 |
|
Allen & Unwin, December 2005
Reviewed by Sunnie Gill
It’s Federal election time in Australia and Private
Investigator Cliff Hardy is unable to summon up any interest at all in the
pronouncements and promises of politicians.
Cliff is approached by journalist Lou Kramer. She wants to write a
tell-all biography about media personality Jonas Clement. Clement fronts a
right-wing radio talk back show. Lou believes Clement is corrupt and wants
to hire Cliff to find Billie, a drug addict and former stripper who claims
to know the details. The trouble is, Clement also wants to find Billie, as
does businessman Barclay Greaves. There has been bad blood between Clement
and Greaves for some time and both men have heavies looking for her,
including Clement’s son who has developed a taste for violence.
Cliff decides the only way through unscathed is to set
the various factions against each other and reveal some of the divided
loyalties he comes across.
Tracking down Billie takes Hardy to the southwestern suburbs of Sydney
where he seeks help from members of the Pacific Islander community. Once
he finds Billie, Cliff has to try and save her, but does Billie want to be
saved? What does she know about Clement? Is Lou Kramer being completely
honest with Cliff about her motives for wanting Billie found?
Peter Corris is one of the stalwarts of Australian Crime fiction. His
Cliff Hardy books have been published since 1980. SAVING BILLIE is the
29th novel in the series. Corris sets most of the series in and around
Sydney, territory he knows well, and it shows in the books. Hardy is
likeable and easy going and has a strong moral compass. He’s a wonderful
friend and a formidable enemy. He’s not averse to breaking the rules, much
to the exasperation of the friends he has in the police.
Although SAVING BILLIE is set against the backdrop of the 2004 Australian
Federal election, a setting that had a lot of potential for Hardy’s
wise-cracking, cynical humour, for some reason the author seems to have
passed on that opportunity and the election is very quickly relegated to
the occasional mention, which was a little disappointing.
There is nothing new or groundbreaking about Cliff Hardy novels. They
don’t examine social issues; they don’t attempt to change the genre. What
they do is offer an entertaining and uncomplicated book. In that respect
they are perfect for a light holiday read.
December 2005 review first published on Murder and Mayhem
All cover art used at Reviewer's Choice Reviews is copyrighted by the
respective publisher. All reviews and articles found at Reviewer's Choice
Reviews are the sole property of the contributor and are copyrighted by
the same.
|
