For once I picked up where I had left off in this series. I read the previous book and knew the mental state of everyone involved. After a disastrous exhibition where Rowland was trying to show the world what he knew about the Nazi’s behaviour within their borders, things between his brother and him came to an explosive position. I was a little sad to not see enough of his nephews this time around, but the little we did see was hilarious ( in an adorable way).


The beauty of this series is the fact that the travels of the friends chart the direction of change. The time is after the first world war, and the rumblings of the next are starting to pile up. Because of their frequent travels, they know more than any of their contemporaries. They try in vain to indicate the seriousness of the upcoming days to the people around him. The main protagonists are Rowland Sinclair, the wealthiest of the lot who bankrolls most of their expeditions, Edna his muse and a very enigmatic character, Clyde and Milton who each bring something different to the equation. As usual, each chapter is preceded by a newspaper article which has some parts of the previous or upcoming chapter hidden within. It is, as always the most fascinating part of the narrative. It is also a series that you can pick up randomly (like I did) and apart from a few spoilers for the previous works, it still works individually.

In ‘A dangerous language’ we see a lot of the local communists and the people who rise up against them. There is familial friction, a lot of physical fracases but the band stick together. The banter is lighter because there is a lot at stake and everyone seems to always be on the move. It was an entertaining work, and it was a much faster read than the first few books of the series.

I received the book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience and prior knowledge of the series.

Sulari Gentill, Australian mystery author, continues her Rowland Sinclair mysteries with A Dangerous Language. Rowland with his friends is seeking to rescue Egon Kisch, Czech journalist and peace advocate, from fascist thugs and ensure his arrival in Australia for a series of speeches against the German nazis. Romantic entanglements and murder entangle Rowland along the way. Great Depression Australian yarn.

Although 8th in the series, this was the first Rowland Sinclair mystery that I have read. There were times where I felt at a disadvantage, but it didn't not stop me from enjoying this historical mystery. Set in Australia in 1934, A Dangerous Language is a book about politics and loyalty. I really enjoyed learning more about the political situation in Australia in the 1930's. The characters were interesting and complex. The descriptions of cars and airplanes of the era were fascinating. I will definitely look for more in this series.

My fascination for this author is that I can never reconcile in my head the image she conjures with 1920's style Melbourne and Sydney with the present day cities as I find them. My children are immigrants who have been there for a while but still you look at life in a slightly different angle. Sulari Gentill's angle fascinates.

We have Rowland Sinclair aristocratic but simple, and his cohorts a mixed bunch if ever there was one from the bohemian to the communist. All raging red flags to his conservative brother who feels the respectability of the Sinclair name must be maintained at all costs though what Rowland does is actually nothing disgraceful. The idea of not having anything about the family in the gutter press is the worst thing that could happen to the Sinclairs and this time around, Rowland outbeats all his previous endeavours !

I loved the quick pace of the story, the characterization of everyone and the settings for this story covering several cities in Australia.

History of early 20th century Australia at its best.

"A Dangerous Language" is a mystery/suspense set in late Fall of 1934 in Australia. This is the eighth novel in a series. You don't have to read the previous books in order to follow this one, and this book did not spoil the previous books. Murders seem to happen whenever Rowley and his friends are around, so the first part of the story involved trying to solve the murders. The mystery was a clue-based. Rowley and his friends asked questions, followed up on clues, and passed on information to the police.

A second thread in the story was that Rowley's determined to get a foreign journalist to a speaking engagement on time because this journalist has seen what's happening in Nazi Germany. No one's listening to Rowley's warnings, but maybe they'll listen to the journalist. However, there are a lot of people who don't want this man to even enter Australia. Rowley and his friends worked together to keep the man alive so that he had a chance to be heard. Interesting historical details (especially surrounding this man's arrival in Australia) were woven into the the story. The main characters were interesting, engaging people. There was a fair amount of bad language. There were no sex scenes. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting, suspenseful novel.

A Dangerous Language is the eighth book in the Rowland Sinclair series by award-winning Australian author, Sulari Gentill. Spring 1934 sees Rowland Sinclair and his artistic friends in Canberra. Rowly has just replaced his beloved but written-off Mercedes with a Chrysler Airflow Eight, with which a drive to the ACT will also serve the purpose of delivering Milton Isaacs in situ for a little surveillance job.

Outspoken Czechoslovakian novelist, journalist and activist, Egon Kisch is en route to Australia to address the Movement Against War and Fascism, and timely word of any political moves to bar his entry will allow them to be countered without delay. To that end, Rowly has volunteered to fly Kisch from Fremantle to Melbourne on the quiet. But the best laid plans…

And it seems that some in the nation’s capital are displeased with the presence of Rowly and his left-leaning friends. Milt’s contact is murdered on the steps of Parliament House, and that’s just the beginning of a series of events that put Rowly and his friends in mortal danger, several times.

In this instalment, Gentill again serves up plenty of fascinating historical detail, giving a few famous (and infamous) figures and cameos (and some, more significant roles). There are twists and red herrings aplenty, leading to several exciting climaxes. And as always, the banter between the characters provides plenty of humour.

Also in this instalment, Edna is plagued by a persistent beau while Rowly is targeted for scandalous self-serving scheme by a past passion. A brawl, a hit-and-run accident, assaults with a knife, targeting of communists and sympathisers and, in between all these, Rowly does get to fly a De Haviland Comet. As usual, quite a bit of what he and his friends get up to meets the disapproval of his conservative older brother, Wilfred.

Press clippings of the time that preface the chapters cleverly serve the purpose of providing information related to the text that follows, as well as depicting social attitudes of the era. As always, Gentill effortlessly evokes the era. Once again, a brilliant dose of Australian historical crime fiction. Readers by now hooked will appreciate knowing they can look forward to at least two more instalments of this award-winning series, beginning with All The Tears In China (aka Shanghai Secrets).
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press.

I love Rowland Sinclair Mysteries and this was as good as all the instalment in this series. As the other ones it's wonderfully written, well researched and with a great cast of characters.
The historical background is an important part of the plot and it's always full of details and very accurate.
Strongly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC

Sulari Gentill has authored a number of books in an historical mystery series set in 1930s Australia. It is a time when there is much unrest; on the one side is the New Guard, a Fascist group, while, on the other, there are the Communists, among others. Historically, WWII is coming and tensions are high.

Ms. Gentill uses this time period to good effect in her mysteries which feature a mix of fictional and historical characters. In this one, the historical figures include a number of politicians and readers spend time at the new Parliament building. One does not have to stretch very far to find some parallels with our own uncertain times. There is a quote that relates to the story’s title and those (and our) times. It is “The dangerous language you speak of is the truth.”

The series in general and this novel feature family dynamics, political intricacies, murder, chases, romance and suspense. Readers familiar with the series will be delighted to spend time with main characters Rowly (a kind of Lord Peter Wimsey if Wimsey were more on the left), poet Milton, painter Clyde and the female sculptor, Ed. There is a new character as well, a woman with whom Rowly had been in love as a teen; will she take Edna’s place in his affections? Readers will also find that Wilf, Rowly’s brother, makes an appearance and the two seem as fractious as ever.

A lot happens in this novel. A communist is killed on the steps of Parliament. Egon Kisch, an anti-Fascist (a true historical figure) who wants to speak in Australia may not be allowed in the country; how will he and Rowly intersect? There is an unidentifiable young woman who is found murdered early in the novel; who is she? There is a famous air race and more. The novel is busy but it works.

Each chapter opens with a fictitious newspaper account. These add a sense of veracity to the book and parallel some of what happens. series.

