The Torrent by @dinukamckenzie
⭐⭐⭐⭐

I really enjoyed this one. It had just the right amount of mystery and intrigue to keep me hooked.
I especially liked the way we were allowed glimpses of the detective Kate Miles' personal life - which I sometimes think is missing from other books.

My only pet peeve was the end had me a little confused and I'm not a fan of time jumping - even if it's only a few days/weeks. BUT that confusion didn't last long 😂

This book kept me guessing and full of suspense until the end.
I can't wait to read more of this series.

A police procedural set in Australia. Kate is of mixed heritage, a woman and heavily pregnant, all of which make her life as a detective difficult at times. There are two cases her, running in tandem, though in a small town there are likely to be connections. Kate also has gut feelings about the older case. I liked Kate and her lifestyle. Some of the other detectives were not fleshed out as well, though Josh has also the makings of a good partner for Kate in future episodes. The plot was OK. At times slow moving, though the evidence was well thought out and well researched.
I would definately read more by this author, thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

I liked this competent Australian crime mystery. Detective Kate Miles, days from taking maternity leave is tasked with investigating a robbery involving masked teenagers as well as reviewing the case notes of a local man drowned in a storm. The characters were well written and the narrative pace kept me interested. I will be reading the next book in the series. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the ar.

Absolutely fabulous slice of outback noir! First book I've read from Dinuka McKenzie, but certainly not my last. Set in New South Wales, this is a gripping tale of secrets and lies at the heart of a small town community.
I LOVED the central protagonist, Kate, and look forward to more books in this series.
Thank you Canelo for the opportunity to read this wonderful debut.
Highly recommended!

I like Australian noirs and this is the excellent debut of a new series. Complex, twisty and featuring a likeable and clever woman.
It kept me reading and guessing. It also kept me wondering if Kate was going to give birth in the middle of an investigation.
Can't wait to read the next one
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Tension Fuelled..
The first outing in the Detective Kate Miles series, set Northern New South Wales, finds the heavily pregnant protagonist deluged with new and disturbing cases. It soon becomes clear that her time prior to maternity leave will be riddled with problems. A promising start to a new series with a well described and atmospheric setting, a nicely crafted cast and a tension fuelled plot featuring multiple threads and apt social commentary.

The first time I have read this Author but I enjoyed the style of writing. A solid four star read. Great premise. Good characters. Page turner. Plenty of suspense to keep me guessing Would definitely read the next novel. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

This is the first in an Aussie crime series from Dinuka McKenzie set in north NSW in the small town of Esserton. It features a heavily pregnant DS Kathryn 'Kate' Miles, of Sri Lankan heritage, her father, retired ex-Chief Inspector Arthur Grayling, her team including Constables Vickie Harris and Greg Darnley. Her partner is recent arrival Josh Ellis, set to take over from her when she goes on maternity leave in a week. Kate should be easing off and giving a greater role to Josh, but she just can't bring herself to do that with a restaurant hold up by 3 teenage assailants wearing super hero masks ending up with a brutal attack on 16 year old Josephine leaves her hospitalised, her father the vocal local councillor Roman Allen.

Furthermore, her boss DCI Andrew Skinner pushes onto her plate a review of the death of Joel Marshall during the horrifying recent floodings, his beautiful wife Gaby managing to survive after being rescued. There is nothing new to challenge the coroner's findings of it being a unfortunate tragedy, but Joel's bitter grieving mother, Annette, with her connections to the Assistant Commissioner has managed to secure a review, certain that Gaby played a nefarious part in his death. Ostensibly this should have been a straightforward review, a formality which rubber stamped the original police investigation, but matters turn out to be a trifle more complicated than anticipated. Kate being a conscientious police officer, insists on taking the lead on both cases, despite the physical toll it takes, and Josh's resentment.

I have to say I was really worried for Kate, she is married to the wonderful Geoff, an architect and excellent father who has taken on most of the responsibility of looking after their over active 4 year old son, Archie. With this pregnancy, Kate takes her health for granted, even where there are clear physical indications she should be taking better care of herself. Additionally, there are family complications, her brother Luke is refusing to communicate with their father, and she is becoming more aware of her father's sadness and the circumstances of her parents marriage. This is a great Aussie crime debut from the author, I loved the protagonist and look forward to reading the next in this series. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

This is an excellent debut novel, set in Australia, by this author. It's well plotted and has a host of interesting characters. Detective Kate Miles is a strong and loyal character, juggling work and home life whilst being about to go on maternity leave. Fans of Aussie crime thrillers will enjoy this read. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Set in the fictional town of Esserton in New South Wales, this police procedural features Kate Miles, a detective sergeant five days away from starting maternity leave. Her current case is a series of late-night robberies at food outlets. A teenage assistant is badly injured in the second attack.
At the same time, Kate is asked to review the case of Joel and Gabby Marshall, swept away in their car in a flood four months earlier. Only Gabby, a champion swimmer, survived and went on to become a media celebrity.
Despite there being no evidence, Joel's mother isn't convinced her son's death was an accident. As a friend of the assistant commissioner, she is able to convince the police to re-examine the file.
A second timeline follows a tale of young love.
Although the plot relies on small-town coincidences, the writing flowed and all storylines merged successfully.
Kate is a likeable character with several points of interest in her backstory that could be picked up in future investigations.
This is the solid first outing of a new series. I look forward to book two, Taken.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.

A decent beginning to what will I assume, be a series.
Dependable, likeable main character with good family background.
A good way to see how Kate and those around her work.
Interesting case, particularly so the death in the flood.
It has me interested enough that I'll be happy to read book 2.