‘Mum, please. I need your help. I’ve done something stupid … They’re coming for me.’
Friday, one thirty p.m. Emily Barnes is finishing work for the week, ready for a break from her laptop. Then she receives a panicked voicemail from her son Zach, punctuated by a gunshot.
By four p.m., she’s driving a stolen car out of Perth, with explicit instructions from Zach’s captors – in three days, deliver the car to Gunpowder Creek, a ghost town 900 kilometres deep into the West Australian outback. Miss the deadline and Zach dies. And don’t open the boot.
The job should be simple. But there’s someone dangerous roaming those lonely highways. Someone who doesn’t want the car and its cargo to make it to Gunpowder Creek. Someone with cold eyes who has seen death and liked it.
PRAISE FOR GUNPOWDER CREEK:
‘Gunpowder Creek is a propulsive, edge-of-your-seat thriller – a killer debut.’ Christian White
‘One of those high-octane, heart thumping, up-all-night-can’t-put-it-down type of books. Candice Fox meets Quentin Tarantino.’ Ben Hobson
‘Compelling characters, breakneck pace and a cracking plot – Gunpowder Creek is a gripping outback thriller debut.’ Vikki Wakefield
(5/5)
I enjoyed reading Gunpowder Creek as it has a ton of suspense and thrills. The characters was fantastic and every plot point took an interesting turn. I loved the sense of real-life drama that Alex Dook so perfectly captured. Great work!
(4/5)
Buckle up and brace yourself for a crime thriller roller coaster! In a parent’s worst nightmare, single mum Emily must save her son, Ryan, from certain death in a deal gone wrong. With no options left, she puts her hand up to be her son’s substitute driver to deliver unknown cargo in the boot of a run-down Holden Commodore to Gunpowder Creek, a remote spot in WA’s outback. This fateful decision leads Emma to confront a myriad of dicey situations, dealing with a who’s who of society outcasts.
Never has a mobile with charge and reception been so important as Emma tenuously navigates being tracked by a shady couple, content to be at arm’s length from proceedings, but capable of ending her son’s life.
I loved this debut novel from Alex Dook! He understands fraught humans and brilliantly captures the desperation and determination of those trying to scrape by, prove themselves and hero their backstories. Gunpowder Creek is a compelling read and had me hooked from the first page and dangling nervously till the last. Who will survive and at what cost? A great addition to Australian crime fiction and I can’t wait for Alex Dook’s next book!
(5/5)
Relax yourself in a comfortable chair and prepare yourself. Gunpowder Creek is fast moving, and action packed and will necessitate reprioritising a few hours to concentrate on the book in hand.
The story flows well and hooks you, keeping you endlessly wondering. You quickly empathise with Emily, sharing her worries and concerns, understanding that as a mother she would do literally anything to save her one and only child, Zach.
Literally anything is what she does, totally out of her comfort zone driving in remote areas of country, trying to outwit Zach’s hopeless captors Cindy and Wayne.
I was constantly left wondering what happened next. Did Zach end up sorting his life out? Did Emily get that job promotion? I couldn’t stop reading!
(4/5)
Alex Dook gets a lot of credit for a debut book; Gunpowder Creek is fast paced and suspenseful and rides on a surge of interest in outback Australian crime novels. There’s a heap of action crammed into a four day road trip, perhaps more than is really credible. It should leave the reader with a heap of sympathy for the mum, but I did not quite engage with her and her constant excuses for her son’s behaviour.
The juggling of so many sets of baddies was a bit confusing with gratuitous violence off-putting. However, the plot was intriguing and the backdrop of the outback added to the difficulties for all concerned. If you love outback crime and are looking for something a bit different, well written, this is worth a read. I’m glad I got to review it.
(4/5)
The debut novel by Alex Dook, Gunpowder Creek, is an assured, entertaining read.
Set in Western Australia, he captures both the urban landscape of Perth, and the desolate countryside with his vivid language and characters. The opening – a crime gone wrong due to both youth and fear – sets in motion a well-paced storyline.
The outstanding characters here? The women. Dook has created great female characters (both good and bad) that arguably outshine the men. They’re pushed to extremes and don’t back away from a challenge – or a deadline – to do what they’ve got to do. It’s not often that you come across realistic characters like these from a debut author.
The ending did leave me wondering if there might be another book to follow, and I hope there is one! If you’re looking for a great read, then I’d recommend Gunpowder Creek.
(4/5)
Gunpowder Creek is a gripping and atmospheric thriller that showcases Dook’s sharp instincts for suspense and character. Set against a raw, unforgiving backdrop of the Australian outback, the novel thrives on tension and emotional stakes, driven by fast pacing and terse, effective prose.
What sets this novel apart is its emotional core. The central relationship, though not over-exposed, adds genuine weight to the action. While the setup cleansing familiar thriller vibes, Dook refreshes them with unexpected vulnerability and a strong sense of place.
There are moments where the plot stretches believability, and some readers might crave deeper character exploration. But these minor observations in a novel that delivers on its promise: a taut, high-stakes ride from start to finish.
If you’re a fan of survival thrillers, especially with an Australian influence, Gunpowder Creek is well worth the trip.
(5/5)
I loved Gunpowder Creek. It had such a fantastic fast pace which kept me intrigued from start to finish with twists and turns. A mum’s desperation to help her son get out of a sticky situation and ready to take on some seriously bad characters to save him.
Some interesting characters such as the two masterminds hoping for a quick payout, and a pumped-up assassin who will do anything to finish the job and ultimately prove himself to his dad. I felt I was on the hair-raising road trip with Emily through outback Australia.
(5/5)
In this gripping thriller, a single mother steps up when her son entangles himself with dangerous criminals. Thrust into the desolate outback landscape of Western Australia, she must deliver a mysterious package, to save her son, all while fighting others who also want what she has.
Alex Dook delivers an action-packed page-turner that had me hooked from the start. The suspense builds relentlessly, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with twists that demand you keep turning the pages until the explosive finale. I couldn’t put it down—pure adrenaline!
Highly recommended. Five out of five for Gunpowder Creek!
(5/5)
Gunpowder Creek is Alex’s debut novel and what a page turner it is! He has definitely announced his arrival with a bang. I knew as soon as I read the back cover I wanted to read this book.
The novel starts with Emily receiving the panicked voice mail message from her son Zach. She needs to make a delivery within 3 days to Gunpowder Creek or Zach dies. She is told to not open the boot.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and have been telling others about it, I gave it 5 stars. Great characters some you dislike with a passion and I had so much empathy towards Emily who turned into a fierce Mumma Bear. Fabulous read.
(5/5)
Alex Dook’s debut novel Gunpowder Creek had me from the start and took me on a wild ride through the WA outback, keeping me on the edge of my seat and wanting more until the explosive ending.
It was the thriller that I had been waiting for. Dook has given us desperate characters, a mum, a psycho ex-soldier, friendly townsfolk, action, gunfire, murder and even a 1974 Ford Falcon XB GT to throw in a bit of muscle.
Dook’s characters are thoroughly developed which allows the reader to feel a strong connection with them through the emotions that are expressed as the story goes on.
Emily, the mum that was thrown into a desperate situation of saving her son, Zach, how far she will go to do so and how her character evolves during the story had me on an emotional journey with her every step. The journey through the WA bush, the towns along the way and the locals have you wanting to get in your car and ride the open road.
Congratulations Alex on such an outstanding debut!
(4/5)
This was a fast-paced thriller, with each chapter ending on a cliff-hanger to keep you reading. The countdown timeline really added to the tension.
I enjoyed the descriptions of the Western Australian landscape. The vastness, heat, and isolation were almost like characters themselves, heightening their desperation.
The characters were varied and well drawn. No one was 100% good or bad, each had their own motivations. Since the story was told from multiple viewpoints, it added depth to their choices.
While a couple of the twists felt a bit stretched, like any good popcorn-action movie, suspending belief adds to the fun of the story. Overall Gunpowder Creek was a great debut novel.
(4/5)
I’m glad I read Gunpowder Creek, even though the cover wasn’t one I’d normally look into.
The first two chapters introduced the plot and characters without unnecessary ramble and I found it easy to get immersed in the story.
This book is very more-ish. I would start reading expecting to get through a page or two, and end up reading two chapters. As someone who is busy with kids and full-time work, I appreciated how easy it was to pick up and put down without losing momentum. The succinct writing and constant action made it easy to stay engaged with the book. Dook definitely keeps you absorbed and guessing until the end. The physical book is a win – lightweight, great size, standard font and comfortable to hold.
The ending? Not what I expected…I’m still not sure how I feel about it. Love it and question it at the same time.
(5/5)
Gunpowder Creek grabbed me from chapter one. It’s fast-paced! You’re pulled in quickly, and before you know it, you’re already deep in the story. But don’t worry – Alex Dook does such a good job setting up the characters that you’re invested when the story takes off.
There are some great twists along the way, including a few genuine gasp-out-loud moments that caught me off guard. It’s a hard book to put down – I found myself sneaking in pages between cooking dinner and putting the kids to bed just to see what happened next.
I loved the WA setting too. The locations and language feel real, and it’s a lot of fun seeing the city and country perfectly described on the page. No downsides from me. If you like crime, mystery, or thrillers, you’ll love this, and if you’re new to crime or Australian fiction, this is a perfect entry point.
Hard to believe this is Alex Dook’s debut – he really nails it. I’m already looking forward to what comes next!
(4/5)
Gunpowder Creek by Alex Dook is a fast-moving and thoroughly enjoyable story that kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. The plot is filled with suspense and excitement, making it hard to put the book down. The characters are well-formed, human, and likable, even the ones with questionable morals. Dook’s ability to create such relatable and multi-dimensional characters adds depth to the narrative and keeps readers invested in their fates right until the very end. My only wish was to hear more of these characters following the thrilling climax.
One of the standout features of this novel is Dook’s vivid depiction of the Australian outback and the remote rural towns in Western Australia. The setting is brought to life with rich, descriptive language that immerses readers in the harsh yet beautiful landscape.
Overall, Gunpowder Creek is a captivating read that combines a gripping plot with well-developed characters and a vividly painted setting. Alex Dook has crafted a memorable tale that will appeal to fans of suspense and adventure. This book is a testament to Dook’s storytelling prowess and is sure to leave readers eagerly anticipating his next work.
(4/5)
Gunpowder Creek by Alex Dook was the perfect holiday read. I was immediately drawn into the story by the pace of Alex’s writing and the immersive journey from Perth into the remote, open landscape of Gunpowder Creek. The sense of space and isolation between destinations was beautifully captured, adding a powerful atmosphere that really grounded the narrative in its Western Australian setting.
One of the standout elements for me was the development of the characters. Each had a rich backstory, and Dook skilfully wove their lives together through four parallel storylines that remained easy to follow while offering depth and intrigue. The structure added layers to the story without ever feeling overwhelming.
As someone who reads a lot of Australian bush noir, Gunpowder Creek offered a refreshing take on the genre. It felt distinct from others I’ve read, perhaps because of its focus on character development and the unique setting that played such a central role in the story’s mood and tension.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Gunpowder Creek and am looking forward to reading more from Alex Dook in the future.
(4/5)
Gunpowder Creek is a novel filled with compelling and addictive characters and runs with a cracking pace right to the end. A vivid depiction of the West Australian outback, with landmarks iconic to Australia; a dusty homestead, a small town hotel, a service station and a local run down library. This novel will take you on a road trip that is so hectic you won’t know what is coming next. If you are a crime thriller fan of Australian crime noir, Gunpowder Creek will not disappoint!
(4/5)
Action packed fast paced and exciting from the start. The excitement continued until the last page. Fans of Chris Hammer and Jane Harper: Gunpowder Creek will be perfect for you.
(4/5)
The opening scene of Gunpowder Creek is a cracker. I say scene, as I feel like this book was written with the idea of it being made into a movie. And it would be a GREAT movie.
It opens with ineffectual Zack making a very poor life choice and making a chilling call to his mother Emily.
Would I take a car 900k with unknown “cargo” in the boot to save my son? I would hope so, but I think most of us would not have the survival instinct she shows during the road trip. Where does she find the strength?!
Alex Dook’s descriptions of the WA landscape are well-realised, and I got a real sense of place. The Syndicate characters are terrifying, and the body count impressive! A great mystery!