British writer Geoff Dyer tells Stephen Jewell how a book about tennis became something very different.

Lurid yarn fails to score a favourable impression with Nicky Pellegrino.

The police are investigating the death of a well-known Kiwi artist who died in unexplained circumstances. Jan Nigro, who was 91, died at her home in Takapuna on March 28.

Lisa Gardner is a US mystery suspense author whose latest novel is Catch Me (Headline).

A convoluted crime yarn disorients but enthralls Nicky Pellegrino.

Carroll du Chateau talks to writer Stephanie Johnson about her special bond with her latest subject.

Tanveer Ahmed has written a memoir that entertains but also gives you something to think about. The Exotic Rissole explores mixed cultural relations.

Lenny is "a perfectly unremarkable 20-year old who just happens to be in a wheelchair". He's there because of a rugby accident and he doesn't want to live any more. So he kills himself, in front of a parish priest.

Expat Kiwi author Adam Christopher tells Stephen Jewell how his superhero novel was born and why he won’t base a story in New Zealand.

Kim Evans of cafe, Little and Friday, celebrates the launch of her new cookbook, Treats from Little & Friday, over a spot of tea and dainty treats.

May’s Writers and Readers Festival has a diverse lineup of international guests to tempt lovers of all genres, writes Linda Herrick.

If you were to write a story set in Bombay, as the poet Jeet Thayil prefers to call the city now known as Mumbai in his outstanding debut novel, you don't have to work too hard.

Tumbling tresses, midnight-pool eyes, alabaster brow. None of these features in the debut novelist's publicity photo should be held against her.

Those who are nervous about speaking in public usually have the perfect way out. They simply don't do it.

He’s a yoga-loving vegan teetotaller who spent his ‘naughty boy’ youth tagging and getting arrested. Askew One talks to Greg Dixon about the importance of graffiti art, the international accolades and the health scare that almost ended it all.

Damien Hirst has gone from mouthy Young British Artist to global brand over the past 25 years - and become the world's richest living artist. He talks to Sean O'Hagan about money, mortality and his first retrospective