Vic’s Picks

1.

THE MURDER CLUB

The Murder Club is the second in the Miller Hatcher series by local crime writer Nikki Crutchley. The first, Nothing Bad Happens Here, was a finalist in the Ngaio Marsh Award for best first novel in 2018.

‘Not all evil, on the surface, is ugly and menacing. It doesn’t always lurk in city centres after dark. It mows your lawns, frequents your local pub, takes its kids to school and contributes to communities.’

When the first letter arrives saying that ‘tonight it begins’, journalist Miller Hatcher ignores it. But then the body of a murdered woman is discovered, strangled, a scarf around her neck.

Cassie Hughes has always vowed to find the man who murdered her mother. Cassie knows he’s out there and wants him to pay, and Miller agrees to bring the cold case back into the public’s eye.

Logan Dodds has been obsessed with true crime ever since his sister was murdered thirty years ago. He has turned his obsession into a career and has created the True Crime Enthusiasts Club and his newest venture, True Crime Tours.

The lives of Miller, Cassie and Logan – all affected differently by murder – become entwined as The Scarf Killer, desperate for infamy, and Miller’s attention, makes his mark on the small town of Lentford.

Available from www.nikkicrutchley.com, as an ebook on Amazon, or order from your local bookshop.

2.

MAP OUT YOUR RIDES

Tauranga city and environs has a big network of cycle trails, many of which local cyclists have already discovered. Others, and the way they link to make a good ride, can be a bit confusing.

Miles at Daytrippers has made planning your rides easy by creating maps of the trails in Tauranga Central, Mount Maunganui, Omokoroa and Tauranga South. Go to www. daytrippers.co.nz for a free map download.

Daytrippers also have electric bikes for hire. It’s an opportunity to sample the boost a little power can give you, discover how much fun you can have, and how far you can go on one. Daytrippers also do shuttles. If you want to get to, or from, a trail – with your bike or Daytrippers’ – just contact them.

During the Garden and Art Festival, Daytrippers’ shuttles and bike hire service will be operating from the festival hub at Tauranga Racecourse. How about leaving the car at the hub and biking sections of the garden trail?

3.

PHORIC NATURAL ENERGY DRINKS

Phoric was started by two university students, determined to create a clean, great-tasting energy drink without the artificial ingredients and refined sugars. It’s also a refreshing alternative to a cup of coffee. Five cents from every bottle sold goes to Supporting Families NZ, a charity doing life-changing work in the mental health space here in Aotearoa. Phoric is made in Tauranga, using the incredible guayusa leaf as an organic source of energy.

Available in three flavours, Original (Apple Lemon), Ginger Turmeric, and Elderflower Lime. www.phoric.co.nz