Quentin Wilson Publishing (52)

The Crate : A Ghost Story

ISBN: 9780995143746

Author: James Norcliffe    Publisher: Quentin Wilson Publishing

• A dark lake with darker secrets. • The bizarre delivery of a mysterious crate. • A fortune-teller unnerved by what she reads in a palm. • Why is the p...


• A dark lake with darker secrets. • The bizarre delivery of a mysterious crate. • A fortune-teller unnerved by what she reads in a palm. • Why is the past reaching for the present with such bony fingers? For the four teenagers staying near a West Coast lake, what begins as an intriguing puzzle ends with the most terrifying night of their lives, a night that will change them forever… Award-winning author James Norcliffe’s compelling supernatural tale will delight and thrill all young readers with its bittersweet ending as unexpected as it is satisfying. “James Norcliffe is a national treasure.” – Sarah Forster, The Sapling


Bind: paperback


Pages: 160


Dimensions: 153 x 234 mm


Publication Date: 25-10-2022


$27.50
A Runner's Guide to Rakiura : A Novel

ISBN: 9780995143852

Author: Jessica Howland Kany    Publisher: Quentin Wilson Publishing

“A Millennial New Yorker, a Stewart Island fisherman, and a WW II veteran walk into a bar...” Maudie’s on the run – from New York and from her past ...


“A Millennial New Yorker, a Stewart Island fisherman, and a WW II veteran walk into a bar...” Maudie’s on the run – from New York and from her past – but she runs headlong into her future when she ends up on Rakiura Stewart Island on assignment to cover Aotearoa New Zealand’s southernmost running trails. Or, as her new fisherman friend Vil puts it: “Giving brainless bucket-listers hard-ons for islands like mine.” She quickly becomes absorbed into island life and once she hears tales of buried treasure, Maudie embarks on a dogged pursuit of the truth, increasingly hooked by gossipy hints. Clues and waypoints are buried in old SINs (Stewart Island News) and pieces of the puzzle are scrawled on buoys washed up on the pages. Maudie doesn’t cut a convincing detective figure. She’s an erratic, impulsive, semi-alcoholic millennial, but nothing breaks her stride as she wades into the world of laconic locals and dune grass politics. Like a daydreaming runner, the narrative weaves, loops, and backtracks, taking in pāua divers, whales, yellow-eyed penguins, muttonbirds, floating libraries and Sunday pub quizzers. Welcome to a tale of romance, adventure, and a treasure hunt which will take you through decades and landscapes, from the beaches of Rakiura Stewart Island to the battlefield of Monte Cassino, to post-war Paris, to the Twin Towers rebuild. Vast and sweeping in scope, this brilliant debut novel is braided with stories of love and war, loss, relationships, island lore, and the joys of running.  A Runner’s Guide to Rakiura is also playful, funny, and romantic, and like any good treasure hunt, there will be reckonings, redemptions, and yes… there will be treasure.


Bind: paperback


Pages: 424


Dimensions: 153 x 234 mm


Publication Date: 18-10-2022


$37.50
Celebration of the Straw Man

ISBN: 9780995105317

Author: Murray Rodgers    Publisher: Quentin Wilson Publishing

A sensitive and evocative account of the life of a New Zealand World War Two artillery soldier that gives insight into New Zealand's rural culture from the pre-...


A sensitive and evocative account of the life of a New Zealand World War Two artillery soldier that gives insight into New Zealand's rural culture from the pre-depression years, the impact of war on a family through generations, and the magic of companionship in the New Zealand backcountry. The story is loosely based on the author's parents, with his father never seeming to adjust to what he experienced in Italy during the Second World War. Bill's journey is about his growth from childhood and the character he forges until needing to deal with teh effects of brutalizing trauma, and finding his path to self-acceptance through his relationship with his long-standing mate, Charlie, his wife Joan and their children. The under-appreciated cost of war and its psychological impact are dealt with through a series of fictional incidents, largely based on the author's childhood and teenage experiences. The setting is non-specific but is consistent with the Southland and Canterbury regions of New Zealand and Monte Cassino, Italy. Beautifully written and laced with sardonic Kiwi humour, the author's style is fluent and engaging; an easy read that deals with a difficult and often painful topic in a meaningful way.


Bind: paperback


Pages: 224


Dimensions: 150 x 228 mm


Publication Date: 13-06-2022


$35.00
The Candle Trees

ISBN: 9780995143708

Author: Anthony Holcroft    Publisher: Quentin Wilson Publishing

When Julian meets Julia, he is less than impressed. After all, what 13-year-old boy looks forward to having his great-granny join the household? But on discover...


When Julian meets Julia, he is less than impressed. After all, what 13-year-old boy looks forward to having his great-granny join the household? But on discovering a diary written by Julia when a young girl, he becomes absorbed in the account of her wild, romantic adventures in a remote South American forest as she goes in search of the legendary and magical Candle Trees. Julia is supposed to be safely at home on her uncle’s remote estate but the date is 1899 and a new century is dawning. Julia is a modern miss, inquisitive and restless for adventure, and ignoring rumours of evil spirits, wild animals and even wilder men, she steps into the forest’s mysterious interior alone – and vanishes. A long and dangerous journey lies ahead, filled with wonders, strange encounters and terrifying ordeals. But the lure of the Candle Trees is irresistible, and Julia makes discoveries beyond her wildest imaginings. The Candle Trees is a wondrous tale, compelling in its power of the written word, and unites both Julia and Julian in the discovery that age is no barrier to experience, or to love.


Bind: paperback


Pages: 168


Dimensions: 152 x 229 mm


Publication Date: 26-10-2022


$27.50
Skippers Canyon : History Art Adventure

ISBN: 9780995143722

Author: John Gillies    Publisher: Quentin Wilson Publishing

Skippers Canyon is an artist’s paradise and one of New Zealand’s most stunning locations. This historic and scenic gorge, carved out by the Shotover River i...


Skippers Canyon is an artist’s paradise and one of New Zealand’s most stunning locations. This historic and scenic gorge, carved out by the Shotover River in Queenstown’s back country, has been a favourite destination and inspiration for artist John Gillies for some forty years. His love of Skippers and the challenges it presents is illustrated in this beautiful collection of paintings and sketches interspersed with personal and historical notes that mark John’s frequent journeys to this remarkable part of Aotearoa New Zealand. “Whatever I had experienced in my journey so far, a moment of sheer glory was revealed from Campbells Saddle. There before me, Mt Campbell took visual command with its servants, the Branches Flat and Shotover River, obediently nestled below. This majestic scene I will never forget and instantly, I knew that for me, it would become my tūrangawaewae, my spiritual home.”


Bind: hardback


Pages: 104


Dimensions: 280 x 213 mm


Publication Date: 28-09-2023


$39.95
All Experience Is An Arch

ISBN: 9780995143791

Author: Dick Sainsbury    Publisher: Quentin Wilson Publishing

This book is a compilation of essays, vignettes and discussion papers written by a retired geriatrician to consider some of the issues associated with ageing an...


This book is a compilation of essays, vignettes and discussion papers written by a retired geriatrician to consider some of the issues associated with ageing and older people, including the health conditions of later years. These are supplemented by pieces illustrating the value of literature in gerontology. Also included are thoughts about the philosophy and ‘essence’ of geriatric medicine including interdisciplinary teamwork, clear communication and maintenance of function. It is meant to entertain, reflect and to some extent, teach. Although it covers some medical subjects it is not a textbook; rather, it seeks to raise the profile of a medical discipline that has sometimes been poorly understood. Medical conditions are discussed but in a way that is readily understood by a lay audience. The author’s intention is that there should be something of interest for every reader and to encourage the study of older people in literature.


Bind: paperback


Pages: 190


Dimensions: 152 x 229 mm


Publication Date: 05-04-2022


$37.50
Shape of the Heart

ISBN: 9780995132962

Author: Kevin Ireland    Publisher: Quentin Wilson Publishing

One of New Zealand’s most prominent, well-loved and accessible poets Kevin Ireland’s words pop like seaweed pods, whether he is: honouring friendships — m...


One of New Zealand’s most prominent, well-loved and accessible poets Kevin Ireland’s words pop like seaweed pods, whether he is: honouring friendships — making sourdough bread — grinning at the weather gods — wondering why he slept in — marvelling at the miracle of a shower — giving advice to writers — analysing chance remarks and philosophical paradoxes — celebrating the benefits of a failing memory — circumnavigating childhood, ageing and death … or just having fun, which he does refreshingly often. Shape of the Heart sparkles with poems that take us from brain to heart, sometimes detouring to unexpected places (such as the belly button), but most often in a direct and delightful line.


Bind: paperback


Pages: 64


Dimensions: 140 x 210 mm


Publication Date: 12-05-2020


Tag: Poetry
$24.99
Sheppard & Rout Architects Volume 1 1982-2021

ISBN: 9781991103277

Author: David Sheppard    Publisher: Quentin Wilson Publishing

From its inception, the directors of Sheppard & Rout Architects have been concerned that its architectural and planning projects all reflect their cultural and ...


From its inception, the directors of Sheppard & Rout Architects have been concerned that its architectural and planning projects all reflect their cultural and historical contexts. The events of the destructive Christchurch earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 and the subsequent considerable rebuild of the city has reaffirmed the need to ensure that these values continue to be upheld. The ‘conversations’ with the directors in this book will enable readers to experience the practice’s rich exploration of these values in their many and diverse projects carried out between 1982 and 2021. Numerous projects realised in other parts of the country and overseas are also included.


Bind: hardback


Pages: 212


Dimensions: 250 x 250 mm


Publication Date: 30-11-2023


$80.00
Dark Sky : Murder among the stars - A Nellie Prayle Mystery

ISBN: 9781991103314

Author: Marie Connolly    Publisher: Quentin Wilson Publishing

Criminal psychologist Nellie Prayle loves solving murders. The more complicated, the better. But when a professor of astronomy is found dead at Tekapo’s Mt Jo...


Criminal psychologist Nellie Prayle loves solving murders. The more complicated, the better. But when a professor of astronomy is found dead at Tekapo’s Mt John Observatory during its internationally-attended 50th anniversary conference celebrations and Detective Jack Simmons calls on Nellie to help with the police investigation, she soon realises that this is not your typical murder – and nor are these your usual suspects. As Nellie and Jack venture into the Dark Sky Reserve in Aotearoa New Zealand’s beautiful Mackenzie Country, they uncover a universe of rivalries, infidelities and emotional turmoil that pushes people to the edge. International intrigue and a tangle of motives unfold against a glittering backdrop of bright stars in this gripping tale of crime and passion, and as Nellie knows only too well, nothing in the world of academia is straightforward...


Bind: paperback


Pages: 240


Dimensions: 152 x 229 mm


Publication Date: 22-03-2024


$37.99
DUE > 26th Mar 2024
Portrait of a War Artist

ISBN: 9781991103246

Author: John Gillies    Publisher: Quentin Wilson Publishing

In this captivating and beautifully illustrated memoir, John Gillies vividly recalls his months as a member of the Otago University Medical Company on an active...


In this captivating and beautifully illustrated memoir, John Gillies vividly recalls his months as a member of the Otago University Medical Company on an active service tour of duty in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Still a medical student at the time, his youthful admiration of New Zealand war artists from previous conflicts adds a poignant layer to his narrative, told in brief, evocative chapters that offer tantalising glimpses of the variety of humanity he encountered during his time in Vietnam. Gillies, a lifelong artist and now retired physician, might well be called New Zealand’s first people’s war artist as he takes us behind the scenes and records the people and places that captured his imagination when not tending to the wounded. No combat here, no battle scenes from him … instead, beautiful portraits, bewitching sketches and enduring memories of a time and place where ordinary lives were so violently disrupted. From crazy escapades to sobering moments, Gillies reflects on the dual nature of his experiences, making Portrait of a War Artist a compelling memoir that delves into the complexities of war, the transformative power of art, and the enduring resilience of the human spirit in the face of challenge.


Bind: hardback


Pages: 104


Dimensions: 210 x 250 mm


Publication Date: 05-04-2024


$34.99
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