Ged Gillmore

Book two in the Bill Murdoch series, CLASS ACT follows up almost immediately from the action in the first outing, HEADLAND. This series, now up to three novels with the release of BASE NATURE in 2018, is well worth getting into.

Set in small-town, seaside New South Wales, based around reluctant Private Investigator, ex-bad boy, Bill Murdoch, the first book introduces him, his background and the events that bring him to small town life, the big house by the beach and the fancy car. It may be best if you start this series with the first book if possible, as the lead up to CLASS ACT is part fun, part information and will go a long way to explaining some of the friendship's that Bill has, and some of the behaviour he exhibits.

CLASS ACT sees Murdoch strengthen his resolve to put his past behind him, even as it gets closer and more disruptive. He didn't, however, expect that he'd fall quite as hard as he does for the wife of his current client, wealthy businessman James Harte, who claims he has been framed for murder. And there's the problem of Murdoch, undercover, in the jet setting world. He might end up drawn into the world of horse racing, yachts, glitzy parties, and the glamorous set because of this case, but he's not comfortable being there, although he's a bit out of sorts with the world in general really.

Murdoch is a character straight out of lone wolf, silent strong man casting central, and he's good at it. He might be a bit stereotypical, but he's not pretending to be anything else. He's the silent type, he's a walker of mean streets, even if the streets are mostly mean because he's walking them. He's a round peg in a square hole in small-town NSW and he's a dedicated investigator, everything that could be expected of him, and a bit more. There's a bit of nuance around Bill. There's a dodgy background, and the push to get away from the past, the action is appropriately age-restrained, there's friendship, and there is his ability to fall hook, line and sinker for the glamorous Amanda.

There's a lot of entertaining elements to the Bill Murdoch series. As with the first book, character development and plot are nicely balanced, and there's a small ensemble cast to be going on with. A series that appealed considerably with the opening novel, that opinion was cemented firmly by this second outing. There's now a third novel out and about, which I'm ashamed to admit remains unread. At least that means there is BASE NATURE to look forward to.

https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/class-act-ged-gillmore… (plus d'informations)

The good news is I'm so far behind with this review, that the second book in the series is out now. Which means you've got a new series to follow on your hands!

As the blurb puts it "Bill Murdoch's doing just fine, thanks for not asking. He's dealing drugs for a professional crime syndicate in Sydney and saving for a house by the sea."

Despite a spot of pressure from the syndicate behind that to replace his recently murdered boss, he's got bigger problems on his hands as the Australian Tax Office looms on the horizon wanting to know where this cash income of his is coming from. And we all know, when other authorities can't get you, the Tax Department often will. But Murdoch could not possibly have expected the little "white lie" about him being a private detective was uttered in front of a bad choice of Tax Inspectors, as Hannah Simms has been looking for just such a thing. Her niece has gone missing and she wants answers. Whatever Murdoch's initial regret at this little blunder, a bit of gentle poking about in a small coastal town, with accommodation etc thrown in, sounds like an ideal "hide out" from syndicate pressures.

Except that Murdoch finds himself actually looking for a missing girl, dealing with an erratic housemate (and it turns out ex-husband of Ms Simms) and basically trying to keep a low profile in a very small town.

A lot of the success of HEADLAND is down to the character of Bill Murdoch. Dry as a chip, determined, understandably daft at times, he's a survivor first and foremost, but a decent bloke all the same. There's nuance and substance to everyone in this book - it's not just noir styled, dry lone wolf territory. His sidekick by dint of proximity, Davy, unexpected housemate, surfer, real-estate agent, once was rock star, is equally a great character - about as different from Murdoch as you can get. Character is a strong point in HEADLAND, but not to the detriment of other aspects.

The plot is well constructed, with the search for a missing girl starting out as a convenient excuse for hiding away, and rapidly becoming a real, serious search. There's plenty of twists and turns, a bit of age appropriate action, some great encounters in the big smoke and the small local town, and overall both aspects - character and plot - combine well. There's sufficient motivation for much of what Murdoch does, doesn't do, finds and flushes out to have everything ultimately make sense, even if you don't see some of it coming.

The commencement of a new series is always a tricky undertaking for an author, and sometimes for the reader, and HEADLAND has a few of those expected issues. It does take a while for things to get moving, and it might take you a little while to get your head around aspects of Bill Murdoch's background and character overall. But stick with it, as this is an extremely promising Australian thriller, PI noir debut and CLASS ACT is now out there now, ready for you to read next.

https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/headland-ged-gillmore… (plus d'informations)

Cats On The Run (Tuck & Ginger, #1) by Ged Gillmore, narrated by Deborah Wiseman, is an audible book I requested and the review is voluntary. I can't say I peed myself laughing but it is a funny book. It starts out with a slow intro but don't go away. Then it gets better and better and better. The longer the book, the funnier it is! Although this is a kids book, I must say I did giggle, smirk, smile a lot, and I did laugh out loud at the narrator's crazy talented voices!
Let me start at the beginning...the narrator not only tells the story but speaks to the reader, and in a very hilarious way at time, quizing and gibbing them. The narrator is a hoot! She has so many voices and they are totally awesome! She must do a dozen and they are histerically funny. Anyway, two cats are held by witches for a spell. A smart cat and a dumb but athletic cat. Now this smart cat had previously been driving a cab when she was catnapped. Yep, it is that kind of story! They escape...and off goes the story! The man and woman witches are after them. The have stinky farts when they get excited too. That happens often and of course the cats don't like it but the witches do. There is so many crazy tidbits of silliness in here kids will giggle about. It does have a good plot, great characters, even the minor ones are very played up, and the story is quite fun. I really didn't think I was going to like the book as much as I did when it first started playing but the longer it played, the more I liked it. Like I said, the further in the book it got, the funnier it became. If I found it fun, kids are going to love it!
The narrator needs her own review! I giggled many a times when she started a new voice, what talent! It was worth it just to hear her do the voices! I don't think I would want to read the book now that I know how well she does the book. I would suggest the audible to anyone that wants to read this book!
This is a clever, witty, and very talented book and I enjoyed it as I am sure many kids will too!… (plus d'informations)