Book Review: Dead Horse Gap by Lee Christine

 Dead Horse Gap

by

Lee Christine

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

 

Publication date: 1st February 2022 

 

Series: Alpine #3

Genre: Crime / Mystery

 

Pages: 279

 

RRP: $29.99AUD

 

Format read: Paperback

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

My review

 

There wasn't as much tension in this book as the previous two novels, Charlotte Pass and Crackenback.

However the story still held my attention as it had a compelling mystery at its centre.

 

I enjoyed following along with the police investigation as it changes from undercover drug surveillance to murder investigation. The mystery was well played out and I had no idea how it would eventually pan out.

 

The Snowy Mountains in New South Wales is an amazing setting; cold, secluded and a bit eerie. Lee Christine transports her readers into the snow, sleet and below zero temperatures. You may want to read this book snuggled up with a heater nearby.

 

Mitch Flowers is given the lead in this case, as Ryder prepares for his move to uniform country cop. Flowers takes over with confidence but he has a little secret of his own going on after dark. Nerida Sterling, another up-and-coming young detective, has an undercover role sniffing out some information on a suspected drug ring in the area. Lee Christine highlights the danger of undercover work and the pressure it places on a persons well-being.  

 

The addition of a long held feud between two families makes for another interesting plot line.

 

Dead Horse Gap was an easy read and highly entertaining. A compelling addition to the series. 

 

My rating 4 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

 

Photo: Goodreads

  In 2009, former corporate trainer Lee Christine decided to turn her writing hobby into a serious job.

 

Lee is the author of six romantic suspense novels. her first crime novel, Charlotte Pass, was published in 2020 and won the award for Favourite Romantic Suspense Novel in the 2020 Australian Romance Readers Awards. Her second crime novel, Crackenback, was published in2021 and Dead Horse Gap in 2022.

 

 

 

    

 

Book Review & Giveaway: A Stone's Throw Away by Karly Lane

 A Stone's Throw Away

by

Karly Lane

Poignant, heart-warming and suspenseful....

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 3rd May 2022

 

Genre: Rural Crime 

 

Pages: 368

 

RRP: $29.99AUD

 

Format read: Paperback

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

My review

 

Investigative Journalist Pip Davenport moves to her uncle's quiet, country property to overcome a case of writers block. She is writing a book on her last assignment which ended in a prominent politician going to prison.

 

When a cold-case in the area is reopened Pip can't help but be pulled into the mystery. The town is tight-lipped and Pip feels there is more to this case than first appears.

 

The introduction of two potential love interests for Pip adds a touch of romance to this tension filled crime novel. I must admit to having a sneaky look forward to see who Pip would connect with. 

Pip is a strong, determined character. She is suffering a severe case of PTSD but when her journalistic instincts kick in she is fearless and doesn't balk at ruffling a few feathers.

 

Karly Lane has delivered a wonderfully immersive novel with visually pleasing descriptions, a highly engaging plot, gripping suspense and compelling twists.

 

A Stone's Throw Away is a story of courage, resilience and a passion for the truth. 

 

My rating  5 / 5   ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

 

 

Click the cover image to read my reviews of Karly's book. 

   

GIVEAWAY:

 

Thanks to the generosity of Allen & Unwin I have one paperback copy to giveaway to one lucky reader. (Australian addresses only)

Entry is via the form below. Entries close at Midnight on Friday 21st may 2022.

 

This giveaway is now closed and the winner was announced HERE

Book Review: Rising Dust by Fleur McDonald

Rising Dust

by

Fleur McDonald 

 

Detective Dave Burrows returns in another breathtaking tale of rural suspense

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

 

Publication date: 29th March 2022

 

Series: Detective Dave Burrows 

Genre: Crime

 

Pages: 376

 

RRP: $29.99 AUD 

 

Format read: Paperback

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

My review

 

I simply devour Fleur McDonald's Dave Burrows books and eagerly await each new novel.

 

Following on from Something to Hide, Dave's marriage to Mel is in tatters and he is battling lawyers to see his two daughters.

 

Dave is sent with, partner and mentor, Detective Bob Holden to investigate a possible case of stolen sheep north of Carnarvon. However when a body is uncovered on the beach, then a large drug haul is found buried nearby, the sheep investigation is temporarily on hold.

 

Rising Dust is another suspense filled story where the action never lets up. McDonald highlights the unpredictability of the weather and how the outback can quickly change from peaceful, restful and healing to wild and dangerous as a flash storm rips through the area causing flooding.

I loved the vivid descriptions of the landscape and how McDonald captures the flora and fauna of the area with discerning accuracy showcasing her knowledge of the outback.

 

I really enjoy the partnership of Bob and Dave. Bob uses his age and experience to mentor Dave and dampens down some of Dave's impulsiveness, showing Dave to use a steady head and calm his quick temper.

Rising Dust is a wonderful blend of police procedural, crime, suspense and character development. 

Fleur McDonald delivers Australian outback crime at it's breath-holding best.

My rating  5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Photo credit: Goodreads

Fleur McDonald has lived and worked on farms for much of her life. After growing up in the small town of Orroroo in South Australia, she went jillarooing, eventually co-owning an 8000 acre property in regional Western Australia.

Fleur likes to write about strong women overcoming adversity, drawing inspiration from her own experiences in rural Australia. She has two children, an energetic kelpie and a Jack Russell terrier.

 

 

 

 

 

Book Review: Game On: Tempting Twenty-Eight by Janet Evanovich

Game On: Tempting Twenty-Eight

by

Janet Evanovich

 

A Stephanie Plum novel

 

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

 

Publication date: 23rd November 2021

 

Series: Stephanie Plum #28

 

Genre: Crime Fiction

Pages: 304

RRP: 32.99AUD

Format read: Paperback

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

My review

Although book 28 in a series, Game On is the first Stephanie Plum novel I have read. Stephanie Plum is a bail bond enforcement agent and the protagonist of 27 previous novels by Janet Evanovich. Even though this book is well into a series it reads fine as a stand alone.

As Stephanie chases up a few people who have skipped bail she comes across one that is proving to be quite elusive and very dangerous. Computer hacker Oswald Wednesday manages to stay one step ahead and is playing a cat and mouse game with Plum.

Evanovich's writing is fast paced making the book a quick read. The story is equal parts laugh-out-loud funny and tension filled drama.

I loved the banter between Stephanie and Diesel, who is also chasing after Oswald Wednesday. Stephanie and Lula also have a great rapport and I enjoyed the way they bounce off each other.

I'm eager to read the previous books to see where Ranger, Stephanie's protector, and Diesel fit into Stephanie's love life. She is currently living with Detective Joe Morelli however is still enamored with Diesel and Ranger.

In between all the action, Stephanie's assistant Lula and Grandma Mazur add plenty of humorous moments and a good dose of spirit.

I am happy to have been introduced to this engaging series and I enjoyed this book so much I raced out and bought five more books in the series.

A vast array of interesting characters and some well placed one liners make Game On an entertaining read.

My rating 5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Photo credit:Goodreads

Janet Evanovich is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Stephanie Plum series, the Lizzy and Diesel series, twelve romance novels, the Alexandra Barnaby novels and Trouble Maker graphic novel, and How I Write: Secrets of a Bestselling Author, as well as the Fox and O'Hare series with co-author Lee Goldberg.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

Book Review & Giveaway: What LaVonda Robinette Did Next by Kirsten Maron

 What LaVonda Robinette Did Next

by

Kirsten Maron

 

Can she still get away with murder?

 

Publisher: Self Published

Publication date: 30th May 2021 

 

Genre: Cosy Crime / Humour

 

Pages: 470

 

RRP: $21.34 AUD (AmazonAU)

 

Format read: Paperback 

 

Source: Courtesy of the author

 

About the book

 

Three years have passed since the events that led LaVonda Robinette to murder. And yes, there are still plenty of people in her life giving her grief, including her ex-husband, her new neighbour, and a rather unwelcome character from her past.

But surely there are better ways, more creative outlets, for LaVonda to manage her frustrations than by committing murder?

Well, perhaps.

When she is faced with an unusual proposal, LaVonda must make one of the most difficult decisions in her life. A decision that has serious consequences and will force her to decide just how far she is willing to go to protect herself and her family.

Can she bring herself to kill someone in cold blood? Does she still have what it takes? Can LaVonda Robinette really go through with committing another murder?

Perhaps she already has.

 

My review:

 

In What LaVonda Robinette Did Next, LaVonda is back with her murderous thoughts in the sequel to What Would LaVonda Robinette Do? 

Kirsten Maron has delivered another outrageously funny story starring the morally skewed LaVonda Robinette. I think this second book is even better than the first book!!

Can LaVonda's family get any more crazy? Oh yes they can!

LaVonda has started her own cleaning business and as she gets to know some of her clients she comes to think there are some people who don't deserve to be on this earth.

LaVonda takes it upon herself to put the wrongs of the world right. A one woman vigilante and fabulous anti-hero.

A chance encounter with a former workmate leaves LaVonda with a moral dilemma and every situation she tries to sort out leaves her further in trouble.

"..there was a reason she hadn't bothered to keep in touch with any of her old workmates; they were all a little boring and annoying. And heaven knows, LaVonda had enough annoying people in her life without cultivating more."

LaVonda is menopausal, cranky and intolerant and can't understand why people have to be so irritating.

Maron has a witty and sharp sense of humour and clever observance of people's foibles and pet hates. I found myself agreeing with LaVonda more than once.

LaVonda's wild imagination and internal monologue had me laughing out loud.

I found myself eagerly reading to find out what LaVonda would do next and I had to force myself not to skip a few pages and read forward as the suspense built.

Kirsten Maron includes a host of diverse characters and I liked that their diversity wasn't the main focus. They are portrayed as any other character, their sexuality or disability does not override the plot.

With What LaVonda Robinette Did Next Kirsten Maron has proven herself in the cosy crime / humour genre. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

Kirsten Maron writes fictional stories and What Would LaVonda Robinette Do? is her second completed book. Don't bother looking for her first book; she decided she hated the ending and scrapped the whole thing.

Kirsten has been creating stories since she first learned to write and at the age of six won her first literary and only award with a cunning retelling of Maurice Sendak's Where The Wild Things Are.

The frustrations of middle-age provided Kirsten with the authorial fuel for writing her second book, but of course, unlike LaVonda, she would never actually murder anyone.

Kirsten lives in rural NSW with her husband and several bossy kangaroos. She is currently working on her third novel; a sequel called What LaVonda Robinette Did Next.

 

Challenges Entered: Australian Women Writers Challenge AWW2021

 

                                   Aussie Author Challenge #Aussieauthor21

 

 

Thanks to the outstanding generosity of the author I have 4 double sets of the books to give away. 

 

GIVEAWAY 

This giveaway is now closed and the winners were announced HERE

Book Review Blog Tour: The Safe Place by L. A. Larkin

 The Safe Place

by

L. A.  Larkin

Publisher: Bookouture

 

Publication date: 9th November 2021

 

Genre: Crime Thriller

 

Pages: 394

 

Price: $1.99AUD (Kindle price @12/11/21) 

 

Format read: eBook

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

About the book

 

Her heart pounds at the sound of footsteps outside her cabin in the woods. The snap of a twig tells her someone is close by. As she treads lightly towards the back door, she says a silent prayer—don’t let him find me…
 

Ever since Jessie Lewis reported her boyfriend, fire chief and local hero, for beating her, she’s been an outcast from the small town of Eagle Falls. And when someone sets fire to a house in the woods, killing the entire Troyer family, the locals turn on her again, taking her very public argument with Paul Troyer as proof that she lit the match.
 

Devastated that anyone could think her capable of murder, Jessie turns to Ruth. New in town, and an ex-FBI agent, Ruth could be the exact person Jessie needs to smoke out the murderer. But can she trust her with her life?
 

Days later, another house linked to Jessie is set ablaze. Combing the ashes for answers, she catches sight of an inscription she hasn’t seen since her childhood—since she lost someone very close to her. Is the killer is coming for her next?
 

As local wildfires take hold of the town and everyone is evacuated, Jessie knows she must put herself in unthinkable danger to catch the killer. And when she does, will she have the strength to take them down first?

 

My review

 

L.A. Larkin has delivered an adrenaline pumping small-town crime thriller fuelled by lies and secrets.

 

After being ostracised by the local community Jessie Lewis moves to a small cabin in the woods outside her home town of Eagle Falls. When a family of four is killed in a fire lit by an arsonist the town turns on Jessie once again.

Ex-FBI agent Ruth Sullivan has moved with her young family to her husband's home town of Eagle Falls. She is struggling with the damaging effects of a bomb blast plus PTSD induced nightmares. Ruth is finding it hard to fit into this tight knit community.

