Originally published in the Canberra Weekly on 7 September 2023.
Make sure to check out my extended reviews for The Pit, The Hidden Book and Ordinary Gods and Monsters.
Tag: Australian Fiction
Quick Reviews – Cold People, Code Red and Ordinary Gods and Monsters
In recent weeks, I have been trying to get out reviews of several books I read last year but never got the chance to write anything about. I am hoping to partially rectify that now by publishing quick reviews of three great novels from 2023 I had a fun time reading.
Cold People by Tom Rob Smith
Publisher: Simon & Schuster (Trade Paperback – 1 February 2023)
Series: Standalone
Length: 452 pages
My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
The first book I want to quickly review in this post is Cold People by established author Tom Rob Smith. Cold People was an intriguing science fiction read that presented a very unique scenario to the reader.
Plot Synopsis:
The world has fallen. Without warning, a mysterious and omnipotent force has claimed the planet for their own. There are no negotiations, no demands, no reasons given for their actions. All they have is a message: humanity has thirty days to reach the one place on Earth where they will be allowed to exist… Antarctica.
Cold People follows the journeys of a handful of those who endure the frantic exodus to the most extreme environment on the planet. But their goal is not merely to survive the present. Because as they cling to life on the ice, the remnants of their past swept away, they must also confront the urgent challenge: can they change and evolve rapidly enough to ensure humanity’s future? Can they build a new society in the sub-zero cold?
This was a pretty cool (ha ha) story, although I must admit it went in some directions that I really wasn’t expecting. Based on the synopsis, I was expecting Cold People to primarily show the harrowing journey that many different people would take to get to the safety of Antarctica, which would have made for a great story on its own. Instead, only the first section of the book really showcased this journey, which was honestly a rushed introduction to the whole plot. The rest of the book skips ahead many years and dives into showcasing the ongoing struggles that humanity faces whilst trapped in Antarctica. This part of the book then becomes a cautionary tale about genetic modification as various geneticists work to make humans more adaptable to living in the ice, only to unleash something far more dangerous than the alien threat above.
I honestly had some issues with how Cold People is structured. I felt that this book might have been better if the author had either focused fully on the journey to Antarctica or set it completely in the isolated future and explored the journey in flashbacks for several characters. The focus on genetically enhanced humans was also an interesting choice, and while it was primarily to explore how humans are capable of surviving anything, it felt very unrealistic in places and got way out of hand. It was also odd that you really don’t get to find out anything about the mysterious aliens who caused the human exodus, and you are instead left wondering about who or what they were.
Still, there were some great elements to this book. The genetic antagonists are pretty scary, and Smith does a good job diving into the psychology behind them. I also really loved the author’s intriguing insights into the hostility of Antarctica as a continent and how hard it would be to live on it. The clever way Smith built up the background setting to showcase several ingenious ways that humans could potentially adapt and survive in such a scenario was quite fascinating, and it proved to be a great part of the book. As such, Cold People is an interesting novel to check out, and many readers will appreciate Smith’s ideas about humanity and its strong desire to survive.
Code Red by Kyle Mills (Based on the series by Vince Flynn)
Publisher: Simon & Schuster (ebook – 4 October 2023)
Series: Mitch Rapp – Book 22
Length: 352 pages
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
The next book I want to highlight here is Code Red by Kyle Mills, which served as the 22nd entry in the long-running Mitch Rapp series that was originally written by the late Vince Flynn. Following a hyperviolent veteran American spy as he goes up against a range of deadly threats in unusual thriller situations, the Mitch Rapp books are a key part of my yearly reading schedule, and I have really enjoyed several of the latest entries, including Red War, Lethal Agent, Total Power, Enemy at the Gates and Oath of Loyalty.
Plot Synopsis:
Mitch Rapp returns to make a mortal enemy of Russia in this high-octane and up-to-the-minute installment in the #1 New York Times bestselling series from “one of the best thriller writers on the planet” (The Real Book Spy).
Mitch Rapp hates owing anyone a favor—especially when it’s the world’s most powerful crime lord. But when Damian Losa calls, Mitch is honor-bound to answer.
The Syrian government appears to have created a highly addictive new narcotic that it plans to distribute throughout Europe. It’s a major threat to Losa’s business and he’s determined to send someone to keep him on top by any means necessary. Rapp is the perfect choice for the mission. Not only does he have extensive experience operating in the Middle East, but he’s also entirely expendable. As he crosses into war-torn Syria, Rapp quickly discovers a shocking truth. The new drug isn’t being produced by Damascus to prop up the government’s collapsing finances. Instead, it was created by Russia’s asymmetrical warfare unit, not for profit but as a weapon against the West.
With far more than Damian Losa’s interests at stake, Rapp devises a desperate plan that forces him and his team onto a battlefield where the United States is virtually powerless and allegiances shift almost hourly. Further, if Russia uncovers their plot, it will set off a confrontation between the two countries that could change the course of human history.
This was another exciting entry in the Mitch Rapp books, although I must admit this book wasn’t my absolute favourite novel in the series. Don’t get me wrong, Mills came up with a very compelling story that thrust the protagonist into some dangerous situations as he attempts to repay his debt to the entertaining crime lord Damian Losa. However, in some ways Code Red is a little by the numbers, especially as we have just come off several impressive reads where Rapp was in some very ridiculous or deadly situations, such as a massive power-outage impacting all of America, or the last two books where Rapp found himself at war with a corrupt US President. An infiltration mission into Syria seems a little tame in comparison, so this might have coloured my appreciation for Code Red a little.
Despite this minor complaint, Code Red was a great action-packed read that showcased Mitch Rapp doing what he does best, infiltrating the Middle East and frustrating Russian plans. There are loads of firefights and intense action scenes scattered throughout this book, and I thought the underlying Russian plot to destroy economies and weaken Western society through an addictive drug was very intriguing, especially as it also featured some dark scenes of exploitation and utilisation. Easily read as a standalone novel or as an entry into the wider Mitch Rapp series, Code Red was a fantastic novel that I managed to get through quickly, and it is well worth checking out.
Ordinary Gods and Monsters by Chris Womersley
Publisher: Picador (Trade Paperback – 29 August 2023)
Series: Standalone
Length: 300 pages
My Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars
The final book I want to feature in this post was the excellent Australian novel, Ordinary Gods and Monsters by Chris Womersley.
Plot Synopsis:
It could have been any summer’s evening, but of course it wasn’t.
It was the end of some things, the beginning of so many others.
Nick Wheatley has finished high school, but he isn’t ready for the rest of his life. His parents are getting divorced, his sister is downright weird and his best friend and neighbour, Marion, seems to have acquired a boyfriend.
One hot night, Marion’s father is killed in a hit-and-run. There are no suspects and no leads. But a sly tip from the local psychic sends Nick and Marion into the undertow of a strange and sinister world they hadn’t known existed in the suburbs – one of inscrutable gangsters, speed-dealing bikies and unpredictable, one-eyed conspiracy theorists.
It’s a world they’ll be lucky to survive.
Ordinary Gods and Monsters was a pretty awesome book from Womersley that proved to be one part crime fiction novel, one part Australian coming-of-age story. Following Nick Wheatley, a young teenager in 1980s suburban Melbourne, as he simultaneously deals with life, complex family issues, and his uncertain relationship with his best friend and neighbour Marion. Life becomes even more complicated when he is forced come to terms with the death of Marion’s father. Thanks to a tip from a drug-dealing psychic, Nick finds himself identifying a series of clues that suggest that Marion’s father was murdered, and he takes it upon himself to investigate.
The resulting story is an interesting mixture of elements that will appeal to a range of different readers. Womersley does an excellent job of portraying the life and difficulties of a teenage protagonist, and I loved the protagonist’s very relatable take on the various events, both mundane and unusual, going on around him. This dramatic, 80’s focused, character-driven storyline blends extremely well with the more crime fiction elements of the book, as the protagonist finds himself becoming more and more involved with searching for the person responsible for Marion’s father’s death. His unlikely investigation adds some exciting spice to an already engrossing coming of age tale, and you get drawn into his attempt to find answers.
The result of this plot is very interesting, especially as the reveal about who is behind everything is well handled and compelling. Womersley also adds in a very compelling final sequence, where Nick and Marion find themselves confronting the perpetrators in a dangerous scenario. The conclusion of this confrontation will leave readers wondering about what truly happened, and which I felt was a great end to this book. An overall excellent piece of Australian fiction that I had a great time reading.
Top Ten Tuesday – My Favourite Australian Books of 2023
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme that currently resides at The Artsy Reader Girl and features bloggers sharing lists on various book topics. For this week’s Top Ten Tuesday, participants were supposed to list the top books they meant to read in 2023 but didn’t get a chance to, however, I am going to an alternate list today. The reason for this, and the reason I delayed putting this list up by a day, is because Friday, 26 January, is Australia’s national holiday, Australia Day. While Australia Day is getting a lot more controversial due to its historic implications, I like to look beyond that and focus on some of the amazing and varied talents our nation produces. As such, I thought I would take this opportunity to once again highlight some of the top pieces of fiction written by Australian authors that I read in 2023.
Each year, a ton of talented Australian authors produce an impressive and exciting range of fiction from across the genres, many of which I am lucky enough to get copies of from my local publishers. Due to this, I tend to read and review a lot of novels by Australian authors, most of which turn out to be some outstanding reads that I deeply enjoy. As such, for the last few years I have taken to highlighting my favourite pieces of Australian fiction (check out my 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 lists). I really love how much awesome Australian fiction there is each year, and this list is the perfect way to highlight some of the best Australian authors.
Now I tend to take a bit of a different approach to Australian fiction than some other bloggers, as I highlight all books written by Australian authors rather than novels purely set in Australia or featuring Australian characters. To qualify for this list, a novel had to be released in 2023 and be written by an Australian author, which I am defining as anyone born in Australia or who currently lives here (Australia is very good at adopting talented people as our own). This resulted in a long list, including several novels that I considered to be some of the best reads of last year. I was eventually able to whittle this novel down to the absolute cream of the crop and came up with a fantastic top ten list (with my typical generous honourable mentions). I really enjoyed how this list turned out, especially as it features novels from a range of different genres, all of which were very awesome Australian books.
Honourable Mentions:
He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan
An interesting historical fiction/fantasy hybrid from a rising Australian author, Shelley Parker-Chan. He Who Drown the World was the exciting sequel to the author’s debut, She Who Became the Sun, and it featured a unique and memorable adventure.
An impressive debut from an outstanding Australian talent, that saw a damaged cop investigate the murder of a prominent judge.
The Paris Agent by Kelly Rimmer
A gripping World War II historical drama from one of Australia’s top authors of the genre, Kelly Rimmer, who previously wowed me with The Warsaw Orphan and The German Wife. The Paris Agent had an outstanding plot that followed doomed female spies dropped into occupied France.
How to Kill a Client by Joanna Jenkins
How to Kill a Client was an amazing and dark legal thriller that followed members of a prominent legal firm who become suspects in a clients death. One of the most entertaining debuts of 2023.
Top Ten List:
The Will of the Many by James Islington
The first book I must highlight is the outstanding and epic fantasy novel, The Will of the Many by James Islington. The Will of the Many was an amazing book that topped all my best-of lists last year, including my favourite books and audiobooks of 2023 lists. Set in a great new fantasy world, The Will of the Many follows an exile who infiltrates an elite academy to uncover deadly secrets and find out ways to fight against the nation who stole his home. An exceptionally addictive read, The Will of the Many is so damn good, and I was extremely impressed by my first book by Islington.
Everyone on this Train is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson
The always hilarious Benjamin Stevenson followed up his outstanding 2022 novel, Everyone in my Family has Killed Someone, with this fantastic and brilliant murder mystery. Set on the legendary Australian train, the Ghan, Everyone on this Train is a Suspect is an intriguing and comedic take on the murder mystery genre, as the main suspects to the murder are all crime fiction authors. Funny, smart and featuring homages to various crime fiction sub-genres and classic novels, Everyone on this Train is a Suspect was extremely awesome and I loved getting through it.
Mr Einstein’s Secretary by Matthew Reilly
One of Australia’s most recognisable authors, Matthew Reilly, had an amazing year in 2023 with Mr Einstein’s Secretary. Following a fantastic protagonist through some of the most important historical events of the first half of the 20th century, Mr Einstein’s Secretary was a powerful, character-driven story, loaded with action, espionage, and captivating historical detail. An extremely impressive novel that I managed to knock off in a very, very short amount of time.
Shelley Burr produced an awesome sequel to her debut novel, Wake, with the outstanding read Ripper. Set in a town made infamous for a deadly serial killer years ago, Ripper follows a new investigation when a body is found in the same spot as one of the original victims. A twisty and captivating novel that has some great connections to Burr’s previous book.
Killer Traitor Spy by Tim Ayliffe
Tim Ayliffe brings back his rugged journalist protagonist for another dark Australian thriller in Killer Traitor Spy. This time examining the impacts of foreign influence and espionage, Killer Traitor Spy was a brilliant read that makes great use of real-life concerns to contemporary Australia.
After wowing me in 2022 with her impressive debut, the young adult fantasy novel Only a Monster, Australian author Vanessa Len produced an excellent sequel last year with Never a Hero. An intense novel that cleverly makes use of the alternate timeline established at the end of the first book, Never a Hero was an exceptional sequel from a very talented author.
Kill Your Husbands by Jack Heath
One of my absolute favourite Australian authors, Jack Heath, had another incredible year in 2023 with the amazing book Kill Your Husbands. An intriguing novel that sees three couples in an isolated cabin all become murder suspects after an attempt at partner-swapping goes terribly wrong. I love the unique and drama inducing plot of Kill Your Husbands, especially as it also served as a sequel to one of Heath’s previous novels, Kill Your Brother. This was such a great read, and I really enjoyed the complex mystery Heath came up with.
Sarah Barrie continued her dark and deadly Lexi Winter series in a big way last year with the exceptional novel Vendetta. Following on from her previous books, Unforgiven and Retribution, Vendetta sees Barrie’s maverick protagonist infiltrate a deadly bikie gang she has history with, all while a vengeful killer seeks to blow everyone up. This was one of Barrie’s best books yet, and I had an outstanding time getting through Vendetta.
Candice Fox continued to dominate the crime fiction market with the impressive 2023 thriller, Fire with Fire. Following several different protagonists as they try to save vital evidence being held hostage by two desperate parents, Fire with Fire had an amazing story and I loved how it turned out. Another amazing book from Fox, who has several fantastic novels coming out in 2024.
The final book on this list is the impressive 2023 novel from one of Australia’s fastest rising crime fiction authors, Megan Goldin. Her latest book, Dark Corners, serves as a sequel to her previous novel The Night Swim, and sees the author’s podcasting protagonist join the hunt for a deadly killer stalking an influencer convention. Featuring both an intense mystery and an entertaining look at the current obsession with influencers and social media, Dark Corners was another great book from Goldin that comes highly recommended.
Well, that is the end of this latest list and I am really happy that I got a chance to highlight some of the best Australian releases of 2023. The above books represent an outstanding collection of fiction from talented Australian authors, and each of them comes highly recommended by me. I had a lot of fun coming up with this list and I cannot wait to find out what the best Australian books of 2024 are going to be. Until then, stay tuned for more epic reviews and lists, and make sure you let me know who your favourite Australian authors are in the comments below.
Canberra Weekly Column – Australian Fiction – 31 August 2023
Originally published in the Canberra Weekly on 31 August 2023.
Make sure to check out my extended reviews for Ripper, Never a Hero and Dark Corners.
Ripper by Shelley Burr
Publisher: Hachette Australian (Trade Paperback – 30 August 2023)
Series: PI Lane Holland – Book Two
Length: 344 pages
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Impressive rising Australian crime fiction star Shelley Burr follows up her amazing debut with the complex and addictive rural murder mystery, Ripper.
In 2022 I had the very great pleasure of reading Shelley Burr’s debut novel, Wake. An awesome book that followed two compelling protagonists as they investigated an infamous missing persons case in a small Australian town, Wake really had me hooked from the get go. Wake ended up being one of my favourite debuts and favourite pieces of Australian fiction in 2022, and I have been eager to see how Burr would follow that up for a while. Burr did not disappoint, as she recently released an intriguing sequel, Ripper (also released as Murder Town).
Seventeen years ago, the small town of Rainier was rocked by a series of brutal killings that saw three people murdered and the infamous killer captured in a heroic effort by the police. Thanks to these tragic events, Rainier is now known as an infamous murder town, with people far more interested in checking out the site of the Rainier Ripper’s trial of destruction rather than the town’s quaint charm and bush location.
Now, after years of neglect and changing economic times, Rainier is starting to financially fail. The town’s only hope might be a dark tourism company that is eager to exploit Rainier’s infamous name. However, when the tour operator is brutally killed in the same location as one of the Ripper’s victims, it opens old wounds and forces the locals, long traumatised by the events of that massacre, to uncover long buried secrets.
Gemma Guillory knows everything about the Rainier Ripper, especially as her teashop was the location of the original Ripper’s final killing. When the new murder occurs, Gemma is brought back to her painful past and is determined to discover whether this new crime was done by a copycat or if the real Rainier Ripper escaped justice years before. Receiving unlikely help from incarcerated investigator Lane Holland, Gemma begins to chip away at years of secrets and lies she didn’t even know surrounded her. But is Gemma truly ready for the truth, especially as a dangerous killer is still hiding in town, waiting to kill again?
I really enjoyed Ripper and felt that it was a fantastic follow-up to Burr’s first novel. I deeply appreciated the complex, moving and character driven murder mystery storyline at Ripper’s centre, especially as it forced its complex protagonist to simultaneously look at events in the past and current concerns.
The book starts off very strong, with a flashback to the original killings, followed by a good recap of the events that made Rainier infamous, and some excellent set up around the current day town, including the proposal to start a dark tourism company and some of the personal problems impacting the key locals. Naturally, things get dark quickly, as a new body is found in the same location of one of the Rainier Ripper’s victims, and the population of Rainier, especially primary protagonist Gemma Guillory, is dragged back into their complex history. The following story is very powerful, as the protagonist begins to dive back into her towns past to try and find the killer, which also forces her to look at those closest to her in a new light. At the same time, the returning protagonist from Wake, imprisoned investigator Lane Holland, is tasked by his prison warden to interrogate the Rainier Ripper to determine if he has any additional information about the case.
Burr moves Ripper’s intriguing plot along at a quick pace, and I liked how complex and intricate the mystery soon became. Solving the crime involves a great mixture of current intuitions about the key characters, memories of the past, and interrogations by Holland in prison. The mystery branches off into some interesting places, and the protagonists need to do some emotionally charged digging to find out what really happened. The resulting solutions to the mystery are very clever, and Burr did a wonderful job laying down subtle but effective clues throughout the main body of the book. I really enjoyed how there wasn’t just one solution, but multiple secrets and reveals that had to come to light for the full truth to be revealed, and there was an outstanding domino effect of revelations and twists. I cannot emphasise enough just how impressive this full range of reveals was, and Burr did a great job weaving together the solutions into one moving and complex narrative.
I think Burr hit the right blend of mystery, excitement and character storylines in Ripper, and the author ensured that everything moved along at an exciting and enjoyable clip. I really enjoyed how much of the story relied on diving into the complex lives of the key Rainier residences, and the author balanced some interesting character storylines in both the present day and in the past. This was especially true of main character Gemma Guillory, and her return to the past, coupled with revelations around the lies of her loved ones, added some powerful emotion to the story. If I had one complaint, it would probably be that Burr worked a little too hard to insert Lane Holland into the plot. While I do appreciate that Burr is trying to set up an ongoing series with Lane Holland as the connecting character, the plot of Ripper might have been a bit sleeker without him. Still, it was fun getting a sequel to Wake and I’m very keen to see what exciting mysteries Burr cooks up in the future.
Ripper by Shelley Burr was another outstanding and compelling read from a talented, rising Australian author. This second rural Australian murder mystery from Burr was extremely compelling and featured an intense narrative, loaded with great twists and complicated characters. I had a brilliant time getting through Ripper and it was one of the top pieces of Australian crime fiction I read last year.
Quick Review – The Hidden Book by Kirsty Manning
Publisher: Allen & Unwin (Trade Paperback – 29 August 2023)
Series: Standalone
Length: 312 pages
My Rating: 3.75 out of 5
Australian author Kirsty Manning presents an emotionally charged and compelling historical drama that follows a beleaguered group of protagonists during and after the horrors of World War II with The Hidden Book.
Plot Synopsis:
Europe, 1940
Imprisoned in the Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria, Spanish fighter and photographer Mateo Baca is ordered to process images of the camp and inmates for a handful of photo books being made for presentation to top Nazi figures. Just five books in total, or so the officials think …
Mateo manages to make a secret sixth book and, with the help of a local woman, Lena Lang, it remains hidden until the end of the war.
Australia, present
When thirteen-year-old Hannah Campbell’s Yugoslavian grandfather, Nico Antonov, arrives in Australia to visit his family, one of the gifts he brings with him is an intriguing-looking parcel wrapped in calico cloth which Roza, Hannah’s mother, quickly hides.
Later, Hannah sneaks off in search for the mysterious package. She is horrified to find in it a photo book full of ghastly historical photographs of a terrible place full of people suffering.
At first Hannah has little context for what she sees, but over the years as she experiences love, grief and trauma, she understands what these photos came to mean, for herself, her freedom and for those who risked their lives to ‘bear witness’ to history.
A startling story of clandestine courage and treachery in World War Two, and how we must meet and overcome our pasts to move into our futures.
This was a great piece of historical fiction from Manning, who has written several other intriguing novels in this genre over the years. The plot of The Hidden Book is interesting as it combines a harrowing story of people caught up in the Holocaust with a complex narrative of a young person trying to understand the horrors they came from. Half the novel follows several characters either imprisoned at the Mauthausen concentration camp, or living in the surrounding area, as they work together to record and smuggle out pictures of the atrocities being perpetrated against them. The second storyline follows Hannah, the grandchild of one of the characters from the first storyline, who grows up in Australia, constantly wondering about the secrets of her grandfather’s book of pictures, and who finds her life defined by it.
Both of these storylines are interesting in their own way, and I think that Manning did a pretty good job of bringing them together into a fantastic overall story. The half of the book, set in Mauthausen, is suitably dark and nerve-wracking, as you are constantly bombarded by the fear and determination of the characters imprisoned there in one shape or another. This part of the book is an interesting retelling of real historical events surrounding Mauthausen, and Manning brings together a great group of characters here, including a sadistic camp commandant and a family of anti-Nazi locals who are afraid the Nazis will find out about their mentally impaired daughter. This compelling and dark storyline serves as an excellent basis for much of The Hidden Book’s plot, and it leads into the second plot line extremely well.
This secondary plotline involves the character of Hannah Campbell finding her grandfather’s photo album covering the atrocities at Mauthausen and spending the rest of her life trying to make sense of them. While I am not the biggest fan of historical dramas that rely on descendants finding old material from their ancestors (it is a bit of an overused story device), Manning presented some interesting storylines around it. In particular, she uses it as a key part of Hannah’s coming-of-age storyline, as she experiences the highs and lows of life from childhood to parenthood. Manning tells a great story of growing up in Australia, including country living and city life, and while parts of this storyline is are very frustrating, and it serves as an interesting counterbalance to the Holocaust tale while also providing insights into how the younger generations view the Holocaust and how knowing your history and change your present.
I enjoyed how well these two separate and distinctive storylines come together throughout the course of The Hidden Book. The intensity, conflict and drive for survival in the historical part of the novel is well offset by a different layer of emotion in Hannah’s life story, and I liked the constant looks back to the past. This proved to be a fast-paced and easy to read novel, and I liked the blend of characters, historical elements and two very different background settings that emerged. Despite all that, I didn’t get amazingly emotionally invested in the plot, and I think parts of Hannah’s storyline slowed down the pacing at times. Overall, I thought that The Hidden Book by Kirsty Manning was an intense and compelling read that I had good time with. An excellent read for fans of historical drama, especially those that combine dark pasts and hopeful futures into powerful character driven narratives.
Everyone on this Train is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson
Publisher: Michael Joseph (Trade Paperback – 17 October 2023)
Series: Ernest Cunningham – Book Two
Length: 318 pages
My Rating: 4.75 out 5 stars
Impressive Australian author Benjamin Stevenson returns with another hilarious and outstanding murder mystery that once again acts as a clever homage to the classics with Everyone on this Train is a Suspect.
Over the last few years, one of the most consistently enjoyable authors of Australian crime fiction has been the remarkably talented Benjamin Stevenson. Best known prior to his writing career for his comedic work with his brother James, Stevenson adapted well to crime fiction and made his first impression with his debut novel, Greenlight. Also released as Trust Me When I Lie and She Lies in the Vines, Greenlight was an outstanding read, and Stevenson quickly followed it up with the cool sequel Either Side of Minute. While both of these books had great murder mystery plots with some unique twists to them, I think Stevenson didn’t truly display his writing ability until his next novel; Everyone in my Family has Killed Someone.
Everyone in my Family has Killed Someone was an exceptional 2022 novel that saw a fictional murder mystery expert try to solve a classic locked room murder that was likely committed by a member of his notorious family, each of whom has killed someone in the past. Everyone in my Family has Killed Someone was so damn good as not only did it feature a clever case but Stevenson excelled at producing a very funny novel in his unique style that parodied the classics of the genre. Due to its entertaining and meta storytelling, Everyone in My Family has Killed Someone was such a joy to read and it ended up being one my favourite pieces of Australian fiction in 2022. As such, I have been eager to see what Stevenson would produce next, and while I was initially a little surprised to see that he would be writing a sequel to Everyone in my Family has Killed Someone, it was something that really excited me. This sequel, Everyone on this Train is a Suspect, was one of my most anticipated releases for 2023, and I had another outstanding time getting through it.
Plot Synopsis:
6 WRITERS. 5 DETECTIVES. 4 DAYS. 3 WEAPONS. 2 MURDERS. 1 TRAIN…
When the Australian Mystery Writers’ Society invited me to their crime-writing festival aboard the Ghan, the famous train between Darwin and Adelaide, I was hoping for some inspiration for my second book. Fiction, this time: I needed a break from real people killing each other. Obviously, that didn’t pan out.
The program is a who’s who of crime-writing royalty:
the debut writer (me!)
the forensic science writer
the blockbuster writer
the legal thriller writer
the literary writer
the psychological suspense writer.
But when one of us is murdered, six authors quickly turn into five detectives. Together, we should know how to solve a crime.
Or commit one.
How can you find a killer when all the suspects know how to get away with murder?
Stevenson once again presents an outstanding and wildly entertaining Australian crime fiction novel that proves impossible to put down. Thanks to his impressive story and wonderfully distinctive style for this series, Everyone on this Train is a Suspect was a particularly funny novel that takes some fun shots at classic murder mysteries, modern crime fiction and the publishing world at large.
I absolutely loved the story Stevenson came up with for Everyone on this Train is a Suspect, which essentially traps his returning protagonist, Ernest Cunningham, on the Australian version of the Orient Express with a group of other famous crime fiction authors. Ernest, who has achieved a certain amount of literary fame writing a true-crime book about the familial murder he solved, is the somewhat ostracised newcomer to the group and is currently suffering from writer’s block. Hoping to gain inspiration from meeting some of his fellow authors, most of whom are homages to famous crime fiction authors (Ian Rankin and Patricia Cornwell, for example), Ernest instead finds himself caught up in another deadly murder, this time involving suspicious writers, greedy publishers, scheming agents, angry mega-fans and other fun figures from the literary world. The resulting plot is extremely fun, as an obsessed Ernest attempts to solve the crime, only to encounter additional murders, opposition from his fellow writers, unique interactions, and all manner of ridicule.
This entire story is really well written, as it features all the elements that made Everyone in my Family has Killed Someone great, including a clever mystery, outrageous characters and an irrepressible sense of humour. Just as with Everyone in my Family has Killed Someone, Everyone on this Train is a Suspect is told in the form of a true-crime book written by the protagonist as he recounts the events that unfolded aboard the train. I really enjoyed this fun and clever way of writing the story, especially as the character of Ernest has such an amusing and satirical outlook on life and murder mysteries. The author also believes in challenging the classic ways of writing crime fiction and providing clues to the reader, and as such the book is loaded with a ton of hints from the protagonist about who the killer is and the events to come. For example, he indicates how many times he is going to mention the killer’s name early on and then keeps a running countdown going throughout the book to narrow down the suspect pool. In addition, several characters’ fates, actions and other clues are mentioned well in advance, just to heighten anticipation. While you would imagine that this would spoil much of the plot, I felt it honestly enhanced it, as you eagerly wait to see how these events occur or try to keep track of who is being talked about and in what context. Stevenson also does not always play it fair with these hints, with a few flagrant mistruths sprinkled through by the protagonist to mislead the reader, although this is all done in good fun.
As such, by the time you get to the second half of Everyone on this Train is a Suspect, you are really invested in the overall mystery that Stevenson has cooked up. All the various clues, hints and other interesting story details have been cleverly built up and you are eager to see how everything unfolds. There are a few hilarious set pieces loaded here, including an unnecessary chase sequence, a failed denouement gathering, and some major misunderstandings, all of which add to the chaotic nature of the plot. This exciting and funny story also makes great use of its iconic background setting of the Ghan, one of Australia’s most famous trains, and Stevenson works in some fantastic personal drama for the protagonist who finds that crime solving and romance do not mix. The eventual solution to the mystery is just great, as it blends multiple motivations, character histories and various subtle clues in an outstanding way. Even all the overt clues that the protagonist had been directly feeding the reader come into play, although not always in the way you would expect it to. This leads to an intense and memorable conclusion, which I thought wrapped things up nicely, especially with that fun twist designed to surprise readers familiar with first-person stories.
