In Hot Ground, Lisa Ellery returns to characters she introduced in Private Prosecution. Despite the common characters, this novel is very different, but equally enjoyable.
Detective Jessy Parkin has been posted to Kalgoorie, in part to get her out of the way after accusations of a mismanaged investigation in Perth. Jessy grew up in Kalgoorie, so it’s not the worst thing – but she is no longer working in homicide. As this novel opens, she’s tasked with finding Max Cochrane, a veteran prospector who seems to have disappeared.
The investigation into what happened to Max soon expands to be an investigation into the many ways fortunes are being made off the gold in the region — including ways that may be corrupt and criminal.
In “Private Prosecution,” Jessy was a secondary character, and here she takes the lead role. She’s an interesting and complex character, and Ellery makes the most of the changed focus. I enjoyed following a professional, competent woman with a realistic background.
Jessy has problems, but unlike many fictional characters, she’s not tortured by past events. She’s just irritated by a stepmother she doesn’t get on with, uncertain about the romantic partner she broke up with, second-guessing herself about past professional decisions, and doing a challenging job that isn’t quite her dream role.
There were perhaps a few too many characters in Jessy’s life for all of them to come fully to life, but to be honest, that kind of reminded me of my own share house days. There always seemed to be a lot of people around, and some were virtual strangers. However, those that Ellery brings to the foreground are well realised and believable.
The plot is complex, but it unwinds as Jessy uncovers various elements, so it’s pretty easy to follow. It has an air of credibility, although Ellery acknowledges she’s taken some liberties with details.
This is a solid crime novel with some unusual angles. I found it absorbing as well as enjoyable, and appreciated the glimpse into prospecting in modern Australia.
A selection of our Beauty and Lace Club Members are reading Hot Ground by Lisa Ellery. You can read their comments below, or add your own review.
I’ve loved books for as long as I can remember, and I love sharing that joy.
I’ve been an avid reader for as long as I can remember, across all genres. There’s not much I won’t at least try. I’ve been an enthusiastic book reviewer for years. I particularly enjoy discovering writers new to me, and sharing good writing with others.
My career has included time spent writing and editing technical documents, but it’s fiction that really moves me. I’ve reviewed for a number of different outlets over the years, and have been a judge in literary competitions.
I’m now raising little bookworms of my own, which brings a whole new kind of joy to sharing books.
More of my reviews can be found on my review blog www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog .
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read “Hot Ground” byLisa Ellery.
This is my favourite genre so I was happy to receive this book (crime/detective) and it didn’t disappoint, especially being an Australian book.
Jessy Parkin is a detective seconded to Kalgoorlie and becomes involved in a murder of an old prospector in the Goldfields. The story ha s many twists and turns and the outcome is very unexpected.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys this genre.
For fans of crime and mystery the novel Hot Ground by Lisa Ellery is an Australian Rural Crime novel that kept me hanging from the very beginning and wanting to pick it up and continue reading whenever I got the chance. A complex plot set in remote part of Western Australia gives insight into not only how character Detective Jessy Parkin has been posted to Kalgoorie but also the reason/s behind it. She finds herself being sent to the middle of nowhere to find veteran prospector Max Cochrane, who has vanished into thin air. Max’s daughter is seemingly concerned (as anyone would be) however, a new mystery develops, and gold fever is still running hot – the truth will be unearthed.
Thanks to Beauty and Lace book club and Freemantle Press for my copy of Hot Ground.
Hot Ground by Lisa Ellery captivated my attention from the first page.
The story follows Detective Jessy Parkin who has been sent home to Kalgoorlie to work whilst she is under investigation about a past case.
Given the job of finding a missing prospector, it soon becomes apparent there is foul play involved.
Fast paced and interesting there is no
obvious suspect for quite awhile.
Little snippets of the past and key suspects are added making the story all the more intriguing trying to work out how it’s all connected and what lead to the murder.
There has clearly been a lot of research done into all he nitty gritty of mining rights and prospecting which adds weight to the storyline.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and couldn’t put it down!
Thank you Beauty and Lace and Freemantle Press for the copy to read and review.
Thanks to Beauty and Lace and Fremantle Press for my copy of Hot Ground to read and review.
Detective Jessy Parkin is sent from Perth to Kalgoorlie after a court case is made against her.
Her first job is to find the killer of a local man who was shot and found in a mine shaft.
This leads her to many suspects as well as a corruption scandal with her superior.
It was an intriguing read that kept me interested throughout. I really liked Jessy as a character. It was well written and I would read a book by Lisa Ellery again.