An Australian outback mystery, crime, thriller! A murder that is made to look like an accident, and a new cop to town trying to figure it out whilst going rogue.

I really enjoyed the start of this book, it got me hooked! The characters developed throughout the first few chapters, and some parts made me laugh. The chapter sizes were okay.

Having enjoyed the first half of the book, I had high hopes, however, the second half of the book fell flat for me. I was confused at some points near the end trying to remember who was who, and additionally the end of the book felt really rushed. I think the ending could have offered more than what it did.

Despite the above, it was a relatively alright read.

First book I've read in the series, well set out and very readable. Enjoyed the setting in Australia, made a change from the UK / USA

I really enjoyed reading this book, i did not realise this was the second book however didn’t feel
It impacted my reading experience . Would recommend

I haven’t read the previous book in the series but I don’t feel that I was at a disadvantage by not doing so. I always tend to enjoy books set in the Australian Outback and this one didn’t disappoint. Fast paced throughout and look forward to reading more by this author.

Enjoyed canticle creek so thought I'd give this one a try. Started out quite hopeful of a good read but had to give up half way through as I lost interest in the characters. The scenic descriptions were good and you could imagine yourself there.

Another really enthralling book from Adrian Hyland - Canticle Creek was his previous book and that was brilliant, but this one is even better. Set in winter in a small town outside Melbourne (Australia) the characters and setting take the reader right to the heart of this community. Jesse Redpath, who we met in Canticle Creek has left her job in the Northern Territory for somewhere a bit cooler - cool it certainly is with the weather of snow, hail, rain and wind almost a character in itself! A terrible tragedy hits the community when a tree blows down onto a tractor, killing its driver, although Jesse has her suspicions that the tree may have had some help. Her newfound friend Nash, ex-policeman, is first in line as suspect for this deed, but Jesse doesn’t believe it for a minute, and the story unfolds with plenty of twists and turns and the reappearance of terrible wrongs from the past. I was absolutely gripped by this book and can vouch for the authenticity of the settings, having grown up in Melbourne myself.

I have read the previous novel to this one by Adrian Hyland (Canticle Creek) and have thoroughly enjoyed both. I love Australian fiction and the descriptions of the landscape here and the action are just so vivid. I like the fact that this has an environmental theme linked into the crimes and have come to enjoy the characterisation of Jesse Redpath. She is just that bit different as a heroine and I like that this links to her family and previous police officers in her past. It can be read alone but I enjoyed reading the first book then coming on to this one. The plot is fast paced and all the different strands merge together in an engaging way. Even though Jesse Redpath seems like a bit of a misfit, she's comfortable working alone or in a team. A really good police thriller with an end that surprises.
Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

Review of The Wiregrass by Adrian Hyland

An atmospheric and pacy thriller. Second in a series but, although I haven’t read the first one yet, works as a standalone novel.

Detective Jesse Redpath has recently transferred in to Satellite. She’s convinced that an apparent accidental death is actually a murder. A local once celebrated ex-cop Nash seems to be the killer but Jesse doesn’t believe it! No spoilers but this is an exciting read! So much so I intend to buy the first in the series!

Four stars!

This was soo good! I didn’t realise until reading it that it’s the second in the Jesse Redpath series but I will be going back and reading Canticle Creek immediately! This book felt visceral and alive. Set in the wild forests and ungrowth in Australia, Jesse is assigned to the town of Satellite from her previous role in the territories. She works for the police. When she is assigned to help with flooding and thunder storms causing trees to fall in the area one night, she is unsurprised to hear that someone inside their car has been crushed by a tree. However when she turns up to investigate she doesn’t think it’s an accident at all! I loved her rough and ready character. She was tough but incredibly loving. I liked the impenetrable character of Nash and the smattering of community around both characters. I will certainly read anymore books produced in this series. The sense of atmosphere and location were sensational. You felt you were there during the rain and the storms and in the cabin with Jesse in the bitter frosty mornings.

Thanks to the Author, the Publisher and Netgalley for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! where do I start , perhaps with the heroine of the story Jesse , a Policewoman who won't let an injustice go! when she realises that wrong's have been done regarding her new man in her life ( he's an ex-policeman charged with Murder) but there's something about the charges that just don't sit right & when Jesse's own life is threatened she's knows that she's on the right track . With interesting background about the Flora, Fauna & Geology of the area she's now living & working in ,this makes for a really good read. #NetGalley, #Goodreads, #FB, #Amazon.co.uk, #Instagram, # <img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/8a5b541512e66ae64954bdaab137035a5b2a89d2" width="80" height="80" alt="200 Book Reviews" title="200 Book Reviews"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/ef856e6ce35e6d2d729539aa1808a5fb4326a415" width="80" height="80" alt="Reviews Published" title="Reviews Published"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/aa60c7e77cc330186f26ea1f647542df8af8326a" width="80" height="80" alt="Professional Reader" title="Professional Reader"/>.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review The Wiregrass by Adrian Hyland. This is the second book featuring Jesse Redpath and can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend reading the first book you defiantly won’t be disappointed. Adrian Hyland writes a brilliant crime thriller with great description of the Australian countryside can’t wait for the next book.

Having loved Canticle Creek I was delighted to see another book featuring the same main character. Jesse Redpath has moved from the Northern Territories to a small town fairly close to Melbourne. With howling gales & lashing rain greeting her on her arrival she hops this is not an omen. When a tree falls on a tractor, killing the driver, it seems to be an accident. Jesse's not too sure & she is proved right. Suspicion falls on disgraced ex-cop who has cut himself off from others & devoted himself to wildlife. It also happens to be someone Jesse has unexpectedly found herself starting a relationship.

I love the way the author captures the settings & the atmosphere of the location. I think Jesse is a great protagonist & I'm looking forward to meeting her again- soon I hope! Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

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The download date was unfortunately missed, I would be happy to re-review if it became available again. I have awarded stars for the book cover and description as they both appeal to me. I would be more than happy to re-read and review if a download becomes available. If you would like me to re-review please feel free to contact me at thesecretbookreview@gmail.com or via social media The_secret_bookreview (Instagram) or Secret_bookblog (Twitter). Thank you.

I do enjoy Adrian Hyland's books. I've read some of his Emily Tempest novels and am always looking out for new things from him. Jesse Redpath is now well-established on my list. Canticle Creek was excellent and now The Wiregrass keeps up the good work.

Full of tension and drama, yet with plenty of background detail and insight into the humanity of the characters, The Wiregrass kept me turning the pages for 'just one more chapter!' After the heat of Canticle Creek, we now have the stormy weather of The Wiregrass. The atmosphere is as dark as the skies with small town tensions and police officers who aren't always trustworthy.

Australian noir at its best.

A fast-paced novel set in the Australian Outback, Hyland effectively employs the classic fish-out-of-water trope to bring us a fresh and gripping thriller.

For me it was a 4 rather than 5 star because I felt that I had to suspend disbelief at some points - including the instant hook-up and the fact that the female protagonist felt distinctly like a male voice and gaze to me. But splitting hairs, here, it’s a great read.

With thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the thrill and fast pace of this story. Set in the Australian outback it is so descriptive and you really feel the sense of the place. Since reading it iv read that this is the second book in a series so I will definitely be looking for the first one. I couldn’t put it down, it kept me gripped right up until the end and would highly recommend. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this early copy.

Plenty of action in this book, set in the wilds of Australia. The descriptions of people and of the countryside are excellant, give a great picture of the small town and isolated farm life in that part of the world. The desolation of winter in the outback is clearly portrayed. The details of life and nature add an extra dimension of reality to this book.
The plot is intricate and believable and has several different strands. I liked the character of Jesse, the main detective who is quickly sidelined in the investigation. She is not easily detered though . I am sorry that I have not (yet) read the first of the series.
Thanks to Net Galley for a great read in exchange for an honest review

I found myself quickly engrossed in this storyline. I loved that it was fast-paced and kept me guessing all the way along. I hadn’t realised that this is actually book two of the series, I hadn’t realised so the fact that you may not have read the first one does not detract from this. I loved our main character Jesse and I will go back to read book one too.

This book was right up my street and I highly recommend it. It reeled me in and didn’t let go. Looking forward to reading more by this author. Thanks NetGalley x