When It Rains

Dan Clement #5

by Dave Warner

For Broome detective Dan Clement, it seems that crime is as plentiful as wet season rain. When his sergeant is beaten up, and a woman is brutally assaulted, it seems like the same two suspects are behind both incidents. But when a woman' s hand is discovered in crocodile-infested waters, things take a macabre turn. The stakes rise sky-high as Dan races against time to solve this complex and puzzling case.

Genres: Crime, Audiobook, Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Australia

256 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2024

About the author

Dave Warner is the author of fourteen crime novels, including the winner of the 1996 WA Premier’s Award for Fiction (City of Light) and the 2016 Ned Kelly winner of Best Australian Crime Fiction (Before it Breaks). He has also written a children's book series and seven non-fiction titles, and screenwritten for film and TV.

Dave Warner originally gained national recognition as a musician-songwriter in the late 1970s with Bob Dylan referring to Dave and Richard Clapton as his “favourite Australian artists”.
As early as 1973 Dave had formed Australia’s first punk band, Pus, playing early versions of tracks such as Suburban Boy and Hot Crotch which he was later to record with Dave Warner’s from the Suburbs. In 1975, Dave went to London and wrote many new songs which expressed a clearly-defined vision of Australia, including tracks such as Convict Streak and Oklahoma. Suburban Boy became the cornerstone of this new style of music, which Dave labelled suburban rock. Warner’s music is probably best described as Lou Reed meets Tomas Pynchon.

Dave's feature films include the cult-horror CUT (starring Kylie Minogue and Molly Ringwald) and GARAGE DAYS (co-written with director Alex Proyas). His many TV credits include scripts for MCLEOD’S DAUGHTERS and PACKED TO THE RAFTERS.

Dave was educated at Aquinas College and the University of Western Australia, graduating with a B.A. (Hons.), majoring in Psychology. Growing up an ardent supporter of the East Fremantle Football Club, his passion of Australian football remains.

Reviews

[Yuri Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

More red herrings than a can of sardines, more twists and turns than chapters, but that’s what makes a successful page-turner. Being familiar with the part of east Kimberley in which Warner sets much of this novel, I can assure other readers that country (and its climate) are accurately described.

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dan Clements is back in another page turner crime book set in the northern part of Western Australia. Book 4 of this brilliant series and this may be my favourite yet. These books have such great characters and the setting is amazing. If you haven’t read them yet you are missing out.

When it Rains opens with a bang… or should I say a snap! 😅 that first chapter was intense and gruesome and I loved it. Dan is kept on his toes not only with his new, younger girlfriend, but a crime spree unheard of in the region. It begins with one of his officers being beaten up outside the local pub, then a woman is raped and left for dead in a nearby hotel. To top it all off, a woman’s hand is found in a river smack bang in the middle of croc country.

I love how we get a real sense of the area and the vast distance between towns in the Broome and surrounding areas. The climate is unbearable, it is hot and dry which doesn’t make it easy to be running around trying to stop a killer. It was nice to see Dan with a lady who made him happy this time too, about time he caught a break.

Thanks so much to Freemantle Press and Good Reading Magazine for my early copy of this book to read. Out on October 1st.

[Bookgirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is procedural crime at its best. I found the police methodology in this novel fascinating, it really got into the process. The plot is interwoven around our protagonist, Detective Clement's, personal life and the mounting cases. Starting with a police bashing and a woman brutally assaulted, leads Clement to the northern parts of Western Australia with a grim discovery. No spoilers in this review so that's all on plot, but I'll say that it had enough drama and surprises to keep my heart racing to the end. ARC copy supplied.

[Merceiam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gripping start which I found quite gruesome (esp since I read quite a lot of crime). At times, I became lost with many minor characters and also had to re-read sentences which confused me with either their structure or punctuation.
It was also a bit concerning that the police were misdirected so many times in their search for the suspect.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This started off as a day to,day police in investigation and ended up heart in mouth thriller. Great details of police work and descriptions of the huge areas involved.

[Cher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fantastic! I have read only one other in this series but this was nonstop action crime mystery in Australia’s outback. I loved it reminds me of Peter corris in some ways the succinct writing the accuracy in language that is used. This is great for anyone who loves Australian crime

[John Cooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great to be sitting in the back of Dan Clement's police SUV once again as we tackle another crime thriller set largely in Broome, WA. There is the constant threat of danger looming just out of sight; the threat of rain, swollen rivers full of salties, and footsteps in the verdant mangroves. You'll sweat in the shower getting through this cracking page turner. Crank the aircon to high!

[don Betts · Rating 5 out of 5]

he’s getting better

Just when you think he’d peaked, the Suburban Boy has pulled off another corker. Numerous turns thoroughly believable. Bring on many more

[Brit McCarthy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Better Reading for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first Dan Clement novel, although it's the fifth that he appears in. Like all good crime, it literally does not matter. You can pick up his story anywhere and it will make sense. As much sense as its gonna make anyway.

I fluctuated wildly in my feelings about this book. The crimes are nicely gory and Warner doesn't hold back. The crime plot was super compelling and I was so confident I had worked it out until it was very clear that I was wrong! When I was in the thick of it and the plot was moving forward, that's when the book was at its best.

Unfortunately any time the pace let up and Clement was reflective - or really had any thoughts at all - that's where I struggled with this. Clement felt like just another cliche detective whose wife left him and his whole life is his job. Until new flame Lena of course. Lena also feels like a walking cliche of a background character but don't worry, you'll hear plenty about her body. The dialogue between the detectives felt so clunky and it felt like as the reader you hear each development explained multiple times as each new person to appear had to be caught up to speed. Clement was so awkward with the forensics tech it was cringey to read.

When this book was good, it was really good. But when it wasn't, I struggled with it.

[Melissa Trevelion · Rating 4 out of 5]

When It Rains by Australian author Dave Warner is a crime fiction read and his fourth book in the Dan Clement series. It opens with a gripping first page that immediately sparks your interest that readers will delve straight into the novel.

Broome Detective Dan Clement receives a call, his police detective sergeant, Josh Shepherd has been brutally assaulted on a night out at the Picadoor pub. When he arrives at the hospital he is shocked by his condition.

Clement and his partner Graeme Earle immediately start the investigation to who may have committed the crime. Then they receive another call, a woman has been raped and left for dead in a nearby hotel things then take a turn when a gruesome discovery of a woman's hand is found, tied to a post in a notorious croc infested river.

Are the perpetrators the same men committing the crimes? Are they all tied together? With mounting cases and a race against time to stop more violent crimes happening will Clement and his team able to apprehend the criminals.

Warner's plot is top-tier, and his story is taut, compelling, and suspenseful. The unbelievably twisty nature and unpredictability will have any reader racing through the pages. The author’s writing is crisp, captivating, and he has the gift of bringing strong emotions to life. It is hard to draw a full breath while reading to see what happens next.

The characters within the pages of this book are real and relatable that any reader will want to follow on their journey. Protagonist Dan is passionate about his work and captures the heart of being a Detective on a small town's police force. The supporting characters are well written, I enjoyed the return of some old favourites and I especially liked Dan’s new love in his life Lena, it gave him a softer edge that I found endearing.

The setting is detailed, and I enjoyed how descriptive the author is when exploring the features of the natural environment where the story takes place. From the long stretches of road between towns, crocodile infested rivers and the extremely hot and dry weather proving stifling at times.

I love the cover, anything with a crocodile intrigues my interest and I wouldn’t hesitate to pick it up. It has an eerie lurking feel that matches the novel’s epic tale. The colour palette and bold type is a nice blend.

Dave Warner is a wonderfully talented crime author, his style is engaging and realistic, and pulls the reader in full force, to the heart of the story. I look forward to the next Dan Clement mystery.

When it Rains is a gripping read for fans of suspense, thriller, crime drama, and detective subgenres. I highly recommend.

Thank you, Beauty & Lace and Fremantle Press, for the opportunity to read and review.

[Malvina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Dave Warner's 4th police procedural featuring Broome detective Dan Clement, but I found it relatively easy to follow along. I always think that's the mark of a good author, to be able to surround the reader with characters from previous novels without doing an info dump or creating utter confusion about who's who. Hats off, Dave Warner.

