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The Doubles
A fast-paced, genre-bending debut from the winner of the 2023 black&write Fellowship. For lovers of thriller, crime and fantasy, The Doubles combines First Nations culture with compelling speculative fiction to create a mesmerising mystery.
'I remembered a dream I had been a mountain, covered in trees, swelling up out of a plain like a tidal wave. But peering out from the underbrush was a row of eyeless faces looking past me out into the endless expanse I knew was at my back.'
On the Liverpool Plains, near the town of Werris Creek, the Veil that separates the mortal realm from the Outside is wearing thin. Children have been disappearing and turning up dead. Someone - or something - is responsible; taking them from their beds in the middle of the night and sending a message no one can understand.
That's all Kring knows when she gets the case. That's all she needs to know.
Kring is no stranger to magic and monsters - her job as an Envoy for the Higher Powers is to banish Trespassers from our world. But this mission will push her capabilities to the limit, and bring back memories of a past she'd rather leave forgotten. Together with Dries, a local officer of magical law enforcement, she finds herself in a race against time to stop a demon from killing again. And once the demon finds what it's looking for, things will get a whole lot worse ...
'I remembered a dream I had been a mountain, covered in trees, swelling up out of a plain like a tidal wave. But peering out from the underbrush was a row of eyeless faces looking past me out into the endless expanse I knew was at my back.'
On the Liverpool Plains, near the town of Werris Creek, the Veil that separates the mortal realm from the Outside is wearing thin. Children have been disappearing and turning up dead. Someone - or something - is responsible; taking them from their beds in the middle of the night and sending a message no one can understand.
That's all Kring knows when she gets the case. That's all she needs to know.
Kring is no stranger to magic and monsters - her job as an Envoy for the Higher Powers is to banish Trespassers from our world. But this mission will push her capabilities to the limit, and bring back memories of a past she'd rather leave forgotten. Together with Dries, a local officer of magical law enforcement, she finds herself in a race against time to stop a demon from killing again. And once the demon finds what it's looking for, things will get a whole lot worse ...
- GenresFantasy
365 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 25, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 27, 2026
Jacob K Gallagher won the Black and Write Fellowship for his book The Doubles in 2023. That fellowship supports Aboriginal authors which has included recognition of some amazing novels including Claire G Coleman’s Terra Nullius and Nardi Simpson’s Song of the Crocodile. As with those books, The Doubles delivers a compelling story that is steeped in Aboriginal culture and history.
The Doubles is set in a world that is in contact with Angels and has magic. The opening introduces readers to Kring, an Envoy of the angelic host, who is tasked with bringing down ‘Trespassers’, malevolent creatures that have managed to come into our dimension. Kring is soon dispatched to deal with a new case – two children who have been replaced by unstable doubles and have died on a mountain near Tamworth. Tamworth is a regional town in North-Eastern New South Wales, close to a smaller town called Gunnedah, which is where Kring was born (this is also where Gallagher himself comes from). Once Kring arrives she is paired with one of the local magic police, a man called Dries. The two have to work together to work out what is happening before more children are taken. In doing so they find there may be a connection between the deaths and local Kamilaroi history and culture.
Kring is a tough main character to like but Gallagher makes her and her choices understandable. She is a servant of powers she does not fully understand and who make her do things that are seem cruel to human understanding. Those who know she is an Envoy (many do not) fear her due to her status and as a result her relationship with Dries is fraught and often combative. But she is also open to learning, recognises her mistakes and pushes back a little against the strictures that her position put her in.
There is a lot of fantasy world building in the background of The Doubles and the book comes with lists of the ranks of Angels and the ranks of the local magic police. There are also different levels of ‘Trespasser’. These hierarchies and details have little impact on the story being told, but as he is clearly steeped in this background Gallagher does manage to give the sense that there is something much bigger at play. And both the resolution of the action and other mysteries hinted at through the story imply that Gallagher has more to explore in this world.
Gallagher has a great feel for the landscape of the Liverpool Plains, where the bulk of the action is set, and its flora and fauna (some of which become monstrous in one particularly intense action scene). Gallagher also takes readers into the local Aboriginal community and delivers a nuanced and lived-in feel to the interactions. But he also writes great magical action scenes, drawing readers into what are often chaotic battles.
In a similar way to the way in which Coleman twisted common alien invasion tropes around in Terra Nullius, Gallagher takes some common fantasy tropes and explores them from a totally new perspective. The Doubles is an ambitious fantasy, sometimes biting off a little more than it can chew in terms of world building, but always fascinating and driven by a plot that will keep readers turning the pages.
The Doubles is set in a world that is in contact with Angels and has magic. The opening introduces readers to Kring, an Envoy of the angelic host, who is tasked with bringing down ‘Trespassers’, malevolent creatures that have managed to come into our dimension. Kring is soon dispatched to deal with a new case – two children who have been replaced by unstable doubles and have died on a mountain near Tamworth. Tamworth is a regional town in North-Eastern New South Wales, close to a smaller town called Gunnedah, which is where Kring was born (this is also where Gallagher himself comes from). Once Kring arrives she is paired with one of the local magic police, a man called Dries. The two have to work together to work out what is happening before more children are taken. In doing so they find there may be a connection between the deaths and local Kamilaroi history and culture.
Kring is a tough main character to like but Gallagher makes her and her choices understandable. She is a servant of powers she does not fully understand and who make her do things that are seem cruel to human understanding. Those who know she is an Envoy (many do not) fear her due to her status and as a result her relationship with Dries is fraught and often combative. But she is also open to learning, recognises her mistakes and pushes back a little against the strictures that her position put her in.
There is a lot of fantasy world building in the background of The Doubles and the book comes with lists of the ranks of Angels and the ranks of the local magic police. There are also different levels of ‘Trespasser’. These hierarchies and details have little impact on the story being told, but as he is clearly steeped in this background Gallagher does manage to give the sense that there is something much bigger at play. And both the resolution of the action and other mysteries hinted at through the story imply that Gallagher has more to explore in this world.
Gallagher has a great feel for the landscape of the Liverpool Plains, where the bulk of the action is set, and its flora and fauna (some of which become monstrous in one particularly intense action scene). Gallagher also takes readers into the local Aboriginal community and delivers a nuanced and lived-in feel to the interactions. But he also writes great magical action scenes, drawing readers into what are often chaotic battles.
In a similar way to the way in which Coleman twisted common alien invasion tropes around in Terra Nullius, Gallagher takes some common fantasy tropes and explores them from a totally new perspective. The Doubles is an ambitious fantasy, sometimes biting off a little more than it can chew in terms of world building, but always fascinating and driven by a plot that will keep readers turning the pages.
August 25, 2026
The Doubles by Jacob K Gallagher is an action-packed fantasy crime-thriller set in rural Australia.
Kring is an Envoy - an enforcer of magical law on behalf of the angelic host. Her job is to intercept Trespassers from the other side of the veil and send them back where they came from. When Kring is suddenly pulled to a new assignment to investigate the death of two children, she quickly realises this Trespasser is unlike anything she's faced before. She'll need all her skills, and the help of the community if she's going to stop this creature before it take another child.
I am always excited when the new Blak & Write fellowship book is released. This fellowship has produced some of my favourite Australian books, and represents the diversity and scope of indigenous stories waiting to be told. Safe to say, my expectations were HIGH, and Gallagher met them with ease.
Like any crime/thriller, pacing is king and this narrative drops you right into the action, and the author trusts the reader to pick up on the magic system with what they're shown, avoiding exposition dumps which kill pacing and tension. Gallagher keeps the prose tight and clean, ensuring readers don't get bogged down in over-wrought descriptions.
It's always a treat reading a fantasy book set in Australia, and seeing the way different writers create that sense of place, particularly in rural settings is one of my favourite parts. Gallagher has captured this small town setting perfectly, right down to the little take-away shop that makes the perfect milkshake.
Written in first person, I hoped to get a little more insight into Kring. She's very closed off, and we leave the story knowing only a little more about her than we did at the beginning. However, I did feel like this was intentional - Kring has a lot to work through and unpack, particularly once the story reaches its conclusion, and small moments of doubt and compassion make her an interesting character. I'm just greedy for character.
The story ends with room for a sequel, and I will be keeping an eye out for it!
Thank you Hachette for the e-arc in exchange for a review.
Kring is an Envoy - an enforcer of magical law on behalf of the angelic host. Her job is to intercept Trespassers from the other side of the veil and send them back where they came from. When Kring is suddenly pulled to a new assignment to investigate the death of two children, she quickly realises this Trespasser is unlike anything she's faced before. She'll need all her skills, and the help of the community if she's going to stop this creature before it take another child.
I am always excited when the new Blak & Write fellowship book is released. This fellowship has produced some of my favourite Australian books, and represents the diversity and scope of indigenous stories waiting to be told. Safe to say, my expectations were HIGH, and Gallagher met them with ease.
Like any crime/thriller, pacing is king and this narrative drops you right into the action, and the author trusts the reader to pick up on the magic system with what they're shown, avoiding exposition dumps which kill pacing and tension. Gallagher keeps the prose tight and clean, ensuring readers don't get bogged down in over-wrought descriptions.
It's always a treat reading a fantasy book set in Australia, and seeing the way different writers create that sense of place, particularly in rural settings is one of my favourite parts. Gallagher has captured this small town setting perfectly, right down to the little take-away shop that makes the perfect milkshake.
Written in first person, I hoped to get a little more insight into Kring. She's very closed off, and we leave the story knowing only a little more about her than we did at the beginning. However, I did feel like this was intentional - Kring has a lot to work through and unpack, particularly once the story reaches its conclusion, and small moments of doubt and compassion make her an interesting character. I'm just greedy for character.
The story ends with room for a sequel, and I will be keeping an eye out for it!
Thank you Hachette for the e-arc in exchange for a review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This story hit the ground running, and didn't stop to catch its breath! Gallagher threw us into the action, meeting Kring, an Envoy for Higher Powers (read: Angels), while tracking down a minor Trespasser. Once the minor Fae-class Trespasser has been sent back to the other side, Kring is transported onto a moving train that stops at Werris Creek, where a child has been found dead.
Gallagher paints a vivid picture of rural NSW, weaving the First Nations' cultures of Gamilaraay and Kamilaroi through the narrative landscape.
Kring teams up with local magical law enforcement special agent Dries, who seems to both admire and resent her role. As the story progresses, Kring struggles to pinpoint exactly what type of entity she is up against. She seeks help from local Elders, as well as from her Angel handler, who seems to have been displaced for another being with personality.
The plot is well paced and planned, and I really enjoyed the sense of the race against time. Both the Trespasser and the official mentor were sinister, causing some dissonance around whose purpose was being served. The ending left as many questions as was answered, which gives me hope I'll be meeting Kring again in another adventure soon.
Gallagher paints a vivid picture of rural NSW, weaving the First Nations' cultures of Gamilaraay and Kamilaroi through the narrative landscape.
Kring teams up with local magical law enforcement special agent Dries, who seems to both admire and resent her role. As the story progresses, Kring struggles to pinpoint exactly what type of entity she is up against. She seeks help from local Elders, as well as from her Angel handler, who seems to have been displaced for another being with personality.
