What do you think?
Kalgoorlie #3
The Witness
The truth will not stay buried ...
The third thrilling Kalgoorlie-set rural crime novel from the bestselling author of The Prospect and The Missing
'Do you know how to keep a secret?'
At the age of five, Molly Walker was placed in protective custody after witnessing the murder of her mother, Constable Sammi Walker. Twenty years later, everyone assumes the threat has passed.
Then Molly's adoptive parents are killed in a car accident, just after asking about reopening the investigation into Sammi's death. Coincidence or something more sinister?
Detective Jack Higgins doesn't believe in coincidences. And as he and Detective Angie Sullivan look into the accident, it becomes clear that this was a deliberate act. But is Molly still in danger, so long after the original crime?
From the blood-red soil of Kalgoorlie, long-buried lies continue to surface, while someone is becoming increasingly desperate to keep them hidden.
The third thrilling Kalgoorlie-set rural crime novel from the bestselling author of The Prospect and The Missing
'Do you know how to keep a secret?'
At the age of five, Molly Walker was placed in protective custody after witnessing the murder of her mother, Constable Sammi Walker. Twenty years later, everyone assumes the threat has passed.
Then Molly's adoptive parents are killed in a car accident, just after asking about reopening the investigation into Sammi's death. Coincidence or something more sinister?
Detective Jack Higgins doesn't believe in coincidences. And as he and Detective Angie Sullivan look into the accident, it becomes clear that this was a deliberate act. But is Molly still in danger, so long after the original crime?
From the blood-red soil of Kalgoorlie, long-buried lies continue to surface, while someone is becoming increasingly desperate to keep them hidden.
352 pages, Paperback
Published March 31, 2026
About the author
Fleur McDonald
40 books613 followersAfter growing up on a farm near Orroroo in South Australia, Fleur McDonald’s first job was jillarooing in the outback. She has been involved in agriculture all her life, including helping manage a 8000-acre station for twenty years. Today Fleur and her energetic kelpie, Jack, live in Esperance, Western Australia,
Fleur is the author of 23 bestselling novels and two children's books.
Fleur chats about her daily writing life on her blog http://fleurmcdonald.com,
Facebook - Fleur McDonald Author
Instagram @fleurmcdonald
Tiktok @fleurmcdonaldauthor
Fleur is the author of 23 bestselling novels and two children's books.
Fleur chats about her daily writing life on her blog http://fleurmcdonald.com,
Facebook - Fleur McDonald Author
Instagram @fleurmcdonald
Tiktok @fleurmcdonaldauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
July 22, 2026
Another fabulous thriller from Fleur McDonald, we are back in Kalgoorlie where Detective Jack Higgins and Detective Angie Sullivan are investigating a car accident that has taken the lives of two well-known locals Eric and Iris, they are the adoptive parents of Midwife Molly Walker, Molly came to live with them from Sydney when she was five years old after she witnessed the brutal murder of her mother and was put in protective custody, her mother, Sammi Walker was a police officer and Tash Biggs her mother’s best friend and work college and Molly’s godmother stepped in and she too moved to Western Australia years later and has always been there for Molly and Eric and Iris and is now chief Superintendent, but there are many questions regarding this car accident.
Even though Angie is still supposed to be on maternity leave she cannot help but become involved in this case and there are a lot of answers that need answering, Jack and Angie along with Tim and Ava with Molly’s help have discovered that there have been questions about re-opening Sammi’s murder investigation because no one was ever charged twenty years ago and it soon appears that Molly maybe in danger, will the team uncover the truth and the secrets that have been kept for twenty years before it is too late?
This was a page turner for me, gripping and enthralling as they uncover a web of lies, secrets and corruption, so well written and the setting is fabulous and there are personal things going on at the same time with Jack will he still be there in Kalgoorlie for the next book? I can’t wait to read it. I do highly recommend this one to any lover of a good mystery. Thriller. I love Jack and Angie as a team.
Even though Angie is still supposed to be on maternity leave she cannot help but become involved in this case and there are a lot of answers that need answering, Jack and Angie along with Tim and Ava with Molly’s help have discovered that there have been questions about re-opening Sammi’s murder investigation because no one was ever charged twenty years ago and it soon appears that Molly maybe in danger, will the team uncover the truth and the secrets that have been kept for twenty years before it is too late?
This was a page turner for me, gripping and enthralling as they uncover a web of lies, secrets and corruption, so well written and the setting is fabulous and there are personal things going on at the same time with Jack will he still be there in Kalgoorlie for the next book? I can’t wait to read it. I do highly recommend this one to any lover of a good mystery. Thriller. I love Jack and Angie as a team.
April 2, 2026
Was a great read started off a bit slow but then it got better and better couldn’t put it down . I would have given 5 stars . Ending was way too short . Needed a longer ending To explain what happened to Molly and her dad , Jack and Zara . I did guess who was behind it quite early , but it didn’t spoil the book . Ending was just too quick . Hope there is a fourth book .
April 28, 2026
I found this a real struggle. I read The Prospect about a year ago and remember enjoying it. I recall some of the story being a bit predictable, but it generally kept me on my toes. This book feels like a completely different author.
Firstly, this book does not seem to have been edited. There is so much dialogue that is "Well, as you know..." insert obvious explanation that the person they're speaking to must already know. It is very clumsy. The dialogue also doesn't seem realistic. At the end, there is a line from the baddie that goes "You've been a thorn in my side for all this time." It's just such odd wording. Then just clearly unedited things, like 'He continued as though she hadn't spoken' even though no one actually spoke.
Plot wise, it was intriguing enough. It was very obvious from the beginning who it was, but there was a little twist towards the end that was enough to push me to keep reading.
Some of the characters were very unlikeable. Life the Crow had more personality than Moly, who seemed to not be a very well thought out character. Lots of inconsistency. Jack carried out. He's always been great. I loved the addition of the mum perspective from Angie, that was amazing. And Todd was good too.
The writing felt so disjointed and messy at times. As I said, it did not feel edited. It felt closer to a third draft.
Overall, it's a cosy read, it's just not the best. I'm hoping to read The Missing next to see if it's any better.
Firstly, this book does not seem to have been edited. There is so much dialogue that is "Well, as you know..." insert obvious explanation that the person they're speaking to must already know. It is very clumsy. The dialogue also doesn't seem realistic. At the end, there is a line from the baddie that goes "You've been a thorn in my side for all this time." It's just such odd wording. Then just clearly unedited things, like 'He continued as though she hadn't spoken' even though no one actually spoke.
Plot wise, it was intriguing enough. It was very obvious from the beginning who it was, but there was a little twist towards the end that was enough to push me to keep reading.
Some of the characters were very unlikeable. Life the Crow had more personality than Moly, who seemed to not be a very well thought out character. Lots of inconsistency. Jack carried out. He's always been great. I loved the addition of the mum perspective from Angie, that was amazing. And Todd was good too.
The writing felt so disjointed and messy at times. As I said, it did not feel edited. It felt closer to a third draft.
Overall, it's a cosy read, it's just not the best. I'm hoping to read The Missing next to see if it's any better.
August 21, 2026
4.5*
The Witness is a moving and engrossing crime-thriller, set in the mining town of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia.
25-year-old midwife Molly Walker is blindsided by the deaths of both her adoptive parents, Eric and Iris Bennet, in a car accident while returning to Kalgoorlie after a trip to Perth. The Bennets had adopted 5-year-old Molly following the still-unsolved murder of her police officer mother, Sammi Walker, in their Sydney home 20 years previously. While unable to identify the perpetrator, Molly witnessed the killing while hidden in a cupboard, a fact that was leaked to the press at the time, potentially compromising her safety.
Kalgoorlie detective Jack Higgins is reeling from the news that the bullet that injured his girlfriend Zara during a recent shootout (a scene from a previous book in the series) came from his gun. He's trying to work out how to break the news to Zara, who's recovering in Adelaide, when he's handed the file for the Bennets' accident. On its face the accident appears to be just that - a single vehicle running off the road with tragic consequences. But Higgins notes several anomalies that indicate that there may be more to what happened. When forensic investigations confirm that the Bennets' car was run off the road by another vehicle, added to the fact that former police officer Eric's notebook and both the Bennets' mobile phones are missing from the scene, the investigation becomes a homicide case.
Meanwhile, Detective Angie Sullivan is struggling to come to terms with single motherhood whilst at home on maternity leave with her three-month old son, Charlie. Her father's arrival to lend a hand for a few weeks comes at the ideal time for Angie to return to work and join Detective Higgins in investigating the Bennets' case.
The Witness is a twisty mystery thriller, drawing on recollections from Molly's past, both her witnessing of the murder of her mother, and several incidents and memories from her life with the Bennets. Could Sammi's murder be at the core of what's happened in the present? And who can Molly trust amongst those who encircle her after her tragic loss?
I enjoyed the dramatic tension of The Witness and am now curious to read the previous two books in the series, The Prospect and The Missing, which feature characters Jack Higgins and Angie Sullivan respectively. A fourth book, The Buried is listed for publication in October 2026.
The Witness is a moving and engrossing crime-thriller, set in the mining town of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia.
25-year-old midwife Molly Walker is blindsided by the deaths of both her adoptive parents, Eric and Iris Bennet, in a car accident while returning to Kalgoorlie after a trip to Perth. The Bennets had adopted 5-year-old Molly following the still-unsolved murder of her police officer mother, Sammi Walker, in their Sydney home 20 years previously. While unable to identify the perpetrator, Molly witnessed the killing while hidden in a cupboard, a fact that was leaked to the press at the time, potentially compromising her safety.
Kalgoorlie detective Jack Higgins is reeling from the news that the bullet that injured his girlfriend Zara during a recent shootout (a scene from a previous book in the series) came from his gun. He's trying to work out how to break the news to Zara, who's recovering in Adelaide, when he's handed the file for the Bennets' accident. On its face the accident appears to be just that - a single vehicle running off the road with tragic consequences. But Higgins notes several anomalies that indicate that there may be more to what happened. When forensic investigations confirm that the Bennets' car was run off the road by another vehicle, added to the fact that former police officer Eric's notebook and both the Bennets' mobile phones are missing from the scene, the investigation becomes a homicide case.
Meanwhile, Detective Angie Sullivan is struggling to come to terms with single motherhood whilst at home on maternity leave with her three-month old son, Charlie. Her father's arrival to lend a hand for a few weeks comes at the ideal time for Angie to return to work and join Detective Higgins in investigating the Bennets' case.
The Witness is a twisty mystery thriller, drawing on recollections from Molly's past, both her witnessing of the murder of her mother, and several incidents and memories from her life with the Bennets. Could Sammi's murder be at the core of what's happened in the present? And who can Molly trust amongst those who encircle her after her tragic loss?
I enjoyed the dramatic tension of The Witness and am now curious to read the previous two books in the series, The Prospect and The Missing, which feature characters Jack Higgins and Angie Sullivan respectively. A fourth book, The Buried is listed for publication in October 2026.
April 15, 2026
The Witness is the newest release from rural crime suspense author Fleur McDonald.
This is linked to Fleur’s two other books with a new publisher.
While you can read as a standalone, I recommend you read the additional two books before this to get the best reading experience.
A outback town mystery that you can adopt your detective magnifying glass to solve the crime.
Twenty years ago, Molly Walker witnessed the murder of her mother Constable Sammi Walker.
She was then placed with a family.
Now her adopted parents are involved in a fatal car accident.
Coincidence…..
Detectives Jack Higgins and Angie Sullivan look into the investigation, finding secrets, lies and deception.
Then the shocking truth is revealed……
This new direction with these stories from the popular writer has been a fresh, exciting and interesting reads.
I’ve been enjoying the new location, different leads, warm weather, unique mysteries and throwbacks to some of her previous releases.
The narrative continues to give us many of Fleur’s trademark storytelling and writing style.
A suspense filled and pleasing novel.
This is linked to Fleur’s two other books with a new publisher.
While you can read as a standalone, I recommend you read the additional two books before this to get the best reading experience.
A outback town mystery that you can adopt your detective magnifying glass to solve the crime.
Twenty years ago, Molly Walker witnessed the murder of her mother Constable Sammi Walker.
She was then placed with a family.
Now her adopted parents are involved in a fatal car accident.
Coincidence…..
Detectives Jack Higgins and Angie Sullivan look into the investigation, finding secrets, lies and deception.
Then the shocking truth is revealed……
This new direction with these stories from the popular writer has been a fresh, exciting and interesting reads.
I’ve been enjoying the new location, different leads, warm weather, unique mysteries and throwbacks to some of her previous releases.
The narrative continues to give us many of Fleur’s trademark storytelling and writing style.
A suspense filled and pleasing novel.
July 29, 2026
4.5★
Review to follow.
Review to follow.
May 8, 2026
This is the third book of the Kalgoorlie series where we have a story of police corruption, families blown apart and the affects of the trauma caused.
Molly's mother was a policewoman who was murdered when Molly was only five. Having been adopted and moved to Kalgoorlie she has lived a good life with loving parents and now has a job she loves.
But when her parents die in a car accident things are not as they seem and so the investigation begins. Who can Molly trust and who is murdering the people the loves? This is a book that is for the most part well paced but I wouldn't say it is fast paced. There are multiple main characters and the plot and story has many twists and turns.
It is a great thriller, I love the outback location and the feeling of remoteness as this adds quite the atmosphere. I must say though I was a bit disappointed as I realised who the killer/baddie was about two thirds of the way through the book which kind of killed some of the suspense for me. Overall though a great read by a great author.
The Witness
Fleur McDonald
HarperCollins Publishers
Molly's mother was a policewoman who was murdered when Molly was only five. Having been adopted and moved to Kalgoorlie she has lived a good life with loving parents and now has a job she loves.
But when her parents die in a car accident things are not as they seem and so the investigation begins. Who can Molly trust and who is murdering the people the loves? This is a book that is for the most part well paced but I wouldn't say it is fast paced. There are multiple main characters and the plot and story has many twists and turns.
It is a great thriller, I love the outback location and the feeling of remoteness as this adds quite the atmosphere. I must say though I was a bit disappointed as I realised who the killer/baddie was about two thirds of the way through the book which kind of killed some of the suspense for me. Overall though a great read by a great author.
The Witness
Fleur McDonald
HarperCollins Publishers
April 10, 2026
Another fabulous Fleur McDonald book that I couldn’t put down!
July 20, 2026
4 1/2 *.
A fast paced thriller.
I actually guessed correctly the killer of sammi very early on but was still invested and happy to keep reading
A fast paced thriller.
I actually guessed correctly the killer of sammi very early on but was still invested and happy to keep reading
August 20, 2026
2 1/2 ⭐️ rounded up. Easy enough to read. Very predictable villain but a small twist added in.
April 2, 2026
EXCERPT: Do you know how to keep a secret?'
That was the second to last thing my mother said to me before there were three knocks at the door. Not knocks like the rap, rap, rap kind. These were slow. Bang. Bang. Bang. Like the bells from a church.
Dong. Dong. Dong.
You know something bad is about to happen.
Mum's head shot around so quickly I thought she was going to get whiplash. Then she whimpered. My mother never whimpered.
Without warning she yanked open the door of the pantry and pushed me in, making me think in hindsight that she must have known who was waiting outside. Which made sense because she'd been talking on the phone a while before, while I'd been sitting at the kitchen table, eating my chocolate cupcake and drinking Milo. I'd heard her yelling at someone. Well, she wasn't yelling but it was louder than talking. I don't remember what she said exactly, but it was something like, 'Don't you dare come here.'
Inside the pantry, I banged my elbow on the doorframe and opened my mouth to cry, but she clamped her hand over my mouth and whispered, 'Shh. Don't say a word. They can't know you're here.'
That was the last thing she ever said to me.
The door closed with a click.
My eyes got hot. The doorframe had hit my funny bone and it was throbbing and tingling.
I remember peering out between the wooden slats. You probably know the type I'm talking about, those doors with slats that are fixed on an angle. It's a bit hard to see through the gaps unless you find the right position. But when you do, you can see everything.
And that was what I saw. Everything.
The person who burst in, without waiting for Mum to open the door fully.
The person who motioned for Mum to get on her knees.
The person who killed my mother.
ABOUT 'THE WITNESS': Do you know how to keep a secret?'
At the age of five, Molly Walker was placed in protective custody after witnessing the murder of her mother, Constable Sammi Walker. Twenty years later, everyone assumes the threat has passed.
Then Molly's adoptive parents are killed in a car accident, just after asking about reopening the investigation into Sammi's death. Coincidence or something more sinister?
Detective Jack Higgins doesn't believe in coincidences. And as he and Detective Angie Sullivan look into the accident, it becomes clear that this was a deliberate act. But is Molly still in danger, so long after the original crime?
From the blood-red soil of Kalgoorlie, long-buried lies continue to surface, while someone is becoming increasingly desperate to keep them hidden.
MY THOUGHTS: #3 In Fleur McDonald's Kalgoorlie series, and my favorite so far.
Twenty years after the murder of her mother, Molly Walker's adoptive parents are killed in a car crash.
And there begins a twisty, tense and compelling detective story that had me anxiously flipping the pages, just as eager to learn who was behind these deaths as Detective Jack Higgins was.
Jack's private life is no bed of roses and he receives some shocking, but not entirely unexpected news just as he is handed this case. Detective Angie Sullivan, still on maternity leave but not coping with the confines of motherhood as well as she'd hoped, is also drawn into the case, first as a sounding board and researcher, before becoming another pair of feet on the ground.
Deliciously tense and twisty, I lapped up The Witness, totally invested in Molly's story. Although I guessed who was behind the killings, this knowledge in no way affected my enjoyment and I loved being proved right - it doesn't happen too often.
Although #3 in a series, The Witness can easily be read as a stand-alone.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.8
#TheWitness #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: FLEUR MCDONALD After growing up on a farm near Orroroo in South Australia, Fleur McDonald’s first job was jillarooing in the outback. She has been involved in agriculture all her life, including helping manage an 8000-acre station for twenty years. Today Fleur and her energetic kelpie, Jack, live in Esperance, Western Australia.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper and Collins Publishing Australia via NetGalley for providing a DRC of The Witness by Fleur McDonald for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
That was the second to last thing my mother said to me before there were three knocks at the door. Not knocks like the rap, rap, rap kind. These were slow. Bang. Bang. Bang. Like the bells from a church.
Dong. Dong. Dong.
You know something bad is about to happen.
Mum's head shot around so quickly I thought she was going to get whiplash. Then she whimpered. My mother never whimpered.
Without warning she yanked open the door of the pantry and pushed me in, making me think in hindsight that she must have known who was waiting outside. Which made sense because she'd been talking on the phone a while before, while I'd been sitting at the kitchen table, eating my chocolate cupcake and drinking Milo. I'd heard her yelling at someone. Well, she wasn't yelling but it was louder than talking. I don't remember what she said exactly, but it was something like, 'Don't you dare come here.'
Inside the pantry, I banged my elbow on the doorframe and opened my mouth to cry, but she clamped her hand over my mouth and whispered, 'Shh. Don't say a word. They can't know you're here.'
That was the last thing she ever said to me.
The door closed with a click.
My eyes got hot. The doorframe had hit my funny bone and it was throbbing and tingling.
I remember peering out between the wooden slats. You probably know the type I'm talking about, those doors with slats that are fixed on an angle. It's a bit hard to see through the gaps unless you find the right position. But when you do, you can see everything.
And that was what I saw. Everything.
The person who burst in, without waiting for Mum to open the door fully.
The person who motioned for Mum to get on her knees.
The person who killed my mother.
ABOUT 'THE WITNESS': Do you know how to keep a secret?'
At the age of five, Molly Walker was placed in protective custody after witnessing the murder of her mother, Constable Sammi Walker. Twenty years later, everyone assumes the threat has passed.
Then Molly's adoptive parents are killed in a car accident, just after asking about reopening the investigation into Sammi's death. Coincidence or something more sinister?
Detective Jack Higgins doesn't believe in coincidences. And as he and Detective Angie Sullivan look into the accident, it becomes clear that this was a deliberate act. But is Molly still in danger, so long after the original crime?
From the blood-red soil of Kalgoorlie, long-buried lies continue to surface, while someone is becoming increasingly desperate to keep them hidden.
MY THOUGHTS: #3 In Fleur McDonald's Kalgoorlie series, and my favorite so far.
Twenty years after the murder of her mother, Molly Walker's adoptive parents are killed in a car crash.
And there begins a twisty, tense and compelling detective story that had me anxiously flipping the pages, just as eager to learn who was behind these deaths as Detective Jack Higgins was.
Jack's private life is no bed of roses and he receives some shocking, but not entirely unexpected news just as he is handed this case. Detective Angie Sullivan, still on maternity leave but not coping with the confines of motherhood as well as she'd hoped, is also drawn into the case, first as a sounding board and researcher, before becoming another pair of feet on the ground.
Deliciously tense and twisty, I lapped up The Witness, totally invested in Molly's story. Although I guessed who was behind the killings, this knowledge in no way affected my enjoyment and I loved being proved right - it doesn't happen too often.
Although #3 in a series, The Witness can easily be read as a stand-alone.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.8
#TheWitness #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: FLEUR MCDONALD After growing up on a farm near Orroroo in South Australia, Fleur McDonald’s first job was jillarooing in the outback. She has been involved in agriculture all her life, including helping manage an 8000-acre station for twenty years. Today Fleur and her energetic kelpie, Jack, live in Esperance, Western Australia.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper and Collins Publishing Australia via NetGalley for providing a DRC of The Witness by Fleur McDonald for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
April 3, 2026
I opened this novel at least as interested in the progress of the character’s lives as I was in the mystery I knew they would be exploring. This is the third in a series, and although it stands alone for new readers, existing fans are going to find this engaging on multiple levels.
As always, McDonald’s characters are strong and emotionally involving. I think every mother will understand the push/pull that Angie experiences between her son and the work she loves. McDonald doesn’t judge, and explores these emotions sensitively. It’s not the main point of the novel by any means, but it’s an interesting counterpoint in a story in which parental love is a crucial element.
Jack’s personal life is less prominent in this novel, and he’s strongly focused on the case at hand. Still, from the first pages his personal dilemmas will engage readers, whether they’re meeting him for the first time or have read the earlier novels.
The story is strong and involving. I worked out what was going on very early (and who was responsible). This may be in part because McDonald was very generous with her clues; it may be because there are some familiar elements here. I nevertheless found it very engaging, and was eager to find out when the detectives would catch up, and how it would all play out.
Kalgoorlie is a great setting. It’s a tad on the small town side – allowing for a credible interlinking of characters and their lives – but large enough, and with enough people coming and going, for the crime element of these novels to be believable. McDonald draws the town so strongly that it comes to life, particularly the isolation that influences it.
This is an emotionally involving story with a good puzzle at the heart of it. There’s enough progress in the ongoing characters’ personal lives to please ongoing readers without puzzling new readers. Both characters and setting are strong and vividly drawn. There’s not a lot of explicit gore or violence, so while this isn’t a cosy novel it isn’t overly confronting either.
Highly recommended for fans of rural crime, those who like strong characters, and in fact a lot of crime fans. McDonald’s fans will find this everything they expect, and will no doubt be keen for another in the series.
You may also be interested in my reviews of other novels by Fleur McDonald:
https://otherdreamsotherlives.home.bl...
https://otherdreamsotherlives.home.bl...
https://otherdreamsotherlives.home.bl...
If you enjoyed this review, please visit www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog to read more.
As always, McDonald’s characters are strong and emotionally involving. I think every mother will understand the push/pull that Angie experiences between her son and the work she loves. McDonald doesn’t judge, and explores these emotions sensitively. It’s not the main point of the novel by any means, but it’s an interesting counterpoint in a story in which parental love is a crucial element.
Jack’s personal life is less prominent in this novel, and he’s strongly focused on the case at hand. Still, from the first pages his personal dilemmas will engage readers, whether they’re meeting him for the first time or have read the earlier novels.
