annie1's review
funny
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
mandylovestoread's review
4.0
After loving Charlotte's Pass and Crackenback, I could not wait to dive into the next book in the series, Dead Horse Gap. Set in the NSW Snowy Mountains in the middle of winter, it was bizarre to be reading of the cold conditions in the middle of my summer holidays. While I was sitting at the beach with the ocean breeze, these characters were scrapping ice from their cars and wearing snow shoes!
While this is the 3rd book to feature these characters, I do believe they can be read as stand alones. Each book is it's own story and case, and Lee Christine gives enough background on the situations where needed. This one starts with a light plane crashing at a small airfield in the Snowy Mountains area. Ryder and Flowers are called in when it does not appear to be an accident. The victim is from a local family, but has not been seen in town for many many years. As the investigation starts, they discover a family feud going back generations that could provide clues to solve the case. Or is it connected to the drug smuggling ring that DC Nerida Sterling is working undercover in town on?
I love how these characters work the cases so thoroughly and stop at nothing to get the result. Please Lee Christine, keep this series going on and on. They are page turners that always have me hooked and needing to know more.
Released in Australia February 2nd. Thank you to Allen and Unwin for my advanced copy of this book to read.
While this is the 3rd book to feature these characters, I do believe they can be read as stand alones. Each book is it's own story and case, and Lee Christine gives enough background on the situations where needed. This one starts with a light plane crashing at a small airfield in the Snowy Mountains area. Ryder and Flowers are called in when it does not appear to be an accident. The victim is from a local family, but has not been seen in town for many many years. As the investigation starts, they discover a family feud going back generations that could provide clues to solve the case. Or is it connected to the drug smuggling ring that DC Nerida Sterling is working undercover in town on?
I love how these characters work the cases so thoroughly and stop at nothing to get the result. Please Lee Christine, keep this series going on and on. They are page turners that always have me hooked and needing to know more.
Released in Australia February 2nd. Thank you to Allen and Unwin for my advanced copy of this book to read.
busyreading's review
5.0
Once again Aussie author Lee Christine has written another outstanding novel. With beautiful descriptions of the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales and a storyline full of suspense and mystery, this is a must-read for anyone who enjoys reading these genres.
shelleyrae's review
4.0
Following the success of Lee Christine’s Charlotte’s Pass, and Crackenback, Dead Horse Gap is the third engaging crime novel set in the NSW southern highlands.
In this instalment, while Homicide Squad Detective Sergeant Pierce Ryder and his colleague, Detective Constable Mitchell Flowers, are drawn back to the Snowy Mountains into the midst of a family feud when a light plane collides with a deliberately placed tractor, killing the pilot, Detective Constable Nerida Sterling is working her first undercover assignment as a waitress at a ski field bar, tasked with getting a lead on the violent drug ring operating in the mountains.
Though one investigation seems to have nothing to do with the other, it’s not long before the officers suspect there may be some overlap. I thought the cases balanced out well, Ryder and Flowers are kept busy chasing rumours and paperwork, and while the team remain in touch with one another, Nerida has to rely on herself in an increasingly tense situation after she takes a chance on creating a lead.
While Dead Horse Gap can be read as a standalone, there are character issues in this story that play though from the early books, including Ryder’s imminent move with his girlfriend, Vanessa, and the romantic tension between Mitchell and Nerida. These suggest that this will be the last book to feature this particular team, though there is scope for Christine to recenter one member.
No matter the direction she takes, I hope that Christine keeps to the alpine setting though as it’s often overlooked in Australian fiction. I enjoyed the little piece of Snowy River history Christine shared related to the stockmans huts dotted around the Kosciuszko National Park here, adding interest to the story.
Well paced with a satisfying blend of suspense, action and romance, Dead Horse Gap is an entertaining read.
In this instalment, while Homicide Squad Detective Sergeant Pierce Ryder and his colleague, Detective Constable Mitchell Flowers, are drawn back to the Snowy Mountains into the midst of a family feud when a light plane collides with a deliberately placed tractor, killing the pilot, Detective Constable Nerida Sterling is working her first undercover assignment as a waitress at a ski field bar, tasked with getting a lead on the violent drug ring operating in the mountains.
Though one investigation seems to have nothing to do with the other, it’s not long before the officers suspect there may be some overlap. I thought the cases balanced out well, Ryder and Flowers are kept busy chasing rumours and paperwork, and while the team remain in touch with one another, Nerida has to rely on herself in an increasingly tense situation after she takes a chance on creating a lead.
While Dead Horse Gap can be read as a standalone, there are character issues in this story that play though from the early books, including Ryder’s imminent move with his girlfriend, Vanessa, and the romantic tension between Mitchell and Nerida. These suggest that this will be the last book to feature this particular team, though there is scope for Christine to recenter one member.
No matter the direction she takes, I hope that Christine keeps to the alpine setting though as it’s often overlooked in Australian fiction. I enjoyed the little piece of Snowy River history Christine shared related to the stockmans huts dotted around the Kosciuszko National Park here, adding interest to the story.
Well paced with a satisfying blend of suspense, action and romance, Dead Horse Gap is an entertaining read.
More...