U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton

Author: Sue Grafton Publisher: Penguin Reviewed by: Rose Mercer Book Synopsis: This is a story exploring what is lie, recall and perception which starts when Michael Sutton hires Kinsey for one day to dig (sic) into a memory he has of two men digging a hole 11 years in the past. He is convinced it …

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Cold Case by Faye Kellerman

Author: Faye Kellerman Publisher: Harper Collins Reviewed By: Rose Mercer Book Synopsis: The 17th novel in the series featuring LAPD Lt. Peter Decker and wife Rina Lazarus is, as the title suggests, a cold case. Genoa Greeves promises a large donation to the police department if they agree to reopen and solve the murder of …

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A Child’s Book of True Crime by Chloe Hooper

Author: Chloe Hooper Publisher: Random House Reviewed by: Sylvia Loader Book Synopsis: Do not be deceived by the title or the animals on the cover – this is certainly not a book for children. It is a stunning debut novel, a look at a true crime by a girl who thinks she has stopped being …

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Blindman’s Bluff by Kaye Kellerman

Author: Kaye Kellerman Publisher: Harper Collins Reviewed By: Rose Mercer Book Synopsis: Highly experienced homicide police officer, Lieutenant Peter Decker of the LAPD, knows a 3am call means something serious. Blindman’s Bluff begins with a multiple homicide: three members of the wealthy Kaffey family, two bodyguards, and a maid; two additional security officers are missing. …

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Beautiful Death by Fiona McIntosh

Author: Fiona McIntosh Publisher: Harper Collins Review by Sylvia Loader Book Synopsis: This fast paced story is the second book featuring Chief Detective Inspector Jack Hawksworth of New Scotland Yard. The setting is multi-cultural London and the many different cultures and customs are well-drawn and play a vital part in the book. The story takes …

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Skin by Mo Hayder

Author: Mo Hayder Publisher: Bantam Press Book Synopsis: Skin is the fourth in Hayder’s Jack Caffery series, and clearly follows close on the heels of the previous offering, Ritual, as it refers to events from Operation Norway, which occurred earlier in the same week. Hayder also has two stand alone novels – Tokyo and Pig …

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The Tall Man: Death and Life on Palm Island by Chloe Hooper

Author: Chloe Hooper Publisher: Penguin Copyright Year: 2008 Review By: Sylvia Loader Book Synopsis: This is a multi award winning book, and justifiably so. Besides taking out our own Davitt for True Crime it has chalked up the 2009 Premier’s Literary Awards of NSW, Victoria and Queensland, plus the 2009 Australian Book Industry Award for …

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A Bali Conspiracy Most Foul by Shamini Flint

Book Summary Author: Shamini Flint Publisher: Piaktus Copyright Year: 2009 No of Pages: 292 Review By: Carmel Shute Book Synopsis: If you have not tried them yet, get onto the excellent Inspector Singh series by Shamini Flint, a new runner in the burgeoning field of crime fiction set in exotic locales and featuring unprepossessing-looking overweight local detectives. This, the second …

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Die for You by Lisa Unger

 Book Summary Author: Lisa Unger Publisher: Bantam Review By: Tanya King Book Synopsis: Die for You is Unger’s fourth stand-alone novel. Having only read Black Out, a clear theme across these two novels seems to be that of a mysterious past coming back to haunt the present, with not everyone appearing as they seem. In Die for You, …

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The Old School by PM Newton

Book Summary Author: P.M. Newton Publisher: Penguin Viking Copyright Year: 2010 ISBN: 978-0-670-07451-8 No of Pages: 363 Review By: Karen Chisholm Book Synopsis: Sydney, 1992.  Nhu ‘Ned’ Kelly is a young detective making her way in what was, until recently, the best police force money could buy.  Now ICAC has the infamous Roger Rogerson in the spotlight, and the old ways are …

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