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A Cooper & Quinn Mystery #2
Dark Past
An alternate cover edition can be found here.
When young shipping company heir Jill Fisher is found dead in her apartment, Detective Charlie Cooper and his partner Joe Quinn don't believe she was killed by a random intruder.
Corporate lawyer Beth Fisher struggles to cope with the grief following her sister's murder, but she decides there's one last thing she can do for Jill — finish the ancestry research she was so passionate about.
Cooper and Quinn's investigation and Beth's research uncover truths about the Fisher family and their business dealings that raise more questions than answers. Cooper must act fast before more lives are lost. And for Beth, work and family collide as she struggles to find the secret someone will kill to protect.
The second case for Cooper and Quinn, Dark Past involves a family history, a secret past, genetic research, and a multi-million dollar shipping business. New team members join old favourites as the Homicide Squad delves into another mystery unfolding in the city of Sydney.
When young shipping company heir Jill Fisher is found dead in her apartment, Detective Charlie Cooper and his partner Joe Quinn don't believe she was killed by a random intruder.
Corporate lawyer Beth Fisher struggles to cope with the grief following her sister's murder, but she decides there's one last thing she can do for Jill — finish the ancestry research she was so passionate about.
Cooper and Quinn's investigation and Beth's research uncover truths about the Fisher family and their business dealings that raise more questions than answers. Cooper must act fast before more lives are lost. And for Beth, work and family collide as she struggles to find the secret someone will kill to protect.
The second case for Cooper and Quinn, Dark Past involves a family history, a secret past, genetic research, and a multi-million dollar shipping business. New team members join old favourites as the Homicide Squad delves into another mystery unfolding in the city of Sydney.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2014
147 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Lee
27 books91 followersAustralian author of fast-paced, mostly clean, crime fiction.
The Detective Charlie Cooper Mysteries tackle some topical issues with crimes at their heart, set in Sydney, Australia.
The Getaway Bay Cozy Mysteries feature a charming collection of eccentric locals and visitors working their way through the alphabet of cozy crimes.
Missing, featuring Detective Bonnie Hunter, picks up where Charlie Cooper left off.
The Detective Charlie Cooper Mysteries tackle some topical issues with crimes at their heart, set in Sydney, Australia.
The Getaway Bay Cozy Mysteries feature a charming collection of eccentric locals and visitors working their way through the alphabet of cozy crimes.
Missing, featuring Detective Bonnie Hunter, picks up where Charlie Cooper left off.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
June 25, 2017
Second in the Cooper and Quinn series and another excellent read. One of those books where you keep saying 'just one more chapter, just one more chapter' and it is impossible to put it down.
I really enjoy the character of Cooper and also his offsider Quinn. They work together well and I like all the police procedure, the way they work things out piece by piece.
The author writes well and I am looking forward to continuing with this series.
I really enjoy the character of Cooper and also his offsider Quinn. They work together well and I like all the police procedure, the way they work things out piece by piece.
The author writes well and I am looking forward to continuing with this series.
June 26, 2025
Dark Past by Catherine Lee
Synopsis /
When young shipping company heir Jill Fisher is found dead in her apartment, Detective Charlie Cooper and his partner Joe Quinn don't believe she was killed by a random intruder.
Corporate lawyer Beth Fisher struggles to cope with the grief following her sister's murder, but she decides there's one last thing she can do for Jill — finish the ancestry research she was so passionate about.
Cooper and Quinn's investigation and Beth's research uncover truths about the Fisher family and their business dealings that raise more questions than answers. Cooper must act fast before more lives are lost. And for Beth, work and family collide as she struggles to find the secret someone will kill to protect.
The second case for Cooper and Quinn, Dark Past involves a family history, a secret past, genetic research, and a multi-million dollar shipping business. New team members join old favourites as the Homicide Squad delves into another mystery unfolding in the city of Sydney.
My Thoughts /
With work life interrupting my reading time, I'm well behind on my reviews. So I'm quickly popping on to leave this (albeit) short review here.
In this second Cooper & Quinn mystery, the detectives continue to develop as a strong investigative duo, complementing each other well. The story begins with Jill Fisher’s murder, which sets off a complex investigation into her family’s shipping business and genetic research ties. Beth Fisher’s grief propels her to uncover the family secrets Jill had been researching, while Cooper and Quinn dig deeper into the company’s operations.
Though the story starts slowly, it builds to a fast-paced, albeit abrupt, conclusion. The plot is packed with twists, and the detectives’ efforts to piece everything together make it a compelling read. The interplay between the detectives, Beth’s family dynamics, and the broader investigation adds depth to the narrative.
Catherine Lee weaves a smooth, engaging writing style with a multi-layered police procedural involving murder, arson, abduction, theft, and illegal trade. The inclusion of genealogy and genetic research adds a thought-provoking dimension, raising moral questions about scientific practices and their implications.
Dark Past is a gritty, intense, and well-structured novel with rich characters and unexpected twists. It’s a page-turner that leaves you eager for the next instalment in the series. Highly recommended.
Synopsis /
When young shipping company heir Jill Fisher is found dead in her apartment, Detective Charlie Cooper and his partner Joe Quinn don't believe she was killed by a random intruder.
Corporate lawyer Beth Fisher struggles to cope with the grief following her sister's murder, but she decides there's one last thing she can do for Jill — finish the ancestry research she was so passionate about.
Cooper and Quinn's investigation and Beth's research uncover truths about the Fisher family and their business dealings that raise more questions than answers. Cooper must act fast before more lives are lost. And for Beth, work and family collide as she struggles to find the secret someone will kill to protect.
The second case for Cooper and Quinn, Dark Past involves a family history, a secret past, genetic research, and a multi-million dollar shipping business. New team members join old favourites as the Homicide Squad delves into another mystery unfolding in the city of Sydney.
My Thoughts /
With work life interrupting my reading time, I'm well behind on my reviews. So I'm quickly popping on to leave this (albeit) short review here.
In this second Cooper & Quinn mystery, the detectives continue to develop as a strong investigative duo, complementing each other well. The story begins with Jill Fisher’s murder, which sets off a complex investigation into her family’s shipping business and genetic research ties. Beth Fisher’s grief propels her to uncover the family secrets Jill had been researching, while Cooper and Quinn dig deeper into the company’s operations.
Though the story starts slowly, it builds to a fast-paced, albeit abrupt, conclusion. The plot is packed with twists, and the detectives’ efforts to piece everything together make it a compelling read. The interplay between the detectives, Beth’s family dynamics, and the broader investigation adds depth to the narrative.
Catherine Lee weaves a smooth, engaging writing style with a multi-layered police procedural involving murder, arson, abduction, theft, and illegal trade. The inclusion of genealogy and genetic research adds a thought-provoking dimension, raising moral questions about scientific practices and their implications.
Dark Past is a gritty, intense, and well-structured novel with rich characters and unexpected twists. It’s a page-turner that leaves you eager for the next instalment in the series. Highly recommended.
February 20, 2019
In this second outing, Cooper and Quinn are shaping up well as an investigative team. They are personable and hard-working, complementing each other well and certainly had a lot to look into in this murder enquiry. It all starts with the murder of Jill Fisher who didn't turn up for work and failed to meet her sister Beth for lunch at the family shipping business where both she and Beth worked. Jill had wanted to talk to Beth about something important she had discovered in her family history research but surely she couldn't have found something that lead to her death? While Beth hires a researcher to continue researching their ancestry, Cooper and Quinn look into the operations of the shipping company and the genetic research group that it funds.
This was a little bit slow to get going, there was a lot going on and it all came together well at the end - almost a little too fast as the end was quite abrupt and could perhaps have starting building up a little earlier. Definitely a page turner as Cooper and Quinn deftly tried to put all the pieces together. 3.5★
This was a little bit slow to get going, there was a lot going on and it all came together well at the end - almost a little too fast as the end was quite abrupt and could perhaps have starting building up a little earlier. Definitely a page turner as Cooper and Quinn deftly tried to put all the pieces together. 3.5★
June 5, 2017
When Beth Fisher went to her sister Jill’s apartment in downtown Sydney after she had failed to meet her for lunch, the shock she felt when she saw her body lying on the floor of her apartment immediately had Beth struggling with grief. Her baby sister – who would do this to Jill? Why was she murdered?
Those were the questions Detective Charlie Cooper and partner Detective Joe Quinn began asking. The fact that it looked like a robbery gone wrong didn’t sit well with the detectives and so the investigation widened and deepened. While Beth looked into the ancestry research Jill had been so passionate about, her family’s company, Fisher & Co which was a multi-million dollar shipping business, was making Cooper uneasy...
With more questions than answers coming to the fore, Cooper and Quinn and the whole team had their work cut out. And when more bodies started turning up, they knew the clock was ticking – they had to act fast. But could they find the answers they needed before it was too late?
Dark Past is #2 in the Cooper & Quinn Mystery series by Aussie author Catherine Lee, and it’s another fast paced, gritty and intense police procedural. I thoroughly enjoyed the interaction between the two main detectives; the characters of Beth, her husband and children, and the side characters as well. This is an excellent series and I’ll be getting to #3 as soon as I can. Highly recommended.
Those were the questions Detective Charlie Cooper and partner Detective Joe Quinn began asking. The fact that it looked like a robbery gone wrong didn’t sit well with the detectives and so the investigation widened and deepened. While Beth looked into the ancestry research Jill had been so passionate about, her family’s company, Fisher & Co which was a multi-million dollar shipping business, was making Cooper uneasy...
With more questions than answers coming to the fore, Cooper and Quinn and the whole team had their work cut out. And when more bodies started turning up, they knew the clock was ticking – they had to act fast. But could they find the answers they needed before it was too late?
Dark Past is #2 in the Cooper & Quinn Mystery series by Aussie author Catherine Lee, and it’s another fast paced, gritty and intense police procedural. I thoroughly enjoyed the interaction between the two main detectives; the characters of Beth, her husband and children, and the side characters as well. This is an excellent series and I’ll be getting to #3 as soon as I can. Highly recommended.
January 26, 2026
Very, very good.
Lee writes the most intriguing plots and the twists are truly unique. Detective Cooper is a fantastic character, as are the other officers in this series. For me, the only downside to this instalment was Beth. Some of her decisions are illogical and uncharacteristically stupid for an intelligent woman. It didn’t stop me being engrossed with the story.
So glad I discovered this series!
Lee writes the most intriguing plots and the twists are truly unique. Detective Cooper is a fantastic character, as are the other officers in this series. For me, the only downside to this instalment was Beth. Some of her decisions are illogical and uncharacteristically stupid for an intelligent woman. It didn’t stop me being engrossed with the story.
So glad I discovered this series!
December 10, 2016
Dark Past is book Two is the Cooper and Quinn series by Catherine Lee. Detective Sergeant Cooper and Detective Senior Constable Quinn was called to a murder of Jill Fisher. However, Jill Fisher murder was not straight forwarded has they thought. Jill Fisher’s sister Beth continue to investigate the Fisher’s family tree which triggers the death of her best friend and two others. You never know what is hiding in your family tree which poor Beth found out with unexpected consequences for everyone. The readers of Dark Past will be surprised and enthral with the twist and turns in the story and the in particular ending. I recommend this book.
April 17, 2021
'Something in the Fisher family’s past had gotten two people killed. What kind of secret would someone kill to protect?'
Coop looks into the murder of Beth's sister Jill.
A Web woven from a huge ancestry plot, an enormous drug operation operation illegal embryo's made this a very interesting story.
I love Coop & Quin and have since book 1. However I felt like they had been dulled a little by this book. Character building seemed to have dissapeared. Also the first half was very slow.
However, all the elements to this stories plot created a brilliant read. There were so many different things to think about that all had links which threw you off the scent.
There was a decent twist which I did see coming early on but thats doesn't matter a great deal :)
Of course I will be moving on to number 3.
Coop looks into the murder of Beth's sister Jill.
A Web woven from a huge ancestry plot, an enormous drug operation operation illegal embryo's made this a very interesting story.
I love Coop & Quin and have since book 1. However I felt like they had been dulled a little by this book. Character building seemed to have dissapeared. Also the first half was very slow.
However, all the elements to this stories plot created a brilliant read. There were so many different things to think about that all had links which threw you off the scent.
There was a decent twist which I did see coming early on but thats doesn't matter a great deal :)
Of course I will be moving on to number 3.
January 16, 2020
This was ok but I felt something was missing.
January 19, 2026
3.25 stars
The premise of this book was very interesting and the way it was written was really well, but it had one major drawback in my opinion, and that was the main character Beth. She was constantly acting like a reckless, selfish, self-centred person, and the annoying part is that everyone would comply to her demand. Including the police. Oh Beth, you wanna go and risk your life and put yourself in danger. Sure, let us dispatch half of the police force to protect you and your family because you cannot take the right decisions, the most basic common sense ones.
There were two more parts that really bothered me in the end. First was the idea that somebody could have had such a big secret (trying not to give away anything here) and succeed doing that for such a long time despite the proximity to everyone else.
The other part is the fact that nobody informed the mother in the end. And if you read the book, you know exactly what I mean and whose mother I'm talking about. That felt like a huge loose end for me.
The premise of this book was very interesting and the way it was written was really well, but it had one major drawback in my opinion, and that was the main character Beth. She was constantly acting like a reckless, selfish, self-centred person, and the annoying part is that everyone would comply to her demand. Including the police. Oh Beth, you wanna go and risk your life and put yourself in danger. Sure, let us dispatch half of the police force to protect you and your family because you cannot take the right decisions, the most basic common sense ones.
There were two more parts that really bothered me in the end. First was the idea that somebody could have had such a big secret (trying not to give away anything here) and succeed doing that for such a long time despite the proximity to everyone else.
The other part is the fact that nobody informed the mother in the end. And if you read the book, you know exactly what I mean and whose mother I'm talking about. That felt like a huge loose end for me.
April 3, 2020
Jill Fisher was due to have lunch with her sister Beth, but when she fails to turn up, Beth goes to her apartment. Unfortunately she finds Jill dead. Detective Charlie Cooper and his partner Joe Quinn investigate but they don't believe in the random intruder scenario.
Is her death connected to the research into the family history that got Jill killed. Beth is determined to carry on with the research
Interesting and well-written crime story
Is her death connected to the research into the family history that got Jill killed. Beth is determined to carry on with the research
Interesting and well-written crime story
March 20, 2024
Very slow to pick up pace
In writing literature,there is a rule editors enforce, show, don’t tell. After reading two Lee books, I came to the conclusion it is a concept she was never taught, or understood. By writing an account in the style of journalism, with little direct speech, the story dragged on and on, picking up pace towards the last few chapters. As a manuscript reader, I would not have recommended this writer for publication.
In writing literature,there is a rule editors enforce, show, don’t tell. After reading two Lee books, I came to the conclusion it is a concept she was never taught, or understood. By writing an account in the style of journalism, with little direct speech, the story dragged on and on, picking up pace towards the last few chapters. As a manuscript reader, I would not have recommended this writer for publication.
December 17, 2025
Another great installment in the Charlie Cooper series. This one had lots of twists and turns and I learnt some interesting things as well. Can't wait for the next one (I'm on hold but its not avaliable until the end of January!)
September 10, 2017
I'm feeling generous w 2.5 stars. Pretty slow. The last quarter picked up quite a bit.
February 26, 2021
Excellent story of intrigue.
Another great read, the story twists and turns, and the lead detective Cooper and his partner Quinn uncover the truth. Very entertaining.
Another great read, the story twists and turns, and the lead detective Cooper and his partner Quinn uncover the truth. Very entertaining.
March 1, 2024
Dark Past
Again enjoyed this series of books,great intriguing story,would not have come to that conclusion. great characters getting it right.So on to the next book.
Again enjoyed this series of books,great intriguing story,would not have come to that conclusion. great characters getting it right.So on to the next book.
February 10, 2025
Dark Past
Really enjoyed reading this book just as much as the first one and highly recommend that you read it as well. Looking forward to this next in this series.
Really enjoyed reading this book just as much as the first one and highly recommend that you read it as well. Looking forward to this next in this series.
December 27, 2025
Do not listen to the audio , it is just awful. I wonder if I’d have enjoyed it a little more as a read.
March 9, 2017
Another great read. I quite enjoyed it. I didn't pick the ending, so that's always a good sign. I think the writing in #2 was better than in book #1. I will be interested to see how the lead character and his wife resolve the work/life/family balance conundrum - I reckon Liz is way too forgiving, seeing as she has given up quite a lot. That would be my only criticism.
November 10, 2016
‘What kind of secret would someone kill to protect?’
When Jill Fisher doesn’t turn up for work and breaks a lunch date with her sister Beth, Beth goes looking for her. To her horror, she finds Jill dead in her apartment. Detective Sergeant Charlie Cooper and his partner Detective Senior Constable Joe Quinn are called to the scene. While they don’t believe that Jill was killed by a random intruder, it isn’t immediately clear who would kill Jill, or why.
In the meantime, Beth Fisher, a corporate lawyer in the Fisher family firm (where Jill had also worked) decides to finish the ancestry research Jill had been so passionate about. Jill was convinced that the family had a First Fleet connection and Beth looks for a researcher to help her.
Cooper and Quinn’s investigations and Beth’s ancestry research raise a number of questions about the Fisher family and their business dealings. There’s a mysterious disappearance years earlier which just might be relevant. And the death of a researcher Beth has been talking to is hardly likely to be a coincidence.
All of this digging around results is a warning for Beth: ‘Stop looking into your family’s past.’
I picked this novel up, and couldn’t put it down. So many questions needed answers. Would Cooper and Quinn discover who murdered Jill before more lives were lost? What was the family secret that someone was so keen to protect? Just what is the genetic research being undertaken by the Research Foundation? And just who is the murderer? Ms Lee has written a novel with a number of different strands to analyse and consider.
There’s plenty of tension too: for Beth as she tries to balance work and family while being overwhelmed by Jill’s murder, and for Charlie Cooper trying to balance his own family responsibilities while finding out the truth.
I finished the novel, fairly satisfied with the outcomes, and immediately picked up the next in the series. I hope that Ms Lee can write fast!
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
When Jill Fisher doesn’t turn up for work and breaks a lunch date with her sister Beth, Beth goes looking for her. To her horror, she finds Jill dead in her apartment. Detective Sergeant Charlie Cooper and his partner Detective Senior Constable Joe Quinn are called to the scene. While they don’t believe that Jill was killed by a random intruder, it isn’t immediately clear who would kill Jill, or why.
In the meantime, Beth Fisher, a corporate lawyer in the Fisher family firm (where Jill had also worked) decides to finish the ancestry research Jill had been so passionate about. Jill was convinced that the family had a First Fleet connection and Beth looks for a researcher to help her.
Cooper and Quinn’s investigations and Beth’s ancestry research raise a number of questions about the Fisher family and their business dealings. There’s a mysterious disappearance years earlier which just might be relevant. And the death of a researcher Beth has been talking to is hardly likely to be a coincidence.
All of this digging around results is a warning for Beth: ‘Stop looking into your family’s past.’
I picked this novel up, and couldn’t put it down. So many questions needed answers. Would Cooper and Quinn discover who murdered Jill before more lives were lost? What was the family secret that someone was so keen to protect? Just what is the genetic research being undertaken by the Research Foundation? And just who is the murderer? Ms Lee has written a novel with a number of different strands to analyse and consider.
There’s plenty of tension too: for Beth as she tries to balance work and family while being overwhelmed by Jill’s murder, and for Charlie Cooper trying to balance his own family responsibilities while finding out the truth.
I finished the novel, fairly satisfied with the outcomes, and immediately picked up the next in the series. I hope that Ms Lee can write fast!
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
January 11, 2017
This is the second book in the Cooper and Quinn mystery series and once again Catherine Lee has come up with an intriguing novel.
The author manages to combine a very smooth free-flowing writing style with a logical, structured, multi-faceted police investigation (murder, arson, abduction, theft, drug importation, illegal trade in human cells, missing persons).
The interaction between the investigators from various agencies, investigators and the victims and their families, family dynamics combined with several unexpected twists and turns create a rich dialogue throughout and some very interesting characters.
The extra dimension this time comes from genealogy, genetic research and family secrets. The genetic research and the way it is conducted put against the potential benefits pose some serious moral questions. And while the author poses the questions and partially touches both sides of the argument, as a reader it certainly gives you food for thought and allows you to form your own opinions.
In all an uplifting novel full of tension, rich characters and plenty of scope for introspection.
The author manages to combine a very smooth free-flowing writing style with a logical, structured, multi-faceted police investigation (murder, arson, abduction, theft, drug importation, illegal trade in human cells, missing persons).
The interaction between the investigators from various agencies, investigators and the victims and their families, family dynamics combined with several unexpected twists and turns create a rich dialogue throughout and some very interesting characters.
The extra dimension this time comes from genealogy, genetic research and family secrets. The genetic research and the way it is conducted put against the potential benefits pose some serious moral questions. And while the author poses the questions and partially touches both sides of the argument, as a reader it certainly gives you food for thought and allows you to form your own opinions.
In all an uplifting novel full of tension, rich characters and plenty of scope for introspection.
September 23, 2016
I loved this book. I love the description and the fact I could picture everything in my mind. I loved how I was sucked into this story and guessing who did it along with Cooper. I mostly loved the twists and turns and second guessing. I was kept intrigued the entire way and on the edge of my seat as the mystery unfolded.
Thank you for this fantastic read. I now have to try and adjust to reality.
Thank you for this fantastic read. I now have to try and adjust to reality.
January 2, 2017
Sometimes it's not a good idea to put family above all else or to try to save somebody no matter the cost.
I like this series, most of all because I like Cooper, and because Catherine Lee puts in relevant issues of our times.
This said I have to say, that this book isn't the best of the series. The pace at times is slowed down too much by the ongoing genealogical research.
Now I'm waiting for the next one.
I like this series, most of all because I like Cooper, and because Catherine Lee puts in relevant issues of our times.
This said I have to say, that this book isn't the best of the series. The pace at times is slowed down too much by the ongoing genealogical research.
Now I'm waiting for the next one.
January 19, 2017
I loved the twists and mystery of Dark City. The characters were interesting, and I feel that Detective Cooper is insightful as always. A lot of research appeared to be involved, and I could relate to the Sydney surroundings. I couldn't put the book down and I liked the ending. Well done, Catherine.
November 23, 2016
Dark Past
A very good read. Moves well with quite a few twists and turns. The ending is a little abrupt but thats better than dragging it out. Very enjoyable. Looking fwd to next book.
A very good read. Moves well with quite a few twists and turns. The ending is a little abrupt but thats better than dragging it out. Very enjoyable. Looking fwd to next book.
Read
September 15, 2017I loved reading Dark Past! This exciting mystery pulls you straight into the action from the very first sentence. The rich plot, with its many twists and turns, keeps you guessing right to the end and Cooper and Quinn make a great duo. It's fun to see their partnership begin to gel as they work to solve the case in the second in this series.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews