I picked this up because I love reading books set in Sydney as it's the city I have lived in for most of my life. I did enjoy the details of life in the city in terms of class issues, education, ethnicity etc. If it wasn't for those details I do believe I would have not continued reading the book. I'm indifferent to reading about crime, if it's a gripping story with gripping writing then I'm all in. But I need to be really gripped by it and unfortunately this didn't happen for me in this instance. I wasn't invested in any of the characters and the murders were exciting enough for me to be gripped by the story. I would pick up another of Matthew Spencer's books, if set in Sydney once again.

Black River was my first read from author. The premise was interesting and I am so excited when started this one. But i found very difficult to get attached into early chapters and slower pace make it feel less intriguing. The dialogue and characters feel less flesh out but I saw the potential at here. I would try to read another installment from the author but this one not really suited me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Mencer Publishing for providing a copy of this ebook. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Dark, gritty, tense and atmospheric this book has a cast of characters but for me the stand out was the detective. You could feel the hot Australian Sun beaming down and throw a murder into that and this is one scorching hot book.

This was the first book I read from this author and to be honest, I will definitely be reading more from him. I really enjoyed this book. I was completely hooked from the very beginning

I do love an Australian thriller and this one yet again worked for me. I was very impressed when I learnt that this was a debut author, I am sure that there will be more and more coming from this author which will be as good.

I was given a free copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.

The first part of the story I was excited and hyped about getting into the book. As I continued reading the story that’s where it fell flat and I was going to sleep. I really did give the book my all, but the was from the protagonist points of views. I would like to have read some dialogue and narrative from the antagonist. I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

A bit slow initially, but becoming quite compelling as it progresses. I see there's a series, titled Rose Riley. I look forward to the next one!

3 stars

Black River by Matthew Spencer
Rose Riley #1

Riveting read that captured my attention immediately and didn’t let me go till the last page!

What I liked:
* Detective Sergeant Rose Riley: committed, driven, competent, strong, determined, believes in her training and her instincts, team player, insomniac, a woman I am curious about and hope to learn more about
* Steve O’Neill: homicide detective, top person in the department, alpha, intense, driven, divorced, great leader, able to take power naps at the drop of a hat, team leader who knows the strengths of the people he works with, would like to know more about him
* Adam Bowman: newspaper reporter, works night shift, alcohol dependent, had a difficult childhood, capable, alone but enjoys being with others, another character I am curious about – almost liked him best of the characters met in this book
* Dr. Wayne Farquhar: psychiatrist working with the homicide team, knows his business, insightful, not always 100% correct…maybe
* Priya Patel: younger member of the team, bright, motivated, eager, strengths that will be good in the future
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing
* The police procedural aspects and how the team worked to uncover whether or not the two murder sites were related and who the killer(s) were
* That I felt a part of the story
* The twists and turns and tidbits that were shared
* The part the river played in the story
* That there will be another book in this series

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about those who commit crimes and murder, the nature vs nurture aspect of serial killers, and also about the loss and pain and grief experienced by those left behind when someone is murdered

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC – This is my honest review

4-5 Stars

Black River is journalist Matthew Spencer's debut novel ; he has combined his experience as a journalist and his childhood memories of living in a largely deserted massive boarding school to create this story.

The story primarily follows two main characters - Adam Bowman, a journalist past his prime and Detective Sergeant Rose Riley, a cop with strong conviction and great instincts. When a young woman is found dead within one of the properties of Prince Albert College, an elite boarding school, with enough similarities to recent murders that had happened along the Parramatta River, the investigation into her leads the police into a cat and mouse game opposite an elusive killer.

Adam Bowman is urged by his editor to cover the news, owing to the fact that he had lived there his entire childhood. Riley and Adam's paths cross when Adam tries to get information that other journalists can't, as they don't have the intimate knowledge about the place that Adam has. Riley and her supervisor decide to use Adam's knowledge in exchange for his exclusive access to the people involved in the case. Will their efforts be fruitful? What transpires of their investigation? Do the police manage to catch the killer?

I must say the story was interesting from the get go. The author has woven the story with a lot of intricacies which manage to capture the reader's attention and hold it. The investigation and the people conducting the investigation are all as realistic as can be. Just as it might in real life, the case confounds the police many times and they are led into detours as well. Riley doesn't get any supernatural epiphany regarding the perpetrator nor does she circumvent procedure and that was in a way, very refreshing. Also, the identity of the killer when revealed does not seem preposterous nor has it been shocking for the sake of imparting shock. These factors make the reader feel that they are standing next to an investigator and watching the events unfolding.

However, I did have a problem with the narrative style and comprehensible quality of the writing. It might be because of the Australian slang which has been used largely here, most of which I don't understand, or it might be that it is the author's style - this problem with understanding stopped me from enjoying the story completely. I am reluctant to read the next book in the series, even though I am interested to see where the story goes, only because of this issue.

Overall, this book makes for a fairly enjoyable read, if you don't have trouble following Australian slang and would like to read something fairly engaging.

Black River is the first book in the Rose Riley series by Australian journalist and author, Matthew Spencer. When the body of a young woman is found in the grounds of an exclusive private school in Parramatta, everyone thinks she’s the Blue Moon Killer’s third victim. He’s already taken two young women from their riverfront homes, done nasty things to them, wrapped them in plastic and put them in the river.

But soon enough, DS Rose Riley and her boss, DCI Steve O’Neil, part of Task Force Satyr, have their doubts. Marguerite Dunlop looks like part of the case, but only those aspects of the murders that have been released to the media fit here, and the police psychiatrist isn’t convinced: it this a copycat?

Late shift reporter for The National, Adam Bowman is sent to Prince Albert by his editor because he has a history with the school, having attended three decades earlier when his father taught there. And indeed, his inside knowledge gets him some photos and a story the rest of the media pack is missing out on.

With his background, Riley and O’Neil decide they can use Bowman’s reporting to their advantage even as his own movements are verified. They feed him information to try to taunt their murderer into making a rash choice that might reveal more about himself.

While O’Neil and Riley continue to debate about including this murder in the Satyr investigation, they thoroughly check out several potential perpetrators present at the mostly deserted (due to the long Christmas vacation) school. As alibis are verified and new evidence points to other suspects, the reader is kept guessing with virtually no suspension of disbelief required.

Spencer’s first novel has a plot with plenty of action and enough red herrings and distractions to keep the pages turning. He easily evokes his era and setting, and readers familiar with western Sydney will delight in the many local mentions. His main protagonist is smart and gutsy, and members of her support crew have depth and appeal: more of this cast are most definitely welcome. A very impressive debut.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer.

I'll not be leaving feedback for this one. I just could not get into it and feel like it would be unfair.
Not what I thought it was going to be.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC.

Black River by Matthew Spencer is a newly released dark Australian thriller.

I just love an Australian setting for a thriller book or any book for that matter. Spencer created this book based around the Parramatta River that runs through Sydney NSW. I loved how the River was portrayed as this dark river known for the dumping ground for the Blue Moon Killer bodies.

A body is found near the river but police Detective Sergeant Rose Riley and journalist Adam Bowman aren’t quite sure if this is the work done by BMK or a copycat. They both have to work together to uncover the truth and head back into the past where horrifying secrets are buried.

There were a few twists to the story but as well as a lot of backwards and forwards between a couple of suspects so it was a bit hard to keep track of who was the current suspect. But within saying that I had an idea who the suspect was earlier on in the story.

I did like Bowman’s past history with the town, in particular with the school and from my understanding there are going to be more books to make a series. So I’m hoping the upcoming books will expand on his past as there were a few loose ends.

Thank you Matthew Spencer, netgalley, Thomas and Mercer for the digital copy of Black River for reviewing purposes.

The first in a new mystery/thriller series set in Australia. Adam Bowman a journalist has had his battles, never made it to far in the reporting world, currently working the night shift.
The police is hunting a serial killer, that the reporters have named “Blue Moon Killer” – now it seems that the killer struck again, this time at a gated exclusive boarding school, the school his dad taught at and the family use to live on the school grounds. As Adam would know the ins and outs of the school, he gets tasked to get exclusive pictures, and then he bumps into Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. The 2 make a very unlikely team, and can Rose trust Adam.
Great 1st instalment, I had a bit of a hard time getting into the book but once I got some of the geography and people sorted out I was turning the pages rather quickly.

The debut novel from journalist Matthew Spencer.

During a stifling summer in Sydney, the body of a chaplain’s daughter is found wrapped in black plastic on the deserted grounds of an elite boarding school. Is it the work of the killer who’s been stalking the privileged neighborhoods along the Parramatta River? Gut instinct tells Detective Sergeant Rose Riley something even more devious might be at play.

Eager to find the so-called Blue Moon Killer before he strikes again, Riley forms an uneasy alliance with Adam Bowman, a journalist with a valuable, and unsettling, link to the school’s history. As Riley’s investigation takes her deep into the secret lives of Sydney’s prominent citizens, Bowman delves into the darkest places of his own childhood for answers. When their paths converge, Riley must use every bit of her cunning to stop another murder.

I really enjoyed this book. It had some good twists to keep you guessing and the back story of the main characters were interesting.

I'll look out for the next if this is the start of a series.

The Blue Moon Killer, has terrorized the area near the Parramatta River. So when the body of a young girl is found wrapped in black plastic and hidden in a shed on the grounds of an elite private school, it looks like the work of BMK. DS Rose Riley is assigned to the case and she finds disturbing dissimilarities. She also finds many suspects: the smarmy headmaster, a property manager with too many keys, a missing gardener and more. She relies on information from Adam Bowman, a journalist with family ties to the school. The two work together to uncover the evil that spreads far beyond the murder and the school.

Its hard to believe that this is a debut novel! Matthew Spencer has created very believable characters who I hope to see in the next in this compelling series. Rose Riley and Adam Bowman make a great team. Priya Patel is a strong addition. The location is atmospheric and vividly described. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Matthew Spencer for this ARC.

My thanks to Thomas & Mercer, Matthew Spencer and Netgalley.
Long story, short.
I loved it.
I often find books based on Australia to be a bit blah. So what? Sue me!
This was not blah.

The introduction of a new Aussie police procedural, Black River by Matthew Spencer is a most promising debut. Sergeant Rose Riley is a detective in Sydney working on a serial killer task force. Struggling journalist, Adam Bowman investigates the murder of a young woman at his former private school that stirs reminders of his own past family tragedy. When Rose spots him near the school grounds, an initial working connection is made but each has their own agenda. Police Command is skeptical of any possible link to the ‘Blue Moon Killer’, yet Rose and Adam follow the evidence. As the intriguing case unfolds, the school is the focus of the investigation, yet the school’s old boys’ network exerts political pressure to protect its reputation. A new high quality crime novel with a riveting narrative and most promising characters in a revealing tale, with a four star read rating.

Black River (Rose Riley #1)
by Matthew Spencer

Detective Sergeant Rose Riley, along with so many others, is working the case of the Blue Moon Killer and the BMK will be striking again if they are not stopped. When the body of a chaplain’s daughter is found in a similar fashion as the bodies left by the BMK, there is a chance that this could be a copycat since all the similarities were mentioned in the press. But for now, this latest body found on the grounds of an elite boarding school needs to be investigated even if it's taking precious time from the search for the BMK.

Journalist Adam Bowman grew up at the elite boarding school because his parents taught there. His memories of that time are painful due to a great loss. His memories could be helpful, too, as the staff left at the school during the holidays are under suspicion for the girl's death. Riley isn't even so sure Bowman might not be involved in the death. Still, Riley and her team can use Bowman at the same time he uses them. They can feed him information as they feel the need, while his career can benefit from what he gets fed and can print.

A lot is going on here and the chaff has to be separated from the grain. That means time is wasted on things that won't help to catch the BMK but those distractions can mean catching other criminals along the way. It's interesting watching everyone at work, the seasoned old timer, dogged Riley, the bearded the forensic psychiatrist, and the rookie who seems to have what it takes to do this job. Sometimes we have all four of these people in one car or one room and listening to them brainstorm is interesting. There is never a feeling of safety as threats from the killer are found and the BMK could be someone very close to the investigators, since there is such an awareness of just how to clean up a crime scene to leave no hint of the killer.

They get the job done in the end but it's a close one. I look forward to reading the next Rose Riley book and hope to see the other interesting characters return. I'd also like to know more about each character, especially Riley.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this ARC.

Well done and fast paced procedural set in Sydney. DI Rose Riley has a problem on her hands- a girl found dead and wrapped in plaster found on the grounds of an exclusive boys' school. And the kicker is that the scene resembles that of a serial killer who hasn't been heard from for a while. Rose enlists assistance and cycles through the investigation methodically but in a way where the readers attention will not flag. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC, No spoilers from me. Here's hoping US readers see more from Spencer.

In Sydney, a killer has twice abducted a young woman from her home on the banks of the Paramatta River and left her body wrapped in black plastic in the river. Nicknamed the Blue Moon Killer (BMK), the police profiler believes he will strike again if he isn’t found soon. Now, the daughter of the chaplain at an elite boarding school has been killed near the upper reaches of the river. Has the killer struck again or is there a copycat at work?

DS Rose Riley is part of the strike force trying to find the killer. She is not concerned that while the new killing fits some of the killer’s signature, some things are different. To stay open minded she is also focusing on those living on the school grounds. It’s the summer holidays, so only a few teaching and grounds staff remain. When she finds Adam Bowman, a journalist and past pupil at the school, wandering the grounds, she adds him to her list of suspects, although he appears to just be snooping for a good story. They make an alliance of sorts when he agrees to work with her in keeping back certain details from the press, providing she gives him information when it can be released.

The plot is gritty and suspenseful. Often dark and chilling, it’s one that will propel you to keep reading. Rose is a good detective with a good nose for things that don’t add up and she doggedly works to find the truth. Adam is an old hand, who never quite made his mark as a journalist. Now middle aged, he’s part of a dying breed, a honest hack who doesn’t beat up stories for sensation and can be trusted. I hope he’ll also be featured in future episodes along with Rose Riley.