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The Robbers

4.11 of 5 stars 4.11 · rating details · 9 ratings · 5 reviews

The Victoria Police Armed Robbery Squad has long been considered the hardest and most feared group of Victorian detectives. They operate without fear or favour.

Newspaper journalist Ian Malone, new to the city crime beat, has assigned himself a story: uncover the truth about the enigmatic squad. Have the men from "The Robbers" been demonised or is their hard-arm reputation...more

Paperback, 408 pages

Published September 1st 2012 by Hardie Grant Books

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Oct 25, 2012 Josh rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: crime, australia, own, arc, favorites, noir, read_2012, oznoir

On face value, ‘The Robbers’ looks to be a typical crime tale written by an author well versed in crime fictions true-to-life counterpart. However, the façade is quickly diminished once the pages get turning. By in large, ‘The Robbers’ is noir; the protagonists are tainted, a law unto themselves, a band of brothers with a slightly skewed moral compass, their means justify the end. Some are family men, others glorified hounds yet they all serve a common purpose – clean the street of its scum by a...more On face value, ‘The Robbers’ looks to be a typical crime tale written by an author well versed in crime fictions true-to-life counterpart. However, the façade is quickly diminished once the pages get turning. By in large, ‘The Robbers’ is noir; the protagonists are tainted, a law unto themselves, a band of brothers with a slightly skewed moral compass, their means justify the end. Some are family men, others glorified hounds yet they all serve a common purpose – clean the street of its scum by any means necessary.

“Think footy and you think Brereton, Dipper, Rhys-Jones and Lockett. The real hard c#nts … Think Victoria Police and you think The Robbers. We still shirtfront the bad blokes.”

This line sure gets my literary senses tingling - words direct from our own brand of Aussie noir. The members that comprise the elite Armed Robbery Squad are diverse, deep, and not afraid to go against the grain. There's something that invokes a sense of hero worship and desire to see them conquer all despite overwhelming odds against. From common criminals to IA to politicians, The Robbers are battling the world for the greater good. Sure their means are unconventional but then sometimes it takes violence to end violence.

Unofficial member, journalist Ian Malone adds another dimension to the group. His motive and means a constant question throughout the novel. Initially a carbon copy character lifted from a main stream crime, Anderson quickly establishes Malone as someone who has a police mentality hardened by a past many would kill to forget. Of all the colourful and interesting characters that caress the pages of THE ROBBERS, it's Malone that tops my list.

The Free Dictionary online (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/noir) describes noir as “of or relating to a genre of crime literature featuring tough, cynical characters and bleak settings” and is “suggestive of danger or violence”. Anderson nails this definition - split knuckles, bloodied streets, and brutal bashings are commonplace. Readers emotions will run high and low as they laugh, cry, hate and love right alongside The Robbers.

Colourful characters, distinct Australian dialogue, and Aussie Rules references - this is a book purpose built for blokes and fans of crime fiction who like their stories dark and on the rougher side of life. 5 stars.

This review also appears on my blog: http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...
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Oct 22, 2012 Lauren Murphy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: aussie-author, crime-mystery

Paul Anderson presents a meticulously researched and vivid personification of the Victorian Armed Robbery Squad in his fictional portrayal, The Robbers. It’s clear from the very first page that Anderson knows what he’s talking about, drawing from his own knowledge and experience in working as a police and court reporter for the Herald Sun.

The Armed Robbery Squad, known as “the Robbers” is a real man’s world. The detectives are tough, loyal to their team and devoted to their job- just as you woul...more Paul Anderson presents a meticulously researched and vivid personification of the Victorian Armed Robbery Squad in his fictional portrayal, The Robbers. It’s clear from the very first page that Anderson knows what he’s talking about, drawing from his own knowledge and experience in working as a police and court reporter for the Herald Sun.

The Armed Robbery Squad, known as “the Robbers” is a real man’s world. The detectives are tough, loyal to their team and devoted to their job- just as you would expect a police officer to be. But they are also crude, dismissive, violent and at times downright scary. They put their lives on the line every single day and have a ferocious attitude of taking down the criminals with whatever means at their disposal. Then there’s Kelso, the detective that leads the squad who frequents strip clubs (sorry ‘gentleman’ clubs) and prostitutes, beats up criminals on the street and at times I questioned whether he had some serious sociopathic tendencies not unlike the criminals he hunted.
What Anderson does so well is create an understanding of these very flawed characters and even though I didn’t particularly like them, I wanted to see the best in them. There were times I was completely appalled, disgusted even by their behaviour…but there were also times when I did sympathise with them in those rare moments when their guard was down.

Even though the stats are in their favour for cleaning up the city of armed bandits, the higher powers want to dismantle the team due to the number of complaints against the squad and their out-dated procedures. Here enters newspaper journalist, Malone who intends to uncover the truth about the squad. Malone is a complicated character with past regrets and an underlying motive for infiltrating the Robbers. He forms a (slightly dysfunctional) bond with Kelso who takes Malone under his wing and accepts him as one of the team. Initially he is presented as the protagonist of the novel, but he takes on a secondary role as the story progresses though he does remain a pivotal character in the book. I liked him instantly; he’s assertive and confidently holds his place among the bravado in the squad. But as he becomes immersed in the lifestyle of alcohol, women and ad hoc criminal acts with his newfound friends he becomes almost indistinguishable from the Robbers- which poses a problem for him in objectively portraying the squad.

Anderson also provides an insight into the mind of the criminals which was fascinating and also disturbing because at times they weren’t much different to the cops!

The Robbers provides a captivating and confronting insight into the nature of the frontline police dealing with Australia’s most dangerous criminals. It’s a story where the line between good and evil becomes blurry and you’re likely to face many ethical quandaries while reading this novel. The Robbers will be enjoyed by crime fiction and true crime fans who can stomach vulgar scenes and offensive characters. A highly recommended Australian read!
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Oct 19, 2012 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-are, aussie-author, provided-by-publisher

Drawing on his relationship with the Victorian Armed Robbery Squad as an award winning police reporter, Paul Anderson's gritty 'The Robbers' is a fictionalised account of modern day policing from the inside amongst the officers who confront some of society's most dangerous and desperate criminals.
When journalist Ian Malone is assigned as the police reporter for The Age,, his first planned feature is on the fearsome reputation of the Victorian Armed Robbery Squad. Repeatedly under fire in the me...more

Drawing on his relationship with the Victorian Armed Robbery Squad as an award winning police reporter, Paul Anderson's gritty 'The Robbers' is a fictionalised account of modern day policing from the inside amongst the officers who confront some of society's most dangerous and desperate criminals.
When journalist Ian Malone is assigned as the police reporter for The Age,, his first planned feature is on the fearsome reputation of the Victorian Armed Robbery Squad. Repeatedly under fire in the media for allegations of excessive force and intimidation, the units modus operandi is in direct conflict with the growing culture of corporate policing. But protecting society from the excesses of violent, remorseless criminals demands a unique commitment and The Robbers explores the myriad of grey area in maintaining law and order.

And there is plenty of grey. Few among us can comfortably condone the use of physical violence against a police suspect but can the ends ever justify the means? Fast paced and action packed, the author highlights the conflicts and complexity of modern policing with unflinching honesty. While police bureaucracy busy themselves with image making and political point scoring, police on the coalface, such as the members of the Armed Robbery Squad, are mired in the realities of violent crime and the brutality of those that commit them. Anderson expertly delves into the paradox, dissecting the idyll from the truth. This is a world where moral certainty wars with callous indifference, and the rules of polite society are dismissed with violent prejudice.

It is often said there is a thin line between fact and fiction and Anderson hasn't had to look far to find inspiration for the criminals that taunt the Armed Robbery Squad in his novel. In April 2012 the Herald Sun published a list of Victoria's worst criminals as named by the author which included Victor George Peirce, Bandali Michael Debs and Dennis "Mr Death'' Allen, all of whom have had their violent actions attributed to Anderson's fictionalised characters.

And what of the members of the squad? These are men who play hard and work hard and I have no doubt are based on real officers Anderson has come in contact with. While it's easy to judge them for their worst behaviours it's difficult to not admire their commitment and dedication to the protection of society at the risk of their own lives. These men 'hold the line' not for recognition or reward but for "the immeasurable pleasure from removing the worst of the worst from society".

There is a stunning authenticity to Anderson's writing, not only in terms of plot and characters but also in the style and tone of the text. The uncensored dialogue (a note for those easily offended, swearing is rife) is realistic and the novel is well grounded in both time and place.

Definitely one of my favourite crime reads for the year I'd recommend it particularly to readers who enjoyed Y A Erskine's The Brotherhood as it has a similar tone. Compelling, confrontational and thought provoking The Robbers is a gripping and entertaining crime drama. (less)

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May 01, 2013 Karen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: australian, crime, review-books

Award winning police reporter Paul Anderson obviously spent a lot of time around the Victorian Armed Robbery Squad during some pivotal investigations in this state as there's much of the plot in THE ROBBERS which rings loud, persistent and very musical bells.

There is therefore a parallel when journalist Ian Malone is assigned as a police reporter, his first involvement with the "the Robbers" as he wants to write a feature about the feared, and not always admired Squad. Malone is along for the ri...more Award winning police reporter Paul Anderson obviously spent a lot of time around the Victorian Armed Robbery Squad during some pivotal investigations in this state as there's much of the plot in THE ROBBERS which rings loud, persistent and very musical bells.

There is therefore a parallel when journalist Ian Malone is assigned as a police reporter, his first involvement with the "the Robbers" as he wants to write a feature about the feared, and not always admired Squad. Malone is along for the ride as "the Robbers" slowly fall from favour with the more controlled, corporate, considered style of policing overtaking the Victorian Service.

There is also the parallels that can be drawn between the villains in this book and many of the "names" from some of the worst of the Melbourne Underworld wars and associated cases, some of which have been the most high-profile crimes in recent Victorian history. These aspects are the most chilling parts of this book taking the opportunity to look behind the headlines and court cases at the sorts of people that many of this criminals could be / maybe actually are.

Along the way Anderson takes the opportunity to cast a light into some very dark corners of all sides of the equation. There's not a lot of aspects that miss out, from the criminals that front-line police have to find a way of dealing with, past policing behaviour including physical violence, and the posturing that goes on at the top.

Given Anderson's background you would be well within your rights to expect that this is well written, and extremely realistic. Warts and all storytelling without the niceties of not offending readership or the individuals so easily recognisable for that matter. This is, after all fiction, even though it's obviously based very firmly in true life events and a part of the great strength of the book is the searing, unapologetic realism of the whole thing.

It's interesting to see the proliferation of books based on true life events recently appearing, although it's probably not so surprising. There was something so over the top, so seemingly fictional about the cases they are casting a light on, in very real examples of truth definitely being stranger than fiction. The great thing about THE ROBBERS is that it's actually making a fictionalised version that's actually publishable.

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Apr 22, 2013 David McLean added it

Paul's background as a crime reporter is used to good effect as the events of the novel echo what happened in Melbourne a little while ago.

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May 04, 2013 Kay marked it as to-read

Shelves: my-ebooks, brisbane

Apr 22, 2013 Romeu de Sousa rated it 5 of 5 stars

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