The book is well-written, detailed and the characterisation is spot on. There are a lot of characters and for the first few chapters I did have to keep recapping to remind myself who they all were — each character has their own distinct voice, so it didn’t take me long to get a grip on them all. But this is no ordinary cold case, her arrival provoking an unwelcome and threatening response from the small-town community. As more bodies are discovered, and she begins to question how well she truly knows those closest to her, Nell realises that finding the truth could prove more difficult - and dangerous - than she'd ever expected. This is a multi-layered crime novel from three different time periods. The threads are cleverly woven together, revealing hidden family secrets. In 1943, we meet a young boy, Jimmy. He herds cattle near the forests. His father is fighting in New Guinea. Jimmy and a friend plan to gather crawfish (yabbies). Utterly brilliant, a darkly simmering mystery .' - Dervla McTiernan, bestselling author of The Ruin

The nearer Nell comes to uncovering the secrets of the past, the more treacherous her path becomes. Can she survive to root out the truth, and what price will she have to pay for it? As the investigation proceeds and more facts regarding the remains become known we also start to learn more about Nell’s family, particularly her mother and her grandfather whose own stories are told in separate, alternating chapters. Nell will get around to visiting her family in due course and strands will start to form an overall picture but it’ll take some time. In the meantime, we’re left to sift through what feels like a fascinating but impenetrable series of discoveries and accounts of past events. A commanding, consuming and outright thrilling mystery. Chris Hammer's first-class series goes from strength to strength.' - Chris Whitaker, bestselling author of We Begin at the End Nell still has family in nearby Boonlea, so there’s pressure to visit. Her uncle, Tycho Buchanan, and maternal ancestor of Nell’s were also on the list of missing persons, so it’s a mixed blessing to be able to confirm that it’s neither of these. But Department of Defence records add some intrigue: another soldier, and the not-inconsiderable sum of four hundred pounds also went AWOL at the time. Accessing more information requires calls to the War Memorial and the National Archives.

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audiobook #australianfiction #contemporaryfiction #crime #detectivefiction #murdermystery #smalltownfiction #thriller This may well be Hammer’s best work yet. Atmospheric and thrilling. I was gripped.’ Victoria Selman

Chris Hammer is, for me, the epitome of a thoughtful, measured author. No word, description, or conversation, is excessive or unnecessary. Seen through three first person timelines, the story unfolds effortlessly and even though it is a complex tale is never confusing. Nell's timeline shows how she and Ivan are still exploring their strained working relationship, and although neither of them want to be in her home town there are positives for both as the case progresses to an eminently satisfying conclusion. The story features newly promoted homicide detective Nell Buchanan as our main character and detective sergeant Ivan Lucic . They’re sent to Nell’s hometown Tulong to investigate a cold case upon the discovery of a skeleton at the bottom of the regulator. This may well be Hammer's best work yet. Atmospheric and thrilling. I was gripped.' Victoria SelmanA commanding, consuming and outright thrilling mystery. Chris Hammer's first-class series goes from strength to strength.' - Chris Whitaker

Chris Hammer is at the height of his power here. Dead Man's Creek is a superb piece of storytelling' - William Shaw, bestselling author of the DS Alexandra Cupidi series The story is told through multiple narrative styles; Jimmy Waters statement running from his childhood in the 40’s to the 70’s, Tess Waters in 1973 and the present day investigation by Nell. I enjoyed each era of the story; Jimmy’s childhood attending the cattle and supporting his family while his father was at war and Tessa’s story in 1973 was so quintessentially 70’s, the cars, the music, the language. It was all so spot on! The descriptions of small town life on the Murray River are brilliantly evocative and, as well as delving into the tragic mysteries of the past, the novel highlights the concerns of the present, especially the rise of right-wing political extremism and the ecological devastation the river and surrounding forests. As the story unravels, Nell has to face up to some devastating truths, not just about her family history but also about her personal identity. Nell knows she must question family members who may have knowledge of past crimes and murders but feels uncomfortable doing so. A nearby campground has a mixed clientele of birdwatchers, conspiracy theorists including QAnon members, potential urban terrorists, anti-vaxxers, and rumours of the presence of the Mafia. Hammer interweaves environment issues with great dexterity into the body of this thriller set on the shores of the once great Murray River. The action takes place variously in an Italian POW camp, a car dismantling yard, and a small town currently inhabited by Twitchers, crazy right wingers and Neo-Nazis.The nearer Nell comes to uncovering the secrets of the past, the more dangerous the present becomes for her, as she battles shadowy assailants and sinister forces. Can she survive this harrowing investigation and what price will she have to pay for the truth?