Handywoman Barb Young lives in the beautiful coastal town of Bullford Point and is adjusting to single life, since her husband of 31 years left her for someone else. She has taken on a part-time helper: Joe Griffith, a young man who has returned home after years living as a junkie in Sydney. Since he has been back, Joe has been an excellent worker and appears to have his life back on track. He’s even started a true crime podcast, trying to find out what happened to his ex-girlfriend Sally, who was apparently a victim of the Blue Mountains Strangler seven years ago.

But then Joe dies. It appears he has relapsed into his old habits and died of an overdose. But Barb is not convinced. She teams up with local constable, Seb Baxter, who was a schoolfriend of Joe’s. Barb soon discovers that, in this small town, everyone has secrets, and everyone lies.

This is an engrossing mystery, with a strong sense of place, great characters, and humour. Told through conventional storytelling, as well as emails, letters and podcast transcripts, it was fun to follow the clues and unravel the mysteries and back stories. A great addition to the Australian crime scene genre.

Reviewed by Melinda Woledge

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

James O’Loghlin is one of Australia’s most respected, entertaining and experienced corporate speakers, corporate comedians and media personalities, best known as the host of over 300 episodes of the much loved The New inventors on ABC TV, and for his witty and entertaining programs on ABC Local Radio.

From 2009 to 2014 James hosted Sundays Evenings nationally on ABC Local Radio. From 2004 to 2011 he hosted The New Inventors on ABC TV. From 2002 to 2007 he hosted The Evening Show on 702 ABC Sydney and ABC Local Radio around NSW and the ACT.

He has been delighting corporate audiences for over a decade and is equally at home giving keynote speeches on innovation, giving witty after dinner speeches acting as MC for awards nights and conferences and facilitating panel discussions.

From corporate and criminal lawyer to stand-up comedian and then media personality and presenter, James has a wealth of experience. It was his role as host of The New Inventors that fuelled James’s interest in innovation, a subject upon which he now regularly gives keynote speeches. In them he shares practical techniques we can all use every day to become more innovative, and discusses ways in which companies can create a culture that encourages innovation.

Visit James O’Loghlin’s website