I enjoy Sulari Gentill’s novels more each time that I read them. I highly recommend this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

In this eighth of the series Rowland is approached by a member of the Communist Party to observe the Federal Parliament in Canberra, and replace the current man, Kelly. Although refusing, his friend the communist Milton Isaacs does not, and all four friends journey to Canberra where Kelly is found murdered.
For me the story contained too much politics which made the tale in quite a large part boring, and certainly not enough of any mystery. A pity as I do find the characters an interesting bunch.
A NetGalley Book

In Which Rowland Volunteers Piloting Skills.....
The eighth book in the excellent Rowland Sinclair mystery series finds Rowland volunteering his piloting skills and delving deep into the world of politics, political struggles and murder. As ever, well written with credible characters and an engaging storyline not to mention a terrific sense of time and place. A worthy addition to the series.

I learn so much with every one of these novels. Although this is the 8th in the series, you'll be fine with it as a standalone although those who've been reading along will appreciate it more for the development of the characters. Now, it's 1930s Australia and the struggle between Fascists and Communists is a huge political issue. Those of us who are sketchy (at best) on Australian history, let alone the differences between the two, might benefit from a bit of googling. This time out, Rowly, an artist, and his friends are meant to be escorting Egon, a Hungarian peace activist and journalist. There's a body found on the steps of Parliament House, there's thugs, there's all sorts of things going on - and along the way, Rowly has a new Chrysler Airflow. HIs friends and his brother (love his brother) feature as well. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read and I'm looking forward for the next one to be issued in the US.

I am very subjective when it comes to Rowland Sinclair.
I am not sure what I am going to do with myself when I run out of Sulari's books. I guess, I will have to wait till TV or movie adaptation comes out... I hope it is soon.
A Dangerous Language is 8th adventure of Australian aristocrat Rowland Sinclair, younger brother in the very prominent and influential Australian family. He has everything and more. He has the looks, the education, the money. He has very unusual set of friends and he has a nose for disaster. Rowly made a lot of enemies on his adventures.
This adventure is not an exception. My dear friend will be beaten again and again. He will be involved in solving murders and committing political crimes all in good spirit and in high honour of loyalty and friendship.
Set in the 1930x in Australia, Rowland Sinclair' adventures are fun, informative and cozy enough to fall in love and to feel like you are part of their world.
Being 8th novel, A Dangerous Language is getting more rough, serious and closer to the World War 2. The world is on the precipice. How is right? Who is wrong? Who is friend? Who is the enemies. All the boundaries and loyalties will be tested.
The reader will not be able to remain impartial.

This installation in the Rowland Sinclair series is an excellent read. Sulari Gentill is an exceptional author and this book is no exception. While it is not my favorite of the series, it is true to the character development woven meticulously throughout the series. Rowland’s brother’s incessant thinking the worst of Rowland is tiresome, but Gentill is true to her characters and refuses to give in to the sappy and easy road of reconciliation and relationship change.

Her writing style is interesting and compelling, yet easy to read without growing weary. In this story, as in others, she takes on the very real circumstances of the times and clearly portrays the various sides to the argument through her characters.

In all, this was another great read from Gentill.

In 1934, Australia (and the rest of the world) is still not alarmed at the rise of Nazism in Germany. Rowland (Rowly) Sinclair has tried to tell influential people by speaking to them about what he and his friends witnessed recently in Germany in a visit that nearly cost him his life. An exhibition of his art depicting what he saw there was also poorly received. Now he has a chance to escort Hungarian journalist and anti-Nazi activist Egon Kisch to Melbourne to speak at its centenary celebrations. However, the government has other ideas, planning to bar entry into the country of someone they see as a radical communist and agitator.

I love Sulari Gentill's brand of historical mystery. Her thorough and accurate historical research, inclusion of real figures in her books and snippets of current affairs and advice from media of the time all make for a fascinating read. I enjoyed learning about the political climate in Australia during this period leading up to WW2 when communism was perceived to be more of a threat than fascism.

Against this background, Rowly and his friends have plenty to keep them busy. There is Rowly's new car, a beautiful, sleek Chrysler Airflow to replace his beloved Mercedes, the London to Sydney air race, a murder on the steps of Parliament House, a group of thugs out to kill Rowly, as well as an old flame of his turning up out of the blue. Definitely another action packed, suspenseful episode in this fantastic series!

One of the things I look for in a book is a clear sense of time and place. And, this book definitely offered that, but as Book #8 in a series, I found myself somewhat lost because I was not familiar with the happenings in Books one through seven. In some series, this is irrelevant--at least for this reader, it was definitely a problem reading this novel.

The author has developed an interesting (and intrepid) group of friends who work and live together and seem willing to drop everything in pursuit of the challenge of the day. That took a bit of "suspension of disbelief" to accept, but the reader just needs to roll with the flow like the characters do.

The major issue I had with the book was mine, not the book's---I am not familiar with Australian history or politics and this story was dependent on some understanding of both. It didn't fill in any blanks (or inform the reader) --- but, it charged on with its period plot which centered around the strong anti-communist feeling that was apparently prevalent in Australia during the early 1930's.
I was somewhat bored and bogged down by the pontificating---and, that is not something you look for in a light mystery.

NetGalley provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

1934, politics, political-intrigue, Australia, family-dynamics, friendship, murder, historical-figures, historical-novel, historical-places-events, historical-research

This is not an unbiased review. I absolutely love learning world history between the World Wars in Australia through the lives of Rowley Sinclair and friends via the pen of Sulari Gentill! Being a history geek, I snoop into (almost) all the references except the newspaper quotes at the beginning of chapters.
Egon Kisch was a Jewish Communist and anti-war activist who wrote in German (the dangerous language) at the time Hitler and his nazis were on the rise in Europe. Because of his politics, Australian government and some subversive factions attempted to ban him from visiting. That's history.
Rowley is a painter born into a wealthy family and he shares his estate with a number of artistic friends with whom he has gotten into difficulties before. The book begins with a missing young woman who has been set alight and is unrecognizable at the same time as Rowley's dearest friend has seemingly disappeared (his artist's eye knows it is not her) and then turns up due to miscommunication. Then there's the murder of a known communist with ties to one of Rowley's other friends who is subsequently seriously injured in an intentional motor vehicle accident.
Rowley is also a car and airplane nut so prepare yourself to learn some fascinating things about the Chrysler Airflow as well as the MacRobertson Air Race in a de Havilland Comet. The recurring characters certainly are, and all characters a clearly and engagingly drawn.
It is not NECESSARY to have read the previous books as everything vital is in here, but on the basis of curiousity...
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. Thank you!

This has been out since 2017 and many helpful reviews from smart readers, so I'll just recommend it to historical mystery fans.

I really appreciate the ARC for review!!

Australia, 1934: Egon Kisch is to be the keynote speaker at an important rally organized by an anti-Fascist group, and Rowland (Rowly) Sinclair has volunteered to fly him from Freemantle to Sydney. But in the months leading up to the conference, Rowly and his friends stumble into the murder on the steps of Canaberra’s Parliment House. When they investigate, they soon learn that there are many parties who want to keep Kisch out the country—and would go to great lengths to achieve that end.

This is the eighth in the Rowland Sinclair Mystery Series. I’ve read and enjoyed all of the previous, and this installment did not disappoint! The characters of Rowly and his comrades, Edna, Milton, and Clyde are so well done. They are all engaging individuals, and the relationships between them are so genuine that it is very easy to invest your time in them.

The plot is intricate and well crafted, and the quality of the story does well at evoking Australian society of the era. Gentill’s ability to incorporate the political tensions and economic unrest of the times, as well as feature historical events and real-life figures, adds much to the story. Here she gives us political figures such as Egon Kisch, a journalist well-known for his anti-Fascist views, and Thomas Ley, a former Australian Minister of Justice—and later murderer. She also adds a fair bit of mystery and tension into the story by artfully weaving in a true crime that became known as the Pyjama Girl Murder.

This was a very satisfying story which I highly recommend. I’m already looking forward to the next in the series.