Talented Aussie crime writer, Adrian Hyland, brings back the welcome return of Detective Jesse Redpath in this sequel to Canticle Creek. She has now moved on to be the officer in charge of Satellite Station in Victoria, living in a remote, seriously dilapidated, cabin with a leaking roof, sharing it with rats. A terrible storm heralds power cuts, blocked roads, accidents, flooding, and more, which has her and fellow cop, Lance Cunningham, out in the nightmare weather conditions in the dark, try to help stuck drivers, with a courageous Jesse saving the life of a woman, and coming across the gruesome death of a man by a fallen tree. A wiped out, wet and frozen Jesse returns home, only to reflect, her acute observation skills finally understanding that the male victim, Raph Cambric, was murdered, and she returns to the crime scene.

Caught in a compromising situation with former cop, wildlife and nature lover Nash Rankin, a man she has just met, when the murder squad come to arrest him for the murder, Jesse's gut instinct tells her he is not guilty and so begins a dangerous investigation as she faces threats to her life and her professional career. She finds herself suspended and forbidden to see Nash, not that any of this stops her probing into the lives of a list of possible suspects that include the brother of a serial killer. Few are inclined to view her suspicions as credible, Nash has apparently previously killed a man, Leon Glazier, and spent time in a mental health facility. However, as a boy, he had bravely helped to bring down a horrifying cult, and as a cop, he had been relentless in going after the bad guys, unsurprisingly earning himself enemies.

Will Jesse be able to prove that Nash is an innocent man, so sinned against, and live to ensure that justice prevails in the trickiest of cases? Jesse finds her artist father, Ben's art, helpful in getting to grips with an almost impossible investigation, and gaining insights and perspective when she deploys Aboriginal approaches she has become familiar with. Hyland is a gifted crime writer who immerses the reader in the location with his rich descriptions, whilst providing the reader with a wide range of what feel like authentic and offbeat characters that make an impression, I particularly adored Flinders, the dog. I am really hoping he is planning to continue with this brilliant series with the marvellous Jesse. Highly recommended Aussie crime. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

A good book, even though it was somewhat dofficult to read as it wasn't Kindle compatible so more difficult to read.strong and interesting characters, lots of themes running through it and great pacing throughout. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Another excellent Aussie crime thriller with a great sense of place and strong characters. Jesse Redpath is back and just as strong as in canticle creek.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

I really enjoyed the characters of Jess and Nash and how the story came together in the end

Having worked out to get the download onto the NetGalley App I was able to read this on my ipad. Our Jesse has moved from Canticle Creek to a new posting in Victoria where she's just as feisty and slightly acerbic as in the Territory. She's dropped straight into a really nasty rain storm and finds a body crushed by a falling tree. Her gut tells her something is wrong and it does, indeed, turnout that the man was murdered. The other cops find evidence and are convinced that Nash Baker is the perpetrator, ex cop, mental problems, psychopathic tendencies, well what can he be other than guilty? She delves deeply into his background, especially the case of another murdered man. Historic child abuse, excessive religious cults, jealousy, threats, drugs, the lot. Lots for her to consider, not least her attraction to Nash. Well written, plenty of context and descriptions; makes the locales seem real. A good read and, hopefully, further instalments to come. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

I really enjoyed Canticle Creek by the same author and gave it a 5 star review. I was looking forward to reading The Wiregrass, especially as I'm visiting Australia next year. However, the version I was given could only be read on my phone and I found it a strain on my eyes so could not finish it. Shame.

I really enjoyed Canticle Creek so when I saw this was available via Netgalley, I didn't hesitate to get it (and being auto-approved meant there was no wait!)

What I loved so much about CC was the sense of place that Hyland brings to his novels and this was no different. Those first few chapters set against an horrendous storm was so well-written, I genuinely felt colder and wetter just reading it.

Again, Hyland delivers an excellent crime fiction novel with an excellent protagonist (prone to making a few dubious decisions) taking the lead. Really enjoyed this one and can't wait for the next.

Thanks to Netgalley and Ultimo Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Jesse Redpath is back as a police officer in the small community of Satellite in this follow on to Canticle Creek. She is just as ballsy and almost single handedly brings the bad guys to justice. She manages to upset the police authorities in Victoria almost as much as the villains. I preferred this book and it was easy reading, helped again by interesting descriptions of birdlife and the landscape. I guessed fair amount of the plot but that didn’t take away any of the enjoyment. Another very dramatic showdown at the end.

Another high octane action packed story which keeps the reader involved to the last page. I read and enjoyed the previous book.
The main character is unusual and has a careless approach to rules and regulations but that makes a good story. She belongs to a friends and family group which creates some normality in a very unstructured lifestyle.
She is focusing on saving her relationship and uncovering a long established cult which has damaged many lives. The dreadful activities of those belonging to the cult are unsettling and difficult to believe.
Recommended

I’ve read the first book canticle creek and I’ll admit it wasn’t for me. This was more enjoyable and was a good read, however it didn’t overly excite me. Well written but I struggled to gel with the characters.

Slightly annoying that I couldn’t read it on my kindle, however I don’t know if that’s a net galley or a publisher fault.

A great read difficult to put down. It's a roller coaster from start to finish and the descriptive detail of the Australian countryside adds to the story. I cannot wait to read the first book in the series and hope there will be another to follow.

Having read Canticle Creek I was looking forward to reading The Wiregrass, the next book about Detective Jesse Redpath set in the outback of Australia. Just a bit disappointed that I couldn't upload it to my Kindle and had to read it on my phone not enjoyable ! Nevertheless I persevered and it was worth it as the story was gripping with interesting characters a great thriller .Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC .

A good follow up to the first Jesse Redpath thriller. Although I didn’t understand the Aussie jargon I did enjoy the story and the way it all worked out. I dropped a star because of the f-bombs.

I have just finished reading The Wiregrass by Adrian Hyland but before I offer my review I would like to make an apology. Adrian's previous novel I downloaded but because of its prior publication, it dropped to the bottom of my reading list. The Wiregrass, because of its description and future publishing date had my interest piqued. Sadly, the offering came in a format I was not prepared to read on a phone app, so my partner kindly came to the rescue and managed to resolve the problem on her tablet. Moans and gripes over with.
What is it with Australian novels for us Brits? I have never been to Australia but love to read of it. Whether the tough outback life or the City jetsetters. The Wiregrass from the get-go was gripping. The storm, the tragic death and the coitus interreuptus by men in black reminded me of the treble hooks as a boy fisherman. After all, aren't there three more chances? Well, unlike the imagined fish of my youth, this certainly had me hooked!
What followed was a thriller masterpiece. So many loose ends brought together in a logical, not wishful fashion. It was so good I felt hollow when I came to the end, I was so entrenched with the characters that I wishfully side-stepped real life for a couple of days. Now it's life without The Wiregrass. I can cope, sort of, because I have Canticle Creek to catch up on. If you like a first rate Australian detective thriller then I cannot rate this highly enough.

This is a solid follow up to the first Jesse Redpath police procedural and sees Jesse working in a different Australian town but again facing a battle with the elements and the terrain and defending a suspect everyone else has written off as guilty.
After reading this, fans will be eagerly awaiting book three, and rightly so.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.