I think Hammer is one of the best writers of Australian detective fiction. The Valley is another page-turner, rife with intrigue, murder and small-town secrets.
When detectives Nell Buchanan and Ivan Lucic are called in to investigate the murder of local entrepreneur Wolfgang Burnside, there are twists and turns that have them dealing with, not only this case but a decade’s-old series of heists and murders. The story is set in a remote mountain valley between Canberra and the coast.
When DNA is taken from the murder victim, Nell discovers that he is her half-brother and suddenly the case takes a new turn. The police hierarchy insists that Nell remain on the case despite the obvious conflict of interest. This in itself is suspicious.
Nell and Ivan explore the past to solve the connections to the current murder. Nell’s now-deceased mother, Amber, was there in the Valley all those years ago when there were logging protests, mining closures and a mysterious disappearance. Her story is told through the point of view of Simmons Burnside, a young police officer at the time. The lure of finding gold seems to be at the core of the unrest then … but was there more?
Nell and Ivan must deal with con men, politicians, and corrupt cops in order to do their jobs and stay alive. Nell puts aside finding who her father is to remain focused on the case.
Hammer pays homage to the beauty of the Australian landscape. His characters are unforgettable and occasionally there are cameos from characters of previous novels. Easy to read and thoroughly immersive.
Reviewed by Sue Stanbridge
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chris Hammer is a leading Australian crime fiction novelist, author of the internationally bestselling ‘Martin Scarsden’ series: Scrublands, Silver and Trust.
Chris’s current award-winning series features homicide detectives Nell Buchanan and Ivan Lucic: Treasure & Dirt/ Opal Country; The Tilt/Dead Man’s Creek; The Seven/Cover The Bones; and now The Valley/The Broken River.
Scrublands was an instant bestseller upon publication in 2018, topping the Australian fiction charts.
It was shortlisted for major writing awards in Australia, the UK and the United States. In the UK it was named the Sunday Times Crime Novel of the Year 2019 and won the prestigious UK Crime Writers’ Association John Creasey New Blood Dagger Award.
Scrublands, Silver and Trust all feature troubled journalist Martin Scarsden and his partner Mandalay Blonde, while the next four novels follow homicide detectives Ivan Lucic and Nell Buchanan.
Chris’s books are well known for their atmospheric Australian settings, a range of colourful characters, intricate plots, descriptive language and emotional depth.
Before turning to fiction, Chris was a journalist for more than 30 years. He reported from more than 30 countries on six continents for SBS TV. In Canberra, roles included chief political correspondent for The Bulletin, senior writer for The Age and Online Political Editor for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.
Chris has written two non-fiction books The River (2010) – winner of the ACT Book of the Year – and The Coast (2012), published by Melbourne University Press.
He has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Charles Sturt University and a master’s degree in International Relations from the Australian National University. He lives in Canberra, Australia.
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