Fotografía de autor

Fleur McDonald

Autor de Blue Skies

28 Obras 450 Miembros 15 Reseñas

Series

Obras de Fleur McDonald

Blue Skies (2010) 37 copias
Red Dust (2009) 35 copias
Purple Roads (2012) 34 copias
Crimson Dawn (2014) 26 copias
Silver Clouds (2013) 24 copias
Starting From Now (2019) 23 copias
Fools Gold (2018) 22 copias
The Shearer's Wife (2021) 20 copias
Red dirt country (2020) 20 copias
Where the River Runs (2018) 20 copias
Indigo Storm (2016) 20 copias
Suddenly One Summer (2017) 20 copias
Emerald springs (2015) 17 copias
Deception Creek (2021) 17 copias
The Missing Pieces of Us (2017) 16 copias
Sapphire Falls (2016) 15 copias
Rising Dust (2022) 12 copias
Voices in the Dark (2023) 12 copias
Without a Doubt (2019) 11 copias
Without a Doubt (2019) 10 copias
Broad River Station (2022) 10 copias
Something to hide (2021) 9 copias
Into the night (2023) 6 copias
What should a horse say? (2018) 4 copias
If you were here (2017) 3 copias
Noisy Nights (2017) 1 copia

Etiquetado

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Miembros

Reseñas

Voices in the Dark is the 22nd novel in which Detective Dave Burrows appears. He features in six, the most recent being Into the Night, and has a peripheral role in sixteen others, including this one, which follows the events of Broad River Station, but can be read as a stand alone.

Informed that her grandmother is gravely ill, Sassi Stapleton doesn’t hesitate to make the long drive from New South Wales to the South Australian town of Barker, hoping for the chance to say goodbye to the woman who raised her. It’s just past dawn when a kangaroo causes Sassi to veer off the road, trapping her in her rolled car, and while she is rescued with only minor injuries, Sassi is devastated to learn that her beloved grandmother is already gone. Being back in Barker is not easy for Sassi, who is still disappointed that there was no opportunity for her to work on the family’s farm, and it becomes more difficult when her estranged mother, Amber, shows up, but Sassi has resolved to do whatever she can to support her Pa, who struggles with daily tasks after a crippling stroke.

As the main character, Sassi carries the story well, with the Stapleton family drama dominating the storyline of Voices in the Dark. McDonald explores the issues of family estrangement, farm succession, and racism, as well as some particular sensitive subjects such as rape, and elder abuse. Somewhat surprisingly there is very little suspense in the plot, though there are some tense incidents. There’s no romance either, but I enjoyed the blossoming of new friendships.

Though Dave doesn’t feature in Voices of the Dark, readers familiar with his character will enjoy the scenes in which he appears. While some simply involve him doing his job as a police officer, and mentoring his new constable, Mia Worth, others reveal glimpses of his personal life, including his relationship with his wife Kim, and his two, now adult, daughters from his first marriage.

An engaging novel, I spent an afternoon happy immersed in Voices of the Dark, and I look forward to the next book to feature Dave Burrows and the community of Barker.
… (más)
½
 
Denunciada
shelleyraec | Nov 16, 2023 |
Into the Night is Fleur McDonald’s seventh novel to feature Detective Dave Burrows though the twelfth in which he appears, chronologically it takes place in 2002, just a few months after the events in Rising Dust.

No one has seen nor heard from Leo Perry, or his dog Coffee, since he placed a frantic call for help when fire broke out on his farm on the outskirts of Yorkenup. After a search determines there is no body among the ashes of the devastated property, Dave and his partner Detective Bob Holden are called in to investigate Leo’s puzzling disappearance.

The mystery element of this novel is really well-crafted, Leo’s wife, family, and friends all insist he is a good man who wouldn’t simply vanish so Dave and Bob start by examining alternative possibilities, but nothing really makes sense. The complicated case suits Dave’s methodical investigative skills and it takes a lot of digging before they make some headway. Though there’s not a great deal of action in Into the
Night, there are some surprising twists leading to a dramatic conclusion.

Dave is almost relieved to have something to focus on other than how difficult his ex-wife, Melinda, and her father, are making it to see his kids. Readers familiar with the series will understand the tense relations and how deeply it hurts him. Unfortunately it’s not the only upset Dave is facing when Bob delivers some bad news.

I’m a genuine fan of the Detective Dave Burrows series, each book offers intriguing suspense, thoughtful character development, and an authenticity in detail and setting. Into the Night is another terrific read from Fleur McDonald.
… (más)
 
Denunciada
shelleyraec | Apr 22, 2023 |
Two seemingly unrelated story threads eventually overlap in Deception Creek, the fifth Australian rural mystery novel by Fleur McDonald to feature Detective Dave Burrows in the town of Barker, though the ninth in which he appears.

When Joel Hammond returns to Barker after serving a nine year jail sentence, Dave is surprised by the venom directed at him by a handful of locals. Their anger, Dave learns, is unrelated to the financial crimes that Joel claims he is innocent of. When Joel was a teenager his girlfriend, Maggie, died after a fall from a water tower, and though he was cleared of any involvement, her family have always believed him responsible.

Though Emma Cameron’s marriage has ended in divorce, she’s proud that all her hard work means the farm she inherited from her parents in Deception Creek is almost debt free. She doesn’t want to be alone forever though and when Kyle Pengilly, with whom she shares a tragic memory, comes to town, she finds his obvious interest flattering.

McDonald’s plot is skilfully crafted, well paced, and offers a truly unexpected ending. While Dave, and his partner Senior Constable Jack Higgins try to keep peace in town as Maggie’s brother, Steve, becomes increasingly confrontational with Joel, their partners, Kim Burrows and journalist Zara Ellison, grow curious not only about Joel’s insistence that he was not guilty of fraud, but also what really happened the night Maggie died. I was caught up in the drama and suspense as their questions unravel shocking truths that have been hidden for decades.

I’ve grown familiar with the core characters, who share a strong sense of community and justice, over previous instalments and find them to be an appealing foursome. I liked Emma, an independent, capable farmer, and Joel who, despite the accusations levelled against him, is sympathetic. Interestingly, both these characters give McDonald another opportunity to explore facets of PTSD, as she has done in several previous novels.

Though it can be read as a stand alone, Deception Creek is another great read is what is an engaging series that combines suspense and romance in an authentic rural Australian setting.
… (más)
 
Denunciada
shelleyraec | Nov 20, 2021 |
Something to Hide is the fourth engrossing rural suspense novel to feature Detective Dave Burrows, though the seventh in which he appears, by bestselling Australian writer Fleur McDonald.

Something to Hide brings closure to the undercover assignment investigating a stock theft ring that resulted in Dave being shot and the escape of the ringleaders, brothers Bulldust and Scotty, in Without A Doubt. Set a few months after the events of Red Dirt Country, Dave’s relationship with his wife, Melinda, is just getting back on track when, while grocery shopping, she’s confronted by a stranger with a message for her husband.

Dave’s been expecting the ruthless brothers to seek their revenge ever since the judge carelessly revealed his identity during his testimony in the case, and now that they’ve finally made their first move, Dave is keen to end the threat. McDonald develops a tense, fast-paced plot as the inevitable confrontation between Dave and Bulldust edges ever closer. Not knowing when, or where it will take place, but assuming it will be deadly, ensures suspense remains high throughout the story, particularly as both men grow more reckless in their pursuit of each other.

Stonewalled by the Major Crimes squad tracking Bulldust and his brother, Dave’s partner, Bob, tries to distract him with another case involving stock theft, moving the action from Perth back to Barrabine, adding a further layer of interest to the novel. It also reunites Dave with his mentor and handler on the undercover case, Spencer, who, in a shocking twist, gets caught up in Bulldust’s vendetta.

The entire situation is the last straw for Mel who issues Dave an ultimatum, insisting he choose between her and the job. McDonald explores Dave’s struggle to make such a choice, and the fears that drive the spouse of a police officer to demand one. Though I do not find Mel to be a likeable character, McDonald’s skill with creating authentic characters ensures I do sympathise with her concerns. Unsurprisingly, Dave remains hopeful that he can still have it all, until tragedy ensures the decision is made for him.

Though Something to Hide could be read as a stand-alone, I wouldn’t recommend it given it provides closure to two major threads developed in the previous books, plus you’d be missing out on what is an excellent series. Well crafted, with exciting action, Something to Hide is a stellar instalment, and I can’t wait to discover how Dave moves forward from here.

++++++

If you’ve enjoyed this review, (and even if you haven’t) please consider donating to the charity Fleur McDonald founded, DV assist, which offers information, resources and practical support for those experiencing or concerned about others who may be experiencing domestic and family violence in regional, rural or remote Western Australia experiencing family and domestic violence.
Go to DVAssist.org.au
… (más)
½
 
Denunciada
shelleyraec | Apr 7, 2021 |

Premios

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Estadísticas

Obras
28
Miembros
450
Popularidad
#54,506
Valoración
3.8
Reseñas
15
ISBNs
212
Idiomas
3

Tablas y Gráficos