The Call

by Gavin Strawhan

Winner of the Allen & Unwin Fiction Prize 2023A brilliant debut crime novel centred on a 501 deportee gang, set in a remote coastal New Zealand townAfter surviving a brutal attack, Auckland cop DS Honey Chalmers has returned to her hometown to care for her mother. The remote coastal settlement of Waitutu holds complicated memories for Honey, not least the tragic suicide of her younger sister, Scarlett.Honey is hardest on herself. She let herself get too close to a gang informant. She got sloppy. The Reapers are a 501 gang of Aussie imports, ruthless and organised, and she's pretty sure the informant, mother-of-three Kloe Kovich, paid the price. But when a couple of gang enforcers turn up in Waitutu, Honey realises they are hoping she will lead them to Kloe. But if Kloe is still alive, can Honey save her this time around?When Honey catches up with her oldest friend, Marshall, her feelings are complicated. As teenagers they were inseparable, but Marshall was the last person to see Scarlett alive, and there are rumours they were sleeping together, that he broke her heart. Honey fears Marshall is not who she wants him to be. Eventually she learns the awful truth about the events that led her sister to take her own life.When Kloe arrives in town, Honey and Marshall must work together to try and keep the hapless Kloe out of the hands of those who want her – and Honey – silenced.Gripping and suspenseful, with a killer ending, The Call propels the reader into the world of a terrifying new kind of gang – and introduces a major new talent in crime writing.

Genres: Crime, Thriller, Suspense, Fiction, Mystery, Audiobook, Adult

304 pages, Paperback

Published February 11, 2025

Reviews

[The Honest Book Reviewer · Rating 2 out of 5]

The blurb states, "Gripping and suspenseful, with a killer ending. The Call propels the reader into the world of a terrifying new kind of gang..."

As I reading this book, I was waiting for the other shoe do drop. When would the villains of the story start to act like villains? Why were they constantly holding back and doing nothing? This book is basically reading a PG version of The Sopranos or Sons of Anarchy (though I've watched maybe 1 episode of the latter). It felt too timid, and that was disappointing.

The villains are an outlaw motorcycle gang. They are not nice people. Do a bit of reading about crime over the last year or two in New Zealand. The real news is far more compelling.

What we have with this book is an okay structure, but fairly predictable. I can see attempts to ramp up suspense but didn't find it thrilling. It just didn't work for me. The characters were good but not great. For a lot of the characters, I felt they were half-baked and one-dimensional. The standout character for me is Shyla, the teenage daughter of Kloe, a woman linked to a crime gang and then on the run and in hiding. More characters as carefully crafted as Shyla would have made this more compelling.

The protagonist, Honey Chalmers, I couldn't believe as being a police officer. Nothing in her character told me she was. And that was a big question mark me for. Where are her behaviours and traits that scream police officer? It didn't fit.

I think this book is concentrating more on relationships, including the history of Honey and other people from where she spent her childhood. It's an exploration of community and family. All well and good - I'm all for that - but the blurb also suggested a taut thriller, which wasn't delivered.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superb crime fiction.

[Trudie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook beach read. Debut NZ crime fiction, seems steeped in the work of investigative journalist Jared Savage - its very well narrated.

[Hastings75 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it in a day - it was that good!

Believe it captures what I imagine gang life to be like and also the main protagonist (Honey) was a character I could relate to.

Love the huge talent that is NZ crime writing!

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find books written in the 3rd person are harder to connect with. It's like listening to a friend tell a story about people you don't know... and therefore not interested about.

I felt it was a little disjointed, difficult to know in the early chapters if we were in the present or past.

I love NZ, so it was good to read a book based there, although some of the Kiwi words were not translated, which also impacted the flow.

If you like crime, you might like this...if you like thrillers, then maybe not.

TW: sexual assault, domestic violence, drug use.

7/10 rounded to 3 ⭐️

[Casey Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done Gavin! This is a great book. So easy to read- likeable main characters and also a great plot. Lots of little hidden twist but also so interesting with the drug and gang plot. Shall be reading more from this author!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a quality thriller with an excellent NZ setting.

[Neil Marshall · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am not sure how this book won an Allan & Unwin prize. It is badly, badly plotted and lacks any semblance of characterization. It won't be long before it is in the remainder box.

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this copy of The Call up on my last trip to New Zealand. This was my first book by Strawhan and won’t be my last. The plot was so well paced and the characters were perfectly written. It was a fantastic read, if you love a good crime drama full of twist, turns, betrayal and come good old fashion police work this one’s for you.

Detective Sergeant Honey Chalmers returns to her remote coastal hometown of Waitutū carrying more than physical scars. Recovering from a violent attack and caring for her ailing mother, she is forced to confront painful memories she has spent years trying to escape, including the devastating loss of her younger sister, Scarlett.

Haunted by mistakes made during a dangerous investigation into a ruthless gang, Honey believes she failed to protect an informant who disappeared without a trace. When members of the gang arrive in Waitutū searching for the missing woman, Honey realises the danger she left behind may have followed her home.

As old wounds reopen, Honey reconnects with Marshall, the childhood friend who was once her closest confidant and the last person to see Scarlett alive. Rumours, unanswered questions, and long-buried secrets force Honey to reexamine everything she thought she knew about her sister’s death.

When the missing informant unexpectedly resurfaces, Honey and Marshall are drawn into a desperate race against time. With powerful enemies closing in and the truth threatening to destroy lives, they must uncover the secrets of the past before they are silenced for good.

[Karen]

There's a lot going on in THE CALL, all of which slots together seamlessly, creating a tense, fast-paced and very engaging storyline full of action, drama, a bit of romance, some clarification of the past, and doubt about the future. Chalmers is a great character, fleshed out well in this novel. She's brave, complicated and conflicted about a lot of things. Her future as a cop after the stabbing attack that very nearly killed her; her sister's death and the events that lead up to it; her mother's medical condition and what the future holds for a very independent and forthright woman; an increasing attraction to the man who was a friend, then became a family enemy, and is now very much a love interest; and her sense of obligation to Kloe. Wrapped up in a very keen desire to see a gang of dangerous, vicious criminals stopped in their tracks. 

In other words, THE CALL's got it all in spades. But there's nothing formulaic or expected about where this novel heads. Great characters, great action, killer ending. More please.

https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...

[Helen Cummings · Rating 4 out of 5]

As another reviewer noted this book read like a media story from gang life in New Zealand. I enjoyed the authenticity and the character and story development.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent debut novel. Bring on your next one!!

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kept waiting for a twist that never came, but enjoyed the details about NZ life.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it. Was great book. Had a few problems trying to read and pronounce the New Zealand names of places lol but it was worth it.

[Jen de R · Rating 2 out of 5]

I struggled through this book hoping for some good kiwi literature. The characters are mostly unconvincing and the plot is a hodgepodge of bits and pieces that don’t coalesce into a strong story. Honey is unconvincing as a police officer. The bad guys are believable but boring. In place of a gripping storyline we have a ton of swearing, a bit of smut, and a rape scene. The writing itself was ok, although there was the occasional clunker, like the phrase “bone weary tired”.
I am keen for books with a New Zealand flavour but this one was a no for me.

[Sophie Rattanong · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really solid piece of detective fiction set in rural New Zealand that draws heavily on gang warfare (like a fictionalised version of Jared Savage's books on gangs and organised crime). A high level of tension throughout, fleshed out characters, and easily recognisable New Zealand scenery. I think Strawhan is a great author and I can't wait to read his next book.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this as an audio book and I have to applaud the narrator Gareth Reeves, he really made a very good story come alive. I loved how he did the New Zealand accent . I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to more books by Gavin Strawhan. Keep the partnership going guys.

[Beatrice Holman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Premise of story is great, and became more interesting in second half. But I struggled with it being written in third person, how the timeline jumped, and some stories I.e Gemma felt really contrived. Also struggled to see Honey as a cop

[Michael Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read, decent story line.

[Michael Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay book. Storyline jumped around a bit and the main character wasn't overly believable.

[Sam · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF'ing

I really wanted to enjoy this as its a kiwi book but unfortunately the storyline is all over the place. So many other good books out there to read.

[Jacqueline L · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Call by Gavin Strawhan dives deep into a New Zealand that feels rugged, raw, and real. At its core, the story explores the gritty underbelly of New Zealand's gang culture, weaving a narrative of loyalty, survival, and power dynamics. Strawhan doesn’t shy away from depicting the violence that often shadows gang life, but he does so with nuance, painting a complex picture rather than glorifying it. This darker side of New Zealand is rarely seen in fiction, and Strawhan captures it with authenticity.
Adding to this is the local flavor – small quirks and expressions that any Kiwi will recognize. From the slang to the subtle nods to New Zealand’s unique humor, Strawhan’s writing feels like a wink to the reader, making the book an experience that goes beyond just the plot. Every setting, every interaction feels distinctly Kiwi, from the familiar dive bars to the rolling rural landscapes where tension often builds in eerie quiet.
For Kiwis especially, The Call hits close to home. It’s the type of story that reveals the undercurrents of a culture while also celebrating it, warts and all. If you’re after a book that gets New Zealand right, while delivering a gripping, intense story, The Call is definitely worth a read.

[Lyn Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honey Chalmers is a cop who has survived a near death brutal attack when her involvement with a organised crime gang went wrong. She made the almost fatal mistake of getting too close and involved with her informant Kloe. But Honey is a survivor, physically anyway now she has to figure out what the next phase of her life holds. Interrupting this smooth transition is Honey's complicated relationship with her mother Rachel with the beginnings of a failing memory and a sad diagnosis, chemistry between her long lost friend Marshall who is blamed for causing the suicide of Honey's sister and her inability to get concerns for Kloe out of her head. Could life get anymore complicated? Well yes, it can and be prepared for the rollercoaster ride of twists and turns that the author takes you on as these complicated relationships wax and wane through until the end.

I was absolutely captivated by the audio version of this book. The Māori accents and scenes of New Zealand came to life with the brilliant narration.

This is a debut crime book by this author and its hard to believe they are not a seasoned crime author. I can't wait to read your next novel when it's done.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debut New Zealand author, Gavin Strawhan’s The Call (2024) is an accomplished crime fiction tale. A Detective Sergeant in the Serious Crimes Unit, Honey Chalmers has returned home from Auckland still recovering from a nearly fatal stabbing. She is caring for her mother who has been diagnosed with dementia and still gets grief from some locals. Honey left home at eighteen and only briefly returned for her younger sister's funeral, after her tragic death. Honey becomes concerned when she spots two bikies from her previous case in town wanting to know where her former informant has been hidden away. With its rich blend of characters, coastal setting and tension building, it seamlessly shifts between what happened previously and the present violent confrontational finale. A first-rate crime thriller with a realistic underlying menace, makes for a five stars read rating. A trigger warning that a historic crime reveal may disturb some readers. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without inducement.

[Nicola Stevenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic debut! This book could almost have been ripped from the news, as the story centres around a gang of 501 deportees and the impact that their different way of operating & their international links is having on NZ’s criminal society. I found the story gripping & I was hooked right from the start of this gritty and atmospheric tale.

I thought Honey & Kloe were fantastic characters; both doing what they needed to to survive - one as a cop trying to take down the gang & the other as the partner of a gang member, literally just trying to survive. There’s a fair bit going on in this story but it never felt cramped or that there was too much. At a little over 300 pages, I thought this was expertly crafted and I never felt rushed. I loved the way the tension built through the story, and I was on the edge of my seat for much of this. It’s gritty & atmospheric and so easy to read in one sitting - I can’t wait to see what Gavin Strawhan has in store for us in the future.

[Jenny Delandro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story delivered a punch! Set in New Zealand and using many Māori words and ceremonies.

It started with a cop was gathering intel about drug gangs and then the gang ordered her to be attacked.
She is recovering and is feeling a bit guilty about her informant, so she decides to go home. Her mother is battling Alzheimers but she meets a man from her past and they start to build a loving relationship. She starts to question her future as a cop.
The informant make mistake and leads the gang to her doorstop and while trying to fix the mess, she looses everything.
But that is not the end.
Running parallel to the drug story is the story of a sister who committed suicide, and the real story of her life is revealed but there is no justice for her or the man who destroyed her life.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gavin Strawhan is one to watch in the NZ crime writing scene. If this debut novel is his beginning, we have some future treats in store. This is so beautifully paced, full of gritty issues, and rattles along at a great pace. I was completely hooked from the first page and I was really happy with the way it finished off. There was a huge amount to like, the story of a woman trapped in a gang lifestyle, a cop who feels sympathy for her at the same time as needing to close a case. It is a novel full of retribution and I fell for these characters completely.

Nice job Gavin Strawhan. Read it if you like Garry Disher and Michael Bennett and Vanda Symon's books.

[Brody Hitchcock · Rating 3 out of 5]

​This book was alright. I genuinely enjoyed getting the different POVs and the core story itself was an interesting take on a New Zealand crime setting. Usually, I am fully gripped by thrillers and love diving into stories with morally complex characters, but I did find myself zoning out a lot of the time with this one. There were quite a few patches that just seemed to drag and didn't really feel like they were carrying the story forward or adding to the suspense. It has a solid premise, but the pacing in those slower sections just made it hard to stay completely hooked the whole way through.

[Marcus Hobson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a top class New Zealand crime novel.

DS Honey Chalmers is a great character with a terrible name! What I like best about this story of cops, gangs, drugs and informers is the way it all comes together in a small rural community called Waitutu. Everyone is watching everyone else and you know that the bad guys are never far away.
Can they keep gang informer Kloe alive and away from the trouble she has caused?
Lots of storylines running through the book, past histories coming back to haunt Honey, and some ruthless trouble makers, all keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

[Rhys · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. Found the characters likeable enough, learnt a thing or two about organised crime in NZ and the 501 deportation between Australia and New Zealand. But I feel there was a lot that was left unanswered. What was the point of the Gemma character? Did Honey ever reveal what truly happened to her sister and therefore save and restore Marshall’s reputation? It almost felt like it was setting up to be a series, but with Honey leaving the police force I don’t know how likely that could be…