 

Ruth and Jessie, almost a generation apart in age, were alike in many ways. Both were strong determined women trying to escape their past. The two women immediately clicked and when Jessie found herself in trouble she turned to Ruth for help. Jessie is determined to clear her name and uncover a corrupt sheriff, long held secrets, a murderer and an arsonist.

 

Larkin has created a small-town community filled with domineering, manipulative and misogynistic men. The story includes themes of domestic abuse, victim blaming and gaslighting.  

 

The scenes of the house fires were horrifyingly real and as the story progresses the number of likely suspects mounts.

The suspense was rife, I was on the edge of my seat, it took all of my reserve not to read ahead to see what happened next.

 

The Safe Place is fast paced, action packed and suspense filled making it a novel not to be missed. 

 

I really enjoyed Larkin's previous novels Devour and Prey but she has outdone herself with The Safe Place! 

 

My rating 5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

 

L.A. Larkin’s crime-thrillers have won her fans all over the world. Described as a superb ‘chiller thriller’ writer by Marie Claire magazine and praised by Lee Child, Louisa likes to write stories with lots of plot twists and characters that surprise. She feels very privileged to be able to brainstorm her story ideas with friends in the police and the FBI.

 

 

Website: https://lalarkin.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LALarkinAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lalarkinauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/la_larkin_author/ 

 

 

 

 

 

Book Review & Giveaway: Deception Creek by Fleur McDonald

 Deception Creek

by

Fleur McDonald

 

When secrets from the past threaten, loyalties are questioned

 

 Publisher: Allen & Unwin

 

Publication date: 2nd November 2021

 

Series: Detective Dave Burrows 

 

Genre: Rural crime

 

Pages: 376

 

RRP: $ 29.99AU

 

Format read: Paperback

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

About the book

 

Emma Cameron, a recently divorced farmer and a local in Barker, runs Deception Creek, the farm that three generations of her family have owned before her. Every day Emma pushes herself hard on the land, hoping to make ten-year-old memories of a terrible car accident disappear. And now there are more recent nightmares of an ex-husband who refuses to understand how much the farm means to Emma.

When criminal Joel Hammond is released from jail and heads home to Barker, Detective Dave Burrows and his officer Senior Sergeant Jack Higgins are on high alert. Joel has a long and sorry history with many of the townsfolk and they are not keen to see him home to stay.

Not all of the Barker locals want to see Joel run out of town though. Some even harbour doubts about Joel's conviction. The town finds itself split down the middle, families pitted against each other with devastating outcomes.

 

My review

 

I simply can't get enough of Detective Dave Burrows! This series is one I will definitely keep on my shelf to read again.

 

Joel Hammond is back in town after nine years in prison. His parents have passed away and Barker is the only home he knows. Joel wants a quiet  life but the residents of barker have long memories and a penchant for bearing grudges.

 

Emma having recently celebrated her divorce thinks it may be time to start dating again when an old friend, she shared a tragedy with in the past, comes to visit and clearly shows his interest in her and the farm.

 

Deception Creek is another suspense filled rural crime novel. Characters I have come to know and love reappear in this story and I gained a little more insight into their personalities.

 

Zara the investigative journalist and girlfriend of police officer Jack Higgins again has a major roll in this novel as she works along side Dave and Jack.

Fleur McDonald again features PTSD and the importance of counseling. Through Joel, who is still professing his innocence, we see the difficulty to adjust to everyday lofe after being in prison.

Dave Burrows is always cool and calm, keeping his feelers out for any trouble but never taking sides or judging anyone.

The mysteries start to build as an accidental death 29 years ago is questioned.

McDonald includes themes of white collar crime, online blackmail and long held secrets, mixing these with everyday farming techniques to give her books a true Australian flavour.

Fleur McDonald knows how to add mystery into every element of the story leaving her readers eagerly turning the pages.

 

My rating  5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

After growing up on a farm near Orroroo in South Australia, Fleur McDonald’s first job was jillarooing in the outback. She has been involved in agriculture all her life, including helping manage a 8000-acre station for twenty years. Today she and her two children, along with a Jack Russell and her energetic kelpie, Jack, live in Esperance, Western Australia, 

 

Giveaway

 

Thanks to Allen & Unwin I have one paperback copy of Deception Creek to giveaway to one lucky entrant. Australian addresses only.

 

This giveaway is closed - the winner was announced here

 

 

Book Review: Left You Dead by Peter James

Left You Dead

by

Peter James

 

No Body, No Trace, No Crime?

 

Publisher: Pan Macmillan 

 

Publication date: 27th April 2021

 

Series: Roy Grace #17

 

Genre: Crime / Mystery

 

Pages: 496

 

RRP: $32.99AUD

 

Format read: Paperback

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

 

About the book

 

Is this Roy Grace’s most challenging case yet? A mystery that is leaving him totally confounded for the first time in his career.

Most Sundays, Niall and Eden Paternoster like to go for a drive and visit country houses. She likes to look at them, he likes to dream that one day . . .

However, most weeks they also end up bickering about something or other. This particular Sunday he wants to get back to catch the start of the French Grand Prix but she insists they stop somewhere to buy cat litter. Reluctantly, he pulls into the car park of a large supermarket and waits while she dashes in.

He waits. And waits. But Eden doesn't come back out, she’s gone. When he gets home she’s not there either, and none of their friends or family have heard from her.

A few days later Niall is arrested on suspicion of her murder despite vigorously protesting his innocence. But as Roy Grace is called in to investigate the disappearance of Eden Paternoster, it soon transpires that nothing is as it seems . . .

 

My review

 

Left You Dead is my second read in the DS Roy Grace series. I came into this series very late with Find You Dead (book 16). As with my previous read Left You Dead reads well as a stand-alone. A new case is opened and wrapped up by the end of the book. Snippets of backstory keep you updated , or reminded, of previous events.

 

Eden Paternoster goes missing without a trace. When her husband reports her disappearance to the police, Roy Grace is called in to head the investigation. What follows is an, as expected, police procedural as the team question Niall Paternoster and gather information from various sources. However, Peter James has introduced dramatic irony and the reader is savvy to information that the police don't have. This gives quite an interesting twist to the story and makes the mystery even more compelling.

 

As the main plot is the police procedural Grace's colleagues feature heavily and I enjoyed the natural banter and friendly ribbing between the workmates and getting to know more of their personal life.

There is a second plot that explores the deep and emotional theme of organ donation and how vital it is.

 

Left You Dead is another edge of your seat crime mystery with James' signature short, sharp chapters it's an easy, quick read. Many of the chapters ending on a cliff-hanger make the book hard to put down.

 

If you are after a compelling police procedural with a likeable main character you can't go past Left You Dead.  

 

My rating 5 / 5    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Photo credit: Goodreads

Known for his fast-paced and gripping stories that thrust regular people into extraordinary situations, Peter James has proven himself to be one of the world’s most successful writers, delivering number one bestsellers time and time again. His Superintendent Roy Grace books have been translated into 37 languages with worldwide sales of over 21 million copies and 17 number one Sunday Times Bestsellers. His latest Roy Grace novel, Find Them Dead spent 7 weeks at number one in 2020. The first two novels in the Roy Grace series, Dead Simple and Looking Good Dead, have been adapted for television by Endeavour’s Russell Lewis and the first episode aired on 14th March 2021 in the UK.

 

 

Challenges entered: Cloak and Dagger Challenge 

 

 

Book Review: The Secret Path by Karen Swan

The Secret Path

by

Karen Swan

 

Every step leads me back to you

 

Publisher: Pan Macmillan 

Publication date: 27th April 2021

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Pages: 416

RRP: $32.99AUD

Format read: paperback

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

About the book

 

At just twenty years old, Tara Tremain has everything: a trainee doctor, engaged to the man of her dreams—a passionate American biology student called Alex Carter. But just when life seems perfect, Alex betrays her in the worst way possible.

Ten years later, she's moved on, with a successful career, good friends and a man who loves her. But when she's pulled back into her wealthy family's orbit for an unmissable party in the heart of Costa Rica, she finds herself flung into crisis: a child is desperately ill and the only remedy is several days' trek into the heart of the jungle.

There's only one person who can help—but it's the man who shattered her heart a decade before. And how can she trust him, of all people? 

 

My review

 

I love Karen Swan's novels; there is romance, suspense, danger, beautifully described locations and strong intelligent women. The Secret Path is no exception. 

 

We first meet Tara when she is twenty years old, madly in love with Alex, she is ready to throw in her medical degree to live a life of marital bliss. 

I think Karen Swan portrayed the young Tara and her friends skillfully. They were all intelligent young women but there was still a naivety about them. When Tara is betrayed by Alex she is heart broken and puts all her energy into her studies.

Fast forward ten years and Tara is a surgeon in a busy London hospital. Swan hasn't given her readers any clue to what happened during the previous ten years and I had plenty of unanswered questions. This kept me turning the pages as I was invested in what Tara was doing now but I also wanted to desperately know what happened ten years ago.

The story moves to the Costa Rican village of Puerto Viejo when Tara and friends go on a much deserved break. The evocative descriptions of the small village and its surrounds brings it all to life on the page.

Karen Swan introduces the theme of western medicine versus traditional herbal medicines that have been handed down through the generations when a small boy from the village is ill and his mother won't allow Tara to treat him as he is being treated by the local shaman. Also highlighting people's rights over their own treatment or refusal.

In a last bid to help the boy Tara agrees to trek through the jungle to find a rare plant that is believed to have healing powers. 

 

Through Tara's family's legacy project and move to eco tourism Swan explains the need to protect the wildlife habitats as well as the indigenous cultures, promote reforestation and reduce carbon emissions or we will lose these beautiful forests forever.

Whilst reading The Secret Path I went through a roller coaster ride of emotions. The danger was palpable and the suspense rose and fell time and time again which had me glued to the pages.

The Secret Path is a story about love, betrayal and forgiveness. It is filled with enthralling imagery and breath-holding suspense.

5 / 5   ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Photo credit: Goodreads

 Karen Swan is the Sunday Times top three bestselling author of twenty books and her novels sell all over the world. She writes tow books each year - one for the summer period and one for the Christmas Season. 

her books are known for their evocative locations and Karen sees travel as vital research for each story. She loves to set deep, complicated love stories within twisting plots, sometimes telling two stories in the same book.

Previously a fashion editor, she lives in Sussex with her husband, three children and two dogs.

 

 

 

Book Review: Something to Hide by Fleur McDonald

 

 Something to Hide

by

Fleur McDonald

A riveting new novel of rural suspense from the bestselling Voice of the Outback.

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin 

Publication date: 30th March 2021

Series: Det Dave Burrows

Genre: Rural Crime / Suspense

Pages: 336

RRP: $29.99AUD

Format read: Paperback

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

About the book

 

With the sickening realisation that his cover has been blown, Detective Dave Burrows knows his family is in serious danger from the vicious stock thieves and murderers, Bulldust and his brother Scotty.

Devastating news brings Dave back to Barrabine, where circumstances force him to question his determination to stay in the police force. How could he live with himself if anything happened to Mel and the kids?

Mel, understandably frightened, must decide who she'll listen to. Can she trust Dave to handle this threat hanging over their family, or is her father right to argue that she should leave her marriage immediately?

 

My review

 

I've been hanging out for this book since I finished Red Dirt Country and I wasn't disappointed.

 

Anyone that reads Fleur McDonald's books will know that Dave and Mel's marriage doesn't last so I don't think it's a spoiler to say this is the book that sees it all come undone. And, wow, Fleur McDonald does this in a spectacular way!

 

Mel is still struggling with looking after two small children whilst Dave is away on long assignments and delivers an ultimatum before he leaves on his latest job. It's his job or his family. I've been firmly on team Dave during the last few books thinking Mel was being unreasonable, but this story completely flipped me on Mel's side. We see the struggle of the wives of police officers bringing up family and living with the constant stress that they may leave for work and never return.

 

Bulldust and Scotty return in this novel and they are as ruthless and underhanded as ever, giving for some tense and heart-stopping moments.

 

Dave does investigate another case during this novel but I think his hunt for Bulldust trumps the case he is on and this plot-line had me turning pages in unfettered horror.

 

Something to Hide can be read as a standalone as there is enough backstory to know why Bulldust is a threat to Dave but I would recommend, at least, reading Without a Doubt first. 

 

 If you are looking for gripping rural crime reads Fleur McDonald never disappoints.

 

 5 / 5    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

 

Fleur McDonald has lived and worked on farms for much of her life. After growing up in small town of Orroroo in South Australia, she went jillarooing, eventually co-owning an 8000 acre property in regional Western Australia.

Fleur likes to write about strong women overcoming adversity, drawing inspiration from her own experiences in rural Australia. She has two children, an energetic kelpie and a Jack Russell terrier.

 

 

 

Challenges entered:  Australian Women Writers Challenge #AWW2021

                                 Aussie Author Challenge #AussieAuthor21

                                 Cloak and Dagger Challenge