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Jesse Redpath #3
The Redline
An open road. A dead cop. A killer in the hills …I flicked on the torch, swept the surrounds. Nothing. Then I directed the beam into the trees on the other side of the road.Up on a high, jutting branch, something moved. It may have been a white face, a pale body, a curved leg. Or it may have been none of those things. Was it human? Too quick for me to tell. A ripple, a blink and it was gone. But it seemed to leave an afterglow, an impression upon the fabric of the night.I took a deep breath. What had I seen? It had appeared to be a pair of piercing eyes in a pale visage. It could almost have been an owl, so compelling was its gaze, so swift its departure. Maybe it was just a trick of the light, a distorted shadow?There was a crunch of leaf in the litter below and it was gone.Whatever it was, it sent a chill through me. It’s the festive season in the Windmark Ranges and Sergeant Jesse Redpath’s day is going from bad to worse. It begins with her having to arrest the usual drunks and troublemakers and ends with the death of a colleague out on the Redline road. A death that may or may not have been an accident.
Jesse learns there have been other deaths and disappearances in the ranges, and that the local rumour mill suggests the perp is an elusive, semi-mythical character who goes by the name of ‘Anarchy’.
Beneath the charm of a close-knit community, a darker truth festers, and Jesse’s driven to expose it, no matter the disruption to the valley’s fragile tranquillity.
Jesse learns there have been other deaths and disappearances in the ranges, and that the local rumour mill suggests the perp is an elusive, semi-mythical character who goes by the name of ‘Anarchy’.
Beneath the charm of a close-knit community, a darker truth festers, and Jesse’s driven to expose it, no matter the disruption to the valley’s fragile tranquillity.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 25, 2025
About the author
Adrian Hyland
9 books113 followersAdrian Hyland spent many years in the Northern Territory, living and working among indigenous people. He now teaches at LaTrobe University and lives in the north-east of Melbourne. His first novel, Diamond Dove won the 2007 Ned Kelly Award for Best First Fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 8, 2026
Jesse Redpath is not a woman to mess with. A copper in rural Victoria, she is used to dealing with brawls at the pubs when the punters have had one too many. But this festive season she has her work cut out for her when a colleague is killed on the notorious Redline road. What first appears to be an accident, soon turns into a murder investigation.
This is the 3rd book featuring Jesse and I have enjoyed them all. Jesse is one tough cookies, and will not sit still. She cannot help but throw herself into a case,not,after what the cost. The number of broken bones, cuts, bruises, head injuries.. you name it, she has had it. She doesn’t let it stop her though, she will get the perpetrator no matter what. She can be quite reckless but she cares and that is what you want in a police officer.
This book is dark, it is a little messy and violent, but there are some funny parts as well. A great series from an often overlooked Australian writer who deserves more attention in my opinion.
Thanks to Ultimo Press for sending me a copy of this book to read.
This is the 3rd book featuring Jesse and I have enjoyed them all. Jesse is one tough cookies, and will not sit still. She cannot help but throw herself into a case,not,after what the cost. The number of broken bones, cuts, bruises, head injuries.. you name it, she has had it. She doesn’t let it stop her though, she will get the perpetrator no matter what. She can be quite reckless but she cares and that is what you want in a police officer.
This book is dark, it is a little messy and violent, but there are some funny parts as well. A great series from an often overlooked Australian writer who deserves more attention in my opinion.
Thanks to Ultimo Press for sending me a copy of this book to read.
January 18, 2026
What at first looks like a tragic car accident on a notorious stretch of road in the hills of the Windmark Ranges resulting in the death of Acting Sergeant Jesse Redpath’s colleague, soon proves to be murder in The Redline, the third compulsive instalment of Adrian Hyland’s crime fiction series.
There’s tension as Jesse, an intuitive and dogged investigator, tries to piece together what really happened to Lance. Determined to follow every lead, even from the tale-telling local roadhouse owner, she finds herself facing down a menacing poacher, hunting a ‘wild boy’ with the unlikely name of Anarchy, and following the trail of three people who vanished in the Ranges. The story is deftly plotted with Hyland weaving together multiple threads that exposes murder and corruption, and culminates in thrilling confrontations.
The writing is as polished and engaging as I expect from Hyland. The dialogue has a familiar rhythm and humour that marks it as distinctly Australian. The setting is effortlessly atmospheric, the dense bush hides a multitude of sins, both past and present.
A gripping mystery that builds on its predecessors, Canticle Creek, and The Wiregrass, but can be read as a stand alone, The Redline is a great read.
There’s tension as Jesse, an intuitive and dogged investigator, tries to piece together what really happened to Lance. Determined to follow every lead, even from the tale-telling local roadhouse owner, she finds herself facing down a menacing poacher, hunting a ‘wild boy’ with the unlikely name of Anarchy, and following the trail of three people who vanished in the Ranges. The story is deftly plotted with Hyland weaving together multiple threads that exposes murder and corruption, and culminates in thrilling confrontations.
The writing is as polished and engaging as I expect from Hyland. The dialogue has a familiar rhythm and humour that marks it as distinctly Australian. The setting is effortlessly atmospheric, the dense bush hides a multitude of sins, both past and present.
A gripping mystery that builds on its predecessors, Canticle Creek, and The Wiregrass, but can be read as a stand alone, The Redline is a great read.
March 11, 2026
Jesse Redpath is back for a 3rd outing, and I really enjoyed this one (i.e. more than #2). Blazey Best once again does the audio. I have several Aussie crime series that I've read entirely in audiobook format, and this is one that happily sits on that list. I need to explore more of Hyland's work.
March 18, 2026
Loved the return of Sergeant Jesse Redpath. This time she is investigating deaths and disappearances in the Windmark Ranges.
February 8, 2026
Firstly, I would like to thank Ultimo Press for sending me a copy of this book in lieu of my honest opinion.
Secondy, I would like to thank Sam for the buddy read.
Now for the review:
At first I had mixed feelings about this book. The main character, Jesse was quite crass and I just wasn't vibing it. Then I was like "wow! A gay policeman in a country town", I could get on board with this little plot twist. Except it came to light that Jesse is actually a girl, so not a gay cop - just no mention of gender for a good chunk of the book. It was around this time when I was given a heads up about a vulgar, very detailed chapter where poor Jesse ends up with violent diarrhoea and it is described in all its glory - it was certainly for shock value. Even as a paediatric nurse who has seen and described plenty of poop in my life, it was too much. However, throughout it all I wanted to keep reading. I needed the answers. I had to know how it all ended. I should also mention that this is book 3 in the series and I have not read the first 2 books but have added them to my "to be bought" list.
Overall, this book was a cleverly written all absorbing read that is worth your attention.
Secondy, I would like to thank Sam for the buddy read.
Now for the review:
At first I had mixed feelings about this book. The main character, Jesse was quite crass and I just wasn't vibing it. Then I was like "wow! A gay policeman in a country town", I could get on board with this little plot twist. Except it came to light that Jesse is actually a girl, so not a gay cop - just no mention of gender for a good chunk of the book. It was around this time when I was given a heads up about a vulgar, very detailed chapter where poor Jesse ends up with violent diarrhoea and it is described in all its glory - it was certainly for shock value. Even as a paediatric nurse who has seen and described plenty of poop in my life, it was too much. However, throughout it all I wanted to keep reading. I needed the answers. I had to know how it all ended. I should also mention that this is book 3 in the series and I have not read the first 2 books but have added them to my "to be bought" list.
Overall, this book was a cleverly written all absorbing read that is worth your attention.
May 19, 2026
Adrian Hyland’s The Redline was such a page-turner for me. This was my first introduction to Jesse Redpath and I had no trouble reading it as a standalone, but it definitely left me curious about the two earlier books in the series. I can see myself going back and starting from the beginning later this year.
I read this one about 50/50 between physical book and audiobook and really enjoyed both formats. The pacing worked especially well on audio. There were a few moments where I questioned some of Jesse’s behaviour and found myself wondering whether that came down to the perspective of a male author writing a female protagonist, particularly as I don’t tend to read many books by male authors in this space. Even so, it was an engaging and compelling crime read that kept me hooked throughout.
I read this one about 50/50 between physical book and audiobook and really enjoyed both formats. The pacing worked especially well on audio. There were a few moments where I questioned some of Jesse’s behaviour and found myself wondering whether that came down to the perspective of a male author writing a female protagonist, particularly as I don’t tend to read many books by male authors in this space. Even so, it was an engaging and compelling crime read that kept me hooked throughout.
December 30, 2025
A gripping murder mystery set in rural Victoria, outside Melbourne. A policeman winds up dead, possibly murdered with more murders and mysterious disappearances to be investigated by Acting Sergeant Jesse Redpath, set during the festive season. A detailed police procedural with a large cast of characters, touches of humour and wry observations on small town life. Does contain a lot of coarse language but overall a compelling read, with an unexpected resolution to the murders (for me at least). Exceptional rural crime story.
April 19, 2026
Adrian Hyland had delivered another novel that punches well above its weight. While it isn’t a long book, it feels dense in the best possible way, packed with atmosphere, sharp observation, and a strong sense of place that makes it easy to sink into. From the opening pages, Hyland shows complete control of noir storytelling, building tension slowly while letting an uneasiness seep in through the cracks of everyday life and down the winding roads of the Windmark Ranges.
Set during the festive season, the story reintroduces the world to Sergeant Jesse Redpath, partner of Nash Baker, whom we met in the previous book, The Wiregrass. Jesse was undertaking routine police work with Satellite partner Lance Cunningham until everything spiralled into something far darker. There is great work in the grounding of this story in small-town realism: the familiar drunks, the local grudges, the crooked developers, and the subtle hierarchies that all play a part in a small community. When Lance died on the isolated Redline road, possibly by accident or maybe not, the gears shift revealing a pattern of deaths and disappearances that suggest something more sinister is at work that links a lot of the town.
The Australian landscape in Windmark is more than just a backdrop. There was a harshness to the beauty of the ranges, and this mirrored the very danger and moral ambiguity Jesse faced as she dug deeper into the mystery surrounding Lance’s death, and all the other unsolved deaths linked to this place. The rumoured figure known as “Anarchy” (Anachie) added an almost mythic edge to the narrative, blurring the line between folklore and reality, especially as he was named after the tragic Scottish folk ballad his mother once sung. Hyland’s characterisation is equally strong, particularly of Jesse, whose determination defends the fragile calm of the valley.
The Redline is superior Australian crime fiction. It was tightly written, richly detailed, and included several twists. Thank you #ultimopress for the #gifted copy.
Set during the festive season, the story reintroduces the world to Sergeant Jesse Redpath, partner of Nash Baker, whom we met in the previous book, The Wiregrass. Jesse was undertaking routine police work with Satellite partner Lance Cunningham until everything spiralled into something far darker. There is great work in the grounding of this story in small-town realism: the familiar drunks, the local grudges, the crooked developers, and the subtle hierarchies that all play a part in a small community. When Lance died on the isolated Redline road, possibly by accident or maybe not, the gears shift revealing a pattern of deaths and disappearances that suggest something more sinister is at work that links a lot of the town.
The Australian landscape in Windmark is more than just a backdrop. There was a harshness to the beauty of the ranges, and this mirrored the very danger and moral ambiguity Jesse faced as she dug deeper into the mystery surrounding Lance’s death, and all the other unsolved deaths linked to this place. The rumoured figure known as “Anarchy” (Anachie) added an almost mythic edge to the narrative, blurring the line between folklore and reality, especially as he was named after the tragic Scottish folk ballad his mother once sung. Hyland’s characterisation is equally strong, particularly of Jesse, whose determination defends the fragile calm of the valley.
The Redline is superior Australian crime fiction. It was tightly written, richly detailed, and included several twists. Thank you #ultimopress for the #gifted copy.
February 18, 2026
The Redline is the third in Adrian Hyland’s Australian regional crime series featuring Sergeant Jesse Redpath. The series is set in a series of small towns in the fictional Windmark Ranges, only a few hours drive from Melbourne. This entry is named after a local road that has earned the nickname “the redline” due to the drivers who redline their cars while driving along it.
After an introduction to local hoons Dane and Cody Perry, the action moves forward a few months (Cody is now out of jail), to a community event at the local resort Mineral Springs. But her day is turned upside down when she allows her constable Lance Cunningham to go and investigate hoons on the Redline and he is later found dead in an apparent accident. Only Jesse knows it was not an accident and when Cody Perry is also found dead is soon on the trail of a killer. An investigation complicated by rumours of a wild boy in the bush who is called Anarchy by the locals and a string of mysterious disappearances that may be connected.
Hyland once again shows his deep understanding of the landscape and the people who live in it. The plot brings up a range of issues from wildlife smuggling, to private security operatives to the despoliation of the landscape by mining. But the whole enterprise is effectively built around the character of Jesse Redpath - a tough as nails, intuitive investigator with some well-honed tracking skills and a heart of gold. But there are some great recurring and new side characters aswell – particularly homicide detective Eddy Vuong, tech expert and sometimes loose cannon.
With all of these elements in place, The Redline is yet another engaging piece of regional crime fiction from Hyland. It is the third book in a series (following Canticle Creek and The Wiregrass) and while it is always better to read them in order could easily be read as a standalone or entrée in to the world of Jesse Redpath.
After an introduction to local hoons Dane and Cody Perry, the action moves forward a few months (Cody is now out of jail), to a community event at the local resort Mineral Springs. But her day is turned upside down when she allows her constable Lance Cunningham to go and investigate hoons on the Redline and he is later found dead in an apparent accident. Only Jesse knows it was not an accident and when Cody Perry is also found dead is soon on the trail of a killer. An investigation complicated by rumours of a wild boy in the bush who is called Anarchy by the locals and a string of mysterious disappearances that may be connected.
Hyland once again shows his deep understanding of the landscape and the people who live in it. The plot brings up a range of issues from wildlife smuggling, to private security operatives to the despoliation of the landscape by mining. But the whole enterprise is effectively built around the character of Jesse Redpath - a tough as nails, intuitive investigator with some well-honed tracking skills and a heart of gold. But there are some great recurring and new side characters aswell – particularly homicide detective Eddy Vuong, tech expert and sometimes loose cannon.
With all of these elements in place, The Redline is yet another engaging piece of regional crime fiction from Hyland. It is the third book in a series (following Canticle Creek and The Wiregrass) and while it is always better to read them in order could easily be read as a standalone or entrée in to the world of Jesse Redpath.
January 15, 2026
The Redline by Adrian Hyland is the third in the series featuring small-town cop Jesse Redpath. I hadn't realised when I started but the lead characters felt familiar so I checked and could see I'd read the second book in the series.
And. I. Made. The. Exact. Same. Error. In. Judgement! I don't know what it says about me but again... I'd assumed the lead character (our narrator) was male. I did it with The Wiregrass as well! Of course once I read that review I remembered elements of the previous book (particularly regarding Jesse's love interest). This doesn't have quite the same sense of 'place' at its predecessor but it's a multi-layered complex whodunnit.
Jesse's a likeable lead and doggedly pursues the truth. I loved the way she picks at clues, following each down a rabbit hole that more often than not, pays off. And of course Hyland gives us a heart-racing but very satisfying conclusion as well.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
And. I. Made. The. Exact. Same. Error. In. Judgement! I don't know what it says about me but again... I'd assumed the lead character (our narrator) was male. I did it with The Wiregrass as well! Of course once I read that review I remembered elements of the previous book (particularly regarding Jesse's love interest). This doesn't have quite the same sense of 'place' at its predecessor but it's a multi-layered complex whodunnit.
Jesse's a likeable lead and doggedly pursues the truth. I loved the way she picks at clues, following each down a rabbit hole that more often than not, pays off. And of course Hyland gives us a heart-racing but very satisfying conclusion as well.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
February 18, 2026
You know I love a good Aussie crime fiction, and this one is so dang good.
For starters... this has such a great feel to it. It has that little creep factor in there, the one that plays out as a series or movie in your mind.
It has great characters.
Jesse Redpath: is another great Sergeant to follow in books.
She is tough, real, and bloody tenacious!
Anachie: the rumours say there is a wild boy in the hills, a killer? a myth?
As with any great small town crime read, this has so many characters that could be based on real people.
And this is why it works so well.
The author writes characters you can see, know, understand.
