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majic's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
laurenmvmills's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
bibliobliss_au's review against another edition
4.0
During a sweltering Melbourne summer, Detective Sergeant Zoe Mayer makes her return from extended leave and is keen to dive straight back into work - but now with her new service dog, Harry, by her side. After a man is found dead with a knife in his chest, an arrest is made and the case appears closed. But Zoe’s instincts tell her there’s more to this case and she pursues an investigation that puts her career and life at risk.
This was a really great read and an impressive debut. The story zipped along at speed & I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
Zoe is a great lead, she’s tough, makes smart decisions & backs herself. I loved the representation of a protagonist with a service dog and that Zoe never expressed doubt in her abilities while requiring this additional support. The reveal of her past trauma was gripping and well-paced.
Is this the start of a series featuring Zoe & her service doggo Harry? I hope so!
Recommended for crime mystery fans!
A big thanks to Text Publishing for sending me an uncorrected proof of this book.
This was a really great read and an impressive debut. The story zipped along at speed & I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
Zoe is a great lead, she’s tough, makes smart decisions & backs herself. I loved the representation of a protagonist with a service dog and that Zoe never expressed doubt in her abilities while requiring this additional support. The reveal of her past trauma was gripping and well-paced.
Is this the start of a series featuring Zoe & her service doggo Harry? I hope so!
Recommended for crime mystery fans!
A big thanks to Text Publishing for sending me an uncorrected proof of this book.
mandylovestoread's review against another edition
4.0
I love a good detective story and The Long Game, set in Melbourne had me hooked. This was the first book by Simon Rowell I have read and I hoping for more from our main character Zoe in the future.
My favourite thing about this story was definitely Harry, the therapy dog. He is a golden retriever and he was adorable. He is helping DS Zoe Mayer with her past trauma, that we learn of throughout the story. She has just returned to work and immediately lands a murder case with her partner Charlie. They make a quick arrest but something doesn't sit right with Zoe and she keeps looking into the case. She knows there is more to it than they have discovered but she doesn't make any friends with her relentless pursuit for the truth.
There is so many great Australian crime writers out there and I love it. Will certainly be looking out for more from this author.
Thanks to Text Publishing for my copy of this book to read. The Long Game is Out now.
My favourite thing about this story was definitely Harry, the therapy dog. He is a golden retriever and he was adorable. He is helping DS Zoe Mayer with her past trauma, that we learn of throughout the story. She has just returned to work and immediately lands a murder case with her partner Charlie. They make a quick arrest but something doesn't sit right with Zoe and she keeps looking into the case. She knows there is more to it than they have discovered but she doesn't make any friends with her relentless pursuit for the truth.
There is so many great Australian crime writers out there and I love it. Will certainly be looking out for more from this author.
Thanks to Text Publishing for my copy of this book to read. The Long Game is Out now.
lakinloveslit's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this crime thriller! I’ve got my fingers crossed this is a new series because I love Zoe and Harry!
brookesbookstagram's review against another edition
4.0
TW: death, mental health, trauma, bullying.
Detective Sergeant Zoe Mayer was involved in quite a harrowing experience professionally that lead her to take time away from the job. Once she returns, she is assisted by her new service dog, Harry who is her trust sidekick, trained to support Zoe in and out of work.
This book follows the death of local surfer Ray, and although all signs point to an obvious motive and suspect, Zoe just feels that this is "too perfect" and digs and delves deeper to unlock unsuspected secrets, identities and people involved in Ray's life that most people had not known about.
As Zoe is digging, she unwittingly sets off a chain reaction that means that her life is now also in danger... The plot follows the twists and turns while Zoe attempts to crack the case whilst managing her PTSD symptoms, unhelpful work colleagues and having someone plot against her.
I really enjoyed the Melbourne setting as a localk which just makes a book more appealing to me. There is a good build up and great suspense throughout which I really enjoyed, and the themes and story are crafted well. The only thing I felt was lacking was more about Zoe's trauma that lead to her PTSD, as there are trickles throughout the book, it's not until the very end that it's fleshed out, however, I still failed to connect or feel a resolution of the deeper understanding of this incident, only the ramifications that followed.
I can't wait to read more from Simon Rowell, I really got sucked into this one!
Thank you to Text Publishing for a gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Detective Sergeant Zoe Mayer was involved in quite a harrowing experience professionally that lead her to take time away from the job. Once she returns, she is assisted by her new service dog, Harry who is her trust sidekick, trained to support Zoe in and out of work.
This book follows the death of local surfer Ray, and although all signs point to an obvious motive and suspect, Zoe just feels that this is "too perfect" and digs and delves deeper to unlock unsuspected secrets, identities and people involved in Ray's life that most people had not known about.
As Zoe is digging, she unwittingly sets off a chain reaction that means that her life is now also in danger... The plot follows the twists and turns while Zoe attempts to crack the case whilst managing her PTSD symptoms, unhelpful work colleagues and having someone plot against her.
I really enjoyed the Melbourne setting as a localk which just makes a book more appealing to me. There is a good build up and great suspense throughout which I really enjoyed, and the themes and story are crafted well. The only thing I felt was lacking was more about Zoe's trauma that lead to her PTSD, as there are trickles throughout the book, it's not until the very end that it's fleshed out, however, I still failed to connect or feel a resolution of the deeper understanding of this incident, only the ramifications that followed.
I can't wait to read more from Simon Rowell, I really got sucked into this one!
Thank you to Text Publishing for a gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
tarabee's review against another edition
4.0
Ah, what a breath of fresh air. A crime novel with a protagonist that I loved, and her wonderful a service dog was a bonus. Well-written, great pace, not too heavy. Enjoyable and engaging read. Recommended. Hope this is the start of a series!
tasmanian_bibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
‘It was time.’
One hot day in February, a local surfer named Ray Carlson is found dead in a house near Portsea on the coast in the Port Phillip area of Victoria. He has been murdered. The case is allocated to Detective Sergeant Zoe Mayer and her partner Charlie Shaw. Zoe Mayer has recently returned to work after a period of extended leave, and is accompanied by her service dog, a golden retriever named Harry.
While there is not a lot of evidence at the scene, there is enough information quickly available to point to a suspect who is duly arrested. But Zoe is not convinced. Is she right?
I could not put this novel down. It takes a while for Zoe’s backstory to unfold, and while it does the reader cannot really be sure about her instincts. Is this murder linked to other cases? And if it is, how and why? Can Zoe overcome the panic attacks she is still prone to? The tension is maintained throughout the novel: Zoe investigates on instinct, taking risks because time is critical and because she feels she needs to prove herself. She also runs into resistance from other police officers with vested interests in other cases. There are plenty of twists in this tale before what was, for me, a satisfying conclusion
I found Zoe a well-developed, multi-dimensional character and I really hope that this is the beginning of a new series featuring Zoe and Harry.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Text Publishing for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
One hot day in February, a local surfer named Ray Carlson is found dead in a house near Portsea on the coast in the Port Phillip area of Victoria. He has been murdered. The case is allocated to Detective Sergeant Zoe Mayer and her partner Charlie Shaw. Zoe Mayer has recently returned to work after a period of extended leave, and is accompanied by her service dog, a golden retriever named Harry.
While there is not a lot of evidence at the scene, there is enough information quickly available to point to a suspect who is duly arrested. But Zoe is not convinced. Is she right?
I could not put this novel down. It takes a while for Zoe’s backstory to unfold, and while it does the reader cannot really be sure about her instincts. Is this murder linked to other cases? And if it is, how and why? Can Zoe overcome the panic attacks she is still prone to? The tension is maintained throughout the novel: Zoe investigates on instinct, taking risks because time is critical and because she feels she needs to prove herself. She also runs into resistance from other police officers with vested interests in other cases. There are plenty of twists in this tale before what was, for me, a satisfying conclusion
I found Zoe a well-developed, multi-dimensional character and I really hope that this is the beginning of a new series featuring Zoe and Harry.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Text Publishing for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
shelleyrae's review against another edition
5.0
After racing through The Long Game, I’m hoping it is the start of a new crime fiction series from South Australian author Simon Rowell.
The first homicide Detective Sergeant Zoe Mayer is assigned on her return to work seems to be open and shut with the evidence clearly pointing towards Dwayne Harley stabbing his best friend, Ray Carlson, after discovering he was sleeping with his wife. Zoe’s partner, Charlie, is happy with the easy solve but something doesn’t sit right with Zoe. With her colleagues wary of her instincts given her recent extended absence, she has no choice but to investigate with only her service dog, Harry as back up.
I found myself totally invested in the fast paced, suspenseful plot of The Long Game. The motivation for the crimes are believable, and their execution is clever and original. I could easily believe that the murderer could have got away with it if Zoe hadn’t been so observant, and determined. I appreciated the procedural details that leant the police investigation authenticity, and enjoyed the action of confrontations and near misses.
The mystery behind Zoe’s extended leave adds further interest to the story. It’s obvious that she experienced something traumatic, and she’s still vulnerable to particular triggers, which is where Harry, a golden retriever, comes in. As a service dog, Harry provides support when Zoe experiences vivid flashbacks that cause her to lose awareness, but his emotional intuition also proves to be a useful investigative tool.
Zoe seems to be a determined investigator, with great instincts. I like that she is willing to back herself, though I’m not overly fond of protagonists that go it alone, I understood her need to prove herself. I thought Zoe’s partner, Charlie, was a little bland, but I liked the analyst, Anjali. Zoe has a romantic relationship with a lawyer, which seems to be fairly stable but there a sense of underlying tension which may be explored if there is a sequel.
The Long Game played just right for me with its smart plot, appealing characters and compelling pace.
The first homicide Detective Sergeant Zoe Mayer is assigned on her return to work seems to be open and shut with the evidence clearly pointing towards Dwayne Harley stabbing his best friend, Ray Carlson, after discovering he was sleeping with his wife. Zoe’s partner, Charlie, is happy with the easy solve but something doesn’t sit right with Zoe. With her colleagues wary of her instincts given her recent extended absence, she has no choice but to investigate with only her service dog, Harry as back up.
I found myself totally invested in the fast paced, suspenseful plot of The Long Game. The motivation for the crimes are believable, and their execution is clever and original. I could easily believe that the murderer could have got away with it if Zoe hadn’t been so observant, and determined. I appreciated the procedural details that leant the police investigation authenticity, and enjoyed the action of confrontations and near misses.
The mystery behind Zoe’s extended leave adds further interest to the story. It’s obvious that she experienced something traumatic, and she’s still vulnerable to particular triggers, which is where Harry, a golden retriever, comes in. As a service dog, Harry provides support when Zoe experiences vivid flashbacks that cause her to lose awareness, but his emotional intuition also proves to be a useful investigative tool.
Zoe seems to be a determined investigator, with great instincts. I like that she is willing to back herself, though I’m not overly fond of protagonists that go it alone, I understood her need to prove herself. I thought Zoe’s partner, Charlie, was a little bland, but I liked the analyst, Anjali. Zoe has a romantic relationship with a lawyer, which seems to be fairly stable but there a sense of underlying tension which may be explored if there is a sequel.
The Long Game played just right for me with its smart plot, appealing characters and compelling pace.