Again with the Tasmanian Crime Fiction 🕵️ The last round up was Australian Outback Noir in general (with some really good examples of this intriguing genre!), and we’re back to Tasmania-specific novels in this post, because apparently “Tasmanian Gothic” is a thing. (First post is here — showcasing some wonderful books).
This is all in preparation for my next series, a police procedural dealing with occult crimes. You’ll get to meet DI Jack Finkel of the ‘Unusual Crimes’ squad pretty soon — I’m happily chugging along on an introductory novella! I did put some details on the world-building on my newsletter, if you want a peek.
On with the reviews!
Quick aside: did you know that In Victrix, the third full-length Felix Mystery in now available for pre-orders? Check it out on Amazon or learn more on this newsletter post!
The first DI Mahoney novel was entertaining, so I was looking forward to continuing the series. The second novel takes place six months after the events of High Beam, when a body is discovered on a golf course. This is linked to an horrific murder scene with obvious signs of being a professional hit, and DI Mahoney and his team are under pressure to solve it. More murders are coming, and we get a revisit of some familiar and new characters in the Hobart power scene.
Brown’s love of Hobart and Tasmania shines through, and one gets a strong sense of place reading the novel. This time the murder is upfront and there’s more of a thriller feeling and detective work. It was also nice to see some of the characters get a bit more depth. This is the second novel, but even though on the face of it there’s not a lot that relies on the first crime, it will make a more satisfying story arc to read High Beam first.
It’s not quite a thriller in style, more crime fiction where the focus is on the different threads of lives that bring us to the current situation. In setting this up there is the occasional digression into their past which sets this up. There’s also less of the fictional detective — more of good old police work of chasing clues, confronting suspects, and the occasional lucky break (‘luck’ being a function of the preceding leg work).
If you enjoy traditional crime scene, especially one set against a less common background, this makes a good read and a continuation of the series.
Next was The Bluffs, another crime fiction that featured on several ‘best of’ lists. While Brown’s writing shines with the love of Hobart town, Perry’s writing immerses the reader in nature. The wild parts of Tasmania are a big part of the island, and the area where it takes place is a favourite hiking spot (although the town itself is fictional).
The plot is chugging well, the characters are generally all well written and the mystery aspect is intriguing and engaging. It’s interesting to see a novel about teenage angst and online life from a police perspective.
That said, as police work one aspect I’m particularly interested in, some of the things the main detective are questionable to the point of wondering how he’s still in the police force. He should have been either benched or in front of a disciplinary committee a long time ago.
I was somewhat disappointed by the ending (personal taste), but if you enjoy a more TV feel to your police thrillers and don’t need trigger warnings about teenagers and their issues (self-harm in particular), this does make a good read.
As far as TV shows go, I’ve been watching Troppo these past few weeks. Very enjoyable show: not quite police, and most definitely not Tassie. Still a murder mystery with plenty of Australiana — it’s set in tropical Far North Queensland, where “suicide by crocodile” is a thing. (Gotta love Tassie: our wildlife isn’t nearly as bad).
The two protagonists are an eccentric private investigator with a disturbing criminal past, who recruits disgraced ex-cop to help solve the disappearance of a Korean tech pioneer. Plenty of dark twists and tropical Australian vibes (just please don’t bring up Crocodile Dundee into this). Like much of crime fiction, so much is about the past than just the present crime.
It’s based on the Crimson Lake novel by Candice Fox (haven’t read — but planning to check it and her other writing out). I wouldn’t judge a book by its TV series, but this production is very well done.
I have a few more books and authors to sample on my reading list, but would love to hear your experience with anything close — Australian police/crime drama, remote locales, magical crimes, etc. Pointers to anything beyond the usual suspects would be appreciated.
Enjoying the reviews, but wondering who the heck is that Felix fellow? Glad you asked! He’s the protagonist of the Togas, Daggers, and Magic series, an historical-fantasy blend of a paranormal detective on the background of ancient Rome.
Come meet Felix and his world on the free short stories and novels!
FELIX THE FOX MYSTERIES 
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