Jeff Popple reviews three new Australian crime novels. More of Jeff’s reviews can be found on his blog: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
The Deep by Kyle Perry
Michael Joseph, $32.99
Kyle Perry’s The Bluffs was one of the stand-out Australian crime fiction debuts of 2020. Set in the remote wilderness of Tasmania’s Great Western Tiers, it was a tightly constructed and gripping story. Now with The Deep, Perry shifts the action to the rugged and dangerous coast of south-eastern Tasmania. It opens in dramatic fashion, when a 13-year-old boy staggers out of the ocean, bruised and weirdly tattooed. The long missing son of an infamous local drug family, his reappearance sets in train a violent series of events. An exquisitely plotted and well written story, The Deep confirms Perry’s status as a rising star of Australian crime writing.
The Inheritance by Gabriel Bergmoser
Harper Collins, $29.99
Gabriel Bergmoser also burst onto the Australian crime fiction scene in 2020 with the visceral and highly exciting The Hunted. The Inheritance continues the adventures of the enigmatic Maggie, who finds herself caught up in the blood-soaked search for a hard drive of dangerous information left by her dead, ex-cop father. The Inheritance captures the pedal-to-the-metal pace and thrills of Bergmoser’s first book, but adds a more substantial plot and richer characters. The story unfolds quickly, and it swiftly builds to an explosive climax. A ferocious tale about a troubled heroine who makes most of the fictional tough guys look like wimps.
Blood Trail by Tony Park
Macmillan, $32.99
Tony Park is Australia’s premier adventure writer, and his African-based novels are always a highlight of the reading year. His latest, Blood Trail, once again tackles the emotional issue of wildlife poaching, but Park gives it an up-to-date feel by exploring how COVID has made it harder for the rangers protecting the animals. The pandemic and its effect on the local population is seamlessly integrated into the plot and, in many ways, is the driving impetus for the action. The story unfolds smoothly and there are some nice twists, engaging characters and plenty of excitement. A good piece of international escapism, especially for those of us who miss overseas travel.
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