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kcfromaustcrime's review against another edition
5.0
I forgot NOTHING BAD HAPPENS HERE was a debut novel as you'd never know it from reading it. Set in the sort of small town in New Zealand that caters mostly to the summer tourist trade, journalist Miller Hatcher is sent there when the body of a tourist who went missing a while ago is discovered. Her and just about every other journalist in the country creating a frenetic, odd atmosphere in a town which should be quiet, safe, nondescript at that time of the year.
It was an odd disappearance really - Bethany was last seen in a local hotel, before quietly vanishing. Nobody saw anything, or has any clues, although local police never forgot. When her body is eventually discovered deep in the surrounding forest, the media scrambles, but with nothing much to go on, the story quickly peters out. But Hatcher was late arriving in town, and finds herself staying at an outlying retreat, closer to the forest, populated by strangers and locals. Working, as she does for a monthly magazine rather than a newspaper, she's got more leeway to meet longer deadlines, so she's after a hearts and minds type of article. A good job might be the key to a promotion, and it might also be the thing that Hatcher requires to get her own life back on track. She wouldn't have expected the type of woman who runs the retreat she's staying at though, nor the fellow guests, or the handyman, certainly not the things that the surrounding forest starts to reveal.
Needless to say we're talking a damaged central character, an odd, closed room type of town, and a hefty dose of an odd supporting cast. Balanced well against a great police character - the genuinely likeable character in the mix, and some decent, and caring behaviour from some people. You can't help but wish Bethany had caught some of the good, but her back story is as sad as her eventual demise.
A combination of solid plot, with plenty of hints dotted along the way to a final twist that works well, NOTHING BAD HAPPENS HERE is very addictive reading. Hatcher is undoubtedly a flawed character, frequently almost pathetic, but there's enough in her back story, and the way her problems are presented to make her understandable, if not completely sympathetic, and as a result absolutely real. Sergeant Kahu Parata, the local cop is the balance of straight up versus Hatcher's edgy, he's a decent sort of a bloke, personally and professionally. All of the supporting cast contribute to understanding the place, the people, and the sensibility of somewhere that's struggling with the combination of natural beauty and human cruelty. Despite that beauty, there is always the sense of a dark place, outside the edges of the town. Dense forest, brooding, with goodness knows what lurking. Using the sense of menace that place creates, the plot has pace, and more than enough spark to keep the reader guessing right to the final twist.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/review-nothing-bad-happens-here-nikki-crutchley
It was an odd disappearance really - Bethany was last seen in a local hotel, before quietly vanishing. Nobody saw anything, or has any clues, although local police never forgot. When her body is eventually discovered deep in the surrounding forest, the media scrambles, but with nothing much to go on, the story quickly peters out. But Hatcher was late arriving in town, and finds herself staying at an outlying retreat, closer to the forest, populated by strangers and locals. Working, as she does for a monthly magazine rather than a newspaper, she's got more leeway to meet longer deadlines, so she's after a hearts and minds type of article. A good job might be the key to a promotion, and it might also be the thing that Hatcher requires to get her own life back on track. She wouldn't have expected the type of woman who runs the retreat she's staying at though, nor the fellow guests, or the handyman, certainly not the things that the surrounding forest starts to reveal.
Needless to say we're talking a damaged central character, an odd, closed room type of town, and a hefty dose of an odd supporting cast. Balanced well against a great police character - the genuinely likeable character in the mix, and some decent, and caring behaviour from some people. You can't help but wish Bethany had caught some of the good, but her back story is as sad as her eventual demise.
A combination of solid plot, with plenty of hints dotted along the way to a final twist that works well, NOTHING BAD HAPPENS HERE is very addictive reading. Hatcher is undoubtedly a flawed character, frequently almost pathetic, but there's enough in her back story, and the way her problems are presented to make her understandable, if not completely sympathetic, and as a result absolutely real. Sergeant Kahu Parata, the local cop is the balance of straight up versus Hatcher's edgy, he's a decent sort of a bloke, personally and professionally. All of the supporting cast contribute to understanding the place, the people, and the sensibility of somewhere that's struggling with the combination of natural beauty and human cruelty. Despite that beauty, there is always the sense of a dark place, outside the edges of the town. Dense forest, brooding, with goodness knows what lurking. Using the sense of menace that place creates, the plot has pace, and more than enough spark to keep the reader guessing right to the final twist.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/review-nothing-bad-happens-here-nikki-crutchley
madlymusing's review against another edition
4.0
This was well-paced, complex and surprising. The dark side of the Coromandel was beautifully portrayed, and the premise was eerily reminiscent of our worst fears - especially for solo female travellers. That said, it did have the feel of a debut novel.
I didn’t love Miller, and I’m a little surprised that she’s the character who gets a sequel. Kahu Parata, the beleaguered small-town cop, was much more compelling and I’d love to see him again!
I didn’t love Miller, and I’m a little surprised that she’s the character who gets a sequel. Kahu Parata, the beleaguered small-town cop, was much more compelling and I’d love to see him again!
zellian's review against another edition
4.0
I was pleasantly surprised with this book, I don't think I have ever actually read anything crime based. I didn't know what to expect, if I'd like it or not but it was actually alright!
Near the end I almost found myself craving to finish it, find out what who was this murderer in our little coastal town. I did feel like near the end you almost KNEW who it was, you could start predicting straight away. I did feel the need to get a bit more of a background on old Bob too, but I like the twinge of the old Maori fulla living out in the bush, pig hunting.
But it was good, it wasn't too full on, an enjoyable and easy read. Makes me think I might need to start exploring this genre a little more.
Near the end I almost found myself craving to finish it, find out what who was this murderer in our little coastal town. I did feel like near the end you almost KNEW who it was, you could start predicting straight away. I did feel the need to get a bit more of a background on old Bob too, but I like the twinge of the old Maori fulla living out in the bush, pig hunting.
But it was good, it wasn't too full on, an enjoyable and easy read. Makes me think I might need to start exploring this genre a little more.
taylamillar's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
staceybroadbent's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic read with a twist I didn’t see coming.
Set in New Zealand, Nothing Bad Happens Here follows the case of missing backpacker Bethany Haliwell.
Miller is a journalist, struggling with her own issues, who is sent to cover the story, determined to finally get that promotion she’d been after.
She gets to know the locals, following any leads she can find. And when another woman goes missing, she finds herself in the thick of it.
Well written story set in Castle Bay, with characters you’d expect to find in any small town; the busy body, the town flirt, the recluse. And there’s the common theme that “nothing bad ever happens here”.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
Set in New Zealand, Nothing Bad Happens Here follows the case of missing backpacker Bethany Haliwell.
Miller is a journalist, struggling with her own issues, who is sent to cover the story, determined to finally get that promotion she’d been after.
She gets to know the locals, following any leads she can find. And when another woman goes missing, she finds herself in the thick of it.
Well written story set in Castle Bay, with characters you’d expect to find in any small town; the busy body, the town flirt, the recluse. And there’s the common theme that “nothing bad ever happens here”.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
karlou's review against another edition
5.0
Nothing Bad Happens here is Nikki Crutchley's debut novel and what a brilliant book to start her writing career. I read the book in a day and it was one of those stories I just couldn't put down.
When the body of missing British tourist, Bethany Halliwell is found in Castle Bay, the usual media circus soon descends on this small seaside town. Among them is journalist, Miller Hatcher who has been instructed to write a feature piece on the murder. Although desperate to gain the promotion she might be in line for, Miller isn't like the other, more mercenary journalists covering the case. She is principled and sympathetic and she has her own troubles - this flawed vulnerability makes her immensely likeable but it also leads her into terrible danger...
Castle Bay, on the Coromandel coast of New Zealand should be a holiday paradise and indeed hundreds of tourists descend on the town during the summer months. They bring with them the usual problems - fights, alcohol, drugs - but as the locals are keen to keep reiterating to Miller, "nothing bad happens here." The residents of Castle Bay are convinced that the murderer must be an outsider but Miller isn't so sure. Her suspicions are raised further when another young woman goes missing. Castle Bay becomes almost another character in the book as its sinister secrets are slowly revealed. This close-knit community isn't as idyllic as it seems. Although some of the townspeople are friendly and welcoming, others have a much darker side and Miller learns some disturbing truths about a few of its residents. There really are some very unsavoury people living in the town and before long the gossip mill is in overdrive. Paradise begins to look tainted, and this blissful holiday location begins to show its cracks.
Nikki Crutchley's characters are absolutely believable, some are intensely unpleasant, a few downright evil and there are others - Sergeant Kahu and his wife, Trina, for example who I would love to hear from again. The small town setting evokes an oppressive claustrophobia and contributes to the sense of foreboding that something is terribly wrong here. As the horrific truth is finally revealed, the action becomes thrillingly tense. Nothing Happens Here is a superbly compelling novel which combines a gripping mystery with characters whose lives I actually became invested in. I'm not sure if Nikki Crutchley intends to write more books featuring Miller Hatcher or to revisit Castle Bay but I would welcome the opportunity to read more about them. Whatever her future plans are, this assured debut marks her as a writer to remember and I'll be looking forward to her next book. In the meantime I highly recommend Nothing Happens Here.
When the body of missing British tourist, Bethany Halliwell is found in Castle Bay, the usual media circus soon descends on this small seaside town. Among them is journalist, Miller Hatcher who has been instructed to write a feature piece on the murder. Although desperate to gain the promotion she might be in line for, Miller isn't like the other, more mercenary journalists covering the case. She is principled and sympathetic and she has her own troubles - this flawed vulnerability makes her immensely likeable but it also leads her into terrible danger...
Castle Bay, on the Coromandel coast of New Zealand should be a holiday paradise and indeed hundreds of tourists descend on the town during the summer months. They bring with them the usual problems - fights, alcohol, drugs - but as the locals are keen to keep reiterating to Miller, "nothing bad happens here." The residents of Castle Bay are convinced that the murderer must be an outsider but Miller isn't so sure. Her suspicions are raised further when another young woman goes missing. Castle Bay becomes almost another character in the book as its sinister secrets are slowly revealed. This close-knit community isn't as idyllic as it seems. Although some of the townspeople are friendly and welcoming, others have a much darker side and Miller learns some disturbing truths about a few of its residents. There really are some very unsavoury people living in the town and before long the gossip mill is in overdrive. Paradise begins to look tainted, and this blissful holiday location begins to show its cracks.
Nikki Crutchley's characters are absolutely believable, some are intensely unpleasant, a few downright evil and there are others - Sergeant Kahu and his wife, Trina, for example who I would love to hear from again. The small town setting evokes an oppressive claustrophobia and contributes to the sense of foreboding that something is terribly wrong here. As the horrific truth is finally revealed, the action becomes thrillingly tense. Nothing Happens Here is a superbly compelling novel which combines a gripping mystery with characters whose lives I actually became invested in. I'm not sure if Nikki Crutchley intends to write more books featuring Miller Hatcher or to revisit Castle Bay but I would welcome the opportunity to read more about them. Whatever her future plans are, this assured debut marks her as a writer to remember and I'll be looking forward to her next book. In the meantime I highly recommend Nothing Happens Here.
kevinberryauthor's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kiwimrsmac's review
5.0
Well, that was a twist I wasn't expecting!
As someone who holidays in the Coromandel, I could easily visualise the setting of this book - serene, beachy, tatty pine plantations, walking tracks - old and new, and then I realised it really is the perfect place to hide a body or two or three or...
It was refreshing to see a cast of flawed characters, instead of your stock standard saves the world type heroine (or hero). Life isn't always pretty, and life in a small town can be petty, which the author captures very well here. Bad things do happen, and parts of the book read like you're watching a train approaching a washout bridge. If only you could warn the characters that something bad IS about to happen here.
A great first thriller from Nikki Crutchley, and I look forward to reading more from her. I just don't think I'll be walking any Coromandel tracks by myself in the foreseeable future.
As someone who holidays in the Coromandel, I could easily visualise the setting of this book - serene, beachy, tatty pine plantations, walking tracks - old and new, and then I realised it really is the perfect place to hide a body or two or three or...
It was refreshing to see a cast of flawed characters, instead of your stock standard saves the world type heroine (or hero). Life isn't always pretty, and life in a small town can be petty, which the author captures very well here. Bad things do happen, and parts of the book read like you're watching a train approaching a washout bridge. If only you could warn the characters that something bad IS about to happen here.
A great first thriller from Nikki Crutchley, and I look forward to reading more from her. I just don't think I'll be walking any Coromandel tracks by myself in the foreseeable future.
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