This week, Jeff Popple reviews three exciting outback noir crime novels. More of Jeff’s reviews can be found on his blog: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com

Girl Falling by Hayley Scrivenor

Macmillan, $34.99

Hayley Scrivenor’s first novel, Dirt Town, drew worldwide acclaim for its originality and strong sense of place. She has now followed it up with a powerful new novel, Girl Falling, about friendship and obsession. Set in the Blue Mountains, it revolves around an ill-fated climbing trip. Finn and Daphne used to be inseparable as school friends but have drifted apart. Daphne is now at university, while Finn is falling in love with beautiful newcomer, Magdu. When the three girls go mountain climbing one day, only two return. A tense and intimate examination of relationships and truth. 

The Creeper by Margaret Hickey

Bantam, $34.99

Bush walks and mountains also feature in Margaret Hickey’s terrific new novel, The Creeper.  For ten years the Victorian high-country town of Edenville has been haunted by the horrific murders of five hikers. Also found dead near the scene was Bill ‘Creeper’ Durant, an expert deer hunter, and a man known for stalking campers. The police readily conclude that it was an act of murder-suicide. But with the anniversary quickly approaching, questions are being raised, and newly minted Detective Constable Sally White finds herself querying what really happened ten years ago. Underpinned by great characters and astute plotting, this is a superior piece of crime fiction.  

The Hitchhiker by Gabriel Bergmoser

Harper Collins, $34.99

Pushing fifty and reeling from an ugly divorce, Paul decides it is time for an adventure and heads into the Australian outback. Things take a sinister turn when he decides to pick up a hitchhiker, Jesse. Clutching a ragged backpack, and with his eyes locked on the rearview mirror, Jesse is clearly running from something. But what? As the trip continues and others are dragged into Paul and Jesse’s orbit, the stakes are raised, and the body count rises. This is a twisted cat-and-mouse thriller that quickly drags you in and keeps you riveted to the page until the bloody conclusion. Highly recommended.