Mole Creek

This was a good story which kept me turning the pages throughout the night. Gret mystery, writing and plotting will recommend to all my friends who love this genre.

Mole Creek is a tension-filled debut crime thriller by James Dunbar (note: he has also written a couple of crime caper novels under the name Jimmy Thomson). It charges off with a murder mystery that introduces elements of international espionage and political intrigue while never really going all out and fully immersing you in either of those sub-genres. Instead, the main focus starts on the death of old Pete MacAuslan in Mole Creek.

Xander MacAuslan is a journalist who also writes true crime stories and manages to get up the nose of dangerous underworld figures. Death threats are not uncommon thanks to his willingness to call out organised crime. He’s based in Sydney when he gets news that his grandfather, a retired police officer and Vietnam veteran living in Mole Creek, Tasmania has committed suicide.

By the time he reaches his grandfather’s home he has had numerous indications that Pete’s death is anything but suicide but convincing the local police is proving impossible. A dodgy suicide note, and getting attacked a couple of times by men with eastern European accents are merely the start of the anomalies that shout out at him. Additionally, his grandfather’s computer is missing as are all his backups. Before long, so are Xander’s.

The story is told in dual timeframes: the present with Xander investigating his grandfather’s death; the past, during the Vietnam War 50 years earlier and the events that took place there that may have something to do with Pete’s death all these years later. Clearly, there are events that take place in Vietnam that are important and have ramifications, it’s a matter of paying attention and figuring out where the clues make themselves known to us.

With the help of police family liaison officer Althea Burgess, Xander starts to run his own investigation into his grandfather’s death. The problem is, he’s hampered by roadblocks at every turn. His motel room is ransacked, people who provide promising information suddenly die and he abruptly loses his job.

Mile Creek is an action thriller that builds in intensity as it unfolds. Early moments of violent confrontation promise a Sword of Damocles-style danger hanging over Xander’s head. It’s the classic suspense scenario that’s exacerbated by some unforgivable acts of betrayal which, when they were thrown in, they ensured I was completely thrown off-balance.

The story moves along briskly, which was fine for the most part. I had trouble keeping up at times, particularly when it felt as though a few leaps in reasoning were made that were slightly tenuous. I found myself forced to do some back-tracking to try to figure out how things held together. In the end, Dunbar managed to hold the plot together, narrowly avoiding it from ripping to shreds.

This was such an interesting and captivating read. It was full of action, mystery, and suspense, a page turner that I had a hard time putting down. I never quite had it figured out, and I was kept guessing until the very end. Once all the pieces came together in the last few chapters, I flew to the end.

I occasionally had a hard time following some of the plot and the ending was a bit of a stretch for me, however, the bulk of the book was very good and I will be thinking about it for awhile! It makes me want to go watch an action movie now!

‘Coincidence is the last resort of the logic-impaired.’

Pete McAuslan, retired police officer and Vietnam veteran, had retreated to his cabin near the small Tasmanian town of Mole Creek to write his memoir. His grandson, journalist Xander McAuslan who is based in Sydney, receives news that Pete has taken his own life. He has left a suicide note, seeking forgiveness.

Xander travels to Launceston, where the local police collect him from the airport, express their condolences and take him to Mole Creek. When Xander cannot find his grandfather’s laptop in the cabin, he starts questioning the version of events he has been given. Althea Burgess is the police officer assigned to liaise with Xander and it becomes clear that the police are not interested in investigating what they believe to be a clearcut case of suicide, but Xander persists. Xander is challenged at every step: his motel room is searched; a stranger claims a connection while another threatens him.

The story shifts between Xander in the present and events involving Pete in Vietnam fifty years earlier. Xander starts digging and while uncovering some secrets from the past also places himself and others in danger. Someone is keen to keep a secret hidden and not afraid to murder anyone who gets in their way.

Espionage and political intrigue, accompanied by mysterious strangers, secrets and violence: there’s plenty of action. While the novel held my attentions from the beginning, a couple of twists towards the end seemed a little too incredible. Still, it’s good to have some really evil villains to detest.

‘Occasional truths are hooks on which to hang your fabrications.’

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Echo Publishing for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

I was drawn to this book by the title and the fact I know Mole Creek and Tasmania. So I can right off the bat say I love the setting and locations of this book and think it fits really well in this story. This is really a story in two parts and about two people, their connection and the secrets from the past. That is what makes it an interesting and very readable book.

The story of Pete McAuslan and his Vietnam war story from the past and Xander McAuslan (Pete's Grandson) in the present. When Pete suddenly dies (or is he murdered) Xander becomes embroiled in a game of cat and mouse and digs up stories from the past, from the war and secrets as yet untold.

This story built somewhat slowly (but not too slow) and became a thrilling and intriguing read. There was action and suspense, it was well written and it kept me reading from start to finish. I found it quite a good book and one that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Thank you NetGalley and Echo Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.