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Stephen King's new moving novel
Almost 30 years later, Morris Bellamy, the pasty-skinned, red-lipped villain of King's new novel, Finders Keepers, takes a less nuanced approach when confronting his own literary hero.
Stephanie Johnson on how to make merry mischief
A couple of years ago, Stephanie Johnson wrote a highly entertaining novel about a writing class at an Auckland tertiary institution.
Books: Recent releases June 21
Author exposes the emotion behind the glitter and the glamour.
Stanley Tucci releases second cookbook
Actor Stanley Tucci has created his second cookbook. He tells Tim Adams that food is a great way of expressing love.
James McNaughton's amusing thought-experiment
In the prevailing climate of heightened risk-aversion among New Zealand book publishers, it’s always a welcome thing when someone is prepared to offer the market something different.
Dennis Lehane - a question of morality
Mystic River author Dennis Lehane tells Jake Kerridge what links bankers with gangsters.
Kate Atkinson's story of Teddy's war dazzles
Kate Atkinson's extraordinary 2013 novel, Life After Life, introduced readers to the Todd family in their Forster-esque home of Fox Corner, and managed to achieve publishing's holy grail of both literary acclaim and popular appeal.
Books: Guile behind the paint
Writer of art-world satire knows her topic at intimately close quarters.
Books: Sincere and painful look at nature of love
The 20th century has just begun. Harry Cave is married, personable, sophisticated. He’s inherited a substantial fortune from a father who died of boredom.
Books: Search for light in heart of darkness
There's an eerie, existential quality about Melanie Finn's new novel, Shame. What tiny, mundane choices determine our fate? Why does life cut one way, not another?
Hitchcock biography uncovers persona
A new biography of the master of suspense uncovers the life behind the persona, says Duncan White.
Christopher McDougall - parkour, paleo and energetic prose
Those of us for whom the Great Outdoors is the walk from front door to car door need to read Christopher McDougall.
Rosaleen Madigan's poignant and poetic commentary on life
Rosaleen Madigan loves her four adult children but, it has to be said, she has a pretty funny way of showing it.
Bonding over bloodshed
Award-winning Auckland writers Linda Olsson and Thomas Sainsbury tell Craig Sisterson why they’re collaborating on a thriller trilogy.
Books: Satisfaction in meaty characters
Six of the best in stories starring oddballs and good sorts.
Books: Powerful debut set in seedy Irish underworld
Meet the first novel by a Galway writer who blogs about life on a council estate under a name so forceful I can’t repeat it in a family newspaper. Meet also a terrific reading experience.
Books: Recent releases May 17
Parisian feel-good tale amuses despite its implausible plot.
My, what big prospects she's got...
Karen Attwood meets first-time novelist Kate Hamer, whose 21st-century Little Red Riding Hood is tipped to be a best-seller.
Books: Exploring the dark side of utopia
Nigerian author Ben Okri uncovers the dark side of Arcadia in his latest novel. Stephen Jewell chats to the writer.
Books: Wait until it's right
Success has given Tim Winton, one of Australia’s best-loved authors, the luxury of time to craft his books into their ideal form, writes David Larsen.
Books: Life's a messy business
A debut novel has readers curious about how they’ll be remembered when they die.
Books: Life and love over the divide
Regular flashes of brilliance in the prose don't entirely steady the wobbles in this second novel from UK actress and writer Emily Woof.