Waterfall Village is the fourth in Matt Francis’ Murder in the Pacific series, set in Vanuatu. Like the earlier novels in the series, which include Ifira Point and Mt Yasur, the portrayal of Vanuatu is a vivid and vital part of the novel.
Sergeant George Long and Constable Jaylene Oli have been sent from Vila to Pentecost Island to conduct training. However, almost as soon as they arrive, the training is cancelled: an American volunteer has been found dead in very suspicious circumstances. George and Jaylene are enlisted to solve the crime – quietly, if possible.
There’s every chance this could turn into an international incident, particularly once the son of a prominent local politician confesses. There’s reason to doubt the confession, however, and George decides to investigate all possible angles.
This is, in many ways, a very straightforward story. The investigation is sharply limited by the technology available to the police, and to some extent to everyone else in Vanuatu. The corruption which is rife in the country also plays a part, as do local attitudes and customs. The investigation turns almost entirely on what witnesses say to George.
This entire series has presented a vivid picture of Vanuatu, including both the positives and negatives of a culture that’s poised between tradition and modernity. George is conscious that he is limited in ways police in other countries might not be, and has a pretty clear-eyed view of some of the downsides of his community, including the corruption. Mind you, that doesn’t stop him from using that corruption to his own benefit at times, including in ways that will benefit his investigations.
I do think that occasionally Francis overplays the idea of George being a bit dim. This is a man who’s read Sun Tzu – repeatedly – and tries to implement those principles in his work, but he refers to Occam’s Razor as “something about shaving”. George is not brilliant and doesn’t have the strongest interpersonal skills, but he’s not stupid.
This instalment touches very lightly on gender issues, including gendered violence and expectations of male vs female parents. In truth, it’s little more than an acknowledgement that these issues exist, but it does add a little more dimension to the picture of Vanuatu that has been building up.
As mentioned, this is part of a series. It is completely readable as a standalone – the plot is self-contained, and you learn plenty about the characters. However, ongoing readers will learn a little more about both George and Jayline and their lives.
This is an entertaining crime investigation (with no on-page gore or violence) with strong characters. What really makes it stand out is the setting and the way Francis brings Vanuatu to life. This makes the novel (and series) distinctive and will be enjoyed by many.
A selection of our Beauty and Lace Club Members are reading Murder in the Pacific: Waterfall Village by Matt Francis. 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, Big Sky Publishing and Matt Francis, for the opportunity to read and review the fourth book in the ‘Murder in the Pacific’ series for Beauty and Lace Magazine. Waterfall Village is the latest instalment from Francis, and it is mainly based on Pentecost Island this time as an American volunteer is found dead at the base of one of the land-diving towers that the island is known for. This was my first time reading one of the books in the series and I was keen to discover this series as I have visited Vanuatu a few times now and I was eager to explore a book that was based in this area.
I found the story was well balanced and can be read as a stand-alone but I will go back to read the back catalogue to get to know the main characters Sergeant George Long and Constable Jayline Oli better. What I also really enjoyed along with the crime/thriller element of the storytelling was the way Francis described the island, it was like a character all on its own. He seamlessly described the people and kastom’s of Vanuatu beautifully that showcased both the old and new. It allows the reader to be fully immersed in the place – the good and the bad side of island life for example domestic violence against women and girls is covered in this book.
George and Jayline head to Pentecost Island to run Gender Diversity training but when they arrive they are tasked with investigating the murder of Clare Roberts an American volunteer, likely to be a political minefield as a Senior Politician’s son confesses to the crime, none of the local police force are keen to take it on. I found the storyline to be a real page turner and was finished the book within a few days. I highly recommend this book and look forward to discovering the rest of the series.
Murder in the Pacific – Waterfall Village
Many thanks to Beauty and Lace and Big Sky Publishing for my copy of this book to read and review.
Having read and enjoyed the first two books in this series I was really happy to read this one. I was already familiar with the police officers, George and Jayline. I love how they work together and I love the Vanuatu settings.
George and Jayline are sent to an island to do a training exercise but instead are assigned to solve the murder of an American peace corps woman. A young Ni-Vanuatu boy has confessed but the police do not believe him.
It is not a clear case and definitely keeps you thinking about what could have happened the whole way through.
Matt Francis books are extremely easy to read. I like that they are not complicated with too many characters.
I now have to find the one I missed, Champagne Beach!