My copies of the Rainforest Writing Retreat’s Mystery and Murder Anthology arrived today. It’s exciting that three members of our writing group are all featured – myself, my sister-in-law Chris Childs and another friend Tania Cossich.
My story ‘Problem Solver’ is about a woman with an interesting approach to workplace harassment. This is not one I suggest you try – I write fiction after all!
For a great winter read, jump on to Amazon and pick up a copy.
Set in Christchurch NZ, Cemetery Lake begins in a graveyard where Theodore Tate (ex cop now a PI) is overseeing an exhumation. Doubts are raised about the identity of the body in the coffin and as more bodies start to float to the surface of the lake Theo finds himself unable to walk away. As he delves into the case, against the advice of his ex police colleagues, he uncovers a web of lies and deceit. As Theo’s not so pristine past and the present case start to merge, even Theo realises that he may be in too deep but his sense of justice will not let him stop.
Cemetery Lake is a crime thriller with a great flawed character, lots of clever twists and turns, and a pace that keeps you reading.
The Rip is a crime novel set in Melbourne and is written from the point of view of a young drug addicted woman. She has a friend Anton and her dog Sunny and, although life isn’t everything she dreamed it could be, she wasn’t unhappy living in the park. Then along came Steve offering his flat to crash in. Anton and Steve have a history and Steve has secrets – like what is he doing in his bedroom that creates such a smell, where do Steve and Anton disappear to during the day, where does Steve get his money? Sometimes you don’t know you’re in too deep until you’re caught in the rip.
This is not my usual read, but I do like novels set in Melbourne, so I picked it up – and had trouble putting it down. The characters are well drawn, you really feel you know them and you worry for their mistakes. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy a crime story with non traditional characters and anyone who likes a powerful book that makes them think.
https://www.hachette.com.au/mark-brandi/the-rip-from-the-award-winning-author-of-wimmera
Crime Thriller, Hachette Australia
You are part of the chain. Your child has been kidnapped and you must abduct someone else’s child to save your own. Don’t break the chain.
Rachel’s daughter Kylie has been kidnapped. She is contacted by another mother whose son has also been abducted. Rachel must pay the ransom and kidnap another child. If she disobeys, breaks the rules or goes to the cops, both children will die.
This is a thrilling read – you follow Rachel’s journey, her highs and lows, and the decisions she makes. Ultimately it leaves you wondering – what would I do?
Crime Fiction
Detective Cormac Reilly, having recently transferred to Galway to support his partner’s career, finds himself investigating a recent suicide that appears to have links to a case from his past.
Twenty years ago Cormac was sent to a run down house where he discovered two children, Jack and his sister Maude, alone with their dead mother. Now Jack is dead, an apparent suicide. Maude, however, is convinced that he did not kill himself but the local Garda don’t want to investigate. Cormac is drawn into the case and quickly learns that all is not as it seems.
The storyline is intriguing, the characters well drawn, and the tension at the police station seems very real. This is a story of family, love, betrayal and revenge.
I am already looking forward to reading the next in the Cormac Reilly series.