AustLit

'Valerie arrived in Geneva to work for United Nations in 1948 and soon became a simultaneous interpreter in English, French and Spanish and a Russian translator. There were few conference interpreters in those days and they were treated like film stars, pampered and indulged, and very much in demand. The profession has changed enormously since then, especially recently with the advent of Covid-19 when conferences take place via Zoom. This book describes her life in the old days of cocktail parties, evening dress and jewellery. It also describes what it was like in Australia in 1979 when she came to live here, having fallen in love with an Australian UN delegate. 

'In Melbourne she met the most handsome man she had ever encountered, who came to repair her gas stove. In Sydney she fell in love with the didgeridoo and in Darwin with Mindil Market and the sunset. She was dazzled by the beautiful, brightly coloured birds and the magnificent seascapes but found barbecue etiquette a challenge. In this book, she explains why being able to do headstands in the shower is important, why taking a bath is unhygienic, why flowers are sinful and unfaithful and why planes and boats are unable to travel faster.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'During a business trip to Taranga, a Pacific Island nation, Douglas Van Ekeren, a second generation Australian, is mistakenly invited to a clandestine meeting held by a group planning a coup d'état. The mistaken identity is due to a similarity in surname to another coup member, who is flying into Taranga from overseas and scheduled to stay at the same hotel but who has been delayed. Initially Douglas believes the meeting relates to his business trip, but slowly realises the true situation, feigns illness and manages to get out without arousing suspicion.

'He flies back to Australia from Taranga the next day, but the coup plotters have realised their mistake. To ensure the coup is not betrayed, they kidnap him from Sydney Airport on his arrival and hold him captive, but after several days he escapes.

'But with no money or means of communication, deep in country Victoria and pursued by his late captors, unable to contact police because his captors have incriminated him, can he reach ASIO in Canberra and forestall the coup?'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A belligerent Russia is on the move, and the invasion of Europe has begun. Without the assistance of a resolutely neutral America, Europe's forces are being overwhelmed. Their last and only hope is a new weapon system, "The Sleeper Project", co-developed by British and Australian Scientists and nearing completion at Faslane, a British Submarine Base in western Scotland.

'The British government convinces the neutral Republic of Australia to mount a clandestine operation to relocate the project to Australia for completion but time is running out.

'A plan is quickly devised to relocate the fragile project apparatus using a very unusually configured oil tanker formally named the 'Monrovia Glen', now renamed the 'Australian Enterprise' and flying the flag of the Australian Republic.' (Publication summary)

'Beth Ormonde is afraid of the dark. In particular, the darkness beneath her house, where an ancient, disembodied voice is infiltrating her dreams and attempting to control her life. She resists, but the tug of the voice is strong. Soon she fears for the safety of her family and friends. What will happen when the creature fully awakens? The strands of Beth's life begin to fray and come apart. She must find allies in her struggle, to decide who can be trusted and who is likely to betray her.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'When Donald Macleod, a scion of the mobile phone industry, suspects that subliminal messages transmitted over a German mobile phone network are impacting local by-elections in favour of the Neo-Nazi candidates, he sets out to find proof. To do so, he must confront Heinrich Von Scheer, owner of the German network. But before he can, Donald’s plane crashes in the Swiss Alps and he is missing, presumed killed. His son, Jack, suspects Von Scheer, and determines to expose him. But Jack soon finds himself the subject of a Europe-wide manhunt, pursued by the Neo-Nazis as well as the authorities. Desperate and on the run, Jack seeks the help of his friend, Harry Donovan, and Fabiana Santini, an Interpol inspector who risks everything for this case – and for love.

'As the murder mystery deepens, Jack enlists more assistance in the form of a Swedish professor, a reformed Dutch smuggler, an embittered French telecommunications executive and a mysterious protector. Before he is hunted down, Jack must reach England – and the one man on earth who can help them …'

Source: Publisher's blurb.