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Detective Kate Miles #3
Tipping Point
A suicide. A shooting. And a reckoning, decades in the making. Weeks from Christmas in the sweltering heat of summer, Detective Kate Miles’ estranged brother, Luke Grayling, returns home to Esserton to farewell a childhood friend – Ant Reed, dead by suicide. Within days of the funeral, another young man, Marcus Rowntree, is found shot dead in the back paddock of his property.
Almost twenty years ago, Luke, Ant and Marcus were best mates in high school and now two of the three friends are dead. A tragic coincidence? Or is there something more sinister connecting the three men?
When Luke is identified as a person of interest in Marcus’s death, Kate once again finds herself in the middle of a media storm, sidelined from the case and battling accusations of conflict of interest. As press attention deepens, and uncomfortable truths about Luke’s personal life and past events come to light, Kate is forced to contend between loyalty to the police force, and the bonds of friendship and blood.
Almost twenty years ago, Luke, Ant and Marcus were best mates in high school and now two of the three friends are dead. A tragic coincidence? Or is there something more sinister connecting the three men?
When Luke is identified as a person of interest in Marcus’s death, Kate once again finds herself in the middle of a media storm, sidelined from the case and battling accusations of conflict of interest. As press attention deepens, and uncomfortable truths about Luke’s personal life and past events come to light, Kate is forced to contend between loyalty to the police force, and the bonds of friendship and blood.
355 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
December 2, 2024
EXCERPT: Kate's phone beeped with a message.
David O'Connell. He's a constable at Boondall. You can trust him. Also, you owe me a drink. Several in fact.
She smiled. The message was from an old colleague. They had attended the academy together, but Celia had ended up moving to Queensland and now worked in the Domestic and Family Violence Command in Brisbane.
Kate glanced at the mobile number that Celia had forwarded. She was still uncertain if she would even make use of it. Frank Reed's distress yesterday had been palpable, but it didn't mean she wanted to start messing around with an interstate case outside of her jurisdiction.
Her phone buzzed again.
I trust you're not poking your nose into something you shouldn't be.
She smiled at that. Sometimes her police friends knew her too well.
ABOUT 'TIPPING POINT': A suicide. A shooting. And a reckoning, decades in the making.
Weeks from Christmas in the sweltering heat of summer, Detective Kate Miles' estranged brother, Luke Grayling, returns home to Esserton to farewell a childhood friend - Ant Reed, dead by suicide. Within days of the funeral, another young man, Marcus Rowntree, is found shot dead in the back paddock of his property.
Almost twenty years ago, Luke, Ant and Marcus were best mates in high school and now two of the three friends are dead. A tragic coincidence? Or is there something more sinister connecting the three men?
When Luke is identified as a person of interest in Marcus's death, Kate once again finds herself in the middle of a media storm, sidelined from the case and battling accusations of conflict of interest. As press attention deepens, and uncomfortable truths about Luke's personal life and past events come to light, Kate is forced to contend between loyalty to the police force, and the bonds of friendship and blood.
MY THOUGHTS: I didn't realise, when I picked this up, that it was #3 in a series but honestly, it works fine as a stand-alone.
Tipping Point puts Kate in an untenable position when two of her brother's closest friends die in quick succession and it is soon revealed that Luke has not been open and honest about what has been happening in his life. With the revelation, Kate has to step back from the case. But that doesn't mean she's going to stop investigating on her own . . .
A scintillating blend of Detective fiction and family drama, Tipping Point is both tense and compelling. The plot incorporates the topics of unconsented social media sharing (sexploitation), mental health, suicide and toxic work environments.
The present-day narrative is occasionally interspersed with flashback chapters covering the times when Ant, Marcus and Luke were in their party animal years. This gives quite revealing glimpses of their characters and begs the question: do leopards change their spots?
With both of Luke's childhood best friends dead, Kate can't help but wonder is Luke next, or is he responsible? She is torn between family loyalty and loyalty to her police team and finds herself juggling her life trying to keep everyone happy including her currently unemployed husband. Of course, something has to give . . .
This book is cleverly plotted and well executed. It is compelling reading, and I enjoyed every moment of it. The denouement is excellent - a revelation I had never expected nor even considered, but one that was perfectly plausible and fitting.
I will be finding copies of the first two books of this series to read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.4
#TippingPoint #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: Dinuka McKenzie is an Australian writer and the author of the Detective Kate Miles crime series. Dinuka lives with her family in Southern Sydney on Dharawal country.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins Publishers, Australia, for providing a digital ARC of Tipping Point by Dinuka McKenzie for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
https://www.instagram.com/p/DDD1UyVvp...
David O'Connell. He's a constable at Boondall. You can trust him. Also, you owe me a drink. Several in fact.
She smiled. The message was from an old colleague. They had attended the academy together, but Celia had ended up moving to Queensland and now worked in the Domestic and Family Violence Command in Brisbane.
Kate glanced at the mobile number that Celia had forwarded. She was still uncertain if she would even make use of it. Frank Reed's distress yesterday had been palpable, but it didn't mean she wanted to start messing around with an interstate case outside of her jurisdiction.
Her phone buzzed again.
I trust you're not poking your nose into something you shouldn't be.
She smiled at that. Sometimes her police friends knew her too well.
ABOUT 'TIPPING POINT': A suicide. A shooting. And a reckoning, decades in the making.
Weeks from Christmas in the sweltering heat of summer, Detective Kate Miles' estranged brother, Luke Grayling, returns home to Esserton to farewell a childhood friend - Ant Reed, dead by suicide. Within days of the funeral, another young man, Marcus Rowntree, is found shot dead in the back paddock of his property.
Almost twenty years ago, Luke, Ant and Marcus were best mates in high school and now two of the three friends are dead. A tragic coincidence? Or is there something more sinister connecting the three men?
When Luke is identified as a person of interest in Marcus's death, Kate once again finds herself in the middle of a media storm, sidelined from the case and battling accusations of conflict of interest. As press attention deepens, and uncomfortable truths about Luke's personal life and past events come to light, Kate is forced to contend between loyalty to the police force, and the bonds of friendship and blood.
MY THOUGHTS: I didn't realise, when I picked this up, that it was #3 in a series but honestly, it works fine as a stand-alone.
