What do you think?
Rate this book
Glenrock
A murdered judge. Two missing lawyers. A thrilling tale of mystery and suspense from the bestselling author of Charlotte Pass and Dead Horse Gap.
When Justice Maurice Tempest is murdered in the Glenrock State Conservation Area in Newcastle, local detective Senior Sergeant Callan O'Connor is the first on the scene. News of a second body, found in the same location days later, makes what had looked like a revenge killing into so much more.
Angela Avery, formerly a political journalist, is spending a lot of time at the Hunter Valley Prison interviewing a soon-to-be-released forger, Benjamin Reid. When O'Connor's investigation reveals an interest in Ben, Angela is determined to protect both her source and her fledgling relationship with O'Connor.
Meanwhile, two young, female lawyers have disappeared after making a devastating discovery in an upcoming case. Can O'Connor unravel the connections before the body count rises further? And how much does Angela Avery really know?'...
When Justice Maurice Tempest is murdered in the Glenrock State Conservation Area in Newcastle, local detective Senior Sergeant Callan O'Connor is the first on the scene. News of a second body, found in the same location days later, makes what had looked like a revenge killing into so much more.
Angela Avery, formerly a political journalist, is spending a lot of time at the Hunter Valley Prison interviewing a soon-to-be-released forger, Benjamin Reid. When O'Connor's investigation reveals an interest in Ben, Angela is determined to protect both her source and her fledgling relationship with O'Connor.
Meanwhile, two young, female lawyers have disappeared after making a devastating discovery in an upcoming case. Can O'Connor unravel the connections before the body count rises further? And how much does Angela Avery really know?'...
Kindle Edition
Published January 30, 2024
13 people are currently reading
224 people want to read
About the author
Lee Christine
17 books129 followersLee is the author of four crime novels with romantic elements published with Allen and Unwin.
Lee's best-selling Snowy Mountains series Charlotte Pass, Crackenback and Dead Horse Gap were published in 2020, 2021 and 2022 respectively. Charlotte Pass won the Australian Romance Readers Association award for Favourite Romantic Suspense in 2020. Lee's latest crime novel Glenrock, published in 2024, is set in Lee's hometown of Newcastle.
Prior to her shift into crime writing, Lee wrote six romantic suspense novels published with Harlequin Australia’s Escape Publishing.
Lee loves connecting with her readers and has appeared on a panel at the Newcastle Writer’s Festival, Lake Macquarie Libraries Write Here! Festival, and the Mount Beauty Writer's Festival. Lee has been a guest speaker at major fundraisers for the Friends of Newcastle University and the Mark Hughes Brain Cancer Foundation.
Lee has two grown children and lives in Newcastle with her husband and her Irish Wheaten Terrier, Honey.
Lee's best-selling Snowy Mountains series Charlotte Pass, Crackenback and Dead Horse Gap were published in 2020, 2021 and 2022 respectively. Charlotte Pass won the Australian Romance Readers Association award for Favourite Romantic Suspense in 2020. Lee's latest crime novel Glenrock, published in 2024, is set in Lee's hometown of Newcastle.
Prior to her shift into crime writing, Lee wrote six romantic suspense novels published with Harlequin Australia’s Escape Publishing.
Lee loves connecting with her readers and has appeared on a panel at the Newcastle Writer’s Festival, Lake Macquarie Libraries Write Here! Festival, and the Mount Beauty Writer's Festival. Lee has been a guest speaker at major fundraisers for the Friends of Newcastle University and the Mark Hughes Brain Cancer Foundation.
Lee has two grown children and lives in Newcastle with her husband and her Irish Wheaten Terrier, Honey.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
January 15, 2024
Justice Maurice Tempest enjoyed his regular morning hike across the Anzac Memorial walk and on into Glenrock State Conservation Area, walking from one end to the other where his driver would pick him up. But on his final morning, the person who confronted him in the darkness was the last person to see him alive - Maurice was murdered by persons unknown. When Newcastle detective, Senior Sergeant Callan O'Connor was alerted to the discovery of a body within Glenrock, he and his partner headed straight there. What was to follow was a complex and intricate case which went back more than two decades, involving many people.
Goldie and Nicola knew they needed to disappear from Sydney immediately - they couldn't delay. Their lives were in danger and although disappearing would upset both women's families, they had no choice. What they knew; what they'd uncovered; had to go into the right hands, and at this stage, it couldn't be the police. Meanwhile a talented artist had been interviewed by journalist Angela Avery, covering his murals he'd painted throughout Newcastle. Angela was concerned for Ben, but she had no idea how involved the situation was getting. Would O'Connor solve the case of who murdered the Judge? And would he tidy up all the lose ends that seemed to be everywhere?
Glenrock is another exceptional novel by Aussie author Lee Christine which I loved. The cover is eye-catching and perfect - the moody, sullen sky overlooking the ocean with the young woman at the top of the Anzac Walk - which I've been on many times - draws the eye, while the story encased within the pages is electric. Set in my home town, in places I've been (my daughter was involved in choir, and memories of the concert we parents enjoyed in the Glenrock scout hall came back to me) meant everything was familiar. I thoroughly enjoy Lee Christine's work and this one is up there with her best. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Goldie and Nicola knew they needed to disappear from Sydney immediately - they couldn't delay. Their lives were in danger and although disappearing would upset both women's families, they had no choice. What they knew; what they'd uncovered; had to go into the right hands, and at this stage, it couldn't be the police. Meanwhile a talented artist had been interviewed by journalist Angela Avery, covering his murals he'd painted throughout Newcastle. Angela was concerned for Ben, but she had no idea how involved the situation was getting. Would O'Connor solve the case of who murdered the Judge? And would he tidy up all the lose ends that seemed to be everywhere?
