The many faces of Nikki Gemmell

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #DC943C;”] F [/dropcap]ormer ABC journalist and now successful author Nikki Gemmell can never be accused of being predictable.

It has been 16 years since Nikki made the leap from journalism into writing with her debut novel, Shiver, and she has since written another four novels, two works of non-fiction and published a collection of her newspaper columns.

Michaelie Clark, from Warrnambool Books, has chosen Nikki’s latest work as her book for the week and it marks another surprise turn for the author:

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #DC943C;”] ‘M [/dropcap]any people will have first become familiar with Nikki Gemmell’s work without knowing she had written what they were reading.

Her first, much-discussed best-seller was The Bride Stripped Bare, a work of literary erotica which takes a confronting look at the secret desire and anguish of a newly married woman. The novel was originally published anonymously, though she was soon outed as the author and her name later appeared on the cover.

Now the well-known journalist and provocative writer has taken a very different turn in her career – she’s just released her first book for children.

The Kensington Reptilarium is written under the name ‘N. J. Gemmell’ and is a fun, feel-good tale that is full of adventure. It follows the story of the Caddy kids, four young Aussies from the bush who find themselves in London in the care of Uncle Basti, a man who loves his house full of snakes – and isn’t a fan of kids.

This may be a new genre for Gemmell, but there’s no doubt she’s a talented writer with a knack for capturing attention and offering fresh perspectives – something that young readers are invariably attracted to.”