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sandin954's review against another edition
5.0
Totally entertaining with great characters, a really suspenseful plot, and a tight economical writing style which transported me to rural Australia. Listened to the audio version which was wonderfully read by Marco Chiappi.
textpublishing's review against another edition
5.0
‘A must for thriller seekers’
Who Weekly
‘Fast, funny and assured.’
Australian Book Review
‘The coolest and most elegant of Australian crime writers.’
Age
‘Temple is a phenomenon.’
Sydney Morning Herald
‘Text Publishing is taking a second bite of the Australian literary cherry with its Australian Classics series – a reprint of 30 ‘‘forgotten’’ books. Sure, there are some pretty good ones in the selection but, because I am a Peter Temple tragic, none come better than An Iron Rose. In fact, if Temple had a crack at a scribble on the back of a supermarket docket, I’d read it. An Iron Rose has Temple’s usual grizzled police veteran as the central character, a despicable and mystifying crime and a support crew of goodies and baddies – although as in most of Temple’s novels many make the switch to the dark side by the end of the book. But don’t read it for the story line; read it for the language. Temple’s dry Australian vernacular and wit should be required reading for everyone above the age of 16. This edition is introduced by Les Carlyon, a better match for Temple’s writing I could not imagine.’
Melbourne Weekly
Who Weekly
‘Fast, funny and assured.’
Australian Book Review
‘The coolest and most elegant of Australian crime writers.’
Age
‘Temple is a phenomenon.’
Sydney Morning Herald
‘Text Publishing is taking a second bite of the Australian literary cherry with its Australian Classics series – a reprint of 30 ‘‘forgotten’’ books. Sure, there are some pretty good ones in the selection but, because I am a Peter Temple tragic, none come better than An Iron Rose. In fact, if Temple had a crack at a scribble on the back of a supermarket docket, I’d read it. An Iron Rose has Temple’s usual grizzled police veteran as the central character, a despicable and mystifying crime and a support crew of goodies and baddies – although as in most of Temple’s novels many make the switch to the dark side by the end of the book. But don’t read it for the story line; read it for the language. Temple’s dry Australian vernacular and wit should be required reading for everyone above the age of 16. This edition is introduced by Les Carlyon, a better match for Temple’s writing I could not imagine.’
Melbourne Weekly
laurahastoomanywips's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Great plot, fast paced thriller. Setting and characters well done, could really feel the Australian setting, etc.
Will definitely read more from this author
Will definitely read more from this author
bundy23's review against another edition
3.0
Starts well before the simple case of an apparent suicide descends to the ridiculous with doctors, bent coppers, archbishops and the possible next PM of Australia all involved in a paedophilic sex ring. There was also a (consensual) sex scene that was so hilariously awful that the term "engorged penis" was used.
That said, if you can suspend your belief it's not that bad as a piece of entertainment, assuming you're okay with cheap ABC drama's that try hard to be Hollywood blockbusters.
That said, if you can suspend your belief it's not that bad as a piece of entertainment, assuming you're okay with cheap ABC drama's that try hard to be Hollywood blockbusters.
oanh_1's review against another edition
3.0
Fun, though aspects of his style - one typical of the genre - annoyed. Still, I suspect I will read more by Peter Temple. He writes well and plots competently and interestingly and credibly; all qualities which can be rate in this genre.
sceadugenga's review against another edition
4.0
This was one of Peter Temple' early books and showed signs of good things to come.
It would have been a certain 5 if he had been a little bit more experienced in his craft.
It would have been a certain 5 if he had been a little bit more experienced in his craft.
bekstar's review against another edition
4.0
Mac Faraday is a great character. This book is about friendship, changing relationships and having your past catch up with you.
Gritty murder(? or is it suicide?) mystery set in Melbourne.
Gritty murder(? or is it suicide?) mystery set in Melbourne.
lisa_setepenre's review against another edition
4.0
I picked up An Iron Rose at about 11:30pm and wondered if I was too tired to be starting a new book, particularly when I had to get up early in the morning. But I thought, I can read the introduction at least or just look at the first pages.
It was 12:50am when I reluctantly put the book down to get some sleep.
And then, when I woke up, I picked it back up again. Put it down when I had to only to snatch it up when I could. I even ended up taking the book out with me in my handbag just so I could finish it.
Damn.
An Iron Rose is, obviously, seriously addictive. I loved the characters, I loved the world, and I loved its laconic prose that gave it so much character.
It was 12:50am when I reluctantly put the book down to get some sleep.
And then, when I woke up, I picked it back up again. Put it down when I had to only to snatch it up when I could. I even ended up taking the book out with me in my handbag just so I could finish it.
Damn.
An Iron Rose is, obviously, seriously addictive. I loved the characters, I loved the world, and I loved its laconic prose that gave it so much character.