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Jack Harris #2
The Sunbaker
From the author of The Beacon comes another thrilling beachside murder mystery, bursting with local colour and humour.
When overworked forensic pathologist Nicola Fox arrives for a long-overdue break at her holiday house in Brunswick Heads, on the NSW north coast, she's shocked to discover someone sunbaking on one of the sun lounges in her backyard. And that the sunbaker has been dead for some time.
Rumours soon emerge that the sunbaker took more than a few dark secrets to his grave, secrets many people—and especially the police—were keen to bury. When the arse-covering and finger-pointing begin in earnest, Nicola finds herself a suspect.
New to town, she only knows one person who might be able to save Jack Harris, a journalist at the local newspaper, The Beacon. When he begins investigating, the police organised crime unit arrives, and soon they are threatening both him and Nicola, leaving Jack to wonder if it was the police themselves who had committed the crime.
Can Jack uncover who really killed the sunbaker, and why the body was left in the backyard of a forensic pathologist, before the escalating threats to his own wellbeing become more than just threats?
When overworked forensic pathologist Nicola Fox arrives for a long-overdue break at her holiday house in Brunswick Heads, on the NSW north coast, she's shocked to discover someone sunbaking on one of the sun lounges in her backyard. And that the sunbaker has been dead for some time.
Rumours soon emerge that the sunbaker took more than a few dark secrets to his grave, secrets many people—and especially the police—were keen to bury. When the arse-covering and finger-pointing begin in earnest, Nicola finds herself a suspect.
New to town, she only knows one person who might be able to save Jack Harris, a journalist at the local newspaper, The Beacon. When he begins investigating, the police organised crime unit arrives, and soon they are threatening both him and Nicola, leaving Jack to wonder if it was the police themselves who had committed the crime.
Can Jack uncover who really killed the sunbaker, and why the body was left in the backyard of a forensic pathologist, before the escalating threats to his own wellbeing become more than just threats?
- GenresAudiobook
384 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2025
11 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
October 16, 2025
I really enjoyed The Beacon and was looking forward to being back on the NSW North Coast with The Sunbaker. The Beacon is set in Byron Bay and The Sunbaker is set in the nearby town of Brunswick Heads.
Journalist Jack Harris is back again and has been asked by a friend, forensic pathologist Nicola Fox, to help investigate the case of a dead body found lying on a sunlounge at her holiday house.
I loved the eclectic mix of support characters that beautifully reflected the colourful range of residents of the Byron region. Plus the wonderful portrayal of Inspector Begley. He was tetchy, sweary and grumpy, with a dry personality dripping with sarcasm pitted against Harris who was light-hearted and a bit of a comedian.
Ricky is back to lend his hand at a bit of break-and-enter and get Jack out of a few scrapes.
P. A. Thomas is a medical specialist and around all the light-hearted fun he includes serious medical conditions and the ethical issues related to them.
Medical conditions, dark humour, murder and laugh-out-loud moments (mainly at Jack's expense) effortlessly come together to make The Sunbaker a compelling mystery read with plenty of twists to keep the reader engaged
Journalist Jack Harris is back again and has been asked by a friend, forensic pathologist Nicola Fox, to help investigate the case of a dead body found lying on a sunlounge at her holiday house.
I loved the eclectic mix of support characters that beautifully reflected the colourful range of residents of the Byron region. Plus the wonderful portrayal of Inspector Begley. He was tetchy, sweary and grumpy, with a dry personality dripping with sarcasm pitted against Harris who was light-hearted and a bit of a comedian.
Ricky is back to lend his hand at a bit of break-and-enter and get Jack out of a few scrapes.
P. A. Thomas is a medical specialist and around all the light-hearted fun he includes serious medical conditions and the ethical issues related to them.
Medical conditions, dark humour, murder and laugh-out-loud moments (mainly at Jack's expense) effortlessly come together to make The Sunbaker a compelling mystery read with plenty of twists to keep the reader engaged
July 2, 2025
5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vibes: Sunbaking Suspense, Dark Humour
- - -
From the sun drenched cover to the gritty Aussie crime inside, The Sunbaker had me hooked from the very first page even if I was reading it snuggled up in a blanket and Uggs instead of basking on a beach!
This book was everything I love in an Australian crime novel. Short and punchy chapters packed with suspense, a cast of memorable characters (Begley would have to be one of my favourites ever) and a gripping mystery that kept me guessing right to the final pages.
What I loved most of all though was The Sunbaker keeps the character list tight and purposeful and doesn’t just introduce new characters for the sake of extra potential suspects. Every person on the page plays a role in this story unlike some overly crowded crime reads. The characters pop thanks to the sharp writing which is witty and totally addictive. If you like your murder mysteries smart but not too serious, this hits the sweet spot.
I didn’t even realise this was a follow up to PA Thomas’s first novel The Beacon but it reads perfectly as a stand alone with just the right amount of backstory.
Fans of Mark Billingham, clever plotting and crime with heart (plus a dash of romance and some gloriously dark humour) are going to eat this one up. Whether you're reading on a sunny beach or under the doona, The Sunbaker definitely delivers.
Big thanks to Echo Publishing for sharing this gem with me!
Vibes: Sunbaking Suspense, Dark Humour
- - -
From the sun drenched cover to the gritty Aussie crime inside, The Sunbaker had me hooked from the very first page even if I was reading it snuggled up in a blanket and Uggs instead of basking on a beach!
This book was everything I love in an Australian crime novel. Short and punchy chapters packed with suspense, a cast of memorable characters (Begley would have to be one of my favourites ever) and a gripping mystery that kept me guessing right to the final pages.
What I loved most of all though was The Sunbaker keeps the character list tight and purposeful and doesn’t just introduce new characters for the sake of extra potential suspects. Every person on the page plays a role in this story unlike some overly crowded crime reads. The characters pop thanks to the sharp writing which is witty and totally addictive. If you like your murder mysteries smart but not too serious, this hits the sweet spot.
I didn’t even realise this was a follow up to PA Thomas’s first novel The Beacon but it reads perfectly as a stand alone with just the right amount of backstory.
Fans of Mark Billingham, clever plotting and crime with heart (plus a dash of romance and some gloriously dark humour) are going to eat this one up. Whether you're reading on a sunny beach or under the doona, The Sunbaker definitely delivers.
Big thanks to Echo Publishing for sharing this gem with me!
June 25, 2025
If you ever get tired of dark, grim and gritty crime novels, then The Sunbaker could be the antidote you need. This enjoyable murder mystery, set in the beautiful surrounds of Brunswick Heads, captures the local character and colour and humour of Australian beachside communities. The Sunbaker has a solid crime at its heart, with enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing about perpetrator and motive. The characters are light and full of banter, with the added bonus of not seeming to be terribly concerned about dull things like turning up to work regularly, paying bills or obeying the law.
However, while I enjoyed the light-heartedness of it all, the lack of reality was also jarring. As someone who has worked in big and small news rooms, I'd love to have Jack Harris' job, where he fronts up at a couple of press conferences, asks one question so pointed that it makes a woman swoon and the other journalists envious, and then swans off to the office for an afternoon to turn in some poorly written news copy. Hold the front page!
The other jarring note was the female characters who would almost certainly fail the Bechdel test. While attempts have been made to make them fully-rounded people in their own rights, they mostly seem to exist to confirm that our dashing male hero is desirable. One, with a potentially life-changing medical diagnosis, spends just as much time worrying about how it will impact on a relationship with our hero as she does worrying about what it will do to her quality and length of life. Another female character has a complicated side-story involving her sister which mostly seems to exist to raise the potential of more romantic entanglements, spark jealousy and gives our hero the chance to show he is A Nice Guy.
Like a mini-break to Byron Bay, The Sunbaker is fun, frothy, popcorn for the brain. A good holiday read.
**A preview copy was provided in return for a review.**
However, while I enjoyed the light-heartedness of it all, the lack of reality was also jarring. As someone who has worked in big and small news rooms, I'd love to have Jack Harris' job, where he fronts up at a couple of press conferences, asks one question so pointed that it makes a woman swoon and the other journalists envious, and then swans off to the office for an afternoon to turn in some poorly written news copy. Hold the front page!
The other jarring note was the female characters who would almost certainly fail the Bechdel test. While attempts have been made to make them fully-rounded people in their own rights, they mostly seem to exist to confirm that our dashing male hero is desirable. One, with a potentially life-changing medical diagnosis, spends just as much time worrying about how it will impact on a relationship with our hero as she does worrying about what it will do to her quality and length of life. Another female character has a complicated side-story involving her sister which mostly seems to exist to raise the potential of more romantic entanglements, spark jealousy and gives our hero the chance to show he is A Nice Guy.
Like a mini-break to Byron Bay, The Sunbaker is fun, frothy, popcorn for the brain. A good holiday read.
**A preview copy was provided in return for a review.**
June 23, 2025
I was hooked by The Sunbaker almost instantly – by the time I had reached the halfway mark, I could not put it down. The writing is well paced, the shorter chapters are snappy and concise (loved them) and the way each character developed throughout the novel – I felt like I knew all their personalities very early, which led to my rapid investment in what occurred. I quickly became enamoured with Jack, his relationship with cranky Begley and their shared hatred for The Harriers, Begley’s one liners had me laughing out loud many times. Add in Caitlin, upholder of the Iaw and a sceptic when it came to Nicola’s growing attraction to Jack. I also can’t forget Jack’s dodgy, turn up out of the blue, mate Ricky, master hacker. I particularly enjoyed that the book didn’t just end when they’d solved the crime and that the author played out the fallout for members of the force, in the media, and relationships before it finished.
I thoroughly enjoy the murder and suspense genre, usually I can decipher who the perpetrator is, I didn’t crack it until close to the ending this time around.
I thoroughly enjoy the murder and suspense genre, usually I can decipher who the perpetrator is, I didn’t crack it until close to the ending this time around.
August 12, 2025
Really enjoyable read
August 18, 2025
Entertaining but not page turning.
July 9, 2025
This ended up being a funny one for me – I was intrigued enough by the premise to give it a go as, a. I like crime fiction, and b. I’m always intrigued by novels with a journalist as one of the main characters.
I couldn’t really say that I liked this book, but at the same time, I couldn’t claim to vehemently dislike it either. I think the best adjective to describe it would be ‘inoffensive’, except to anyone who (like me) once worked in a local newspaper and takes umbrage to the depiction of the profession.
‘The Sunbaker’ jumps around between the minds of four characters (plus an extra one that I won’t spoil, but which kind of gave the game away a little). Nicola Fox is the pathologist whose holiday home becomes a dumping ground for a dead body; Jack Harris is a local journalist and acquaintance who she turns to for support; Caitlin O’Shaughnessy is a local lawyer and is agonising over her relationship with Jack; and Begley, the local, cantankerous cop who isn’t one for any of the protocol, standard or otherwise.
There’s enough going on here to keep me reading, even though the mystery falls apart a little in the second half of the book. There aren’t enough red herrings dotted through to provoke doubt, and the obvious culprits are way too easy and obvious.
The antagonists felt very much like caricatures, with a police communications officer who wouldn’t get a job running a church newsletter.
Of the main characters, I liked Caitlin best of all – it felt like she went on more of a journey as a character. The others were a little one-dimensional for my liking and many of the scenes between Jack and Begley or Jack and Ricky read like a pair of teenagers trying to out-banter each other.
The main issue was that it didn’t feel like there was any jeopardy for any of the characters – they were all spectators, even Nicola whose house was the crime scene(!) and it never felt like any one of the main characters was in any kind of immediate peril.
My last, and biggest gripe, was around the depiction of the journalistic profession. I’m not sure how the newspaper goes out when it has one journalist who writes one story every few days… Add to that that a breaking news story should not include the journalist’s suppositions, and I was already in the ‘hard to win over’ category.
As I said, there was enough in this to keep me reading to the end, and I did like the setting and some of the secondary characters, particularly Marylin/Brenda and Moira, but it all felt a bit too easy for (most of) the characters in the end.
2.5 stars rounded up.
My thank to Echo Publishing, via NetGalley, for the eARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I couldn’t really say that I liked this book, but at the same time, I couldn’t claim to vehemently dislike it either. I think the best adjective to describe it would be ‘inoffensive’, except to anyone who (like me) once worked in a local newspaper and takes umbrage to the depiction of the profession.
‘The Sunbaker’ jumps around between the minds of four characters (plus an extra one that I won’t spoil, but which kind of gave the game away a little). Nicola Fox is the pathologist whose holiday home becomes a dumping ground for a dead body; Jack Harris is a local journalist and acquaintance who she turns to for support; Caitlin O’Shaughnessy is a local lawyer and is agonising over her relationship with Jack; and Begley, the local, cantankerous cop who isn’t one for any of the protocol, standard or otherwise.
There’s enough going on here to keep me reading, even though the mystery falls apart a little in the second half of the book. There aren’t enough red herrings dotted through to provoke doubt, and the obvious culprits are way too easy and obvious.
The antagonists felt very much like caricatures, with a police communications officer who wouldn’t get a job running a church newsletter.
Of the main characters, I liked Caitlin best of all – it felt like she went on more of a journey as a character. The others were a little one-dimensional for my liking and many of the scenes between Jack and Begley or Jack and Ricky read like a pair of teenagers trying to out-banter each other.
The main issue was that it didn’t feel like there was any jeopardy for any of the characters – they were all spectators, even Nicola whose house was the crime scene(!) and it never felt like any one of the main characters was in any kind of immediate peril.
My last, and biggest gripe, was around the depiction of the journalistic profession. I’m not sure how the newspaper goes out when it has one journalist who writes one story every few days… Add to that that a breaking news story should not include the journalist’s suppositions, and I was already in the ‘hard to win over’ category.
As I said, there was enough in this to keep me reading to the end, and I did like the setting and some of the secondary characters, particularly Marylin/Brenda and Moira, but it all felt a bit too easy for (most of) the characters in the end.
2.5 stars rounded up.
My thank to Echo Publishing, via NetGalley, for the eARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
July 6, 2025
Australian author PA Thomas came onto the crime scene with his enjoyable debut The Beacon. This was Australian rural crime fiction set in a glitzy coastal town of Byron Bay with a suspend your disbelief murder and plenty of verve. The Beacon introduced journalist Jack Harris, son of a major media dynasty, and Caitlin O’Shaughnessy, daughter of the editor of the local newspaper whose murder they investigate but also Jack’s best friend Ricky, member of an organised crime family.
The Sunbaker brings the trio back together to solve yet another bizarre series of murders. When The Sunbaker opens pathologist Nicola Fox returns to her holiday house in Brunswick Heads to find a dead man on one of sunloungers complete with cocktail and a book in Russian on his chest. She turns to Jack Harris, one of the only people she knows in the area but also turning to Harris is local cop Begley who wants to solve the case before the organised crime squad that has been dispatched from Sydney to investigate. They are on the scene because the victim (and Caitlin’s boss) is a barrister who worked for a notorious bikie gang. Soon Ricky is also on the scene and Jack and Ricky get up to their old tricks of breaking and entering, hacking and generally annoying the police but also getting closer to the truth.
Jack is once again a little bit too perfect and too suave. Caitlin is relegated to the sidelines a bit, her arc is very much centred around her possible inheritance of Huntington’s disease from her mother and its impact on her relationship with Jack. And Ricky might be a computer prodigy but even he produces a number of deux ex machina moments (including his ability to bug the police station and call in favours from his criminal ‘uncle’).
But none of that matters too much. Like The Beacon before it, The Sunbaker is a breezy, winking engaging piece of Australian crime fiction. While it is somewhat based on real issues and events (including the Victorian police use of a mob lawyer as an informant), it is also light and more than a little bit unbelievable. The trick is not to take any of it too seriously. Just sit back and have a good time.
November 15, 2025
The Sunbaker by P.A.Thomas
I purchased this book back in July on impulse while visiting the new Readings in Chadstone. The cover art persuaded me to pick it up and read the blurb, and it sounded fun. When I realised it was the second book in a series, I quickly downloaded the audiobook of the first book in the series (The Beacon) and read that one first. I decided to keep The Sunbaker as one of my reads for our trip to Bali. I didn’t manage to finish it, but I got a good way in before having to come back to Melbourne.
The Beacon saw Jack join forces with Caitlin to investigate the death of Caitlin’s father. In The Sunbaker, forensic pathologist Nicola Fox arrives in Brunswick Heads for a long-overdue break when she finds someone sunbaking in her backyard. And that the sunbaker has been dead for some time. Rumours emerge that the sunbaker took more than a few dark secrets to his grave. When Nicola finds herself a suspect, she contacts the only person she knows in town, Jack.
When Jack and Caitlin begin to investigate, the police organised crime unit arrives. Soon, they are threatening Jack and Nicola and tearing their apartments apart and leaving them to wonder if it was the police themselves who had committed the crime. Jack’s old friend Ricky, who was fleetingly in The Beacon, plays a bigger role this time around. He reminded me of Hoon Lee’s character in Banshee, although not as fashion-forward.
Much like The Beacon, The Sunbaker is a fun murder mystery; it’s very nearly a cosy, but it doesn’t quite fall into the cosy genre. It’s twisty and exciting, with plenty of unlikeable characters and even more likeable ones, set in an excellent Australian beachside location that allows the locals to shine through.
Body count = 3
@echo_publishing #echo_publishing #thumbsup👍 #mystery #CosyMystery #Mystery #CrimeFiction #AussieAuthor #AustralianAuthor #booksdeevaareads #2025bookshelf #deevaasbookshelf #booknerd #CreativeLife #goreadabook #allthebooks #Bookstagram #DesignInspiration #newrelease #Designer #GraphicDesign #DesignNerd #designdeevaa #Bookstagram #TBRList #Bookish
@pathomas.writer #pathomas #thesunbaker
I purchased this book back in July on impulse while visiting the new Readings in Chadstone. The cover art persuaded me to pick it up and read the blurb, and it sounded fun. When I realised it was the second book in a series, I quickly downloaded the audiobook of the first book in the series (The Beacon) and read that one first. I decided to keep The Sunbaker as one of my reads for our trip to Bali. I didn’t manage to finish it, but I got a good way in before having to come back to Melbourne.
The Beacon saw Jack join forces with Caitlin to investigate the death of Caitlin’s father. In The Sunbaker, forensic pathologist Nicola Fox arrives in Brunswick Heads for a long-overdue break when she finds someone sunbaking in her backyard. And that the sunbaker has been dead for some time. Rumours emerge that the sunbaker took more than a few dark secrets to his grave. When Nicola finds herself a suspect, she contacts the only person she knows in town, Jack.
When Jack and Caitlin begin to investigate, the police organised crime unit arrives. Soon, they are threatening Jack and Nicola and tearing their apartments apart and leaving them to wonder if it was the police themselves who had committed the crime. Jack’s old friend Ricky, who was fleetingly in The Beacon, plays a bigger role this time around. He reminded me of Hoon Lee’s character in Banshee, although not as fashion-forward.
Much like The Beacon, The Sunbaker is a fun murder mystery; it’s very nearly a cosy, but it doesn’t quite fall into the cosy genre. It’s twisty and exciting, with plenty of unlikeable characters and even more likeable ones, set in an excellent Australian beachside location that allows the locals to shine through.
Body count = 3
@echo_publishing #echo_publishing #thumbsup👍 #mystery #CosyMystery #Mystery #CrimeFiction #AussieAuthor #AustralianAuthor #booksdeevaareads #2025bookshelf #deevaasbookshelf #booknerd #CreativeLife #goreadabook #allthebooks #Bookstagram #DesignInspiration #newrelease #Designer #GraphicDesign #DesignNerd #designdeevaa #Bookstagram #TBRList #Bookish
@pathomas.writer #pathomas #thesunbaker
July 1, 2025
Set in the laid-back and tight-knit community of Brunswick Heads, this beachside mystery begins when forensic pathologist Nicola Fox arrives for a much-needed holiday, only to find a corpse quite literally lounging in her backyard. Nicola just wanted some peace and quiet. He took it a little too literally.
The narrative is tightly paced, immediately drawing readers into Nicola’s bewildering situation. Her wit and clinical insight contrast cleverly with the town’s quirky characters and the tensions simmering beneath its sunny surface. As the mystery deepens, local journalist Jack Harris becomes her reluctant ally. His investigation soon attracts the attention of the police’s organised crime unit, and the stakes rise quickly.
What makes this mystery stand out is its sharp social commentary, hidden just beneath the sun, surf, and scandal. The story satirises bureaucracy, corruption, and the extremes people will go to bury their secrets.
Darkly funny and delightfully unpredictable, this novel is far from your average whodunit. It’s Midsomer Murders crossed with Only Murders in the Building. An immersive and entertaining escape just be careful which lounge chair you choose by the pool.
Another 5 Star read! ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The narrative is tightly paced, immediately drawing readers into Nicola’s bewildering situation. Her wit and clinical insight contrast cleverly with the town’s quirky characters and the tensions simmering beneath its sunny surface. As the mystery deepens, local journalist Jack Harris becomes her reluctant ally. His investigation soon attracts the attention of the police’s organised crime unit, and the stakes rise quickly.
