O’Keefe is a gripping thriller by David Whish-Wilson that shows why he’s renowned as a writer who exposes the underbelly of ‘civil’ societies.
Fresh from his exploits on the high seas, undercover operative Paul Cutler assumes a new identity to become Paul O’Keefe.
Paul is tasked with stepping into the shadows to reveal the mysteries surrounding a surge of Mexican cartel meth flooding Australian streets. Assigned to infiltrate a newly appointed security company at Fremantle Port, he discovers a clandestine world of off-the-books operations, and a business front that goes far beyond mere security. There’s a dangerous game afoot over who gets control of the port’s smuggling operations, and O’Keefe is caught in the crossfire.
(5/5)
O’Keefe is a tense, crackling ride into cocaine and meth smuggling in Australia’s lucrative black market. Former cop Paul O’Keefe is working deep undercover and off the books in Fremantle Port security for a shadowy government handler. While he has seamlessly shed his Paul Cutler persona from the first book in David Whish-Wilson’s Undercover series, the past continues to haunt him.
Whish-Wilson’s writing is lean and clever. He creates an immersive world of criminal relationships where tentative bonds form even when there’s no one to trust. Humanity, morality and betrayal are all explored as rival traffickers vie for control. We get an insider’s view into the heart of the action and the pressure builds from start to finish.
A 5-star read – relentless, intelligent and atmospheric.
(4/5)
David Whish-Wilson takes the reader on a wild ride in his book O’Keefe.
This is the first book I have read about Australia’s cocaine underworld trade. I was unsure whether I would enjoy it, but I couldn’t stop turning the pages.
Paul Cutler is a lovable character who continually risks his life whilst undercover in Fremantle Port. The drug underworld is huge in the port, where huge amounts of cash and cocaine change hands. Lives mean nothing to the drug runners and they easily dispense with people who cause any problems, and some get murdered for just being in the way.
This book really allows the reader to experience this world that most people know nothing about. I can’t wait to read the first book in this series, although you can definitely read O’Keefe as a standalone book.
(3/5)
This was my first time reading anything by David Whish-Wilson, and while O’Keefe didn’t exactly blow my mind, I stuck with it because I kept thinking something big was about to happen. The tension was there — simmering — but the payoff never really came. A few plot threads felt like they were building toward something dramatic, but they kind of just fizzled out.
The writing had a gritty, moody vibe that I really liked, but it did drag in places. Some parts felt a bit long-winded, and I found myself waiting for the story to really kick into gear. I kept reading because I genuinely thought the ending would deliver something huge.
That said, I’m curious enough that I might go back and read Cutler, the first book in the series. Maybe that one lands a bit harder. If you’re into slow-burn crime fiction with a brooding tone and subtle tension, this might be your thing. For me, it was a bit hit-and-miss.
(5/5)
O’Keefe by David Whish-Wilson is a compelling read. I journeyed on a roller-coaster of emotions from chapter to chapter and could barely put it down, as I needed to know what happened next! I was quite literally on the edge of my seat, wondering if O’Keefe would make it out of each dangerous situation he found himself in.
Several scenes are confronting, uncomfortable, brutal, gripping, and realistic. Whish-Wilson writes so well that you can picture the scene as if you were witnessing it happening in front of you. Further, it forces the reader to view Perth, and the portside town of Fremantle in a different light, in the murky underworld of drug trafficking and violence.
The plot twists had me guessing up until the very end; and the ending does not disappoint. I would highly recommend O’Keefe to all crime fans. I am very keen to read Whish-Wilson’s other books, starting with Cutler!
(5/5)
A well-written, pacey crime fiction with smooth temporal transitions between each chapter, which makes it an entertaining read. Surprisingly, it feels true. Could local Underbelly like gangs, and international drug cartels be trading illegal drugs through Fremantle Port?
A fan of Cutler, an undercover operative, I feel the character is well-fleshed out and given more range in O’Keefe. The narrator says, ‘O’Keefe doesn’t care; and that is how he survives.’ I beg to differ. O’Keefe cares A LOT. O’Keefe has so much heart in this book, and through him, we witness the violence of pit fights and interrogation techniques.
A lot of tension is created by the main character’s lack of sleep, staying ahead of the bad guy’s intelligence, so his cover isn’t blown and not killed by the hard-boiled criminals he has befriended.
An exciting read. No doubt, Peter Temple would raise a glass with the old codgers at the Buff Bar.
(4/5)
Paul O’Keefe is an informant for the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) who has earned a job working with a security company who are deeply involved in smuggling drugs. O’Keefe relays his intel on the Australian drug market to his boss, via a phone call from the local pub on a regular basis. Although his work assists the ACIC, O’Keefe’s life is at risk as he doesn’t actually work for the organisation, so doesn’t have the protection an agent would have. He’s walking a fine line, playing both sides and isn’t sure who will have his back in the end. Will the gang discover his true identity, or will his criminal activity, being an accomplice to so many crimes, end in a life sentence, or even worse, death?
This book is intense, it’s brutal. The drug world is a violent world, the corruption is next level, and O’Keefe is involved in it all. While not my usual genre, I was invested in O’Keefe’s character. My heart was racing at various points in the story. This is a must read for people interested in the criminal underworld.
(5/5)
O’Keefe is the second novel in David Whish-Wilson’s undercover series. While this is written as a follow from Cutler, the book is easily able to be read on its own and gives enough back story to what readers may have missed in the previous book.
I really enjoyed this book and I loved the high-stakes feel of the undercover operation. O’Keefe as a character is very intriguing and there’s a way that he’s able to separate himself from his other character that is explained very well. Those small nuances give us an interesting insight as to who Paul is away from his life has O’Keefe.
The underworld figures are also fascinating and they are written with a lot of depth. While we tend not to think of drug smugglers and gang figures as good, we see the human side to them that O’Keefe experiences, not just the bad or evil in them which makes for some interesting moral dilemmas.
A very engaging and gripping read, I will definitely be reading more by this author!
(4/5)
Reading this book was like experiencing first hand the inner working of a drug cartel. Experience the raw emotions, anxiety and stress with O’Keefe as he works undercover with a wannabe drug importer. A gripping read, not for the faint-hearted. I’m so happy to give this four out of five stars and I look forward to reading more from David Whish-Wilson.
(4/5)
I feel a bit ambivalent about O’Keefe. On the one hand it was unsatisfactory because it took me quite a few pages to get involved, but on the other hand when the action started I wanted to keep reading. Enough to be interested in whether there will be more O’Keefe to come.
It’s not a sophisticated crime novel by any means. The language is simple and straightforward. I would have liked to know more about Madden. He was an interesting character who deserved to be filled out more information about his duality and what brought him to where he is.
Although it’s a continuation of O’Keefe’s life, it’s not necessary to have read the previous book.
(3/5)
O’Keefe is a gritty, atmospheric dive into the noir genre, and the second book I’ve read by David Whish-Wilson, following True West. From its testosterone-charged prologue, the novel grips you with a sense of restrained violence and tension. Whish-Wilson masterfully builds suspense through the psychological depth of his characters and the haunting beauty of the landscapes, which seem to whisper untold stories of brutality.
The narrative unfolds like a cat-and-mouse game, drawing the reader into the detective’s mindset, constantly guessing what lies ahead. One standout line—“city laying ribbons of neons over the river”—captures the poetic grit of the setting. Each character is layered with motive, often leaving you pondering what remains unsaid.
The inner workings of the protagonist’s mind are compelling, reminiscent of how TV dramas build complex character arcs. Themes of escapism, justice, and the duality of good and evil are explored, with a chilling reminder of the darkness within us all.
While the ending bursts with energy, I found the final chapters rushed and wished for more depth.
A solid read for fans of noir—dark, tense, and thought-provoking.
(5/5)
David Whish-Wilson sends Cutler from the High Seas to the depths of Perth’s drug fuelled underworld as O’Keefe. A local drug baron former bikie with keys to Fremantle Port in a moment of hubris takes on a deadly Mexican Cartel. He rips off one their drug shipments and kicks a hornets nest.
The compelling narrative immediately captured my attention, and I found myself immersed in the intricate plot. The characters were well-developed, exhibiting depth and complexity that kept me invested throughout the story. Moreover, the author’s descriptive writing style painted vivid scenes, bringing the settings to life with great detail.
I highly recommend O’Keefe for anyone who appreciates a well-crafted crime novel.
(3/5)
O’Keefe by David Whish-Wilson started off as a blast of a read! The main character, Peter Cutler, reminded me of Reacher with similar personality traits and life circumstances.
The drug cartel plot was extremely interesting and informative especially with the amount of corruption in Federal organisations like Border Control and Federal Police – maybe too much so… If half of what is written is true, then that is pretty scary!
The plot seemed to get bogged down and dragged on a bit. While there was considerable tension it didn’t quite reach a climax I was expecting and I guess the ending wasn’t what i had expected either. I found the ending disappointing as nothing was really resolved.
An interesting read but not a knock out thriller!
(5/5)
O’Keefe by David Whish-Wilson, the second mystery crime fiction thriller in his Undercover series, exposes the violent world of drug smuggling and crime organisations in and around the Port of Fremantle, Western Australia. The novel gives insight into the power struggles and violence at play in port smuggling operations, where O’Keefe is caught in the crossfire. As also for his previous protagonist Cutler, O’Keefe’s gritty exploits are relatable so much so that the reader is drawn into every encounter, with an intensity that it is almost impossible to put down the book until finished.
The characterisation, plot, and setting transcend beyond the crime thriller genre, enlightening the reader not just on the ruthless currents of the crime drug cartel underworld, but of the rich and breath-taking harsh beauty of Perth’s natural and cultural landscapes.
Riveting and outstanding, Whish-Wilson’s writing is unforgettable not just as a suspenseful heart-pounding thriller, but also for the psychological intensity and lingering impact of character insight, that is conveyed so convincingly within the lasting emotional resonance of the story.
(5/5)
I love this genre of books and was very keen to be introduced to this author, as I hadn’t read any of his work before. Wow! I will certainly be searching for more of David’s well written and atmospheric writing.
I’m familiar with the areas around Perth that this book is set in and found he very skilfully bought them to life. The whole dockyards and drug circulation scene was a real eye opener and I can’t see a lot of research went into this. Things I could walk past in everyday life I will now question!
Fast paced and riveting just the way I like it. O’Keefe was an amazing read!