Publications
Puzzle Me Dead
A Compelling Suspense Thriller with an Emotional Twist
On her nineteenth birthday Careen survived a terrifying assault at the hands of the Clown Killer. She was lucky; she escaped – the next eleven girls did not. On each dead body the killer left a card numbered two to twelve.
Careen has tried to move on, to forget, but it appears someone has decided to revisit her past. She starts to receive pieces of a jigsaw puzzle that make up the face of a clown, each numbered and counting down from twelve. The message is clear – this time his number one will not get away. Is the Clown Killer back to finish what he started or is someone else playing a deadly game? And if so, why?
Puzzle Me Dead is a compelling tale of family, friendship, betrayal and revenge that leaves you wondering just who you can trust.
No Tea Tomorrow
Winner, Stringybark Short Story Award 2014, Published January 2015
No Tea Tomorrow is a poignant and evocative tale of loss, resilience, and quiet rebellion. After her husband’s passing, a widowed farmer finds herself alone, tending to a land that holds the memories of a life once shared. Faced with the impending arrival of her late husband’s calculating family, who plan to strip the land of its life and meaning, she grapples with grief, anger, and the slow erosion of her purpose. As the autumn leaves and broken branches ignite in her hearth, so too does a spark of defiance, culminating in a fiery act that intertwines her fate with the land she loves. A moving meditation on love, loss, and the fierce spirit of a woman refusing to let go, this story will linger long after the flames have died.
The Woman in the Window
Highly Commended, The Ghostly Stringybark, Published December 2015
The Woman in the Window is a chilling tale of obsession, betrayal, and the sinister grip of the past. Charmaine becomes entranced by the spectral figure of a woman trapped behind the window of the historic Abbotsford Convent. Determined to uncover her story, Charmaine’s quest leads her to an unsettling encounter that reveals more than she bargained for. A desperate plea for freedom turns into a deadly curse, binding Charmaine to the same haunted fate. When family ties unravel into a web of lies and betrayal, blood may hold the key—but at what cost? Dark, gripping, and full of unexpected twists, this ghostly tale will keep you riveted until the final page.
Lighting the Way
Winner, Local Content Prize, Beryl Franklin Ex Libris Festival of Words
Published in The Standard 12 September 2015
Caroline is sent to Port Fairy on a forced retreat, seeking solace for her frayed mind. Drawn to the waves and the island’s solitary lighthouse, she finds herself unraveling more than her own turmoil. A chance encounter with a mysterious stranger and whispers of a ghostly past pull her into a web of secrets stretching across time.
As the boundary between reality and the supernatural blurs, Caroline is thrust into a haunting loop where the past demands answers, and the future feels out of reach. To find peace, she must confront the mysteries of the island—and herself—before the tide turns for good.
A mesmerizing tale of isolation, identity, and the unrelenting pull of destiny, Lighting the Way shines a light on the power of connection in the darkest of places.
Ghostly Hugh
Highly Commended, The Ghostly Stringybark, Published December 2015
In the dim, smoky quiet of the Montague pub, Millie keeps to her rituals: a splash of Glenmorangie, a seat at the bar, and nightly conversations with Hugh—the ghost of a barman tragically murdered a decade ago. Bound to the pub, Hugh silently listens as Millie shares tales spun from the lives she observes, all while nursing secrets of her own.
But when a theft threatens the pub’s reputation, Millie takes justice into her own hands, adding a sinister twist to her orderly life. Soon, a new specter joins the bar—a younger, more unruly presence with his own regrets.
Darkly humorous and deliciously chilling, Ghostly Hugh is a tale of loyalty, betrayal, and the eerie consequences of unfinished business. Millie’s world is steeped in whisky, secrets, and the ghosts of her past—both literal and metaphorical.
Honest Abe
Highly Commended, Stringybark Short Story Award 2014, Published January 2015
Abigail Readstone, aka Honest Abe, has built her life on honesty—even when it cost her friendships and fun. But when a bank robbery points straight to her, the nickname becomes a cruel joke. The redhead on the security tape could be her twin, and the evidence mounts faster than Abigail can say, “It wasn’t me.”
With no alibi, a damning short story submission that mirrors the crime, and two shady cellmates offering unsolicited advice, Abigail faces a predicament worthy of her own crime novels. Can she clear her name before her quiet life as a writer turns into the plot of her next story—or someone else’s?
A darkly humorous tale of mistaken identity, mischief, and mayhem, Honest Abe will have you questioning whether the quiet ones really are the most dangerous.
