Simon Rowell

Written by Australian author, Simon Rowell, and set around Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula, "The Long Game" follows Detective Sergeant Zoe Mayer as she returns to duty with her new service dog, Harry, after a traumatic experience while on the job that forces her to her take extended leave. Despite being told to ease back into work life, Zoe soon finds herself on the hunt for a serial killer.

While I enjoyed the story, especially the local sites that were mentioned throughout the novel, overall, I found it bland. The writing was simplistic and straightforward and it lacked emotion. Even Harry, who was my favourite character showed little personality. Golden retrievers are one of my favourite breeds of dogs but I don't think the author captured the essence of him. All the characters were fairly stereotypical and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with them.

The last quarter of the book was the best when the pacing and action ramped up but not to the extent where I was on the edge of my seat nervously chewing on my nails. "The Long Game" was an okay story but I have definitely read much better crime novels.… (más)

The Good Dog is the third excellent book in Simon Rowell’s series featuring Victorian homicide Detective Zoe Mayer and her trusted service dog, Harry.

When Zoe is called to the scene of a bullet ridden body on Mount Macedon, Harry’s discovery of a second body in nearby bushland suggests they may be looking at a case of murder-suicide. Yet it soon becomes clear to Zoe and her new partner, DC Ben Tarro, that the crime scene has been staged.

I quickly found myself invested the suspenseful plot of The Good Dog. There are plenty of suspects for the crime - the dead men, recently acquitted fraudster Piers Johnson, and his lawyer Antony Peterson, have several enemies, especially among those who lost a lot of money in Johnson’s investment scheme. There are twists in the investigation that keep things interesting, and the identity of Zoe and Ben’s quarry is likely to surprise more than a few readers.

The pacing of the novel works well, with the urgency of the investigation accelerated by threats levelled at the dead men’s wives, the ransacking of Johnson’s home, and the kidnapping of Peterson’s teenage daughter. The eventual confrontation between Zoe, Ben, and the killer in particular is tense and exciting.

Zoe is a strong, appealing character and her relationship with Harry, a golden retriever, who not only serves as Zoe’s anchor when her PTSD is triggered, but is also a useful investigative tool, is a great feature of the series. Ben’s introduction seemed inauspicious, and he still feels a little insubstantial, but he proves to be a good partner for Zoe over the course of the novel.

If you enjoy well-written police procedurals The Good Dog, along with its prequels, The Long Game and Wild Card, are a treat that will leave you begging for more.… (más)

This book is an excellent option for anyone who loves a good mystery and a satisfying twist. The main character, an Australian Police Officer with a complicated past, is someone likable from the start. Her relationship with her closest partner, a Labrador that acts as her support animal, is something to fall in love with. I found this book very engaging and I managed to finish it in two days as I couldn't put it down.

I'm not terribly familiar with Australian law and police culture, but it was an interesting inside perspective on crime solving and personal dynamics between co-workers. Each character had their own unique personality and you either liked or disliked them for valid reasons.

The crime itself was interesting. The book goes into it directly, and then expands as you read along. It was complex enough to keep you pulled in, with a couple of great plot twists that made for a satisfying ending. Some points I felt were a little unrealistic, but they weren't too extreme that it took you out of the story. The history of the main character and the reasoning for her peers to treat her differently because of it felt off, but still very enjoyable.

I definitely recommend for anyone into crime, thriller, and murder mystery!… (más)