The Bus on Thursday

Shirley Barrett Fleet. Out Thursday Primary school teacher Eleanor thinks she’s struck lucky when she lands a job in a remote Australian town. Recovering from a serious illness and a broken relationship, she imagines a healthy life of yoga and communing with nature. However, the reality of Talbingo (population 240) turns out to be more sinister – creepy locals, strange noises in the night and the sore subject of what exactly happened to her predecessor. This quirky tale is thrillingly original and wildly funny. A slippery narrative keeps you guessing what’s really going on with a sharply witty narration.

DEIRDRE O’BRIEN