The Richmond Conspiracy (Andrew Grimes, Text)

It’s January 1933 and in a warehouse in Melbourne, two policemen start their investigation into the murder of businessman and war veteran Victor Radcliffe. Radcliffe was respected rather than liked and as the potential motives for his murder mount, inspector James Maclaine and his deputy Harry Devlin try to unravel the likely from the unlikely. Suspects come from business, political and personal areas and Radcliffe’s military service provides more possibilities. The backdrop to these events include the Bodyline cricket series on the wireless, with the English captain Douglas Jardine’s tactics threatening to become an international incident; Maclaine’s unhappy marriage; and Devlin’s gassed lungs. Also on the sidelines is the Praetorian Guard, a mixed bag of war veterans who share an attachment to the Empire, a fear of communism and an opposition to non-white immigration. The history sits lightly on the page and adds interest to the story. Fans of Kerry Greenwood’s ‘Phryne Fisher’ and Sulari Gentill’s ‘Rowland Sinclair’ series will find much to like in The Richmond Conspiracy.

 Heather Dyer is the owner of Fairfield Books in Melbourne

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Category: Reviews