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Fiona McIntosh
Photo Credit: Anne Stropin 2015

Fiona McIntosh

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Fiona McIntosh is an internationally bestselling author of novels for adults and children. She co-founded an award-winning travel magazine with her husband, which they ran for fifteen years while raising their twin sons before she became a full-time author. Fiona roams the world researching and drawing inspiration for her novels, and runs a series of highly respected fiction masterclasses. She calls South Australia home.

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Foul Play by Fiona McIntosh

OUT NOW! Read more here: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/foul-play-9781761048012 The heart-stopping new crime thriller in the Detective Jack Hawksworth series by blockbuster author Fiona McIntosh. Superstar footballer Luca Bruni is being blackmailed for a night of lust he swears he didn’t participate in...except the ransom photo denies that. A media darling on and off the field, he has powerful charisma, a perfect home life he’ll do anything to protect, and more money than he knows what to do with. He’s determined to defy the extortion racket. When Detective Superintendent Jack Hawksworth learns that the cunning mastermind behind this crime has already swindled a dozen of the world’s most highly prized male athletes, he is instructed to keep the situation from escalating and prevent a media frenzy. Intrigued by the creativity of the crime and the shockwaves it is creating through the global sporting fraternity, Jack begins a journey into a case that has tentacles far more wide-reaching that he ever imagined – and far more deadly. The explosive new blockbuster from an internationally bestselling author.

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QUIZ: find your partner in crime this summer

Take this fun quiz to find out which crime novel you should read this summer.

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Foul Play book club questions

A heart-stopping jack Hawksworth novel to read with your book club.

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The best book duos to gift for Christmas 2023

Perfect book pairings to give loved ones this holiday season.

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The 10 bestselling fiction books of 2023

Check out our top-selling fiction books this year.

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The Sugar Palace book club questions

A heart-stopping romantic adventure to read with your book club.

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The Sugar Palace by Fiona McIntosh

READ MORE: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-sugar-palace-9781761047015 The heart-stopping new historical romantic adventure from the bestselling author of The Orphans. 'The Sugar Palace is a gripping read for fans of Kate Furnivall and Natasha Lester, with skilful storytelling and compelling characters that leap from the page.' Books+Publishing Under the clamour of the Sydney Harbour Bridge being built nearby, Grace Fairweather is working in her father’s grocery shop in The Rocks when she begins making her own confectionery. Her colourful creations of toffees, lollies and chocolates soon become crowd favourites, and Grace begins to dream of one day opening her own sweetshop. When the roguish but irresistible Londoner Alfie Sweeting comes to work for the Fairweathers, his ambition for her success thrills her – so much so that she begins to question her engagement to Norman. Perhaps the ‘safe’ option in life isn’t the right thing for her after all. Alfie encourages her to open not just a sweetshop, but a delightful destination for young and old – a sugar palace! With Grace’s natural business acumen and Alfie’s creative sales skills, it seems like they could be the perfect pairing – in work and in love – but when Alfie’s criminal past catches up with him, both their lives come under threat and Grace is forced to make the most difficult decision of all. Moving between the colourful world of a carnival-like confectionery store and Sydney’s organised crime world of brothel madams, gambling dens and cocaine dealers, this is a thrilling romantic adventure that shows not everyone is to be trusted, and life isn’t always as sweet as it seems.

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June is audiobook month – this is why you should take part

Press play on reading in celebration of audiobook month.

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What book to gift Mum this Mother’s Day, based on her favourite flower

Find the perfect book based on the blooms she already loves.

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Exclusive audiobook content that will inspire you to read more than ever before

Love audiobooks? They’re even better with extra content! Check out some of the audiobooks that include exclusive recorded content for even more enjoyment.

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This is how detective stories have withstood the test of time

Detective stories have been around for over a century, but their popularity persists. Find out who wrote the first detective story and discover a new novel for your ‘must read’ list.

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Dead Tide by Fiona McIntosh

Jack's back. Down Under. The heart-stopping new DCI Jack Hawksworth crime thriller by the bestselling author of Mirror Man. Get your copy here: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/dead-tide-9781761046476

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Authors were back on the road in 2022 - and we loved it!

Join us as we travel back in time through 2022 with the authors that hit the road this year.

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Books of the year 2022

From fantastically funny rom-coms to straightforward self-help, these are some of the best books of 2022.

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A Behind-the-scenes look at Fiona McIntosh’s book tour

A look inside of Fiona McIntosh's tour for her new book, The Orphans.

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Passionfruit Melting Moments

Bestselling author, Fiona McIntosh, shares her scrumptious recipe for these simple sweets with us.

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The Orphans by Fiona McIntosh

The highly anticipated new historical adventure by the bestselling author of The Spy's Wife. At once tragic and triumphant, The Orphans is an unforgettable story about a unique bond between two children that will echo down the years, and teach them both about the real meaning of life, of loss, and of love. Buy now: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-orphans-9781761041563

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Fiona McIntosh on the joy of learning about her hometown while writing

Fiona McIntosh talks about staying regimented during lockdown, the surprising catharsis of writing The Orphans, and her infamous research process.

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Podcast: The story behind Fiona McIntosh's newest book

Listen to the Unscripted podcast episode where this author tells-all about her upcoming release.

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The Orphans book club notes

At once tragic and triumphant, The Orphans is an unforgettable story about a unique bond between two children that is perfect for book club discussions.

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Why the Australian outback makes a perfect setting for crime novels

An intro to the bourgeoning genre of outback noir.

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What you should read next based on your fave Netflix shows

Done binging the latest TV sensation? Pick up a book and keep the good times rolling. 

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Fiona McIntosh on writing a 'fish out of water' tale

The much-loved author chats to us about researching The Spy's Wife on the cusp of the pandemic starting, studying 1930s German history and baking cherry cakes.

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The Spy's Wife book club notes

Much loved author Fiona McIntosh is back with an historical adventure to enjoy with your book club.

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Mirror Man book club notes

Ponder whether one life is worth more than another with Fiona McIntosh's latest thriller.

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Fiona McIntosh on DCI Jack Hawksworth

The bestselling author discusses tapping back into Jack's world, twisty-turny stories and her favourite crime dramas.

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Let us tell you a story

Australian authors and personalities read some of our favourite picture books.

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The Champagne War by Fiona McIntosh

From the killing fields of Ypres to the sun-kissed vineyards of rural France, The Champagne War is a heart-stopping adventure about the true power of love and hope to light the way during war. https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-champagne-war-9780143795452

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The Champagne War book club notes

Sweep your book club off to the sun-kissed vineyards of rural France.

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A Champagne sojourn

Fiona McIntosh shares five surprising facts she learned while researching The Champagne War.

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There's a Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake by Hazel Edwards | Read Aloud by Fiona McIntosh

The 40th anniversary edition of THERE'S A HIPPOPOTAMUS ON OUR ROOF EATING CAKE by Hazel Edwards with illustrations by Deborah Niland, read aloud by author of THE PEARL THIEF and THE DIAMOND HUNTER, Fiona McIntosh. Find out more: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/theres-a-hippopotamus-on-our-roof-eating-cake-40th-anniversary-edition-9781760896270 #TheresAHippopotamusOnOurRoofEatingCake #HazelEdwards #FionaMcInTosh #DeborahNiland

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Interview with Fiona McIntosh author of The Diamond Hunter

‘It won’t matter how many diamonds you find if you lose the love of your child.’ The Diamond Hunter is the new historical blockbuster from the bestselling author of The Pearl Thief, Fiona McIntosh. Learn More: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/diamond-hunter-the-9780143787792

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Growing up in Ghana

Fiona McIntosh on her colourful childhood in Africa and how this influenced The Diamond Hunter. 

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Diamonds, De Beers and diggers

We sat down with Fiona McIntosh to hear all about bringing the 1870s to life in The Diamond Hunter.

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The Diamond Hunter book club notes

Fiona McIntosh's new historical blockbuster is sure to spark an engaging book club conversation. 

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Fiona McIntosh Q&A

The bestselling author of The Tea Gardens discusses her penchant for the crime and thriller genre. 

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Researching The Pearl Thief

Fiona McIntosh on the jewels and journeys that sparked the idea for her latest novel.

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The Pearl Thief book club notes

A sweeping, epic story of love and betrayal from Fiona McIntosh; The Pearl Thief will leave a lasting impression on your book club.

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The Pearl Thief by Fiona McIntosh

The thrilling new blockbuster by the bestselling author of THE TEA GARDENS. Learn more: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-pearl-thief-9780143796626

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Hot chocolate sauce

Try this indulgent recipe from The Chocolate Tin author Fiona McIntosh.

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Capturing the flavour

Fiona McIntosh’s enviable research trip behind her book The Chocolate Tin.

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Researching The Tea Gardens

Fiona McIntosh on studying 1930’s Britain and India in pursuit of the perfect setting for her latest novel.

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Free Fiona McIntosh eBook

Download McIntosh’s story behind her novel, The Perfumer’s Secret.

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The Chocolate Tin book club notes

Change things up with a chocolate themed book club selection.

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The Tea Gardens book club notes

Absorb the heroism, heartache and healing of The Tea Gardens with your book club.