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Hansen #1
Curtin Express
ASIN B004J8HRIW moved to the most recent edition here
Some things are best left unopened: particularly when they contain dark secrets. David Paget should have thought of that when he agreed to collect a suitcase from Hong Kong and take it to Australia. The contents appear too old to be threatening but appearances can be deceptive. Like a genie from a bottle the past rushes in. Events develop with alarming speed and David is propelled on a mad flight through the vastness of Australia, pursued by hired killers. His friends mount a rescue operation. To succeed, they must delve into the past and uncover the reason for David’s plight.
Some things are best left unopened: particularly when they contain dark secrets. David Paget should have thought of that when he agreed to collect a suitcase from Hong Kong and take it to Australia. The contents appear too old to be threatening but appearances can be deceptive. Like a genie from a bottle the past rushes in. Events develop with alarming speed and David is propelled on a mad flight through the vastness of Australia, pursued by hired killers. His friends mount a rescue operation. To succeed, they must delve into the past and uncover the reason for David’s plight.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 11, 2011
27 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Mike Dixon
16 books22 followersI either started off on the wrong foot or I'm the legendary rolling stone. Normally, a degree in astrophysics does not lead to a stint in Parliament House, public relations, the diving industry and a backpacker resort - but that's what happened to me. I'm now retired in the sense that I no longer need to work for a living and that gives me time for travelling and writing.
My messy life has provided a lot of material for writing. But, even in this, I've not settled down to a single genre. I wobble between action mystery thrillers and historical novels then find myself writing books on travel and business. I live on the Gold Coast, Australia.
Contact: mikejkdixon@bigpond.com
My messy life has provided a lot of material for writing. But, even in this, I've not settled down to a single genre. I wobble between action mystery thrillers and historical novels then find myself writing books on travel and business. I live on the Gold Coast, Australia.
Contact: mikejkdixon@bigpond.com
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 12, 2020
Every once in a while, I like to step away from my adored genre (cosies!) and branch out into other forms of mysteries. This was my latest foray.
Set in Australia and referencing the days of WWII in flashbacks, this novel hit many of my favourite story aspects. The Suitcase weaves its way through many twists and turns to reach a rather satisfying conclusion. On its way there, however, a massive amount of violence occurs - none of it felt gratuitous, but there nonetheless.
While I enjoyed reading this story, it fell outside my comfort zone. I will go on to read more in this series (particularly #3 which holds special interest) but not immediately. I need time to recover!
(There are 3 different entries of this novel; this is a copy/pasted review.)
Set in Australia and referencing the days of WWII in flashbacks, this novel hit many of my favourite story aspects. The Suitcase weaves its way through many twists and turns to reach a rather satisfying conclusion. On its way there, however, a massive amount of violence occurs - none of it felt gratuitous, but there nonetheless.
While I enjoyed reading this story, it fell outside my comfort zone. I will go on to read more in this series (particularly #3 which holds special interest) but not immediately. I need time to recover!
(There are 3 different entries of this novel; this is a copy/pasted review.)
August 26, 2020
Interesting mystery
The descriptions of the places in the story was amazing. Almost gave me a feel of looking at them firsthand.
There were a wide variety of characters and they were all ranging from good to outright bad. The author has done an interesting job of weaving the characters together in a complex story. With the historical importance of every place added in with every chapter, the intrigue has been built well. Though the mystery was built painstakingly, the ending seemed a little rushed. But I still enjoyed the story as a whole. Liked it
The descriptions of the places in the story was amazing. Almost gave me a feel of looking at them firsthand.
There were a wide variety of characters and they were all ranging from good to outright bad. The author has done an interesting job of weaving the characters together in a complex story. With the historical importance of every place added in with every chapter, the intrigue has been built well. Though the mystery was built painstakingly, the ending seemed a little rushed. But I still enjoyed the story as a whole. Liked it
September 12, 2020
Every once in a while, I like to step away from my adored genre (cosies!) and branch out into other forms of mysteries. This was my latest foray.
Set in Australia and referencing the days of WWII in flashbacks, this novel hit many of my favourite story aspects. The Suitcase weaves its way through many twists and turns to reach a rather satisfying conclusion. On its way there, however, a massive amount of violence occurs - none of it felt gratuitous, but there nonetheless.
While I enjoyed reading this story, it fell outside my comfort zone. I will go on to read more in this series (particularly #3 which holds special interest) but not immediately. I need time to recover!
(There are 3 different entries of this novel; this is a copy/pasted review.)
Set in Australia and referencing the days of WWII in flashbacks, this novel hit many of my favourite story aspects. The Suitcase weaves its way through many twists and turns to reach a rather satisfying conclusion. On its way there, however, a massive amount of violence occurs - none of it felt gratuitous, but there nonetheless.
While I enjoyed reading this story, it fell outside my comfort zone. I will go on to read more in this series (particularly #3 which holds special interest) but not immediately. I need time to recover!
(There are 3 different entries of this novel; this is a copy/pasted review.)
March 26, 2021
This story starts out slowly. Really seems to bounce in time and place. The author eventually pulls all the details together into a complete story. You, the reader, must be able to keep track of all the people the author introduces. Then you also have to keep track of all the threads as they weave their way through time and location.
In the end it seems that maybe you missed something or maybe didn't follow as the author attempted to bring all the threads together. A good read, but not as satisfying as I hoped for.
In the end it seems that maybe you missed something or maybe didn't follow as the author attempted to bring all the threads together. A good read, but not as satisfying as I hoped for.
April 8, 2022
The summary of this book sounded interesting, which is why I started reading the book. And it did start off exciting. Once the first bit was done, however, the book bogged down. I have no idea what the author was even trying to get to.
If the author had just told the story and not gone off on side issues, the book would have been great. As it is, I could only get through about 1/3 of the book before giving up in boredom.
If the author had just told the story and not gone off on side issues, the book would have been great. As it is, I could only get through about 1/3 of the book before giving up in boredom.
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August 31, 2020Good story
It's a real trip of mystery, intrigue, filled with delightful characters. .. .. ..... ...really good story .... .. .
It's a real trip of mystery, intrigue, filled with delightful characters. .. .. ..... ...really good story .... .. .
September 25, 2013
The mechanics of good writing were fine except as to the plot. I liked the author's descriptive talent. There were too many characters and subplots for me. I kept reading because each character and subplot could stand alone much like one book in a series. I will read this author again because he has talent. The story of the Curtin girls is interesting. I would like to read more about them.
January 13, 2013
Interesting Australian thriller featuring lost treasure, drug smuggling, corrupt police officers, elderly prostitutes and complex family history
December 18, 2011
book written well, but the plot seems to change. The main characters are chasing after gold in the beginning, but in the end, it seems to be just a bad guys/good guys story.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews