Between The Lines

Chelle and Leanne are avid readers, mothers, and both work therapeutically with families. We read the books, and share perspectives on how they can add value to your life.

Between The Lines is a arts podcast hosted by Leanne Tran & Chelle Griffin, with 87 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Leanne Tran & Chelle Griffin hosts Between The Lines, a arts show with 87 episodes published.

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  Episode #76

  Ep 76: Secrets, Scandal and Australia's First Casino: Mary-Lou Stephens on The Hobart Hotel

  Aug 16, 202643 min

  What happens when one place witnesses two extraordinary moments in history? In this episode of Between The Lines , we're joined by bestselling Australian author Mary-Lou Stephens to discuss The Hobart Hotel , a dual-timeline historical novel inspired by the remarkable history of the Rest Point site in Hobart. Travelling between pre-war Tasmania in 1939 and the opening of Australia's first legal casino in 1973, the novel follows two women whose lives become unexpectedly connected across time. As they navigate love, ambition, family expectations and life-changing decisions, the story explores how ordinary people are often at the heart of history's biggest moments. Mary-Lou shares the fascinating real-life events that inspired the novel, why she was drawn to the controversy surrounding Australia's first casino, and how she balances historical fact with compelling fiction. We also discuss writing complex female characters, the joy of uncovering forgotten stories, and why setting can become a character in its own right. In this episode we discuss: The real history behind Australia's first legal casino Why the Rest Point site inspired an entire novel Writing dual timelines across 1939 and 1973 Creating ordinary women who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances Researching Tasmanian history and bringing it vividly to life Exploring controversial historical events without judging either side How travel, place and history continue to inspire Mary-Lou's writing The enduring appeal of historical fiction rooted in real events Whether you love Australian historical fiction, dual timelines, or stories about resilient women finding their own path, this conversation offers a fascinating glimpse into the research and storytelling behind The Hobart Hotel .

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  Episode #75

  Ep 75: More Than a Vampire Romance: Lily Crozier on Vow of Eternal Night

  Aug 2, 202647 min

  What makes someone a monster: what they are, or the choices they make? In this episode of Between The Lines , we're joined by debut author Lily Crozier on the publication day of her gothic vampire romance, Vow of Eternal Night . The novel follows Clara Wagner, a young woman who has always known monsters are real. When she is abducted by the feared vampire Prince Rayleigh and forced into a betrothal, Clara is given an impossible choice: break his curse before the end of the year or become his bride for eternity. Lily shares how she set out to write the vampire romance she wanted to read, filled with dangerous vampires, gothic castles, sweeping romance and atmospheric historical detail. But beneath the irresistible fantasy premise is a story about identity, autonomy and the choices people make when they hold power. We discuss why the true monsters in the story are not always the vampires, and how human greed and cruelty can be far more frightening than anything supernatural. Lily also explains why it was important for Clara to remain an individual within the romance, and for Clara and Rayleigh's relationship to be built between two equals rather than one person losing themselves in the other. In this episode, we discuss: Writing an atmospheric vampire romance with gothic, old-world influences The vampire folklore of Austria, Germany and Hungary Why Lily wrote the book she desperately wanted to read The difference between being seen as a monster and choosing to behave monstrously Power, trauma and personal responsibility Clara's journey towards self-identity and autonomy Creating a romance between two equal, fully realised individuals Why the book may appeal to readers who grew up loving Twilight but now want something richer and more empowering Lily's journey from unfinished manuscripts to publishing her debut novel Vow of Eternal Night delivers the addictive pull and romantic tension readers love in vampire fiction, while offering a thoughtful exploration of identity, equality and what truly defines a person.

