Michael Popple dives into an intriguing Australian crime fiction debut to start off 2023, Headland. You can find more of Michael’s book reviews on his blog: unseenlibrary.com
Headland by John Byrnes
Allen & Unwin, $32.99
New Australian author John Byrnes starts strongly with a compelling thriller debut, Headland, that takes readers on a dark and captivating journey.
Detective Constable Craig Watson is a young cop fleeing from the mistakes of his past. Exiled to the small beachside town of Gloster, Watson battles his demons while getting to grips with his new beat. When constant rain causes the river to flood, Watson finds himself trapped in the abandoned town with two fellow constables and a desperate killer stalking them.
This is an impressive novel from Byrnes that readers will have an incredible time getting through. Headland has a fast-paced and intense narrative that forces a drug-addled young police officer to find the secrets of his new town, while also trying to deal with his own past traumas. Byrnes does a fantastic job in quickly and effectively raising the tension of the novel, and the reader is soon drawn into an excellent read that blends realistic action scenes and bleak character moments with a clever mystery.
The real strength of Headland lies in its complex central protagonist and point-of-view character, Detective Constable Craig Watson. Watson is an emotionally traumatised cop who self-treats his emotional issues with a series of illegal drugs. Caught in a vicious spiral of self-loathing and abuse, Watson is a powerfully written character who you cannot help but cheer on as he attempts to solve the terrible case before him, especially when parts of it parallel his life. Watson is a very effective centre for this narrative, and the emotional dive into his past works well within the main narrative.
With this impressive debut, Byrnes has set himself up as an exciting and distinctive new Australian crime fiction talent who has a very bright future. Headland is an outstanding read and is highly recommended.
