Promise (Tony Cavanaugh, Hachette)

It was a pleasure to read this debut from Australian film and television writer and producer Tony Cavanaugh. Promise is a sharply written and well-plotted crime novel, with mostly clear characterisations and the occasional flash of wit and even wisdom. It also evokes an excellent sense of place, reminiscent of Peter Corris’ ‘Cliff Hardy’ novels. The story is set in and around Noosa and the Sunshine Coast where a serial killer is on the loose and hunting teenage girls. Ex-homicide cop Darian Richards has moved up from Victoria to seek a quiet life. This is obviously not to be. The novel switches between two narrators: our hard-bitten hero Darian, and Winnie, the serial killer. This device both steps up the pace and allows us to see into the minds of both characters. While Darian is clearly troubled, Winnie is simply depraved; his chapters are unsettling, disturbing, even revolting. Readers of Val McDermott’s ‘Tony Hill’ books will be familiar with these feelings. The best thing about this book is that it looks like there will be a second one.

Ian Hallett is a senior bookseller at Pages & Pages Booksellers in Mosman

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Category: Reviews