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# Debut crime reads to discover this month
## This book is a lot of fun ... A fabulous celebration of Melbourne [and] a timely reminder of an extreme response to ‘slash and burn’ attitudes towards arts funding! ### Julia Jackson The Picasso Ransom is a hilarious cosy crime debut about the real-life disappearance of Picasso's Weeping Woman from the National Gallery of Victoria in 1986.
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## This thrilling ride through dangerous waters blends mystery, suspense and emotional turmoil into a story that pulls readers in like a rip current. ### Aurelia Orr Set in Byron Bay, The Line Up blends Rear Window with Point Break in a suspense-filled thriller about a former champion surfer who witnesses a murder on his 24-hour surf webcam.
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## Witty, clever, dark, heartbreaking, tense, and even cosy, if you like your ‘cosy’ with teeth ... It’s one of the best debut crime novels I’ve read. ### Lian Hingee Taking place in suburban Melbourne, Neighbourhood Watch is a gripping thriller about a notorious Victorian Supreme Court judge whose body is discovered in the front yard of a quiet suburban home.
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# Join the Reading(s) Challenge (and win!)
We're celebrating emerging writers in July because our Reading(s) Challenge prompt is ... a debut author! To inspire you, we have put together a curated list of books including an evocative novel about modern relationships, a cosy crime read based on an Australian true crime mystery, a scathing satire about Hollywood elites, and much more! Learn more here. To go into the draw to win the monthly prize of a $30 Readings voucher, simply pick up a free challenge card at your local Readings (or download a printable version), then fill out the card with the title and author of the book you’ve read and share it with us through instagram or via email at competitions@readings.com.au.
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