Glenrock is another exceptional novel by Aussie author Lee Christine which I loved. The cover is eye-catching and perfect - the moody, sullen sky overlooking the ocean with the young woman at the top of the Anzac Walk - which I've been on many times - draws the eye, while the story encased within the pages is electric. Set in my home town, in places I've been (my daughter was involved in choir, and memories of the concert we parents enjoyed in the Glenrock scout hall came back to me) meant everything was familiar. I thoroughly enjoy Lee Christine's work and this one is up there with her best. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
September 9, 2025
This was my first book by this author but as you can tell by my rating I will now be reading more of her work!
Glenrock is an area north of Sydney and close to Newcastle. I always love reading books set around and about where I live. Our main characters are Sergeant Callen O'Connor and Angela Avery, a journalist, who meet after the murder of a prominent Justice and the unexplained disappearance of two female lawyers. Callen in particular is an admirable character and he is unusually honest for a fictional police officer.
Altogether a very enjoyable read with good characters, a great story and plenty of intrigue and action.
Glenrock is an area north of Sydney and close to Newcastle. I always love reading books set around and about where I live. Our main characters are Sergeant Callen O'Connor and Angela Avery, a journalist, who meet after the murder of a prominent Justice and the unexplained disappearance of two female lawyers. Callen in particular is an admirable character and he is unusually honest for a fictional police officer.
Altogether a very enjoyable read with good characters, a great story and plenty of intrigue and action.
January 29, 2024
I do love a good mystery thriller and Lee Christine does them so well, this one is set around Newcastle New South Wales and is filled with suspense, wonderful characters and I loved it from page one, this really is a fabulous book to dive into and you are not going to want to put it down.
Justice Maurice Tempest has a routine he follows every morning a run in the Glenrock Conservation Area, he starts out this morning with a lot on his mind a big decision has to be made, but he never got the chance to make it, he is found shot, by his driver hours later. When another body is found questions follow is it revenge? Newcastle detective Sergeant Callen O’Connor is called to investigate the murders.
At the same time two young lawyers, Goldie and Nicola working for a big law firm in Parramatta go missing, have they discovered something related to the murder are their lives in danger?
Angela Avery who was a political journalist in Adelaide is now living in Newcastle and reporting for a weekend magazine has been interviewing a soon to be released inmate, Benjamin Reid at the local jail about the murals he has been painting around Newcastle, Angela and Callen have met a few times and when Callen is looking into Ben, Angela is determined to not let her relationship get mixed up.
This is a fabulous book, fabulous characters, I loved the setting and trying to tie all of the clues together kept me turning the pages, I loved getting to know Callen and Angela, but will he be able to discover the killer and why it happened, before there are anymore deaths what where people trying to keep cover up?
I do highly recommend this one, and I am hoping that there will be more stories to come that involve Callen and Angel set around Newcastle. Thank you MS Christine for another awesome story.
My thanks to Allen & Unwin for my copy to read and review.
Justice Maurice Tempest has a routine he follows every morning a run in the Glenrock Conservation Area, he starts out this morning with a lot on his mind a big decision has to be made, but he never got the chance to make it, he is found shot, by his driver hours later. When another body is found questions follow is it revenge? Newcastle detective Sergeant Callen O’Connor is called to investigate the murders.
At the same time two young lawyers, Goldie and Nicola working for a big law firm in Parramatta go missing, have they discovered something related to the murder are their lives in danger?
Angela Avery who was a political journalist in Adelaide is now living in Newcastle and reporting for a weekend magazine has been interviewing a soon to be released inmate, Benjamin Reid at the local jail about the murals he has been painting around Newcastle, Angela and Callen have met a few times and when Callen is looking into Ben, Angela is determined to not let her relationship get mixed up.
This is a fabulous book, fabulous characters, I loved the setting and trying to tie all of the clues together kept me turning the pages, I loved getting to know Callen and Angela, but will he be able to discover the killer and why it happened, before there are anymore deaths what where people trying to keep cover up?
I do highly recommend this one, and I am hoping that there will be more stories to come that involve Callen and Angel set around Newcastle. Thank you MS Christine for another awesome story.
My thanks to Allen & Unwin for my copy to read and review.
February 22, 2024
I found this book to be more of a character driven book rather than the action. Full of questionable characters. I love how Lee throws in a romance, its always a winning combination for me. Each book I read of Lee's keeps me interested the whole way through. This one is set in Newcastle and Lee has a knack of making you feel like your are there. The covers she chooses helps you picture it. Thanks for writing another incredible book.
January 8, 2024
I loved this crime thriller set on the NSW Central Coast. A beautiful part of the country, and in this story, it is marred by murder. A highly respected judge is shot in the early hours of the morning at Glenrock, by the beach. Days later, another body is found. At the same time, 2 young lawyers go missing from a Sydney law firm. Is there a connection there? Journalist Angela Avery starts to believe that there is, but she has her own reasons for staying quiet.
I have read and enjoyed this author before, her police series set in the Snowy Mountains was fantastic, but I think that this may be my favourite yet. I loved the scenic setting, the ties to Sydney and the mixture of trustworthy characters and those that were a bit shady. Not giving too much away, but there is plenty of action in this book and it will keep you guessing right til the end.
Thanks so much to Allen and Unwin for sending me an advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes on January 30th.
I have read and enjoyed this author before, her police series set in the Snowy Mountains was fantastic, but I think that this may be my favourite yet. I loved the scenic setting, the ties to Sydney and the mixture of trustworthy characters and those that were a bit shady. Not giving too much away, but there is plenty of action in this book and it will keep you guessing right til the end.
Thanks so much to Allen and Unwin for sending me an advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes on January 30th.
February 3, 2024
I was initially disappointed that Glenrock by Lee Christine wasn't going to feature some of the characters from her earlier work but very much enjoyed those she introduced here and now hope to see / meet them again. She introduces a few plot lines - something that sometimes frustrates me if they ultimately connect in a very nebulous way, but that's not the case here. She offers two or three distinct storylines that are all connected and merge in a way that isn't contrived or coincidental. Rather there's an obvious causal relationship that effortlessly (and tragically) plays out.
