Author: Bronwyn Parry
ISBN: 978-0-7336-2549-7
RRP: $32.99
Dead Heat is my introduction to Australian romantic suspense writer Bronwyn Parry and one that is long overdue if this book is anything to go by.
I got the blurb for this a couple of weeks ago and have been hanging out to get my eyes on it. It arrived when I was in the middle of another book, as usual, and had quite a to-do list to get through. Having it sit next to me on my desk certainly spurred me to get through everything quickly so I could make a start.
Once I made the start that was the end of me and now here I am, an hour after I got prepared to call it a night with quite a chunk to read in the morning and I got handcuffed to the book, I swear I did, with my eyes propped open so I couldn’t look away. It doesn’t really matter why I’m still up, but the book is finished and it’s time to share my thoughts.
The scenery is a shining star in this novel, vividly detailing the bushland National Parks in NSW. The perspective is 3rd person but the majority of the story is focused on Jo Lockwood who is a park ranger so we still see through her eyes and she is a very observant woman who pays extreme attention to detail. As a park ranger it is to be expected that the outback holds significant fascination for her, as does the native wildlife and we are treated to that fascination with the descriptions and observations of the landscapes and animals that she comes across in her work.
Jo’s attention to detail and keen powers of observation come in handy time and time again throughout the book and go a long way to saving her life, the problem is that it is those same powers of observation that put her in danger in the first place.
Detective Nick Matheson has recently been posted to the area in a major change of pace from the undercover roles he has been playing over the past decade. Career credentials like that would make you think his powers of observation are also extremely well honed and you would be correct.
A lot of the suspense throughout this book is related to issues that I wouldn’t necessarily pair with the outback, the arguments for it are logical and plausible but they are still things that I would expect in cities rather than national parks out the back of beyond which goes a long way to making Dead Heat even harder to put down, if only for a much needed sleep.
The characters, well to be honest the main characters broke my heart. Both Jo and Nick have survived events that leave them emotionally damaged and closed off from personal attachments. They both have routines set in place to make sure their control never slips, to move past the possibility of emotional reactions and ‘get on with it’. While this can be an admirable trait in moderation and in the right circumstances it is not always good for long term mental health.
Dead Heat brings Nick and Jo together in the investigation of her grisly find, an investigation that gets deeper at every turn. Just how much are they set to learn about themselves before the dying pages? That’s something I am not going to risk revealing to you, you’ll have to read it for yourselves.
Bronwyn Parry’s writing style is fluid and engaging with suspense that builds progressively and some fabulous twists that then leave you looking back to see if you could spot the clues.
Considering I have been away from my deeply rooted love of all things horror for quite some time I have lost some of my de-sensitisation and a couple of the grislier passages made me physically shudder.
The only one issue I had with the reading of this book is a very minor one but it did stick with me and even now it just doesn’t seem to fit for me. There is a scene about halfway through where Nick walks into a room and there’s a crisp packet on the table, and it really jumped out at me. This book is very Australian and everything struck me as Australian except for that one tiny mention of a crisp packet, which I didn’t think was an Australian term.
Now I’m extremely happy with this book, I loved it! So in the long run one crisp packet is inconsequential – which begs the question why did I bring it up. To tell the truth I don’t rightly know but it did strike me as odd so I thought I would mention it in case I’m not the only one.
A great read that I am thrilled to have finally read, and I will definitely be on the lookout for more of her work.
I devour books, vampires and supernatural creatures are my genre of choice but over the past couple of years, I have broadened my horizons considerably. In a nutshell – I love to write! I love interacting with a diverse range of artists to bring you interviews. Perhaps we were perfect before – I LOVE WORDS!
Once again Beauty and Lace, thank you for the opportunity of reading another great novel.
This was completely out of my comfort zone for a night time read and I knew it would be. However I am glad I took the plunge.
From the start it is a total page turner. It isn`t for the faint hearted or those with a vivid imagination in my opinion as it is graphic and psychologically disturbing throughout with each murder that occurs. Sometimes those with less details even more disturbing but if that is your genre then its spot on!
This is balanced out by the romance between the two main characters, Jo and Nick. The tension between the two is palpable throughout. I enjoyed their characters.
The setting in outback Australia was fascinating and well researched by the author. Made it a little different to the many crime novels set in the big cities.
My only criticism would be of the introduction of the drug cartel from Mexico. I felt the perpetrators would have been better coming from Australia. It seemed a little far fetched.
It is a fast paced read and each chapter ends well, making you want to read more. I envy those with time to read in a few days or more. Time does not allow me that pleasure unfortunately.
Thanks again B&L
Helen
I agree with Narelle Rock in regards to the predictability of the novel. In saying that, sometimes a girl just needs a book to read where she doesn’t have to think too much…and that fits my circumstances at the moment as I’m studying for an exam. Certainly, the setting was described in an evocative way. I wanted to know a little bit more about the township and the people who lived there – it seemed all this serious crime and drama was occuring in a small town but the only ones feeling the repercussions were the characters we were permitted to meet.
I’d perhaps describe DEAD HEAT as a good holiday read – despite the gruesome and brutal events, it was light and easy! I wouldn’t recommend handing it on to any foreigners thinking about travelling to the Australian outback though – the dangers depicted in the novel might put them off visiting!
I agree completely Larabelle in regards to being introduced the town and the people. Everything was so focused on the main characters but surely with gunfights, deliberately lit fires, dead bodies, and a influx of police services the townspeople would be vividly aware of the goings on. Yet we never heard a thing about them, it would’ve been an interesting aspect to the story.
Well said Larabelle, I love this book for being entertaining and easy to read. It does come across as predictable but Bronwyn’s books still always surprise me in one way or another.
I really enjoyed Dead Heat. I am a mum of four and sometimes it is hard for me to get into a story I haven’t read a murder mystery set in NSW outback before so was excited to read it as I live in rural NSW.
I was captivated by the storyline from the start which included the thrills, mystery and romance ..everything a girl needs in a read.
It was easy to follow and characters were interesting. I didn’t find the violence too disturbing and I enjoyed the balance of the violence softened by the romance.
To me the storyline was very believable it is something that I could see on the news happen in our National Park.
Thank you for the opportunity to review this great read I will be recommending it to family and friends 🙂
I’m not one to purchase a ‘crime novel’ so when given this book to review I wasn’t sure if I’d get into it, however it grabbed me pretty much straight away. I’ve only just finished it and if had the chance I’d of read it in one night. It is written in great detail and whilst reading I could feel and understand every emotion and each scene set. I love the bond that slowly grew between the 2 characters ‘Jo and Nick’. Parts of this book had me on edge and shocked but other parts had me all sooky and wanting to know what becomes of Jo and Nick. So in conclusion I LOVED this book and will be passing it on and recommending it to all my book reading friends. Great read !!!
Dead Heat is a solid read bursting with energy,
With its strong suspense narrative and its rural setting in N.S.W Autralia also makes it stand apart
The rural setting is perhaps one of the things I enjoyed most about Dead Heat. Dead Heat was a wonderful read – in terms of characterisation, I felt that both Nick and Jo were very strong.It had me in right from the beginning and kept me intrigued all the way.Dead Heat was a wonderful read.I have now passed the book onto my Mum and sister who are both avid readers i am sure they will also be hooked,Thanks for the oppurtunity to review this book i give a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.:)
Ooooh I loved grabbing this to read every chance I got. I have an adoration for the Aussie outback and NSW country and rural areas so having this as where the scene is set for this storyline made it an extra special read for me. To combine it with the topic of murder makes it a unique and special novel as I also have a deep attraction to murder mysteries and the like! Needless to say I was then absorbed whenever I picked it up and it was the type of novel I found enjoyable and gripping at the same time. I absolutely loved it and now want to read more of Bronwyn Parry’s novels.
Finally finished reading Dead Heat. Managed to fit it in around the final plans for our wedding so that speaks for itself.
I love crime novels, and I enjoyed reading this. The first few chapters had me wanting to read more, just to see who or what was behind the horrible going ons in the Australian outback.
It was different seeing the beautiful outback made into such a scary and secretive thing, but with all that space it probably is more common than we think.
The connection between the main characters was evident from the start, and was pridictable in how it progressed. This didnt ruin the story, you just knew what was coming.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for and intruiging and thought provoking book. The novel was very believable in both the way it was told and what it was about, making it that much more enjoyable to read.
All in all it was a great novel, not a heavy crime novel, but just the right balance. I definately enjoyed it!!
I found dead heat a little slow in the first chapter,but I kept reading and then really got into it the thought of a body being dumped in the Aussie bush in the heat of summer is scary as its so huge and hot you may never find it the story was intregeging and interesting and the two main characters being attracted to each other and becoming more aware of the fact with every page you turn gave you a sense of hope I think this is a wonderful book to curl up on the couch and read I loved it even though the first chapter was a little slow keep going and then you won’t want to put it down you will be wondering what’s going to happen next and you won’t be disappointed. Thanks beauty and lace for a fantastic book
Absolutely amazing book! Loved reading every second of it! Will definately be recommending this to all my family and freinds 🙂 Thanks Beauty and Lace for a fantastic read!
I had the perfect opportunity to read Dead Heat this week, as I sprained my ankle and was therefore laid up for the day…..well with the kids at school, husband at work and the house to myself I definitely took advantage of the situation!
I must say it has been quite some time since I started and finished a book in a day, but this one was so very easy to read that I was finished it in no time.
I would not pick up a book like this in a book shop; it’s just not the sort of fiction I like to read. Having said that, I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed Dead Heat. The story was fast paced, the characters were fairly well drawn and the plot was (mainly) believable. It managed to keep my interest and I was keen to find out what became of the charcaters at the end.
I can easily see this being made into a movie and I would love to see it, and I’m sure the Aussie bush would be the star!
Thanks for the opportunity to read this novel; I will definitely pass it along to my mum and sisters for them to read.