u/ClimateTraditional40

After the Fall, is an alien overlord tale. What if humans became pets? The way we treat our animals today is definitely an aspect.

John is our human protagonist, bonded to a gray named Martok. The two of them scrape by and Martok is a loser with many - mostly failed - schemes.

As John’s “master”, we’re meant to feel like Martok is the bad guy, but Ashton makes you have some sympathy for like the alien.

We get the Grey point of view, which is that Mankind caused the Fall and the Greys just showed up after. We get the Human view, which is that the fight between humans and Greys caused the destruction of most of the planet.

John is told that there’s only a small area of the whole planet that is inhabitable. We also find that John is not quite human. He’s part of a strain that have been bred down by the Greys, smaller and more docile than “real” humans.`

martok gets a property tha he plans to run as a kind o resort for other Grays, an idea he has pinched from the old humans, although he tells John to keep that quiet.

A misunderstanding with some Greys who want to steal Martok’s possessions when he’s left John to guard them, means the locals now think Martok is an Enforcer, a Grey who can kill other Greys. This is a rare thing, and means they’ll get sent jobs worth good money, but Martok doesn’t know about the deception, and John doesn’t want to tell him.

Some things aren’t answered, but on the whole I liked it. It does have humour.

It didn’t quite end the way I would have liked and I wasn’t entirely happy with John as a character but it’s the first book by this guy I have read and it;s worth a read.

Along the lines of Gosford Park, Don't Look Now (Yes spooky but not really, not wanting specifically ghosts), And Then There Were None, What Lies Beneath, Fatal Attraction.

Aussie is fine although I have seen Jane Harpers stuff. Don't want Outback serial Killers. In fact don't want Serial Killers at all, no torture murders either, no gorefests.

I'm not completely into Agatha Christie, as in Poirot or Sherlock, I prefer her standalone stuff. And movies made after say 1970 not before.

Or stuff like Dead Calm. Do not suggest Triangle though. I liked the suspense in Dead Calm, I don't want all the Triangle slaughter fest though.

British seem to do it better - usually. But doesn't have to be UK. Not comedies.

Two books I liked, both with a similar theme.

Big Little Lies and Lost Man, Jane Harper. Neither being police books is part of it. Not being a crime committed, time to solve for most of it, person arrested at end thing.

Big Little Lies because of Madeline, the humour is what I liked there. But not outright funny books, not at all what I want.

Lost Man because the whole book is not the POV of victim. The fact you don't actually know the why of what happened either.

Note: I have read all the books by both authors and while good, didn't give me quite the same thing I am after. Please do not suggest more of Harpers or Moriartys books.

So books like EITHER of these?

Edit: Someone recommended a Hepworth. It's good, but.....not really into women struggling with babies, or stolen babies or kids.

I don't drive often anymore and the trips I do make are all under 5km total. Yes I do need the vehicle, can't swap to a bike or bus.

So as you can imagine the battery doesn't get charged properly, in summer it's not an issue but I notice when the colder weather comes, it doesn't crank as well. Not where it's winding heaps..I'd buy a new battery if that was the case, but that hesitation thing they do..before starting up.

So I was thinking a battery trickle charger? I think it's called?
Except I have no idea what to buy.

Budget matters. A lot. If someone can recommend something pref under $200?

Vehicle is a Toyota Rush, so nothing big or fancy.

I see all sorts of stuff on Repco (preferred) or Supercheap, but no idea what is good, suitable or junk.
Doesn't have to be either store either, online other stores is fine...

Thanks.

Two books I liked, both with a similar theme.

Big Little Lies and Lost Man, Jane Harper. Neither being police books is part of it.

Big Little Lies because of Madeline, the humour is what I liked there. But not outright funny books, not at all what I want. The book doesn't try to be funny, it's just Madeline..that a bit of humour in the tale.

Lost Man because the whole book is not the POV of victim. The fact you don't actually know the why of what happened either.

Note: I have read all the books by both authors and while good, didn't give me quite the same thing I am after. Please do not suggest more of Harpers or Moriartys books.

And yes I've read all the Aussie author mysteries, many were fine but not quite the same thing.

So books like EITHER of these?

Edit: Someone recommended a Hepworth. It's good, but.....not really into women struggling with babies, or stolen babies or kids.

Two books I liked, both on domestic violence.

Big Little Lies and Lost Man, Jane Harper.
Neither being police books is part of it.

Big Little Lies because of Madeline, the humour is what I liked there. But not funny murder books, not at all what I want. The book doesn't try to be funny, it's just Madeline..that a bit of humour in the tale.

Lost Man because you expect it to be HER and it isn't and the whole book is really by the POV of the son, not any of the women. The fact you don't actually know the why of what happened to the victim for ages at first as well, so not a book going on about D.V. for the entire book.

I have read all the books by both authors and while good, didn't give me quite the same thing I am after. And yes I've read all the Aussie author mysteries, many were fine but not quite the same thing as Lost man.

So books like EITHER of these?