Another great Rowland Sinclair novel, though relies somewhat on knowledge of the first book (which I'll be reading soon) ( )

Miles Off Course - Gentill
Audio performance by Rupert Degas
4 stars

Someone thinks Rowland Sinclair would be better off dead. Or is it a kidnap for ransom scheme? (Even Australians have heard about the Lindberg baby.) Maybe this is a good time for Rowland and his motley crew to head to the high country to investigate the disappearance of his brother’s head stockman. … Or not.

This is the third book in this mystery series, and the fourth that I’ve read. I think it’s my favorite so far. The tense and dangerous political realities of the 1930’s, although providing criminal motive, actually take a backseat to the outback setting and a number of humorous situations. There were fewer recognizably famous historical characters participating in the action, but I did learn something about the writer, Miles Franklin. (aka Stella Maria Sarah Miles Franklin.) ( )

1933 and Rowland Sinclair and his friends are enjoying the delights of the The Hydro Majestic Hotel. After foiling a kidnap attempt on him he agrees to do two jobs for his brother Wilfred.
The first is to attend an upcoming board meeting and the second to go and find their missing family stockman - Harry Simpson.
Another interesting mystery, and although this can be read as a stand-alone reading the previous books does show the development of the characters.
A NetGalley Book. ( )

The novel was sent to me by the publisher Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. Thank you

Someone is trying to kill Rowland Sinclair or, at least, kidnap him. Whether he is being targeted for personal reasons or merely because he happens to be very wealthy is yet to be determined. The consensus among his friends and family is that he should get out of town until the miscreants are discovered and caught. And a very good reason to do just that presents itself.

The Sinclair family has a significant cattle business Something suspicious is going on because the overseer, a personal friend of the family, has disappeared without a word to the Sinclairs. The explanation from the employees and the police is that Harry Simpson, an Aboriginal man, just went walkabout and would return in his own good time. Rowley and his older brother Wilfred aren’t buying it. They know Harry wouldn’t just leave his position without giving some kind of notice. Wilfred suggests that Rowly use his detecting skill to find out what’s going on. He can solve a mystery and put himself out of harm’s way at the same time.

So Rowley and his buddies Edna, Milton, and Clyde saddle up and head for the mountains, an area much like the American Wild West. They run into treasure hunters and cattle rustlers, participate in a rodeo, and solve the mystery of Harry’s disappearance. But someone is on their trail and still trying to harm Rowly.

Back in the city, the plot shifts to shady dealings on the political scene. It’s 1933 and the tension between conservatives and liberals is at a boiling point. As in the rest of the world, the communists are demanding more rights for the working class and the wealthy businessmen are resisting. Could the violence against influential men of business be a communist plot? Or could it be a ploy to discredit the agitators? Rowly finds himself in the thick of the problem and must find the answer before he and those he cares for are harmed.

This seems to be two novellas stuck together to produce one novel. The first part about the disappearance of Harry is pure adventure and the part I really enjoyed. The later political aspect slowed down the novel for me and I had to push through to the end. Still, catching up with Rowly and company is always a good thing and I look forward to the next installment. ( )

This is the third book in the Rowland Sinclair series, set in 1930's New South Wales
Rowland and his friends go into the high country to look for a family employee who has gone missing in suspicious circumstances.
In the meantime there are several attempts to kidnap Rowland, as well threats from the hard men he meets out on the Sinclair property.
As usual his older brother Wilfred and his cronies suspect that Rowland and his disreputable friends are possibly traitorous.
Rowland continues to be very naive and puts himself quite foolishly into danger, which is a bit annoying. ( )