“A murder made to look like an accident. A disgraced cop trying to forget his past.

Nash Baker was once a celebrated cop, but his career was ended when he chose to take justice into his own hands. Now he’s living a quiet life in a small town caring for the local wildlife and trying to stay away from trouble.

Jesse Redpath has a new job in a new town, Satellite – the stormy weather that greets her first few days on the new beat seems like a sign for what’s to come. A local has died in what seems like an accident, but Jesse isn’t so sure that ‘accident’ wasn’t planned. All evidence seems to point to Nash, but Jessie’s not sure about that either.

Seems like Nash has enemies. And what looks like a close knit community might just be cover for dark secrets.

No amount of rain will wash this town clean.

The new Jesse Redpath crime thriller from the bestselling author of Canticle Creek.”

Hello and welcome to damppebbles. Today I am delighted to share my review of The Wiregrass by Adrian Hyland. The Wiregrass will be published by Ultimo Press later this week (that’s Thursday 7th December 2023) and will be available in hardcover and digital formats. I chose to read a free eARC of The Wiregrass but that has in no way influenced my review.

Not that long ago I picked up and read a copy of Canticle Creek by Adrian Hyland, and I loved it. I’m a huge fan of Australian crime fiction. It’s my ‘go-to’ fictional setting 99.9% of the time and if it’s an Aussie based police procedural that we’re talking about, then even better! Which is exactly what Canticle Creek is in all of its thoroughly readable and highly compelling glory. What I didn’t realise at the time was that CC was the first book in a new series. So when the opportunity arose to have an early read of the second Jesse Redpath novel, The Wiregrass, I jumped at it. There was no way on earth this one was going to pass me by, based on how much I loved Canticle Creek.

Not long after arriving in a new town, Jesse Redpath is called to assist when the weather turns nasty and storms and major flooding cause havoc for the local residents. After courageously rescuing a woman, Jesse and colleagues discover a terrible accident where a local farmer has met a sticky end. But there’s something about the scene that just doesn’t quite sit right for Jesse. Returning to the area later that same night, Jesse makes a number of startling discoveries and what first looked like an accident is confirmed as murder. Before long a former police officer is arrested for the crime. But Jesse has recently become acquainted with Nash and despite the evidence, firmly believes he is not guilty. Can Jesse prove Nash is innocent or will this case be the death of her…?

The Wiregrass is a superb follow up to Canticle Creek and delivers on all counts. I once again thoroughly enjoyed spending time in Jesse’s company. Things have changed for Jesse since the last book. She has moved away from the Northern Territory where we first met her and is now based in a small town 50 kilometres or so from Melbourne. With new colleagues, different weather conditions and a crumbling shack which she laughingly calls home, Jesse once again has a lot on her plate! When she starts to have doubts about the scene of an accident, Jesse isn’t the type of person to let it go. She valiantly heads out on her own to have a quiet poke around. I love Jesse’s tenacity, her drive and determination to do the right thing. She’s fearless and the more time I spend with the character, the more I like her.

Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of The Wiregrass. Hyland has created a new favourite character in Jesse Redpath and I hope there are many more books featuring her to come. The supporting characters are also very well drawn and play their parts immensely well. One of the things which made my heart sing about the first book was how Hyland created such a mesmerising sense of place. Setting is clearly very important to the author as they have once again made the book’s location an integral part of the plot and I am here for that 100%! The story unfolds at a steady, yet highly compelling pace until it reaches its thrilling conclusion. I was on the edge of my seat having not seen any of the reveals or revelations coming at any point along the way. All in all, I can’t recommend The Wiregrass enough. I think it could be read without having read Canticle Creek first but why would you do that when both books are truly excellent?! An intelligent, assuredly written police procedural that has both heart and grit. Highly recommended.

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

The Wiregrass by Adrian Hyland was published in the UK by Ultimo Press on 7th December 2023 and is available in 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.