Tipping Point puts Kate in an untenable position when two of her brother's closest friends die in quick succession and it is soon revealed that Luke has not been open and honest about what has been happening in his life. With the revelation, Kate has to step back from the case. But that doesn't mean she's going to stop investigating on her own . . .
A scintillating blend of Detective fiction and family drama, Tipping Point is both tense and compelling. The plot incorporates the topics of unconsented social media sharing (sexploitation), mental health, suicide and toxic work environments.
The present-day narrative is occasionally interspersed with flashback chapters covering the times when Ant, Marcus and Luke were in their party animal years. This gives quite revealing glimpses of their characters and begs the question: do leopards change their spots?
With both of Luke's childhood best friends dead, Kate can't help but wonder is Luke next, or is he responsible? She is torn between family loyalty and loyalty to her police team and finds herself juggling her life trying to keep everyone happy including her currently unemployed husband. Of course, something has to give . . .
This book is cleverly plotted and well executed. It is compelling reading, and I enjoyed every moment of it. The denouement is excellent - a revelation I had never expected nor even considered, but one that was perfectly plausible and fitting.
I will be finding copies of the first two books of this series to read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.4
#TippingPoint #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: Dinuka McKenzie is an Australian writer and the author of the Detective Kate Miles crime series. Dinuka lives with her family in Southern Sydney on Dharawal country.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Collins Publishers, Australia, for providing a digital ARC of Tipping Point by Dinuka McKenzie for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
https://www.instagram.com/p/DDD1UyVvp...
January 23, 2024
The 3rd book in the DS Kate Miles series, Tipping Point once again conspires to ensure Kate’s working life is anything but straight forward. This is an Australian police procedural crime novel that blazes like the sun above its northern New South Wales setting and presents a terrible reckoning for three former school friends.
Kate’s brother Luke has returned home to attend the funeral of Ant, one of his childhood friends but he’s brought with him secrets and a bad attitude. Ant’s death is ruled a suicide and that’s certainly what it looks like, but his father doesn’t believe it and approaches Kate at the wake asking her to look into it for him. Not only is it not her case, it’s not even in her state and essentially demurs.
Then Marcus Rowntree is found dead, a gunshot wound that appears to have been accidental as he was attempting to climb over a fence. But was it an accident? The last person known to have seen Marcus was Luke. The problem is, Kate went and told Luke of his former best mate’s death the next morning, a clear breach of police protocol and a clear sign that she has a conflict of interest in the case.
Not for the first time she’s removed from an active case that she’s supposed to be leading and the media scrutiny she’s always been so wary of is bound to start up again. And to top things off, the replacement being brought in to take over the case is her recent nemesis, DS Josh Ellis.
There is a use of flashback chapters that are interspersed between the present day narrative and they recount earlier events in the lives of Ant, Marcus and Luke. They serve to set the groundwork for an explanation about what’s happening to them today and they prove quite effective at giving us a good idea about their true personalities, not to mention potential motives for why two of them are dead.
At its core, Tipping Point is a police procedural drama, but apart from Kate we get very little sense of the actual police work performed by her fellow officers apart from at a very superficial level. And, for the third book in a row, Kate has been hampered in some way, this time through police protocol which has seen her being stood down. It would be nice to see her in action, running an investigation with the full support of superiors and colleagues alike.
A couple of untimely deaths, her brother somehow mixed up in it, family tensions running rife and cast aside at work. Kate is compelled to find out more, even if it’s just to assure herself that Luke is all right. But he is keeping secrets, that’s for sure.
From a bustling start that built up the promise of a great deal of intrigue, there was a distinct loss of momentum at around the two-thirds mark. This was due to a series of side issues that tended to distract from the main story rather than enhance it. I even found myself losing interest at times and nearly missed the crucial piece of information that drew everything together.
I’m looking forward to seeing what lies in store for Kate Miles and her extended family. She appears to be a highly accomplished investigator, I hope she gets more of a chance to showcase her talents.
My thanks to HarperCollins via NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC to allow me to read, enjoy and review this book.
Kate’s brother Luke has returned home to attend the funeral of Ant, one of his childhood friends but he’s brought with him secrets and a bad attitude. Ant’s death is ruled a suicide and that’s certainly what it looks like, but his father doesn’t believe it and approaches Kate at the wake asking her to look into it for him. Not only is it not her case, it’s not even in her state and essentially demurs.
Then Marcus Rowntree is found dead, a gunshot wound that appears to have been accidental as he was attempting to climb over a fence. But was it an accident? The last person known to have seen Marcus was Luke. The problem is, Kate went and told Luke of his former best mate’s death the next morning, a clear breach of police protocol and a clear sign that she has a conflict of interest in the case.
Not for the first time she’s removed from an active case that she’s supposed to be leading and the media scrutiny she’s always been so wary of is bound to start up again. And to top things off, the replacement being brought in to take over the case is her recent nemesis, DS Josh Ellis.
There is a use of flashback chapters that are interspersed between the present day narrative and they recount earlier events in the lives of Ant, Marcus and Luke. They serve to set the groundwork for an explanation about what’s happening to them today and they prove quite effective at giving us a good idea about their true personalities, not to mention potential motives for why two of them are dead.
At its core, Tipping Point is a police procedural drama, but apart from Kate we get very little sense of the actual police work performed by her fellow officers apart from at a very superficial level. And, for the third book in a row, Kate has been hampered in some way, this time through police protocol which has seen her being stood down. It would be nice to see her in action, running an investigation with the full support of superiors and colleagues alike.
A couple of untimely deaths, her brother somehow mixed up in it, family tensions running rife and cast aside at work. Kate is compelled to find out more, even if it’s just to assure herself that Luke is all right. But he is keeping secrets, that’s for sure.
From a bustling start that built up the promise of a great deal of intrigue, there was a distinct loss of momentum at around the two-thirds mark. This was due to a series of side issues that tended to distract from the main story rather than enhance it. I even found myself losing interest at times and nearly missed the crucial piece of information that drew everything together.
I’m looking forward to seeing what lies in store for Kate Miles and her extended family. She appears to be a highly accomplished investigator, I hope she gets more of a chance to showcase her talents.
