Chain of Evidence

April 9, 2007
Australian Disher's fine fourth novel to feature Insp. Hal Challis, head of Peninsula East's Crime Investigation Unit in Waterloo, Queensland (after 2005's Snapshot
), opens with the kidnapping of 10-year-old Katie Blasko. In Challis's absence, Sgt. Ellen Destry leads the investigation while her boss visits his dying father in the South Australia sheep-farming village he came from (and does some unofficial sleuthing on the mysterious disappearance of his brother-in-law five years earlier). When the girl is discovered, viciously abused, Destry's supervisors are a bit too eager to close the case as the inquiry widens into something much larger. Disher deftly weaves in layers of complexity, particularly the resentful antagonism that separates Waterloo's lower-middle-class families from the town's power structure. A compelling mix of procedural detail and action round out a fully credible plot and characters. Though some of the multitudinous subplots dilute the novel's overall impact, it's nonetheless a deeply satisfying read.

Starred review from May 15, 2007
The Australian team of Inspector Hal Challis and Sergeant Ellen Destry (Snapshot ) work together, though 1000 miles apart in Disher's latest gritty, modern police procedural. Challis must hurry back to his hometown of Mawson's Bluff in the outback to attend to his dying father while Destry steps in for him in the Peninsula police station in Queensland. The police are searching for a missing child and question whether pedophile ring rumors are true. In addition to depicting new cop Destry's simultaneous mix of self-doubt and growing confidence, Disher introduces an array of fascinating, complex, and well-rounded characters, including the residents of a rough public housing estate. His female charactersofficers Destry and Pam Murphy as well as the mother of the abducted childare especially well drawn and believable. Challis's visit home uncovers a long-buried murder as well as family loyalties, old hurts, and potential healing. The story is full of unexpected twists and brilliant clues but the conclusionis a true surprise. Highly recommended for all mystery and Australian fiction collections. [See Prepub Mystery, LJ 3/1/07.]Susan G. Baird, Chicago

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