Majestic XII

Majestic XII is a leading title under New Holland's new fiction imprint, Gibbes Street, that is creating a lot of debate for its mix of real-life based political undertones and conspiracy theories combined with a gripping and thrilling story. It is Cam Lavac's second novel.

It all begins when a group of archeologists excavating to find the Arc of the Covenant simulateneously all perish through strokes. Academic Dr Richard Kinnane, who is an expert in phenomenolical studies is brought in by the Israeli Government and discovers an ancient document, paradoxically written in modern English and addressed to a women in the USA.

Making sense of these events leads him on an international chase which unveils plots for a new World Government and a secret society.

Cam has written this book after extensive research into the real Majestic XII, an ultra top-secret agency setup by US President Truman to look into the Roswell UFO sighting in the 1950s. Cam has also launched a new blog.

The Mammals of Australia wins Whitley Award.

New Holland Publisher's landmark publication, The Mammal's of Australia, has taken out a presitigous Whitley Award.

The Commendation for Zoological Reference is for the third edition of this historic book edited by Steve Van Dyck and Ronald Strahan.

Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales presents the Whitley Awards for outstanding publications that contain a significant amount of information relating to the fauna of the Australasian region.

Mammals of Australia provides an account of all 389 species of native mammals known to exist in Australia since European settlement.

Swamp author tours region of mystery

Author, Richard Shears' latest book, Swamp: Who Murdered Margaret Clement? has been officially launched in the town in which the mystery is based.

Sunday, May 11 saw the Leongathta Bookstore and Tarwin Lower Riverview Hotel host a capacity filled event to celebrate the release of the book and to commemorate one of Australia's enduring mysteries.

Clement was the belle of Melbourne Society until the great Depression changed her life forever. Her home – once overlooking lush pastures on the Tarwin River – ended up in the middle of a swamp, after river levy banks collapsed from lack of maintenance. However Margaret stayed put as the property disintegrated around her. It made her a target of opportunists – and one that would lead to her murder. Over 50 years later, there has still been no official answers as to what happened to Margaret Clements, however, new research in Swamp, could eventually lead to the case being solved.

The launch at Tarwin Lower also involved Richard Shears presenting the Leongatha and District Historical Society with copies of important documents including Margaret Clements will and some of her personal letter.Swamp: Who Murdered Margaret Clement? is out now through New Holland Publishers.

Families Behind Bars

Kay Danes and her husband Kerry, first came to prominence when they were imprisoned for almost a year in communist Laos on false charges of gem theft.

Upon her release, Kay made a personal promise to continue to campaign to raise awareness to the plight of those subjected to inhumane conditions in foreign prisons.

Her new book, Families Behind Bars, is part of the fulfilment of that promise. In the book, Kay describes conditions in some of the worst prisons on the planet.

Some of the cases in the book are high-profile, such as Schapelle Corby, David Hicks and the Bali Nine, others have never been told before.

Over 200 Australians are currently incarcerated in foreign prisons.

As the name of the book suggests, Families Behind Bars is also the story of families who share the experiences of their imprisoned loved ones.

Families Behind Bars is available through New Holland Publisher's website

Guide to Living and Working in the UK and Ireland launched by British Consul General

British Consul-General, Tim Holmes, has described the Guide to Living and Working in the UK and Ireland as an invaluable for anyone planning to spend an extended period in Great Britain.

Mr Holmes officially launched the book at the Ariel Bookshop in Sydney on February 19. Consul-General of Ireland, Patrick Scullion also attended.

"The book takes the reader through steps in making the transition to living in the UK, including important planning information on proceedures such as setting-up bank accounts and budgeting for unforseen expenses like TV licences", Mr Holmes said.

Author Andrea Woodman wrote the Guide to Living and Working in the UK and Ireland after spending six years in Britain, during which time she worked in a variety of fields. The book as a RRP of $19.95.

More details about the launch and about Andrea are on her website