It's hard for Dan Clement to leave his newish girlfriend Lena in Derby when he gets a call saying one of his police sergeants, Shepherd, has been badly beaten up outside a Broome pub. Clement and his sidekick Graeme Earle and the station immediately pursue two men alleged to have committed the crime. Then another call comes in - a girl's been bashed, possibly raped, at a motel less than ten minutes from where they are. Are the perpetrators the same guys?

Then - in a grisly turn - another woman's hand is discovered, tied to a post in the river in notorious big croc country - and the evidence indicates she was deliberately tied and left to die a horrible death. Your absolute worst nightmare. All of a sudden it becomes a race against time to stop these two male suspects before they can strike again.

I was impressed by the way the Broome office, plus those nearby in the Northern Territory and also Perth, pulled together for a fantastically relentless chase - watching them work was fascinating. The tension is super high as assaults and gruesomely murdered bodies pile up, and the perpetrators are slippery and seemingly just ahead of them, or hiding in plain sight. Or both?

Clement is horrified at the ongoing violence, his team sickened and exhausted, yet they push on. But why is this happening? What's the motive? Are the deaths linked in any way? Has Clement missed something?

I found it a compelling story, a heart-stopper, with some very unexpected twists and turns. Violently savage, but grounded by the dogged determination of Clement and his team to apprehend the criminals. There are good guys in the world after all.

Many thanks to Fremantle Press and Good Reading Magazine for the review copy.

[Marles Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Aussie crime noir at its finest. Set in the heart of crocodile country , these prehistoric herrings are not as big as the twists and turns through this story. Dan Clement is the kind of police officer you want on your side. He is methodical, diligent, understanding and he loves the work he does. But he is tired. And he is in love. So is this what he wants to be doing? This is not at the forefront on this mind then there are assaults and murders to address.
The expanse of geography seemed to have no boundaries in this story, and the isolation of this land, not to mention the victims who are isolated make for dramatic settings. The humidity will drench you through the pages .The discoveries of victims are quite grim and macabre, and that first chapter made me stop, shake my head, and then dive back into reading. There are so eery dark storylines here, and the gruesome nature might be too much, but it is perfectly balanced. If you are wanting to get a sense of the vastness of Australia, and the distance for Dan to cover to catch the baddies, this is a book to immerse yourself in. Between Wyndham and Kununurra, and from Broome to Falls Creek. The seem like they know Dan’s tracks well, so how can he get ahead of them all? How can he stay in touch across these isolated areas?
There are often a lot of crime books out there around the world and I always say that Australian crime books are no exception. This one in particular is very different and unique and it's one that you really want to grasp with both hands.

[Michele (michelethebookdragon) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is my favourite of the author's books that I have read.

Dan Clement is one of my favourite police detectives. He is relatable, he is fallible, and he is dedicated to his job wholeheartedly. He loves being a detective, loves being on the ground and solving crimes. He has a great team around him that he can rely on to help him get the job done.

In When it Rains Dan is up against it in one of the most inhospitable environments there is. With unending kilometres of road, croc infested rivers and life sapping heat, there is a murderer on the loose and they may have more victims in their sights. Dan and his team are up against it as it seems that just as they think they know who the killer is, they end up dead.

I was as stumped as the police reading this one, thinking I knew who was voicing their thoughts, and then realising that I was wrong, again. There was a sense of foreboding and unease as the case continued and the police were not sure who they were dealing with.

I loved the build up to the resolution of this crime and it is something this author does well. The blending of Dan's personal life with his policing life lends him a genuineness that is endearing.

If you love Aussie noir and great storytelling and likeable characters the Dave Warners books will fit the bill.

[Iwasaplatypus · Rating 4 out of 5]

When It Rains is a most apt title for Dave Warner’s new Dan Clement novel. Especially if you add in the unspoken, it pours. Broome is in the middle of a crime spree. A cop is beaten up. A woman raped and left for dead. Then another woman’s partially eaten body is found tied up in a local river. Who left her there for the crocodiles and is it connected with the other events? The answer to these will take Clement further north, to Kununurra, and into the past. Where another crocodile tragedy awaits.
I enjoyed the story and the way the weather was used to almost mirror the story. The eventual revealing of the murderer occurring with the downpour and release from heat. Though even here heat and rain make steam but that could be Clement’s new relationship with the amazing Lena.
One problem I had was keeping track of who was who, a few too many characters for my brain so I decided just to enjoy the story without worrying about it. And it worked. I loved the story and the setting. And can’t wait for the next instalment to see if Lena sticks around. 4 stars
Thanks to Good Reading and Fremantle Press for my copy to review. Always ready to review Dave Warner’s novels!!!!

[Kathy Soltan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never read any previous Dan Clement novels, and the beautiful part is that it doesn’t matter. Dan is so easy to get to know, and could be someone you probably DO know- on the edge of 50, divorced, wondering where his career and life is heading, possibly facing a mid life crisis when he embarks on an affair with a much younger partner.
Dedicated and good at his job, with a knack for seeing through life’s periphial crap, Dan is a man’s man with the same insecurities as most people but exudes a veneer of having everything together. I think this book works so well because we actually like Dan, we understand his logical thinking and believe he is trying to help everyone and actually do some good in the world.
I devoured this in two days- it was well written, clever and had me on the edge of my seat for every chapter. I could also see and feel the characters and their surrounds- I have never been to the Kimberley, but Warner’ graphic descriptions of the bushland and surrounding areas made me feel like I was standing smack dab in the middle of everything. Highly recommended.

[Michelle Endersby · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a ride Dave Warner takes us on in When It Rains. The first chapter hits you like a punch, and then the tension keeps brewing in the build-up before the rain, culminating in a thunderstorm of aha moments after a sequence of surprises. This story couldn’t have been set anywhere else than the vast and mysterious Kimberly in Western Australia, the magnificent scenery juxtaposed with the tackiness of tawdry motels and outback pubs and unrelenting heat and humidity.
All action aside it’s the endearing Dan Clement who makes this story with his vulnerability and self-questioning. He’s playing in a tough game, but he’s nostalgic and a bit of a softie, and I suspect Dave Warner might be as well. Thanks, Dave, for the memories of public telephone boxes, WD40 and Brasso, The Leyland Brothers and Peter Garrett’s unique style of dancing, and for the bonus art lesson on German Expressionism.
As my first encounter with Dan Clement, I’m now seeking out the back catalogue!

[Richard Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first two chapters of this book had some rather florid prose so I braced myself for a book full of metaphor and tangled simile. It was quite strange to find the rest of the book was a fairly standard police procedural thriller. Obviously very well researched, there was a strong degree of verisimilitude, everything felt believable particularly main character Dan Clement who felt well-rounded and interesting to spend time with. I hadn't read any Clement novels before (though I realised I have and earlier one on my unread shelf) but he's well worth revisiting. The story was a well paced thrill ride with sufficient twists and turns that it was never predictable but also not crazy or unbelievable. The pace accelerated to the end so I had to stay up late to find out whodunnit. Possibly suffered from a few too many extraneous characters so I was struggling to remember which name went with who but even Clement forgot at least once so I didn't feel bad!

[Renee Hermansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When It Rains by Dave Warner has more twists than a Twisties packet!

So much happens in Detective Dan Clement’s case it’s hard to keep up at times but I enjoyed the ride.

A police sergeant is beaten, a women’s hand is found in croc infested waters and others are in danger.

It all links back to an eight year old incident but who is responsible? That is what Dan and his team have to figure out.

You never know what is going to happen next, who is going to be the next victim so this book keeps you hooked. I am keen to read more of Dave Warner’s work especially the Dan Clement series as I really enjoyed him as a character.

Thanks so much to Beauty And Lace and Fremantle Press for introducing me to this impressive crime fiction author.

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading books set in parts of Australia that I have visited. The tyranny of distance in the Kimberley makes for a different policing style. There were lots of twists and turns in this story, just when you thought everything came together, it didn’t. Dan Clement is an interesting character and his musings about his age and short comings make for interesting reading. The repercussions of an incident eight years ago set off a chain of events, with a few red herrings thrown for good measure. Lena is likeable and feisty character and I hope we see her in the next instalment if there is one. Thanks to Better Reading for an ARC to read and review.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.35 stars. A great Australian crime/police detective novel set in northern Western Australia, gripping from the start without feeling overdone. The fast-paced plot delivers enough twists to keep things intriguing without becoming overwhelming—though jotting down a list of characters will help! Detective Dan Clements is a dedicated and empathetic lead, making him easy to connect with. The story strikes the right balance of psychological depth, adding a touch of "deep and meaningful" without slowing the pace. The vivid, authentic portrayal of the landscape further enriches the narrative, bringing the setting to life.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well plotted police procedural/mystery with several suspects and open cases. Are they all linked? Warner does a great job of keeping the reader guessing.
I have not read any of the previous books in the Dan Clement series, but will now look out for them.

For Broome detective Dan Clement, it seems that crime is as plentiful as wet season rain. When his sergeant is beaten up, and a woman is brutally assaulted, it seems like the same two suspects are behind both incidents. But when a woman' s hand is discovered in crocodile-infested waters, things take a macabre turn. The stakes rise sky-high as Dan races against time to solve this complex and puzzling case.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another great police procedural in remote WA in the Dan Clements series. I liked the details of how the crimes were solved and the various setbacks (it kept me interested and alert), the reality of policing in large remote regions, and the involvement of the police team beyond just our hero. Unfortunately, the love interest didn't add much at all. As I said on another review in the series, given the setting, I'm surprised there weren't more references to Indigenous people and culture, but if the author is sticking to what he knows, that's fine. The landscape and sense of place was conveyed well.

I'm looking for more in the series.

[Karan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, this book has more red herrings than an English wood!
Dave Warner spins a great 'Stralian tale in When it rains. If you have ever been to the Kimberley region of WA it is easy to relate to the heat, humidity, storms and growing tension that escalates through the investigation.
I really enjoyed my first taste of Daves laconic aussie style and hero Dan Clement and would recommend this book to fans of Jane Harper and Chris Hammer. Prepare for a twisty ride.
Thanks to Better Reading and Freemantle Press for a great read.

[Cristo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending was great but it was a struggle at times to get there.
Is it just me or do other readers find it hard to keep up with all the character names, especially when the coppers are alternately called by their first or last names!?
Anyway, the first 3/4 of the book I found a bit slow and bogged down with police procedural minutiae... fine if you're into that.
But then the hunt warmed up and it became very engaging.
Evocative writing, I felt like I was there in the top end experiencing the place.

[Glenys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phew.... a real page turner, Dan would rather be at home with Lena his new love interest, however crimes will happen. These crimes are coming across his desk at an alarming rate there seems to be a connecting thread, but the thread keeps breaking, just when you think you can solve it, there is a twist and a turn. Makes you realise what a great job CSI (Crime Scene Investigators) do and the detectives in solving crimes.

[Charlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

When it rains is a gripping tale set in the crocodile infested Australian outback. The setting is as much part of the story as the characters - each one well developed and believable. This is an exciting novel with many twists and turns which kept me guessing until the end. This is my first Dave Warner novel, and I look forward to reading the previous books in the Dan Clements series. Highly recommended. Thanks to Better Reading and the Author for the ARC.

[Jay Dwight · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Dave Warner read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

A police procedural. One of the detailed ones where it feels like you are watching over the shoulder of the protagonist - Detective Dan Clement - for the entire investigation. Lots of strand in this tale, plenty of false leads and missteps along the way to finding the truth of the crimes in this addictive read. It's set in the hot far north of Western Australia.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d enjoy reading the crime story set in the Kimberley region, Australia. Dan Clement, a Broome detective suddenly involved with busy crime cases starting from a beaten-up police officer, an assaulted woman, and a woman’s hand discovered in crocodile territory. The team works wonders to investigate the cases. It is a surprising end.

[Pip Snort · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first Dan Clement and it was good Aussie rural crime. The north-west setting was beautiful, although the landscape was not a vivid character as it is in so many other novels in this genre.
Even though the crime was a bit OTT, it didn't feel unreal and the process of investigation was measured, albeit a bit more rapid than might occur outside fiction.

[Ruth Hosford · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a rollicking read. It came highly recommended by a member of our book group and I got thoroughly engrossed. A multi murder tale with the local police strung out to capacity in the Broome/kununurra district in Western Australia trying to find and catch the perpetrator/s. The story keeps a good pace all the way through. I thoroughly enjoyed it.