The plot is well paced and planned, and I really enjoyed the sense of the race against time. Both the Trespasser and the official mentor were sinister, causing some dissonance around whose purpose was being served. The ending left as many questions as was answered, which gives me hope I'll be meeting Kring again in another adventure soon.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really enjoyed this. It reminded me of an aussie version of both the shadowhunters universe and fetch Philips universe
It was so interesting learning about aboriginal culture as someone from New Zealand its not something I know anything about
The story itself was very interesting, we are following a morally grey character who is trying to figure out where she belongs in life and what she believes in and I really enjoyed that
I think it set itself up to be a series very nicely but you could also read this as a standalone and be very satisfied
Overall I do recommend this if you are wanting a slightly eerie interesting demon angel based fantasy
It was so interesting learning about aboriginal culture as someone from New Zealand its not something I know anything about
The story itself was very interesting, we are following a morally grey character who is trying to figure out where she belongs in life and what she believes in and I really enjoyed that
I think it set itself up to be a series very nicely but you could also read this as a standalone and be very satisfied
Overall I do recommend this if you are wanting a slightly eerie interesting demon angel based fantasy
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Doubles by Jacob K Gallagher
☀️☀️☀️☀️⛅ (4.5 rounded up)
Thanks to Hachette Aus&NZ and Netgalley for this ARC. And how perfect that this ARC is available to read during NAIDOC week!
This genre-bending Australian debut honours First Nations culture within the confines of a sharp crime thriller, threaded with magic and mystery.
Set in modern day rural Australia, Kring - an Envoy, a type of magical law enforcement - is summoned unceremoniously to solve a difficult case involving murdered children. So used to working alone, the necessity to make connections and face her past force Kring past her comfort zone, working with an urgency to save the indigenous children of the area.
The magic system and power structures established by Gallagher are complex, though he doesn't waste time with excessive info-dumping, letting the audience fill in the gaps as the plot unfolds. It isn't particularly unique but is done well, especially when combined with the cultural significance imbued through the Aboriginal elements, which grow in significance as the story goes on.
The strength of this story lies in the nature of the mystery, and the pacing. Gallagher is a deft hand at unveiling each new piece of information at the right time, and the variety of high tension moments with shorter, sharper chapters kept me eagerly turning the pages. The final confrontation escalated more than I'd anticipated - the scale of this story is huge - but it made way for a really impressive revelation that reveals this book as a potential series starter. I, for one, would be thrilled to see this universe continued.
This is an impressive debut novel that stands itself apart from others through its unique combination of fantasy, crime, mystery, and speculative fiction. With strong characters, worldbuilding, and procedural elements, it was a joy to read from start to finish.
"This kind of sentimentality was like a spell - appearing very complex at first glance, but in fact being made up of an array of smaller, more basic components. That was all it was.
I drew a deep breath and imagined my body tightening, muscles coiling like a spring. I realigned my body, mind, and spirit - turned them back to my singular purpose:
To find the Trespasser and banish it. There was no room for nostalgia."
☀️☀️☀️☀️⛅ (4.5 rounded up)
Thanks to Hachette Aus&NZ and Netgalley for this ARC. And how perfect that this ARC is available to read during NAIDOC week!
This genre-bending Australian debut honours First Nations culture within the confines of a sharp crime thriller, threaded with magic and mystery.
Set in modern day rural Australia, Kring - an Envoy, a type of magical law enforcement - is summoned unceremoniously to solve a difficult case involving murdered children. So used to working alone, the necessity to make connections and face her past force Kring past her comfort zone, working with an urgency to save the indigenous children of the area.
The magic system and power structures established by Gallagher are complex, though he doesn't waste time with excessive info-dumping, letting the audience fill in the gaps as the plot unfolds. It isn't particularly unique but is done well, especially when combined with the cultural significance imbued through the Aboriginal elements, which grow in significance as the story goes on.
The strength of this story lies in the nature of the mystery, and the pacing. Gallagher is a deft hand at unveiling each new piece of information at the right time, and the variety of high tension moments with shorter, sharper chapters kept me eagerly turning the pages. The final confrontation escalated more than I'd anticipated - the scale of this story is huge - but it made way for a really impressive revelation that reveals this book as a potential series starter. I, for one, would be thrilled to see this universe continued.
This is an impressive debut novel that stands itself apart from others through its unique combination of fantasy, crime, mystery, and speculative fiction. With strong characters, worldbuilding, and procedural elements, it was a joy to read from start to finish.
