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kchisholm's review against another edition
3.0
DRIVE BY is fiction although readers may find themselves having to work hard to remember that. From the opening voice of Jabber (John) Habib to the build up of mayhem on the streets of Sydney, obviously comparisons are being drawn between Melbourne's Underbelly Underworld wars and the increasingly violent, and therefore reported on, drug wars in Sydney.
The story of John Habib, his brothers, their involvement in the Sydney drugs trade, and the murder trial of the youngest brother, is interwoven with the story of young cop Bec Ralston. Somewhat inexplicably she's pulled into a very responsible position in Habib's trial as senior cops seem to be dodging and weaving around. What's really going on with both the Habib brothers and within the cops might not that hard to connect up, but how it all plays out is more surprising.
Part of what really works in DRIVE BY is the voice of John. On the one hand he seems to be perfectly aware of the "family trade" and its ramifications. On the other, he's staunchly loyal and there's little, if any, sense of right and wrong. That loyalty to, belief in family above all else is quite disturbing, especially given a distinct feeling of whatever it takes for the family to survive. Which makes the possibility that Rafi could have killed a drug dealer in the middle of the night not just believable, but uncomfortably understandable.
What works less well are the police threads which are complicated but obviously leading in the direction of some form of corruption or power play. Whilst it's not a disappointing storyline in its own right, most of what's felt wrong is the way that it pulls focus from the Habib's story for a considerable period of time. Right at the point where things are getting very awkward in the Habib family. Having said that, other readers will probably appreciate that aspect of the tale more, so we're definitely talking horses for courses.
Whilst not 100% convinced about the comparisons with the writing of Peter Temple, known more for his brevity and pointedness, something that DRIVE BY at 379 pages might struggle to justify, there is real skill in the characterisation of John, in particular, in this book. His voice is unique, and there is a real feel of seeing inside the dynamics of a family ruthless enough to do whatever it takes to survive. It's also a peek inside the world of policing that, on a daily basis, works against the tide of the sobering piles of money that the drug world generates, and the violence required to maintain a position on the top of that pile.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/drive-michael-duffy
The story of John Habib, his brothers, their involvement in the Sydney drugs trade, and the murder trial of the youngest brother, is interwoven with the story of young cop Bec Ralston. Somewhat inexplicably she's pulled into a very responsible position in Habib's trial as senior cops seem to be dodging and weaving around. What's really going on with both the Habib brothers and within the cops might not that hard to connect up, but how it all plays out is more surprising.
Part of what really works in DRIVE BY is the voice of John. On the one hand he seems to be perfectly aware of the "family trade" and its ramifications. On the other, he's staunchly loyal and there's little, if any, sense of right and wrong. That loyalty to, belief in family above all else is quite disturbing, especially given a distinct feeling of whatever it takes for the family to survive. Which makes the possibility that Rafi could have killed a drug dealer in the middle of the night not just believable, but uncomfortably understandable.
What works less well are the police threads which are complicated but obviously leading in the direction of some form of corruption or power play. Whilst it's not a disappointing storyline in its own right, most of what's felt wrong is the way that it pulls focus from the Habib's story for a considerable period of time. Right at the point where things are getting very awkward in the Habib family. Having said that, other readers will probably appreciate that aspect of the tale more, so we're definitely talking horses for courses.
Whilst not 100% convinced about the comparisons with the writing of Peter Temple, known more for his brevity and pointedness, something that DRIVE BY at 379 pages might struggle to justify, there is real skill in the characterisation of John, in particular, in this book. His voice is unique, and there is a real feel of seeing inside the dynamics of a family ruthless enough to do whatever it takes to survive. It's also a peek inside the world of policing that, on a daily basis, works against the tide of the sobering piles of money that the drug world generates, and the violence required to maintain a position on the top of that pile.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/drive-michael-duffy
sashshearman's review
5.0
TV footage of pock-marked houses, broken windows and shocked by-standers has become common place in Sydney in recent years as tawdry gang wars roll interminably on. In April 2013, the crime stats bureau Director noted a spike in drive by shootings, starting in 2010, had settled down by the end of 2012. By July 2013 an upswing in shootings prompted the Sydney Morning Herald to dub 2013, “The Year of the Gun” . Michael Duffy’s third novel is timely, concerning as it does one fictional Western suburbs crime family. The frame around which the novel is built is the murder trial of the youngest son of the family, who has been charged with shooting a drug dealer in a Sydney park.
The novel revolves around three main characters; Senior Counsel Karen Mabey, prosecuting the accused; Bec Ralston, a young detective, thrown in at the deep end as officer in charge when her boss absconds interstate and John Habib, the accused’s older brother. Drugs have affected each of them. Mabey’s son is an addict, Ralston suffered neglect and abuse at the hands of her alcoholic mother. Habib is the straight Toyota mechanic in a family of criminals who saves his hard-earned money while being financed on expensive holidays by the proceeds of crime.
Mr Duffy’s novel moves at a good pace and contains more threads than your average crime novel. Particularly effective is his characterisation of John Habib, whose vernacular first person narrative is at times, very funny. Again, unlike the average crime novel, wider themes are apparent; the heavy responsibility of family ties, the price of loyalty and illusions of truth.
I was extremely impressed by this story. As compelling as Michael Connelly and Ian Rankin with an added depth that keeps you thinking about the story long after you’ve closed the book.
The novel revolves around three main characters; Senior Counsel Karen Mabey, prosecuting the accused; Bec Ralston, a young detective, thrown in at the deep end as officer in charge when her boss absconds interstate and John Habib, the accused’s older brother. Drugs have affected each of them. Mabey’s son is an addict, Ralston suffered neglect and abuse at the hands of her alcoholic mother. Habib is the straight Toyota mechanic in a family of criminals who saves his hard-earned money while being financed on expensive holidays by the proceeds of crime.
Mr Duffy’s novel moves at a good pace and contains more threads than your average crime novel. Particularly effective is his characterisation of John Habib, whose vernacular first person narrative is at times, very funny. Again, unlike the average crime novel, wider themes are apparent; the heavy responsibility of family ties, the price of loyalty and illusions of truth.
I was extremely impressed by this story. As compelling as Michael Connelly and Ian Rankin with an added depth that keeps you thinking about the story long after you’ve closed the book.
hcube3's review
3.0
A surprisingly dense and layered novel, with plenty of intrigue and unexpected connections. It's at times a difficult read - the multi-perspective approach requires readers to piece details together on their own, and you rarely spend much time in any individual mindset in the novel's orientation.
tien's review
4.0
A crime novel set in my own backyard was what I thought drew me to this novel. Ever since reading the Detective Jill Jackson series by [a:Leah Giarratano|1532873|Leah Giarratano|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1323865596p2/1532873.jpg], I’ve been somewhat nervous each time I had to go to a certain train station ~a certain fictional event is haunting me. Drive By, though set in Western Sydney, wasn’t quite in my hood and for that, I think I’m grateful.
Despite the comparison to Peter Temple’s works in the blurb, which I have read and loved, I approached this work somewhat hesitantly. The cover has a look of non-fiction and I must say, not quite attractive to fiction lovers like myself. However, when you take in consideration the author’s background as a journalist, the cover totally makes sense.
Drive By is told from 3 alternative perspectives –each as different as s/he could be. Bec, Rebecca Ralston, is a young Constable ensnared in a circumstance and left to fend for herself with nary a person to turn to who hasn’t got their own agendas. She, interestingly, is 1/8 Indigenous and protected herself with big words. Jabber ‘John’ Habib, Honest John, was told by his family that he must stand on the other side of the line in the sand –to be a law-abiding citizen. His love for his family drives him to do all he can to keep them safe yet it also blinds him. The prosecutor, Karen Mabbey, hasn’t been able to care about her work; not since her life feels like it’s spiralling out of her control.
The beginning feels quite slow to me though what fascinated me were the characters. I had to roll my eyes / snort each time Bec’s wordy speech, was driven to frustration by John’s slow uptake or may be even selective blindness, and felt nothing but sympathy for Karen. At about 2/3 of the way, however, I was jolted by a twist and then again and again... It was turn after turn in a complex layer of duplicity with a mind blowing conclusion. I must confess though after this whirlwind of the plot, where each of the characters end up didn’t really surprise me though I wish for something somewhat different (what can I say, I’m an optimist :p).
The reference to Peter Temple’s works though is not due to the writing style as it is quite different but in reference to the bold un-crossable line between the crims and law-enforcers. And this was quite evident in the novel. rive By is hands-down the best crime novel I’ve read so far this year and one I would highly recommend to all crime readers.
Thanks, Allen & Unwin, for the giveaway
Despite the comparison to Peter Temple’s works in the blurb, which I have read and loved, I approached this work somewhat hesitantly. The cover has a look of non-fiction and I must say, not quite attractive to fiction lovers like myself. However, when you take in consideration the author’s background as a journalist, the cover totally makes sense.
Drive By is told from 3 alternative perspectives –each as different as s/he could be. Bec, Rebecca Ralston, is a young Constable ensnared in a circumstance and left to fend for herself with nary a person to turn to who hasn’t got their own agendas. She, interestingly, is 1/8 Indigenous and protected herself with big words. Jabber ‘John’ Habib, Honest John, was told by his family that he must stand on the other side of the line in the sand –to be a law-abiding citizen. His love for his family drives him to do all he can to keep them safe yet it also blinds him. The prosecutor, Karen Mabbey, hasn’t been able to care about her work; not since her life feels like it’s spiralling out of her control.
The beginning feels quite slow to me though what fascinated me were the characters. I had to roll my eyes / snort each time Bec’s wordy speech, was driven to frustration by John’s slow uptake or may be even selective blindness, and felt nothing but sympathy for Karen. At about 2/3 of the way, however, I was jolted by a twist and then again and again... It was turn after turn in a complex layer of duplicity with a mind blowing conclusion. I must confess though after this whirlwind of the plot, where each of the characters end up didn’t really surprise me though I wish for something somewhat different (what can I say, I’m an optimist :p).
The reference to Peter Temple’s works though is not due to the writing style as it is quite different but in reference to the bold un-crossable line between the crims and law-enforcers. And this was quite evident in the novel. rive By is hands-down the best crime novel I’ve read so far this year and one I would highly recommend to all crime readers.
Thanks, Allen & Unwin, for the giveaway