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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Chris Hammer's "Treasure & Dirt" pulls you into the dusty, opal-tinged world of Finnigans Gap, where a murder case unearths more than just gems. At the centre, Detective Ivan Lucic's secrets unfurl layer by delicate layer, while junior detective Nell Buchanan shines with refreshing strength and realism.
The Aussie outback bleeds into the story, its scorching heat and vastness mirroring the simmering secrets of the town. Hammer excels at building atmosphere, using it to amplify the exploration of power dynamics and hidden agendas.
The plot is a treasure trove of mysteries, weaving opal mining, white-collar crime, a shadowy sex cult, and unfinished business into a gripping narrative. However, the slow-burn pacing can sometimes feel sluggish, like digging for gems in heavy, sun-baked clay.
Overall, "Treasure & Dirt" is a solid mystery with captivating characters and a richly-painted setting. Just be prepared to dust off your patience!
So, if you're craving a slow-burning outback mystery with depth and hidden layers, give this one a shot.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 1/2
The Aussie outback bleeds into the story, its scorching heat and vastness mirroring the simmering secrets of the town. Hammer excels at building atmosphere, using it to amplify the exploration of power dynamics and hidden agendas.
The plot is a treasure trove of mysteries, weaving opal mining, white-collar crime, a shadowy sex cult, and unfinished business into a gripping narrative. However, the slow-burn pacing can sometimes feel sluggish, like digging for gems in heavy, sun-baked clay.
Overall, "Treasure & Dirt" is a solid mystery with captivating characters and a richly-painted setting. Just be prepared to dust off your patience!
So, if you're craving a slow-burning outback mystery with depth and hidden layers, give this one a shot.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 1/2
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another stellar example of the new Australian noir genre. I’m from Alice Springs so I really get the idea of the overwhelming heat - as if it’s another character. Note to self - best not to read this on a hot summers day, you’ll be floored!
Yep, another page turner from Hammer. I really liked the way he wrote about the environment the characters find themselves in. I felt hot and dusty when they did! Gripping plot which kept me up reading past bedtime!
Another well written enthralling can’t put down Hammer thriller
Really good read! Doesn’t overdo the whole Aussie outback thing which I love.
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Gritty and complex, this story kept my attention over a number of days as I listened to it as an audiobook when I could. At times I felt it was too long and was not getting anywhere, but then it would grip me with its twists and turns. Along the way I felt frustration at the goings on behind the scenes that were affecting the characters, which just proves that the story held me as it moved along. The ending is very satisfying.
A great narration by Dorje Swallow added to the enjoyment of this.
I will be interested to listen to more books by Cris Hammer, and especially more with Lucic and Buchanan.
A great narration by Dorje Swallow added to the enjoyment of this.
I will be interested to listen to more books by Cris Hammer, and especially more with Lucic and Buchanan.