Rosetta’s Great Reads

The Lock-up

Reviewed by Lea Dodd

From the master of crime and former Man Booker Prize winner – John Banville’s latest novel is more than just a murder mystery. The characters are so deeply drawn you’ll feel you know them, and the book provides an insight into the mean streets and politics of 1950s Dublin. When Rosa Jacobs is found dead in a car parked in a Dublin lock-up garage, her death is attributed to suicide. Protestant Garda detective inspector Strafford and pathologist Quirke suspect otherwise, and are determined to investigate further. You’ll recognise these two from Banville’s former books, but you don’t need to have read them to become fully immersed in this mystery. If you love character-driven plots with great twists, I’d recommend this one for you. RRP $32.99

The Letterbox Tree

Reviewed by Karin Markowski

It’s 2093 and Nyx and her father are facing a natural catastrophe that threatens their home and future. Bea is living in the beautiful, present day, Tasmania where she struggles with daily life and bullying. Connected by a giant tree, both girls form an unlikely friendship. They leave notes to each other in a tree trunk and although separated by time, they help each other in the most wonderful way. Lim and Gordon’s sensitive and hopeful time-lapse novel builds a bridge between present and future, dealing with the enormous impacts of climate change. I would warmly recommend this book to young readers so that they too can feel that it’s never too late to do something for someone else or for our world. Age 10+. RRP $17.99

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