This week, Jeff Popple reviews three new novels by Australian authors. More of Jeff’s reviews can be found on his blog: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com

The Murder Rule by Dervla McTiernan

Harper Collins, $32.99

Dervla McTiernan’s first three novels about Irish police detective DS Cormac Reilly marked her out as an outstanding author of crime fiction. Now with The Murder Rule, she moves from Ireland to America with a compelling legal thriller. It follows law student Hannah Rokeby who is determined to join the University of Virginia’s Innocence Project, which is dedicated to helping wrongly convicted criminals. Their biggest current case is that of Michael Dandridge, but unlike the rest of her colleagues, Hannah does not want to save Dandridge, she wants to destroy him. This is a cleverly plotted and thoroughly enjoyable thriller. Recommended.

Wake by Shelley Burr

Hachette, $32.99

Canberra author Shelley Burr makes a spectacular entry into Australia’s crime writing ranks with her debut novel Wake. Nineteen years ago, young Evelyn McCreery went missing from the bedroom she shared with her twin sister, Mina, on the family’s outback property. Despite a large reward, Evelyn was never found. Private investigator Lane Holland has some personal insights into the case and with Mina’s reluctant help he revisits the disappearance in hope of getting the reward money and putting some old ghosts to rest. A well written and absorbing cold case crime story with a strong sense of place and a good set of characters.

The Truth About Faking It by Cassie Hamer

HQ, $29.99

Providing a lighter take on death is Cassie Hamer’s novel about three generations of women trying to keep their seemingly perfect lives in place. When Ellen Trainor’s estranged husband gets killed in a boating accident in Thailand, she is not too upset. Regrettably, her daughter and granddaughter take it more seriously and decide to dig deeper into the suspicious death. Unfortunately, their busy professional lives will not go away and with increasing chaos the three move towards the truth and the unravelling of the lies they have each been spinning. An engaging novel that casts an insightful eye on modern day life.

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