Christine paces this book well, particularly that last puzzle piece and balances the investigation(s) with a bit of romance and family drama. She also manages to imbue a sense of place, something she does in her novels set in snowfields in New South Wales. I've never been to Newcastle but had a sense of its juxtaposition of mining and industry with scenic beaches and nearby wineries.
Read the full review on my website: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
Christine paces this book well, particularly that last puzzle piece and balances the investigation(s) with a bit of romance and family drama. She also manages to imbue a sense of place, something she does in her novels set in snowfields in New South Wales. I've never been to Newcastle but had a sense of its juxtaposition of mining and industry with scenic beaches and nearby wineries.
Read the full review on my website: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
January 31, 2024
Lee Christine has moved from the NSW southern highlands to the mid coast for the setting of her newest novel, Glenrock.
After Justice Maurice Tempest is found shot dead in Glenrock State Conservation Park, Senior Sergeant Callan O'Connor and his partner suspect organised crime involvement, especially when the body of a known enforcer is later found nearby, but something isn’t adding up.
There is a lot happening in Glenrock but Christine manages the multiple threads skilfully, connecting seemingly disparate events in a manner that is both clever and credible. Several red herrings contribute to the intrigue, and though most of the action comes nearer the end, there is a good amount of tension throughout. I raced through Glenrock in an afternoon, absorbed in the unfolding mystery.
I like the character of Callan who is a good cop, and a good man. Though his life is not uncomplicated, he isn’t the jaded, hard-drinking loner that is so common in the genre. I enjoyed the relationship that developed between Callan and journalist Angela. Angela is smart and independent, and her background contributes another layer of interest to the plot.
As my children have been to a couple of scout camps at Glenrock (in Newcastle, NSW), I’m familiar with the novel’s setting, which is a bonus. Christine’s descriptions deftly evoke the area and its surrounds.
With a compelling, well crafted mystery and appealing characters, Glenrock is another excellent novel from Lee Christine, and I’m already looking forward to her next.
After Justice Maurice Tempest is found shot dead in Glenrock State Conservation Park, Senior Sergeant Callan O'Connor and his partner suspect organised crime involvement, especially when the body of a known enforcer is later found nearby, but something isn’t adding up.
There is a lot happening in Glenrock but Christine manages the multiple threads skilfully, connecting seemingly disparate events in a manner that is both clever and credible. Several red herrings contribute to the intrigue, and though most of the action comes nearer the end, there is a good amount of tension throughout. I raced through Glenrock in an afternoon, absorbed in the unfolding mystery.
I like the character of Callan who is a good cop, and a good man. Though his life is not uncomplicated, he isn’t the jaded, hard-drinking loner that is so common in the genre. I enjoyed the relationship that developed between Callan and journalist Angela. Angela is smart and independent, and her background contributes another layer of interest to the plot.
As my children have been to a couple of scout camps at Glenrock (in Newcastle, NSW), I’m familiar with the novel’s setting, which is a bonus. Christine’s descriptions deftly evoke the area and its surrounds.
With a compelling, well crafted mystery and appealing characters, Glenrock is another excellent novel from Lee Christine, and I’m already looking forward to her next.
March 10, 2025
Glenrock is an excellent Australian Crime Mystery from Lee Christine. Detective Senior Sergeant Callan O'Connor caught a case of the murder of Justice Maurice Tempest in the Glenrock State Conservation Area in Newcastle. After the body of the principal suspect, law enforcement officers thought that the case was closed. However, Detective Senior Sergeant Callan O'Connor thought they had missed something and, with the help of Angela Avery, started to look elsewhere to find the motive and the reason for the murder. The readers of Glenrock will continue to follow Detective Senior Sergeant Callan O'Connor and Angela Avery's investigation to discover what happens.
Glenrock is another fantastic book by Lee Christine, which continued my enjoyment of her books. From the opening pages, I engaged with the characters and the plot. I also learned about the beautiful Glenrock State Conservation Area near Newcastle. Glenrock also highlighted that greed and corruption do not pay.
I love Lee Christine's portrayal of her characters and how they intertwine throughout this book. I enjoy that Lee Christine has provided me with a strong MC that helps me engage with this book. Glenrock was well-written and researched. I also like Lee Christine's description of the settings, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
I recommend this book.
Glenrock is another fantastic book by Lee Christine, which continued my enjoyment of her books. From the opening pages, I engaged with the characters and the plot. I also learned about the beautiful Glenrock State Conservation Area near Newcastle. Glenrock also highlighted that greed and corruption do not pay.
I love Lee Christine's portrayal of her characters and how they intertwine throughout this book. I enjoy that Lee Christine has provided me with a strong MC that helps me engage with this book. Glenrock was well-written and researched. I also like Lee Christine's description of the settings, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
I recommend this book.
March 9, 2024
4.5 stars
I really enjoyed this book, hence why I stayed up until just after 11.30pm finishing it as I had to know what happened.
Set in and around Newcastle and Sydney, Glenrock is a smartly written murder mystery with a legal twist. I've only read a few books set around the judiciary and there is just a different feel to them, an air of intrigue if you like.
A Supreme court judge is murdered while out on his morning walk. The body of a known criminal is found in the vicinity. A renowned forger is about to be released from jail. Two young lawyers go missing, scared for their lives. Is there a connection in all of these occurrences?
Senior Sergeant Callan O'Connor is drawn into this mysterious case and is tested emotionally by having to work with Kent Durham, a homicide cop from Sydney who has long rattled Callan's cage, manage his relationship with his ex and his son, and decide whether or not to romantically pursue a local journalist, Angela.
The pace of this book was good, though the chapters a little too long for my liking, but the story certainly kept me invested the whole way along and I really like the way it all wrapped up.
I really enjoyed this book, hence why I stayed up until just after 11.30pm finishing it as I had to know what happened.
Set in and around Newcastle and Sydney, Glenrock is a smartly written murder mystery with a legal twist. I've only read a few books set around the judiciary and there is just a different feel to them, an air of intrigue if you like.
A Supreme court judge is murdered while out on his morning walk. The body of a known criminal is found in the vicinity. A renowned forger is about to be released from jail. Two young lawyers go missing, scared for their lives. Is there a connection in all of these occurrences?
Senior Sergeant Callan O'Connor is drawn into this mysterious case and is tested emotionally by having to work with Kent Durham, a homicide cop from Sydney who has long rattled Callan's cage, manage his relationship with his ex and his son, and decide whether or not to romantically pursue a local journalist, Angela.
The pace of this book was good, though the chapters a little too long for my liking, but the story certainly kept me invested the whole way along and I really like the way it all wrapped up.
January 30, 2024
Thank you Allen & Unwin for sending us a copy to read and review.
A murdered judge sets the scene and makes the reader sit up.
His early morning walk along a coastal path the perfect place.
Days later another body is found and the web of intrigue is spun.
The disappearance of two young female lawyers makes headlines.
Connections are made but are the two incidents related?
Journalist Angela Avery has spent time at the prison interviewing an inmate who is soon to be released and has her own reasons for trepidation.
Who can she trust?
I am huge fan of this crime fiction author and loved the mysteries set in the snowy mountain region.
This was set in the central coast area with ties to Sydney and I did note it was chilly in those places but probably no where near as cold as the snowy mountains.
A mix of characters ensured we got some good ones and some shady but most importantly the criminal thread kept me guessing.
An automatic go to author for me.
A murdered judge sets the scene and makes the reader sit up.
His early morning walk along a coastal path the perfect place.
Days later another body is found and the web of intrigue is spun.
The disappearance of two young female lawyers makes headlines.
Connections are made but are the two incidents related?
Journalist Angela Avery has spent time at the prison interviewing an inmate who is soon to be released and has her own reasons for trepidation.
Who can she trust?
I am huge fan of this crime fiction author and loved the mysteries set in the snowy mountain region.
This was set in the central coast area with ties to Sydney and I did note it was chilly in those places but probably no where near as cold as the snowy mountains.
A mix of characters ensured we got some good ones and some shady but most importantly the criminal thread kept me guessing.
An automatic go to author for me.
February 21, 2024
I went in blind not really knowing what the story was about. I really enjoyed this story. The description of the Landscape. It took me a little while to work out who was who.
Once I did that, it was interesting how the story played out. Having read other books by Lee Christine I know they are more Thriller mysteries rather than romance stories.
Once I did that, it was interesting how the story played out. Having read other books by Lee Christine I know they are more Thriller mysteries rather than romance stories.
March 1, 2024
Very enjoyable Australian crime novel. Certainly kept guessing right to the very end.
March 12, 2024
A legal thriller with a romantic thread. It sustained my interest to the end. 3.7 stars.
(I really wish Goodreads had a numerical counter for rating, but alas.)
(I really wish Goodreads had a numerical counter for rating, but alas.)
March 28, 2024
3.5 stars ⭐️
March 12, 2024
Pretty underwhelming. Everything about this book was mediocre.
May 25, 2024
I just loved this book. It had mystery, suspense, a bit of romance, a fascinating plot and some wonderful characters. The setting was sensational though I might be biased as I am a Novocastrian! I really hope we see a sequel!
April 28, 2024
An enjoyable, easy read, generally well written police procedural/thriller set in Newcastle NSW. The romantic aspects were not too overdone, nor did they totally overtake the investigation, which is important for me.
May 19, 2024
I received a copy of Glenrock from Allen & Unwin Australia to review.
Rating of 4.25.
Bestselling Australian author Lee Christine brings together a compelling and intriguing crime fiction read with the excellent Glenrock; a fantastic mystery set around the Australian city of Newcastle.
Glenrock was a great and fast-paced crime fiction novel that I had the great pleasure of reading earlier in the year. Christine came up with a fantastic story that really drew you in thanks to its multilayered mystery, compelling characters and high stakes.
The main mystery of Glenrock is set around the murder of a prominent judge in the Glenrock National Park area, which sets off an elaborate investigation primarily seen through the eyes of Senior Sergeant Callan O’Connor. O’Connor is a great central protagonist, and I enjoyed his intriguing insights into the case, especially as it pairs well with his complex family life and adversarial past with the Sydney homicide detective who arrives to take over the case. While the murder of a judge would be an interesting focus for the book by itself, especially when the apparent murderer is found in the most unlikely of scenarios, Christine raises the stakes by introducing two parallel storylines that combine into one heck of a novel.
The first of these storylines revolves around Angela Avery, a journalist for the local paper who finds herself drawn into the larger murder story thanks to the human interest story she was writing. Thanks to her relationship with Callan, which provides a good romantic subplot for the story, Angela gets more involved with the case, especially as her investigation reveals connections to two young lawyers who disappeared the day of the murder. These two lawyers, who went on the run to save themselves, provide the third overlapping storyline, and it was fascinating to see their attempts to flee, especially as they provide some compelling context to the main mystery.
All three storylines prove to be very entertaining on their own, but their real strength is the way that they wrap together and form a complex, overarching narrative. Christine ensures that all three character-focused storylines stand on their own before bringing the various characters together in a sensible and compelling way. I really enjoyed seeing the various story arcs come together, and Christine enhances this with several moving dives into the complex characters. The focus on O’Connor’s family life is a prominent one, although I was particularly drawn to the character of Angely Avery, the plucky reporter who drives much of the plot’s investigative angle. Christine draws together a complex and harrowing past for Avery, as her previous reporting experiences resulted in great pain, and I would be very interested to see Christine revisit these characters in the future. The entire story, including the clever mystery, comes together extremely well, and Christine ensures there are some intriguing twists and reveals that keep you hanging in to the very end. Throw in some excellent depictions of Sydney and the picturesque area surrounding Newcastle, including Glenrock, and this proves to be quite an impressive read.
Overall, Glenrock was an excellent piece of Australian crime fiction by Lee Christine that I had a wonderful time reading. The combination of a compelling story, fantastic characters and an intriguing mystery is hard to resist, and readers will come away from Glenrock very satisfied. An amazing and exciting read from a talented Australian author.
An abridged review of this book also ran in the Canberra Weekly on 15 February 2024:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2024/05/19/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
Rating of 4.25.
Bestselling Australian author Lee Christine brings together a compelling and intriguing crime fiction read with the excellent Glenrock; a fantastic mystery set around the Australian city of Newcastle.
Glenrock was a great and fast-paced crime fiction novel that I had the great pleasure of reading earlier in the year. Christine came up with a fantastic story that really drew you in thanks to its multilayered mystery, compelling characters and high stakes.
The main mystery of Glenrock is set around the murder of a prominent judge in the Glenrock National Park area, which sets off an elaborate investigation primarily seen through the eyes of Senior Sergeant Callan O’Connor. O’Connor is a great central protagonist, and I enjoyed his intriguing insights into the case, especially as it pairs well with his complex family life and adversarial past with the Sydney homicide detective who arrives to take over the case. While the murder of a judge would be an interesting focus for the book by itself, especially when the apparent murderer is found in the most unlikely of scenarios, Christine raises the stakes by introducing two parallel storylines that combine into one heck of a novel.
The first of these storylines revolves around Angela Avery, a journalist for the local paper who finds herself drawn into the larger murder story thanks to the human interest story she was writing. Thanks to her relationship with Callan, which provides a good romantic subplot for the story, Angela gets more involved with the case, especially as her investigation reveals connections to two young lawyers who disappeared the day of the murder. These two lawyers, who went on the run to save themselves, provide the third overlapping storyline, and it was fascinating to see their attempts to flee, especially as they provide some compelling context to the main mystery.
All three storylines prove to be very entertaining on their own, but their real strength is the way that they wrap together and form a complex, overarching narrative. Christine ensures that all three character-focused storylines stand on their own before bringing the various characters together in a sensible and compelling way. I really enjoyed seeing the various story arcs come together, and Christine enhances this with several moving dives into the complex characters. The focus on O’Connor’s family life is a prominent one, although I was particularly drawn to the character of Angely Avery, the plucky reporter who drives much of the plot’s investigative angle. Christine draws together a complex and harrowing past for Avery, as her previous reporting experiences resulted in great pain, and I would be very interested to see Christine revisit these characters in the future. The entire story, including the clever mystery, comes together extremely well, and Christine ensures there are some intriguing twists and reveals that keep you hanging in to the very end. Throw in some excellent depictions of Sydney and the picturesque area surrounding Newcastle, including Glenrock, and this proves to be quite an impressive read.
Overall, Glenrock was an excellent piece of Australian crime fiction by Lee Christine that I had a wonderful time reading. The combination of a compelling story, fantastic characters and an intriguing mystery is hard to resist, and readers will come away from Glenrock very satisfied. An amazing and exciting read from a talented Australian author.
An abridged review of this book also ran in the Canberra Weekly on 15 February 2024:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2024/05/19/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
February 10, 2024
This book demands your attention and will not take no for an answer…..
It would be an understatement to say that I liked this book, I absolutely loved it! At the very beginning this book grabs your attention, from the striking cover artwork, I immediately recognised these steps, through to the incredible storyline that contains lots of suspense and action.
I’m sure that having familiarity with a lot of the locations where the action is taking place, cemented my love of this book, but it was just the icing on the cake. Lee’s incredible creative storytelling skills are what make you want to stay.
Lee was definitely onto a winning combination when she set this triller at Glenrock as it’s such an amazing area with such a phenomenal past, however the true beauty of the area was brought front and centre by extremely exceptional writing.
The cleverly crafted cast take you on a thrilling mystery and although there are quite a few major players, they are very well created and all play an important role in making this a hard to put down book.
You tag along for the ride as Senior Sergeant Callan O’Connor tries to put the pieces together to not only solve two deaths but to also find the answers to some very puzzling information that comes to light, all the while trying to deal with some very complex family issues and emerging emotions. Meanwhile Angela Avery is trying to overcome her past, build her future and deal with some worrying information that her latest article interviewee and research has revealed. Now add to that two terrified lawyers that go missing, a grieving family, crime connections and a bizarre cause of death that you just won’t see coming. With its surprising twists, Glenrock will have you guessing until the end. A recipe for success.
I live in hope that we will see Callan O’Connor return again, but in the meantime, I strongly recommend getting yourself a copy of Glenrock so you too can experience this amazing story.
#glenrock
#leechristine
#newynailbiter
#allenandunwin
It would be an understatement to say that I liked this book, I absolutely loved it! At the very beginning this book grabs your attention, from the striking cover artwork, I immediately recognised these steps, through to the incredible storyline that contains lots of suspense and action.
I’m sure that having familiarity with a lot of the locations where the action is taking place, cemented my love of this book, but it was just the icing on the cake. Lee’s incredible creative storytelling skills are what make you want to stay.
Lee was definitely onto a winning combination when she set this triller at Glenrock as it’s such an amazing area with such a phenomenal past, however the true beauty of the area was brought front and centre by extremely exceptional writing.
The cleverly crafted cast take you on a thrilling mystery and although there are quite a few major players, they are very well created and all play an important role in making this a hard to put down book.
You tag along for the ride as Senior Sergeant Callan O’Connor tries to put the pieces together to not only solve two deaths but to also find the answers to some very puzzling information that comes to light, all the while trying to deal with some very complex family issues and emerging emotions. Meanwhile Angela Avery is trying to overcome her past, build her future and deal with some worrying information that her latest article interviewee and research has revealed. Now add to that two terrified lawyers that go missing, a grieving family, crime connections and a bizarre cause of death that you just won’t see coming. With its surprising twists, Glenrock will have you guessing until the end. A recipe for success.
I live in hope that we will see Callan O’Connor return again, but in the meantime, I strongly recommend getting yourself a copy of Glenrock so you too can experience this amazing story.
#glenrock
#leechristine
#newynailbiter
#allenandunwin
March 13, 2024
This murder mystery is not as thrilling or suspenseful as the blurb lead me to believe. A crime and romance concoction which I found formulaic and characters are portrayed in a very conventional way. No surprises here, folks, move along. Okay, it’s a good enough read, the right elements are there, particularly the real Newcastle location and dangerous natural settings, but so much of it is paint-by-numbers policing and journalism. The main protagonist is detective Callan O’Connor (interestingly Callan was a UK TV drama character).
Callan's love interest is Angela; aggro exists between Callan and another senior police detective (yes, over a woman); cue high profile court judge (Tempest!) murdered while jogging; his wealthy family is distraught; a bad boy element comes in to play; two runaway solicitors (Goldie is a bit naughty) are thrown into the melee; obligatory trapped-in-the-house scene manages to pep things up. To quote my book reviewing friend Ron “I found that the author relied too much on dialogue and there was not enough storytelling.”
I agree with Ron. The feels just aren't there for me. Also I think the dialogue is airbrushed, sadly no Aussie twang. Some chapters do have good tension towards the end, although I’ve read similar many times before without the entanglement of a romantic arc. Even the pretty ‘Glenrock’ bookcover could not endear the story to me although astute author acknowledgements are appealing. On the whole, I will never get sent ARCs because of my reviews, but I will say ‘Glenrock’ is a good place to start for first time crime readers.
Callan's love interest is Angela; aggro exists between Callan and another senior police detective (yes, over a woman); cue high profile court judge (Tempest!) murdered while jogging; his wealthy family is distraught; a bad boy element comes in to play; two runaway solicitors (Goldie is a bit naughty) are thrown into the melee; obligatory trapped-in-the-house scene manages to pep things up. To quote my book reviewing friend Ron “I found that the author relied too much on dialogue and there was not enough storytelling.”
I agree with Ron. The feels just aren't there for me. Also I think the dialogue is airbrushed, sadly no Aussie twang. Some chapters do have good tension towards the end, although I’ve read similar many times before without the entanglement of a romantic arc. Even the pretty ‘Glenrock’ bookcover could not endear the story to me although astute author acknowledgements are appealing. On the whole, I will never get sent ARCs because of my reviews, but I will say ‘Glenrock’ is a good place to start for first time crime readers.
March 25, 2024
Lee Christine’s latest Australian thriller is set in Newcastle, in and around the stretch of coastline known as Glenrock State Conservation Area. This book starts with a bang – a Judge is ruminating over a decision he must make as he takes is early morning walk along the same route he takes every day. This will be his last though and his murder quickly kicks off an investigation that Detective Senior Sergeant Callan O’Connor knows will bring both a lot of scrutiny and his old colleagues from Homicide. Callan used to work Homicide in Sydney, travelling all over the state of NSW to investigate murders but transferred out of that to Newcastle for personal reasons. His local knowledge will give him some investigative power on this case but Homicide will take the lead, sending a man Callan also has a history with.
Whilst this is going on, local reporter Angela Avery is working on a story for a weekend magazine piece about an incarcerated criminal who is painting murals for the city. Angela and Callan met at a bar and connected just before the Judge’s murder and Callan is interested in getting to know her better despite his personal situation being difficult to explain and perhaps difficult for a potential partner to understand. Angela has reason to be wary after an incident in her former state led her to change up her life and move to Newcastle but she finds herself trusting Callan. And when she delves a bit deeper into the person she’s writing about, she’s stunned to realise where it’s leading. It’s going to be up to Angela and Callan to connect the dots and figure out who murdered the Judge….and more importantly, why.
I was hooked on this book from the very start! It’s so well paced, I read it in one sitting in an afternoon. It switches between several different perspectives to give the reader more of the picture and each perspective always had interesting revelations and kept adding pieces to the puzzle. I really liked Callan and respected him for the decisions he had made and how he prioritised things that were important to him. Angela had an interesting backstory that had definitely impacted on the person she was now. Newcastle was a fresh start for her, a switch in focus but underneath, she discovers that a part of her still itches for her old ways, that she is still capable of doing more. I liked the two of them together as well, despite Callan’s complications they felt low drama. Callan is forty-two (my age!) and Angela in her thirties so both of them felt settled and secure in knowing what they wanted and how to work towards it. Angela understands Callan’s situation remarkably well.
The mystery of the Judge’s death was engrossing and definitely kept me turning the pages. I also felt like his family were portrayed really well. There was a lot happening in this book and the page count isn’t large but it was all woven together effortlessly, I found myself putting together the answers along with the characters and becoming invested in the process.
Big tick on the setting in this one for me, already mentioned that. But the story itself was just as good as the showcasing of Newcastle. It gave me huge nostalgic vibes to read this (not the murdery bit, but the characters travelling around and describing various parts). Would highly recommend this one to anyone but I think if you know and love Newy, you’ll enjoy this just that little bit more.
Whilst this is going on, local reporter Angela Avery is working on a story for a weekend magazine piece about an incarcerated criminal who is painting murals for the city. Angela and Callan met at a bar and connected just before the Judge’s murder and Callan is interested in getting to know her better despite his personal situation being difficult to explain and perhaps difficult for a potential partner to understand. Angela has reason to be wary after an incident in her former state led her to change up her life and move to Newcastle but she finds herself trusting Callan. And when she delves a bit deeper into the person she’s writing about, she’s stunned to realise where it’s leading. It’s going to be up to Angela and Callan to connect the dots and figure out who murdered the Judge….and more importantly, why.
I was hooked on this book from the very start! It’s so well paced, I read it in one sitting in an afternoon. It switches between several different perspectives to give the reader more of the picture and each perspective always had interesting revelations and kept adding pieces to the puzzle. I really liked Callan and respected him for the decisions he had made and how he prioritised things that were important to him. Angela had an interesting backstory that had definitely impacted on the person she was now. Newcastle was a fresh start for her, a switch in focus but underneath, she discovers that a part of her still itches for her old ways, that she is still capable of doing more. I liked the two of them together as well, despite Callan’s complications they felt low drama. Callan is forty-two (my age!) and Angela in her thirties so both of them felt settled and secure in knowing what they wanted and how to work towards it. Angela understands Callan’s situation remarkably well.
The mystery of the Judge’s death was engrossing and definitely kept me turning the pages. I also felt like his family were portrayed really well. There was a lot happening in this book and the page count isn’t large but it was all woven together effortlessly, I found myself putting together the answers along with the characters and becoming invested in the process.
Big tick on the setting in this one for me, already mentioned that. But the story itself was just as good as the showcasing of Newcastle. It gave me huge nostalgic vibes to read this (not the murdery bit, but the characters travelling around and describing various parts). Would highly recommend this one to anyone but I think if you know and love Newy, you’ll enjoy this just that little bit more.
April 11, 2025
When you live in a regional town, it's something special to have a nationally reputed author as a local. Even more so when your town is the focus of their latest novel. Naturally, I pounced on 'Glenrock' by Lee Christine (Lee Christine Author), published by Allen & Unwin Books. Newcastle locals know Glenrock State Conservation Area well for its dramatic clifftops, beaches, bike trails, scenic hikes and significant areas Awabakal heritage. In Lee Christine's imagination, it's the perfect location for the murder of a high profile judge.
'Glenrock' is a detective murder mystery, but the story also includes romantic raunch and family shenanigans. For an easy escapist read, it was nice to experience not one but three storylines that Christine seamlessly pulls together. The three main characters, police detective Callan, journalist Angela and young lawyer Goldie, all come with serious baggage but are immediately likeable and are pleasure to hang out with. The intrigue builds at a good pace and at one point Callan's working day was so fraught with nail-biting drama you wondered whether the dude trained as a Zen Master before going into the force.
Readers unfamiliar with the Newcastle region soon learn about our magnificent beaches, posh wineries and constant cargo ships. We all know this place is Australia's best kept secret. But I think our cover might be blown, which just makes us prouder.
'Glenrock' is a detective murder mystery, but the story also includes romantic raunch and family shenanigans. For an easy escapist read, it was nice to experience not one but three storylines that Christine seamlessly pulls together. The three main characters, police detective Callan, journalist Angela and young lawyer Goldie, all come with serious baggage but are immediately likeable and are pleasure to hang out with. The intrigue builds at a good pace and at one point Callan's working day was so fraught with nail-biting drama you wondered whether the dude trained as a Zen Master before going into the force.
Readers unfamiliar with the Newcastle region soon learn about our magnificent beaches, posh wineries and constant cargo ships. We all know this place is Australia's best kept secret. But I think our cover might be blown, which just makes us prouder.
March 17, 2024
Local detective Senior Sergeant Callan O’Connor had his hands full when Justice Maurice Tempest was murdered in the Glenrock State Conservation Area, followed by a second body a few days later. In parallel, two young female lawyers went on the run, and former political journalist Angela Avery came across an important piece of information from a soon-to-be-released forger. What were the connections?
This book turned out to be a little bit different to what I had expected, but I ended up still enjoying it anyway. I was expecting a rural crime, but this ended up being a police procedural book with a tinge of romance.
The dynamics between Callan and Angela were quite interesting, especially with both characters’ past lives. The romance felt a bit insta to me, but it might have been done that way to set the path forward for future books (assuming there will be more!).
I enjoyed this on audiobook, which was really easy to listen to. I’d definitely listen to more Callan x Angela adventures on audio in the future!
(Thanks to Allen & Unwin for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review)
See my bookstagram review.
This book turned out to be a little bit different to what I had expected, but I ended up still enjoying it anyway. I was expecting a rural crime, but this ended up being a police procedural book with a tinge of romance.
The dynamics between Callan and Angela were quite interesting, especially with both characters’ past lives. The romance felt a bit insta to me, but it might have been done that way to set the path forward for future books (assuming there will be more!).
I enjoyed this on audiobook, which was really easy to listen to. I’d definitely listen to more Callan x Angela adventures on audio in the future!
(Thanks to Allen & Unwin for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review)
See my bookstagram review.
February 27, 2024
✍️ When a Judge is murdered in the Glenrock Conservation Area, first on the scene is Detective Callan O'Connor who is assigned to investigate the case and the subsequent murder of another body found two days later. Simultaneously, two lawyers are missing after making a discovery on an upcoming case. Callan will have to figure out whether there is a connection before anything else happens.
I found myself Hooked on this Thrilling and Fast Paced Crime Thriller that had me turning the pages in hasty Anticipation. A Fabulous Story. I couldn't put it down.
The Cast of Characters were well developed and full of Interesting Personalities, Backstories and Secrets. I found their intertwining stories and connections to each other to be very compelling and to Encapsulate the attention of the reader.
The further I read the more I became Absorbed and Transported to the beauty of Glenrock and its surrounding coastline which was a perfect setting for the story.
Action, Romance, Suspense, Murder, Intrigue. I was completely blown away by the sheer amount of detail and cleverness that was displayed and which captured my interest and kept me guessing till the end.
I found myself Hooked on this Thrilling and Fast Paced Crime Thriller that had me turning the pages in hasty Anticipation. A Fabulous Story. I couldn't put it down.
The Cast of Characters were well developed and full of Interesting Personalities, Backstories and Secrets. I found their intertwining stories and connections to each other to be very compelling and to Encapsulate the attention of the reader.
The further I read the more I became Absorbed and Transported to the beauty of Glenrock and its surrounding coastline which was a perfect setting for the story.
Action, Romance, Suspense, Murder, Intrigue. I was completely blown away by the sheer amount of detail and cleverness that was displayed and which captured my interest and kept me guessing till the end.
August 12, 2025
This is a cracker of a murder mystery/thriller that keeps you enthralled from the very first page with a fabulous assortment of believable characters, plenty of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat, or at least awake long into the night of you’re like me and prefer reading in bed, and short sharp chapters with plenty of punch that drag you into the next one, and the next...
I take my hat off to the author for her ability to have readers try their darnedest to work out each little nugget of intrigue - including a few red herrings thrown in, along with a gentle ribbon of newly found love entwining two characters that also has a heartbreaking twist - before everything is brought to light. Lee Christine certainly has been gifted with a fabulous imagination in being able to bring everything together so succinctly.
This novel is the third I’ve read of her paper-babies and it definitely won’t be my last - the tight plot line riddled with twists and turns, and her brilliant way of captivating reader’s imaginations makes every single one of the 10 🌟 I’m awarding her 100% justifiable.
I take my hat off to the author for her ability to have readers try their darnedest to work out each little nugget of intrigue - including a few red herrings thrown in, along with a gentle ribbon of newly found love entwining two characters that also has a heartbreaking twist - before everything is brought to light. Lee Christine certainly has been gifted with a fabulous imagination in being able to bring everything together so succinctly.
This novel is the third I’ve read of her paper-babies and it definitely won’t be my last - the tight plot line riddled with twists and turns, and her brilliant way of captivating reader’s imaginations makes every single one of the 10 🌟 I’m awarding her 100% justifiable.
February 2, 2024
I was initially disappointed that Glenrock by Lee Christine wasn't going to feature some of the characters from her earlier work but very much enjoyed those she introduced here and now hope to see / meet them again. She introduces a few plot lines - something that sometimes frustrates me if they ultimately connect in a very nebulous way, but that's not the case here. She offers two or three distinct storylines that are all connected and merge in a way that isn't contrived or coincidental. Rather there's an obvious causal relationship that effortlessly (and tragically) plays out.
Christine paces this book well, particularly that last puzzle piece and balances the investigation(s) with a bit of romance and family drama. She also manages to imbue a sense of place, something she does in her novels set in snowfields in New South Wales. I've never been to Newcastle but had a sense of its juxtaposition of mining and industry with scenic beaches and nearby wineries.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
Christine paces this book well, particularly that last puzzle piece and balances the investigation(s) with a bit of romance and family drama. She also manages to imbue a sense of place, something she does in her novels set in snowfields in New South Wales. I've never been to Newcastle but had a sense of its juxtaposition of mining and industry with scenic beaches and nearby wineries.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
September 13, 2024
All ingredients for a competent crime fiction novel with a "nice Guy" detective.
A murdered judge. Two missing lawyers. A thrilling tale of mystery and suspense from the bestselling author of Charlotte Pass and Dead Horse Gap.
When Justice Maurice Tempest is murdered in the Glenrock State Conservation Area in Newcastle, local detective Senior Sergeant Callan O'Connor is the first on the scene. News of a second body, found in the same location days later, makes what had looked like a revenge killing into so much more.
Angela Avery, formerly a political journalist, is spending a lot of time at the Hunter Valley Prison interviewing a soon-to-be-released forger, Benjamin Reid. When O'Connor's investigation reveals an interest in Ben, Angela is determined to protect both her source and her fledgling relationship with O'Connor.
Meanwhile, two young, female lawyers have disappeared after making a devastating discovery in an upcoming case. Can O'Connor unravel the connections before the body count rises further? And how much does Angela Avery really know?'...
A murdered judge. Two missing lawyers. A thrilling tale of mystery and suspense from the bestselling author of Charlotte Pass and Dead Horse Gap.
When Justice Maurice Tempest is murdered in the Glenrock State Conservation Area in Newcastle, local detective Senior Sergeant Callan O'Connor is the first on the scene. News of a second body, found in the same location days later, makes what had looked like a revenge killing into so much more.
Angela Avery, formerly a political journalist, is spending a lot of time at the Hunter Valley Prison interviewing a soon-to-be-released forger, Benjamin Reid. When O'Connor's investigation reveals an interest in Ben, Angela is determined to protect both her source and her fledgling relationship with O'Connor.
Meanwhile, two young, female lawyers have disappeared after making a devastating discovery in an upcoming case. Can O'Connor unravel the connections before the body count rises further? And how much does Angela Avery really know?'...
March 8, 2024
Being a Novocastrian, I felt a sense of connection to this novel. As I listened to this novel as an audiobook, and being a visual ‘learner’, I thrived off being able to picture the locations in my mind (right down to the Scout Camp hall, an accommodation location I had stayed at as a teenager). While I did enjoy the novel, I have to ask myself, if it wasn’t set in Newcastle, would I have enjoyed it as much? Is it because I recognise the locations and feel a sense of belonging that I liked this piece of writing rather than it being a high quality piece of literature? To determine this, I’ll definitely have to read another of the author’s novels, as I’m sitting on the fence at the moment.
September 11, 2024
I found this an easy-reading, well-paced tale with an interesting premise & likeable, well-drawn characters. I liked the Newcastle setting, too - a nice change to be out of Sydney without being in the sticks. The separate threads of murdered judge, missing lawyers & gang crime were deftly woven together & made it an absorbing read. I really like Detective Senior Sergeant Callan O'Connor & would happily meet him again.
This is the first book I have read by this author & I enjoyed it so much that I intend to get my hands on her Alpine series now.
This is the first book I have read by this author & I enjoyed it so much that I intend to get my hands on her Alpine series now.
January 9, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and being a born and bred Novacastrian I absolutely loved the setting g of this book. The use of real life references points that I know like the back of my hand just added so much to my enjoyment of this book. A lot happened in a short period of time keeping me engaged from start to finish. There were several mysteries that were being investigated with the different threads all coming together by the end. The characters were very likable and I really do hope we see them again in future books. My only criticism would be that there were times that the dialogue just didn’t feel true / natural. Overall though this was a quick, enjoyable and satisfying read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews