The River: Australian Rural Crime Mystery

by Jason Summers

When a man is found dead on the banks of the Edward River, Detective Sergeant Nick Vada is forced to return to Milford—the farming town he swore he’d left behind for good.

The victim is someone Nick knew from school. And the scene is disturbingly familiar.

Back in 2004, The victim's twin brother, Jamie, drowned in that same river during their final year of high school. It was ruled a tragic accident. But this new death, with its eerie echoes of the past, forces Nick to ask questions he thought he’d buried for good.

Teamed up with his partner, the unflinching Detective Joanna Gray, Together they dig into the dead man’s life—and his own past. But Milford isn’t just a town with long memories. It’s a place where the truth gets murky fast, and the river has a habit of hiding more than just bodies.

As they close in on the killer, he’ll have to face the possibility that Jamie's death might not have been an accident at all—and that someone in Milford has been waiting a long time to finish what they started.

312 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2025

Reviews

[Ngaire Finch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Read

Couldn’t put down, another awesome Nick Vada adventure. I love this series so much. Well worth the read. Well done Jason, please don’t stop writing.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! I have loved all of Jason summers’ Nick Vada thriller books. So easy to read and very hard to put down. Characters are very believable and well developed. I just wish Jason could write faster, as I’m now up to date - have read all of his Nick Vada series - and can’t wait to read the next one!!
Will read whatever Jason writes!!

[Lorraine Trenouth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Jason has brought this story to life with Nick Vada. A no nonsense, down to earth detective.
Love the story and the settings.
Can’t wait for the next story!

[Ashlee Kellock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the one series that never loses its magic for me. No matter how many I read, I’m always eager for Nick’s next adventure. As long as Jason keeps writing, I’ll be reading.

[Annette Plummer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the Nick Vada series, I live in the area where some of these stories are written. Hard to put it down, hope there are more to come.

[Russell & Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

This story is well written and sets a good pace throughout. The flashbacks fit in quite well, and don't distract from the general flow of the store.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, my favourite of his books so far. I need these to be turned into a tv show!

[Vaughn Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stories are getting better. This one was the best written so far

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot was a little bit predictable and it didn’t seem quite as dramatic and fast paced as other Nick Vada books, but still an alright read!

[Margo Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my absolute favourites in the Nick Vada series! The twist at the end was brilliant, and I couldn’t put it down. I’m already hanging out for the next instalment.

[J L NICOL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Country Boy

What a bonzer of a book, just what everyone wants to cheer us all up. Nick and Joanna are both consummate professionals which really helps in keeping the story.
Just a shame that he has to return home.
Hopefully the next book will be set away from this environment and we cannot wait.
One pet hate is the grammar could be better, chapter 28 for instance in the first paragraph!!

[Matt Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite crime series. The characters now largely have a well worn familiarity, so the new instalment feels both vital as a standalone and episodic in the sense that we learn a little more about each of the returning characters. This might be the most complete in the series so far- the plot is intriguing and complex but is so beautifully constructed that is seems effortless imagined.

[Catherine Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series. For some reason Ive been reading nothing but Australian stories for the last little while.
I find the Nick Vada character easy to know and im invested in what the character does next.
I love reading about the fictional towns and can relate them back to places i have visited.
Not long to wait for the next installment, Thank you

[Ian Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great nick and Joanna case

Good read interesting build up of characters enjoyed it start to finish and I would definitely recommend this book. Thanks