When a book’s first chapter begins with the line; “The air vibrates with a scream” you can be pretty sure you’re about to read a murder mystery.
Set in the moody Southern Highlands, Whisky Valley is the second book by author Joan Sauers and the follow on from her previous novel, Echo Lake. You don’t need to have read the earlier book to enjoy this new one as the introductory scream is the author’s way of picking up the thread, setting the scene and establishing some of the back story.
The event that triggered the opening scream by the book’s main character, historian-turned-amateur sleuth Rose McHugh, occurred the year before when she was nearly murdered by a trusted friend. Rose is still dealing with the memories, trauma and anxiety that this event caused.
In Whisky Valley, Rose is presented with a new mystery when a world famous violinist, Billy Mah, and his ten million dollar violin, go missing. Billy is visiting the Southern Highlands with a quartet to play at the local music festival but when he doesn’t show up for the closing concert speculation and intrigue are set in motion.
Rose soon starts her unofficial investigation and is keen to shield her son from suspicion as he is one of Billy’s closest friends. There’s certainly no shortage of other suspects as many of the supporting characters have good reasons to want Billy dead. And just when you think things couldn’t get more difficult for our would-be detective, a body is found and a one-in-a-hundred year flood cuts all access to the town causing secrets and lies to start rising like the floodwaters.
The author provides relief from all the whodunit questions through some beautifully detailed explorations into human relationships. Relationships between friends, between spouses, lovers and siblings and that ever tricky relationship between parent and adult child.
Whisky Valley also has a few historical side steps with Rose looking into the history of the local distillery located near an old tar pit. Yet another deviation from the main plot comes when Rose hears a first-hand account about the perils of do-it-yourself DNA testing. Of course, a blossoming romance with a handsome foreigner is always a good way to add another layer of interest for the reader.
Lovers of the violin will also enjoy Whisky Valley as it covers interesting information about the making, repairing and storing of this most magnificent of instruments.
All in all this book has numerous different layers, sidesteps and subplots. Much of the detail, events and characters are relevant to the plot but others are there purely as red herrings, strategically added to keep the reader guessing.
So who did kill Billy Mah and what happened to his priceless violin? Well, you’ll need to read Whisky Valley to find out.
Author: Joan Sauers
Publisher: Allen and Unwin
ISBN: 978 1 76147 134 6
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This book review is supported by the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund
