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.
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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!
Waterfall Village is the compelling fourth entry in Murder in the Pacific by Australian author Matt Francis.
Surrounded by waterfalls in the island of Pentecost lays a remote rainforest village where the villagers all know each other. When the body of Clare Roberts, an American volunteer, is found dead at the base of one of the island’s iconic land-diving towers, the peaceful community is thrown into chaos.
Sergeant George Long and Constable Jayline Oli of the Vanuatu Police Force are called in to investigate but what starts as a straightforward inquiry quickly unravels into something much deeper, as hidden tensions, past conflicts, and betrayals begin to surface. As suspicion moves from one villager to another, it becomes clear this wasn’t a random act, but the result of long buried secrets. Will the truth behind the murder be uncovered, and will the village ever be the same?
The novel’s greatest strength is The Pacific Waterfall Village, the lush rainforests and waterfalls are painted with vivid detail, you can practically hear the water rushing in the background, it felt so vivid I thought I was back in Vanuatu. But beneath the postcard beauty, cracks start to form and the storytelling prowess unfolds, blending suspenseful twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.
Francis excels in character development, each was introduced with skill, making it easy to remember their names and roles in the plot. George is a relatable character, resilient and quick-witted whose instincts drive him to uncover the truth. Jayline is layered, contradictory, and human, her presence adds tension, emotion, and unpredictability as she can either be a friend or foe. The supporting characters are given enough texture to make them memorable, which keeps suspicion shifting throughout the book. Lani, Mara and Rourke were among my favourites.
What I appreciated the most is the book doesn’t rely on cheap twists. The clues are there if you’re paying attention, but the author still manages to do a great job of misleading the reader and pulling the rug out from under you at the right moments.
I highly recommend to readers who enjoy a slow-burn suspense, richly described settings, and small community secrets.
Thank you, Beauty & Lace and Big Sky Publishing, for the opportunity to read and review.
Murder in the Pacific, Waterfall Village, by Matt Francis is an engaging and atmospheric mystery set in a tropical Pacific paradise, Pentecost Island, Vanuatu. It is here that police officers, George Long and Jayline Oli come to investigate the apparent murder of an American volunteer, Clare Robert’s, whose body is found beneath one of the islands famous land diving platforms.
Vanuatu’s customs, cultures , landscapes and language are seamlessly interwoven in the story creating a true uniqueness.
The two police officers make an appealing investigative team using their skills and local knowledge of customs to their advantage. Their interactions both with each other and with the locals is both believable and grounded.
The book offers several suspects and motives, with political interference, personal secrets and village dynamics adding depth to the investigation.
I enjoyed it enough to delve deeper into the lives of Long and Oli. I intend to pursue the other Murder in the Pacific titles.
Thank you Beauty and Lace for the opportunity.
Murder in the Pacific Waterfall Village is a great read for crime fiction fans.
Although this was my first time reading a book in the series, I found it worked well as a standalone novel. I quickly felt close to the characters and I liked the way the island was described. The story was interesting and the mystery had me thinking so I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.
I will seek out and look forward to reading the other books in the series. Thank you very much Beauty and Lace for the opportunity to read and review this novel.