"Today I read your book from cover to cover. I must say that it is obvious why you won the best fiction award and were nominated for the best Australian female crime writer. You deserve it! Your book is outstanding. The story is intriguing and your writing skills are exceptional. I want your next book so keep my name and let me know when your next launch is coming up. The work is brilliant."

"I strolled into my daughter's room the other day to get something to casually read during my break times at work (I am a rather busy chef). I saw your book on her desk and picked it up, asking her if it would be ok to read and she smiled and said 'You might enjoy that one'. My son bought the book from you apparently at some fair or something and you have put in a really nice inscription to her. Anyway, a book usually lasts me a couple of weeks as I stroll thru it, taking my time, more enjoying the break than the book. That was, until the first page of your book. My god woman, your characters are so real and the story had my attention from page one. I would work as hard as possible as quickly as possible to steal more time to take the book out the back, into small rooms, sitting on milk crates, and tonite, well, I finished it. Ohh wow, it was fanbloodytastic. Good lord, the whole story had me and I was so glad to see your email address so I could thank you for a great read. I hope there is more to come from you."

"Just had to tell you how fantastic Automaton was. Read till 3.30am last night to finish it, notwithstanding I had to come to work today. One of the best thrillers I have EVER read."

"I purchased your book Automaton at the Royal Melbourne Show. Having just finished reading it, [and finding it compulsive reading] I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it. I look forward to further publications."

"You sold me your book at the Brisbane Writers Festival, and I would like to let you know I was very impressed with it. I found it compelling reading. The characters were so well depicted by your descriptive sentences, and had a classiness about them that lifted them above the usual riff-raff. Your beautiful description of Canberra in the autumn has made me resolve to visit it at that time myself. I would love to be able to write like you."

"I just had to write you about your book Automaton. My husband and I live on the South Coast having left Canberra in 1990. Two of our three children and seven of our grandchildren still live in Canberra so we are regular visitors and know it well. Our daughter gave your book to my husband for his birthday earlier this year. I started to read it a week ago and could not put it down. I finished it on Wednesday night and immediately turned back to page 1 to read it again. I have not enjoyed a book so much in ages and it certainly puts a different perspective on the story when you know all the places mentioned. What a cracking movie it would make. Congratulations on a great story with some memorable surprises in it. I hope there will be further novels and will look forward to reading them."

"My collegue recently lent me a copy of your book which you sold her at a bookshop about 3-4 months ago. It really was a thriller! I am a prodigious reader and particularly like non-fiction or fiction murders or mystery books. Couldn't help but think that your style in this book was like reading the script for Lantana - never boring, moving along at an appropriate pace and twists and turns along the way. Nice work. I never put the book down until I finished and thoroughly enjoyed the tale. Look forward to your next book."

"Do you remember a Swiss couple in Australia for a year on a teaching exchange program stopping at your stall at Sydney Royal Easter Show? We decided to buy your book Automaton. I started reading it right away and hooked on it so well I could not put it down and read it through within three weeks which I think is quite smart for a non English speaking person; more than 400 hundred pages sounded quite challenging to me not mentioning your elaborate style writing and the wide range of vocabulary used in your book I was not familiar with. But I enjoyed the story to the most with its intricacies and surprises that keep the interest going to the very last page. On top of that, what astonished me is the way you describe and analyse people's attitudes and feelings: it is so accurate, so realistic, every gesture and face expression described with such a good sense of observation that I could picture and figure out exactly what was going on although the words used were very often unknown to me. I surely will bring your book back to Switzerland for more people to read it and it will remain a very meaningful souvenir since I have had the opportunity to meet its author and talk to her. I wish you to meet the same success with the one you are currently working
on."

"Well I read it - and thoroughly enjoyed it. Yes, it wasn't short of thrilling! I am now on the look out for some more of your books. I purchased the book at the Easter Show, very late in responding as I read it immediately and finished it quickly as it was an I cannot put down experience."

"You may recall I spoke to you briefly at the Writer’s Festival in Brisbane and bought your book Automaton for my husband who was undergoing surgery. He came through the surgery well and enjoyed your book for company while recovering. I have just finished reading it myself. We both found it to a very taut and interesting story, it read true to life."

"We purchased your book from you on the last day of the Melbourne Show and I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it. I actually finished it the next day, I'm just very late in writing to you! As an American lawyer I particularly enjoyed the insight into the workings of the Australian criminal justice system and the relationship between solicitors and barristers your novel provided. It has added another level to my understanding of Australia and it's people. The book is a great read and I couldn't put it down. Thanks!"

"I thought I would take the opportunity to compliment you on your work. I enjoyed the book immensely, in fact I could not put it down. Well done!"

"I heard you on local ABC the other day and have been meaning to email you ever since I read your book weeks ago. I would just like to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking forward to your next. In my opinion better than Grisham and good to see an Aussie so talented. All the best."

"I just wanted to say how much I loved your book. It caused me too many late nights and the story kept me riveted until the very end. I will spread the word about it. Can’t wait for your next effort. Unlike other books set in Canberra, this one actually made the place seem desirable—about time."

"I was browsing in the Co-op bookshop and the cover of Automaton caught my eye, then the blurb on the back and the Canberra setting interested me enough to buy it. My wife read it first, and read it far into the night; she usually falls asleep after 10 or 15 minutes reading in bed! Then I read it and discovered why; it has such a strong story that I too had difficulty putting it down to sleep. Your writing evokes vivid scenes in my mind and you are an excellent story teller. I hope there are more novels in the pipeline."

"I purchased your novel Automaton last week. Having worked in the legal community in Canberra for the past 5 years I was extremely impressed by your novel and its adherence to the truth of the situations faced by lawyers, especially those working with Legal Aid. I just wanted to let you know what a great read I found your novel to be and have already recommended it to a number of people. The characters were beyond believable (I have met many clients like that in my time) and the dialogue is superb. Congratulations. Your name is one I will continue to watch out for."

"My sister gave me a copy of Automaton for my birthday and I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it. I love reading and would have to say that your book would be one of the best I have read. I was enthralled by the story and all the surprises you presented. I loved the characters and the way you developed the story so it was not possible to be sure of the outcome. I hope you continue to write and look forward to reading more of your novels."

"Good book!"

"My mother loved your book, when is the next one out?"

"Hi, Just wanted to say I: i) purchased your book; ii) read it; iii) enjoyed it."

"I enjoyed Automaton very much. I particularly enjoyed the fact that this great, well written read was set in Canberra. I hope that a new novel is in the works."

"Was loaned a copy by a lawyer friend and both my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed a good read. Keep it up. Best wishes."

"I did so enjoy this book, and I hope you will carry on writing and publishing. The characters still haunt me even weeks after reading it. I know it was only a story, but your powerful writing made it come alive. Congratulations and thanks."

Back to top