“When Adam Lawson’s wrecked car is found a kilometre from Daisy Baker’s body, the whole town assumes it’s an open and shut case. But Jesse Redpath isn’t from Canticle Creek. Where she comes from, the truth often hides in plain sight, but only if you know where to look. When Jesse starts to ask awkward questions, she uncovers a town full of contradictions and a cast of characters with dark pasts, secrets to hide and even more to lose.

As the temperature soars, and the ground bakes, the wilderness surrounding Canticle Creek becomes a powder keg waiting to explode. All it needs is one spark.”

Hello and welcome to damppebbles. Today I am delighted to share my review of Canticle Creek by Adrian Hyland. Canticle Creek was published by Ultimo Press on 8th June 2023 and is available in hardcover, paperback and digital formats. I chose to read a free eARC of Canticle Creek but that has in no way influenced my review.

If you’re a regular visitor to the blog then you may be aware that I adore Australian crime fiction and I’m always on the lookout for talented Australian authors to add to my ‘must read’ list. So when Canticle Creek landed on my radar I, of course, jumped on it. And after experiencing Hyland’s writing and storytelling for the first time, I think it’s very safe to say that I will be reading this author’s work again in the future. The sooner, the better!

When Northern Territory cop, Constable Jesse Redpath, hears the news of Adam Lawson’s death she’s devastated. Despite Lawson being a well-known local criminal, police officer Jesse had always believed there was more to Adam Lawson than petty crime. So much so, she found work for him and when the chips were down, Jesse stood up to the magistrate on Lawson’s behalf. However, Jesse, despite everything she did, can’t help but feel responsible for Adam’s death. Even more so when she discovers Lawson is accused of murdering his girlfriend, Daisy, before accidentally running off the road and brutally ending his own life. Jesse feels her only course of action is to visit Canticle Creek herself and try to put things right. But when Jesse arrives and starts asking probing questions, the small town clams up. Jesse’s arrival and subsequent off-the-books investigation certainly ruffles a few feathers! Because the people of Canticle Creek have secrets of their own. Secrets they will do anything to keep…

Canticle Creek is a thoroughly absorbing and highly compelling read which I loved from start to finish. From the opening lines of the book, I was drawn into the story almost immediately, bonding with lead character, Jesse. I really liked how the author portrayed her. She’s intelligent, emotional and isn’t going to take any BS from anyone. When at home in the Northern Territory of Kulara, Redpath works with Danny Jakamarra, an Aboriginal Community Police Officer. Although we didn’t see very much of Danny, I did enjoy the mutual respect the two officers had for one another. I very much hope that Canticle Creek is the first book in a new series so I can watch Jesse’s character grow and perhaps get to see a little more of Danny too. Fingers crossed the author decides to write more.

Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Canticle Creek and would heartily recommend it to all crime noir fans who enjoy a slower paced investigation but with plenty of well-written twists along the way. The characters were all interesting with Jesse stealing the show from the get-go. I did enjoy how she takes her artist father along for the ride when she visits Canticle Creek. It was a different relationship to the ones we crime readers tend to see featured in fiction (it’s normally the father of the victim, rather than the police officer!). The sense of place is exemplary. You really get a great feel for the setting, a small rural community amidst a period of drought. As the temperature rises so does the tension, which is beautifully written. All in all, I loved Canticle Creek and I’m excited to see more from this author. Thoroughly readable, highly compelling and one of the best books I’ve read recently. Highly recommended.

I chose to read and review a free eARC of Canticle Creek. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

Canticle Creek by Adrian Hyland was published in the UK by Ultimo Press on 8th June 2023 and is available in hardcover, paperback and digital formats (please note, the following links are affiliate links which means I receive a small percentage of the purchase price at no extra cost to you): | amazon.co.uk | Waterstones | Foyles | bookshop.org | Goodreads | damppebbles bookshop.org shop | damppebbles amazon.co.uk shop | damppebbles amazon.com shop |

Adrian Hyland spent many years in the Northern Territory, living and working among indigenous people. He now teaches at LaTrobe University and lives in the north-east of Melbourne. His first novel, Diamond Dove won the 2007 Ned Kelly Award for Best First Fiction.