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Drowning are the Dead
BEST-SELLING AUTHOR BRENT TOWNS RETURNS WITH A PRIVATE DETECTIVE MYSTERY-FULL OF SMALL-TOWN SECRECY AND DEADLY INTRIGUE.
In the middle of Australia's Outback lies the small town of Friar's Lake. It's quaint, quiet, and-more importantly-devoid of crime.
So, when a body turns up with the hallmark signs of a manic serial killer from the past, Private Investigator Trent Jacobs is hired by a town local to find out if Ten Cent-the infamous killer-is back.
But as this once-quiet town begins to unravel, tragedy strikes again, and Trent goes missing.
Thankfully, newcomer Mark Hayes is eager to help out. Until-with every shocking secret that's uncovered, he begins to question whether he can find the killer before time runs out.
After all...beneath small-town Friar Lake's dusty exterior, there are hidden truths of which even the locals are unaware.
In the middle of Australia's Outback lies the small town of Friar's Lake. It's quaint, quiet, and-more importantly-devoid of crime.
So, when a body turns up with the hallmark signs of a manic serial killer from the past, Private Investigator Trent Jacobs is hired by a town local to find out if Ten Cent-the infamous killer-is back.
But as this once-quiet town begins to unravel, tragedy strikes again, and Trent goes missing.
Thankfully, newcomer Mark Hayes is eager to help out. Until-with every shocking secret that's uncovered, he begins to question whether he can find the killer before time runs out.
After all...beneath small-town Friar Lake's dusty exterior, there are hidden truths of which even the locals are unaware.
296 pages, Paperback
Published July 5, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 13, 2022
This is an excellent mystery story wrapped in a very attractive package from Rough Edges Press. The title is catchy; the cover is a knockout. A perk for American readers is that it’s set in Australia, offering a slice of exotica to many of us.
Mark Hayes is a private detective, an ex-cop as many of them actually are. He’s hired to track down another PI who went missing while in the small town of Friar’s Lake deep in Australia’s Outback. The missing man was investigating a dead girl who may or may not have been the victim of a notorious serial killer named Ten Cent. Only, Ten Cent has been inactive for a long time and is presumed by the authorities to be either dead or incarcerated.
That’s the set-up and I’m not going to give away any spoilers. As you might expect, Mark gets more than he bargained for as he finds a small town full of big secrets. This is the first adventure for the character Mark Hayes. It shouldn’t be the last. He’s an engaging character with streaks of both stubbornness and compassion in his makeup. His ex-wife is still a cop and they have a complex relationship that provides (for story purposes) a way for Mark to occasionally get information a typical PI wouldn’t have access to.
As for the writing, this may be the character’s first outing but Brent Towns has written a lot of books and it shows here. The prose is smooth, transitions are handled quickly and professionally, description is enough but not too much. The style has just enough quirks to make it interesting but not enough to make you aware that you’re reading a story.
I had a good time with this tale, staying up later than normal over several nights to finish it. I’d read a few pages and slip fully into the story, and then the page turns would come fast and furiously. Highly recommended.
Mark Hayes is a private detective, an ex-cop as many of them actually are. He’s hired to track down another PI who went missing while in the small town of Friar’s Lake deep in Australia’s Outback. The missing man was investigating a dead girl who may or may not have been the victim of a notorious serial killer named Ten Cent. Only, Ten Cent has been inactive for a long time and is presumed by the authorities to be either dead or incarcerated.
That’s the set-up and I’m not going to give away any spoilers. As you might expect, Mark gets more than he bargained for as he finds a small town full of big secrets. This is the first adventure for the character Mark Hayes. It shouldn’t be the last. He’s an engaging character with streaks of both stubbornness and compassion in his makeup. His ex-wife is still a cop and they have a complex relationship that provides (for story purposes) a way for Mark to occasionally get information a typical PI wouldn’t have access to.
As for the writing, this may be the character’s first outing but Brent Towns has written a lot of books and it shows here. The prose is smooth, transitions are handled quickly and professionally, description is enough but not too much. The style has just enough quirks to make it interesting but not enough to make you aware that you’re reading a story.
I had a good time with this tale, staying up later than normal over several nights to finish it. I’d read a few pages and slip fully into the story, and then the page turns would come fast and furiously. Highly recommended.
July 6, 2022
First in a new series by the always delivering Brent Towns. Set in Australia and focussing on down on his luck PI Mark Hayes, the reader feels the heat and is in for some unexpected twists. Looking forward to more stories on Mark Hayes.
July 7, 2023
An entertaining and well-written hardboiled Australian P.I. yarn with a touch of Peter Corris and a bunch of Brent Towns. Highly recommended!
November 27, 2023
Towns Conquers Mysteries
Author Brent Towns writes fast. I’ve read most of his action thrillers, but now he’s tried his hand at mysteries, and right off the bat he’s written a winner. Excellent lead character, densely woven plot that keeps you guessing, taut dialogue.
Author Brent Towns writes fast. I’ve read most of his action thrillers, but now he’s tried his hand at mysteries, and right off the bat he’s written a winner. Excellent lead character, densely woven plot that keeps you guessing, taut dialogue.
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July 11, 2022Don' need the disgusting language
I did not get far - could not take the language. Bad language does not add anything good to a story.
I did not get far - could not take the language. Bad language does not add anything good to a story.
April 22, 2023
Can't stop reading this one. Hope #2 is as good
Exce!!ent read. Enough violence, but not graphic, just enough to make one wonder what's going to happen next.
Keep it up, Brent!
Exce!!ent read. Enough violence, but not graphic, just enough to make one wonder what's going to happen next.
Keep it up, Brent!
December 22, 2024
Different from what I normally read - Mark was a fun character and he made it fun to learn more about him and his investigations- he never gave up
May 31, 2023
Very good reading for drama books. Enjoyable and undecipherable until the very end. Enjoyed it a lot.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews