Matt Eliason has traveled Australia extensively and has had more jobs than he has fingers and toes, including: police officer, journalist, government communications person and currently business owner. He has three children and lives an abnormally quiet life in a small inland city in Queensland, Australia.
The orchard is what symbolised much of who my granddad was. For me it meant fun in the leafy rows. But a twist that darkened our hearts changed it all.
Some say Henry has a death wish. As an accomplished daredevil tightrope walker in colonial Sydney, Australia, he is set on achieving 'higher and longer' walks . Even when a devastating accident forces a change of direction, his imagination and drive see him soaring to heights beyond his wildest dreams while tempting and falling victim to fate itself...
The Upraised Hand
on Aug. 03, 2011
The book started out well, but sorry, despite persevering I had to give up on it. The long detailed descriptions of things, that ultimately have no bearing on the plot meant thousands of words could have been cut from the book without any marked impact at all, other than improving the pace. A good hard edit is desperately needed.
Bone Machines
on Aug. 03, 2011
Yes i enjoyed this book, but the book could have been tightened up a bit. Will read the author's next book.
Sudden Death
on Aug. 21, 2011
I am currently 44% of the way through the book and have come to the conclusion it is not the novelist Clive Cussler that endorsed it. So far the story has been plodding (certainly NO hint of a "sharp, fast murder-mystery'" as claimed by one reviewer) and overly descriptive of matters that will have no bearing on the plot *once it starts*. Describing what meals were ordered at every meal certainly only made me feel hungry.
The first half of the book could easily be edited to remove 80% of the content.
I will plod through the final half and update the review, but up till this time the content indicates a very beginner novelist with friends to write praise about the book.
Fighting The Mob
on Aug. 25, 2011
Good pace, thought some of the techniques could have been developed a little further. Would have been interested to hear how he got the money to buy his equipment. End was a little bit of a let-down and seemed a bit rushed. Overall I enjoyed it.
Sudden Death
on Aug. 25, 2011
(no rating)
sorry, gave up at chapter 27, waiting for the story to start. I take back my one star. Dreadful.
Clearwater Journals
on Nov. 23, 2011
A great read - good humour and the pace is good and consistent Characters (eh!) are believable and good twists!
Deadly Stillwater
on Nov. 23, 2011
not a bad read - could have been tightened up a bit. Worth downloading
Effected Intent
on Nov. 23, 2011
two chapters and it was just office description - and took that long to introduce a twist. Did not finish....
Coral Sea Affair
on Dec. 15, 2011
I felt the story took a bit long to get going. Certainly having an experienced proof reader/editor would make a difference so that at least all of the 'Coral sea' would be fixed to 'Coral Sea' plus other frustrating aspects like that.
I found the using of the full name of the hotel every time it was used to be very annoying and thinking maybe they had paid to have it used in full every time. I think that 'the hotel' suffices after the first use or even 'the Sheraton' or 'the Mirage'.
Other aspects were a bit travelog style, and why the CID Inspector would be the highest ranking officer - maybe conveniently missing state govt agencies that would have been involved.
Overall the story concept was good, plausible, just a bit clunkily put onto paper.
Time Mgmt for Mercenaries
on Oct. 05, 2012
It would be useful to know in advance that this is part 1 of several books. I kept waiting for something to happen......
Embedded@Trafalgar with Nelson's Navy
on Dec. 28, 2012
A good read, assuming historically accurate. The mix of modern away from the battlefield and authentic on the battlefield was a little odd ad created a some discord. If it was in real-time, then surely there would have been aircraft, modern vessels impinging. I would have framed it as a time-travel approach perhaps.
Dire Straits: A Trooper's Tale
on Jan. 02, 2013
Good story. Intruded into my days...needed to read some more :)
There are some capitalisation errors that would eb nice to see cleaned up ( police only needs a small p for instance. Some other small edits that seem to be the result of dictation software? small things tho.
Now They Call Me Gunner
on Jan. 22, 2013
Enjoyed this book, though it does plod along at times, but at the same time there is no temptation to put it down. Nice the way is explores male relationships and mateship and trust.
Florida Heat
on Jan. 31, 2013
I am 87% through this book. The writing style and language implys this book is written for early teen readers, but is was not in the teen section.
The pace is slow, with massive padding of meaningless conversations that at this stage still have not contributed to the plot and other descriptive scenes that could be heavily edited to maintain the pace.
I think this book of 96,000 words would be a better read at a well edited 65,000 words.
The Value of Life
on Feb. 09, 2013
The story rolls along, but then....the incline appears and the story is like a snowball accelerating down a hill getting bigger and bigger till the conclusion. Great read.
Old Saltie
on Nov. 10, 2013
A charming collection of short stories, many with a 'wicked' twist. Well written.
Blood and Justice
on Nov. 10, 2013
A reasonable read, but editing out superfluous bits would tighten it up. We don't need coverage of dropping the kids off/picking up from neighbours etc if it does not contribute to the plot, which it does not. Writing style a bit simplistic.
Cold Energy. The Alex Cave Series Book 2.
on Jan. 07, 2014
While the overall storyline was good, I found the writing style too verbose. There were to many descriptions of small non-relevant details like "taking phone from pocket looking at keypad....turning off (disconnect the call?) and putting back into the pocket" sort of stuff. A good tight edit cutting superfluous detail etc and making the conversations less stilted and more realistic would improve the pace I feel.
The American Terrorist
on Jan. 07, 2014
I am afraid I did not finish this book. Sadly over 50% of the book that I skipped through goes into the grandfather's history...so there was nothing other than the first chapter which set things up nicely and ready to get into the meat of the action, which did not happen before I closed the book.
Adjustable Magic
on Jan. 12, 2014
While I enjoyed the Oddly Even Couple, I found 'One Hand Clapping' to be an absolute scream! I was so 'puny' that I laughed out loud (something I rarely do when reading a book. It would make a great short comedy movie!
One Drop In Time
on Jan. 16, 2014
A very basic plot that could have been embellished a lot more. The simplistic writing style I found to be perhaps of appeal to junior teens. Maybe this was left off the categorisation.
Some very basic incorrect choice of basic words showed that the book has not been subject to any second or third party editing.
Stroke of Genius (Archie Lemons #3)
on Jan. 26, 2014
I enjoyed this book and found the pace good which kept me fully engaged. However, one thing I was not aware of but suspected while I was reading the book (for some reason which became obvious when I came here to write this review) was that this was the third in a series. This had me wondering throughout the book "what relationship with Elise?". Plus less intrusively, the ADD stuff.
I think a minor update worth doing is to just weave in a little explanation about main factors for those, who like me, come in at a latter stage other than book 1. Nothing elaborate and could just be a couple of sentences in total.
The Placer
on Jan. 29, 2014
I enjoyed this book, Would have given 5 stars but there were a few too many (though not a lot) of words used that sounded the same but were not write ( I mean right). Editing, but this did not detract from an enjoyable story and a good read for people who like a main character who has some pizazz.
The Star Creature
on March 09, 2014
Enjoyed it. There was a nice rhythm to it and judicious use or words.
Crooked House
on March 23, 2014
Not often a book can make me actually laugh out loud, but this book did on a few occasions! Being an Aussie I appreciated the honest Aussie narrative - I would encourage people from other countries to read it if for no other reason than this.
I enjoyed the storyline, and maybe enjoyed the book more than many people will, as I used to live in Canberra so it was great in that respect - many will not know what a 'nature strip' is but is not bloody well learn!
Tried to make it 4.5 starts, as just a few proof-read errors which always seem to hide! Will be reading the others by this author.
A Story About a Man and a Dog
on March 26, 2014
Some great use of metaphores. I'd have liked a bit more at the end. Finished a touch abruptly.
Paper Man
on April 04, 2014
Captures the Canberra culture down pat. 4.5*
Spiked
on April 06, 2014
While I enjoyed this book as much as the previous two, in that the yard was a good one, the portrayal of relationships etc was still good, I did find that the use of 'fuck' has grown exponentially and for me this spoiled the book a little. 4 stars this time
Immortal Bones - Detective Saussure Mysteries - Book 1
on June 11, 2014
(no rating)
It took me a little while to get into the book. Overall I enjoyed the plot line - nice suspense created. I did not like the odd use on M dashes rather than quote marks. It was untidy and confusing for me.
The Pursuit of Emma
on June 19, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. It was a refreshing change to the many mediocre books written by US writers. The character was totally believable and there was just enough humour to balance the drama.
There were some typos and misuse of words (sight/site type stuff) that started to appear in the final third of the book, easily fixed and uploaded again, but they were standouts due to the rest of the book being so good.
Please take the time to also read my writings https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/aussiematt
The Search For Pandora's Box
on Aug. 12, 2014
a fun read. Very English, so USA readers may struggle with the nuances and the sometimes almost schoolboy humor. But persevere and accept it as an education in foreign thinking :)
Convicted Innocent
on Aug. 13, 2014
I enjoyed it esp in light of having recently completed a book based in Australia at about that time (follow name link to see my work).
Overall I enjoyed it, just at the end maybe I was tired, but things got a bit complex and hard to sort out.
If you are considering reading it it is worth downloading and reading.
Pursuit of Passy
on Dec. 19, 2014
Rip roaring tale in true British tradition. Would have made a fine film. Thanks David for making it available. I wish my book was as worthy
By Fickle Winds Blown
on Jan. 01, 2015
(no rating)
Having written a historically based novel myself, I appreciated the facts etc in the book, so in that regard was quite educational.
I did however feel that everyone was too nice to each other... a good black hearted character might have been useful.
Murder At Zero Hour
on Dec. 16, 2015
A top read and perhaps in the top 10% of books I have read here.
If you like historical fiction please head over to my page to read Tempting Fate.