Jeff Popple reviews three books to keep you entertained over the Easter eggstra-long weekend. More of Jeff’s reviews can be found on his blog: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com

Today I F****d Up by Thomas Mitchell

Simon & Schuster, $24.99

This amusing collection of anecdotes is a fun book to dip into over the Easter weekend, in between eating chocolate, religious observances and catching up with family and friends. Inspired by his own personal disasters – including one involving his girlfriend’s grandparents, a crashed ute, an angry wasp and a farmer with a shotgun – Mitchell has collected a bunch of tales from his friends about their ‘worst day’ experiences. The stories range from the hilarious to the truly horrifying, with Steph’s story about an ill-timed moment of passion probably being the most cringe-worthy of them.  A fantastic collection that will keep you smiling all weekend long.

Win by Harlan Coben

Century, $32.99

Harlan Coben is a master entertainer, and his novels are deservedly world-wide bestsellers. His latesthas a typically twisted plot that sees the titular character, Windsor Horne Lockwood III (Win), caught up in two intersecting storylines. The first concerns the ramifications of a brutal act of vigilante justice and the second a decades old mystery involving a stolen piece of artwork, the kidnapping of Win’s cousin and an act of domestic terrorism from the early 1970s.

Coben is an adept proponent of the unexpected revelation, and Win delivers plenty of surprises and a few shocks as it races to an exciting conclusion. A great long weekend read.

How to Train Your Dog by Jen and Ryan Tate

Ebury, $34.99

For dog owners who want to make good use of the extra time over Easter, Jen and Ryan Tate’s How to Train Your Dog is an excellent starting point for those who want to develop a more enjoyable bond with their pets. The authors have almost thirty years’ worth of experience between them and run their own dog training business. Drawing on their expertise as well-regarded animal behaviorists, they provide good, practical, evidence-based advice on how to train and create a stress-free and enjoyable relationship with your dog. Well organised and clearly written, this is a terrific handbook for all dog owners.

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