"This kind of sentimentality was like a spell - appearing very complex at first glance, but in fact being made up of an array of smaller, more basic components. That was all it was.
I drew a deep breath and imagined my body tightening, muscles coiling like a spring. I realigned my body, mind, and spirit - turned them back to my singular purpose:
To find the Trespasser and banish it. There was no room for nostalgia."
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received a copy of The Doubles from Hachette Australia to review.
Rating of 4.5.
Australian author Jacob K. Gallagher drops one of the more distinctive fantasy debuts of 2026 with The Doubles, a captivating and inventive urban fantasy novel that makes amazing use of its rural Australian setting.
Plot Synopsis:
'I remembered a dream I had been having: a mountain, covered in trees, swelling up out of a plain like a tidal wave. But peering out from the underbrush was a row of eyeless faces looking past me out into the endless expanse I knew was at my back.'
On the Liverpool Plains, near the town of Werris Creek, the Veil that separates the mortal realm from the Outside is wearing thin. Children have been disappearing and turning up dead. Someone - or something - is responsible; taking them from their beds in the middle of the night and sending a message no one can understand.
That's all Kring knows when she gets the case. That's all she needs to know.
Kring is no stranger to magic and monsters - her job as an Envoy for the Higher Powers is to banish Trespassers from our world. But this mission will push her capabilities to the limit, and bring back memories of a past she'd rather leave forgotten. Together with Dries, a local officer of magical law enforcement, she finds herself in a race against time to stop a demon from killing again. And once the demon finds what it's looking for, things will get a whole lot worse ...
The Doubles was an exciting and impressive first novel from Jacob K. Gallagher, a fellow Canberran who has jumped onto the fantasy scene in a big way with a complex Australian fantasy story. Featuring a great urban fantasy narrative loaded with cool details and a distinctive local Australian setting, The Doubles was an excellent read that hooked me extremely quickly.
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2026/09/22/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
Rating of 4.5.
Australian author Jacob K. Gallagher drops one of the more distinctive fantasy debuts of 2026 with The Doubles, a captivating and inventive urban fantasy novel that makes amazing use of its rural Australian setting.
Plot Synopsis:
'I remembered a dream I had been having: a mountain, covered in trees, swelling up out of a plain like a tidal wave. But peering out from the underbrush was a row of eyeless faces looking past me out into the endless expanse I knew was at my back.'
On the Liverpool Plains, near the town of Werris Creek, the Veil that separates the mortal realm from the Outside is wearing thin. Children have been disappearing and turning up dead. Someone - or something - is responsible; taking them from their beds in the middle of the night and sending a message no one can understand.
That's all Kring knows when she gets the case. That's all she needs to know.
Kring is no stranger to magic and monsters - her job as an Envoy for the Higher Powers is to banish Trespassers from our world. But this mission will push her capabilities to the limit, and bring back memories of a past she'd rather leave forgotten. Together with Dries, a local officer of magical law enforcement, she finds herself in a race against time to stop a demon from killing again. And once the demon finds what it's looking for, things will get a whole lot worse ...
The Doubles was an exciting and impressive first novel from Jacob K. Gallagher, a fellow Canberran who has jumped onto the fantasy scene in a big way with a complex Australian fantasy story. Featuring a great urban fantasy narrative loaded with cool details and a distinctive local Australian setting, The Doubles was an excellent read that hooked me extremely quickly.
To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2026/09/22/...
For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/
November 1, 2026
Science fiction/fantasy set in outback Australia with a bit of an indigenous twist. There is magic in the world and angels controlling it, also ‘trespassers’ that bring magic from outside this world who need to be sent back….violently. The envoy of the angels is sent to sort out trespassers and there is one in outback NSW that appears to be targetting indigenous children. It’s all a bit of fun and an easy read. I didn’t think there was enough First Nations mystery/culture in it.
November 1, 2026
Fast passed. Hard to put down and intriguing. Can see this becoming a mini series as its very cinematic.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews