Hark!

  Author:     Ed McBain
    Publisher:  Orion Books
    RRP:         $29.95

Shakespeare, anyone? In Hark!, Ed McBain presents another instalment of the 87th Precinct series, with a literary twist. When a wealthy, beautiful woman is killed in her inner-city apartment, motive appears to be singularly lacking. However, not long after the murder, detective-in-charge, Steve Carella, begins receiving cryptic notes, incorporating anagrams, Shakespearean quotations and more.

Much more than a simple homicide, this murder heralds the return of the notorious “Deaf Man”. He is back, along with his fascination for anagrams and puzzles. The question facing Carella is “Why?” Is the Deaf Man out for revenge, money, or is it something else entirely? McBain, one of crime writing’s true greats, keeps the tension up and the mind puzzling in this absorbing book.

Taking Care of Business
  Author:     Peter Corris
  Publisher:  Allen & Unwin
  RRP:         $19.95

The legendary detective is back! Cliff Hardy returns in a new collection of short stories by Peter Corris – the man dubbed the Godfather of Australian Crime. This time, however, things aren’t looking too good for Hardy. Business is not going well and the GST has hit him hard.

A conveniently placed telephone book advertisement leads Hardy to begin investigating white-collar crime in both big business and small. From being a minder for a corporate whistleblower to taking a case from his local florist, Hardy approaches each case with his usual determination, making for an entertaining and fast-paced read, and, let us hope, a little more financial security for Australia’s favourite PI.

Black Tide
  Author:     Caroline Carver
  Publisher:  Orion Books
  RRP:         $29.95

She had just finished her cigarette when she became aware the throbbing sound was louder. A ship. It was a goddamn ship. Scanning the rolling waves, the fine curling mist all around, she couldn’t see another vessel, but the throb-throbbing was increasing. To her horror, she realized the ship was closing in.

India Kane, journalist on board the Sundancer – a Greenpeace ship tracking a whaling fleet – is one of the few survivors when the ship is rammed by a tanker. Among the dead is one of India’s closest friends. Discovering that the tanker was unregistered and, as such, untraceable, India is consumed by a desire for justice and decides to investigate. Her search for the vessel’s owner takes her to outback Western Australia and a terrifying journey amid greed, corruption and betrayal.

The Lazarus Vendetta
  Author:      Robert Ludlum & Patrick Larkin
  Publisher:  Orion Books
  RRP:         $32.95

Lazarus, the mysterious front man for a radical anti-technology group, is preparing. For what? No one is quite sure of the answer to that. Infiltration of the group has proved impossible. Intelligence agents who have attempted it have vanished without trace.

But, now, with the ominous rumblings concerning the Lazarus movement, Lieutenant-Colonel Jon Smith is instructed to use his abilities to find out what exactly is going on. With Smith’s friend and CIA agent, Randi Russell, missing in the field, Smith is aided in his task by former MI6 agent, Peter Howell, and computer expert, Marty Zellerbach, and together they must succeed where all others have failed: they must discover the truth about Lazarus and his movement, before the fate of the world is changed forever.

Aka: The Battle Within
  Author:      Jason Akermanis with Gary Smart
  Publisher:  Geoff Slattery Publishing
  RRP:         $34.95

The autobiography of Jason Akermanis: what more do I need to say? The flamboyant Brisbane Lions player, always outspoken, tells his story in this tale of triumph over adversity.

This book is about more than football. Akermanis aims to give young adults the courage to confront their demons by showing clearly that it can be done. From his early life in Mildura, Victoria, to today, Aka has faced many trials – the absence of a father, depression and the dreadful accident which, at age 15, threatened his football career. In the tale of his recovery and rise through the ranks of Australian football, there is something to inspire and encourage all of us.

The Final Detail
  Author:      Harlan Coben
  Publisher:  Orion Books
  RRP:         $29.95

When things go belly-up, what better place is there to run away to than the Caribbean? And this is exactly where we find Myron Bolitar. His failure had led to the death of someone he loved and he’d needed to get away for a while. But the world won’t let you run away forever.

Back in New York, Myron’s closest friend, Esperanza Diaz, is in a lot of trouble. She is accused of murder and refuses to defend herself. Myron returns to New York and finds that, in trying to help, he is opposing Esperanza’s own wishes. In this moving tale, Harlan Coben shows us how hard it can be to save your friends from themselves.

Your Perfect Body: A State of Mind
  Author:     Craig Harper
  Publisher:  Geoff Slattery Publishing
  RRP:         $29.95

Craig Harper, one of Australia’s leading personal trainers, presents a book on more than just diet and exercise. Maintaining that physical and psychological change go hand-in-hand, Harper demonstrates that altering your perceptions about health and fitness can lead to physical change.

Differing from other weight loss books, Your Perfect Body takes a more holistic approach, asserting that the right attitude is just as important as the right diet or exercise routine. This book includes actual case studies of people who have followed Craig Harper’s regime, as well as many tips, motivational ideas and inspirations. It is a book designed specifically for those who want to permanently improve their health and fitness.

The Champions, and the Courses They Played
  Author:      Terry Smith
  Publisher:  Geoff Slattery Publishing
  RRP:         $59.95

Last year was the centenary of the Australian Open Golf Tournament. In commemoration of this, sports journalist, Terry Smith, presents a visually stunning and entertaining book celebrating Australian golfing history. Features of this full-colour, hardback book include:

• Archival photographs.
• Profiles and scores from each tournament from the centenary.
• Profiles of host courses.

The Champions, and the Courses They Played takes us through 100 years of golfing history – from the first Australian Open played in 1904 at Kensington to modern times. It provides a fascinating overview of changes in golfing terminology, technique development and equipment over the years. This is a must for any golfing enthusiast.

Special book offer

For your chance to win a copy of one of the books below, put your name, location and dispatch number, along with the title of your choice, and send it to Book Competition, Police Association of SA, internal postcode 168.
• Hark!
• Taking Care of Business.
• Black Tide.
• The Lazarus Vendetta.
• The Final Detail.
• Your Perfect Body.
• The Champions and the Courses They Played.