O’Malley is a professional poker player, convicted killer, and part-time sleuth. The lead in Auckland advertising executive Lendrum’s debut novel, recently longlisted for the Ngaio Marsh Awards, is a terrific creation who shepherds readers through lesser seen aspects of New Zealand’s biggest city as a thrilling tale unfolds.
‘Can you find my daughter who has run away?’ It seems a simple request to help Mr Tupuola, a friend of a friend, but O’Malley’s life is never simple. His nights are regularly spent making a living at the poker tables of Auckland Casino and high stakes private games around the city. Or fending off violent dreams. Things get more complicated when one of his poker pals gets killed, and O’Malley’s life and investigations become entwined with drug dealers, money launderers, the police, and dangerous gangs. Fortunately he has his smart and intriguing girlfriend, Claire, to keep him on track, if he listens to her.
In The Slow Roll Lendrum has crafted a wonderful, layered page-turner that would be impressive for a skilled writer several books into their careers, let alone a first-time author. The Auckland settings are richly evoked and the wider cast is full of memorable characters, while O’Malley and Claire are a fascinating duo that scream out for an ongoing series.
Reviewed by Craig Sisterson
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