Do Ghosts Have Freckles
Highly Commended, Stringybark Times Past Award 2016, Published December 2016
“Grandma, if I were a ghost, would I still have freckles?” Twelve-year-old Alma’s innocent question lingers in the air, much like the spirit she becomes.
In the bustling streets of 1920s Melbourne, Alma’s life is cut tragically short when an errand turns into a nightmare. Her brutal murder shocks the city, and a man is swiftly convicted and hanged for the crime. But Alma knows the truth—and the real killer walks free. Trapped between worlds, her ghost lingers in Gun Alley, desperate to tell her story and clear the name of an innocent man.
Decades later, Alma’s presence becomes a haunting legend, her tale retold on Melbourne’s ghost tours. But when a woman appears, carrying a message from Alma’s beloved niece Viola, the past and present collide, revealing a chilling connection and the enduring bonds of family.
Inspired by the true story of Alma Tirtschke’s unsolved murder and a haunting miscarriage of justice, Do Ghosts Have Freckles? is a poignant and atmospheric tale of innocence, tragedy, and the enduring search for truth.
Past Future Present
Second Prize – Birdcatcher Books Short Story Competition 2016, Published 2017
Past, Future, Present explores the delicate intersections of memory, regret, and redemption through the lives of two unlikely companions. For the cantankerous yet sharp-witted elderly man bound to his wheelchair, the days are spent wading through memories of a once-vibrant life. For Rachel, his weary yet resilient caregiver, dreams of owning her own vintage shop are overshadowed by the weight of financial struggles and single motherhood.
But when a dusty photo album sparks an unexpected connection, the two begin to share stories of ambitions lost and dreams deferred. As past triumphs and future hopes collide, both must confront their present realities—one last shot at rediscovering purpose, joy, and the small miracles of human connection.
A poignant tale of humor, heartache, and quiet heroism,
The Man in the Mirror
First Prize – Good Grief Award 2017, Published 2017
When the man in the mirror first appeared, he was a companion—laughing, listening, and keeping him company. But now, he’s become something else entirely: a haunting reflection of questions unanswered, memories fading, and truths too painful to face.
The Man in the Mirror is a poignant and heart-wrenching journey through love, memory, and identity. As one man struggles to make sense of the world slipping through his fingers, those around him must navigate the delicate dance between holding on and letting go. A story of devotion and the fragile threads that bind us, even as time unravels them.
Problem Solver
Short Stories of Mystery and Murder, Published 2019 Oz Tales
Susan’s life was simple—until Terry became her boss. Overbearing, predatory, and impossible to escape, Terry turned the office into a nightmare. For a single mom with bills to pay, leaving wasn’t an option. Fighting back wasn’t either.
Then one night, the balance of power shifted. A stumble. A fall. An opportunity. Now, with her colleagues offering pity and probing questions, Susan plays the role of the grieving coworker. But inside, she feels something unexpected: freedom.
In this chilling psychological thriller, Problem Solver explores the fine line between victim and villain. When pushed to the edge, how far will someone go to reclaim control of their life—and what will they risk becoming in the process?
Making The First Move
Published in Port Phillip Writes, 2023
In a world of high fences and low connections, one woman dreams of a simpler life—country towns, neighborly chats, and lazy afternoons filled with the hum of nature. But in her bustling, impersonal city suburb, the only soundtrack is the relentless clamor of construction and isolation.
As the years slip by in a blur of polite nods and unopened doors, she begins to wonder: what happened to community? Armed with quiet determination and a willingness to reach out, she discovers that sometimes all it takes to change the rhythm of life is the courage to make the first move.
A poignant, witty, and thought-provoking exploration of connection, loneliness, and the small steps that can bring us closer together.
A Difficult Parrot
A Window Of Opportunity, Published 2018 Federation University
Smuggled into Australia in a cardboard tube, Suni, a vibrant sun conure from Brazil, finds himself imprisoned in a foreign land, far from the lush forests of his home. Through the wire of his cage, he sees a strange, unforgiving world—and the freedom that has been stolen from him.
Trapped alongside other outcasts, Suni battles despair and the loss of identity. From the betrayal of those he trusted to the fleeting chance of escape, his journey is one of survival, resilience, and the unrelenting quest for belonging.
As he confronts the harsh realities of life beyond the cage, Suni discovers that freedom isn’t just about open skies—it’s about finding harmony in a world that fears and resists difference. But when his newfound home is challenged, will Suni rise above the instincts that once imprisoned him, or will he become what he fears most?
A poignant tale of displacement, survival, and the delicate balance between inclusion and exclusion, A Difficult Parrot is a striking metaphor for identity and the universal struggle for acceptance.