Publication Date November 5, 2024

I have a niece who moved to Australia several years ago, and her father (my brother) and his wife have followed them…so I tend to be inclined to read books set in Australia, especially in the mystery genre (Jane Harper being top of my list). So although I had not yet read Wake by Shelley Burr, I was happy to get a copy of Ms. Burr’s next in the series, Murder Town. I actually had planned to read Wake first (sometimes series can be ruined by reading them out of order), but I couldn’t wait so I am eagerly waiting #3 in the series, after reading #2, then #1. If it matters to you, Murder Town is fine as a standalone – in other words, you can read the first two in this series in any order! 

Both the first two novels include investigator Lane Holland, and both have nice twisty plotting, with interesting characters. In Murder Town, the action happens in the Outback, in a small town that used to be “charming:” but is now mostly fascinating due to its reputation as “Murder Town,” the last locale for a serial killer’s activity some fifteen years earlier. 

That killer, known as the Rainier Ripper, is responsible for much of the interest in Gemma Guillory’s tea shop, now a place of interest for crime fans and curiosity seekers. After living in the town her entire life, Gemma is now living with the police officer who worked the case (and to whom she is now married) and their teenage daughter. Now there is a new murder, raising questions about whether the person jailed for the crimes was in fact the actual Ripper. 

Again, lots of action, lots of dying-small-town atmosphere, and well-drawn characters. I look forward to reading book #1 in the series and #3 whenever it comes out. Four stars.