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Detective Kate Miles #1
The Torrent
A loving husband lost to devastating summer floods. A teenage girl injured during a robbery. Two seemingly unconnected cases that will push a detective to the brink. An atmospheric, compelling new voice in Australian crime fiction.
In Northern New South Wales, heavily pregnant and a week away from maternity leave, Detective Sergeant Kate Miles is exhausted and counting down the days. But a violent hold-up at a local fast-food restaurant with unsettling connections to her own past, means that her final days will be anything but straightforward.
When a second case is dumped on her lap, the closed case of a man drowned in recent summer floods, what begins as a simple informal review quickly grows into something more complicated. Kate can either write the report that's expected of her or investigate the case the way she wants to.
As secrets and betrayals pile up, and the needs of her own family intervene, how far is Kate prepared to push to discover the truth?
In Northern New South Wales, heavily pregnant and a week away from maternity leave, Detective Sergeant Kate Miles is exhausted and counting down the days. But a violent hold-up at a local fast-food restaurant with unsettling connections to her own past, means that her final days will be anything but straightforward.
When a second case is dumped on her lap, the closed case of a man drowned in recent summer floods, what begins as a simple informal review quickly grows into something more complicated. Kate can either write the report that's expected of her or investigate the case the way she wants to.
As secrets and betrayals pile up, and the needs of her own family intervene, how far is Kate prepared to push to discover the truth?
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First published February 1, 2022
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February 21, 2023
4★
“They walked on, Kate doing her best to keep pace, her hand moving to support the bulk of her belly and stepping with care along the muddy creek bed. She noticed several thick tree branches, rocks of all sizes, and even the odd shopping trolley. Flood debris, lying where the waters had dropped them, inert and innocent.”
Only weeks off her baby’s due date, Detective Sergeant Kate Miles is tramping around the scene of a suspected murder that may have taken place during the horrific floods in northern NSW, Australia. Joel’s death had been attributed to the flood, but his mother is adamant that Joel’s wife, who escaped, had murdered him.
It’s hot, Kate is exhausted, but the boss has assigned her the troublesome mother and asked her to check the police notes as a formality.
I liked Kate and I enjoyed the story, which didn’t go as I might have thought. As each fact or account was introduced, she found other questions to ask. Kate’s father was a well-known ex-chief inspector, which means there are both expectations of her and a bit of backlash from those who think she might be riding on his coattails.
Alongside this nuisance assignment, she and her partner, Josh, are investigating the holdup at the local McDonald’s by three youths wearing rubber masks of action heroes. They were after money, but one of the guys attacked and kicked a girl so severely she was hospitalised. Not just any girl, but the daughter of Councillor Roman Allen, and he’s after revenge.
Kate introduces herself.
“Roman Allen hesitated momentarily, no doubt silently correlating her ‘Australian’-sounding name to her discernibly South-Asian heritage. She was used to the reaction. It hardly gave her pause anymore. In the genetic stakes, it was her mother, a Sri Lankan migrant from the UK who had placed her stamp on Kate’s appearance, while her younger brother, Luke had taken after their Australian father, inheriting his deep grey eyes and light skin, freckles and all. Growing up she had lost count of the minuscule double takes and swift second glances that had been thrown their way when she had been out and about with her father.
She felt Allen’s eyes flicker across her heavily pregnant form. She could almost hear the cogs whirring in his brain, trying to work out where she fit into the mix. Was she junior or senior to the detective he had just met? In the end, he simply accepted her hand and shook it briefly. Kate met his eyes. Nothing. She didn’t know why she had worried. Of course he wouldn’t remember. She had only been a raw young thing at the time, too unimportant to register.”
It’s no surprise that she might have known Roman Allen in the past. Regional areas are notorious for cross-pollination of populations, as I think of it. But she’s a professional. She just gets on with the job, worrying about husband Geoff and little son Archie and hoping to keep herself in one piece, literally, until the baby is due.
As I said, I liked Kate. She shares her Sri Lankan heritage with the author, which gives another interesting aspect to the story.
My only complaint is a personal one. So many of the names are similar, that I had to keep going back to remember which name belonged to whom. Joel, Josh, John, Jack, Jarvis. Abigail, Annika, Annette. Surnames of Ellis, Ellwood, Allen, then Unwin and Goodwin. Lots of Ms, besides McDonald’s – Marshall, Manning, Murchison, Masters, Marin.
I don’t know if other readers found that an issue or not, but when the names Joel and Josh appeared so early in the piece, and then Josh and Josephine were only sentences apart right near the start, (not that I was going to confuse them with each other), I actually considered quitting and giving up on it, expecting a poorly edited first manuscript.
But I persisted, and once I managed to get my head around the cast of characters, I thoroughly enjoyed the story (which is well-edited, except for my niggle). It’s a great debut and I look forward to the next one featuring Kate. (I will try harder to remember the names, or maybe an editor with a memory like mine has picked up on that.)
“They walked on, Kate doing her best to keep pace, her hand moving to support the bulk of her belly and stepping with care along the muddy creek bed. She noticed several thick tree branches, rocks of all sizes, and even the odd shopping trolley. Flood debris, lying where the waters had dropped them, inert and innocent.”
Only weeks off her baby’s due date, Detective Sergeant Kate Miles is tramping around the scene of a suspected murder that may have taken place during the horrific floods in northern NSW, Australia. Joel’s death had been attributed to the flood, but his mother is adamant that Joel’s wife, who escaped, had murdered him.
It’s hot, Kate is exhausted, but the boss has assigned her the troublesome mother and asked her to check the police notes as a formality.
I liked Kate and I enjoyed the story, which didn’t go as I might have thought. As each fact or account was introduced, she found other questions to ask. Kate’s father was a well-known ex-chief inspector, which means there are both expectations of her and a bit of backlash from those who think she might be riding on his coattails.
Alongside this nuisance assignment, she and her partner, Josh, are investigating the holdup at the local McDonald’s by three youths wearing rubber masks of action heroes. They were after money, but one of the guys attacked and kicked a girl so severely she was hospitalised. Not just any girl, but the daughter of Councillor Roman Allen, and he’s after revenge.
Kate introduces herself.
“Roman Allen hesitated momentarily, no doubt silently correlating her ‘Australian’-sounding name to her discernibly South-Asian heritage. She was used to the reaction. It hardly gave her pause anymore. In the genetic stakes, it was her mother, a Sri Lankan migrant from the UK who had placed her stamp on Kate’s appearance, while her younger brother, Luke had taken after their Australian father, inheriting his deep grey eyes and light skin, freckles and all. Growing up she had lost count of the minuscule double takes and swift second glances that had been thrown their way when she had been out and about with her father.
She felt Allen’s eyes flicker across her heavily pregnant form. She could almost hear the cogs whirring in his brain, trying to work out where she fit into the mix. Was she junior or senior to the detective he had just met? In the end, he simply accepted her hand and shook it briefly. Kate met his eyes. Nothing. She didn’t know why she had worried. Of course he wouldn’t remember. She had only been a raw young thing at the time, too unimportant to register.”
It’s no surprise that she might have known Roman Allen in the past. Regional areas are notorious for cross-pollination of populations, as I think of it. But she’s a professional. She just gets on with the job, worrying about husband Geoff and little son Archie and hoping to keep herself in one piece, literally, until the baby is due.
As I said, I liked Kate. She shares her Sri Lankan heritage with the author, which gives another interesting aspect to the story.
My only complaint is a personal one. So many of the names are similar, that I had to keep going back to remember which name belonged to whom. Joel, Josh, John, Jack, Jarvis. Abigail, Annika, Annette. Surnames of Ellis, Ellwood, Allen, then Unwin and Goodwin. Lots of Ms, besides McDonald’s – Marshall, Manning, Murchison, Masters, Marin.
I don’t know if other readers found that an issue or not, but when the names Joel and Josh appeared so early in the piece, and then Josh and Josephine were only sentences apart right near the start, (not that I was going to confuse them with each other), I actually considered quitting and giving up on it, expecting a poorly edited first manuscript.
But I persisted, and once I managed to get my head around the cast of characters, I thoroughly enjoyed the story (which is well-edited, except for my niggle). It’s a great debut and I look forward to the next one featuring Kate. (I will try harder to remember the names, or maybe an editor with a memory like mine has picked up on that.)
April 18, 2022
This book first caught my attention on social media and then shortly after I read a few reviews for it. Before I knew it, I was requesting it from my library and I'm so glad I did.
The Torrent by Aussie author Dinuka McKenzie is not only the first book in the Detective Kate Miles series, but it's also a debut novel and I can honestly say it's a fabulous read from start to finish. With great characters and a storyline that keeps the reader intrigued this is a real page-turner that leaves the reader wanting more. I can't wait for the next book in the series and something tells me this is going to be one hell of a series. Highly recommended,
The Torrent by Aussie author Dinuka McKenzie is not only the first book in the Detective Kate Miles series, but it's also a debut novel and I can honestly say it's a fabulous read from start to finish. With great characters and a storyline that keeps the reader intrigued this is a real page-turner that leaves the reader wanting more. I can't wait for the next book in the series and something tells me this is going to be one hell of a series. Highly recommended,
February 17, 2023
Detective Sergeant Kate Miles was 36 weeks pregnant and only had a week before going on maternity leave. Her four year old, Archie, and husband Geoff, kept the home fires burning while she was working. Living and working on the NSW side of the Queensland border, Kate was looking forward to a quiet week while she handed over her files to her fill-in, Josh, who'd arrived from Sydney. But a violent armed hold-up at the local McDonald's restaurant where a sixteen year old girl was harmed, quite seriously, put paid to Kate's quiet week. Added to that, her boss handed her a file to follow up regarding a young man who'd died in the floods a few months prior. The young man's mother wanted the case re-opened and was causing quite a stir.
As Kate and her team searched for evidence on the hold-up, their frustrations mounted. They knew they were young men, but finding who they were was proving difficult. Plus the other case had Kate feeling uneasy. It wasn't going to be an easy read of the file just to suit her superiors. What would she do? Her exhaustion and cumbersome body held her up at times, but she was still determined. Could she find the answers before she left on leave?
The Torrent is the debut novel of Aussie author Dinuka McKenzie, and is also the 1st in the Detective Kate Miles series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Very hard to believe this is the author's debut! An excellent crime novel, Kate is a strong, resolute and purposeful character and I'm looking forward to following her story in the next book, Taken, which is just released. Highly recommended.
As Kate and her team searched for evidence on the hold-up, their frustrations mounted. They knew they were young men, but finding who they were was proving difficult. Plus the other case had Kate feeling uneasy. It wasn't going to be an easy read of the file just to suit her superiors. What would she do? Her exhaustion and cumbersome body held her up at times, but she was still determined. Could she find the answers before she left on leave?
The Torrent is the debut novel of Aussie author Dinuka McKenzie, and is also the 1st in the Detective Kate Miles series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Very hard to believe this is the author's debut! An excellent crime novel, Kate is a strong, resolute and purposeful character and I'm looking forward to following her story in the next book, Taken, which is just released. Highly recommended.
February 6, 2022
Aussie crime books are some of my favourite books to read. And discovering a new voice in that genre is exciting - I present to you all Dinuka McKenzie. Wow - The Torrent was fantastic. A debut novel from an author that I hope we will hear alot more from in the future. In fact, ant the end of this book is sneak peak of the next book Taken, out next year so that was very exciting. I will certainly be looking forward to that.
The Torrent is set in Northern NSW, in a small town called Esserton. Detective Sergeant Kate Miles is very very pregnant, with not long until she goes on maternity leave. But she is not going to let that get in the way of her doing the best job she can. 2 big cases have her attention - a hold up at a local fast food restaurant where a teenager was violently hurt, and an investigation into the death of a man who died in the summer floods. With the locals all keeping secrets, neither case is as straight forward as they first seemed. Kate has her work cut out for her before her baby comes.
I loved Kate, she is tough, caring and professional. She doesn't just take the easy way out and she works hard. Being a mum to a little boy already, trying to juggle home and work life is tough, especially with her belly and swollen feet. She felt to me as a realistic portrayal of a working mum, doing a tough job.
Thank you so much to Harper Collins for sending me this copy to read. the Torrent is out in all good bookshops in Australia now - so what are you waiting for. Highly recommend.
The Torrent is set in Northern NSW, in a small town called Esserton. Detective Sergeant Kate Miles is very very pregnant, with not long until she goes on maternity leave. But she is not going to let that get in the way of her doing the best job she can. 2 big cases have her attention - a hold up at a local fast food restaurant where a teenager was violently hurt, and an investigation into the death of a man who died in the summer floods. With the locals all keeping secrets, neither case is as straight forward as they first seemed. Kate has her work cut out for her before her baby comes.
I loved Kate, she is tough, caring and professional. She doesn't just take the easy way out and she works hard. Being a mum to a little boy already, trying to juggle home and work life is tough, especially with her belly and swollen feet. She felt to me as a realistic portrayal of a working mum, doing a tough job.
Thank you so much to Harper Collins for sending me this copy to read. the Torrent is out in all good bookshops in Australia now - so what are you waiting for. Highly recommend.
May 31, 2022
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**4.5 stars**
The Torrent by Dinuka McKenzie Writer. (2022).
A loving husband lost to devastating summer floods. A teenage girl injured during a robbery. Two seemingly unconnected cases that will push heavily pregnant Detective Sergeant Kate to the brink...
Just before starting maternity leave, there is a violent hold-up with unsettling connections to Kate's own past. Then a second case is dumped on her lap to review which should be simple but quickly becomes complicated. As secrets and betrayals pile up, and the needs of her own family intervene, how far is Kate prepared to push to discover the truth?
This is a fantastic debut for the author and it is easy to see why the manuscript won the HarperCollins Australia 2020 Banjo Prize! I am greatly looking forward to the sequel, of which there was a sneak peak at the end of this book. The lead character, Kate, is super pregnant when she ends up with two complex cases that she would like to see resolved before starting leave. With clever twists, absorbing events and a well-paced gripping storyline, it's honestly hard to believe this page-turner is a debut novel for the author. I thought Kate was an intelligent and likeable woman, and I really appreciated that it felt realistic her juggling of work and her family.
Overall: highly recommend this Australian crime novel, and can't wait for the next one in the series.
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**4.5 stars**
The Torrent by Dinuka McKenzie Writer. (2022).
A loving husband lost to devastating summer floods. A teenage girl injured during a robbery. Two seemingly unconnected cases that will push heavily pregnant Detective Sergeant Kate to the brink...
Just before starting maternity leave, there is a violent hold-up with unsettling connections to Kate's own past. Then a second case is dumped on her lap to review which should be simple but quickly becomes complicated. As secrets and betrayals pile up, and the needs of her own family intervene, how far is Kate prepared to push to discover the truth?
This is a fantastic debut for the author and it is easy to see why the manuscript won the HarperCollins Australia 2020 Banjo Prize! I am greatly looking forward to the sequel, of which there was a sneak peak at the end of this book. The lead character, Kate, is super pregnant when she ends up with two complex cases that she would like to see resolved before starting leave. With clever twists, absorbing events and a well-paced gripping storyline, it's honestly hard to believe this page-turner is a debut novel for the author. I thought Kate was an intelligent and likeable woman, and I really appreciated that it felt realistic her juggling of work and her family.
