The Broken Shore by
Peter Temple
hbk out July 06
Published by Quercus
at £12.99
Detective Joe Cashin, back on duty after suffering the fall-out from a brutal attack
during an investigation in the city, has chosen to work in the quieter climate of his
home town in South Eastern Australia. With only his dogs for company, he lives a
spartan life in the old family home and considers re-building the derelict Cashin
property. When local philanthropist, Charles Bourgoyne, is seriously assaulted and
left for dead at his estate, evidence points to the involvement of a group of Aboriginal
boys. Working alongside the local police, Cashin quickly finds a bad situation
turning much much worse as deep-seated racial tensions explode with tragic
consequences. Cashin continues to probe the case and uncovers a terrible history
linked to the town. Superbly written in spare and intelligent prose, The Broken Shore
proves Temple is a master of the genre. He tells his story with emotional depth,
lifting the lid on the corrosive racism that plagues Australia. The wintry landscape,
the people who inhabit it, the Australian culture are all perfectly captured. Very
highly recommended.
(
Cath Staincliffe
author of the popular Sal Kilkenny mysteries and the series creator of TV Blue Murder)
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The Broken Shore by
Peter Temple
