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HILLIER, Kevin

Nov 22, 2023 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Adelaide, Australian, Fiction \ novel, South Australia

Kevin Hillier self-published author Murder at the Linley Cover Lighthouse book cover
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ISBN 978-1-923088-46-7
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Discover the truth behind the

Murder at the Linley Cove Lighthouse

“The broken railing and askew post on the outside of the fourth-floor balcony was a giveaway to the attending detective Peter.”

In the early morning, Kev is woken by a phone call; a body had been found at the base of a seven-storey lighthouse. As a senior mortuary technician, Kev is tasked with preparing this new patient for analysis.

Paul is the supposed victim, and close friend of Peter the detective assigned to the case. Paul’s body had been removed from the scene before Peter got there, authorised by Peters Chief Superintendent so he would not have to see his friend looking like he did at the foot of the lighthouse. The investigation progresses, more and more is revealed that leaves the police questioning everything.

In the midst of the investigation, Kev’s relationship with his co-worker, Liz, unexpectedly blossoms and Kev finds his attention split between his job and this fledgling love affair.

Discover the true inner workings of a forensic mortuary and the training of a new employee. Also follow the homicide detective Peter to discover the truth behind the Murder at the Linley Cove Lighthouse.

About the Author

Kevin is the third son of Robert George Hillier and Dorothy Margaret Hillier. Stephen and Andrew being his two older brothers. Kev was born in the lounge room of the family home soon after ten pm on the 21st of October 1966. His childhood was a good and loving one. From the age of fourteen, Kev worked in a butcher’s shop after school. It was situated in the small village of Alverstoke in Gosport, Hampshire, on the south coast of England, to the left of Portsmouth Harbour.

When he left school, he gained a position with a large supermarket chain, working in their meat preparation room. That was, until he damaged an eye in an accident at home, which made it impossible to work with all the equipment at that time. After working in a few different departments over the next six months or so, he decided he needed something new.

He then worked for a maritime engineer, helping with everything from building or repairing slipways, to painting and varnishing yachts. At this time, Kev lived on a boat to try to save money, and that is when he started writing as he had no television. He would while away the hours in the evenings drafting stories that came into his head like waking dreams. These stories were handwritten in a book and wouldn’t have been able to be read by anyone other than Kev due to his dyslexia. The stories were badly written, spelt and had hardly any punctuation.

After six months of working with the marine engineer, he joined a jewellery retail company as a trainee manager and made it to the position of manager a couple of years later. When a competitor bought out the company, Kev went for another change and became a trainee mortuary technician.

That’s where he met Liz, you may say the rest is history. He is now settled in South Australia with Elizabeth and their two grown up daughters. He started writing again as a hobby in January 2023. After his father heard Kev had completed his first draft he said about the story “that should be published.” Kev’s father died three days later. Kev decided to approach a publisher and this is his novel. Thank you for reading it.

RAVESTEYN, Jan (John)

Oct 17, 2023 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Adelaide, Australian, Biography, Family history, South Australia

Jan (John) Ravesteyn self-published author Family Stories of a Migrant Child book cover
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ISBN 978-1-923088-14-6
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Family Stories of a Migrant Child

His life, hopes and adventures written and remembered by Jan Ravesteyn

Introducing a heartfelt memoir that intertwines the lives of Jan Willem and his son Jan (John) Ravesteyn. In this captivating account, Jan delves into the memories of his beloved father, showcasing their unbreakable bond despite their occasional disagreements.

With deep filial love and a human connection that remained unwavering, Jan explores the profound influence his father had on shaping his childhood and ultimately shaping the person he became. As the narrative unfolds, Jan shares his own life, work, and adventures, with the invaluable support and encouragement of his daughter, Maaike.

His mother’s stories relating events from WW1, the Great Depression, WW2, a growing expanding family and the devastating flood of 1953. The biggest fork in their road was migrating to the other side of this wonderful world. The change in language, culture, geography and much more, but Maaike always used to say “you take you self with you”.
So that simplifies life when you remain true to yourself.

This memoir highlights the enduring familial ties that have shaped multiple generations, extending beyond the immediate family into the future. This is a testament to the strength of family, the wisdom passed down through the ages, and the recognition that each member is a cherished gift from above.

BISHOP, Jim

Sep 27, 2023 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Adelaide, Australian, Autobiography, Christian, Memoir, South Australia

Jim Bishop self-published author From the Pits to the Pinnacles book cover
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ISBN 978-1-922957-74-0
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From the Pits to the Pinnacles

The true story of a boy’s less commonly travelled trek, through hardship and horrors, to a culminating fulfilment

Born in Adelaide in 1948, Jim began what was to become a journey of horrors, of character building, soul wearying, inescapable experiences.

By the time he was 15 he had lived at ten different addresses and started over at seven different schools. At age 15, he had lived enough torment and brutality, from his father, leaving behind, his father and his unfortunate oldest, now adult, brother. Jim still had much learning to do, through what was to be a very differently challenging, but in the end, rewarding and wonderfully satisfying culmination. Walk this amazing journey with Jim and learn how your own road, yet to be travelled, need not be mapped, by the road travelled, so far.

 

DE PALO, Tania

May 31, 2023 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Adelaide, Australian, Medical, Memoir, Poetry, South Australia

Tania de Palo self-published author the day the doctors broke my vagina and brain poetry book cover
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ISBN 978-1-922957-77-1
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The Day the Doctors Broke My Vagina and Brain

Raw poetry

A broken body and soul finding the healing of the spirit through trauma and pain.

This powerful book chronicles Tania’s life of unimaginable trauma, captured in stunning poetic form. From the young age when a brick was thrown at her head, to the brutal medical procedure that left her with the worst pain imaginable, Tania’s journey has been a constant battle. But through it all, she has shown extraordinary resilience and determination to heal herself and give back to others. In this unique memoir, Tania uses poetry to convey the depth of her emotions and experiences, taking readers on an unforgettable experience of triumph over adversity.

The day the doctors broke my vagina and brain is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration and hope in the face of life’s challenges. Discover life in Tania’s story, despite everything.

CARROLL, Ivor John

May 24, 2023 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Adelaide, Australian, Autobiography, Justice, law and crime, South Australia

Ivor John Carroll self-published author We sweep the streets book cover
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ISBN 978-1-922957-33-7
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We Sweep the Streets

A police story based on fact

Ivor John Carroll—later to become known as ‘Chris’ short for ‘Xmas Carroll’ but affectionately called ‘Xmas’ by those that knew him well—a self-confessed ratbag—takes us on a sometimes comical and at times emotional journey through what it was to be a ‘copper’ during the 1940-50s.

The array of fascinating characters with whom he worked—some loved, some hated—the continually changing states of ‘the job’, and the many and varied ‘cases’ on which he worked, are related in a frank, politically incorrect and unfiltered manner—he pulls no punches.

These stories would almost certainly have been lost to time had Xmas’ youngest daughter, Vicki, not decided to dust off the hand-typed, yellowing, faded pages (remember typewriters?)—and retype, reformat, edit, and have published these intriguing, true telling’s of a hard but honest man. It could not have been done without the support and help of her husband, Tony, and his capable literary skills. It was a labour of love and a tribute to her father.

These stories are an important part of a legacy that Chris had always wanted to leave to his family—bringing these pages into the light have made that dream a reality.

We Sweep the Streets: A Police Story Based on Fact is the first in what was to be a duology, spanning IJ Carroll’s entire career. However, searches to date have yet to uncover a complete copy of the second manuscript… But the search continues.

RIGBY, Ken

May 23, 2023 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Adelaide, Australian, Autobiography, South Australia

Ken Rigby Self-published author Oddly Enough Autobiography
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ISBN 978-1-922957-21-4
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Oddly Enough

Oddly Enough is the story of an Englishman who emigrated to Australia in 1959 to work as a teacher, and, subsequently, as a psychologist, university professor and researcher, in which capacity he has established an international reputation for his work on how bullying can be countered in schools. This led to his becoming recognised internationally, travelling and lecturing worldwide, and receiving the Order of Australia Medal in 2021.

Oddly Enough is written as a flow of consciousness of events as they are remembered and reflected upon from childhood to old age. It is meant to amuse, as well as shed light on significant historical, social, and cultural issues of his time; such as social class; family life; schooling and education; Britain in wartime; National Service; emigration; university life; and adapting to the Australian culture. Finally, it addresses existential questions on the nature of self and the sheer oddity of existence.

Testimonials

‘This fascinating book succeeds in being three things: a personal document of a fulfilling life; a social history covering England and Australia; and a vivid description of the author’s research and practical work in the area of school bullying. Ken Rigby writes frankly and often amusingly about all these matters. This is a compelling read which will be of interest to anyone interested in personal biography, education, and indeed life in general!’

Peter K Smith
Emeritus Professor, Goldsmiths, University of London, UK

‘Oddly Enough is a refreshingly honest autobiography charting Ken’s journey from working class schoolboy to leading international academic, and the characters he meets along the way. It’s a fascinating insight into how his school years and national service helped shape his own approach to classroom teaching, and the inspiration for his research into bullying in school and effective intervention methods.’

Jo Earp.
Editor, Teacher magazine, Australian Council for Education Research

‘This book is captivating and interesting, not only for those who know Ken personally; but also to the bullying research community, which has become very numerous. A fascinating line goes from his own school days, and reflections on authority, to pioneering, world class research on school bullying, and further to the existential question about self and its becoming. And it is so well written, as usual.’

Professor Erling Roland
University of Stavangar, Norway