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The Wyatt Butterfly: Two Barrels of Classic Wyatt
Two classic Wyatt novels in one volume by Garry Disher, winner of the Ned Kelly Award for Best Crime Fiction in 2007 and 2010
Port Vila Blues. Cool and efficient as always, Wyatt bypasses the alarm system, snatches the cash and eludes the cops. But can he make it safely back to his bolthole in Hobart?
Port Vila Blues is Wyatt's fifth heist, this time leading him to a reckoning far from home.
The Fallout finds Wyatt on a boat with policewoman Liz Redding and a fortune in stolen gems. He escapes, triggering a manhunt, but who exactly is hunting him? In this sixth Wyatt novel, Wyatt joins forces with his nephew to pull off one of his trickiest robberies-and his most dangerous task yet.
'Disher's writing is as lean and relentless as his hero. No one does dryly poetic evocations of paranoia and human folly more seductively.' Australian
426 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
36 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Garry Disher
92 books717 followersGarry Disher was born in 1949 and grew up on his parents' farm in South Australia.
He gained post graduate degrees from Adelaide and Melbourne Universities. In 1978 he was awarded a creative writing fellowship to Stanford University, where he wrote his first short story collection. He travelled widely overseas, before returning to Australia, where he taught creative writing, finally becoming a full time writer in 1988. He has written more than 40 titles, including general and crime fiction, children's books, textbooks, and books about the craft of writing.
He gained post graduate degrees from Adelaide and Melbourne Universities. In 1978 he was awarded a creative writing fellowship to Stanford University, where he wrote his first short story collection. He travelled widely overseas, before returning to Australia, where he taught creative writing, finally becoming a full time writer in 1988. He has written more than 40 titles, including general and crime fiction, children's books, textbooks, and books about the craft of writing.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 16, 2024
The Wyatt Butterfly is a combination of book five and six of the Wyatt series by Garry Disher.
Port Vila Blues - book five
Wyatt did another successful job and eluded the cops and escape back to his hiding spot in Hobart. However, this was not the case. One of the pieces of the jewel a brooch made Wyatt a target for criminals who want him and the pin to disappear. The readers of Port Vila Blues will continue to follow Wyatt to find out if he lives.
Port Vila Blues is another enjoyable book to read in this fantastic series by Garry Disher. I love the portrayal of the characters in Port Vila Blues. Garry Disher did an excellent job in describing his settings and the plot of this book. Port Vila Blues is well written and researched by Garry Disher.
Fallout - book 6
Wyatt finds a girlfriend Liz Reading, but he can not go straight even for someone he loves. Wyatt loves the adrenalin that he gets from stealing art and treasures, so he drugs Liz and takes off with stolen jewel. However, Wyatt found out the gems are fakes. When his finances started to run low, he joined forces with his nephew, Raymond. The readers of Fallout will continue to follow Raymond and Wyatt to find out what happens.
Fallout is another enjoyable book to read in this fantastic series by Garry Disher. I love the portrayal of the characters and the way they intertwine with each other throughout this book. Garry Disher did an excellent job in describing his settings and the plot of this book. Fallout is well written and researched by Garry Disher.
I recommend this book.
Port Vila Blues - book five
Wyatt did another successful job and eluded the cops and escape back to his hiding spot in Hobart. However, this was not the case. One of the pieces of the jewel a brooch made Wyatt a target for criminals who want him and the pin to disappear. The readers of Port Vila Blues will continue to follow Wyatt to find out if he lives.
Port Vila Blues is another enjoyable book to read in this fantastic series by Garry Disher. I love the portrayal of the characters in Port Vila Blues. Garry Disher did an excellent job in describing his settings and the plot of this book. Port Vila Blues is well written and researched by Garry Disher.
Fallout - book 6
Wyatt finds a girlfriend Liz Reading, but he can not go straight even for someone he loves. Wyatt loves the adrenalin that he gets from stealing art and treasures, so he drugs Liz and takes off with stolen jewel. However, Wyatt found out the gems are fakes. When his finances started to run low, he joined forces with his nephew, Raymond. The readers of Fallout will continue to follow Raymond and Wyatt to find out what happens.
Fallout is another enjoyable book to read in this fantastic series by Garry Disher. I love the portrayal of the characters and the way they intertwine with each other throughout this book. Garry Disher did an excellent job in describing his settings and the plot of this book. Fallout is well written and researched by Garry Disher.
I recommend this book.
December 11, 2011
This combination of the two previous Wyatt novels (before the seventh latest 2010 issue - Wyatt) is an excellent introduction to this complex anti-hero. Earlier books in Garry Disher's series show us in detail Wyatt's meticulous lifestyle as a 'professional' robber. In these two novels (Port Vila Blues and The Fallout) he has to do a lot more than make his plans work. Here he is put under considerable pressure, physically, psychologically and emotionally, as forces beyond his control turn his life into a slippery slope. You can't help but like the guy, a thief of the 'old school' who sharpened his skills in a time when it was easier to know who you could trust. Finding himself among amateurs is making his job very risky. Now just add a woman to the mix - and not just any woman! - and you are in for a very thrilling ride.
April 22, 2022
Two ‘Wyatt’ books in one volume means double the thrills and enjoyment! The ‘Wyatt Butterfly’ encompasses two titles (‘Port Vila Blues’ and ‘Fallout’). As the titles suggest, the two stories are connected. The theft of a Tiffany Butterfly brooch by Wyatt sets in motion a series of ‘stings’ involving a corrupt judge, the ‘dirty cops’ he’s blackmailing, and an undercover policewoman seeking to expose it all. ‘Port Vila Blues’ details the setup and undertaking of the ‘revenge stings’ and is quite violent. There’s almost a role reversal where the police and judiciary are the bad guys and Wyatt is the sleuth caught in the middle and trying to stay alive to get to the bottom of it all!
‘Fallout’ deals with Wyatt’s flight from Port Vila and pursuit by Liz Redding (the undercover cop). Liz wants him to give evidence and there’s a missing stash of jewellery too! The guilty cops and judge are all dead though and Liz doesn’t get far in her pursuit as she’s suspended, pending an inquiry, for ‘going rogue’ in Port Vila. The chauvinism of the police force makes her wonder if there’s a place for her there? She uses her ‘off-duty’ time to keep tabs on Wyatt.
There’s some sexual interest between the two but their professions make a long term liaison untenable, or do they? As their paths keep crossing, their attraction grows until both are questioning their futures.
The appearance of Wyatt’s nephew Raymond as a fledgling thief creates some new interest in the story. Ray meets Wyatt and interests him in a possible art heist. Ray is ‘in over his head’ though with several other ‘dodgy’ jobs on the go that Wyatt learns about too late. Wyatt abandons the heist and walks away but Ray ambitiously continues to his demise. There’s a thrilling finale where Wyatt, Liz and a disgruntled client of Ray’s have a shootout on a remote Tasmanian property. The book ends on a cliffhanger which of course just makes me crave the next instalment in this series.
This crime thriller series is an easy read but I find it irresistible. If the cool, enigmatic Wyatt survives he’ll be at a crossroad and I can’t wait to see what choice he makes…
‘Fallout’ deals with Wyatt’s flight from Port Vila and pursuit by Liz Redding (the undercover cop). Liz wants him to give evidence and there’s a missing stash of jewellery too! The guilty cops and judge are all dead though and Liz doesn’t get far in her pursuit as she’s suspended, pending an inquiry, for ‘going rogue’ in Port Vila. The chauvinism of the police force makes her wonder if there’s a place for her there? She uses her ‘off-duty’ time to keep tabs on Wyatt.
There’s some sexual interest between the two but their professions make a long term liaison untenable, or do they? As their paths keep crossing, their attraction grows until both are questioning their futures.
The appearance of Wyatt’s nephew Raymond as a fledgling thief creates some new interest in the story. Ray meets Wyatt and interests him in a possible art heist. Ray is ‘in over his head’ though with several other ‘dodgy’ jobs on the go that Wyatt learns about too late. Wyatt abandons the heist and walks away but Ray ambitiously continues to his demise. There’s a thrilling finale where Wyatt, Liz and a disgruntled client of Ray’s have a shootout on a remote Tasmanian property. The book ends on a cliffhanger which of course just makes me crave the next instalment in this series.
This crime thriller series is an easy read but I find it irresistible. If the cool, enigmatic Wyatt survives he’ll be at a crossroad and I can’t wait to see what choice he makes…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2023
Loved these two books. As always, you never know where you are going. Garry Disher adds so many twists and left hooks and all you know is that Wyatt will live at the end, but never who else would. There's nothing cosy but there is humanity. But they are hard characters. Port Vila Blues was doubly fun as I'd been to the Port and the resort island featured in it.
February 15, 2022
I prefered the series in Rural South Australia and Victoria
March 26, 2023
I've really enjoyed the Challis and Hirschhausen series but for some reason this book didn't strike a chord with me.
November 20, 2014
Disher does it again with another couple of stories that leave you wondering how the hell Wyatt is going to get out of it this time.
"The Wyatt Butterfly" contains two stories around the familiar cunning criminal Wyatt and his adventures in big-time theft. "Port Villa Blues", the first story, has Wyatt travelling to the tropics in-search of a man named De Lisle (and his riches).
The second tale, "Fallout" works as a stand-alone, but tacks onto the end of the first. Readers are treated to two stories wound into one. While one story follows Wyatt's efforts to get money from stolen goods, the partner story reveals Wyatt's early years, which don't seem to be any smaller in terms of risks.
Definitely a good read. I'm not all that into crime stories, but Disher has managed to hook me in a second time.
"The Wyatt Butterfly" contains two stories around the familiar cunning criminal Wyatt and his adventures in big-time theft. "Port Villa Blues", the first story, has Wyatt travelling to the tropics in-search of a man named De Lisle (and his riches).
The second tale, "Fallout" works as a stand-alone, but tacks onto the end of the first. Readers are treated to two stories wound into one. While one story follows Wyatt's efforts to get money from stolen goods, the partner story reveals Wyatt's early years, which don't seem to be any smaller in terms of risks.
Definitely a good read. I'm not all that into crime stories, but Disher has managed to hook me in a second time.
September 13, 2012
I really love this guy's writing. And, because his books are set around my home town, it makes it all the more interesting. So much action. Such great characters. Fabulous. Can't wait to read more of his.
October 26, 2015
Loved both books in this volume. Very easy reading and difficult to stop! the plot is tightly woven and characters developed clearly. I was drawn in from the very first page and enjoyed the surprises and the almost not finished, but satisfying ending.
August 30, 2011
I love Gary Disher and did not finish this one. Lasted about half-way. Don't bother. It is not one of his police books which are very good but about a thief who is not so interesting.
December 31, 2013
I loved Garry Disher's other books, but found this one hard to read and it dragged.
May 30, 2016
3.5 stars - I didn't like the abrupt endings with little closure. Otherwise a good read
April 29, 2015
Easy rattling read -Australian rural police hero - likeable realistic characters
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews