Murder on the Great Ocean Walk

by Isobel Blackthorn

When her zany neighbour Doris Cleaver invites Ruth Finlay on a hiking tour with a mixed group of trauma survivors, neither anticipates that they'll have to solve a murder.

When one of the party, a nurse from Melbourne, is found dead in her room before they’ve even started the hike in Apollo Bay, they know there is a killer in their midst. Then, on that same day, one of the tour group disappears.

As Ruth battles a bout of influenza that leaves her weak and scarcely able to think, Doris gets up to her usual cantankerous antics. But are they being followed and why does the group seem to have a death wish, putting themselves in mortal danger on a daily basis?

An unputdownable mystery set in a wilderness of steep cliffs and tidal beaches, MURDER ON THE GREAT OCEAN WALK is the fourth book in Isobel Blackthorn's Ruth Finlay Mysteries series.

218 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 16, 2025

About the author

Isobel Blackthorn is an award-winning author of unique and engaging fiction. She writes across a range of genres, including dark psychological thrillers, gripping mystery novels, captivating travel fiction and hilarious dark satire. Isobel holds a PhD in Western Esotericism for her groundbreaking study of the texts of Theosophist Alice A. Bailey. Isobel carries a lifelong passion for the Canary Islands, Spain, her former home. A Londoner originally, Isobel currently lives in Spain.

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Reviews

[Sharondblk]

I can't leave a star rating on this book, because it was pretty terrible, but we couldn't stop reading it or talking about it. Neither my husband nor I had heard of Isobel Blackthorn or Ruth Findlay, but the day before we were due to start the Great Ocean walk Kobo plus served this up as a "you might like this book". It was an odd book, as all the characters were unlikable, and nothing really made a lot of sense, but the descriptions of the history and the trail were accurate and interesting - as long as you were on the trail. It did seem like the author didn't understand some things, including:
*Hiking
*Murder
*Stalking laws in Victoria
*Group travel
*Trauma

there are a number of plot lines and red herrings, non of which get explained. The fact that we were confused why they thought a murder had taken place (and this was never resolved) was the least of the issues with this book.

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and think it is my favourite in the series, so far.

I know this is only book four in the series but so far the author has come up with new and inventive ways to keep the series fresh and entertaining. Each book is a standalone and as I have enjoyed every book in this this quirky cozy series, I would recommend you read them and not miss out on the fun.

This book is much more than just working out who amongst the group was a killer, as Ruth also had to struggle to stay alive as she hiked the trail. This meant you were treated to a little slice of Australia with out having to leave the comfort of your favourite chair or face the dangers. I am not sure if the places, beaches or trails they visited are real but it was so easy to imagine as the story unfolded it was like you were there with them.
I like the characters and that is a big reason why I keep returning to the series, if only to see what Doris is up to next. Although I must admit the mystery side of the series is just as compelling. I had no clue who the kill was and like Ruth had decided on the wrong person. I can't wait for there next adventure.

As Ruth goes down with a cold, the last thing she needs is to be talked into going on a hiking tour but she has never been able to say 'no' to her friend and neighbour, Doris. She might even be able to use the experience in an article. That is until one of there group dies in her hotel room and the hike has hardly started. With the hiking guilds seeming more willing to kill them on the treacherous paths, school lunches rather than the elaborate affair they were promised, killer waves, sore muscles and even worse a member of there group going missing, Ruth begins to wonder if her cold is the least of the things might get her killed. Can Ruth and Doris find a killer? And a missing man?
I liked the narrator. She made the story and the characters come to life with just the use of her voice.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Michele Northwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

In book four of this quirky whodunnit series, Ruth Finlay accompanies her eccentric neighbour, Doris, on a hiking tour. Ruth complies, but under duress as she has caught the flu and is far from feeling 100%.

As expected, there is a suspicious death, but unlike their other cases, there appear to be no clues, so the duo doesn’t know where to start. Everyone becomes a suspect including the arrogant organisers of this group of trauma survivors who lead them into more and more perilous situations with no apparent concern for their wellbeing.

Later, another group member disappears, and we are left wondering if he has also become a victim to the killer or if his absence heightens his position in the ranking of possible murderers?

Ruth’s illness gets progressively worse throughout the book, as does the horrible food the condescending organisers provide.

When a second murder occurs with similarities to the first, Ruth and Doris realise they must find the killer or killers before the tour ends.

This book describes every step of the hikes and the wonderful scenery and places they visit along the way. It left me wishing I could visit the same spots–but definitely not with that group!!
Five stars from me.

[Christine Sannerud · Rating 5 out of 5]

Journalist Ruth Finlay is resting at home suffering with the flu. Her neighbor Doris bullies Ruth into accompanying her on a hiking tour of Australia’s Great Ocean Walk. Ruth needs stories for the magazine so inconceivably agrees to go on a week long trek while she’s sick. I just happened to be sick in bed with the flu listening to this audiobook and the hike exhausted me! A person on the tour died, another disappeared, and Doris insists they investigate. Poor Ruth is dragging herself across beaches, through water, across cliffs and forests when she should be tucked up in bed. I looked up the walk and got a visual of the beautiful scenery, which I enjoyed with all the books in the series. I didn’t like Doris bullying Ruth, nor the group ostracizing Ruth, and the tour directors scamming and cheating the tour group. I did like Ruth learning about her heritage and finding love with her new boyfriend. I hope the series continues and if so, that Ruth learns to say NO! The narration was outstanding. It brought the characters and story to life.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruth and her hmmmm slightly zany neighbour shall we call her. Though I reckon she’s a handful she’ll be great company. Head off together on a walking holiday.
Turns out it’s walking but the hikes are definitely not what lots would class as a holiday. Dangerous & you’d have to be brave to face the weather and sea from this book. But it also sounds amazing & the descriptions are definitely fabulous of the scenery and sea views.
The rest of them are from a trauma group and all know each other. Which would feel odd being the unknown two.
Then a murder happens and who trusts who. Are they guilty or are they guilty.
Ruth and Doris take on the challenge and the people watching to try and solve the case.
I really enjoyed this. From start to finish there was something to keep me enjoying it. From the characters to the descriptions. A great read.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good Boxing Day read, well paced , the setting nicely evoked and plenty of potential clues ( red herrings?) for the reader. My enjoyment was dampened by scepticism about the capacity of anyone to manage the walk with the flu. Some 20 years ago, my very healthy dentist died taking a run around London streets with the flu while on holiday (in fact, I suspect it was on, or close to, Boxing Day). Ruth’s endurance and stamina do not stack up, and it does no public service, even for fiction, to suggest otherwise. I’ll settle for 3.6 stars.