What makes this mystery stand out is its sharp social commentary, hidden just beneath the sun, surf, and scandal. The story satirises bureaucracy, corruption, and the extremes people will go to bury their secrets.
Darkly funny and delightfully unpredictable, this novel is far from your average whodunit. It’s Midsomer Murders crossed with Only Murders in the Building. An immersive and entertaining escape just be careful which lounge chair you choose by the pool.
Another 5 Star read! ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
June 9, 2025
I loved this book from the first page. The characters were engaging, the dialogue was snappy and fresh and the chapters were just long enough to keep you hooked.
Jack- what a great hero and overall good person. He’s the sort of guy everyone wants to be friends with or at least associated with – he’s cute, smart and savvy. Add his integrity into the mix and he is almost the perfect man. And of course Caitlin, his cute as a button friend, upholder of the law with a lust for life and her own understandable commitment issues and Nicola, forensic pathologist, a bit of a cold fish who is fighting to clear her name while still looking after those around her, especially Bernard her fellow pathologist, both recognise this fact.
Begley is also a character- his abrupt, down to earth turn of phrase made me laugh out loud, because underneath it all, he too is all about the integrity and doing the right thing.
Add in his highly amusing yet ‘dumpy’ and dodgy friend Ricky and you have all the ingredients for a fantastic adventure in NSW!
Highly recommended- please tell me there will be a book 2 or a series!
Jack- what a great hero and overall good person. He’s the sort of guy everyone wants to be friends with or at least associated with – he’s cute, smart and savvy. Add his integrity into the mix and he is almost the perfect man. And of course Caitlin, his cute as a button friend, upholder of the law with a lust for life and her own understandable commitment issues and Nicola, forensic pathologist, a bit of a cold fish who is fighting to clear her name while still looking after those around her, especially Bernard her fellow pathologist, both recognise this fact.
Begley is also a character- his abrupt, down to earth turn of phrase made me laugh out loud, because underneath it all, he too is all about the integrity and doing the right thing.
Add in his highly amusing yet ‘dumpy’ and dodgy friend Ricky and you have all the ingredients for a fantastic adventure in NSW!
Highly recommended- please tell me there will be a book 2 or a series!
June 16, 2025
The Sunbaker by PA Thomas had me reading way into the early hours of the morning and wanting more.
If you are looking for a Murder Mystery which has you laughing out loud (not just smiling to yourself) then this is the book for you.
My wife grabbed it before I had a chance, and all I could hear was chuckles for hours.
Set in New South Wales, Australia, the story follows two lovable larrikins as they endeavour to solve a couple of murders using any means available to them (mostly not quite legal), including a police officer nearing retirement and the leader of a notorious bikie gang.
Skilfully written, you can almost picture the characters sitting across the table from you and you won’t be able to decide if the good guys are bad, or the bad guys are good. Highly recommended reading.
Have already tracked down the Authors other book and will be keeping a VERY good eye for any further writing.
DISCLAIMER: I received this book at no cost in return for an honest and unbiased review, and what I have written above is wholly my own opinion and recommendation.
If you are looking for a Murder Mystery which has you laughing out loud (not just smiling to yourself) then this is the book for you.
My wife grabbed it before I had a chance, and all I could hear was chuckles for hours.
Set in New South Wales, Australia, the story follows two lovable larrikins as they endeavour to solve a couple of murders using any means available to them (mostly not quite legal), including a police officer nearing retirement and the leader of a notorious bikie gang.
Skilfully written, you can almost picture the characters sitting across the table from you and you won’t be able to decide if the good guys are bad, or the bad guys are good. Highly recommended reading.
Have already tracked down the Authors other book and will be keeping a VERY good eye for any further writing.
DISCLAIMER: I received this book at no cost in return for an honest and unbiased review, and what I have written above is wholly my own opinion and recommendation.
June 22, 2025
The Sunbaker is an entertaining murder mystery with a difference. It’s not your typical whodunit – it’s full of surprises, sharp wit, and a whole lot of laughs. From the very first chapter, the story grabs you and doesn’t let go, keeping you guessing all the way to the end.
What really makes this book stand out are the characters. Jack and Ricky, in particular, are a brilliant duo. Their banter and antics are genuinely hilarious, and at times, I found myself laughing out loud. They bring a real charm and warmth to the story that balances the mystery perfectly.
The plot is clever, fast-paced, and full of unexpected twists. Even seasoned mystery readers will find it hard to predict where it’s going, which makes the ride even more enjoyable.
If you're after a fresh, funny, and cleverly written murder mystery, this is a great pick. Highly recommend!
What really makes this book stand out are the characters. Jack and Ricky, in particular, are a brilliant duo. Their banter and antics are genuinely hilarious, and at times, I found myself laughing out loud. They bring a real charm and warmth to the story that balances the mystery perfectly.
The plot is clever, fast-paced, and full of unexpected twists. Even seasoned mystery readers will find it hard to predict where it’s going, which makes the ride even more enjoyable.
If you're after a fresh, funny, and cleverly written murder mystery, this is a great pick. Highly recommend!
June 24, 2025
This is my first novel by P.A. Thomas. I’d only got halfway through it and had already placed a hold on his first book with the library!
Wow, what a fantastic ride that was. I was hooked right from the start.
The characters are so well rounded, I felt like they became friends of mine as well and I was totally invested in their welfare.
The story flows beautifully, the tension building at the right pace. Nothing is as it seems, but I certainly never guessed what the outcome would be.
I’ve visited Byron Bay a few times over the years and have holidayed at Brunswick Heads, frequently returning to visit the markets and have a meal at the Hotel Bruns so I felt right at home with the setting of this story.
Thank you to Better Reading Preview #BRPreview and Echo Publishing for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Wow, what a fantastic ride that was. I was hooked right from the start.
The characters are so well rounded, I felt like they became friends of mine as well and I was totally invested in their welfare.
The story flows beautifully, the tension building at the right pace. Nothing is as it seems, but I certainly never guessed what the outcome would be.
I’ve visited Byron Bay a few times over the years and have holidayed at Brunswick Heads, frequently returning to visit the markets and have a meal at the Hotel Bruns so I felt right at home with the setting of this story.
Thank you to Better Reading Preview #BRPreview and Echo Publishing for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.
June 26, 2025
An enjoyable murder mystery with twists and turns and hard to predict. Set in the Brunswick Heads in NSW makes for a beautiful setting. Nicola a forensic pathologist goes to her holiday house and discovers a sunbaker in her backyard who is dead.
I hadn’t read the previous novel, but I got to know all the characters and enjoyed the humour throughout. The characters make the book, the relationship between Jack the investigative journalist and the other characters is enjoyable. Ricky his long-time friend, Caitlin a young lawyer, Begley the grumpy police officer and Moira the homeless lady.
Easy to read and cleverly written. I would recommend to those who enjoy crime fiction.
Thank you to Better Reading for letting me review this book.
I hadn’t read the previous novel, but I got to know all the characters and enjoyed the humour throughout. The characters make the book, the relationship between Jack the investigative journalist and the other characters is enjoyable. Ricky his long-time friend, Caitlin a young lawyer, Begley the grumpy police officer and Moira the homeless lady.
Easy to read and cleverly written. I would recommend to those who enjoy crime fiction.
Thank you to Better Reading for letting me review this book.
September 23, 2025
I picked this book up on a whim... I wish I hadn't. The characters are not believable, and there is far too much emphasis placed on hugs. Stormtroopers are mentioned more frequently than in a Star Wars novel, sometimes several times on a single page: "so stormtroopers do have eyes." What?
There are so many things that made no sense and had little bearing on the story, like random mentions of a character skateboarding for some reason (and describing a skateboard as going "clickedy-clack" is not very true to skate culture btw).
Good premise, but not delivered in the best way. I don't mean to be harsh, since I know nothing about this author, but I'll probably give their other books a miss.
There are so many things that made no sense and had little bearing on the story, like random mentions of a character skateboarding for some reason (and describing a skateboard as going "clickedy-clack" is not very true to skate culture btw).
Good premise, but not delivered in the best way. I don't mean to be harsh, since I know nothing about this author, but I'll probably give their other books a miss.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2025
THE SUNBAKER is funny, clever and a great crime novel!
I loved P.A. THOMAS' protagonist - Jack Harris - who is intelligent, suave and vulnerable in equal measures.
Jack, a nominal journalist living a dream existence in Byron Bay, is adept at working with his quirky friends - the genius criminal Ricky and daredevil lawyer Caitlin - to piece together bits of information and solve a couple of murders that involve decomposing dead bodies showing up on sun lounges with a cocktail.
While not cosy crime, P.A. THOMAS' humourous style and fun characters bring a levity to an otherwise gritty and dark story.
Thanks to Netgalley and Echo Publishing for the eARC!
I loved P.A. THOMAS' protagonist - Jack Harris - who is intelligent, suave and vulnerable in equal measures.
Jack, a nominal journalist living a dream existence in Byron Bay, is adept at working with his quirky friends - the genius criminal Ricky and daredevil lawyer Caitlin - to piece together bits of information and solve a couple of murders that involve decomposing dead bodies showing up on sun lounges with a cocktail.
While not cosy crime, P.A. THOMAS' humourous style and fun characters bring a levity to an otherwise gritty and dark story.
Thanks to Netgalley and Echo Publishing for the eARC!
September 3, 2025
A murder and a pathologist who does autopsies how do they connect. Nicola Fox travels to her holiday home to find a decomposing body sun baking in her yard with a Russian book. Not the most likely scene but just a few days on things rapidly change. A local journalist and a cop soon try to hunt the trail before the Harriers can. A total who done it with many twists along the way. When all is revealed I was sitting shaking my head that I didn’t pick it all earlier. A great book that has had me drawn right in.
October 11, 2025
A reasonable who done it set in Byron Bay and Brunswick Heads. A corpse is found in the back garden of a pathologist’s holiday house and a journalist starts investigating. There are quite funny scenes involving an old school cop, a homeless woman and a slightly dodgy mate. There are unrequited love stories that also keep you guessing. There is police corruption too of course. Overall it kept me entertained but too far fetched and too many story lines. It did make Brunswick Heads sound idyllic though…
June 19, 2025
Really enjoyed this one.
Good humour intermixed with a good crime mystery.
Engaging characters - The investigative journalist, his best friend hacker from a criminal underworld family, the grumpy police detective, the overworked forensic pathologist, and more !
Intriguing initial death - body posed as a sunbaker reading a Russian novel, but placed in the backyard of the overworked forensic pathologist's holiday home.
Set on the north NSW coast, lots of local flavour.
Good humour intermixed with a good crime mystery.
Engaging characters - The investigative journalist, his best friend hacker from a criminal underworld family, the grumpy police detective, the overworked forensic pathologist, and more !
Intriguing initial death - body posed as a sunbaker reading a Russian novel, but placed in the backyard of the overworked forensic pathologist's holiday home.
Set on the north NSW coast, lots of local flavour.
August 28, 2025
Set in Brunswick Heads, near Byron Bay, in New South Wales, the novel again features Jack Harris, a journalist, and other characters from the previous book “The Beacon”. Filled with dark deeds, gruesome murder, police corruption, painstaking forensics, hacking, threads of romance, but above all, much humour and a clever denouement this is Australian murder-mystery at its best. Does contain coarse language.
September 9, 2025
I listened to this thriller murder mystery novel. Nicola is a forensic pathologist, and a dead body has been found on a sun lounger in her backyard, posed with a drink and a book in hand. She cannot work on the case because she is a suspect. And just as things get moving on the body’s autopsy, a second dead body is found - on a sun lounger in Nicola’s backyard, posed with a drink and a different book in hand. Twisty turny! Recommended.
October 7, 2025
I really enjoyed this one - you can feel the author’s writing has really developed and come into its own since the first book. Its great to be back in my local area, focusing on Bruns this time, with another sunsoaked crime to solve. All our favourite characters are back (Ricky Martinelli my beloved) and its just a blast of a book, I smashed through it in about a day.
September 9, 2025
For me, this lacked tension. Everyone just seemed to plod around doing what they needed to do. Did have some amusing one-liners, but that wasn't enough to raise my rating.
September 17, 2025
Having read The Beacon and thought it was a good easy read I was looking forward to reading this beachside thriller{ a nice change from the rural noir crime set in the outback].
A good twist.
Jack and Co are an ensemble I am happy to invest time in....and of course the well connected Ric.
A good twist.
Jack and Co are an ensemble I am happy to invest time in....and of course the well connected Ric.
September 2, 2025
just as good as the first one, if not better. I loved all the descriptions of Byron, Brunswick etc
September 11, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ Rounded up.
October 12, 2025
I'm growing rather found of Jack Harris
December 10, 2025
love this series.....need more
December 17, 2025
could relate to the characters sunbaking as I read this outside - headache incoming from the sun.
I enjoyed this it kept me interested
I enjoyed this it kept me interested
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