Consolation (Hirsch, #3) in Aussie Readers

Jul 08, 2021 PattyMacDotComma rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-netgalley-done, fiction, kindle, australian-author, mystery-crime-thriller, aa

4.5★
“When had he realised he was looking not for a dog but a dead husband? Where would you begin to find a body here anyway, in the country of the unseen and the unheard? Country he barely felt tethered to, sometimes. And why was he thinking the husband was dead and buried? Because his ABC of policing said: assume nothing, believe nothing, challenge everything.”

Constable Paul Hirschhausen is still in the small South Australian town of Tiverton, pretty much a one-man band trying to police a geogr ...more

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Nov 04, 2020 Brenda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mystery, read-on-kindle, net-galley, aussie-authors, sent-by-publisher, 2020-release, reviewing-by-request, own-read, crime, arc

It was bitterly cold as Constable Paul Hirschhausen did his usual rounds, checking on the outlying properties as he did on a regular basis. Tiverton was small, with not a lot of crime and he was the only cop for his area, until he reached the town of Reruth where there was a larger police station. Paul had a snowdropper on his hands, stealing elderly ladies’ underwear, and was doing his best to catch the culprit. But it was a worrying call from a high school teacher that had Paul on edge, and wa ...more

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Oct 31, 2020 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it it was amazing

Shelves: aussie-author, arc-are, netgalley-reviews

Consolation is the third excellent, compelling crime novel by Garry Disher to feature Constable Paul Hirschhausen, a country copper in rural South Australia.

It’s winter in Tiverton, there is frost on the ground and snow on Razorback ridge and as Hirsch patrols the quiet streets in the freezing Wednesday dawn he is ruminating on the behaviour of the ‘snow dropper’ stealing the underthings of elderly women from clothesline’s all over the district. Arriving at the one-man police station that is ba Consolation is the third excellent, compelling crime novel by Garry Disher to feature Constable Paul Hirschhausen, a country copper in rural South Australia.

It’s winter in Tiverton, there is frost on the ground and snow on Razorback ridge and as Hirsch patrols the quiet streets in the freezing Wednesday dawn he is ruminating on the behaviour of the ‘snow dropper’ stealing the underthings of elderly women from clothesline’s all over the district. Arriving at the one-man police station that is barely warmer inside than out, a request for a welfare check first leads Hirsch to discover a severely neglected young girl, next he is called to calm an irate parent at the local primary school, and then made aware of gossip that suggests a local big shot is in financial trouble. Thursday, Hirsch’s regular long range westerly patrol is interrupted by an environmental control officer wanting an escort to inspect a local property, and an accusation is made regarding the exertion of undue influence against an elderly lady. On Friday, everything goes to hell, and Paul finds himself dealing with a manhunt, a stalker, a missing man, Irish conmen, a dead woman, all while managing two stations, and his relationship.

There is a lot happening in Consolation but Disher manages the multiple threads skilfully, connecting seemingly disparate people and events in a manner that feels credible where any single disturbance can create a ripple effect within a small community. There’s plenty of well timed action that drives the story at a fast pace but without sacrificing suspense, or emotion.

A country copper is more than just an enforcer of the law, Paul is often called upon to act, among other things, as a mediator, a counselor, a confessor, and a jack-of-all-trades. The various events in Consolation requires Hirsch to draw on all his skills to keep the peace within his community, and he is often worried he won’t be able to do it right, despite evidence to the contrary. Paul’s humility and integrity contrast with that of several of the visiting officers in the novel who are variously ego-driven or indifferent.

The setting is recognisably Australian, Disher’s prose effortlessly evokes the environment, character, and residents of Tiverton and surrounds. The laconic dialogue and dry wit is familiar and authentic.

This series has become a firm favourite of mine, Consolation is as deserving of five stars as its predecessors Bitter Wash Road (US title: Hell To Pay) and Peace. If I was pressed to recommend just one Australian rural crime series, this would be it. ...more

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Jan 30, 2022 Dee-Ann rated it it was amazing

Shelves: australian-authors, five-star, movie-material, domestic-violence, mental-health, surprise-twist, friendship, gritty, crime

The third in the series and also really enjoyed it. Really liked meeting the different local characters and travelling the backroads. It takes place near where I grew up and thus there is a bit of nostalgia too.

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Dec 05, 2020 Averil rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2020

This is Garry Disher's third book centred around Constable Paul Hirschhausen, and it is as good as, if not better than, the first two. I especially enjoy that the sometimes banal life of a rural/small town police officer is profiled - every Thursday Hirsch travels around an outer portion of his jurisdiction, helping fix gutters, checking on elderly and just generally doing the rounds as a doctor might in their hospital ward. And yet, there is also extreme violence and serious crime in the books. This is Garry Disher's third book centred around Constable Paul Hirschhausen, and it is as good as, if not better than, the first two. I especially enjoy that the sometimes banal life of a rural/small town police officer is profiled - every Thursday Hirsch travels around an outer portion of his jurisdiction, helping fix gutters, checking on elderly and just generally doing the rounds as a doctor might in their hospital ward. And yet, there is also extreme violence and serious crime in the books. The combination of the two gives us a rip-roaring rollock through Central Australia. The only let-down is some poor proofreading; typos really bother this editor!

I do recommend going back to the first book in the series (Bitter Wash Road) to get that continuity of Hirschhausen's story - his relationship with the people in his town and jurisdiction - as this really helps strengthen the book and our relationship with the protagonist. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see this adapted into an ABC series à la Peter Temple's work with Jack Irish. Disher has a large bibliography and a long list of awards for his work, so I am interested to delve into his past work. I highly recommend the series for a nice holiday read if crime fiction is your thing, and even if crime fiction isn't your thing, it's got a bit of rural romance and intrigue, and a generally interesting picture of inland rural Australian life that really appeals (if you don't live there).

Disher has done an excellent job of creating an amazing sense of place and of building out this complex character who has come from the big city and big crime into a world of very different kinds of crime and challenging landscapes. Utes feature prominently and Hirsh spends a lot of time driving back roads. The cast of rural types he introduces feels very real, although I wonder if rural readers feel stereotyped at times. I especially enjoyed the long-suffering farmer who had to use her tractor to de-bog both a baddie and the cop ute. I also learnt a new word reading this book: snowdropper. Sounds nicer than it is.

#garrydisher

#textpublishing

#hirshhausen

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You can read more reviews from me at https://www.instagram.com/avrbookstuff ...more

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Oct 21, 2020 Kathy rated it really liked it

Shelves: australia

4.5 stars.

Consolation by Garry Disher is a suspense-laden mystery which takes place in rural Australia. Although this newest addition to the Paul Hirschhausen series can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend the entire series.

Working alone in a one man station, Constable Paul "Hirsch" Hirschhausen is responsible for the inhabitants inside and outside of Tiverton. He begins and ends most days taking quiet strolls around town to ensure all is well in the local community. Hirsch also spends a 4.5 stars.

Consolation by Garry Disher is a suspense-laden mystery which takes place in rural Australia. Although this newest addition to the Paul Hirschhausen series can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend the entire series.

Working alone in a one man station, Constable Paul "Hirsch" Hirschhausen is responsible for the inhabitants inside and outside of Tiverton. He begins and ends most days taking quiet strolls around town to ensure all is well in the local community. Hirsch also spends a couple of days a week driving through the vast countryside where he checks in on vulnerable families. Sometimes in the course of his duties, Hirsch takes care of a myriad of cases that sometimes take startling turns.

Due to their rather isolated location, Hirsch is sometimes asked to take care of things that are not always within his purview. When local teacher Clara Ogilivie expresses concern about a homeschooled student she supervises, Hirsch makes a judgment decision to call on the family. With the property secured behind a locked gate, he is curious about what might be going on. Not one to allow a locked gate to stop him, Hirsch makes a shocking discovery.

Meanwhile, back in town, Hirsch is trying to catch a snowdropper who is targeting people in Tiverton and Redruth. He is also attempting to catch a traveling gang who are fleecing citizens. In the aftermath of being targeted, one of the victims uncovers a possible theft that leads Hirsch to a very unexpected suspicion. But finding who is behind all of these crimes takes time and patience.

Another very unanticipated case sends three people on the run and leads to escalating confrontations and thefts in the outlying area. When his boss Sergeant Hilary Brandl is injured on the job while assisting him in his investigation, Hirsch becomes the interim boss. He must deal with outside agencies who take some of his cases off his hands. He grudgingly hands over the information he has amassed, but Hirsch finds it difficult to stop searching for evidence.

The most disquieting case directly involves Hirsch and he is unsure of how to handle the situation. He is unnerved by anonymous texts he is receiving and graffiti at the station. Although he tries to keep these unsettling happenings to himself, he does confide in his girlfriend Wendy Street and Sergeant Brandl. Is the person Hirsch suspects responsible for what is going on? And if not, then who is?

Consolation is a multi-layered mystery with a likable lead protagonist. The various investigations are intriguing and move at a steady pace. The rural setting is vibrantly developed and provides added tension and urgency as Hirsch works on the various cases. With shocking plot twists, Garry Disher brings this riveting mystery to a breathtaking conclusion. Old and new fans of the Paul Hirschhausen series are going to love this latest installment in this brilliant series. ...more

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Jan 06, 2022 Kerry rated it it was amazing

Okay I am hooked! What a great trilogy. Really enjoyed characters and storyline. The atmosphere Disher creates of the Australian bush and its diverse characters is terrific. I am going to take a break now and catch up on my Harlen Coben but I will be back and start another of Disher's series. Really glad to have been put onto this guy! ...more

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Oct 13, 2021 Tango rated it really liked it

Loved the characters and setting, although the story seemed to be resolved too quickly and easily without much tension.

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Jan 09, 2025 Rina rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4.5 stars.

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May 05, 2024 Jyv rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: australian-author, fiction, mystery, australia

A quick read. The author is good at making you want to read the next chapter. However, I thought there was too much going on in this book - too many characters, and seemingly unrelated incidents. The author also lets slip a couple of his political views (I will be avoiding Day's End for this reason). ...more

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Feb 25, 2023 Karen rated it really liked it

It is winter in Tiverton, and Paul ‘Hirsch’ Hirschhausen is now part of the community. He has a snowdropper on his patch, stealing women’s underwear, and he needs to catch him before things escalate. He receives a call from a teacher concerned about a young girl who maybe in danger, and a father on a rampage at the local primary school. This is the third in this series, and Disher’s writing is so descriptive of the Australian country, and his characters are very well developed.

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