Murder on the Apricot Coast

The Apricot Colonel #2

by Marion Halligan

After the murder, suspense and corruption that plagued the beginning of their relationship in The Apricot Colonel, Cassandra and the colonel are relieved to be happily ensconced in newly wedded bliss. Not for long their domestic idyll is suddenly shattered by the news that a friend's daughter has been found dead of an apparent drug overdose. An accident?

Perhaps not. Soon a manuscript written by the dead girl turns up, which is an explosive expose of the local child prostitution scene. What better motive for murder?

With characteristic panache and a magnificent wardrobe of women's clothes (his), Cassandra and her colonel set out to find a killer, immersing themselves in the seedy side of our nation's capital. Along the way they also learn a great deal more about each other, revealing new depths to this delightfully unconventional relationship.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Crime

249 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Marion Halligan AM was an Australian writer and novelist. Born and educated in Newcastle, New South Wales, she worked as a school teacher and journalist prior to turning to full time writing.

A long time resident of Canberra, she was a member of a group of women writers based in Canberra known as the "Canberra Seven" or "Seven Writers" (1980-1997).

She has won and been shortlisted for numerous significant awards, notably for The Point, Lovers' Knots, Spider Cup and The Golden Dress.

In 2006 Halligan was made a Member in the Order of Australia (AM), General Division, for services to literature and for her work in promoting Australian literature.

Reviews

[Anne Fenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining reading, setting of Canberra makes a change. There’s a light hearted thread of good humour, maybe good nature in the unraveling of the death of a friend’s beautiful daughter. Cassandra is an editor, her work life adds an interesting perspective. It’s not a new book, shows some seedy sides to the city, possibly worse now. But the overall tone note is positive, I liked that. I read book one in the series years ago, a love story as much as a mystery.

[P.D.R. Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hah! Another nicely different and definitely Australian novel.

Haven't read the 1st but will. This is a little Kerry Greenwood in style but not a sharp or dry in humour.

Writer Cassandra and her mysterious colonel husband find themselves caught up in friends' disasters and deceits. Lots to think about as far as modern life styles and choices. Probably more to come as this looks to have been set as a series. Worth a read for the Oz flavour and for the characters.

[Esther van Praag · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my fave. I feel like I didn’t really click with the authors vibes. I think overall the protagonist (and I’m projecting and assuming the author too) felt a little bit closed minded, judgmental, and traditional.

There were odd references to being a good wife, and comments around a friends teenage daughter’s solidity and speculation on whether it was all the cream sauces the parents cooked that were responsible for her figure. And shortly after, jabs about how she must have her dad’s burly genes. And then a page or two later describes another couples daughter who comes to pick them up, who is beautiful, dark curls of hair, slender frame, long curving neck, and the continues to describe her fashion and what she’s wearing. So much of the inner dialogue of the main character is criticizing people’s looks and fashion. It just was a little boring.

The protagonist and her husband seemed nice enough in a surface level way. But watching them gossip about their friends and I get the impression they think that they are better than or more down to earth than their friends, and therefore superior.

Really the only thing I liked about this book was the fact it was based in Canberra, the novelty of being able to genuinely understand and relate to the location of the novel.

[Nicholas George · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series, and I hadn't read the first, but that was no problem; I quickly picked up on Cassandra's situation and her relationship with Al. The mystery here is an interesting one, and the Australia setting sets it apart. Cassandra is a likable protagonist. There's a bit too much digression from the plot in many places, however; I think a good editor would have kept this book more on course.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy Halligan's mysteries primarily because of their setting, which is my setting also. I like the characters and she sets up an intriguing puzzle. I wish I could find a paper copy, though, I didn't enjoy trying to read this one on my phone! I wonder if anyone has made an audiobook...

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s rather silly. We’re led up the garden path to various dead ends – which are intended to make us think that there’s a high level Canberra political/public service conspiracy to cover up snuff movies and a sex-slave trade. None of this has happened and it’s too easy to tell who the killer is. The narrator is too self-consciously an editor, and she does far too much rambling on about nothing much at all. There are numerous barely-disguised digs at the Howard government which will date the book in no time.

To read the rest of my review please visit http://anzlitlovers.com/2009/02/28/mu...