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ajitate's review
3.0
The stories were variable as you'd expect with such a collection, but a great taster of some old and new talent. I particularly enjoyed The Cook by David Whish Wilson and Fiona Sussman's Hiding Something. Both really amped up the tension.
sephypear's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Violence
tasmanian_bibliophile's review
4.0
It's criminally good reading!
Nineteen short stories from talented Australian and New Zealander writers. I’ve previously read work by roughly half of these authors and was delighted to find some new authors to add to my reading list. A shout out, too, to the artists: Seantelle Walsh, for the drawing of the platypus which indicates Australian authors, and Māhina Rose Holland Bennett, for the drawing of a kiwi which indicates a New Zealand author. While most authors have either a platypus or a kiwi, one author has both.
Where to start? I enjoyed each of the stories, but I do have favourites. Kerry Greenwood’s story ‘The Rooming House’ had me laughing with her particular band of Happy-Clappies. I mean, surely there’s a queue to join the Intercostals? Just don’t laugh too hard: it might be painful. ‘Hiding Something’ by Fiona Sussman held my attention from beginning to end, and still has me thinking. I thoroughly enjoyed Garry Disher’s ‘Sinner Man’: I am a big fan of Hirsch (Constable Paul Hirschhausen).
While some of the authors: Kerry Greenwood, Garry Disher, Vanda Symon, Sulari Gentill, R.W.R. McDonald, Lee Murray and Dan Rabarts, Katherine Kovacic, Dinuka McKenzie and Shane Maloney included existing characters from their novels, others did not. While I enjoyed meeting old friends such as Rowly Sinclair, Hirsch, and Alex Clayton, it was nice to meet some new people as well. Some of them that is, I have my doubts about a few.
Other stories that I particularly enjoyed were ‘The Cook by David Whish-Wilson, ‘Takin’ out the Trash’ by Alan Carter, and ‘Nancys Undercover’ by R.W.R. McDonald. And now I have to add ‘Mr Pig’ by Stephen Ross.
There really is something for every crime aficionado in this anthology. Narrelle M Harris has a clever story ‘Observations on a Tragedy’ which unfolds over three acts. And, digging deeper, Renée’s ‘Certain Kinds of Light’ really struck a chord.
Highly recommended.
Note: My thanks to Clan Destine Press for providing me with a copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Nineteen short stories from talented Australian and New Zealander writers. I’ve previously read work by roughly half of these authors and was delighted to find some new authors to add to my reading list. A shout out, too, to the artists: Seantelle Walsh, for the drawing of the platypus which indicates Australian authors, and Māhina Rose Holland Bennett, for the drawing of a kiwi which indicates a New Zealand author. While most authors have either a platypus or a kiwi, one author has both.
Where to start? I enjoyed each of the stories, but I do have favourites. Kerry Greenwood’s story ‘The Rooming House’ had me laughing with her particular band of Happy-Clappies. I mean, surely there’s a queue to join the Intercostals? Just don’t laugh too hard: it might be painful. ‘Hiding Something’ by Fiona Sussman held my attention from beginning to end, and still has me thinking. I thoroughly enjoyed Garry Disher’s ‘Sinner Man’: I am a big fan of Hirsch (Constable Paul Hirschhausen).
While some of the authors: Kerry Greenwood, Garry Disher, Vanda Symon, Sulari Gentill, R.W.R. McDonald, Lee Murray and Dan Rabarts, Katherine Kovacic, Dinuka McKenzie and Shane Maloney included existing characters from their novels, others did not. While I enjoyed meeting old friends such as Rowly Sinclair, Hirsch, and Alex Clayton, it was nice to meet some new people as well. Some of them that is, I have my doubts about a few.
Other stories that I particularly enjoyed were ‘The Cook by David Whish-Wilson, ‘Takin’ out the Trash’ by Alan Carter, and ‘Nancys Undercover’ by R.W.R. McDonald. And now I have to add ‘Mr Pig’ by Stephen Ross.
There really is something for every crime aficionado in this anthology. Narrelle M Harris has a clever story ‘Observations on a Tragedy’ which unfolds over three acts. And, digging deeper, Renée’s ‘Certain Kinds of Light’ really struck a chord.
Highly recommended.
Note: My thanks to Clan Destine Press for providing me with a copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
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