Grave Intent: An Australian Small Town Crime Mystery

Dawn Grave #2

by Fiona Tarr

A high-profile murder case is just part of the job—until it re-opens deep wounds that never healed…

Detective Dawn Grave is a career cop—a workaholic, hiding from a tumultuous past. A recent threat on her sister's life forced Dawn back to the place where her nightmares began.

She's since managed to overcome most of her demons, but a local murder investigation threatens to unearth a secret she's worked hard to keep buried.

When a woman’s remains are found in croc infested waters, mauled and unrecognisable, Dawn finds herself working alongside a ghost from her past.

One who could be the lynchpin she needs to solve the case. Or her prime suspect…

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Australia, Ebooks

316 pages, Paperback

Published November 22, 2024

About the author

Fiona's stories are captivating, bold, suspense reads featuring strong female leads, small, rural town settings and quirky Australian characters.

Her most recent Opal Fields Crime Fiction series has been described as “a fast paced action packed thrill ride through the outback”.

Writing runs in the family. Fiona’s Great Uncle was Australian Literary author George Johnston (My Brother Jack) and although her style is more contemporary, her Uncle’s social commentary tone is evident.

Recently compared to Jane Harper, Patricia Wolf and Melinda Leigh—Fiona’s crime and mystery suspense novels have been well received, reaching #1 Best Seller in the Amazon Australia store and beyond.

Fiona lives in Noosa Australia with her husband, and not far from her two adult children.

A self confessed people watcher, she loves to interpret body language and social cues. With a history of farming, working in male dominated industries and navigating the world of community services, Fiona is equipped with the experience and insight to develop truely memorable characters, authentic settings and action packed stories.

When not writing, you'll likely find Fiona travelling in the outback, enjoying watersports on the local pristine beaches, or spending time with family and friends.

Join Fiona's Reader's Club and discover what motivate her stories, the process she uses to research and to be the first to know about future releases.

You'll also get a free copy of her latest series prequel novella Grave Doubt

Just copy and paste this link. https://www.subscribepage.com/c8s0o4_...

Reviews

[Monika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a disappointment after very good first book in the series. This one reads as if the author was racing against time to reach the deadline. Plot is ok-ish but the writing seems rushed and repetitive. Too much of flaring nostrils, tightening chests and rolling eyes for my liking.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery in the tropics.

Dawn Grave has temporarily settled back into her family home in Cooktown, taking Long Service Leave from her job with the South Australian Police in Adelaide. She is trying to deal with events from her past whilst enjoying the company of her sister and newly found niece. The discovery of a body in croc infested Cooktown waters catapults her back into investigative mode when asked to assist Cairns Detective Clint Ryan with the case. These two are yet to resolve the simmering attraction between them since their last case together but they have developed a good working relationship. After the body is identified, clues indicate foul play and there are intriguing links between Detective Ryan and the victim’s family. Then a blast from her past threatens to derail her newly found peace and sanity, exposing possible links from the murder to the drug trade. However the traitor in their midst is totally unexpected and Dawn must rethink her past decisions. Detective Dawn Grave really thinks outside the box and she connects dots that others don’t even see. Her gut instincts guide her to finding clues and solving this twisted, complicated case but the final outcome is not as she expected. As an Aussie who lives in the tropics where the story is based, I can appreciate the location descriptions and Australian slang used throughout. This author writes about authentic, down to earth, but flawed characters. It is best to read book one in the series to give you the background story of Dawn Grave. I received an ARC for this book - this is my true and honest opinion.

[Hope Gerhardstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Dawn Grave is still in Queensland, Australia helping her sister repair the homestead when Detective Clint Ryan shows up to ask for her help with another murder. The body belongs to a young woman and possibly the one who has been missing for a week. Dawn is given a Queensland detective badge by Sergeant Martin and she is officially made lead detective on the case. Many questions abound. How did the body end up in Cooktown, 3 hrs away from Newell beach where the missing woman was last seen? Others go missing in mysterious circumstances. Evidence is missing. Grave and Ryan keep following the leads which get stranger the more they discover. Satisfying ending. Many twists, drugs, love and money. Keeps you guessing till the end. I do wish there was more character development. I did love Bella. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Jennifer Jansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic read by fellow Aussie author Fiona Tarr. These female detective series are really engaging and enjoyable.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dawn Graves is again called into help with a case in Cooktown, working again with Detective Ryan. This time the daughter of a politician is missing and a body has been discovered, although partially eaten by crocodiles it is soon established that the body belongs to the missing young woman.
The police are hampered by missing evidence and misdirection as it becomes clear there is a lot more involved in this case than the death of a young woman.
Very good read.

[Dave Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another great read and the 2nd in the series but also a standalone so whatever your thinking this is going to be good.

And WOW its fantastic much gritter than the previous serie, which I loved as well. But Dawn has fire and a strength that makes for an excellent adventurer and unpredictable twist and turns. And the angst that just makes this such a special read. 


The ending was a great twist obviously I didn't see coming it felt unfair but that's part of what makes this so good the unpredictability Dawn is up against it and she's a fighter battled scared and the opposition she faced not always predictable but the motives are searching. 

Dawn Grave a proven investigator even if its in another district of Australia a great characters plus there are several other great as week plus some week all great mysteries need them as well so to put it midly I highly recommend this great read.

