Broke Road by Matthew Spencer Book Review

About the Book:

A young woman is found dead in her isolated town house in rural Red Creek, an up-and-coming wine tourism destination outside Sydney. No forced entry. No signs of struggle. And her geologist husband has an alibi, though it’s not exactly solid. While a tabloid journalist is quick to spin her own damning narrative, homicide detective Rose Riley is questioning everything she sees―especially in a rapidly developing community that already seems on edge.

While Riley and her partner, Priya Patel, work the case with a local detective, crime reporter Adam Bowman follows his own leads. Then forensic evidence matches that of a pair of unsolved murders elsewhere in Australia: two other married women, murdered months apart yet in the exact same manner. Riley realizes she’s dealing with a serial killer. But one whose victims weren’t random. These women were chosen, watched, and targeted for a purpose.

As the secrets in this small town emerge, the suspects mount. Now Riley must unearth the deadliest secret of all―the true motive behind the murders―before another woman dies.

My Review:

This is a good novel of suspense, beginning with a murder that leads to a complex investigation. Clues are included but so are plot twists and red herrings. Riley is a well developed character and a dedicated detective. The setting was well crafted with plenty of descriptions. It is a good book for those who like a police procedural plot involving a methodical investigation.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author:

Matthew Spencer was a newspaper journalist at The Australian for twenty years. He lives in Sydney with his wife and three children. Black River is his first novel. For more information, visit www.matthewspencer.com.au.

Thomas & Mercer, 333 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. Mine is an independent review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)