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  Episode #74

  Ep 74: Bad Girls Make Great Detectives: Fiona Hardy on Old Games

  Jul 19, 202650 min

  Bad Girls Make Great Detectives: Fiona Hardy on Old Games In this episode of Between The Lines , Chelle and Leanne sit down with Melbourne author Fiona Hardy to talk about her latest crime novel Old Games — a fast-paced and offbeat Australian mystery set across Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula. Before we dive into crime fiction, we begin by uncovering Fiona's own criminal past… which involves stealing a single chocolate freckle from a milk bar at the age of seven. From there, the conversation turns to Hardy's love of crime writing and why she wanted to create a story centred on two morally flexible female private investigators instead of the traditional male detective. In Old Games , best friends Alice and Teddy make a living fixing problems no one else wants to deal with. When they're hired to track down the stolen ashes of a famous tennis player, what seems like a strange but simple job quickly spirals into a tangled web of secrets, lies, and danger. As they chase clues through Melbourne and along the Mornington Peninsula, Alice and Teddy discover that everyone connected to the late sports star is hiding something — and the deeper they dig, the riskier the investigation becomes. In our conversation with Fiona, we explore: Why crime fiction continues to captivate readers The joy of writing flawed and morally suspect female characters The friendship dynamic between Alice and Teddy Writing crime set in recognisably Australian settings The appeal of Aussie crime novels If you love crime fiction with sharp dialogue, strong female characters, and plenty of twists, this episode — and this book — is for you. About the Book Old Games by Fiona Hardy is a pacey Australian crime novel about two private investigators tasked with retrieving the stolen ashes of a famous tennis star. What begins as a routine job quickly turns complicated when everyone connected to the deceased sportsman appears to be hiding something. As Alice and Teddy dig deeper into Melbourne's sporting and celebrity circles, secrets unravel and the danger begins to escalate. About the Author Fiona Hardy is a Melbourne-based writer, bookseller, and reviewer. Her previous crime novel Unbury the Dead was shortlisted for the Ned Kelly Awards . Fiona is also an award-winning author of books for younger readers, including How to Make a Movie in 12 Days (a CBCA Notable Book) and How to Write the Soundtrack to Your Life , which won the 2021 Children's Peace Literature Award . Despite writing about crime, Fiona's real-life criminal history is relatively minor — consisting of stealing a single chocolate freckle from a milk bar when she was seven years old. Join Our Book-Loving Community Chelle and Leanne created Between The Lines because they love books and great conversations — and wanted to share both with you. Listen to the podcast for author interviews and book chats that help you discover your next great read. Join our online book club , where we deliver books to your door and a book club to your reading nook.

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  Episode #73

  Ep 73: Murder, Motherhood and Baby Rhyme Time: Penny Tangey on What Rhymes with Murder?

  Jul 5, 202646 min

  In this episode of Between The Lines , Chelle and Leanne chat with Australian author Penny Tangey about her delightfully funny cosy crime novel What Rhymes with Murder? The story begins with Frida, an exhausted new mother searching for something to break up the sleep-deprived blur of early parenthood. When she attends Baby Rhyme Time at her local library, it feels like a small but meaningful step back into the world. Then someone screams… and a body hits the floor. Suddenly the library becomes a crime scene, and Frida finds herself drawn into an unexpected amateur investigation alongside a group of unlikely sleuths. Between gossip sessions and plenty of coffee at their local café, the group begin piecing together what happened — without realising just how close they might be to danger. In our conversation with Penny, we talk about: The inspiration behind What Rhymes with Murder? Writing cosy crime with humour and heart The chaotic and identity-shifting experience of early motherhood How libraries and community spaces bring people together Creating an amateur detective who feels real, relatable and funny Penny Tangey brings warmth, wit and sharp observation to this story, blending murder mystery with the messy reality of new parenthood. If you enjoy cosy crime with quirky characters and plenty of humour, this is a great one to add to your reading list. About the Author Penny Tangey is a librarian, mother and former stand-up comedian living in East Melbourne. She has written several children's books with UQP, including As Fast As I Can , which won a Queensland Literary Award and the Readings Children's Book Prize . Her middle-grade novel Music Camp was published in 2025. What Rhymes with Murder? is her first novel for adults . Join Our Book-Loving Community Chelle and Leanne created Between The Lines because they love books and great conversations — and wanted to share both with you. 📚 Listen to the podcast for author interviews and reading inspiration. 📦 Or join our online book club , where we deliver books to your door and a book club to your reading nook. https://www.betweenthelinesaustralia.com/bookclub2026

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  Episode #72

  Ep 72: What Makes Someone a Mother? Susi Fox and The Other Child

  Jun 21, 202645 min

  What Makes Someone a Mother? A Conversation with Susi Fox about The Other Child In this episode of Between the Lines , we're joined by bestselling author Susi Fox to discuss her novel The Other Child - a gripping psychological story that explores motherhood, identity, and the fragile boundaries of belonging. This is a book that unsettles in the best way. At its heart, The Other Child asks a confronting question: What truly makes someone a mother? Biology? Love? Care? Or something more complicated? In our conversation, Susi shares the inspiration behind the novel and how she approached writing morally complex characters who don't sit neatly in "right" or "wrong." In This Episode We Discuss: The emotional spark behind The Other Child Writing flawed, layered female characters The psychology of maternal attachment Moral ambiguity and reader discomfort Why the novel challenges traditional ideas of motherhood How tension is built through character rather than plot twists We also talk about how readers respond when a story pushes them into uncomfortable territory, and why that discomfort can be powerful. Themes Explored Motherhood and identity Belonging and displacement Jealousy, fear, and vulnerability The complexity of female relationships The gap between public perception and private emotion This is a thoughtful, layered discussion about the emotional terrain beneath the thriller elements. If you enjoy psychological fiction that stays with you long after you close the book — this episode is for you. About the Book The Other Child is a psychological novel that explores the fragile bonds between mothers and children, and what happens when those bonds are threatened. With emotional depth and mounting tension, Susi Fox examines how love can exist alongside fear, and how identity can fracture under pressure. AND IF YOU LOVE DISCUSSING BOOKS: Join our bookclub here for insider author chats: https://www.betweenthelinesaustralia.com/bookclub2026

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