Evening Showdowns, Shocks and Betting Matters: 5 Fresh July Offerings from Australian Writers
In the world of Australian literature, July 2025 promises an exciting array of new releases from a diverse range of authors. Here are five notable books that stand out for their unique qualities in genre, plot, and themes.
- Whisper in the Wind by Luke Arnold
- Genre: Urban Fantasy
- Plot & Themes: The fourth instalment in the Fetch Phillips series, Whisper in the Wind follows a damaged protagonist as he confronts chaotic events in a once-magical city. This urban fantasy novel uniquely blends the fantastical with a modern urban setting, exploring themes of redemption and fate.
- Broke Road by Matthew Spencer
- Genre: Crime Fiction
- Plot & Themes: A sequel to Black River, Broke Road revolves around investigators tackling a brutal murder in a small Australian town. The book is noted for its gripping, complex mystery and atmospheric depiction of rural Australia.
- Gunnawah by Ronni Salt
- Genre: Crime Fiction, Historical
- Plot & Themes: Set in 1970s rural Australia, Gunnawah combines a compelling mystery with an exploration of historical and social contexts of the era. This debut novel stands out for its authentic period detail and engaging mystery.
- Landfall by James Bradley
- Genre: Dystopian Crime Fiction
- Plot & Themes: Landfall is a gritty crime story set in a deteriorating future Sydney, merging speculative elements with crime. The book addresses environmental decline and societal collapse, providing a thought-provoking read.
- Barren Cape by Michelle Prak
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction
- Plot & Themes: Barren Cape presents a timely and pressing story that deals with significant Australian social issues. The book is recognized for addressing real-world problems within a compelling contemporary narrative.
These selections highlight a variety of genres, from urban fantasy and crime to dystopian and contemporary fiction, each with distinct thematic focuses ranging from magic and mystery to social issues and environmental anxieties. The April 2025 to July 2025 period saw these authors enrich Australian literature through diverse storytelling approaches and settings.
Some other noteworthy July 2025 releases include:
- The Forsaken and The Last Outlaws, both available for pre-order and set to be in stock soon, offer action-packed thrills with themes of guns, revenge, and redemption (The Forsaken) and true crime, history, and storytelling about the Governor brothers who went on the run in colonial Australia (The Last Outlaws).
- Pissants by Brandon Jack, a former Swans player, is a raw, funny, and scathing novel set inside an AFL club, exploring themes of painkillers, dark locker room banter, mental health, and the quiet pressure to keep performing.
- The Peak by Sam Guthrie, a debut novel that has been receiving a lot of early love, is a political thriller set in Canberra, with characters caught up in political games with international consequences.
- A Forbidden Alchemy by Stacey McEwan features themes of class uprising and addictive world-building, while The Forsaken (Stacey McEwan's other book) is perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn romance, and magical rebellion.
In addition, The Last Outlaws by Katherine Biber is a good read for fans of Killing for Country or The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith.
These July 2025 releases promise to offer a captivating reading experience, catering to a wide range of tastes and interests. Don't miss out on these exciting new additions to Australian literature!
- With the arrival of July 2025, home-and-garden enthusiasts can also look forward to flipping through the pages of 'Pissants' by Brandon Jack, a humorous and candid exploration of life within an AFL club, providing an engaging health-themed twist to their reading lifestyle.
- Amidst the diverse array of book releases in July 2025, sports lovers can immerse themselves in 'The Last Outlaws' by Katherine Biber, a gripping tale of the Governor brothers' escapades in colonial Australia, delivering a riveting blend of history, true crime, and sports-based thrills.
