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The Sharp End
Detective Harry Doyle hoped that leaving Homicide would improve his family life, but it hasn't turned out that way.Things get worse when he is called to investigate two apparently unconnected murders, but there is a connection - Harry.The killer wants revenge, and Harry's family are the targets.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
2 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Gabrielle Lord
108 books238 followersGabrielle Craig Lord is an Australian writer who has been described as Australia's first lady of crime.
She survived being ‘razed’ by the nuns, acquired an education despite this, and after working in many different areas, sales, teaching, brick-cleaning, peach-picking and packing, and in the Public Service as an employment officer, started writing seriously aged 30.
Her first two manuscripts ended up composting the tomatoes at her market garden – another attempt to make a living – but the third one FORTRESS was picked up internationally and made into a feature film starring Rachel Ward. A later novel WHIPPING BOY was made into a telemovie starring Sigrid Thornton. The film rights money, coinciding with her daughter leaving school, allowed Gabrielle to resign and instead of getting up at 4.30am and writing for several hours before heading off for work, she could write full-time and lead a more ‘normal’ writer’s life – hanging around with scientists and detectives, badgering forensic anthropologists (she studied some Anatomy at Sydney university) and doing work experience with a busy private security business and of course, writing.
Research is everything, she says. ‘Out of my contacts with experts (who are always far too modest to describe themselves that way) I get not only the fine-tuning necessary for today’s savvy readers, but also wonderful incidents and images that enrich and enlarge my books.’
Gabrielle’s interests are very simple. ‘After a misspent youth, I don’t have many brain cells left so I enjoy walking, meditation, singing, gardening, chatting with close friends, being with my family and grandkids, feeding my goldfish and keeping up to date with bodywork and enlightened psychotherapy.’
Gabrielle has now written fourteen adult novels and a novel for young adults. Once the 12 books of Conspiracy 365 are completed, this tally will be a tad bigger! Following this mammoth endeavour she already has plans for another three adult novels and two more YAs.
2013
She survived being ‘razed’ by the nuns, acquired an education despite this, and after working in many different areas, sales, teaching, brick-cleaning, peach-picking and packing, and in the Public Service as an employment officer, started writing seriously aged 30.
Her first two manuscripts ended up composting the tomatoes at her market garden – another attempt to make a living – but the third one FORTRESS was picked up internationally and made into a feature film starring Rachel Ward. A later novel WHIPPING BOY was made into a telemovie starring Sigrid Thornton. The film rights money, coinciding with her daughter leaving school, allowed Gabrielle to resign and instead of getting up at 4.30am and writing for several hours before heading off for work, she could write full-time and lead a more ‘normal’ writer’s life – hanging around with scientists and detectives, badgering forensic anthropologists (she studied some Anatomy at Sydney university) and doing work experience with a busy private security business and of course, writing.
Research is everything, she says. ‘Out of my contacts with experts (who are always far too modest to describe themselves that way) I get not only the fine-tuning necessary for today’s savvy readers, but also wonderful incidents and images that enrich and enlarge my books.’
Gabrielle’s interests are very simple. ‘After a misspent youth, I don’t have many brain cells left so I enjoy walking, meditation, singing, gardening, chatting with close friends, being with my family and grandkids, feeding my goldfish and keeping up to date with bodywork and enlightened psychotherapy.’
Gabrielle has now written fourteen adult novels and a novel for young adults. Once the 12 books of Conspiracy 365 are completed, this tally will be a tad bigger! Following this mammoth endeavour she already has plans for another three adult novels and two more YAs.
2013
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 24, 2018
Full of action to keep you on your toes, couldn't put it down. Really enjoyed it.
October 15, 2017
Quite a good thriller featuring a police dog-handler which makes a change. The relationship of handler and his dog worked very well throughout the story & I enjoyed the concept of "smell pictures"!
Harry is a complex character, keeping a lot of his past from his wife & seems more wrapped up in his dogs than in his family. As a consequence his wife is having an affair, his youngest daughter has made a "friend" on the internet & his step-daughter just plain ignores him! After investigating two apparently unrelated killings, Harry realises there is a connection & that connection is him & soon the whole family find themselves in danger.
While it's obvious that the killer is inveigling his way into the lives of Harry's family, you still don't know who he is & the suspense is kept up fairly well. For me, the story was let down by it's ending...all I'll say is kangaroo...
Harry is a complex character, keeping a lot of his past from his wife & seems more wrapped up in his dogs than in his family. As a consequence his wife is having an affair, his youngest daughter has made a "friend" on the internet & his step-daughter just plain ignores him! After investigating two apparently unrelated killings, Harry realises there is a connection & that connection is him & soon the whole family find themselves in danger.
While it's obvious that the killer is inveigling his way into the lives of Harry's family, you still don't know who he is & the suspense is kept up fairly well. For me, the story was let down by it's ending...all I'll say is kangaroo...
October 25, 2020
A solid thriller. Harry Doyle, Vietnam Vet turned Police detective turned dog handler is a closed-down man, suppressing trauma from childhood and his careers in dangerous occupation. A growing alienation with his wife, Men, has seen her drift into an affair with a mysterious man. He is closest to the police dogs he handles.
Harry is drawn into a multiple-murder case that touches the problems in his past and present.
The detail about the craft of working with highly trained dogs is well researched by Lord.
So too, the realities of men damaged by war and crime fighting.
Suspension of disbelief is required at times, such as the ingenuity of Harry's foe and his ability to penetrate so deeply into Harry's circle undetected.
And the escape from the well. Dramatic, but.....nope.
Harry is drawn into a multiple-murder case that touches the problems in his past and present.
The detail about the craft of working with highly trained dogs is well researched by Lord.
So too, the realities of men damaged by war and crime fighting.
Suspension of disbelief is required at times, such as the ingenuity of Harry's foe and his ability to penetrate so deeply into Harry's circle undetected.
And the escape from the well. Dramatic, but.....nope.
August 17, 2020
Great read, strong characters and a nail biting plot that will have you readingtill the very least page
November 17, 2008
I had never read any books that centred around "trackers" before. The art of dog tracking was very clearly established in this thriller. The murders were nicely wrapped around the main character and even though I guessed who Max was I still enjoyed it fully.
March 10, 2012
This is the second book i have read which is based in Australia and i have to say its my second least enjoyed book ever. Slow start and 100% crap ending - killed by a giant kangeroo!! Be serious! I think its time i gave aussie books a miss!!
May 27, 2014
May just be my favourite Gabrielle Lord novel to date. Really liked the incorporation of Aboriginal culture into the storyline. Couldn't put it down!
February 5, 2017
Enjoyed it however if I had no knowledge of Australian history I would have been lost.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews