EXILES by Jane Harper

I have been (not so) patiently waiting for another Aaron Falk novel, and finally it is here! Of course I had to rush out and get it as soon as it hit the shelves. Harper has once again chosen an atmospheric setting for her novel, this time in a picturesque wine growing region of SA. As usual, her descriptive writing transported me straight into the landscape, and I could picture it all vividly, yearning to be part of the cosy dinners and glasses of wine Aaron enjoys with his friends.

Despite the idyllic landscape, it’s not all peace and happiness here, because at the heart of the story lie two unsolved mysteries: the hit and run of a respected local accountant, and the mysterious disappearance of a young mother at last year’s wine fair. Even though the deaths have been ruled unconnected, in a small town like Marralee everyone is related or connected in some way. Falk, who is visiting to attend the christening of his good mate’s son, cannot help but observe different people’s reactions to the anniversary of the young woman’s disappearance. And of course Falk’s sharp mind immediately picks up a few discrepancies along the way …

EXILES follows in the vein of Harper’s previous novels – slow burning, character driven and atmospheric. The clues are metered out carefully, for the reader to slowly join together the dots just as Falk does, and yet I was still surprised by the final reveal, which is why I am not a detective! I enjoyed the insights into Falk’s personal life just as much as the unravelling of the mystery, and whilst I hope that he will finally find companionship and happiness, I am also loathe to let him retire back into the ether of fictional characters. I hope this is not the last we will see of Falk!

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THE WRONG WOMAN by J.P. Pomare

Reid is a PI investigating a suspicious car crash for an insurance company, which brings him back to his old hometown of Manson, a place he had vowed never to revisit. When his investigations unearth a connection to the cold case of two missing local teenagers, he suddenly comes face to face with some of his own demons that made him leave town all those years ago.

Pomare usually writes a good mystery, and THE WRONG WOMAN was no exception. I really enjoyed Reid’s POV and felt that he made a good main protagonist who carried the story well and had just enough baggage to make him interesting, but not too much to make him the stereotypical tortured detective type. I admit that I initially struggled with the character of Eshana, who didn’t quite ring true for me. However, as the story progressed, it offered enough mystery and suspense to keep me intrigued and forget about my misgivings.

I can’t say much more without giving anything away, just that some of the final reveals were sinister and troubling but provided me with a satisfying finale that tied up all loose ends. A quick, intriguing story that made for perfect weekend reading. If you like small town mysteries and people trying to solve a cold case, then you can’t go wrong with this one.

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TREASURE & DIRT by Chris Hammer

I believe that Chris Hammer’s latest novel has been published under the title OPAL COUNTRY overseas, which perhaps gives a better description of what this book is about. Set in the opal fields in outback NSW, it focuses on the investigation into the death of an opal miner, found crucified in his own mine in Finnigans Gap. This time it is not Martin Sarsden who delves into the mystery but homicide detective Ivan Lucic from Sydney, aided by local policewoman Nell Buchanan.

In typical Hammer style, the novel is gritty and atmospheric, intricately plotted and with more threads than grandma’s Persian rug. There’s conspiracy and politics, money and power, crossing and double crossing, and the ruthlessness and desolation that characterises a small mining town in the middle of nowhere.

Whilst I love Hammer’s descriptive writing, I’ll be totally honest with you to say that I found the plot a bit too convoluted in the end, with too many characters and side stories to keep track of. Don’t read this if you want a light, relaxing weekend escape. However, if you want atmosphere, then you’ve come to the right place. Hammer captures it all: the heat, the flies, the suspicion among miners, the bleak and barren outback landscape. Everyone here has a past and a secret (or two), including our detectives, and we will get to find out about all of them.

I loved the atmospheric setting and found it authentic (having had a few friends who have mined opals in similar places), and the mystery surrounding the dead man’s past was intriguing. Towards the end, there was a bit too much politics and double crossing for me, but perhaps I should not have read it between night shifts, when my brainpower is at its lowest ebb. If you have enjoyed the Martin Sarsden series, then you will most likely like TREASURE & DIRT in all its gritty glory.

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