Overall: highly recommend this Australian crime novel, and can't wait for the next one in the series.
April 23, 2022
Wow, a fantastic, powerful debut by an Aussie author.
Set, just 30 minutes south of where I actually live, is 'The Torrent'. Northern NSW, a small fictional town called Esserton, was so easy to imagine. Detective Sergeant Kate Miles is very pregnant and about to go on maternity leave. Two significant cases have her attention - a hold up at a local Maccas and an investigation into the death of a man who drowned in the summer floods (eerie, having just experienced another major flooding event here). Secrets, gossip, loyalty, parenting and friendship all come into play in this read, along with an excellent police-procedural undercurrent.
I loved Kate, trying to juggle home and work life; she felt so realistic. A great plot, if a little long in places, but 100% an author on my TBR list from now on!
Set, just 30 minutes south of where I actually live, is 'The Torrent'. Northern NSW, a small fictional town called Esserton, was so easy to imagine. Detective Sergeant Kate Miles is very pregnant and about to go on maternity leave. Two significant cases have her attention - a hold up at a local Maccas and an investigation into the death of a man who drowned in the summer floods (eerie, having just experienced another major flooding event here). Secrets, gossip, loyalty, parenting and friendship all come into play in this read, along with an excellent police-procedural undercurrent.
I loved Kate, trying to juggle home and work life; she felt so realistic. A great plot, if a little long in places, but 100% an author on my TBR list from now on!
February 10, 2022
Brilliant debut novel….Impressive is an understatement!
After reading this incredible debut novel by Aussie author Dinuka McKenzie, I’m not at all surprised to find that she is the Winner of the 2020 Banjo Prize for great story telling fiction.
If this is her first offering as a published author, I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next!
I sincerely hope that this is just the start of many more good solid reads from this author…I will be following with great anticipation…no pressure lol!
Detective Sergeant Kate Miles is on her last week of work before taking maternity leave to prepare for the birth of her second child. She is very close to full term in her pregnancy and beginning to feel the effects of her advanced condition taxing her daily energy levels.
Feeling quite exhausted Kate will be glad to see the end of this week, though it shouldn’t be too difficult as it only involves tidying up the paperwork on her previous cases and handing over to her new replacement who seems eagerly confident to get into his new role.
A hold up robbery at a local fast foods Cafe by what appears to be three masked teenagers is brought to Kate’s attention. Ideally she should just pass it on to her new replacement officer, but Kate is disturbed by the act of violence committed on one of the girls serving, which has left her in hospital with serious head wounds.
Much to the chagrin of her new officer in charge, Kate starts to instruct her crew on how to immediately proceed with investigations.
Kate’s boss calls her in to [apparently] palm off onto her, a previously closed case in which an unsatisfied (friend of a friend) grieving mother is insisting they investigate further…into the death of her son. She feels that the investigation into the recent drowning of her son in floodwaters wasn’t thorough enough and that things were overlooked or presumed.
Kate is instructed to have a look at the file and write up a report which her boss feels will concur with the original findings…thus clearing up some loose ends before her leave, and getting him off the hook.
Things are never quite as straight forward as they seem though, and Kate soon finds her supposedly easy final work week catapulted into two separately demanding investigations.
With mounting pressure from her boss to hastily…and discretely…wrap up the previous case, and a clear sense of resentment from her replacement officer for being left out, along with the complications from the robbery, Kate is feeling the pressure.
She’s not so sure she can wrap things up so neatly before her leave.
As investigations continue, Kate finds herself being targeted with threats from different and unexpected sources…the plot thickens!
What a terrific debut novel this is! The story and the characters are all so very well developed, and portrayed in such a convincing way as to have you eagerly anticipating the next development, whist still being genuinely surprised by the continuing turn of events.
I highly recommend this book to any readers and look forward to more great reading from this author.
5⭐️s
After reading this incredible debut novel by Aussie author Dinuka McKenzie, I’m not at all surprised to find that she is the Winner of the 2020 Banjo Prize for great story telling fiction.
If this is her first offering as a published author, I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next!
I sincerely hope that this is just the start of many more good solid reads from this author…I will be following with great anticipation…no pressure lol!
Detective Sergeant Kate Miles is on her last week of work before taking maternity leave to prepare for the birth of her second child. She is very close to full term in her pregnancy and beginning to feel the effects of her advanced condition taxing her daily energy levels.
Feeling quite exhausted Kate will be glad to see the end of this week, though it shouldn’t be too difficult as it only involves tidying up the paperwork on her previous cases and handing over to her new replacement who seems eagerly confident to get into his new role.
A hold up robbery at a local fast foods Cafe by what appears to be three masked teenagers is brought to Kate’s attention. Ideally she should just pass it on to her new replacement officer, but Kate is disturbed by the act of violence committed on one of the girls serving, which has left her in hospital with serious head wounds.
Much to the chagrin of her new officer in charge, Kate starts to instruct her crew on how to immediately proceed with investigations.
Kate’s boss calls her in to [apparently] palm off onto her, a previously closed case in which an unsatisfied (friend of a friend) grieving mother is insisting they investigate further…into the death of her son. She feels that the investigation into the recent drowning of her son in floodwaters wasn’t thorough enough and that things were overlooked or presumed.
Kate is instructed to have a look at the file and write up a report which her boss feels will concur with the original findings…thus clearing up some loose ends before her leave, and getting him off the hook.
Things are never quite as straight forward as they seem though, and Kate soon finds her supposedly easy final work week catapulted into two separately demanding investigations.
With mounting pressure from her boss to hastily…and discretely…wrap up the previous case, and a clear sense of resentment from her replacement officer for being left out, along with the complications from the robbery, Kate is feeling the pressure.
She’s not so sure she can wrap things up so neatly before her leave.
As investigations continue, Kate finds herself being targeted with threats from different and unexpected sources…the plot thickens!
What a terrific debut novel this is! The story and the characters are all so very well developed, and portrayed in such a convincing way as to have you eagerly anticipating the next development, whist still being genuinely surprised by the continuing turn of events.
I highly recommend this book to any readers and look forward to more great reading from this author.
5⭐️s
February 18, 2023
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The recipient of the 2020 HarperCollins Australia Banjo Prize, The Torrent was published in February 2022. Dinuka McKenzie’s first novel is an evocative and intelligent mystery novel. Full of secrets, betrayals and lies, this intriguing debut definitely set my world on fire.
Taking the reader to Northern NSW, The Torrent follows heavily pregnant Detective Sergeant Kate Miles. Kate is on the cusp of commencing her maternity leave when a brutal hold up at a local take away restaurant brings up a connection to the past. Even though she is counting down the days until her maternity leave, Kate is now preoccupied by this challenging new case. In a sudden change in circumstances, Kate is issued with second case. The investigation into a drowning, which appears to be linked to the recent seasonal floods, tests Kate to her very limits. It would be much easier to simply sign this drowning case off, but Kate is compelled to dig further into this strange case. With problems coming from both her personal and professional sides of life, Kate must weigh up how important it is to conduct a thorough investigation into both cases. Can Kate solve both these cases before her little one arrives?
I feel as though I have done a disservice to Dinka McKenzie. I have had The Torrent lingering for far too long on my review shelves. After seeing a few reviews for Dinuka McKenzie’s debut pop up on my Instagram feed lately, I decided I needed to ignore the brand-new book pile and go for this 2022 release. The Torrent was a cracking read and I can see why it has gained such a positive following.
It was a refreshing change to be presented with a lead female detective. It isn’t often that we have a detective figure that is female and heavily pregnant. I loved this combination and it definitely squashed the traditional male detective character construction that we encounter in many crime fiction novels. It was easy to connect with Kate and I instantly felt a sense of respect for her line of work. I also admired Kate’s determination, work ethic and professionalism. It is hard to imagine being involved in not one but two complex crime cases so close to giving birth! Kate takes everything in her stride and I desperately wanted her to succeed.
McKenzie has excelled at delivering a gritty and atmospheric setting, thanks to her northern New South Wales base for her novel. The authentic Australian landscape is illuminated via the rich and inviting writing of Dinuka McKenzie. It is hard to believe at times that this is McKenzie’s first novel. An interesting plot line, some diverting plot twists and a perplexing double investigation rounds this one off perfectly. The end was pretty eruptive and I admit that I got sucked right in.
The Australian fiction scene just got a whole lot more exciting with the release of The Torrent, Dinuka McKenzie is a great new talent.
*Thanks extended to HarperCollins Books Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
The recipient of the 2020 HarperCollins Australia Banjo Prize, The Torrent was published in February 2022. Dinuka McKenzie’s first novel is an evocative and intelligent mystery novel. Full of secrets, betrayals and lies, this intriguing debut definitely set my world on fire.
Taking the reader to Northern NSW, The Torrent follows heavily pregnant Detective Sergeant Kate Miles. Kate is on the cusp of commencing her maternity leave when a brutal hold up at a local take away restaurant brings up a connection to the past. Even though she is counting down the days until her maternity leave, Kate is now preoccupied by this challenging new case. In a sudden change in circumstances, Kate is issued with second case. The investigation into a drowning, which appears to be linked to the recent seasonal floods, tests Kate to her very limits. It would be much easier to simply sign this drowning case off, but Kate is compelled to dig further into this strange case. With problems coming from both her personal and professional sides of life, Kate must weigh up how important it is to conduct a thorough investigation into both cases. Can Kate solve both these cases before her little one arrives?
I feel as though I have done a disservice to Dinka McKenzie. I have had The Torrent lingering for far too long on my review shelves. After seeing a few reviews for Dinuka McKenzie’s debut pop up on my Instagram feed lately, I decided I needed to ignore the brand-new book pile and go for this 2022 release. The Torrent was a cracking read and I can see why it has gained such a positive following.
It was a refreshing change to be presented with a lead female detective. It isn’t often that we have a detective figure that is female and heavily pregnant. I loved this combination and it definitely squashed the traditional male detective character construction that we encounter in many crime fiction novels. It was easy to connect with Kate and I instantly felt a sense of respect for her line of work. I also admired Kate’s determination, work ethic and professionalism. It is hard to imagine being involved in not one but two complex crime cases so close to giving birth! Kate takes everything in her stride and I desperately wanted her to succeed.
McKenzie has excelled at delivering a gritty and atmospheric setting, thanks to her northern New South Wales base for her novel. The authentic Australian landscape is illuminated via the rich and inviting writing of Dinuka McKenzie. It is hard to believe at times that this is McKenzie’s first novel. An interesting plot line, some diverting plot twists and a perplexing double investigation rounds this one off perfectly. The end was pretty eruptive and I admit that I got sucked right in.
The Australian fiction scene just got a whole lot more exciting with the release of The Torrent, Dinuka McKenzie is a great new talent.
*Thanks extended to HarperCollins Books Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
January 10, 2024
Not awful,not particularly good .
November 12, 2022
The Torrent is the first book in the Detective Kate Miles series by prize-winning Australian author, Dinuka McKenzie. With a week to go until she starts maternity leave, DS Kate Miles is called to an armed hold-up at the local Maccas: three teens wearing rubber superhero masks bail up four teenaged assistants with a knife while the supervisor chats to his ex on his mobile out the back. CCTV offers few clues, but it does sound like two of them held up a Vietnamese bakery recently.
This time, one of the assistants suffers kicks, punches and a stab wound: Josephine Allen is the daughter of town councillor, Roman Allen, who demands instant action. Kate also has to tolerate the somewhat insubordinate behaviour of Detective Josh Ellis, an import from Sydney who is to replace her while she’s on leave.
Then, as if she doesn’t have enough to do, her DI, Andrew Skinner saddles her with an informal, under-the-radar review of a drowning during the January floods, a case signed off by Tweed Heads Police as accidental. Joel Marshall’s mother is convinced that his wife, Gabby is somehow responsible for his death, citing a windfall insurance payout, and Annette Marshall knows the Assistant Commissioner, hence the review.
While a media appeal to ID the teens yields nothing, one of Kate’s constables thinks laterally when checking traffic video, and there’s a minor breakthrough. What doesn’t really help is Cr Allen’s media rant about police ineptitude, while his reward offer siphons more of the team to answering crank calls.
Kate’s thorough review of Joel Maxwell’s case doesn’t turn up any mistakes by the investigating officer, but one or two things just don’t sit right with her. And of course, the damage a body suffers from being carried down a flooded river could easily be hiding the evidence of another crime.
At the same time, Kate wonders if her CI is taking out on her, his grievances against her father, ex-Chief Inspector Arthur Grayling; and whether Roman Allen has recalled the history they share. Then there’s the resentful Senior Constable whose investigation she is reviewing, and her replacement’s irritation that she’s not sharing whatever it is she’s doing.
The story is told in a dual timeline narrative, with the main part being from Kate’s perspective, while the flashbacks to months earlier are from several different perspectives. With what she gets up to at thirty-five weeks pregnant, McKenzie’s protagonist is certainly gutsy; she’s also intelligent and thorough and considerate.
There’s plenty of good detective work in this intriguing mystery, a red herring or two and a neat twist to keep the reader guessing right up to the heart-thumping climax. McKenzie’s debut is brilliant Aussie crime fiction.
This time, one of the assistants suffers kicks, punches and a stab wound: Josephine Allen is the daughter of town councillor, Roman Allen, who demands instant action. Kate also has to tolerate the somewhat insubordinate behaviour of Detective Josh Ellis, an import from Sydney who is to replace her while she’s on leave.
Then, as if she doesn’t have enough to do, her DI, Andrew Skinner saddles her with an informal, under-the-radar review of a drowning during the January floods, a case signed off by Tweed Heads Police as accidental. Joel Marshall’s mother is convinced that his wife, Gabby is somehow responsible for his death, citing a windfall insurance payout, and Annette Marshall knows the Assistant Commissioner, hence the review.
While a media appeal to ID the teens yields nothing, one of Kate’s constables thinks laterally when checking traffic video, and there’s a minor breakthrough. What doesn’t really help is Cr Allen’s media rant about police ineptitude, while his reward offer siphons more of the team to answering crank calls.
Kate’s thorough review of Joel Maxwell’s case doesn’t turn up any mistakes by the investigating officer, but one or two things just don’t sit right with her. And of course, the damage a body suffers from being carried down a flooded river could easily be hiding the evidence of another crime.
At the same time, Kate wonders if her CI is taking out on her, his grievances against her father, ex-Chief Inspector Arthur Grayling; and whether Roman Allen has recalled the history they share. Then there’s the resentful Senior Constable whose investigation she is reviewing, and her replacement’s irritation that she’s not sharing whatever it is she’s doing.
The story is told in a dual timeline narrative, with the main part being from Kate’s perspective, while the flashbacks to months earlier are from several different perspectives. With what she gets up to at thirty-five weeks pregnant, McKenzie’s protagonist is certainly gutsy; she’s also intelligent and thorough and considerate.
There’s plenty of good detective work in this intriguing mystery, a red herring or two and a neat twist to keep the reader guessing right up to the heart-thumping climax. McKenzie’s debut is brilliant Aussie crime fiction.
October 16, 2023
I tried. Slogged my way through the first three chapters, then skipped through, scanning, to the end.
Dinuka McKenzie - I feel for you. Let down by editors. (As an retired senior/managing editor, I can see their inexperience; and hope they receive further training.)
Cliche follows cliche; adverbs abound. Two key characters are named Joel and Josh. The pacing is sluggish.
This novel has won or been nominated for prizes. As a devotee of crime fiction, I expected and wanted to love it.
DNF.
I'm so sorry, Dinuka.
Dinuka McKenzie - I feel for you. Let down by editors. (As an retired senior/managing editor, I can see their inexperience; and hope they receive further training.)
Cliche follows cliche; adverbs abound. Two key characters are named Joel and Josh. The pacing is sluggish.
This novel has won or been nominated for prizes. As a devotee of crime fiction, I expected and wanted to love it.
DNF.
I'm so sorry, Dinuka.
September 1, 2022
Astonishing Debut! A crime/mystery in small town northern New South Wales with Detective Kate Miles as the main protagonist. Told from several POVs and a few 'then' chapters that cleverly helped unravel the back story, it was a compelling read. Looking forward to more from this author.
January 21, 2023
I liked this Aussie mystery from debut writer, Dinuka McKenzie.
Our heroine is heavily pregnant Detective Kate Miles, stationed in a fictional town just south of Tweed Heads. The plot features two different cases which, I assumed, would link up somewhere along the line. One is a group of youths, wearing Avengers masks, committing armed hold ups at local takeaway shops. The other is the investigation into the death of a local man in flood waters.
It's always good to read a book set in Australia, and especially in an area I am very familiar with (well, the real area, not the fictional town). The plot's themes include the problems women face juggling a family and career, the bias of the public towards Kate's male colleagues, and racism.
Although I thought this was a solid debut, I didn't, unfortunately, find McKenzie's writing style quite as polished and accomplished as some of the current crop of Aussie writers of this genre.
Still, I will be giving its sequel a go.
4 out of 5
Our heroine is heavily pregnant Detective Kate Miles, stationed in a fictional town just south of Tweed Heads. The plot features two different cases which, I assumed, would link up somewhere along the line. One is a group of youths, wearing Avengers masks, committing armed hold ups at local takeaway shops. The other is the investigation into the death of a local man in flood waters.
It's always good to read a book set in Australia, and especially in an area I am very familiar with (well, the real area, not the fictional town). The plot's themes include the problems women face juggling a family and career, the bias of the public towards Kate's male colleagues, and racism.
Although I thought this was a solid debut, I didn't, unfortunately, find McKenzie's writing style quite as polished and accomplished as some of the current crop of Aussie writers of this genre.
Still, I will be giving its sequel a go.
4 out of 5
October 24, 2023
4.5*
What a pleasure to find another scintillating Australian crime series to devour! This one's only two books at present, with a third slated for release in January 2024, but I'm anticipating further books from author Dinuka McKenzie down the track featuring northern-NSW based DS Kate Miles.
The Torrent opens with a prologue headed "Past", depicting the recovery by State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers of a drowned man from floodwaters in northern NSW. Sadly, this was an all-too common occurrence during the catastrophic flooding events of late February and early March 2022.
We then move forward thirteen months, as DS Kate Miles arrives at a crime scene, the latest in a series of brazen robberies committed by youths wearing superhero masks. Miles is based in the (fictional) town of Esserton, which we can glean is located in coastal hinterland somewhere between the larger centres of Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah in the far north-eastern tip of New South Wales. She's in her final week of active duties in the lead-up to the birth of her second child. This latest heist, during the early hours on the local Hungry Jacks franchise, has left a local teenaged employee injured. The fact that she's the daughter of Roman Allen, a councillor for the district, only places more pressure on the Esserton police to solve the case quickly and discretely.
Meanwhile, DS Miles is also handed another file for review - the death of local man Joel Marshall, who was washed from his car while trying to cross a flooded creek the previous year. Marshall's parents are unsatisfied with the outcome of the police investigation into their son's death - his mother, in particular, harbours suspicions as to the role of Joel's wife Gabby Marshall, who survived the floodwaters and has since carved a prominent persona for herself in the media. While this is not a formal file review, Miles feels pressure from the police hierarchy to finalise the matter quickly and with minimum fuss. She also faces muted sexism and racism, as a woman of mixed European and Sri Lankan heritage, both from those within the police service and the members of the public with whom she deals on a daily basis.
Physically exhausted in the latter stages of her pregnancy, Miles balances the two cases and the competing demands on her, with the time constraint of her maternity leave looming. She uncovers many tantalising inconsistencies and secrets, including those surrounding her own father, a former Chief Inspector at the Esserton station, who's now retired to a farmhouse in the hills above the town. It's a twisty and engrossing plot, with a believable Australian regional setting and a cast of convincingly complex, although not always particularly likeable, characters. Kate Miles makes a sympathetic and fascinating heroine, with a contented home / family life unusual in the genre, and a diverse background that brings additional interest.
The Torrent is a promising start to a new Australian crime series, one that I'll look forward to returning to as new books are released. Dinuka McKenzie is clearly a talented writer - it's hard to believe this is a debut novel!
I'd highly recommend The Torrent to any reader who enjoys reading from the flourishing Australian regional/rural crime sub-genre.
What a pleasure to find another scintillating Australian crime series to devour! This one's only two books at present, with a third slated for release in January 2024, but I'm anticipating further books from author Dinuka McKenzie down the track featuring northern-NSW based DS Kate Miles.
The Torrent opens with a prologue headed "Past", depicting the recovery by State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers of a drowned man from floodwaters in northern NSW. Sadly, this was an all-too common occurrence during the catastrophic flooding events of late February and early March 2022.
We then move forward thirteen months, as DS Kate Miles arrives at a crime scene, the latest in a series of brazen robberies committed by youths wearing superhero masks. Miles is based in the (fictional) town of Esserton, which we can glean is located in coastal hinterland somewhere between the larger centres of Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah in the far north-eastern tip of New South Wales. She's in her final week of active duties in the lead-up to the birth of her second child. This latest heist, during the early hours on the local Hungry Jacks franchise, has left a local teenaged employee injured. The fact that she's the daughter of Roman Allen, a councillor for the district, only places more pressure on the Esserton police to solve the case quickly and discretely.
Meanwhile, DS Miles is also handed another file for review - the death of local man Joel Marshall, who was washed from his car while trying to cross a flooded creek the previous year. Marshall's parents are unsatisfied with the outcome of the police investigation into their son's death - his mother, in particular, harbours suspicions as to the role of Joel's wife Gabby Marshall, who survived the floodwaters and has since carved a prominent persona for herself in the media. While this is not a formal file review, Miles feels pressure from the police hierarchy to finalise the matter quickly and with minimum fuss. She also faces muted sexism and racism, as a woman of mixed European and Sri Lankan heritage, both from those within the police service and the members of the public with whom she deals on a daily basis.
Physically exhausted in the latter stages of her pregnancy, Miles balances the two cases and the competing demands on her, with the time constraint of her maternity leave looming. She uncovers many tantalising inconsistencies and secrets, including those surrounding her own father, a former Chief Inspector at the Esserton station, who's now retired to a farmhouse in the hills above the town. It's a twisty and engrossing plot, with a believable Australian regional setting and a cast of convincingly complex, although not always particularly likeable, characters. Kate Miles makes a sympathetic and fascinating heroine, with a contented home / family life unusual in the genre, and a diverse background that brings additional interest.
The Torrent is a promising start to a new Australian crime series, one that I'll look forward to returning to as new books are released. Dinuka McKenzie is clearly a talented writer - it's hard to believe this is a debut novel!
I'd highly recommend The Torrent to any reader who enjoys reading from the flourishing Australian regional/rural crime sub-genre.
December 3, 2022
The Torrent is the first book in the Detective Kate Miles series by prize-winning Australian author, Dinuka McKenzie. The audio version is narrated by Elizabeth Brennan. With a week to go until she starts maternity leave, DS Kate Miles is called to an armed hold-up at the local Maccas: three teens wearing rubber superhero masks bail up four teenaged assistants with a knife while the supervisor chats to his ex on his mobile out the back. CCTV offers few clues, but it does sound like two of them held up a Vietnamese bakery recently.