My thanks to HarperCollins via NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC to allow me to read, enjoy and review this book.
August 5, 2024
Luke Grayling returned home to Esserton from Sydney, to attend the funeral of one of his school friends, Anthony (Ant) Reed. Luke's sister, Detective Kate Miles, was pleased to have him home, but wondered what would happen when he and their father got together. Kate's temporary chief, Leo Esposito, had only recently arrived at the station, when another person was found dead, shot while he was drunk, out the back of his property. Was it an accident; the drink causing him to be careless? But to Kate, something didn't add up - Ant, Marcus and Luke were best friends at school, and now both Ant and Marcus were gone. Was Luke next?
When the police discovered Luke was the last person to see Marcus alive, he immediately became a person of interest. And when Luke disappeared, it didn't make things easier for him. With Kate on leave, taken off the case because of conflict of interest, she was disgruntled at not being kept in the loop. Kate was in a quandary - loyalty to her brother and the family vying with loyalty to the job. What would be the outcome?
Tipping Point is the 3rd in the Detective Kate Miles series by Aussie author Dinuka McKenzie and I enjoyed it. Set in country New South Wales, not far from the Queensland border, the countryside is harsh and unforgiving. The heat of the summer heading into Christmas was unrelenting - Kate loved her home town. Recommended.
When the police discovered Luke was the last person to see Marcus alive, he immediately became a person of interest. And when Luke disappeared, it didn't make things easier for him. With Kate on leave, taken off the case because of conflict of interest, she was disgruntled at not being kept in the loop. Kate was in a quandary - loyalty to her brother and the family vying with loyalty to the job. What would be the outcome?
Tipping Point is the 3rd in the Detective Kate Miles series by Aussie author Dinuka McKenzie and I enjoyed it. Set in country New South Wales, not far from the Queensland border, the countryside is harsh and unforgiving. The heat of the summer heading into Christmas was unrelenting - Kate loved her home town. Recommended.
June 17, 2024
Tipping Point is the third book in the Detective Kate Miles series by prize-winning Australian author, Dinuka McKenzie. While he’s not telling his family that he’s been fired from his financial consultancy position in Sydney, it does mean that Luke Grayling can attend the funeral in the Northern Rivers town of Esserton of one of his best friends from school.
Ant Reed’s death was deemed suicide by Queensland Police, but Frank Reed is certain his son would never take his own life and, at the funeral, he implores Luke’s sister, Kate Miles, to look into it. But as a NSW Police Detective Sergeant, she has no authority in Queensland.
Luke’s family is surprised when he hangs around after Ant’s funeral, Kate less so when she has to collect him from the River Arms pub after a drunken altercation with a backpacker that leaves him with a black eye, nor by his antagonism towards their father during a family lunch.
Kate is called out of that lunch to attend the scene of a shooting: Marcus Rowntree, the other of Luke’s best friend from school, lies dead in his backyard. Suicide or misadventure? And then the complications begin to pile on: Luke was apparently the last person to see Marcus alive; Marcus is the son of renowned and influential Australian actor, Eric Harrington; the autopsy deems it murder; Luke is suddenly nowhere to be found.
Kate has a history with Esserton’s new Acting Station Chief, Leo Esposito, but he’s being impartial about her close involvement to persons of interest. Kate voluntarily takes leave, excusing herself from the investigation, perhaps a little chagrined that the source of a year’s irritation, Detective Sergeant Josh Ellis will be coming from Byron Bay to take over the case.
But her father, former Esserton CI Arthur Grayling insists she act to help her brother. Running a parallel private investigation into the murder, though, isn’t going to do her career any good. At least they can get him decent legal representation once he turns up.
Luke hasn’t shared the reason he was fired, but the issue has followed him up to the Northern Rivers, or maybe he has followed it. And there’s something from the trio of friends’ past that’s coming home to roost. Leo Esposito also has a touchy matter from his past that’s going to blow up in Esserton, in a big way.
Once again, McKenzie gives the reader a page-turner filled with topical subjects: date rape; sharing of intimate media clips; domestic violence and coercive control; depression and suicide. this is a tightly plotted tale with twists and turns to keep the reader guessing right up to the final reveal. The body count includes one particularly sad loss for Kate, and there are some tension-filled moments as further deaths are narrowly avoided.
Her characters continue to develop, and it will be interesting to see in which direction Kate goes from here. This is McKenzie’s best so far, and more from this talented Aussie author will be eagerly anticipated.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harper Collins Australia.
Ant Reed’s death was deemed suicide by Queensland Police, but Frank Reed is certain his son would never take his own life and, at the funeral, he implores Luke’s sister, Kate Miles, to look into it. But as a NSW Police Detective Sergeant, she has no authority in Queensland.
Luke’s family is surprised when he hangs around after Ant’s funeral, Kate less so when she has to collect him from the River Arms pub after a drunken altercation with a backpacker that leaves him with a black eye, nor by his antagonism towards their father during a family lunch.
Kate is called out of that lunch to attend the scene of a shooting: Marcus Rowntree, the other of Luke’s best friend from school, lies dead in his backyard. Suicide or misadventure? And then the complications begin to pile on: Luke was apparently the last person to see Marcus alive; Marcus is the son of renowned and influential Australian actor, Eric Harrington; the autopsy deems it murder; Luke is suddenly nowhere to be found.
Kate has a history with Esserton’s new Acting Station Chief, Leo Esposito, but he’s being impartial about her close involvement to persons of interest. Kate voluntarily takes leave, excusing herself from the investigation, perhaps a little chagrined that the source of a year’s irritation, Detective Sergeant Josh Ellis will be coming from Byron Bay to take over the case.
But her father, former Esserton CI Arthur Grayling insists she act to help her brother. Running a parallel private investigation into the murder, though, isn’t going to do her career any good. At least they can get him decent legal representation once he turns up.
Luke hasn’t shared the reason he was fired, but the issue has followed him up to the Northern Rivers, or maybe he has followed it. And there’s something from the trio of friends’ past that’s coming home to roost. Leo Esposito also has a touchy matter from his past that’s going to blow up in Esserton, in a big way.
Once again, McKenzie gives the reader a page-turner filled with topical subjects: date rape; sharing of intimate media clips; domestic violence and coercive control; depression and suicide. this is a tightly plotted tale with twists and turns to keep the reader guessing right up to the final reveal. The body count includes one particularly sad loss for Kate, and there are some tension-filled moments as further deaths are narrowly avoided.
Her characters continue to develop, and it will be interesting to see in which direction Kate goes from here. This is McKenzie’s best so far, and more from this talented Aussie author will be eagerly anticipated.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harper Collins Australia.
February 8, 2024
I could not wait for this book, the 3rd book featuring Detective Kate Miles. I was excited when it arrived and dove straight in. I think this may be my favourite of the 3, a page turner from start to finish. Australian crime fiction is on fire right now and I am loving it. Make sure you have plenty of time on your hands as you will not want to put it down.
Kate has certainly got her work cut out for her in Tipping Point. Her brother Like comes back to Esserton for the funeral of his close school friend who has taken his own life. Not long after, another friend is found dead on his property… was it an accident or murder? Luke is the prime suspect and Kate is taken off the case, but can’t help but still investigate.
Another fantastic police procedural. I loved being on this journey with Kate and look forward to what is in store for her next.
Thanks to Harper Collins Australia for sending me an advance copy of this book. Published in Australia January 31st.
Kate has certainly got her work cut out for her in Tipping Point. Her brother Like comes back to Esserton for the funeral of his close school friend who has taken his own life. Not long after, another friend is found dead on his property… was it an accident or murder? Luke is the prime suspect and Kate is taken off the case, but can’t help but still investigate.
Another fantastic police procedural. I loved being on this journey with Kate and look forward to what is in store for her next.
Thanks to Harper Collins Australia for sending me an advance copy of this book. Published in Australia January 31st.
March 7, 2024
This is a bookstagram made me do it author for me. I have seen alot of love for her so decided to give it a go. Im so glad I did as I loved it. I did jump in at number 3 in the series but I read it easily as a standalone. I will definately be reading her other books. I love police procedurals especially ones with a female lead detective and set in Australia. I very much connected to Kate when she had to put her personal feelings aside for the case. I loved how there was so many topics being discussed such as mental health, social media sharing and suicide. Because there was so much going on in the book it held my interest the whole way through and I couldnt put it down.
March 6, 2024
**Thank you to HarperCollins Australia for sending me a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review, published 31 January 2024**
This is the third in a series; you could read it as a standalone but I'd recommend reading the series in order or you'll miss important character background information. This storyline heavily impacts main character Kate's family as her brother is implicated as a person of interest in his high school friend's death. Obviously as Kate is in the local police, it puts her in a seriously awkward position which results in her being removed from the case. The storyline alternates between the current timeline with some flashbacks to a "then" timeline which plainly relates to current events but it is only near the end that all becomes clear. This is a well-written crime mystery that I enjoyed.
This is the third in a series; you could read it as a standalone but I'd recommend reading the series in order or you'll miss important character background information. This storyline heavily impacts main character Kate's family as her brother is implicated as a person of interest in his high school friend's death. Obviously as Kate is in the local police, it puts her in a seriously awkward position which results in her being removed from the case. The storyline alternates between the current timeline with some flashbacks to a "then" timeline which plainly relates to current events but it is only near the end that all becomes clear. This is a well-written crime mystery that I enjoyed.
June 17, 2024
Tipping Point is the third book in the Detective Kate Miles series by prize-winning Australian author, Dinuka McKenzie. The audio version is narrated by Elizabeth Brennan. While he’s not telling his family that he’s been fired from his financial consultancy position in Sydney, it does mean that Luke Grayling can attend the funeral in the Northern Rivers town of Esserton of one of his best friends from school.
Ant Reed’s death was deemed suicide by Queensland Police, but Frank Reed is certain his son would never take his own life and, at the funeral, he implores Luke’s sister, Kate Miles, to look into it. But as a NSW Police Detective Sergeant, she has no authority in Queensland.
Luke’s family is surprised when he hangs around after Ant’s funeral, Kate less so when she has to collect him from the River Arms pub after a drunken altercation with a backpacker that leaves him with a black eye, nor by his antagonism towards their father during a family lunch.
Kate is called out of that lunch to attend the scene of a shooting: Marcus Rowntree, the other of Luke’s best friend from school, lies dead in his backyard. Suicide or misadventure? And then the complications begin to pile on: Luke was apparently the last person to see Marcus alive; Marcus is the son of renowned and influential Australian actor, Eric Harrington; the autopsy deems it murder; Luke is suddenly nowhere to be found.
Kate has a history with Esserton’s new Acting Station Chief, Leo Esposito, but he’s being impartial about her close involvement to persons of interest. Kate voluntarily takes leave, excusing herself from the investigation, perhaps a little chagrined that the source of a year’s irritation, Detective Sergeant Josh Ellis will be coming from Byron Bay to take over the case.
But her father, former Esserton CI Arthur Grayling insists she act to help her brother. Running a parallel private investigation into the murder, though, isn’t going to do her career any good. At least they can get him decent legal representation once he turns up.
Luke hasn’t shared the reason he was fired, but the issue has followed him up to the Northern Rivers, or maybe he has followed it. And there’s something from the trio of friends’ past that’s coming home to roost. Leo Esposito also has a touchy matter from his past that’s going to blow up in Esserton, in a big way.
Once again, McKenzie gives the reader a page-turner filled with topical subjects: date rape; sharing of intimate media clips; domestic violence and coercive control; depression and suicide. this is a tightly plotted tale with twists and turns to keep the reader guessing right up to the final reveal. The body count includes one particularly sad loss for Kate, and there are some tension-filled moments as further deaths are narrowly avoided.
Her characters continue to develop, and it will be interesting to see in which direction Kate goes from here. This is McKenzie’s best so far, and more from this talented Aussie author will be eagerly anticipated.
Ant Reed’s death was deemed suicide by Queensland Police, but Frank Reed is certain his son would never take his own life and, at the funeral, he implores Luke’s sister, Kate Miles, to look into it. But as a NSW Police Detective Sergeant, she has no authority in Queensland.
Luke’s family is surprised when he hangs around after Ant’s funeral, Kate less so when she has to collect him from the River Arms pub after a drunken altercation with a backpacker that leaves him with a black eye, nor by his antagonism towards their father during a family lunch.
Kate is called out of that lunch to attend the scene of a shooting: Marcus Rowntree, the other of Luke’s best friend from school, lies dead in his backyard. Suicide or misadventure? And then the complications begin to pile on: Luke was apparently the last person to see Marcus alive; Marcus is the son of renowned and influential Australian actor, Eric Harrington; the autopsy deems it murder; Luke is suddenly nowhere to be found.
Kate has a history with Esserton’s new Acting Station Chief, Leo Esposito, but he’s being impartial about her close involvement to persons of interest. Kate voluntarily takes leave, excusing herself from the investigation, perhaps a little chagrined that the source of a year’s irritation, Detective Sergeant Josh Ellis will be coming from Byron Bay to take over the case.
But her father, former Esserton CI Arthur Grayling insists she act to help her brother. Running a parallel private investigation into the murder, though, isn’t going to do her career any good. At least they can get him decent legal representation once he turns up.
Luke hasn’t shared the reason he was fired, but the issue has followed him up to the Northern Rivers, or maybe he has followed it. And there’s something from the trio of friends’ past that’s coming home to roost. Leo Esposito also has a touchy matter from his past that’s going to blow up in Esserton, in a big way.
Once again, McKenzie gives the reader a page-turner filled with topical subjects: date rape; sharing of intimate media clips; domestic violence and coercive control; depression and suicide. this is a tightly plotted tale with twists and turns to keep the reader guessing right up to the final reveal. The body count includes one particularly sad loss for Kate, and there are some tension-filled moments as further deaths are narrowly avoided.
Her characters continue to develop, and it will be interesting to see in which direction Kate goes from here. This is McKenzie’s best so far, and more from this talented Aussie author will be eagerly anticipated.
January 31, 2024
Detective Kate Miles is back in Tipping Point by Dinuka McKenzie, the third book in the series featuring the likeable detective balancing her job and life with her husband, two kids and various relatives who seem to come to the attention of police far more than she'd like.
I note (in her acknowledgements) McKenzie talks about the challenges with this manuscript and it doesn't show as it's a great read (possibly my favourite of the series), starting with the death of a friend of Kate's older brother (Luke) who seems to dip in and out of Kate's life. He returns for the funeral and - unfortunately - is there when another of his old mates dies. And even more unfortunately, Luke was at the scene just before the time of death.
I'm really enjoying this series that offers an excellent balance of action and personal-life nuance. McKenzie ends this with changes afoot so I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
I note (in her acknowledgements) McKenzie talks about the challenges with this manuscript and it doesn't show as it's a great read (possibly my favourite of the series), starting with the death of a friend of Kate's older brother (Luke) who seems to dip in and out of Kate's life. He returns for the funeral and - unfortunately - is there when another of his old mates dies. And even more unfortunately, Luke was at the scene just before the time of death.
I'm really enjoying this series that offers an excellent balance of action and personal-life nuance. McKenzie ends this with changes afoot so I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
July 25, 2024
Home is where the secrets are!
Northern Rivers NSW. Kate Miles is a cop who’s returned to work in her home town of Esserton.
But now two men are dead, childhood friends of her brother Luke. One, Antony Reed in Sydney, the other Marcus Rowntree, son of a local film star. Marcus appears to have fallen and shot himself whilst out in the paddocks drunk, taking potshots at rabbits.
Luke, Kate’s brother has come home for Marcus’ funeral and to escape the fallout from a sex scandal with a coworker and the very real possibility of charges being laid, is viewed as a possible suspect in Marcus’ death.
Kate finds herself relegated to the back row when the new acting commander of the station turns up. He turns out to be an ex lover. Kate’s been trying to move forward with her marriage and career, thus the relocation.
Career and family relations have become even more complicated. Even more so when Ant’s father claims his son was murdered and wants Kate to investigate.
A novel heavy with atmosphere, feelings of oppression and hints of time moving slowly coalescing in a moment of revelation.
A Canelo ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Northern Rivers NSW. Kate Miles is a cop who’s returned to work in her home town of Esserton.
But now two men are dead, childhood friends of her brother Luke. One, Antony Reed in Sydney, the other Marcus Rowntree, son of a local film star. Marcus appears to have fallen and shot himself whilst out in the paddocks drunk, taking potshots at rabbits.
Luke, Kate’s brother has come home for Marcus’ funeral and to escape the fallout from a sex scandal with a coworker and the very real possibility of charges being laid, is viewed as a possible suspect in Marcus’ death.
Kate finds herself relegated to the back row when the new acting commander of the station turns up. He turns out to be an ex lover. Kate’s been trying to move forward with her marriage and career, thus the relocation.
Career and family relations have become even more complicated. Even more so when Ant’s father claims his son was murdered and wants Kate to investigate.
A novel heavy with atmosphere, feelings of oppression and hints of time moving slowly coalescing in a moment of revelation.
A Canelo ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
March 6, 2024
⭐️4 Stars⭐️
Tipping Point is the latest compelling Aussie crime thriller by Dinuka McKenzie featuring Detective Kate Miles a mum, wife and a detective. Kate finds the pressure crushing when a o member of her family is put under suspicion of a crime. Kate is a likeable and realistic character who I really warmed to.
The story also centres around Luke, Kate’s estranged brother who returns to his rural home town of Esserton for the funeral of one of his childhood best friends from school. Not long after another man and old mate from school is found dead, shot on his property.
Something doesn’t add up, could the deaths of these men be connected or pure coincidence? A media storm erupts and Kate is swiftly taken off the case.
The author is a skilled storyteller and writes a solid mystery with just enough intrigue and suspense. I really enjoyed this read and the family drama unfolding, I will be watching out for copies of the author’s back list titles of The Torrent and Taken.
There’s themes of suicide, revenge, murder, mental health, addiction and misogyny.
A perfect bend of family drama, action and crime.
Publication Date 31 January 2024
Publisher Harper Collins AU
Thank you so much Harper Collins Australia for a copy of the book.
Tipping Point is the latest compelling Aussie crime thriller by Dinuka McKenzie featuring Detective Kate Miles a mum, wife and a detective. Kate finds the pressure crushing when a o member of her family is put under suspicion of a crime. Kate is a likeable and realistic character who I really warmed to.
The story also centres around Luke, Kate’s estranged brother who returns to his rural home town of Esserton for the funeral of one of his childhood best friends from school. Not long after another man and old mate from school is found dead, shot on his property.
Something doesn’t add up, could the deaths of these men be connected or pure coincidence? A media storm erupts and Kate is swiftly taken off the case.
The author is a skilled storyteller and writes a solid mystery with just enough intrigue and suspense. I really enjoyed this read and the family drama unfolding, I will be watching out for copies of the author’s back list titles of The Torrent and Taken.
There’s themes of suicide, revenge, murder, mental health, addiction and misogyny.
A perfect bend of family drama, action and crime.
Publication Date 31 January 2024
Publisher Harper Collins AU
Thank you so much Harper Collins Australia for a copy of the book.
February 12, 2024
Thank you Harper Collins for sending us a copy to read and review.
A Dinuka book is like an explosion aftermath….. the words are the fragments of the intensity and the carnage.
This brilliance is the third book in this well written series and is to be applauded.
Detective Kate Miles is back.
Her brother Luke has arrived in town for a funeral for one of his best mates.
Home being a good fallback after losing his corporate job in Sydney.
Tensions are running high between him and his father, grief and his unsettled mood set off a moment that he will regret.
The sudden death of a second best friend lands him in front of the police as a suspect.
Putting Kate in a desperate situation.
Kate is torn between her role as a police officer and loyalty to her brother.
Unofficially she desperately tries to work out the facts and who is hiding the truth.
Now I will confess, this did magically climb to the top of my TBR pile and the journey it took me on was well crafted, twisty and very solid.
I was left wondering if Kate will reappear in the future or will a new cast form the next story from this talented author.
A Dinuka book is like an explosion aftermath….. the words are the fragments of the intensity and the carnage.
This brilliance is the third book in this well written series and is to be applauded.
Detective Kate Miles is back.
Her brother Luke has arrived in town for a funeral for one of his best mates.
Home being a good fallback after losing his corporate job in Sydney.
Tensions are running high between him and his father, grief and his unsettled mood set off a moment that he will regret.
The sudden death of a second best friend lands him in front of the police as a suspect.
Putting Kate in a desperate situation.
Kate is torn between her role as a police officer and loyalty to her brother.
Unofficially she desperately tries to work out the facts and who is hiding the truth.
Now I will confess, this did magically climb to the top of my TBR pile and the journey it took me on was well crafted, twisty and very solid.
I was left wondering if Kate will reappear in the future or will a new cast form the next story from this talented author.
March 6, 2024
Oh dear .. after a suicide and a murder this plot goes nowhere . So disappointing ! For 60% there was no red herring no excitement just boring dialogue that did not further the plot or create any tension …
January 20, 2024
WOW! That was intense! I think I forgot to breathe!!
Dinuka you had me on the edge of my seat and I thought I had worked it out but nope I never would have guessed this!My heart is racing! What an action packed murder mystery! Fabulous detective work.
I found myself thinking, imagine being Detective Kate Miles and having to deal with all of this 🤯 I also put myself in Luke’s shoes and that was also 🤯 I did this a lot throughout the book because it was all so full on. When I thought this couldn’t possibly get any better, I was totally wrong! It certainly ramped up and had the best ending that I’m very happy with.
An Australian crime novel at its finest! If you love crime, mystery, twists and being completely engaged, then you need to read this!
Many thanks to the team at @harpercollinsaustralia for sending me a copy to read and review.
Dinuka you had me on the edge of my seat and I thought I had worked it out but nope I never would have guessed this!My heart is racing! What an action packed murder mystery! Fabulous detective work.
I found myself thinking, imagine being Detective Kate Miles and having to deal with all of this 🤯 I also put myself in Luke’s shoes and that was also 🤯 I did this a lot throughout the book because it was all so full on. When I thought this couldn’t possibly get any better, I was totally wrong! It certainly ramped up and had the best ending that I’m very happy with.
An Australian crime novel at its finest! If you love crime, mystery, twists and being completely engaged, then you need to read this!
Many thanks to the team at @harpercollinsaustralia for sending me a copy to read and review.
January 29, 2024
I was itching to get my hands on Tipping Point and I was not disappointed. This is atmospheric, tense and so clever. I love Kate. I loved the way the story was told. Goodness I hope this town gets some respite now, although already looking forward to the next Dinuka McKenzie!!!!!!!! Thank you Harper Collins for letting me read an early copy!!
July 26, 2024
Not bad, not great, didn't thrill me, didn't disappoint me, not what I expected, rather slow, generic setting, got bored with characters and called it quits.
June 12, 2024
Tipping Point is book three in the Detective Kate Miles series by Dinuka McKenzie. When Luke Grayling loses his job in the city, and his childhood friend dies, he returns home to Esserton to farewell his friend. However, a couple of days after his return, another one of his friends, Marcus Rowntree, dies, and Luke becomes the prime suspect, and his sister, Detective Kate Miles, is removed from the case. The readers of Tipping Point will continue to follow Detective Kate Miles and Luke Grayling to discover what happens.
Tipping Point, a masterfully crafted crime mystery by Dinuka McKenzie, will keep you captivated from start to finish. The author's ability to maintain a high engagement level is commendable. It kept me glued to my chair, eagerly turning the pages to uncover the next puzzle piece. I love Dinuka McKenzie's portrayal of her characters and the way they interact with each other throughout this book. Tipping Point is well-written and researched. I like Dinuka McKenzie's description of the settings of Tipping Point, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of Tipping Point will learn about the devastating effects on all law enforcement officers when one of them dies on the job and the consequences when a raid goes wrong.
I recommend this book.
Tipping Point, a masterfully crafted crime mystery by Dinuka McKenzie, will keep you captivated from start to finish. The author's ability to maintain a high engagement level is commendable. It kept me glued to my chair, eagerly turning the pages to uncover the next puzzle piece. I love Dinuka McKenzie's portrayal of her characters and the way they interact with each other throughout this book. Tipping Point is well-written and researched. I like Dinuka McKenzie's description of the settings of Tipping Point, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of Tipping Point will learn about the devastating effects on all law enforcement officers when one of them dies on the job and the consequences when a raid goes wrong.
I recommend this book.
March 4, 2024
Tipping Point is the third book by Aussie author, Dinuka McKenzie, featuring detective Kate Miles. I've read The Torrent, Book 1, in which Kate is about to have her first baby, but I've not read Taken, the second book.
Tipping Point steps in with the second of Kate's kids now a not-quite toddler. I found myself quickly remembering the characters from The Torrent, such as Kate's father, Gray; her husband, Geoff, and the mish-mash of cop characters Josh, Darnley and Harris. It didn't take much to feel at home with the familiar faces and the setting of country town Esserton.
I like rural settings for crime stories, much along the lines of Jane Harper, or Chris Hamer, and I love Australian women writers. So in short, this book is my kind of jam.
And I did enjoy it. But one of the characters annoyed me so much, it meant I didn't love it. My mum on the other hand, who read it after me - she thought it was great. She didn't pick the perp, and found it an absolute page-turner. Mum hasn't read the other Kate Miles books.
As the story begins, Kate's brother Luke heads home to country Esserton, jobless, and heart-broken, to attend the funeral of an old school buddy. For various reasons, Luke quickly alienates his family, and soon, to go with regrets over the incident that lost him his job, he becomes a prime suspect in the death of the second of his former school buddies.
This is about when Luke began to annoy me. There are many spats between Luke, Kate and their father, and Luke keeps running away when he needs to man up and tell the truth about his career and the loss of his job. For someone in the crosshairs of the law as a person of interest, he is incredibly blasé about the trouble he's in (preferring beers and weed to make it all go away.)
Kate as a heroine is easy to root for as she constantly strives for recognition and standing in a mostly-male dominated industry. She's a new mum with a young family, trying to find time to 'fit' everything in and share herself between home and family, plus trying to get her brother and her father back on firmer ground with their own relationship. As a reader, it's not hard to find a kinship with Kate and wish her well.
We learn quite early in the story that the reason these three old school buddies, Ant, Marcus and Luke, are in a killer's sights relates to an incident at a party when they were 18.
But Luke doesn't take anything seriously, he's too caught up in what has gone wrong at his workplace, and given he doesn't connect the deaths of Ant and Marcus to the 18th birthday party, he's not aware he's next on the list until right at the end.
While Tipping Point is a solid and enjoyable read, I never quite felt that tension that I recall from The Torrent. So for me, the crime/mystery element of Tipping Point fell short, but I really did enjoy the characters, particularly Kate and her family, and the broader small-town police network and what they go through in the name of the job.
Tipping Point steps in with the second of Kate's kids now a not-quite toddler. I found myself quickly remembering the characters from The Torrent, such as Kate's father, Gray; her husband, Geoff, and the mish-mash of cop characters Josh, Darnley and Harris. It didn't take much to feel at home with the familiar faces and the setting of country town Esserton.
I like rural settings for crime stories, much along the lines of Jane Harper, or Chris Hamer, and I love Australian women writers. So in short, this book is my kind of jam.
And I did enjoy it. But one of the characters annoyed me so much, it meant I didn't love it. My mum on the other hand, who read it after me - she thought it was great. She didn't pick the perp, and found it an absolute page-turner. Mum hasn't read the other Kate Miles books.
As the story begins, Kate's brother Luke heads home to country Esserton, jobless, and heart-broken, to attend the funeral of an old school buddy. For various reasons, Luke quickly alienates his family, and soon, to go with regrets over the incident that lost him his job, he becomes a prime suspect in the death of the second of his former school buddies.
This is about when Luke began to annoy me. There are many spats between Luke, Kate and their father, and Luke keeps running away when he needs to man up and tell the truth about his career and the loss of his job. For someone in the crosshairs of the law as a person of interest, he is incredibly blasé about the trouble he's in (preferring beers and weed to make it all go away.)
Kate as a heroine is easy to root for as she constantly strives for recognition and standing in a mostly-male dominated industry. She's a new mum with a young family, trying to find time to 'fit' everything in and share herself between home and family, plus trying to get her brother and her father back on firmer ground with their own relationship. As a reader, it's not hard to find a kinship with Kate and wish her well.
We learn quite early in the story that the reason these three old school buddies, Ant, Marcus and Luke, are in a killer's sights relates to an incident at a party when they were 18.
But Luke doesn't take anything seriously, he's too caught up in what has gone wrong at his workplace, and given he doesn't connect the deaths of Ant and Marcus to the 18th birthday party, he's not aware he's next on the list until right at the end.
While Tipping Point is a solid and enjoyable read, I never quite felt that tension that I recall from The Torrent. So for me, the crime/mystery element of Tipping Point fell short, but I really did enjoy the characters, particularly Kate and her family, and the broader small-town police network and what they go through in the name of the job.
February 22, 2024
This one started well but lost steam. It played out very similar to the previous two in the series. There are so many Aussie crime novels on the market and this one just didn’t stand out. The ending of this allows for a change of direction for possibly the next in the series.
March 2, 2024
This is a book in parts, from the viewpoint of different people and at different timelines to bring it all together. But it is mostly about the present and the deaths of two high schools friends where it seems the third in the group may either be in some sort of trouble too! Luke, Ant and Marcus were best mates in high school and now Ant and Marcus are dead. Was it suicide or something a bit more sinister?
This is a book that has twist and turns aplenty and kept me on the edge of my seat. I had no idea where the story would go or end up which is great as it kept me turning the pages. There were so many overlapping stories of each of the main characters but it didn't get muddled or confusing which made it easy to read.
The story is well written and really is about the lives of the people in it and what happened in the past to make the people they are in the present. It is a very interesting read but I must say I was a bit disappointed with the ending as it seemed, for me, to fall a bit flat. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing what comes next for Detective Kate Miles.
Tipping Point
Dinuka McKenzie
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.
This is a book that has twist and turns aplenty and kept me on the edge of my seat. I had no idea where the story would go or end up which is great as it kept me turning the pages. There were so many overlapping stories of each of the main characters but it didn't get muddled or confusing which made it easy to read.
The story is well written and really is about the lives of the people in it and what happened in the past to make the people they are in the present. It is a very interesting read but I must say I was a bit disappointed with the ending as it seemed, for me, to fall a bit flat. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to seeing what comes next for Detective Kate Miles.
Tipping Point
Dinuka McKenzie
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.
November 9, 2025
This was my least favourite of the three. I found Luke quite annoying and Kate is understandably not part of the investigation but this changes the tenor of the novel.
July 28, 2024
moved straight onto McKenzie’s third in her crime series but was disappointed. I felt that she had been rushed into producing a third book and that it suffered from a number of problems, including editorial ones. I thought the plot was derivative and the denouement less than convincing.
The novel begins with the death (apparently by suicide) of a friend of detective Kate’s brother Luke. When further deaths follow, it seems possible that Luke is involved. Kate’s life with her husband and children is settling down but more family problems emerge, not only with Luke but also with Kate’s father, a former police officer.
McKenzie’s aim is partly to show how a woman balances police work and family life. Admirable, but it lacked edge in this novel. Perhaps she needs a rethink.
The novel begins with the death (apparently by suicide) of a friend of detective Kate’s brother Luke. When further deaths follow, it seems possible that Luke is involved. Kate’s life with her husband and children is settling down but more family problems emerge, not only with Luke but also with Kate’s father, a former police officer.
McKenzie’s aim is partly to show how a woman balances police work and family life. Admirable, but it lacked edge in this novel. Perhaps she needs a rethink.
March 2, 2024
When Luke returns to his hometown of Esserton to farewell Ant, a childhood friend who has died by suspected suicide, he doesn't tell his family that he's just been fired from his job. A few days later, when Marcus, another former best friend, dies in a shooting, Luke's world is completely upended. As the last known person to see Marcus, Luke suddenly goes from being a grieving mate to a person of interest. Complicating matters is the fact that his sister, Detective Kate Miles, is leading the investigation. When she is removed from her brother's case after a media storm implies police bias, not even she can be sure of her brother's innocence in light of new information coming to hand, including the reason for his sacking.
I loved this book. It felt as familiar to me as the freckle on my ring finger. I grew up in regional Australia and could relate to the small town dynamics; I used to work for a local newspaper, covering the police and court rounds; and I'm a frequent visitor of the Northern Rivers, where this story is set. It was like reading a story about long ago acquaintances from my old home. It's also Australian police procedural, crime fiction at its best from an exciting new author.
The narrative, shared mainly from Kate and Luke's POVs, had me heading in one direction before detours started popping up everywhere, leaving me scratching my head and glued to my chair. I never would have guessed the ending!
This is the third in the Detective Kate Miles series. I haven't read the first two and, thankfully, I didn't need to for this book to make sense. But I certainly intend to now.
I loved this book. It felt as familiar to me as the freckle on my ring finger. I grew up in regional Australia and could relate to the small town dynamics; I used to work for a local newspaper, covering the police and court rounds; and I'm a frequent visitor of the Northern Rivers, where this story is set. It was like reading a story about long ago acquaintances from my old home. It's also Australian police procedural, crime fiction at its best from an exciting new author.
The narrative, shared mainly from Kate and Luke's POVs, had me heading in one direction before detours started popping up everywhere, leaving me scratching my head and glued to my chair. I never would have guessed the ending!
This is the third in the Detective Kate Miles series. I haven't read the first two and, thankfully, I didn't need to for this book to make sense. But I certainly intend to now.
March 25, 2024
The third Kate Miles instalment keeps up McKenzie’s generally high standard, but it is perhaps not as strong as the first two books in the series. Kate’s brother Luke makes a welcome appearance and somehow becomes embroiled in the death of his high school friend. The theme here is privileged males and their presumed entitlement to women’s bodies. The female characters bear the devastation of this, the effects lingering for decades, whilst the males seemingly get off scot-free. As they say, revenge is a dish best served cold, so that will give you a hint as to where this book is going. Though generally well written, I felt that McKenzie's strengths in plotting weren’t always on full show here. I will forgive McKenzie this slight dip in quality, as I do think she is a very good writer who has crafted a mostly entertaining and engrossing book.
December 30, 2024
Another excellent book in the Detective Kate Miles series, where the personal and professional come dangerously close. I love how Kate is an ordinary yet extraordinary protagonist who struggles with the demands of career and family. She is flawed and fierce, making mistakes both at work and at home, but her intuition and integrity always come through in the end. I look forward to following her progress as her family grows and changes.
September 1, 2024
Another good story based around the work and family of Detective Kate Miles - I just read the 2nd book earlier this week, and read this in two sittings over the weekend. However, it was let down by the editing/proof-reading in this edition (I've not seen others mention it in their reviews, so figure it's not across all versions) - surnames being mixed up. One family is alternately called Osborne and Osmond repeatedly, even within a single paragraph on one page, and at one point near the end a father is given his son's surname when it has been made clear in the narrative that they had different names. A tad annoying, and shouldn't have reached print like this.
December 23, 2024
This was another enjoyable read from this author with a storyline that keeps you interested at all times and an ending that surprises
June 21, 2024
A great addition to the Kate Miles crime series. Great storyline, told with considerable skill. I enjoyed the characters and felt like I was there alongside them in the northeast rivers of NSW, sweltering in the summer heat. Thoroughly recommended.
October 7, 2024
This third book in the Detective Kate Miles series is in my opinion, the best so far. Kate is a likeable character dealing with the challenges of balancing a difficult job with family and home life.
Kate’s brother, Luke has returned home to Essenden for the funeral of one of his old school friends who has committed suicide. And then the second of the friends in their group is found dead - is this an accident or murder? Luke is behaving badly and hiding something from Kate and soon comes under police scrutiny.
The ending suggests that Kate is seeking a career change so I am wondering if this is the end of Kate’s journey. I do hope there will be another book in the future.
Kate’s brother, Luke has returned home to Essenden for the funeral of one of his old school friends who has committed suicide. And then the second of the friends in their group is found dead - is this an accident or murder? Luke is behaving badly and hiding something from Kate and soon comes under police scrutiny.
The ending suggests that Kate is seeking a career change so I am wondering if this is the end of Kate’s journey. I do hope there will be another book in the future.
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