Click

Olive Groves #2

by Sarah Bailey

A taut crime thriller about a city on edge, a killer playing games, and the two women determined to bring him down.

Melbourne is gripped by fear after a backpacker's body is found with a cryptic note, and two more women vanish without trace. When photographs begin to arrive in the inboxes of the media and police, it's clear the killer isn't hiding - they are performing.

Journalist Oli Groves, founder of a fledgling digital news site, knows the story could make or break her. Rookie detective Penelope Kibbs, still trying to prove herself, is desperate to stop the violence before more women are lost. But they soon realise the danger runs deeper than one killer - and closer than they want to believe.

With Click, Sarah Bailey proves herself a master of modern crime fiction, blending relentless suspense with sharp insight into obsession, corruption and survival.

'Sarah Bailey's Click is a masterful crime thriller. A complex police procedural that takes a deep dive into the darker side of our digital lives. A gripping, propulsive story told with an eye for the real pressures of modern policing and the challenges of a relentless news cycle.' – Michael Brissenden, bestselling author of Smoke and Dust

Genres: Crime

413 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 31, 2026

About the author

Sarah Bailey is a Melbourne-based writer with a background in advertising and communications. She has three sons and is currently the Managing Director of the Melbourne and Sydney offices of advertising agency VML and the founder of social media brand and podcast, He Read, She Read. Her internationally award-winning Gemma Woodstock series includes The Dark Lake, published in 2017 and winner of the Ned Kelly Award for Best First Fiction and the Davitt Award for Best Debut, followed by Into the Night in 2018, Where the Dead Go in 2019, and Body of Lies in 2024. Sarah has also published the bestselling The Housemate and Audible original Final Act in 2021. Click is the second book featuring journalist Oli Groves.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Tabetha (tabsbooknook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review: Click by @sarah_bailey_author published by @allenandunwin and supplied by @netgalley
Release date: 31 March 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Well that was a wild ride! Click is told from two distinct POVs, Olive ‘Oli’ Groves, investigative journalist, and Detective Constable Penelope ‘Pen’ Kibbs. The story is set in Melbourne in early 2020 when Covid had not yet been labeled a pandemic.
We follow both FMCs as they investigate the disappearances and murders of multiple women across the city. Are these murders connected? Is there a serial killer on the loose trying to be the next Zodiac?
Tough issues are discussed like DV, violence against women and the manosphere, while following a 24 hour news cycle. This story is fast paced and keeps you guessing up until those final chapters. The action really kicks in at the 70% mark and I found myself not wanting to put the book down until I got to the conclusion.

[Rary ⏾ ❤︎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC NetGallery & Allen & Unwin

A slow burn crime thriller set in Australia told through the perspectives of Oli a reporter and Penelope a detective.
As the story unfolds more women go missing and the investigation forces both women to confront the subject of domestic violence and sex crimes online.

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vibe check: Cybercrime, Social Media Serial Killer, Suspenseful

full review ⬇️

This was my first Sarah Bailey and I can confirm the gal does crime fiction SO well!

I am noticing more crime dramas are entering into the tech criminal world and Click enters this domain but stands out because it feels so grounded in reality.

The investigation tackles strong themes including serial killers, cybercrime and domestic violence but unfolds patiently and authentically without unnecessary drama, just strong storytelling and a case that slowly tightened its grip on me.

The pacing built steadily, revealing connections layer by layer and I found myself completely invested in both the mystery and the dual views from the perspective of both the police and media.

One aspect I especially loved was how realistically the book portrays policing. It acknowledges the uncomfortable truth that some cases are inevitably pushed aside when bigger, high profile investigations take priority. That detail added so much authenticity and made the stakes feel much more real.

I had the pleasure of hearing Sarah Bailey speak about this book and her writing process, which made reading this even more rewarding. You can genuinely see the thought, research and care woven through every part of the story and I’ll be going back to read the first book in this series The Housemate ASAP (this was fine as a stand alone too!)

If you love crime novels that prioritise character, realism and intelligent plotting this one absolutely delivers.

A big thank you to Allen and Unwin for sharing this one with me.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book.

