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Opal Country cover art

Opal Country

By: Chris Hammer
Narrated by: Lockie Chapman
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Summary

**The Times Crime Book of the Month**

**A SUNDAY TIMES PAPERBACK OF THE YEAR 2022**

In the outback, nothing stays buried forever....

Opals...

In the desolate outback town of Finnigans Gap, police struggle to maintain law and order. Thieves pillage opal mines, religious fanatics recruit vulnerable youngsters and billionaires do as they please.

Bodies...

Then an opal miner is found crucified and left to rot down his mine. Nothing about the miner's death is straight-forward, not even who found the body. Homicide Detective Ivan Lucic is sent to investigate, assisted by inexperienced young investigator Nell Buchanan.

But Finnigans Gap has already ended one police career and damaged others, and soon both officers face damning allegations and internal investigations. Have Ivan and Nell been set up, and if so, by whom?

Secrets...

As time runs out, their only chance at redemption is to find the killer. But the more they uncover, the more harrowing the mystery becomes, and a past long forgotten is thrown into scorching sunlight.

Because in Finnigans Gap, nothing stays buried for ever.

©2021 Chris Hammer (P)2021 Headline Publishing Group Ltd

Critic reviews

"The best Australian crime novel for years." (The Times)

"Hammer is a great writer - a leader in Australian noir." (Michael Connelly)

"Intelligent, thought-provoking - an almost-perfect crime novel." (Ann Cleeves)

"This slice of Australian noir sparkles like an opal in the blistering sun." (Lisa Gray)

"Opal Country is a top-notch Aussie Noir with real heat coming off the pages." (Christopher Fowler)

What listeners say about Opal Country

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Fantastic story

A breath of fresh air, gripping story, well written with excellent narration. Highly recommended.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Authentic Aussie Outback Drama

Kept me enthralled throughout. The author and narrator combined to convey the harsh oppressive heat of opal mining country. An enjoyable read with well drawn central characters.

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Grit and atmosphere in Aussie mystery

Great listen, conveyed the harshness of the wild country brilliantly. Enjoyed the characters devlopment over time.

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Good listen

Took a little while to gey into the story, but after this it was gripping!

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  • Overall
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Atmospheric and excellent performance

Really interesting and intricate plot, using the harsh climate as a suspenseful tool. It was made even better by Lockie Chapman's excellent performance. Elevated my whole listen. Another great output from Chris Hammer.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Gripping

Great story gripping and interesting I enjoy the authors descriptive style creates atmosphere and tension. Will be reading listening g to more by him. Recommend this if you enjoy thriller drama.

Frustratingly dramatic narration

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Brilliant, could not stop listening Loved it Will

Brilliant book, great story, could not stop listening, loved it, Will read more of his books

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an absorbing thriller

lots of twists and turns a good plot believable characters interesting environment store is set in

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Highly recommended

Great plot with excellent writing conjuring the atmosphere and landscape within which events happen. Nicely evolving relationship between the lead characters. Narration equally excellent.

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Another great story

Nicely complex plot with many layers that keeps you interested and some old faces reappear. The narrator has a distinct style which takes some getting used to.

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