What makes someone a monster: what they are, or the choices they make?

In this episode of Between The Lines, we're joined by debut author Lily Crozier on the publication day of her gothic vampire romance, Vow of Eternal Night.

The novel follows Clara Wagner, a young woman who has always known monsters are real. When she is abducted by the feared vampire Prince Rayleigh and forced into a betrothal, Clara is given an impossible choice: break his curse before the end of the year or become his bride for eternity.

Lily shares how she set out to write the vampire romance she wanted to read, filled with dangerous vampires, gothic castles, sweeping romance and atmospheric historical detail. But beneath the irresistible fantasy premise is a story about identity, autonomy and the choices people make when they hold power.

We discuss why the true monsters in the story are not always the vampires, and how human greed and cruelty can be far more frightening than anything supernatural. Lily also explains why it was important for Clara to remain an individual within the romance, and for Clara and Rayleigh's relationship to be built between two equals rather than one person losing themselves in the other.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Writing an atmospheric vampire romance with gothic, old-world influences
• The vampire folklore of Austria, Germany and Hungary
• Why Lily wrote the book she desperately wanted to read
• The difference between being seen as a monster and choosing to behave monstrously
• Power, trauma and personal responsibility
• Clara's journey towards self-identity and autonomy
• Creating a romance between two equal, fully realised individuals
• Why the book may appeal to readers who grew up loving Twilight but now want something richer and more empowering
• Lily's journey from unfinished manuscripts to publishing her debut novel

Vow of Eternal Night delivers the addictive pull and romantic tension readers love in vampire fiction, while offering a thoughtful exploration of identity, equality and what truly defines a person.

In this episode of Between The Lines, Chelle and Leanne sit down with Melbourne author Fiona Hardy to talk about her latest crime novel Old Games — a fast-paced and offbeat Australian mystery set across Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula.

Before we dive into crime fiction, we begin by uncovering Fiona's own criminal past… which involves stealing a single chocolate freckle from a milk bar at the age of seven.

From there, the conversation turns to Hardy's love of crime writing and why she wanted to create a story centred on two morally flexible female private investigators instead of the traditional male detective.

In Old Games, best friends Alice and Teddy make a living fixing problems no one else wants to deal with. When they're hired to track down the stolen ashes of a famous tennis player, what seems like a strange but simple job quickly spirals into a tangled web of secrets, lies, and danger.

As they chase clues through Melbourne and along the Mornington Peninsula, Alice and Teddy discover that everyone connected to the late sports star is hiding something — and the deeper they dig, the riskier the investigation becomes.

In our conversation with Fiona, we explore:

• Why crime fiction continues to captivate readers

• The joy of writing flawed and morally suspect female characters

• The friendship dynamic between Alice and Teddy

• Writing crime set in recognisably Australian settings

• The appeal of Aussie crime novels

If you love crime fiction with sharp dialogue, strong female characters, and plenty of twists, this episode — and this book — is for you.

Old Games by Fiona Hardy is a pacey Australian crime novel about two private investigators tasked with retrieving the stolen ashes of a famous tennis star.

What begins as a routine job quickly turns complicated when everyone connected to the deceased sportsman appears to be hiding something. As Alice and Teddy dig deeper into Melbourne's sporting and celebrity circles, secrets unravel and the danger begins to escalate.

Fiona Hardy is a Melbourne-based writer, bookseller, and reviewer.

Her previous crime novel Unbury the Dead was shortlisted for the Ned Kelly Awards. Fiona is also an award-winning author of books for younger readers, including How to Make a Movie in 12 Days (a CBCA Notable Book) and How to Write the Soundtrack to Your Life, which won the 2021 Children's Peace Literature Award.

Despite writing about crime, Fiona's real-life criminal history is relatively minor — consisting of stealing a single chocolate freckle from a milk bar when she was seven years old.

Chelle and Leanne created Between The Lines because they love books and great conversations — and wanted to share both with you.

Listen to the podcast for author interviews and book chats that help you discover your next great read.

Join our online book club, where we deliver books to your door and a book club to your reading nook.

In this episode of Between The Lines, Chelle and Leanne chat with Australian author Penny Tangey about her delightfully funny cosy crime novel What Rhymes with Murder?

The story begins with Frida, an exhausted new mother searching for something to break up the sleep-deprived blur of early parenthood. When she attends Baby Rhyme Time at her local library, it feels like a small but meaningful step back into the world.

Then someone screams… and a body hits the floor.

Suddenly the library becomes a crime scene, and Frida finds herself drawn into an unexpected amateur investigation alongside a group of unlikely sleuths. Between gossip sessions and plenty of coffee at their local café, the group begin piecing together what happened — without realising just how close they might be to danger.

In our conversation with Penny, we talk about:

• The inspiration behind What Rhymes with Murder?

• Writing cosy crime with humour and heart

• The chaotic and identity-shifting experience of early motherhood

• How libraries and community spaces bring people together

• Creating an amateur detective who feels real, relatable and funny

Penny Tangey brings warmth, wit and sharp observation to this story, blending murder mystery with the messy reality of new parenthood.

If you enjoy cosy crime with quirky characters and plenty of humour, this is a great one to add to your reading list.

Penny Tangey is a librarian, mother and former stand-up comedian living in East Melbourne.

She has written several children's books with UQP, including As Fast As I Can, which won a Queensland Literary Award and the Readings Children's Book Prize. Her middle-grade novel Music Camp was published in 2025.

What Rhymes with Murder? is her first novel for adults.

Chelle and Leanne created Between The Lines because they love books and great conversations — and wanted to share both with you.

📚 Listen to the podcast for author interviews and reading inspiration.

📦 Or join our online book club, where we deliver books to your door and a book club to your reading nook.

https://www.betweenthelinesaustralia.com/bookclub2026