A solid detective story. Takes place in Melbourne Australia in the 90’s, a lot of Australian slang and their habit of shortening words but the main hits come through. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. ( )

I can't say I found this easy to read as half the time I couldn't work out who was saying what or indeed who the who was that was saying it! Nice to read something set in the familiar landscape of Melbourne and rural Victoria but the corruption in politics and race horsing deals did not strike me as original nor interesting. ( )

THe ABC has made the Jack IRish books into enjoyable mini series but read the books; don't just watch the TV shows. Temple writes taut, credible fictions which may well be too true of our world. ( )

Peter Temple is an Australian mystery writer who creates a believable world as former world weary criminal defense lawyer. My problem with his writing is the convolutions of so many different side streets including gambling and other activities that I don't really care about. He has won a lot of awards and apparently there is a Jack Irish TV show as well as one called Broken Shore based on his novels. He is successful so you may like his books, it's just not my cup of tea. ( )

Oh. Delightful! Austrailian investigator/former defense atty. with a rough past. Some hilarious, incomprehensible horse racing / gambling scenes, but great characters, good story, very good writing. ( )