This time, one of the assistants suffers kicks, punches and a stab wound: Josephine Allen is the daughter of town councillor, Roman Allen, who demands instant action. Kate also has to tolerate the somewhat insubordinate behaviour of Detective Josh Ellis, an import from Sydney who is to replace her while she’s on leave.
Then, as if she doesn’t have enough to do, her DI, Andrew Skinner saddles her with an informal, under-the-radar review of a drowning during the January floods, a case signed off by Tweed Heads Police as accidental. Joel Marshall’s mother is convinced that his wife, Gabby is somehow responsible for his death, citing a windfall insurance payout, and Annette Marshall knows the Assistant Commissioner, hence the review.
While a media appeal to ID the teens yields nothing, one of Kate’s constables thinks laterally when checking traffic video, and there’s a minor breakthrough. What doesn’t really help is Cr Allen’s media rant about police ineptitude, while his reward offer siphons more of the team to answering crank calls.
Kate’s thorough review of Joel Maxwell’s case doesn’t turn up any mistakes by the investigating officer, but one or two things just don’t sit right with her. And of course, the damage a body suffers from being carried down a flooded river could easily be hiding the evidence of another crime.
At the same time, Kate wonders if her CI is taking out on her, his grievances against her father, ex-Chief Inspector Arthur Grayling; and whether Roman Allen has recalled the history they share. Then there’s the resentful Senior Constable whose investigation she is reviewing, and her replacement’s irritation that she’s not sharing whatever it is she’s doing.
The story is told in a dual timeline narrative, with the main part being from Kate’s perspective, while the flashbacks to months earlier are from several different perspectives. With what she gets up to at thirty-five weeks pregnant, McKenzie’s protagonist is certainly gutsy; she’s also intelligent and thorough and considerate.
There’s plenty of good detective work in this intriguing mystery, a red herring or two and a neat twist to keep the reader guessing right up to the heart-thumping climax. McKenzie’s debut is brilliant Aussie crime fiction.
This time, one of the assistants suffers kicks, punches and a stab wound: Josephine Allen is the daughter of town councillor, Roman Allen, who demands instant action. Kate also has to tolerate the somewhat insubordinate behaviour of Detective Josh Ellis, an import from Sydney who is to replace her while she’s on leave.
Then, as if she doesn’t have enough to do, her DI, Andrew Skinner saddles her with an informal, under-the-radar review of a drowning during the January floods, a case signed off by Tweed Heads Police as accidental. Joel Marshall’s mother is convinced that his wife, Gabby is somehow responsible for his death, citing a windfall insurance payout, and Annette Marshall knows the Assistant Commissioner, hence the review.
While a media appeal to ID the teens yields nothing, one of Kate’s constables thinks laterally when checking traffic video, and there’s a minor breakthrough. What doesn’t really help is Cr Allen’s media rant about police ineptitude, while his reward offer siphons more of the team to answering crank calls.
Kate’s thorough review of Joel Maxwell’s case doesn’t turn up any mistakes by the investigating officer, but one or two things just don’t sit right with her. And of course, the damage a body suffers from being carried down a flooded river could easily be hiding the evidence of another crime.
At the same time, Kate wonders if her CI is taking out on her, his grievances against her father, ex-Chief Inspector Arthur Grayling; and whether Roman Allen has recalled the history they share. Then there’s the resentful Senior Constable whose investigation she is reviewing, and her replacement’s irritation that she’s not sharing whatever it is she’s doing.
The story is told in a dual timeline narrative, with the main part being from Kate’s perspective, while the flashbacks to months earlier are from several different perspectives. With what she gets up to at thirty-five weeks pregnant, McKenzie’s protagonist is certainly gutsy; she’s also intelligent and thorough and considerate.
There’s plenty of good detective work in this intriguing mystery, a red herring or two and a neat twist to keep the reader guessing right up to the heart-thumping climax. McKenzie’s debut is brilliant Aussie crime fiction.
March 21, 2022
Underwhelming plot and characters.
January 31, 2022
Yet again we have another fantastic debut female Aussie crime author invading our bookshelves! The 2020 Winner of the Banjo Prize was Dinuka McKenzie and her subsequent published novel The Torrent (Harper Collins 2022) is a compelling exploration of family dynamics and a gritty crime story that combines clever police procedural and a layered plot with emotional depth and heart. Featuring a powerful protagonist in pregnant cop Kate Miles, in the immersive setting of northern New South Wales, this fast-paced plot sees Miles investigating the death of a local man during a devastating flood. What should be a straightforward case rings alarm bells for Miles, and despite her being only weeks away from her due date, she feels compelled to trust her intuition and dig deeper into the details. The other case nagging at her before she goes on maternity leave is a robbery at a local McDonalds, where a teenage girl is brutally assaulted. And when the two cases show signs of overlapping, and the complex intricacies of political and bureaucratic red tape constrain her investigations, Miles becomes mired in a frustratingly difficult line of inquiry at the worst possible time for herself personally.
The Torrent is a highly original story featuring a dual timeline with flashbacks to the past, around the time of the flood. McKenzie skilfully interweaves these sections with the present-day investigations. The use of taut prose, and dialogue real enough that you feel you’re in the investigation room yourself, keep the story sharp and interesting. As a very pregnant cop, Miles is a fascinating character (I kept thinking of that detective in Money Heist …) and McKenzie explores Miles’ family life with sensitivity and the practicalities of the minutia of daily life. I liked Kate Miles because she is authentic – there are no false heroics or macho game playing here; this is a woman with a family attempting to do a difficult job in trying (even exhausting) physical circumstances. Along with Miles, there is a host of other cops that I hope might make an appearance in future novels; certainly some of the other characters have the potential for highly interesting backstories. There are some curious twists and satisfying discoveries along the way, as we journey along with Miles in trying to work out ‘whodunnit’.
In a strong debut voice, McKenzie manages to traverse other issues including diversity, and the double-edged sword of unexpected fame due to tragic circumstances.
Kate Miles is determined to cling to her reputation and her position of power in the department despite being sidelined from several different angles; she is a persistent, capable, dogged and principled detective who wants to find the truth, and she must do so within the ticking timeline of the impending birth of her baby. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
The Torrent is a highly original story featuring a dual timeline with flashbacks to the past, around the time of the flood. McKenzie skilfully interweaves these sections with the present-day investigations. The use of taut prose, and dialogue real enough that you feel you’re in the investigation room yourself, keep the story sharp and interesting. As a very pregnant cop, Miles is a fascinating character (I kept thinking of that detective in Money Heist …) and McKenzie explores Miles’ family life with sensitivity and the practicalities of the minutia of daily life. I liked Kate Miles because she is authentic – there are no false heroics or macho game playing here; this is a woman with a family attempting to do a difficult job in trying (even exhausting) physical circumstances. Along with Miles, there is a host of other cops that I hope might make an appearance in future novels; certainly some of the other characters have the potential for highly interesting backstories. There are some curious twists and satisfying discoveries along the way, as we journey along with Miles in trying to work out ‘whodunnit’.
In a strong debut voice, McKenzie manages to traverse other issues including diversity, and the double-edged sword of unexpected fame due to tragic circumstances.
Kate Miles is determined to cling to her reputation and her position of power in the department despite being sidelined from several different angles; she is a persistent, capable, dogged and principled detective who wants to find the truth, and she must do so within the ticking timeline of the impending birth of her baby. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
September 4, 2024
Setting: northern New South Wales, Australia; modern day.
This was an excellent debut crime novel, introducing the character of Detective Sergeant Kate Miles - interestingly, just as she is about to go on maternity leave to have her second child!
But before she can pass on the reins to her 'stand-in' Josh, a robbery at a local fast food takeaway by three masked young men leads to a serious injury for one of the staff members - whose father is a local councillor and a man with whom Kate has a history.
Under pressure to solve this crime, Kate also has another file dumped on her by her boss - a case that she is to investigate virtually on her own. A couple of months before, a local man was drowned when the vehicle he was driving was washed away trying to cross a flooded creek bed. His wife survived and is now somewhat of a celebrity. But the man's mother is convinced that his wife killed him and has used her influence to get the case re-opened....
Kate is a strong character and a good detective so it will be interesting to see how this series develops - especially as she is about to go on maternity leave. I already have the second in the series to read and plan to read that one later this month as I certainly enjoyed the characters, plotting and the real Aussie vibe with this one - 9/10.
This was an excellent debut crime novel, introducing the character of Detective Sergeant Kate Miles - interestingly, just as she is about to go on maternity leave to have her second child!
But before she can pass on the reins to her 'stand-in' Josh, a robbery at a local fast food takeaway by three masked young men leads to a serious injury for one of the staff members - whose father is a local councillor and a man with whom Kate has a history.
Under pressure to solve this crime, Kate also has another file dumped on her by her boss - a case that she is to investigate virtually on her own. A couple of months before, a local man was drowned when the vehicle he was driving was washed away trying to cross a flooded creek bed. His wife survived and is now somewhat of a celebrity. But the man's mother is convinced that his wife killed him and has used her influence to get the case re-opened....
Kate is a strong character and a good detective so it will be interesting to see how this series develops - especially as she is about to go on maternity leave. I already have the second in the series to read and plan to read that one later this month as I certainly enjoyed the characters, plotting and the real Aussie vibe with this one - 9/10.
May 5, 2024
Was so looking forward to this, but it just wasn’t for me. Didn’t engage me at all and I found myself super reluctant to pick it up to read more chapters. Lots of other 2-star reviewers explained why this was a bust, so I won’t go into more detail here. Go read their reviews!
I will try her second book at some point but this one was a real let-down.
I will try her second book at some point but this one was a real let-down.
August 28, 2022
I will start this post by saying that Australian crime fiction is outstanding! I have come across so many new authors who have delved into this genre, and do it so well. There is something so different to other crime fiction from authors across the globe. And if you have not yet read any Australian fiction – this is your time to start!
‘The Torrent’ is set in Northern NSW, in Esserton. Detective Sergeant Kate Miles is very very pregnant. She is working on two cases. One is the violent hold up at a local fast-food outlet, and the other is a new case she is asked to review: an investigation into the death of a man who died in the recent summer floods. Klate must juggle the last few weeks of her pregnancy with both cases in the search for answers for the parents of the man who drowned.Very quickly you know who the main players are in this book, where they are all up to, what their own situations are and the issue they are set out to resolve. On top of this are the trials and tribulations of Kate’s daily life which you might think are just supplementary but really underpin the twists and secrets that crop up throughout the story.
I loved Kate, and the pregnancy is a great way to bring a character into to the next book – one I am keen to follow up with. Kate is tough and vulnerable. She cares a lot and she is also professional and as hard as she needs to be. She struggles as a mother and in her current pregnancy – it is no bed of roses that she glides in on to save the day. We see a lot of hard work and I was so appreciative that Dinuka portrayed an authentic working woman. It isn’t glamourous to work and have a family – the tiredness and exhaustion shone though in such a reaffirming way, and I loved that about Kate Miles. I cannot believe this is a debut publication from Dinuka – an author to keep on your reading list!
‘The Torrent’ is set in Northern NSW, in Esserton. Detective Sergeant Kate Miles is very very pregnant. She is working on two cases. One is the violent hold up at a local fast-food outlet, and the other is a new case she is asked to review: an investigation into the death of a man who died in the recent summer floods. Klate must juggle the last few weeks of her pregnancy with both cases in the search for answers for the parents of the man who drowned.Very quickly you know who the main players are in this book, where they are all up to, what their own situations are and the issue they are set out to resolve. On top of this are the trials and tribulations of Kate’s daily life which you might think are just supplementary but really underpin the twists and secrets that crop up throughout the story.
I loved Kate, and the pregnancy is a great way to bring a character into to the next book – one I am keen to follow up with. Kate is tough and vulnerable. She cares a lot and she is also professional and as hard as she needs to be. She struggles as a mother and in her current pregnancy – it is no bed of roses that she glides in on to save the day. We see a lot of hard work and I was so appreciative that Dinuka portrayed an authentic working woman. It isn’t glamourous to work and have a family – the tiredness and exhaustion shone though in such a reaffirming way, and I loved that about Kate Miles. I cannot believe this is a debut publication from Dinuka – an author to keep on your reading list!
October 4, 2022
Thank you Harper Collins for sending us a copy to read and review.
A new voice in the Aussie crime genre has entered the pool of talent and has shown she has the credentials with her outstanding debut book.
I met Dinuka at the #NBRF2022 and I was mesmerised by such a happy and smiley person.
The queue to get her book signed an instant endorsement to read this.
Heavily pregnant Detective Sergeant Kate Miles is the daughter of an esteemed retired member of the Constabulary and is forging her own reputation within the force.
An armed holdup and a drowning from a closed case have landed in her workload. Secrets of a regional town will unravel as her instinctual and professional prowess come into play.
A dual timeline successfully weaves between the present and the night of the flood. The complexity of family units, police procedures and the hurdles Kate has to overcome within in her role all create a fast paced compelling story.
Kate is an amazing character, her Australian Sri Lankan background and her connection to the force a cornerstone of instant intrigue.
Their was something refreshingly authentic and down to earth in the style of writing.
I look forward to seeing more of Kate on the pages in the future.
A new voice in the Aussie crime genre has entered the pool of talent and has shown she has the credentials with her outstanding debut book.
I met Dinuka at the #NBRF2022 and I was mesmerised by such a happy and smiley person.
The queue to get her book signed an instant endorsement to read this.
Heavily pregnant Detective Sergeant Kate Miles is the daughter of an esteemed retired member of the Constabulary and is forging her own reputation within the force.
An armed holdup and a drowning from a closed case have landed in her workload. Secrets of a regional town will unravel as her instinctual and professional prowess come into play.
A dual timeline successfully weaves between the present and the night of the flood. The complexity of family units, police procedures and the hurdles Kate has to overcome within in her role all create a fast paced compelling story.
Kate is an amazing character, her Australian Sri Lankan background and her connection to the force a cornerstone of instant intrigue.
Their was something refreshingly authentic and down to earth in the style of writing.
I look forward to seeing more of Kate on the pages in the future.
February 15, 2022
Such a thriller for me! Although I’m generally not a thriller reader, but this was definitely thrilling for me! I loved the rural Australian setting; I so remember the heat of ‘the uninsulated metal roof of the demountable…’ I loved Detective Kate Miles; watching her deal with the casual sexism and racism was so moving, male colleagues ranking lower than her not respecting her status in the police station, it was all just as I thought. I can’t believe this is a debut, I can’t wait for more
April 20, 2023
I enjoyed listening to this crime fiction set in northern NSW, Australia. It is nice to read about the familiar types of locations while still having the surprise of the mystery/crime. I guess it’s like watching a movie set somewhere familiar. You understand the nuances of people’s behaviour and you can feel yourself in the setting.
February 20, 2022
Heavy book to read.
There was so much going on at the same time which makes it less interesting; it was like the author was trying to force different plots at the same time; I mean; the stealing, the murder crime, and the birth.
There was so much going on at the same time which makes it less interesting; it was like the author was trying to force different plots at the same time; I mean; the stealing, the murder crime, and the birth.
February 6, 2022
Dinuka McKenzie has written a memorable crime debut and introduced us to Detective Kate Miles who is a compelling main character. Set in northern New South Wales, Kate is a week away from maternity leave and counting down the days. A violent hold-up at a local fast-food restaurant is assigned to her and on top of this, a second case is dumped on her lap. Kate is juggling this workload with her family and pregnancy and as both cases grow in complexity the stakes get ever higher for her and her hard-fought reputation.
Negotiating the politics of pregnancy in what is often a man’s world is a difficult juggling act, and McKenzie explores this well. She examines the family dynamics of holding down a demanding job while your partner looks after everything else and the stresses and strains it inflicts on all parties. McKenzie catches the awkwardness some people feel around pregnancy -they either feel they own you or they ignore the fact. Kate finds neither approach helpful.
Kate’s mother is Sri Lankan, her father Australian and this makes her the poster girl for diversity at the station, something which is not particularly welcome. She is also the daughter of a former legendary chief inspector. She receives some patronizing as a result - “No matter what her achievements, her detractors would always say she had got there because of her father and her skin colour.”
Kate’s character is so well delineated. She has got where she has by steely self-control - “her normally carefully maintained reserve” - as demonstrated by her dealings with male colleagues who are somewhat misogynistic, if not downright bullies. Despite temptation to react, she admirably holds her tongue most times.
All the characters feel like real people, they are not one dimensional but are human. The children and teenagers in the story feel authentic and McKenzie handles one character’s autism sensitively and doesn’t make him a stereotype.
The plotting is intricate and multi-layered, and McKenzie keeps a tight rein while juggling narrative from the past and the present. There are no loose ends or inexplicable revelations and that is why The Torrent (Harper Collins Australia) is such an outstanding and clever book.
So happy there is more Kate Miles to come.
Negotiating the politics of pregnancy in what is often a man’s world is a difficult juggling act, and McKenzie explores this well. She examines the family dynamics of holding down a demanding job while your partner looks after everything else and the stresses and strains it inflicts on all parties. McKenzie catches the awkwardness some people feel around pregnancy -they either feel they own you or they ignore the fact. Kate finds neither approach helpful.
Kate’s mother is Sri Lankan, her father Australian and this makes her the poster girl for diversity at the station, something which is not particularly welcome. She is also the daughter of a former legendary chief inspector. She receives some patronizing as a result - “No matter what her achievements, her detractors would always say she had got there because of her father and her skin colour.”
Kate’s character is so well delineated. She has got where she has by steely self-control - “her normally carefully maintained reserve” - as demonstrated by her dealings with male colleagues who are somewhat misogynistic, if not downright bullies. Despite temptation to react, she admirably holds her tongue most times.
All the characters feel like real people, they are not one dimensional but are human. The children and teenagers in the story feel authentic and McKenzie handles one character’s autism sensitively and doesn’t make him a stereotype.
The plotting is intricate and multi-layered, and McKenzie keeps a tight rein while juggling narrative from the past and the present. There are no loose ends or inexplicable revelations and that is why The Torrent (Harper Collins Australia) is such an outstanding and clever book.
So happy there is more Kate Miles to come.
August 10, 2022
2.5 rounded down
This is yet another in the current wave of Australian crime fiction. Set in Northern New South Wales Detective Kate Miles is 8 months pregnant and investigating a robbery at the same time as being tasked with re-examining an older case of drowning.
This was an ok read. A very simple read and I wonder if that was my problem, it was too simplistic. There is a degree of repetition in the writing, I grew tired of the pregnancy issues, I also struggled with the various threads and the then and now chapters. Admittedly the author did bring these together, but it felt unsatisfactory and somewhat far fetched. There was, what felt like a degree of box ticking - the inclusion of a gay character, the fact that the protagonist is part Asian heritage etc. - why, what did these add to the plot or the characters, nothing? The skip from the drama at the time of resolution, which simply stops/ends, to turn the page to some months later was a poor choice. I feel like the publisher/editor could have contributed more to tighten this debut novel. While I would not refuse to read book 2 in this series when it comes out I hope the author's plotting, characters and overall writing improves with experience and that those subjects raised and not fulfilled within this story gain some purpose in the next. I will also admit that I have read a lot of Australian crime of late so it might be time for a break.
This is yet another in the current wave of Australian crime fiction. Set in Northern New South Wales Detective Kate Miles is 8 months pregnant and investigating a robbery at the same time as being tasked with re-examining an older case of drowning.
This was an ok read. A very simple read and I wonder if that was my problem, it was too simplistic. There is a degree of repetition in the writing, I grew tired of the pregnancy issues, I also struggled with the various threads and the then and now chapters. Admittedly the author did bring these together, but it felt unsatisfactory and somewhat far fetched. There was, what felt like a degree of box ticking - the inclusion of a gay character, the fact that the protagonist is part Asian heritage etc. - why, what did these add to the plot or the characters, nothing? The skip from the drama at the time of resolution, which simply stops/ends, to turn the page to some months later was a poor choice. I feel like the publisher/editor could have contributed more to tighten this debut novel. While I would not refuse to read book 2 in this series when it comes out I hope the author's plotting, characters and overall writing improves with experience and that those subjects raised and not fulfilled within this story gain some purpose in the next. I will also admit that I have read a lot of Australian crime of late so it might be time for a break.
February 19, 2022
An exciting and heartbreaking Aussie debut. I'd give it six stars if I could
April 13, 2022
Yeah, just OK. Look! Certainly not bad. The writing was good, the plot was decent, I just didn’t get hooked. I have read a bit of Australian crime of late and this was my least favourite.
April 26, 2024
Rep: Sri Lankan Australian mc, gay side character
December 25, 2022
Two things drew me to The Torrent by Dinuka McKenzie. Booksta (of course) and the setting of the Tweed Region (where I lived for thirty years!) It really was a trip down memory lane for me, recognising locations that were mentioned!
As a former local, let me tell you how accurate Dinuka has described the flood that makes up most of the plot. They are terrible, fearful and also extremely deadly. I personally can recall the major floods as a child and the panic they caused.
Detective Kate Miles is a resident of the area too. Three months ago, another torrent took the life of local legend Joel Marshall. His wife, Gabby survived and is now taking the full force of anger and blame from her husband's mother. Now, Annette has requested for the initial findings to be reviewed, convinced that they have been falsified. It should be an easy task for Kate to tick off before she heads off on maternity leave- until a seed of doubt enters her mind that is!
Meanwhile, there's the brutal attack of a teenage McDonald's worker to investigate as well. Are the two cases linked? That's a lot for Kate to take on so close to her due date and of course she's under immense pressure to close both investigations off in time.
The Torrent is an impressive debut in the police procedural genre. I'm looking forward to reading Taken when it's released in the new year.
🌟🌟🌟🌟💫/5
As a former local, let me tell you how accurate Dinuka has described the flood that makes up most of the plot. They are terrible, fearful and also extremely deadly. I personally can recall the major floods as a child and the panic they caused.
Detective Kate Miles is a resident of the area too. Three months ago, another torrent took the life of local legend Joel Marshall. His wife, Gabby survived and is now taking the full force of anger and blame from her husband's mother. Now, Annette has requested for the initial findings to be reviewed, convinced that they have been falsified. It should be an easy task for Kate to tick off before she heads off on maternity leave- until a seed of doubt enters her mind that is!
Meanwhile, there's the brutal attack of a teenage McDonald's worker to investigate as well. Are the two cases linked? That's a lot for Kate to take on so close to her due date and of course she's under immense pressure to close both investigations off in time.
The Torrent is an impressive debut in the police procedural genre. I'm looking forward to reading Taken when it's released in the new year.
🌟🌟🌟🌟💫/5
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