As with Everyone in my Family has Killed Someone, this second novel serves as a great homage and parody of classic murder mystery tropes, as the protagonist once again finds himself in a locked-room scenario. The parallels between this story and Murder on the Orient Express are purposely obvious, and I loved seeing the very self-aware protagonist revel in them as the plot continues. Stevenson also modernises his references by including homages to more modern mystery and crime fiction sub-genres. The legal thriller, forensic science, modern detective and psychological suspense genres are all featured here in some ways, as fictional authors of these genres are present as supporting characters, and all their specialties are considered when it comes to solving the crime. Stevenson works these into the plot perfectly, and it was a great deal of fun to see each of these elements discussed, satirised, and then utilised to a degree. As such, this proves to be quite a fun book for all manner of crime fiction fans, and the fun references, jokes and hints will greatly appeal to the wider murder mystery audience.
Another awesome aspect of Everyone on this Train is a Suspect that I liked was the exploration of the literary world. Due to the events of the first book, the protagonist finds himself as a published author, with all the baggage that brings with it. As such, this sequel is filled with a ton of fun discussions and jokes about being a writer, with Stevenson no doubt utilising his own personal experiences to give it a splash of realism. Most of these inclusions are done to provide another comedic edge to the story, especially as Ernest has been thrown into the deep end with a group of experienced writers who have no respect for him. The scenes where they discuss their works while also putting down his less successful book are so damn funny, although I could not help but feel a little self-conscious with some of the comments (I know I use too many adverbs). Stevenson also really dives into the dark side of writing and publishing, with sketchy agents, dodgy backroom deals, story thefts, and personal compromises all being featured quite heavily in the plot. These elements make for some great potential motives, but you have to appreciate the heavy level of cynicism that Stevenson is throwing into the mix. I deeply enjoyed the way that Stevenson explored the minefield of life as a murder mystery writer, as well as other connected literary issues, and it ensured that the protagonist’s storyline about being a new author was simultaneously funny and intriguing.
Benjamin Stevenson continues to impress as one of my favourite authors of crazy Australian crime fiction. His amazing latest novel, Everyone on this Train is a Suspect, is so damn good, as it combines a clever mystery with Stevenson’s unique style that satirises the entire crime fiction genre. Loaded with some brilliant homages to all manner of murder mystery, and mixing an intense murder plot with jokes, outrageous characters, and fantastic way to tell the story, Everyone on this Train is a Suspect was a blast of epic fun from start to finish. A worthy and incredible sequel to Everyone in my Family has Killed Someone, Everyone on this Train is a Suspect is funny, brilliant and occasionally dark, and you are guaranteed to love every second of it.
Kill Your Husbands by Jack Heath
Publisher: Allen & Unwin Australia (Trade Paperback – 28 November 2023)
Series: Kill Your Brother – Book Two
Length: 384 pages
My Rating: 4.75 out of 5 stars
One of my favourite Australian authors, the scarily good Jack Heath, returns with another twisted and brilliant thriller, Kill Your Husbands.
Easily one of the best Australian thriller authors at the moment has to be the always impressive Jack Heath. Hailing from my hometown of Canberra, Heath has written a compelling range of epic thrillers over the years, all of which have been fun and captivating in their own way. I am a major fan of his Timothy Blake series (check out my reviews for Hideout and Headcase), which follows the gruesome adventures of a murder-solving cannibal. Heath has also produced several other great standalone or Australian series, including his 2021 novel, Kill Your Brother. An intense and shocking thriller that forced a highly damaged protagonist to choose between killing her guilty brother or dying herself, Kill Your Brother was one of the best pieces of Australian fiction in 2021 and I had such a great time reading it. As such, when I saw that Heath had a new Australian thriller coming out this year, I was very excited, especially when I found out it was a sequel to Kill Your Brother. This new book, Kill Your Husbands, had a wicked plot synopsis, and I fell in love with it the moment I read it. One of my most anticipated books for the second half of 2023, Kill Your Husbands was a shocking read that I had so much fun with.
It was supposed to be a relaxing weekend away for three couples, longtime friends since school the six overworked and stressed adults decide to escape their taxing lives for a weekend up in the mountains. With no internet or cell reception, their getaway was supposed to be a quiet time of drinking and bushwalking. However, after the topic of partner-swapping is raised on the first night, the entire mood of the weekend shifts. What starts as a joke soon turns into an elaborate plan to ensure anonymity between partners, with the lights turned off and the men choosing a bedroom at random. No one will know who they’ve been with, and no one will ever be certain if they slept with anyone other than their spouse.
However, when the lights come back on, one of the participants is missing. A search soon reveals their body outside, clearly the victim of a violent attack. With no cell reception and the keys to the cars missing, the remaining five people quickly become suspicious of the other survivors. As the weekend continues and more people begin to disappear and die, old wounds, festering grudges and decaying relationships come to the fore, turning husbands against wives and friend against friend.
Two weeks later, Senior Constable Kiara Lui returns to the murder scene with her girlfriend, Elise. Having interviewed the survivors, Kiara is certain at least one of them is lying and the killer is within her grasp. Kiara knows that the answers lie within the house, but with strange occurrences occurring around the property, one person still missing, and her own girlfriend’s strange behaviour starting to concern her, can Kiara break through all the lies and secrets and find the truth before the killer strikes again?
This was another excellent and thrilling read from Heath, who pulls together another insane, yet highly clever, mystery that you really cannot put down. Making full use of Heath’s outrageous plot, Kill Your Husbands is a dark and twisty novel that I had so much fun reading and which is easily one of the best pieces of Australian fiction I have read all year.
I loved the unique, memorable and very twisted central idea that Heath came up with for Kill Your Husbands, as murderous partner swapping is honestly it was one of the more amusing and outrageous plot focuses I have seen. Starting off with a quick introduction sequence, the reader is soon enthralled in split focus narrative throughout Kill Your Husbands as half the chapters recount the weekend of the murders and the events leading up to the killings, while the rest of the chapters are set after the murders and focus on Senior Constable Kiara Lui, a supporting character from Kill Your Brother, as she attempts to solve the crime. This proves to be a very clever and impressive way to showcase the plot, and I loved the simultaneous look at the investigation, the weekend in question, and all the key events that led up to the crime. Both separate storylines are very interesting and compelling in their own way, especially as they paint two different pictures of the chaotic events in question. Thanks to Heath using first names during the chapters set in the past and only referring to surnames when it comes to the later investigation, you don’t get any spoilers about what is going to happen during the weekend. As such, it isn’t until the end of the book that you are completely certain about who dies and who survives, and this allows you to remain on the edge of your seat as your watch the chaotic events unfold.
Heath paces out both arcs of the story extremely well, and they work well together to tell an intriguing and powerful story. The scenes set in the past tell a powerful and character-driven tale, with flashbacks to prior interactions, details about their turbulent relationships, and a great range of petty slights that ensure everyone had a motive for killing the rest of the group. Heath ensures that the characters are all stewing in this during the early chapters in the mountain before the partner swapping scene occurs. The author sets this up perfectly, with the subterfuge, secret plans, and hidden desires all coming into their choices, and the resulting chaos sufficiently messing with them. As such, all of them are primed to be the killer when the first victim emerges, and the subsequent environment of fear, suspicion and hatred make for some outstanding scenes, especially when all their secrets come to light.
At the same time, the reader gets a fantastic look at the ongoing investigation being undertaken by Kiara as she tries to get to grips with the case. There are some great scenes here, especially as Kiara independently uncovers the secrets of the three married couples, which works into the other timeline extremely well. There are some fun moments in this part of the investigation, especially when Kiara and Elise make the interesting decision to book out the murder house for a holiday so they can try and find some answers, while also dealing with their own intense personal issues. While there are some excellent moments in this part of the book, the investigation angle of Kill Your Husbands is the weaker half of the novel, mostly because it lacks the juicy details the lead up to all the murders. I also didn’t think that Heath needed to shoehorn in the characters from Kill Your Brother into the plot, as fresh new police protagonists would have also been just as effective. Still this second half of the book was very fascinating, and the clues revealed within give you some great hints about who the killer is and how they got away with it.
The eventual solution for Kill Your Husbands is exceedingly clever, and I really liked how all the key events of the book played out. The climax of the murderous weekend is pretty damn shocking in its entirety, and I loved just how well Heath managed to keep secret who survived and who died right until the end. The killer’s motivations and the events that drove them to it are well set out, and the scenes where they commit their crimes really drive home just how dangerous they are. Certain other reveals towards the end of the book, especially when Kiara gets close to the truth, reveal just how clever this entire story is, and I loved how certain innocuous mentions or clues are well utilised later in the story. The entire solution of the book, as well as the final confrontation between Kiara and the killer are just perfect, and you will come away from Kill Your Husbands extremely satisfied after travelling through such a captivating, unique and brilliant mystery.
This elaborate story and murder mystery wouldn’t be possible without the great characters featured in Kill Your Husbands. I particularly loved the six friends who journeyed to the cabin and who end up being pulled into the deadly partner swapping/murder plot. Heath does a wonderful job of effectively introducing them and you get drawn into their complex lives, filled with emotional damage and occasionally petty problems. While you do feel sorry for some of the characters, most of them are somewhat despicable and unlikeable to a degree, which ensures that are highly interesting and fun in the context of the main murder. I loved how many personal issues and secrets came out as the story progressed, and you really get invested in seeing who the killer is, possibly more than finding out who survived. I loved how fun and interesting these main characters where and Heath did such a great job featuring him in this crazy story.
The other major characters are Senior Constable Kiara Lui and her girlfriend, Elise, who serve as the main figures in the investigation arc of the book. As I mentioned about, Kiara and Elise both appeared in Kill Your Brother, with Elise serving as the main character of that novel. However, Elise takes more of a backseat here with Kiara stepping up and leading the investigation. While I don’t think Kill Your Husbands really needed some of the drama and ongoing trauma surrounding these characters, I did enjoy seeing them still together after the events of Kill Your Brother, and I liked how Heath moved Kiara more to the fore in this book. Kiara was a badass investigator, and it was great to see her try to prove herself while also still concerned about her clearly traumatised girlfriend. For her part, Elise is still trying to prove herself after her controversial past the helpless position she found herself in during the events of Kill Your Brother. As such, she takes some big risks and acts very recklessly in this book, often to the detriment of Kiara’s investigation or emotions. This extra layer of emotional charge ensured that Kill Your Husbands’ plot was a little more convoluted and intense, and I did enjoy seeing these two characters again. That being said, you don’t need to have read Kill Your Brother to full appreciate these characters in this sequel, and you can get the full range of emotions from reading Kill Your Husbands as a standalone read. I honestly came away from Kill Your Husbands very impressed with how Heath introduced and utilised his characters and they were such a distinctive and fun group of figures who were perfect to get wrapped up in a murder.
Overall, Kill Your Husbands was another outstanding and compelling novel from Jack Heath, who continues to show why he is the master of crazy Australian crime fiction. Heath had a lot of fun with his outrageous plot and the way he worked his excellent and damaged characters into this complex murder mystery was very impressive. A captivating and dark read from start to finish, Kill Your Husbands is one of the most memorable and intense Australian thrillers of 2023 and Heath is a must-read author for anyone looking for some truly shocking and mental crime fiction.
Waiting on Wednesday – White Ash Ridge by S. R. White
Welcome to my weekly segment, Waiting on Wednesday, where I look at upcoming books that I am planning to order and review in the next few months and which I think I will really enjoy. I run this segment in conjunction with the Can’t-Wait Wednesday meme that is currently running at Wishful Endings. Stay tuned to see reviews of these books when I get a copy of them. For this week’s Waiting on Wednesday, I highlight an intriguing and compelling upcoming piece of Australian crime fiction with White Ash Ridge by S. R. White.
Over the last couple of years, I have been having a lot of fun with the cool outback murder mysteries of one of Australian fiction’s rising stars, S. R. White. White has so far written three impressive novels that each focus on the character of Detective Dana Russo, an outback cop drafted in to solve the most difficult of cases with her talent for interrogation. These awesome books include Hermit, Prisoner, and Red Dirt Road, each of which had their own excellent mystery, as well as a great focus on unique characters and their stories. Each of these books have been pretty awesome and compelling in their own ways, and I was quite excited to hear that White has another intriguing read coming out in early 2024.