[Margaret Hejmanowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love all things Fiona Tarr and this does not disappoint, this is book two in the Dawn Grave series. Dawn is currently on leave from the South Australia Police Department in Adelaide. She is staying with her sister Lisa, and niece Abby in Cooktown. She is waiting for her brother Fraiser's case to be reopened, he did not commit suicide. A body is found in Cooktown, and Dawn is asked to be the lead Detective on the case. Detective Clint Ryan is also on the case. The case is very complex, with a lot of moving parts. Can Dawn and Clint solve the case? Love the plot, great setting, and strong intense interesting characters. I can't wait for the next book in the series!!!

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grave Intent: An Australian Small Town Crime Mystery (Dawn Grave Book 2), my eleventh read from author Fiona Tarr. Tarr has become one of my go-to authors! Maybe Tarr's best character to date. “I received a Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. Grave Mistake: An Australian Small Town Crime Mystery (Dawn Grave Book 3) is due out on February 28, 2025 & has just moved up my TBR list. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[C. Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story that made me wish I had read its predecessor! I found it difficult to put down, and would have given it 5 stars had it not been for the number of errors in the text. Do modern authors not use proof-readers? Even a mediocre one would have picked up those mistakes. As an author myself (non-fiction), I would never publish a book without at least two other people having read it for that purpose. Even then, when wishing to check something, I have discovered the occasional error!

[Ngoni Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dawn Grave is back on a case again....this time she is the lead detective. The storyline is great, and the character development is awesome.
I loved the plot , it had realistic situations and believable twists and turns. The end is something I was not expecting. I loved this book so much and I can't wait for the next installment.
I received an advance review copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jared York · Rating 5 out of 5]

So satisfying!

A touch of potential romance, hints of relationships past, and plot lines convoluted enough that the “whodunit” is never immediately obvious. The Dawn Grave series is breathing new life into my love of murder mysteries, which had been dampened too often recently by overplayed tropes and more romance than mystery. Grave Intent did not disappoint as the second book in the series, and I immediately reached for the next book once I finished it.

[Jan Stier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

Beneath the gritty narrative of murder, drugs, illicit sexual practices, and systemic corruption involving political and law enforcement figures, the story ultimately reveals a profound exploration of familial bonds and the transformative power of redemption. The narrative delves deep into the complex layers of human relationships, showcasing how even in the darkest circumstances, the potential for personal growth and reconciliation remains possible.

[Jack R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Roaring Police Procedural

Absolutely great! Not the everyday police procedural, this talented author weaves social as well as criminal justice into a spellbinding story. I know the term is overused, but I really hated to put the book down. I will definitely follow the author and download more of her books.

[Jim Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Australian murder mystery with a good realistic storyline and a strong female main character. Contains a great location with plenty of suspense and police procedures. A page turning read that I highly recommend.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective Dawn has had a difficult past and she’s happy to work and be left alone. She’s drawn into a situation when it involves something from her sister’s past. Full of suspense and secrets as always.

[Mary T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard book to put down.
What a well written gripping mystery. It is like a spider web with a death at the center and all the clues, lies and possible motives spreading out from there trying to trap the murder suspect.

[Wendy Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful mystery crime story

This is a wonderful mystery crime story with a bit of romance thrown in. I found it hard to put down. The story was intriguing and interesting and I loved it.

[Nush · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy long weekend read. 2nd book in the series and I am enjoying the development of the different characters and evolving relationships. Probably should have waited until the third book was released before starting!

[Laura Poppenwimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good 2nd book that delves into the personalities of the main characters and their relationships with each other. The plot is engaging, keeps you turning the pages. Many false stasrts before the final solution. A good series best read in order since the book builds on prior plots.

[diannscollins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complicated Murder

Too many suspects and too many police people make this a very complicated story to read. I had to start a character index card to keep them all straight. But otherwise it was a good story with some great characters.

[Amanda Mc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, brilliant characters and the storyline was well thought out. I love a book where there are many puzzles before you are able to pinpoint the reason for the murder.
This was my first book of Fiona Tarr's to read and it definitely won't be my last.

[Viragored · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've enjoyed a few of Fiona Tarr's books, but this one didn't really suit me. The plot was OK, but so much of the book was taken up with 'relationships' past and present that it veered too far towards chick lit for my taste.
I probably won't be bothering with any more of this series.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this next book in the series..Well written with enough tension to keep you reading til the end....Cant wait for the next book...

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing I couldn’t put it down it felt so realistic I could image myself there. I have read all Fiona’s books and this is the best one yet more please .

[Carol Taylor]

I thoroughly enjoy this series I feel I know the characters now and have my favourites...

[Sandra Wunsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down

Loving the Dawn Grave series……can’t wait to start Book3
Murder, love, Laughter great combination ti keep me interested from start to finish

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Workmanlike story in a setting I find exotic, not being from there.

[Garrett Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good and interesting story well told.

The story had a lot of twist and turns in its narrative but the main characters kept the storyline on track until the very end.

[Kevin Cannon (Monty's Book Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

An abandoned dog, a missing person and some mislaid evidence lead to Dawn Grave being drafted into the local police department to get to the bottom of it all.

Yet more revelations from Dawn's past come to light which could cause problems with one of her colleagues but she needs to focus on the case.

This series continues to grow in stature with excellent characters and sufficiently devious plots that keep the reader guessing.

[Jen - Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic read by Fiona Tarr. Australian author, the books are all set in Australia and great reads. Pick one up now.