape and abduction. Of course we the reader know he is innocent, but his colleagues and even his wife don’t believe him. He has spent eight months on remand, but was released due to lack of physical evidence, but he can be re-arrested at any time.

So he moves north to a remote house in the crocodile-infested wetlands of Crimson Lake. Having no idea what to do next, he adopts an injured goose whom he calls Woman and her brood of goslings. Then his lawyer introduces him to private investigator Amanda Pharrell, who has served ten years for the vicious murder of her high school ‘friend’ Lauren.

For my full review click here

Never Never / The Harriet Blue series by James Patterson and Candice Fox

I recently read (well listened to with Borrowbox) The Crimson Lake series, so while Never Never is co-written with James Patterson, I can clearly hear Candice Fox’s voice. But then it’s been years since I read one of Patterson’s books.

Sydney sex crimes detective Harriett (Harry) Blue has just discovered that her brother Sam has been arrested for the kidnap, torture and murder of three women. She’s sure he is innocent though evidence proves otherwise. In order to keep her away from the media circus that is sure to follow, Harry is sent to Perth to assist in the investigation of the disappearance and probable killing of mine worker Danny Carter. Though based in Perth, Harry is sent into the outback known as the ‘never never’.

For my full review click here

The Violin Maker’s Secret by Evie Woods

Baggage handler Devlin’s life is drifting. His girlfriend Melissa wants to get married so when he turns up on her birthday with a violin he found in the Lost and Found, she is devastated. She expected a diamond engagement ring.

But the violin has history. Little did Devlin expect that their flat would be broken into to recover it, while his new found friend and retired history teacher Walter has also been targeted. For Walter though it was worth it. Helping Devlin find the violin’s provenance has given his lonely life meaning. Unfortunately, Melissa doesn’t feel the same. She kicks him out and he ends up living in Helga, his old camper van.

For my full review click here