This new novel will be the impressive sounding novel, White Ash Ridge. Coming out in March 2024, White Ash Ridge sees Detective Russo dive into another complex murder investigation, this time surrounding the brutal death of a charity organiser. With the only suspects being other members of the same controversial anti-police charity, Detective Russo will need to balance politics and public perception with her desire to solve the case. I love the sound of this intriguing upcoming story and I look forward to seeing how complex and inventive White makes his new book. I have no doubt that this will be an amazing read and White Ash Ridge will probably end up being one of my favourite Australian fiction reads of 2024.
Plot Synopsis:
A REMOTE HOTEL. FIVE GUESTS. ONE MURDER.
During a broiling heatwave, the inner circle of a high-profile charity attend a critical meeting at White Ash Ridge, a small hotel nestled in the Australian wilderness.
As the temperature rises, a body is found lying in the thick bush, bludgeoned to death.
One of the four remaining guests is a murderer – but who, and why, is a mystery.
Detective Dana Russo knows the national spotlight will be sharply focused on the case.
The charity was formed when the founders’ teenage son was killed after intervening in a vicious assault – sparking public outrage and a damning verdict on the police investigation.
But under huge pressure and with few clues – plus suspects who instinctively distrust the police – how can Dana unravel the truth?
Quick Review – The Pit by Peter Papathanasiou
Publisher: Maclehose Press (Trade Paperback – 25 July 2023)
Series: DS George Manolis – Book Three
Length: 297 pages
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Australian author Peter Papathanasiou returns with his third DS George Manolis novel, The Pit, a complex and intriguing piece of Australian crime fiction that takes three unlikely companions on a memorable road trip.
Plot Synopsis:
A third outback noir from Peter Papathanasiou, following Special Constable Sparrow as he investigates a cold case in a barren mining region of Western Australia.
With DS Manolis on leave in Greece, Senior Constable Sparrow receives a phone call from a man who wants to turn himself in.
Bob is sixty-five years old, confined to a Perth nursing home. But thirty years ago, he killed a man in the remote northern Kimberley mining region. He offers to show Sparrow where the body is, but there’s a catch: Sparrow must travel north with him under the guise of being his carer.
They are accompanied on the drive by another nursing home resident: Luke, thirty years old, paralysed in a motorbike accident. As they embark on their road trip through the guts of Western Australia, pursued by outback police and adrenaline-soaked miners, Sparrow begins to suspect that Bob’s desire to head north may have sinister motivations. Is Luke being held against his will? And what lies in store for them when they reach their goal?
The Pit proved to be quite an interesting and compelling novel which honestly was very different from what I was expecting. I thought this would be more of a standard crime fiction/murder mystery novel in the Australian wilderness, but instead I got a character driven story that dove into one protagonist’s complex life, and I honestly think it worked out better this way.
The plot of The Pit is very far removed from Papathanasiou’s previous DS George Manolis novels, with the protagonist of the first two books not even actually appearing. Instead we get an intriguing story about supporting character Special Constable Sparrow, who finds himself presented with an unusual opportunity by an old man, Bob, wanting to confess to a 30-year-old murder. While I do think that Sparrow agreed to Bob’s strange request without backup a little too readily, it sets up an interesting and heartfelt storyline where Sparrow accompanies Bob and Bob’s unsuspecting young protégé, Luke, across Western Australia into the heart of mining country. The narrative splits into two separate timelines at this point, with the main narrative focusing on the three companions as they travel across the Pilbara, getting into all manner of trouble and meeting a range of outrageous and unique outback locals. The other main storyline is a series of intense flashbacks that examine the full life of Bob and the many hardships he experienced as a homosexual man in Australia from the 1960s onwards. There is also a subplot that follows the friendship Bob formed with Luke in the nursing home and why Bob decided to take him on the road trip.
These different fantastic storylines are interesting and emotional in their own way, and the reader gets heavily invested in seeing both the past and the present. Bob’s tragic and violent life story really drags the reader in, and it was fascinating to see his take on the homosexual experience throughout various periods of recent Australian history. At the same time, you get quite entranced by the unique friendship that forms between the three road trippers, especially as each of them has their own secrets, personal issues and emotional turmoil. I felt that the darker past storylines blended well with the unusual hijinks of the modern storyline, and the hidden clues in Bob’s recounting of events ended up having some interesting impacts on the central story. These split storylines come together in an excellent way, and Papathanasiou really lays on the tragedy in the main narrative threads, especially when it comes to Bob and the tragedies he’s experienced. The ending of the book is quietly poignant and ultimately unavoidable, and you will come away quite moved by how everything turned out and how the main characters developed.
Papathanasiou backed up this emotionally rich story with some fantastic and highly detailed background settings. The Pilbara in particular is shown in all its red glory, and the author does a remarkable job describing its harsh beauty and the heavy burden of those who traverse it. The anecdotes about the unusual people who worked in the Pilbara, both in the modern day and in the 1970s and 80s, are pretty over-the-top and very entertaining to absorb. I do hope that Papathanasiou was exaggerating just how crazy everyone out in the Pilbara is, as there were a lot of unsettling and concerning characters involved who added some interesting spice to the story. The memorable social interactions and courtship rituals of the repressed male Pilbara mining community back in the 1970s also seemed a bit unlikely, and I doubt I will be able look at a ute full of blokes the same way again after reading this book. These outrageous scenes were quite entertaining, and I think they helped to enhance some of the more emotional parts of the book in greater detail. Throw in other interesting historical locations, such as Sydney during the AIDS epidemic, and you have a fantastic background to this intense story that Papathanasiou used to full effect to tell his unique story.
Overall, The Pit was quite a memorable and compelling read by Papathanasiou, who told quite a complex Australian tale. As a dramatic Australian tale with historical elements more than a pure crime fiction read, The Pit was a fantastic book that beautifully dove into some dark issues and showcased some amazing characters. Charming and heartbreaking, The Pit was an excellent piece of Australian fiction that is well worth checking out.
The Unseen Library 