Thriller

The Lizard by Dugald Bruce-Lockhart, Muswell Press

When his girlfriend, Ellie, dumps him, naive philosophy student Alistair Haston decides to follow her to Greece and try to win her back. It’s a foolish plan which soon takes a very dark turn when he ends up in jail for murder. We learn this in the first few sentences of this intriguing, brilliantly paced thriller – how Alistair ended up in this state and what happens next follows. At the heart of the story is a hedonistic Aussie dubbed ‘The Lizard’ – he sports a dark green lizard tattoo behind his ear – who diverts Alistair from his love mission when he introduces him to a world of sex and drugs on the island of Paros. But there’s always a price to pay and soon Alistair is running for his life. Wicked, dramatic and dripping in the intensity of summer heat.

RIPTIDES by Kirsten Alexander, Penguin

Repercussions of one terrible decision pulse through this gripping drama set in Queensland in the mid-1970s. It’s a dark rainy night on a country road when siblings Abby and Charlie career into the path of an oncoming car, forcing it into a tree. The driver – who is pregnant – is killed and brother and sister panic and flee to save their skins. Big mistake! Morality and obligation come under the microscope as that fateful night nips at their heels, threatening to pull them under.

THE SECRETS OF STRANGERS by Charity Norman, Allen & Unwin

It’s a chilly weekday when customers in a cafe have their morning rudely interrupted by a young man shouting obscenities at the owner before storming out. No one pays much attention until he comes back in with a gun, and suddenly everything changes. Some manage to flee but others are trapped in a hostage situation.

WHERE THE TRUTH LIES by Karina Kilmore, Simon & Schuster

Journalist Kilmore brings a wealth of insider knowledge to this explosive crime thriller, set in Melbourne’s underbelly. Down at the docklands the unions and big business are facing off, sparking the interest of investigative reporter Chrissie O’Brian who, in her new job at The Argus, is keen to make her mark. But when one of her sources turns up dead, Chrissie becomes embroiled in a dangerous world.