[Robert Goodman · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Sarah Bailey’s stand-alone crime novel The Housemate ended it just felt like there may be more to come. And so we come to Click, once again featuring podcaster Olive ‘Oli’ Groves but this time sharing narrative duty with slightly messy, and probably as complicated, police detective Penelope ‘Pen’ Kibbs.
Click opens with a shocking image. A killer has sent a photo to one of the local Melbourne newspapers of a murdered woman. The woman is one that Pen and her partner had been looking for as she had been reported missing. The photograph seems to link the murder to the earlier killing of a backpacker and soon all police resources are on the case, slidelining the case of another missing woman who it is believed has been the victim of domestic violence. Meanwhile, Oli Groves is dealing with some devastating personal information while also working with her partner to grow their online news and podcasting business. These killings give Oli something to focus on while also finishing up her podcast series about domestic violence.
There is a lot going on in Click. Oli is dealing with her personal issues, an approach by her ex-boyfriend, an attempt to get together with her ex-partner who is one of the lead investigators in the Victorian police, finishing her podcast and then starting work on a new podcast series. Meanwhile Pen had her own relationship issues, is dealing with issues with her colleagues and is trying to link the murder cases and the missing persons case despite being dissuaded to do so by her superiors. And all that is before the twists and turns in the actual cases that they are trying to solve which also include blackmailing of high profile media personalities.
Given the amount that is going in it is possibly not surprising that some of the mystery gets sidelined in the rush. Two of the murders (one comes later and then there is possibly another disappearance) are never solved and the potential link between the murders is left hanging. It is unclear, once the dust settles, what the purpose of the media stunts was (they do provide some very tense moments in the narrative). And Oli’s second podcast, while on an interesting subject matter, is not really related to the main mystery and feels added just to increase the number of hot button issues at play (and there are plenty).
This frenetic pace, mirrors the state of Melbourne (and many other Australian cities) at the beginning of 2020. Major bushfires had caused dislocation in the regions and come close to the cities and news and rumours of COVID were starting to filter into the public consciousness. Bailey then layers this with a potential serial killer on the streets and splashed all over the news to create a high tension, high stakes environment for her characters.
Click is an interesting but sometimes frustrating return to the world of Oli Groves. As a podcaster, Oli cannot be in the centre of the investigation. But by setting her up with a narrative partner in Pen Kibbs, Bailey is able to play both the police and media angles (similar to the way Matthew Spencer mixes police and media in his books). Bailey keeps the pages turning with tense moments, cliffhangers and a real feeling of peril for her characters. But with two complex characters and a mix of crimes and investigations, Bailey may have taken on just a little too much content here.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5★ rounded up. I always hoped Bailey would bring Melbourne journo, Olive Groves, back again one day. And now, 5 years have passed, and here she is! I'm happy to report it was worth the wait.

A lot has changed for Olive in that time though. She's no longer working for the newspaper, having established an up-and-coming online news service with her former Melbourne Today colleague TJ, and she's no longer a podcast novice. The world loves her voice, and she has learnt to capitalise on that through both podcasts of her long-form journalism and on-the-fly audio content for Newsday. Personally Olive has had some pretty big changes too.

It all begins with a young Melbourne woman, Lyra Makris, who has gone missing after last being seen at a high-end house party. DI Mike Barnes and DC Penelope (Pen) Kibbs are temporarily pulled off their ongoing investigation of another missing woman - a Camberwell mum - to conduct a welfare check on Lyra. Their visit to her tidy flat offers no clues, but when a macabre photograph is sent to the Melbourne Today newsroom, all hell breaks loose.

This is another many-stranded but pacy and taut thriller from Sarah Bailey, that had me guessing right up until the end. Throughout the case we are looking over the shoulders of both Olive and Pen, seeing how everything unfolds from both a media and a police perspective. Both are great characters and I absolutely loved it! Fingers crossed Olive overcomes her personal challenges and comes back in another book soon.

Thanks to NetGalley and Allen & Unwin for the opportunity to read and review this highly anticipated new release.

[Davena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Click by Sarah Bailey

Click is the second book in the series featuring journalist Oli Groves; the first one was The Housemate. I don't think you need to have read The Housemate for Click to make sense, but it's an excellent read that combines police investigating a murder mystery with a reporter/podcaster, so I'd recommend it.

Melbourne is gripped by fear after a backpacker's body is found with a cryptic note, and two more women vanish without a trace. Is there a serial killer on the loose? Two women are desperate to find the truth: journalist Olive (Oli) Groves, the co-founder of a digital news site, and rookie detective Penelope Kibbs, both determined to prove themselves.

Click is a police procedural that explores the darker side of our digital lives, the relentless pressures of modern policing, and the challenges of a fast-news cycle. I was so drawn in by the story that I switched to the audiobook version halfway through so I could continue listening while I went about my life.

If you enjoy books that examine how news and podcasts are made or police procedurals or psychological thrillers, like Dark Mode or Like, Follow Die by @akalagianblunt, or This Story Might Save Your Life by @bytiffanycrum or books by J.P. Pomare @jppomare, Dervla McTiernan @dervlamctiernan or Fleur McDonald @fleurmcdonaldauthor, then I think you'll like this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and Allen and Unwin for the eARC of Click by Sarah Bailey; it's out now.

#BigThumbsup

#2026bookshelf #DesignNerd #booksdeevaareads
@allenandunwin #allenandunwin @sarah_bailey_author #NetGalley @NetGalley

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been 5 long years since we first met investigative journalist Oli Groves in The Housemate. Let me tell you, Click is worth the wait. Sarah Bailey deserves so much more attention, her books are always incredibly intense and multi layered, with complex characters that evoke strong feelings in this reader.

Click is set in Melbourne, right after The Housemate left off in January 2020. Yes, before we all locked down from a highly contagious virus. It was also a scorching hot summer, with bushfires running rampant through the country. The police are on the trial of a possible serial killer, who is sending cryptic notes and photos to media outlets. Oli and her partner TJ are right on the case, as are the police, with a young detective Penelope Kibbs determined to make her mark in the investigation.

This isn’t the easiest book to read, dealing with some really dark topics and issues. Domestic violence, online bullying, the dark web and the dangers of the world online are all big themes in this story, and it was a scarily true to life depiction. Things have only gotten worse since 2020, the world is a scary place these days, especially for women and Sarah tells this stories with compassion and empathy.

I love Oli, strong and intelligent, she is dealing with her own personal struggles but it doesn’t stop her from wanting justice for these women. Her relationship with TJ is growing stronger, and they are a brilliant team. She is reckless and doesn’t always think things through but the world needs women like her.

I can’t recommend this book enough. It can be read as a stand-alone but you should read The Housemate anyway, because it is fantastic too.

Thanks so much to Sarah and Allen and Unwin for my early copy to read. It is out on March 31st.

[Craig and Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big thanks to Allen & Unwin for sending us a copy to read and review.
As technology and AI advances and governs our lives we all get caught up in clicking our way through the day.
Social media likes and quick access to taking photos is all part of the fast pace we live in.
It was inevitable that criminals utilise, hide behind and manipulate technology enhancement.
Melbourne is the scene for murder and disappearance.
A summer of deadly bushfires and the threat of a virus that could close down the world are brewing as a potential serial killer is on the loose.
A killer that plays with the police and the media outlets.
Oli Groves seizes the opportunity to investigate, knowing resolution will elevate her profile and podcast patronage.
Young Detective Pene Kibbs also needs to make her mark with this case.
They both delve into an arena where domestic violence, cyber bullying and the dark web are prolific.
I liken this to the reading equivalent of being on a rollercoaster, where anticipation leads to fear and drama and at the end you can breathe a sigh of relief.
The themes of this gripping read are real and depicts the fear women can face.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another outstanding novel by the author!
A backpacker's body is found with a cryptic note and two more women have disappeared without a trace. The city of Melbourne is in fear of who may be next. Rookie Detective Penelope Kibbs is working with Detective Inspector Mike Barnes as he investigates but they seem to be getting nowhere.
Journalist Oli Groves, founder of a news site, is also investigating and reporting on the news, with her partner TJ. As the story continues, we see different threads come together to form an explosive ending.

Another sensational novel by the author! It was so good to see Oli back after The Housemate. That said, I read The Housemate back in 2021 and you can definitely enjoy this one as a stand alone, as the author provides ample background. Not only are the characters battling the crimes, but they have a lot going on in their own lives and the author always draws you in with the complex and rich stories she weaves. I did not guess the way in which this would unfold and I could not put this down!

Thank you to Allen and Unwin for this gifted review copy.

[Mel Kettle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another 5 star read from Sarah Bailey. In Click we are reacquainted with investigative journalist Olive ‘Oli’ Groves, who we met in The Housemate, and introduced to rookie Detective, Penelope ‘Pen’ Kibbs.

They are both chasing a serial killer who is terrorising women in Melbourne in early 2020. It was a little disconcerting to be reminded of those early days of Covid, before it became a pandemic.

The plot twists and turns in ways I didn’t expect – and just when I thought I had figured out who did it, I realised I hadn’t! And while I loved the crime side, I also appreciated the insights into the personal lives of Oli and Pen, and the challenges that come with being a kick-ass woman who wants to achieve great things in her career.

I really hope we get a third book in this series as I want to hear more about Oli and Pen.

5 stars

Thank you Netgalley and Allen & Unwin for sending me an advance copy of Click.

[Maree Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my second Sarah Bailey book. The first one I read was Body of Lies, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I now have her other 3 Gemma Woodstock books and the first Olive Groves book on my tbr pile.

Having not read The Housemate, the first Olive Groves book, didn't detract at all from my enjoyment of this one. There were references to past relationships and events that occurred years ago, but they were sufficiently explained.

I was hooked from the start with the premise of this book, and it has left things open nicely to move straight into book 3, continuing on from the events in this story.

Love the in depth descriptions of the investigations, both by the police and the reporters. The digital age certainly is a scary place these days.

Thank you to NetGalley and Allen & Unwin for the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved The Housemate so it was a delightful surprise to see that Sarah Bailey has written a sequel. I love way Sarah Bailey writes complicated, messy and just very human characters. Oli has come a long way since the first book and this time we see her dealing with a personal crisis while doggedly pursuing a serial killer terrorising women, the issue of teenage sexting (though ewww, did NOT need Dean returning) and her and TJ's business's growing pains. I had some inkling who the culprit might be, and alas I was completely wrong (but close enough!). I enjoyed the dual action switching between Oli and Pen, who was also a character I felt for as she battles her own trauma while witnessing the horrific aftermath of murder. I also enjoyed seeing TJ - a man who was her work rival, become a solid business partner. They both have complementary skills and I enjoyed seeing more of him.

My only quibble is that there's a error from The Housemate where TJ's wife is called Angela in that book but now she's Carol. However that didn't affect my enjoyment.

This book had everything that I love about crime -a solid, well-paced thriller featuring two complex, nuanced female characters and developments that had me guessing. Could crime loving readers please buy this book so we can have a book three (and hopefully not a five year wait!)?

[Deborah (debbishdotcom) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Click by Sarah Bailey is a sequel to her 2021 book The Housemate where we first met Olive (Oli) Groves. Apparently I wasn't alone in wanting to see more of the tenacious but likeable journalist as Bailey has resurrected that character in her new thriller.

I loved the 'real time' approach adopted by Bailey here... like the TV show 24. It keeps the pace moving without slowing or careening to a conclusion, ensuring this is another enjoyable read.


Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...

[Helen Farch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this new thriller from Sarah Bailey, and definitely stayed up past my bedtime reading as I just couldn't put it down.

I loved re-uniting with journalist Oli Groves, who we first met in Sarah's previous thriller, The Housemate.

Set just in 2020, just before the world headed into lockdown, I really enjoyed how the looming pandemic is hinted at as Melbourne is in the grip of a potential serial killer threat.

This is definitely a thriller for our times. with cybercrime, world pandemics, the manosphere all looming as threats.

I highly recommend this for anyone who loves a great, paper turning, plot twisting thriller and congratulations Sarah on another nail-biting read.

Thanks to Allen & Unwin for the review copy of this book

[Jay Dwight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent read from Sarah Bailey, a story presented from two points of view. Journalist Oli Groves and rookie detective Penelope Kibbs.

Groves is grappling with some concerning personal news as well as considering a change of career path, whilst still drowning herself in her work. She's searching out a potential serial killer haunting Melbourne, a killer performing by sending cryptic notes, photos and videos. Kibbs is also on the hunt for the killer, and we see matters from the police angle.

Lots of sub-plots including themes of domestic violence and teenage sexting, there's a lot to delve into with this one.

[Brody Hitchcock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very easy read, and I felt like I just flew right through it!

​I didn't actually realize until I was partway through the story that this is book two in a series. Because I jumped in the middle, there were a few little bits of backstory and references to things that happened in the previous installment that I missed. However, it wasn't enough to make me feel lost or confused. You definitely don't need to have read the first book to understand the plot, so you can absolutely jump straight into this one and enjoy it as a standalone.

[Laurena · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
I am somewhat tired of books that showcase violence against women. While the characters make this book engaging, the overall story felt contrived and the ending was not particularly satisfying. Thanks to publisher for ARC.

[Kelly Rule · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucky to have read a proof copy of this forthcoming release.
Really enjoyed the pace, good plot.

[Angelynn23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read with a good gripping crime story and pacing was extremely enjoyable. With so much thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher Allen & Unwin for the ARC.

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the return of investigative journalist Olive Groves, in this taut crime thriller.






Full review to follow