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Scobie Malone #19
The Easy Sin
From Australia’s 'national literary institution' (Sydney Morning Herald), the latest mystery featuring homicide detective and family man Scobie Malone The time has come for Scobie Malone to leave the Homicide and Serial Offenders Unit of the Sydney police, and his last investigation could be the most bizarre case ever to cross his desk. Called in when a housemaid is found dead in a dotcom millionaire’s penthouse, Scobie suspects he’s dealing with a kidnap that’s gone wrong. In fact, it couldn’t have gone more wrong. The kidnappers thought they had grabbed the millionaire’s girlfriend – how were they supposed to know he liked slipping into her designer dresses when she wasn’t around? The plot thickens further when it is revealed that the dotcom bubble has burst, leaving the erstwhile millionaire in debt to the Yakuza and Scobie on the trail of some old adversaries. Throw in the ex-wife, a mistress or two, and the mother of all outlaws, and you have a case that would confound the greatest detective and entertain the most discerning of readers.
320 pages, Print on Demand (Paperback)
First published January 1, 2003
6 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Jon Cleary
127 books24 followersAustralian popular novelist, a natural storyteller, whose career as a writer extended over 60 years. Jon Cleary's books have sold some 8 million copies. Often the stories are set in exotic locations all over the world or in some interesting historical scene of the 20th century, such as the Nazi Berlin of 1936. Cleary also wrote perhaps the longest running homicide detective series of Australia. Its sympathetic protagonist, Inspector Scobie Malone, was introduced in The High Commissioner (1966). Degrees of Connection, published in 2003, was Scobie's 20th appearance. Although Cleary's books can be read as efficiently plotted entertainment, he occasionally touched psychological, social, and moral dilemmas inside the frame of high adventure.
Jon Stephen Cleary was born in Sydney, New South Wales, into a working class family as the eldest of seven children. When Clearly was only 10, his father Matthew was condemned to six months' imprisonment for stealing £5 from his baker's delivery bag, in an attempt have money to feed his family. Cleary's mother, Ida, was a fourth-generation Australian. From his parents Cleary inherited a strong sense of just and unjust and his belief in family values.
Cleary was educated at the Marist Brothers school in Randwick, New South Wales. After leaving school in 1932, at the age of fourteen, he spent the following 8 years out of work or in odd jobs, such as a commercial traveler and bush worker – "I had more jobs than I can now remember," he later said of the Depression years. Cleary's love of reading was sparked when he began to help his friend, who had a travelling library. His favorite writers included P.G. Wodehouse. Before the war Clearly became interested in the career of commercial artists, but he also wrote for amateur revues. In 1940 he joined the Australian Army and served in the Middle East and New Guinea. During these years Cleary started to write seriously, and by the war's end he had published several short stories in magazines. His radio play, Safe Horizon (1944), received a broadcasting award.
Cleary's These Small Glories (1945), a collection of short stories, was based on his experiences as a soldier in the Middle East. In 1946 Cleary married Joy Lucas, a Melbourne nurse, whom he had met on a sea voyage to England; they had two daughters. His first novel, You Can’t See Round Corners (1947), won the second prize in The Sydney Morning Herald’s novel contest. It was later made into a television serial and then into a feature film. The Graham Greene-ish story of a deserter who returns to Sydney showed Cleary's skill at describing his home city, its bars, and people living on the margin of society. Noteworthy, the book was edited by Greene himself, who worked for the publishing firm Eyre & Spottiswoode and who gave Cleary two advices: "One, never forget there are two people in a book; the writer and the reader. And the second one was he said, 'Write a thriller because it will teach you the art of narrative and it will teach you the uses of brevity.'" (In an interview by Ramona Koval, ABC Radio program, February 2006)
Jon Stephen Cleary was born in Sydney, New South Wales, into a working class family as the eldest of seven children. When Clearly was only 10, his father Matthew was condemned to six months' imprisonment for stealing £5 from his baker's delivery bag, in an attempt have money to feed his family. Cleary's mother, Ida, was a fourth-generation Australian. From his parents Cleary inherited a strong sense of just and unjust and his belief in family values.
Cleary was educated at the Marist Brothers school in Randwick, New South Wales. After leaving school in 1932, at the age of fourteen, he spent the following 8 years out of work or in odd jobs, such as a commercial traveler and bush worker – "I had more jobs than I can now remember," he later said of the Depression years. Cleary's love of reading was sparked when he began to help his friend, who had a travelling library. His favorite writers included P.G. Wodehouse. Before the war Clearly became interested in the career of commercial artists, but he also wrote for amateur revues. In 1940 he joined the Australian Army and served in the Middle East and New Guinea. During these years Cleary started to write seriously, and by the war's end he had published several short stories in magazines. His radio play, Safe Horizon (1944), received a broadcasting award.
Cleary's These Small Glories (1945), a collection of short stories, was based on his experiences as a soldier in the Middle East. In 1946 Cleary married Joy Lucas, a Melbourne nurse, whom he had met on a sea voyage to England; they had two daughters. His first novel, You Can’t See Round Corners (1947), won the second prize in The Sydney Morning Herald’s novel contest. It was later made into a television serial and then into a feature film. The Graham Greene-ish story of a deserter who returns to Sydney showed Cleary's skill at describing his home city, its bars, and people living on the margin of society. Noteworthy, the book was edited by Greene himself, who worked for the publishing firm Eyre & Spottiswoode and who gave Cleary two advices: "One, never forget there are two people in a book; the writer and the reader. And the second one was he said, 'Write a thriller because it will teach you the art of narrative and it will teach you the uses of brevity.'" (In an interview by Ramona Koval, ABC Radio program, February 2006)
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 19, 2022
I re-read this when I found it in a street library next to Mystery Bay Beach, on the south coast of NSW. I enjoyed my re-aquaintance with Scobie Malone. There were some non PC comments by cops and crime, easy racism too, but the book hasn't aged as much in 20 years as one might think. I miss Jon Cleary.
January 20, 2019
Ironic ending.
March 26, 2019
I liked this book until the absolutely terrible ending.
June 5, 2025
Enjoyable read. Liked the references to Sydney
April 4, 2016
cover:
The time has come for Scobie Malone to leave the Homicide and Serial Offenders Unit of the Sydney police, and his last investigation could be the most bizarre case ever to cross his desk.
Called in when a housemaid is found dead in a dotcom millionaire's penthouse, Scobie suspects he's dealing with a kidnapping gone wrong. But never in his wildest dreams could he imagine just how wrong.
The kidnappers can't believe it either. Their well-laid plan to grab a millionaire's girlfriend has instead netted them a millionaire. How were they supposed to know he liked slipping into his girlfriend's designer dresses when she wasn't around?
To make matters worse, the dotcom bubble has burst, leaving the erstwhile millionaire in debt to the Yakuza and high on their hit list. Could it be that they are behind the kidnapping? The trail leads Scobie to renew the acquaintance of some old adversaries, but Japanese gangsters pale into insignificance compared to the predatory ex-wife, ex-girlfriends and ex-mother-in-law, all with an eye on their share of the spoils.
A bit disappointing. I've enjoyed other Scobie Malones much more than this one. I think it is the unsatisfying ending that has annoyed me. I know this probably happens in the real world, but I want resolution in my detective fiction. I do enjoy Scobie's family dynamics.
The time has come for Scobie Malone to leave the Homicide and Serial Offenders Unit of the Sydney police, and his last investigation could be the most bizarre case ever to cross his desk.
Called in when a housemaid is found dead in a dotcom millionaire's penthouse, Scobie suspects he's dealing with a kidnapping gone wrong. But never in his wildest dreams could he imagine just how wrong.
The kidnappers can't believe it either. Their well-laid plan to grab a millionaire's girlfriend has instead netted them a millionaire. How were they supposed to know he liked slipping into his girlfriend's designer dresses when she wasn't around?
To make matters worse, the dotcom bubble has burst, leaving the erstwhile millionaire in debt to the Yakuza and high on their hit list. Could it be that they are behind the kidnapping? The trail leads Scobie to renew the acquaintance of some old adversaries, but Japanese gangsters pale into insignificance compared to the predatory ex-wife, ex-girlfriends and ex-mother-in-law, all with an eye on their share of the spoils.
A bit disappointing. I've enjoyed other Scobie Malones much more than this one. I think it is the unsatisfying ending that has annoyed me. I know this probably happens in the real world, but I want resolution in my detective fiction. I do enjoy Scobie's family dynamics.
May 5, 2011
This is the 19th of 20 books to feature Inspector Scobie Malone. He is nearing the end of his career and even contemplates retirement in this book. And it's this undertone to the whole story that is a bit of draw back to enjoying this book entirely. He is rather reflective through out the entire story and this wouldn't be so bad if this was the 19th book I had read in the series, but it's been years since I've read one.
For some reason it didn't all fit and flow together for me and although I enjoyed reading an Australian based book, it was not the best and I can only give it 2/5.
For some reason it didn't all fit and flow together for me and although I enjoyed reading an Australian based book, it was not the best and I can only give it 2/5.
January 23, 2013
So I maybe didn't give this book my whole attention. I bought it for something like 25 cents and put it in the prep room to read while my microwave popcorn was cooking. And while I eat popcorn for lunch quite a bit, it is by no means my lunch every day. Still, I finished the book. And I think it was very good until the end. I thought the end was abrupt and did not provide a lot of "closure." Still, this may be more "true life" than most of the mystery I read, but I found it lacking.
January 5, 2013
My second time around for this book. I cannot believe how dated the commentary of Australia is. When I first read it, as a new release it meant something, and still actually does, but those who are young, new to Australia or reading overseas may not understand the nuances in the dialogue. Cleary, like Donna Leon uses the city to tell a story, he also uses current events. Although disappointed the crime wasn't wrapped up nicely in the end, I still appreciate clearys kind writing style.
May 15, 2013
Another good 'Scobie malone' mystery ;
Some great characters who's dreams of getting a windfall by way of blackmail/hostage taking rapidly go awry. One could query while 'Mum' managed to dispose of her husband and son and daughter seemed to be able to kill/get rid of a policeman without arousing much suspicion raised a few questions ; but all in all a worthwhile read - as are most in the Scobie series, particularly if you like Melbourne as a setting.
Some great characters who's dreams of getting a windfall by way of blackmail/hostage taking rapidly go awry. One could query while 'Mum' managed to dispose of her husband and son and daughter seemed to be able to kill/get rid of a policeman without arousing much suspicion raised a few questions ; but all in all a worthwhile read - as are most in the Scobie series, particularly if you like Melbourne as a setting.
August 20, 2013
Yet again a Scobie Malone homicide mystery, his last case before he moves on and out of Homicide squad with a promotion. A good fast gripping tale of kidnapping gone wrong, an in-depth look at the dotcom burst and a family drama of women, all nicely woven into a thriller. The ending was okay, could have been better if a proper closure was made, this being the protagonist's last case. Overall good, would give 3.5 stars.
February 12, 2012
The Scobie Malone series is quite gentle and this one was no different but very enjoyable.
October 21, 2010
first book of Jon's I have read and will look for more.
February 4, 2014
I just love the Scobie Malone series, love his attitude, love his pet hates...." Basically" " at the end of the day", love the family component. The Australan - ness (?) of the stories
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews