Murder with the Lot (Sue Williams, Text)

14 December 2012 Unlocked content from the archive. Books+Publishing

Self-appointed PI Cass Tuplin runs the takeaway shop in drought-ridden Rusty Bore. She has two sons—the local copper Dean and vegetarian Brad, who appears to demonstrate for the environment on a professional basis. As the proprietor of one of only two stores in town, Cass is at the centre of the action and notices when things aren’t right. Her suspicions are duly raised when Clarence staggers into her store looking for a quiet place to stay—and a burger with the lot. As Cass starts her ‘investigation’ she discovers a body. No-one will believe her (based on past experience) and it is up to her to put the pieces together. I’m a big fan of Aussie crime and was looking forward to ‘Australia’s answer to Janet Evanovich or Sue Grafton’, as the publisher has described it. Unfortunately the plot is clunky and Cass’ character is just too frustratingly ditsy that it is hard to sympathise with her. The ingredients are there for a fun read (quirky country characters, a specific location) and the second half does get better—but it just doesn’t quite get there overall.

Rachel Wilson is a Melbourne based media academic and former bookseller

Category: Reviews