Petronella McGovern: 'Every Time She Wakes' - Carindale Library

Join bestselling author Petronella McGovern, in conversation with Poppy Gee as she shares her new domestic thriller, 'Every Time She Wakes'.

About the Book

What if you had to relive the worst moment of your life, over and over again, but each time, the outcome changed?

Every Time She Wakes is a gripping, high-concept thriller that taps into our deepest fears about family, control, and the fragility of reality. From bestselling Australian author Petronella McGovern, this is a suspense novel with an ingenious, time-bending twist.

At the centre of the story is Suze, a careers counsellor and mother whose ordinary life is shattered when her family is kidnapped during a bushfire crisis. Just as all hope seems lost, a sudden crash sends her two weeks back in time. But this is no second chance - it’s a relentless loop. Only Suze remembers what happened, and with each repetition, her world changes, sometimes subtly, sometimes in a terrifying way.

As the loops escalate, so does the tension. Relationships shift, clues emerge and disappear, and Suze is forced to question everything she thought she knew about her family and herself. Who is behind the kidnappings? Why is this happening to her? And can she break the cycle before time runs out for good?

Propulsive and emotionally resonant, Every Time She Wakes explores the idea of fate versus free will against the uniquely Australian backdrop of a bushfire emergency - adding urgency and authenticity to an already heart-pounding narrative

About the author Petronella McGovern is fascinated by people–what makes us tick, how we view the world, and the lies we tell each other and ourselves. She's interested in the complexities of relationships and family dynamics. Petronella is the best-selling author of Six Minutes, The Good Teacher, The Liars and The Last Trace. Her books have been nominated in the Ned Kelly Awards, the Davitt Awards and the Indie Book Awards. Petronella has a Master of Arts in Creative Writing and tutors in creative writing. She grew up on a farm in central west NSW and now lives with her family in Sydney on Gadigal Country. You can follow her on Instagram and Facebook.

Petronella will be joined in conversation with Poppy Gee. Poppy is the author of two literary thriller novels – Vanishing Falls and Bay of Fires. She lives in southeast Queensland with her family and is working on her third novel.

Books will be available for purchase on the day or bring your copy from home to be signed.

Presented as part of the Lord Mayor’s Writers in Residence series.

Bookings

Bookings required via Eventbrite.

Venue address

Carindale Library, Westfield Carindale, 1151 Creek Road (near Millennium Boulevard), Carindale