The story is strong and involving. I worked out what was going on very early (and who was responsible). This may be in part because McDonald was very generous with her clues; it may be because there are some familiar elements here. I nevertheless found it very engaging, and was eager to find out when the detectives would catch up, and how it would all play out.
Kalgoorlie is a great setting. It’s a tad on the small town side – allowing for a credible interlinking of characters and their lives – but large enough, and with enough people coming and going, for the crime element of these novels to be believable. McDonald draws the town so strongly that it comes to life, particularly the isolation that influences it.
This is an emotionally involving story with a good puzzle at the heart of it. There’s enough progress in the ongoing characters’ personal lives to please ongoing readers without puzzling new readers. Both characters and setting are strong and vividly drawn. There’s not a lot of explicit gore or violence, so while this isn’t a cosy novel it isn’t overly confronting either.
Highly recommended for fans of rural crime, those who like strong characters, and in fact a lot of crime fans. McDonald’s fans will find this everything they expect, and will no doubt be keen for another in the series.
You may also be interested in my reviews of other novels by Fleur McDonald:
https://otherdreamsotherlives.home.bl...
https://otherdreamsotherlives.home.bl...
https://otherdreamsotherlives.home.bl...
If you enjoyed this review, please visit www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog to read more.
April 8, 2026
The Witness by Fleur McDonald
@ross.fynmore and I are booked to attend an author talk by Fleur McDonald at Wheelers Hill Library in April, so when I saw The Witness pop up on NetGalley, I requested it. I had read book 1 in the Kalgoorlie series. The Witness is book 3, so I had to read The Missing for homework (my reviews for book 1, The Prospector, and Book 2, The Missing, can be found in my 2026 book highlights). I think you can read this as a standalone, but
Detective Angie Sullivan is out on maternity leave. She hasn't yet been replaced, so Jack doesn't have a new work partner, and his life partner, Zara, is still in Perth for spoiler-y reasons.
A new character to the series is Molly, who was Angie's midwife. Twenty years ago, when she was five, Molly witnessed her mum, Sammi's, murder. Sammi was a police officer, and while Molly wasn't put into witness protection, she was adopted into a police family to ensure she kept safe. Molly's adoptive parents are killed in a car accident, just after asking about reopening the investigation into Sammi's death, and Jack is assigned the investigation.
The truth will not stay buried ...
If you like Australian noir or rural crime, and you enjoy the books by Chris Hammer, Matthew Spencer, or Vikki Petraitis, then I think you'll like this one. Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Australia for the eARC of The Witness by Fleur McDonald. It's out now.
Side note: I did switch to the audiobook about halfway through, as I was obsessed (to the point of dreaming about it) with the drawing I was working on for my food series, but I also wanted to finish this book. I doubt they have much sushi in Kalgoorlie.
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@fleurmcdonaldauthor
#booksdeevaareads #2026bookshelf #DesignNerd
#TheWitness #NetGalley @NetGalley
@harpercollinsaustralia
@ross.fynmore and I are booked to attend an author talk by Fleur McDonald at Wheelers Hill Library in April, so when I saw The Witness pop up on NetGalley, I requested it. I had read book 1 in the Kalgoorlie series. The Witness is book 3, so I had to read The Missing for homework (my reviews for book 1, The Prospector, and Book 2, The Missing, can be found in my 2026 book highlights). I think you can read this as a standalone, but
Detective Angie Sullivan is out on maternity leave. She hasn't yet been replaced, so Jack doesn't have a new work partner, and his life partner, Zara, is still in Perth for spoiler-y reasons.
A new character to the series is Molly, who was Angie's midwife. Twenty years ago, when she was five, Molly witnessed her mum, Sammi's, murder. Sammi was a police officer, and while Molly wasn't put into witness protection, she was adopted into a police family to ensure she kept safe. Molly's adoptive parents are killed in a car accident, just after asking about reopening the investigation into Sammi's death, and Jack is assigned the investigation.
The truth will not stay buried ...
If you like Australian noir or rural crime, and you enjoy the books by Chris Hammer, Matthew Spencer, or Vikki Petraitis, then I think you'll like this one. Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Australia for the eARC of The Witness by Fleur McDonald. It's out now.
Side note: I did switch to the audiobook about halfway through, as I was obsessed (to the point of dreaming about it) with the drawing I was working on for my food series, but I also wanted to finish this book. I doubt they have much sushi in Kalgoorlie.
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June 6, 2026
Twenty years after witnessing her mother’s murder and being placed in protective custody, Molly Walker believes the danger is in the past. But when her adoptive parents are killed in a suspicious car accident right after questioning the original case, Detective Jack Higgins and Detective Angie Sullivan suspect foul play. As the investigation leads them deep into the secrets of Kalgoorlie, it becomes clear that someone is desperate to keep long-buried lies hidden - and Molly may still be the ultimate target.
This book hooked me right from the beginning. I loved that it jumped straight into Jack, Zara, and Angie’s lives, especially with the lovely new addition to Angie’s household, baby Charlie.
The suspense surrounding Molly’s tragic past and the central murder mystery was absolutely thrilling. The twist was brilliant - I didn’t manage to guess it until close to the reveal! The layers were beautifully written, and the alternating perspectives between Molly and the other recurring characters felt very close to the style of the Dave Burrows series, which gave it a wonderful sense of familiarity.
The narration was perfect for the story and the overall vibe, and the ending left plenty of room for future instalments featuring these recurring characters. While I did wish we could have seen a bit more of Zara’s challenges and her adjustment to life during recovery, perhaps that is being saved for a future plotline. I am already looking forward to the next book!
(Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Australia for a gifted review copy)
See my bookstagram review.
This book hooked me right from the beginning. I loved that it jumped straight into Jack, Zara, and Angie’s lives, especially with the lovely new addition to Angie’s household, baby Charlie.
The suspense surrounding Molly’s tragic past and the central murder mystery was absolutely thrilling. The twist was brilliant - I didn’t manage to guess it until close to the reveal! The layers were beautifully written, and the alternating perspectives between Molly and the other recurring characters felt very close to the style of the Dave Burrows series, which gave it a wonderful sense of familiarity.
The narration was perfect for the story and the overall vibe, and the ending left plenty of room for future instalments featuring these recurring characters. While I did wish we could have seen a bit more of Zara’s challenges and her adjustment to life during recovery, perhaps that is being saved for a future plotline. I am already looking forward to the next book!
(Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Australia for a gifted review copy)
See my bookstagram review.
April 6, 2026
When she was five, Molly Walker's mother Police Constable Sammi Walker was murdered. Molly witnessed the murder and was placed in protective custody and then adopted by Eric and Iris and removed from New South Wales to Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. After twenty years it is assumed the danger has passed. When Molly's adoptive parents are killed in a car accident, it is discovered that the investigation into the death of Sammi Walker had been reopened.
Jack Higgins does not believe in coincidences and when he and Angie Sullivan begin investigating, it becomes clear that the accident was a deliberate act. Does this also mean that the danger is not over for Molly after twenty years since the original crime?
The truth will not stay buried.
This is the third book in the Kalgoorlie series of stories. Kalgoorlie is a place in Australia that I visited some years ago and the feeling I had about this town always returns to me as I read these stories. I have been reading Fleur McDonald stories for many years now (have read all her books) yet I never cease to be amazed by her writing and her gift of story-telling.
Books #3 certainly leaves it open to a further book in the series and I do hope we will have more stories with Jack and Angie and their lives in the blood-red soil of Kalgoorlie. Thank you Fleur, I love this one.
Jack Higgins does not believe in coincidences and when he and Angie Sullivan begin investigating, it becomes clear that the accident was a deliberate act. Does this also mean that the danger is not over for Molly after twenty years since the original crime?
The truth will not stay buried.
This is the third book in the Kalgoorlie series of stories. Kalgoorlie is a place in Australia that I visited some years ago and the feeling I had about this town always returns to me as I read these stories. I have been reading Fleur McDonald stories for many years now (have read all her books) yet I never cease to be amazed by her writing and her gift of story-telling.
Books #3 certainly leaves it open to a further book in the series and I do hope we will have more stories with Jack and Angie and their lives in the blood-red soil of Kalgoorlie. Thank you Fleur, I love this one.
April 28, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
A strong standalone:
Although The Witness is the third book in Fleur McDonald’s Kalgoorlie series, it reads comfortably on its own. Occasional references to earlier character histories don’t hinder the experience.
Pacing and tension:
The story begins as a slow burn, spending the first third on character development and atmosphere. Once the mystery takes hold, the tension escalates steadily. Even though I correctly guessed the culprit, it didn’t lessen my enjoyment—I was fully invested in Molly’s journey.
Multiple perspectives:
The narrative alternates between Molly, the lead detective, and another detective on maternity leave who knows her through midwifery work. These viewpoints highlight the tight-knit nature of small-town policing and community relationships.
What works well:
Cleverly plotted police procedural
Twists that build toward decades-old secrets resurfacing
Rising stakes as suspicion turns toward someone within the police force
Final thoughts:
A tense, twist-filled Australian mystery that will appeal to readers who enjoy Jane Harper’s blend of atmosphere, community, and crime.
4.5☆
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
A strong standalone:
Although The Witness is the third book in Fleur McDonald’s Kalgoorlie series, it reads comfortably on its own. Occasional references to earlier character histories don’t hinder the experience.
Pacing and tension:
The story begins as a slow burn, spending the first third on character development and atmosphere. Once the mystery takes hold, the tension escalates steadily. Even though I correctly guessed the culprit, it didn’t lessen my enjoyment—I was fully invested in Molly’s journey.
Multiple perspectives:
The narrative alternates between Molly, the lead detective, and another detective on maternity leave who knows her through midwifery work. These viewpoints highlight the tight-knit nature of small-town policing and community relationships.
What works well:
Cleverly plotted police procedural
Twists that build toward decades-old secrets resurfacing
Rising stakes as suspicion turns toward someone within the police force
Final thoughts:
A tense, twist-filled Australian mystery that will appeal to readers who enjoy Jane Harper’s blend of atmosphere, community, and crime.
4.5☆
April 2, 2026
A good slow book mystery!
The Witness is the third instalment in Fleur McDonald’s Kalgoorlie series - I haven’t read the first two but this works well as a standalone. While there were a few moments that hinted at prior character backstories, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment.
At just five years old, Molly Walker is placed in protective custody after witnessing the murder of her mother, Constable Sammi Walker. Twenty years later, Molly’s adoptive parents are killed in a car accident… but is it really just an accident? And could these events be connected?
This is very much a slow-burn story, with the first third focused on character development and setting the scene. Once the mystery begins to unfold, the tension builds nicely and keeps you engaged.
I did guess the culprit fairly early on, but that didn’t detract from the story.
Fans of Jane Harper will enjoy this one!
Thanks to HarperCollins Australia and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for a review.
The Witness is the third instalment in Fleur McDonald’s Kalgoorlie series - I haven’t read the first two but this works well as a standalone. While there were a few moments that hinted at prior character backstories, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment.
At just five years old, Molly Walker is placed in protective custody after witnessing the murder of her mother, Constable Sammi Walker. Twenty years later, Molly’s adoptive parents are killed in a car accident… but is it really just an accident? And could these events be connected?
This is very much a slow-burn story, with the first third focused on character development and setting the scene. Once the mystery begins to unfold, the tension builds nicely and keeps you engaged.
I did guess the culprit fairly early on, but that didn’t detract from the story.
Fans of Jane Harper will enjoy this one!
Thanks to HarperCollins Australia and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for a review.
June 29, 2026
Oh dear, I did want to enjoy this crime story but the first couple of chapters were a slog. I guess it’s okay to have normal people with normal work lives, and a new baby and a job waiting, but it all seemed so pedestrian to me. No ambiance, I kept hoping to get into the nitty gritty of a good cop story but unfortunately that did not happen. It felt like I was watching an overrated TV series. The story framework had soap opera vibes, and in an attempt to make every one seem ‘real’ they came across as caricatures. Well, at least they did for me and although I pushed on regardless I felt this was a flat and predictable story with teaser “I know who killed Sammi and I also know why.” I had a bit of trouble with the telling not showing e.g. quote “Angie was a detective. Of course she’d pick up on something.” Then there’s “Angie jumped, Angie smiled, Angie shook her head, Angie laughed and Angie said No thanks.” All on page 65. Not my kind of read, I managed to finish this country cop conundrum, maybe hoping it would get better.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Witness is the third crime novel in Fleur McDonald’s Kalgoorlie series, set in the rugged Western Australian outback, and picks up almost a year after The Missing.
When Eric and Iris Bennett are killed after their car plunges off a bridge on the drive home from Perth, the tragedy is initially ruled an accident. Their adopted daughter, Molly, is left reeling. Raised with love by Eric, a retired police officer, and his wife after witnessing the murder of her biological mother, Sammi, at just five years old, Molly has already endured more than most.
Detective Jack Higgins is the first to sense something isn’t right. When he discovers Eric had recently contacted an officer connected to Sammi’s unsolved case, his suspicions deepen. As Jack and Detective Angie Sullivan, technically on maternity leave following the birth of her son, begin to investigate, they uncover unsettling links between past and present, and the chilling possibility that Molly may be in danger once again.
A cleverly plotted police procedural, The Witness delivers plenty of twists and mounting tension as decades-old secrets begin to unravel. The investigation grows increasingly complex when suspicion turns toward someone within the police force itself, raising the stakes considerably.
While the novel works well as a standalone, readers familiar with The Prospect or The Missing will appreciate the added depth to Jack and Angie’s personal lives. Jack faces a difficult decision about his future after receiving troubling news, while Angie navigates the challenges of new motherhood as a single parent.
Sharp, gripping, and layered with intrigue, The Witness is a compelling mystery that deftly explores secrets, lies, and betrayal.
When Eric and Iris Bennett are killed after their car plunges off a bridge on the drive home from Perth, the tragedy is initially ruled an accident. Their adopted daughter, Molly, is left reeling. Raised with love by Eric, a retired police officer, and his wife after witnessing the murder of her biological mother, Sammi, at just five years old, Molly has already endured more than most.
Detective Jack Higgins is the first to sense something isn’t right. When he discovers Eric had recently contacted an officer connected to Sammi’s unsolved case, his suspicions deepen. As Jack and Detective Angie Sullivan, technically on maternity leave following the birth of her son, begin to investigate, they uncover unsettling links between past and present, and the chilling possibility that Molly may be in danger once again.
A cleverly plotted police procedural, The Witness delivers plenty of twists and mounting tension as decades-old secrets begin to unravel. The investigation grows increasingly complex when suspicion turns toward someone within the police force itself, raising the stakes considerably.
While the novel works well as a standalone, readers familiar with The Prospect or The Missing will appreciate the added depth to Jack and Angie’s personal lives. Jack faces a difficult decision about his future after receiving troubling news, while Angie navigates the challenges of new motherhood as a single parent.
Sharp, gripping, and layered with intrigue, The Witness is a compelling mystery that deftly explores secrets, lies, and betrayal.
July 4, 2026
Set in and around Kalgoorlie in AWestern Australia,The Witness is gripping and emotionally engaging. Central to the story is midwife Molly Walker, who witnessed her mother’s murder when she was just five years old but didn’t see enough of the killer to identify them at the time. Relocated from Newcastle to Kalgoorlie through the police Legacy program, Molly grew up in a loving family home. When her adopted parents are both killed in a car crash, her life is turned upside down. The apparent accident begins to look more and more like a deliberate killing and meanwhile Molly’s fear factor is ramping up. With Detective Jack Higgins driving the investigation, ably assisted by Detective Angie Sullivan, who is on maternity leave at the time but can’t help but involve herself, the pieces of a complex puzzle slowly come together. There are plenty of red herrings to keep readers guessing. They worked for me and it was only in the last chapter or so that I guessed who the murderer was. I listened to this story s an audiobook and narrator Tayla Walker did a great job of bringing it all to life. Can’t wait for more!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This mystery had a great build up to a twisty end, the characters were not suspecting it and neither was I!
Following Molly who witnessed her mums murder when she was five, as she navigates more tragedy in her life when her adoptive parents are both killed in a car accident. But was it an accident?
The book has multiple POV from Molly, the detective working the case, and another detective on maternity leave who knows Molly through her work as a midwife. The book really showcases small town community connections and policing which I loved.
Although I have never been to WA myself the book is written perfectly that I could picture exactly where it was taking place and was totally immersed that I read the story in just a few days.
I really enjoyed this book and will definitely read more of Fleurs work.
Following Molly who witnessed her mums murder when she was five, as she navigates more tragedy in her life when her adoptive parents are both killed in a car accident. But was it an accident?
The book has multiple POV from Molly, the detective working the case, and another detective on maternity leave who knows Molly through her work as a midwife. The book really showcases small town community connections and policing which I loved.
Although I have never been to WA myself the book is written perfectly that I could picture exactly where it was taking place and was totally immersed that I read the story in just a few days.
I really enjoyed this book and will definitely read more of Fleurs work.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The third book in the Kalgoorlie series crime tale, The Witness (2026) by Fleur McDonald, features detectives Jack Higgins and Angie Sullivan. Twenty years after being placed in Witness Protection, now adult Molly Walker’s adoptive parents are killed in a car accident. Ruled an accident, Detective Jack Higgins's suspicions are piqued when he learns that the dead husband had contacted police before his death. An outback Aussie noir with typically first-rate characters and a plot that builds in tension and surprises as past secrets are confronted. If you enjoy sophisticated police procedurals set in the red dirt of outback Australia, this novel is a four and a half star rated, that works as a standalone read. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement.
August 19, 2026
My first read from this author. The concept, the characters and the story were very engaging.
A young child (Molly) witnesses her Police officer mother's murder in their home. The five year old struggles to remember the details of who it was she saw standing over the body of her mother.
The supposed life long friend of her Mum, Angie, (also a copper) steps in and arranges that Molly is adopted by a couple - another police family, but they live in Western Australia. She is moved there primarily for her own protection, as the murder was unsolved and remained so 20 years later.
The pace of the book is very good, and it was well into the final third before I realised who the murderer was.
This was a well developed story with good characters - ones a reader can engage with, and I look forward to my next read from this author.
A young child (Molly) witnesses her Police officer mother's murder in their home. The five year old struggles to remember the details of who it was she saw standing over the body of her mother.
The supposed life long friend of her Mum, Angie, (also a copper) steps in and arranges that Molly is adopted by a couple - another police family, but they live in Western Australia. She is moved there primarily for her own protection, as the murder was unsolved and remained so 20 years later.
The pace of the book is very good, and it was well into the final third before I realised who the murderer was.
This was a well developed story with good characters - ones a reader can engage with, and I look forward to my next read from this author.
May 16, 2026
Molly Walker is five years old when she witnesses the murder of her mother, Constable Sammi Walker, in New South Wales. The perpetrator is never found. To protect her Molly is adopted by Eric (also in the police force) and Iris Bennett and sent to live in Kalgoorlie, a large country town in Western Australia. Twenty years later Eric and Iris are killed in a motor vehicle accident; questions and suspicions gradually arise from this event, with secrets and police corruption coming to the fore. This is the third novel in the Kalgoorlie series with all three featuring Detective Jack Higgins who is battling personal demons and dilemmas. The author perfectly captures the heat, dust and life in Kalgoorlie. An excellent, well written and unputdownable Australian rural mystery.
July 20, 2026
Didn’t realise this was part of a series and this book seems to be the third one. Enjoyed the premise of the book and the small town vibe Kalgoorlie was giving, though I think at the end the small town may have turned to a city?
Overall really enjoyed the characters, I felt for Molly she has had it rough. I did feel like the story was rushed, from start to finish it all happened within a span of a week, which sounds unrealistic especially with a police investigation…
There seems like there were a few story lines left hanging and maybe Fleur is planning another book but I was left with a few questions at the end.
P.s there seems to be a name mistype about a third of the way through, Angie become Molly…
Overall really enjoyed the characters, I felt for Molly she has had it rough. I did feel like the story was rushed, from start to finish it all happened within a span of a week, which sounds unrealistic especially with a police investigation…
There seems like there were a few story lines left hanging and maybe Fleur is planning another book but I was left with a few questions at the end.
P.s there seems to be a name mistype about a third of the way through, Angie become Molly…
June 6, 2026
When she was five, Molly Walker's mother Police Constable Sammi Walker was murdered. Molly witnessed the murder and was placed in protective custody and then adopted by Eric and Iris and removed from New South Wales to Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. After twenty years it is assumed, the danger has passed. When Molly's adoptive parents are killed in a car accident, it is discovered that the investigation into the death of Sammi Walker had been reopened.
The author perfectly captures the heat, dust and life in Kalgoorlie. An excellent, well written and unputdownable Australian rural mystery.
June 8, 2026
The Truth will not stay buried...
At five, Molly Walker was placed in witness protection after seeing her birth mother Sammi's murder. Twenty years later, everyone assumes the threat has passed.
The Molly's adoptive parents are killed in a car accident, on the same day the police commissioner announces the re-investigation of Constable Sammi Walkers murder. Coincidence or something more sinister.
Detective Jack Higgins doesn't believe in coincidences. And as he looks into the accident, it becomes clear this was a deliberate act. But is Molly still in danger, so long after the original crime?
************************
At five, Molly Walker was placed in witness protection after seeing her birth mother Sammi's murder. Twenty years later, everyone assumes the threat has passed.
The Molly's adoptive parents are killed in a car accident, on the same day the police commissioner announces the re-investigation of Constable Sammi Walkers murder. Coincidence or something more sinister.
Detective Jack Higgins doesn't believe in coincidences. And as he looks into the accident, it becomes clear this was a deliberate act. But is Molly still in danger, so long after the original crime?
************************
July 26, 2026
I'm not reading this series in order, because I'm getting my copy to read from the local library, and you get what comes available. (I could have refused and waited but its winter and cold and reading seems a good activity to do).
Kalgoorlie Police station law enforcement characters.
Jack (is from out of state is settling with the local team), Tim, Ange, Martin.
Molly a midwife who has a history that comes to fruition in this story. Life (a pet crow).
Lake Ballard a destination for grey nomads to visit (I've yet to visit myself).
Grief and trauma emotions we deal with differently and part of this story.
Waiting on the next book from the library.
Kalgoorlie Police station law enforcement characters.
Jack (is from out of state is settling with the local team), Tim, Ange, Martin.
Molly a midwife who has a history that comes to fruition in this story. Life (a pet crow).
Lake Ballard a destination for grey nomads to visit (I've yet to visit myself).
Grief and trauma emotions we deal with differently and part of this story.
Waiting on the next book from the library.
July 28, 2026
Set in Kalgoolie, this novel focuses on Molly, who, as a child witnessed the murder of her mother. She was then put into protective arrangements and fostered out. Now an adult and working as a midwife, her life is once again shattered when her two foster parents die in a car accident. But was it an accident?
The novel looks at events from the POV of Molly and of some of the police who have been tasked with finding out why and how the car crash happened. I worked out the trajectory of the plot at a very early stage (which is unusual for me). I thought the book was a little bit one-note; it would have benefited by being a little more complex.
The novel looks at events from the POV of Molly and of some of the police who have been tasked with finding out why and how the car crash happened. I worked out the trajectory of the plot at a very early stage (which is unusual for me). I thought the book was a little bit one-note; it would have benefited by being a little more complex.
May 1, 2026
Wow! I love love love these books. I did pick the killer this time. Very proud of myself. Not early but before it was obvious. I really do love how much I feel like I have been to the places described in your writing. We live in such a beautiful country and you are such a wonderful writer who gives the reader the full picture of the environment. I love how the relationships between characters are developed so well throughout the book.
Thank you so much. My trip across the Nullarbor will h Appel soon to experience these wonderful places.
Thank you so much. My trip across the Nullarbor will h Appel soon to experience these wonderful places.
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