Outlouders, welcome to the third and final instalment of our Summer Book Club where we’re going out strong. 🔥

Em Vernem, Jessie Stephens and Holly Wainwright dissect Melaleuca by Angie Faye Martin — the Australian debut crime novel we did not see coming and now can’t stop thinking about.

This episode has it all: small-town secrets, outback noir vibes, corrupt cops, missing women, a brilliant Indigenous protagonist, and a twist that genuinely divided the hosts. We talk sense of place, why crime novels are such powerful social mirrors, and yes — the chickens. (You’ll understand.)

⚠️ Full spoilers ahead — this one’s for listeners who’ve read the book and are ready to argue lovingly about pacing, plausibility and that ending.

Plus: why we’re thrilled Angie Faye Martin is writing a sequel and why Renee Taylor is a protagonist we want to follow anywhere.

📚 Outlouders, we know how many of you love these special episodes so... would you like us to keep the MMOL Book Club going? Let us know by emailing outloud@mamamia.com.au.

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What to read: 
A definitive list of the books everyone will be reading this summer.
The 40 best books to inhale in a weekend, according to Mamamia readers.
'I’m obsessed with audiobooks, here are 10 of the best I’ve ever heard.'
11 of the very best beach reads to lose yourself in this summer.
The 22 best books Reese Witherspoon has recommended.

What To Listen To Next: 
Listen to our latest episode: "Hold On, I Just Need To Vent"
Listen: Jessie's Twins Update & What We Really Did Over The Holidays
Listen: Blake Lively, Taylor Swift, Revealing Texts & A Masterclass In Awkward Conversations
Listen: Brooklyn Beckham, That ‘Inappropriate’ Dance & The Downfall Of A Family Brand
Listen: Brooklyn Beckham Goes Nuclear: An Emergency Meeting
Listen: The Superstar Podcaster Who’s Been ‘Red-Pilled’ & Was JLo Really That Rude?
Listen: We’ve Entered The Year Of Friction-maxxing
Listen: Our Best Heated Rivalry Theory & Taylor Swift's Mum
Connect your subscription to Apple Podcasts

THE END BITS: 

Check out our merch at MamamiaOutLoud.com

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Join our Facebook group Mamamia Outlouders to talk about the show.

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Outlouders, welcome to the third and final instalment of our Summer Book Club where we&rsquo;re going out strong. 🔥 Em Vernem, Jessie Stephens and Holly Wainwright dissect&nbsp;Melaleuca by Angie Faye Martin &mdash; the Australian debut crime novel we did not see coming and now can&rsquo;t stop thinking about.
This episode has it all: small-town secrets, outback noir vibes, corrupt cops, missing women, a brilliant Indigenous protagonist, and a twist that genuinely divided the hosts. We talk sense of place, why crime novels are such powerful social mirrors, and yes &mdash; the chickens. (You&rsquo;ll understand.)
⚠️ Full spoilers ahead &mdash; this one&rsquo;s for listeners who&rsquo;ve read the book and are ready to argue lovingly about pacing, plausibility and that ending.
Plus: why we&rsquo;re thrilled Angie Faye Martin is writing a sequel and why Renee Taylor is a protagonist we want to follow anywhere.
📚 Outlouders, we know how many of you love these special episodes so... would you like us to keep the MMOL Book Club going? Let us know by emailing outloud@mamamia.com.au.
<a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe/?utm_source=shownotes&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=mmol">Support independent women's media</a>
&nbsp;
Don't miss an episode of <a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/mamamia-out-loud">Mamamia Out Loud</a>
We&rsquo;re giving away a Your Reformer Pilates bed (worth $3,400)&nbsp;<a href="http://mamamia.com.au/your-reformer-giveaway/?utm_source=mamamia&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=subscription&amp;utm_content=reformer-giveaway" data-stringify-link="http://mamamia.com.au/your-reformer-giveaway/?utm_source=mamamia&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=subscription&amp;utm_content=reformer-giveaway" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Subscribe to enter</a>.
MOVE by Mamamia is the app that helps you fit movement into your every day. Whether you have 10 minutes, or 45, we've got the workout that fits your time, space and body. Get $20 off an annual subscription until the end of January when you use code OUTLOUD at checkout. Start your free trial today. SUBSCRIBE here:<a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe/?utm_source=shownotes&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=mmol"> Support independent women's media</a>&nbsp;
Watch Mamamia Out Loud<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@mamamiaoutloud"> on YouTube</a>
What to read:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/best-summer-reads-2025-list/">A definitive list of the books everyone will be reading this summer.</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/best-books-21st-century/">The 40 best books to inhale in a weekend, according to Mamamia readers.</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/best-audiobooks-of-all-time/">'I&rsquo;m obsessed with audiobooks, here are 10 of the best I&rsquo;ve ever heard.'</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/best-beach-reads-for-summer">11 of the very best beach reads to lose yourself in this summer.</a><a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/books-like-acotar"></a><a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/books-with-a-little-spice"></a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/reese-witherspoon-book-club-list">The 22 best books Reese Witherspoon has recommended.</a></li>
</ul>
What To Listen To Next:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Listen to our latest episode: <a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/mamamia-out-loud/heated-rivalry-theories/">"Hold On, I Just Need To Vent"</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Listen:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/mamamia-out-loud/jessie-twins-holiday-update/?utm_source=shownotes&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=mmol">Jessie's Twins Update &amp; What We Really Did Over The Holidays</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Listen:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/mamamia-out-loud/subs-blake-lively-taylor-swift-texts/?utm_source=shownotes&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=mmol">Blake Lively, Taylor Swift, Revealing Texts &amp; A Masterclass In Awkward Conversations</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Listen:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/mamamia-out-loud/brooklyn-beckham-wedding-dance/">Brooklyn Beckham, That &lsquo;Inappropriate&rsquo; Dance &amp; The Downfall Of A Family Brand</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Listen: <a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/mamamia-out-loud/brooklyn-beckham-family-statement/?utm_source=shownotes&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=mmol">Brooklyn Beckham Goes Nuclear: An Emergency Meeting</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Listen:<a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/mamamia-out-loud/what-is-red-pill-steven-bartlett/"> The Superstar Podcaster Who&rsquo;s Been &lsquo;Red-Pilled&rsquo; &amp; Was JLo Really That Rude?</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Listen:<a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/mamamia-out-loud/dax-shepard-egg-freezing/"> We&rsquo;ve Entered The Year Of Friction-maxxing</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Listen: <a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/mamamia-out-loud/best-heated-rivalry-theory/?utm_source=shownotes&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=mmol">Our Best Heated Rivalry Theory &amp; Taylor Swift's Mum</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/channel/mamamia/id6442502456?ign-itscg=80085&amp;ign-itsct=pod_cha_mamam332_NA">Connect your subscription to Apple Podcasts</a></li>
</ul>
THE END BITS:&nbsp;
Check out our merch at<a href="https://www.mamamiaoutloud.com.au/store"> MamamiaOutLoud.com</a>
GET IN TOUCH:
Feedback? We&rsquo;re listening. Send us an email at outloud@mamamia.com.au
Share your story, feedback, or dilemma!<a href="https://help.mamamia.com.au/en-US/send-a-podcast-voice-note-467960"> Send us a voice message</a>.
Join our Facebook group<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/outlouders"> Mamamia Outlouders</a> to talk about the show.
Follow us on Instagram<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mamamiaoutloud/?hl=en"> @mamamiaoutloud</a> and on Tiktok<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@mamamiaoutloud"> @mamamiaoutloud</a>

Australia's #1 podcast for women is where smart women come for good conversation — with an occasional side serve of chaos. Covering news, pop culture and big ideas, plus the small stuff that matters, Mamamia Out Loud is hosted by journalists and authors Mia Freedman, Jessie Stephens and Holly Wainwright. It's your daily dose of conversation that's like catching up with your best, funniest and sharpest friends in the group chat, offering conversation at its most addictive.

Australia's #1 podcast for women is where smart women come for good conversation &mdash; with an occasional side serve of chaos. Covering news, pop culture and big ideas, plus the small stuff that matters, Mamamia Out Loud is hosted by journalists and authors Mia Freedman, Jessie Stephens and Holly Wainwright. It's your daily dose of conversation that's like catching up with your best, funniest and sharpest friends in the group chat, offering conversation at its most addictive.

A weekly podcast that's smart, often silly and sometimes surprising.

Mamamia Out Loud

Summer Book Club: Melaleuca — Angie Faye Martin

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/3ea926be-9be7-482a-8ac3-a44f016e43d1/clips/9388db76-5136-4ff3-9200-b3d70007fbd9/transcript