“The Valley” is another brilliant Gordian Knot of a book from Chris Hammer, whose latest mystery is entwined with political scandal, police corruption, double-crosses, and pulse-pounding shootouts. It’s his most action-packed book yet, but don’t for a minute think he’s forsaken the features of his writing that have earned him a reputation as of the genre’s best. Once again, this is a crime novel that comes alive through its setting, and his inimitable talent for rendering it vividly.

Hammer has become the master of the dual narrative, overlapping the past and present to enrich his story and deepen his characters, while cranking up the suspense until it’s taut as a bowstring. Hammer has developed an impressive rhythm to his storytelling. He writes big books, with complex (but not infuriatingly complicated) mysteries at their centre, that suck you into their vortex and refuse to relinquish their hold.

Every crime novel and thriller is allowed one or two karmic coincidences to fuel them. You must accept, for example, that Jack Reacher has an uncanny knack for wandering into dangerous situations in just about every town he visits. If you don’t accept that conceit, don’t buy a ticket. In “The Valley,” it’s that Detective Nell Buchanan is a close blood relative of the murder victim found dead in the remote mountain valley town of Saltwood. What are the chances? Minute, in reality—but Hammer maximises the personal stakes, and because he quickly has us under his spell, we oblige.

This is Hammer at his best. Exciting, gripping, and packed with a myriad of page-turning sub-plots. Can you tell I’m already thirsting for his next?

“The Valley” is another absorbing and fascinating crime novel from Chris Hammer, who has never yet written a bad book. Although we revisit continuing characters, this could easily be read as a stand alone for new readers. It’s one of the best books I’ve read recently.

Detective Senior Constable Nell Buchanan and Detective Sergeant Ivan Lucic are on their way to Saltwood, where a prominent citizen has been murdered. The two quickly realise that there’s a hint of political involvement, which is why they’ve been called in so quickly. However, they soon realise that there’s another reason they’re here: a reason that their boss won’t articulate to them. A reason that will color their whole investigation.

As with all of Hammer’s novels, this is an entirely absorbing and fascinating puzzle. Hammer relies on human nature, good and bad, to construct much of his plot. This very human approach will draw readers in and engage their attention deeply.

Both Nell and Ivan are familiar characters to readers who’ve read earlier Hammer novels. You can easily read this one without prior knowledge, but it has some particular strengths for those who’ve read other novels featuring Nell and Ivan. In this one, Nell’s personal history becomes entwined with the investigation. This adds an extra layer of interest and engagement for readers who already know Nell.

The characters are strong and vivid, although in this novel Ivan takes something of a back seat to Nell. Even the most minor of characters is strongly drawn, and the interpersonal conflicts and relationships are consequently believable and very real.

This is set in small town – almost rural – Australia, and as usual Hammer sets the scene with confidence and vivid imagery. Readers will feel very present in Saltwood and surrounds.

Although the plot seems complex initially, it is also very credible. When Ivan and Nell find the right threads to tug on, the consequent unwinding is easy to follow and to believe.

I really enjoyed this novel. I was able to lose myself in it completely, immersing myself in the characters and the challenging investigation. I empathised with multiple characters, and found the ending – well, not satisfying exactly, but appropriate.

Highly recommended.

Chris Hammer is a masterful storyteller and The Valley is brilliant. Featuring fabulous scene setting and a myriad of complex characters from different timelines intertwine to make the perfect page turning Australian thriller. If Chris writes it I shall read it.

Nell and Ivan are back investigating the murder of a prominent entrepreneur in the small and remote community know as The Valley. In this case Nell finds herself with a personal connection to the victim making for her most emotional investigation yet. Told from her point of view, I was on the emotional journey with her wanting her to find the answers she deserves and feeling the uncertainty right alongside her.

There is a lot of history in the Valley community. Once a gold miners dream decades of secrets and lies are starting to be exposed that has Nell and Ivan asking what happened all those years ago? How is Nell's mother connected and why do the police hierarchy insist that Nell and Ivan stay on the case.

Page turning brilliance, where nothing is ever quite as it seems. Something Hammer does really well. Loved it!

I've been a fan of Chris Hammer's since I picked up a copy of Silver, not realising it was the middle of a trilogy. It was so good I kept reading his novels and have now read them all - Scrublands twice!

The Valley was a whole new experience - set in a picturesque valley in a small town where a businessman has been improving the area with investment and ideas. Constantly moving from one project to the next Wolfgang Burnside was now Deputy Mayor of The Valley. Well at least he was until he was found dead in the local park submerged in the river.

This is where Nell and Ivan come in - previous stars of Chris Hammer's novels. Except this time there is a personal element to the case. Could Wolfgang be part of Nell's family tree?

As always in Hammer novels, layer is built upon layer of plot, and The Valley is set in two timelines:

1990-94 - Wolfgang is just a child, completely oblivious that the actions of the adults around him would be his final undoing as an adult. There is a goldmine nearby, long closed after being deemed unviable. But recently, an entrepreneur had found something that convinced locals to invest in it being reopened. The Valley needed this cash injection and mine to reopen to reinvigorate the dying life of the town and area.

2024 - Homicide detectives Nell Buchanan & Ivan Lucic are investigating the murder of Wolfgang Burnside. He too was trying to reinvigorate the mine but ended up dead.

Who drove the lemon coloured van through town the night before - seen on CCTV?

Why does someone try to kidnap the local elderly and frail Valley lawyer?

Who killed the entrepreneur in the 90's and why?

Is there gold in the mine or not?

Nell doesn't expect shoot outs in the tiny town or to be held at gunpoint, but the further they dig into the past, the more they reveal. This isn't just about more gold to be found, or keeping the local mill alive with forest felling, but something much higher than Nell & Ivan's paygrade and much further back than they first imagined.

Brilliantly written, with clues dropped along the way in each chapter. The story swings one way and then the other keeping the reader glued to the page.

Thanks to Allen & Unwin & Net Galley for my ARC of this novel.