Hi all,
I have been lucky enough to be asked to review the latest book by Adelaide writer Dean Mayes, called ‘The Artisan Heart’. Now, everyone in Adelaide knows everyone else via two or three other people, so it’s no surprise that I know Dean. I met him down the pub at an Adelaide lit drinks thing put on by SA Writers, and he’s a thoroughly nice bloke. Now that I’ve disclosed that I’m biased…
…let’s get on with the review. Well, sort of. I am reading The Artisan Heart and thoroughly enjoying it so far, but I’m not finished or ready to review it. Feeling a bit guilty about being so slack in my reading, I thought that I would mention Dean’s previous book ‘The Recipient’.
Review: The Recipient
This is a contemporary thriller with a subtle, but important supernatural element to it, and sat mainly in Melbourne: so far, quite different from the Artisan Heart. However, it also has strong, nuanced and believable characters, which Dean gets you to care about very quickly. He reminds me of Nevil Shute in that respect.
The book also delivers on the thriller front, with a tough, driven heroine, who gets herself into some dangerous situations. There are also some interesting family dynamics, several characters who may have mixed motives and a well rounded, but lethal, villain.
Anyway, I hope that I’ve whetted your appetite!. Now I must get on with reading The Artisan Heart!