And then he twists them into a riveting, page turning affair that does not stop until the last page.
Those last 8 chapters were crazy good, the adrenaline they mustered on this old couch potato.....👌
Loved it! And seeing this was my first by this author.... guess what? Not the last.
I'm off to put Canticle Creek & The Wiregrass on my wishlist...
For starters... this has such a great feel to it. It has that little creep factor in there, the one that plays out as a series or movie in your mind.
It has great characters.
Jesse Redpath: is another great Sergeant to follow in books.
She is tough, real, and bloody tenacious!
Anachie: the rumours say there is a wild boy in the hills, a killer? a myth?
As with any great small town crime read, this has so many characters that could be based on real people.
And this is why it works so well.
The author writes characters you can see, know, understand.
And then he twists them into a riveting, page turning affair that does not stop until the last page.
Those last 8 chapters were crazy good, the adrenaline they mustered on this old couch potato.....👌
Loved it! And seeing this was my first by this author.... guess what? Not the last.
I'm off to put Canticle Creek & The Wiregrass on my wishlist...
March 10, 2026
A Jesse Redpath crime mystery tale, The Redline (2025) by Adrian Hyland, begins at the local Satellite Christmas Market. Now the acting sergeant, Jesse’s colleague, goes up the mountain to check on racing hoons. Discovered hours later, killed in an apparent car accident, Jesse is not convinced and begins to see a possible connection to other deaths and 2 missing people. An intriguing Aussie noir with the usual local small town hiding dark secrets that requires all of Jesse’s acumen to solve. A truly enjoyable, standalone murder mystery, makes this police procedural a gripping tale with an explosive climax, and a four and a half star read. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement.
May 8, 2026
This book is packed full of amazing sentences, well structured paragraphs and accessible chapters.
The sharp evocative language invokes the senses and build an atmoshere that develops a strong sense of time and place. The characters are also well devloped through the use of this language style. This makes the book great to read and enables the reader to reflect upon and get to know the land and people that inhabit the book. Whilst this makes the book readable and enjoyable, for me the book changed pace throughout and the ending seem to come about quickly and despite the characters foibles it all came to an all to nicely wrapped ending. This detracted from the real strengths of this novel.
The sharp evocative language invokes the senses and build an atmoshere that develops a strong sense of time and place. The characters are also well devloped through the use of this language style. This makes the book great to read and enables the reader to reflect upon and get to know the land and people that inhabit the book. Whilst this makes the book readable and enjoyable, for me the book changed pace throughout and the ending seem to come about quickly and despite the characters foibles it all came to an all to nicely wrapped ending. This detracted from the real strengths of this novel.
January 4, 2026
Flawless.
As crime thrillers go, you can’t get much better. And as Australian crime thrillers go, it’s hard to beat Adrian Hyland!
For me this author is every bit as good as Garry Disher and alike and to this point he’s been sadly ignored. This book hopefully will break that barrier as it deserves the widest of audiences!
Thanks to Hardie Grant for the reading copy.
As crime thrillers go, you can’t get much better. And as Australian crime thrillers go, it’s hard to beat Adrian Hyland!
For me this author is every bit as good as Garry Disher and alike and to this point he’s been sadly ignored. This book hopefully will break that barrier as it deserves the widest of audiences!
Thanks to Hardie Grant for the reading copy.
January 6, 2026
A crash on the Redline, the nickname of the area's main road, leads to the death of a fellow officer. Jesse Redpath spots almost immediately that it was murder rather than an accident. Her investigation leads to a missing boy and some unsolved mysteries. She puts her life at risk to find the truth.
Very readable.
Very readable.
May 25, 2026
Nice continuation of the series with a mix of old and new characters drawn into the story. Personally I thought some scenes, particularly the physical conflicts were perhaps a little far fetched and skewed in favour on our heroine but nevertheless it is an entertaining story, well worthy of a three star rating and one I can certainly recommend to other readers.
February 10, 2026
what a character Adrian Hyland has created in Jesse, though I wish she wouldn't go off alone so often! Nash is growing again into a wonderful person. I love the the way the Australian bush, the land, the seasons, the climate all pervade the writing. Highly recommended.
February 25, 2026
5 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vibe check: Fierce Female Policing, Gritty and Gripping
full review ⬇️
Ultimo Press are proving yet again why they’re my literary besties for putting Adrian Hyland and his brilliant Sergeant Jesse Redpath series on my radar.
The Redline is book three in the series but I jumped in without reading the first two and had zero issues. It works beautifully as a standalone while still making you curious about what came before.
Jesse Redpath is exactly the kind of crime lead I love reading about. She’s sharp, instinctive, not afraid to get her hands dirty and navigating crime in regional Australia with grit and intelligence. Watching her piece clues together was genuinely very satisfying from what begins as what looks like a tragic accident but slowly unravels into something far more sinister.
The tension builds steadily, the characters feel authentic and the twists absolutely land in this book.
And the best part is realising this is book THREE. Which means if you’re new to Jesse’s crime fighting world like I was, we all get the absolute joy of going back and bingeing the first two.
If you’re chasing a gritty, gripping, impossible to put down Aussie crime read, put this on your radar immediately.
Vibe check: Fierce Female Policing, Gritty and Gripping
full review ⬇️
Ultimo Press are proving yet again why they’re my literary besties for putting Adrian Hyland and his brilliant Sergeant Jesse Redpath series on my radar.
The Redline is book three in the series but I jumped in without reading the first two and had zero issues. It works beautifully as a standalone while still making you curious about what came before.
Jesse Redpath is exactly the kind of crime lead I love reading about. She’s sharp, instinctive, not afraid to get her hands dirty and navigating crime in regional Australia with grit and intelligence. Watching her piece clues together was genuinely very satisfying from what begins as what looks like a tragic accident but slowly unravels into something far more sinister.
The tension builds steadily, the characters feel authentic and the twists absolutely land in this book.
And the best part is realising this is book THREE. Which means if you’re new to Jesse’s crime fighting world like I was, we all get the absolute joy of going back and bingeing the first two.
If you’re chasing a gritty, gripping, impossible to put down Aussie crime read, put this on your radar immediately.
May 4, 2026
I was 3/4 of the way through the book before I clicked that Jesse was a girl. She doesn’t come off as one at all, I thought she was a gay man. I preferred her as a gay man, suited the storyline better in my opinion.
December 10, 2025
I enjoyed it up to the introduction of Anarchy, the wild boy. Then at turns silly and predictable.
January 17, 2026
Murder mystery set in rural Victoria with a cast of strange and interesting characters.
I have read the previous Jesse Redpath books and this one is as good as the others
I have read the previous Jesse Redpath books and this one is as good as the others
January 25, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐.95
i didnt know this one is apart of a series which ill have to read the first 2 in this series .. I love how the mystery kept the suspense going and i was invested on what was happening
i didnt know this one is apart of a series which ill have to read the first 2 in this series .. I love how the mystery kept the suspense going and i was invested on what was happening
March 14, 2026
Murder in the bush
Mine shafts, lost boys, water thieves
Rumble with Redpath.
Mine shafts, lost boys, water thieves
Rumble with Redpath.
April 26, 2026
Excellent. This is written better than most books and has an excellent storyline.
May 12, 2026
Kind of just jumped around with no connection in the story except that the character had a jut feeling. Other than that a good read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2026
This is the first Adrian Hyland book I’ve read but it’s the third book in the Jesse Redpath series. I’ll admit there seemed to be a little I was missing in Jesse’s backstory both personal and professional, so it felt I didn’t know her as well as I might have picking this up when I did.
It’s a crime fiction set in rural Australia à la Chris Hammer. There’s multiple leads for police officer Redpath to follow stemming from the death of her colleague. A look at where folk lore and legend meets reality. Redpath doesn’t exactly do things by the books or as others in her position might but it seems to work for her. She’s an interesting character and one whose adventures can be well explored in future books.
Thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy!
It’s a crime fiction set in rural Australia à la Chris Hammer. There’s multiple leads for police officer Redpath to follow stemming from the death of her colleague. A look at where folk lore and legend meets reality. Redpath doesn’t exactly do things by the books or as others in her position might but it seems to work for her. She’s an interesting character and one whose adventures can be well explored in future books.
Thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews