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Devil Mountain
A wickedly dark police procedural with a hint of the supernatural, this crime novel is
Dinuka McKenzie
meets
The Bluffs
.
When Detective Sergeant Anastasia Brown is sent to investigate the strange death of a man found in a small NSW town, she sees it as an opportunity to redeem herself after an unjust suspension.
But it’s far from a simple homicide. The victim, a beloved GP and councilor, is found on a nearby mountain chained to a fence and burned to a crisp, with arcane symbols carved into the soles of his feet – and the boy who found the body saw a ghost lingering in the trees.
As Ana struggles against small-town secrets and high-level misogyny, the truth only grows murkier. Is this a clever killer with a flair for the macabre? Or are the local murmurs of the mountain being haunted more than just folklore??
When Detective Sergeant Anastasia Brown is sent to investigate the strange death of a man found in a small NSW town, she sees it as an opportunity to redeem herself after an unjust suspension.
But it’s far from a simple homicide. The victim, a beloved GP and councilor, is found on a nearby mountain chained to a fence and burned to a crisp, with arcane symbols carved into the soles of his feet – and the boy who found the body saw a ghost lingering in the trees.
As Ana struggles against small-town secrets and high-level misogyny, the truth only grows murkier. Is this a clever killer with a flair for the macabre? Or are the local murmurs of the mountain being haunted more than just folklore??
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 26, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 11, 2026
A creepy mountain that is said to be haunted is the centrepiece of this fabulous debut crime novel from Inessa Jackson. I love a good detective, and Detective Sergeant Anastasia Brown is one determined cop. Life hasn’t been kind to her recently,so the Sydney homicide detective is sent to a small town in rural NSW to work a murder case.
A body, burnt to a crisp and chained to a fence is found by a young boy on Devils Mountain. This mountain is said to be haunted by the spirit of a wronged woman, and the local coven of witches meet there for their rituals. Ana is teamed up with Harry Frost, a young local and I loved their banter and friendship. When the body is identified as a local GP with a reputation, there are no end of likely suspects.
Ana is a tough as nails woman who just keeps finding herself in trouble and danger. She doesn’t let it stop her though, she is desperate to prove her critics wrong. As a woman in the police force, she has to deal with so much misogynistic behaviour and abuse. I hope we get more books with Ana and Harry too, he was a great character.
Another new author to add to your list, I look forward to seeing what Inessa Jackson has in store for us next.
Thank you Affirm Press for sending this book my way. It is out now.
A body, burnt to a crisp and chained to a fence is found by a young boy on Devils Mountain. This mountain is said to be haunted by the spirit of a wronged woman, and the local coven of witches meet there for their rituals. Ana is teamed up with Harry Frost, a young local and I loved their banter and friendship. When the body is identified as a local GP with a reputation, there are no end of likely suspects.
Ana is a tough as nails woman who just keeps finding herself in trouble and danger. She doesn’t let it stop her though, she is desperate to prove her critics wrong. As a woman in the police force, she has to deal with so much misogynistic behaviour and abuse. I hope we get more books with Ana and Harry too, he was a great character.
Another new author to add to your list, I look forward to seeing what Inessa Jackson has in store for us next.
Thank you Affirm Press for sending this book my way. It is out now.
June 27, 2026
Devil Mountain is an impressive Australian crime novel from debut author Inessa Jackson.
Pouring rain, a near miss with a guardrail, and a collision with a kangaroo that leaves her with an orphaned joey make for an inauspicious welcome to Stony Creek for Sydney homicide detective Ana Brown. Then there’s the body found chained to a construction fence, set alight, with strange symbols carved into the soles of his feet.
I really enjoyed this well-paced police procedural. Paired with local detective Harry Frost, Ana finds herself leading a complex investigation. Jackson’s plot is cleverly crafted, offering several convincing red herrings. Identifying the dead man as a local GP does little to narrow the possible motives for his murder, while the legend of a ghost on Devil Mountain and the disappearance of a young girl only complicate matters further.
Jackson leans into the legend of Devil Mountain, the vengeful spirit of a wronged woman, to create an atmospheric backdrop for the novel. It also reinforces one of the story’s major themes, exploring the misogyny Ana faces within the police force alongside the victim’s appalling treatment of women.
Ana is initially quite a prickly character, but learning what’s weighing on her helps to soften that impression. I found her responses to the discrimination she faces frustrating at times, even though she has few good options available to her, but I also admired her determination and courage in pursuing every lead, even at considerable personal risk.
With its absorbing pace, clever plotting, atmospheric setting, and strong characterisation, Devil Mountain is a terrific read and a welcome addition to the Australian crime fiction canon.
Pouring rain, a near miss with a guardrail, and a collision with a kangaroo that leaves her with an orphaned joey make for an inauspicious welcome to Stony Creek for Sydney homicide detective Ana Brown. Then there’s the body found chained to a construction fence, set alight, with strange symbols carved into the soles of his feet.
I really enjoyed this well-paced police procedural. Paired with local detective Harry Frost, Ana finds herself leading a complex investigation. Jackson’s plot is cleverly crafted, offering several convincing red herrings. Identifying the dead man as a local GP does little to narrow the possible motives for his murder, while the legend of a ghost on Devil Mountain and the disappearance of a young girl only complicate matters further.
Jackson leans into the legend of Devil Mountain, the vengeful spirit of a wronged woman, to create an atmospheric backdrop for the novel. It also reinforces one of the story’s major themes, exploring the misogyny Ana faces within the police force alongside the victim’s appalling treatment of women.
Ana is initially quite a prickly character, but learning what’s weighing on her helps to soften that impression. I found her responses to the discrimination she faces frustrating at times, even though she has few good options available to her, but I also admired her determination and courage in pursuing every lead, even at considerable personal risk.
With its absorbing pace, clever plotting, atmospheric setting, and strong characterisation, Devil Mountain is a terrific read and a welcome addition to the Australian crime fiction canon.
June 12, 2026
Devil Mountain is a debut novel by Inessa Jackson and the author has certainly made an arresting entrance into the somewhat crowded scene of Australian crime fiction. Based in Sydney, Detective Sergeant Anastasia Brown is reeling from an unjust workplace suspension when she's sent to Stony Creek - a small town in NSW - to investigate the murder of a local GP. Pairing up with local Detective Harry Frost, Ana gets a quick run down of the unusual crime scene and seeks to find out more about the victim and why someone would want to kill him.
This police procedural moves quickly and several motives are swiftly identified. I loved this phrase summing up the motives for murder and haven't heard or seen it before:
"It met the criteria for one of the most common motivations for murder: love, lust, loot and loathing." Page 38
The mountain of the title overlooks Stony Creek and forms part of the Stony Creek State Forest where lights have been seen and the vengeful spirit of a wronged woman is said to haunt the mountain for eternity. Yikes!
DS Ana Brown is an easy protagonist to cheer for as she tackles misogyny in the workplace, peels back layers of lies in the small town to reveal adultery and addiction, investigates a Wiccan coven and plunges headlong into the forest despite the reported hauntings.
Detective Harry Frost was a highlight and my favourite character and I'd love to see Ana and Harry working together again in the future if this becomes a series.
Devil Mountain by Inessa Jackson is an enjoyable Aussie noir crime novel although I wish the supernatural element was more prominent.
* Copy courtesy of Simon & Schuster *
This police procedural moves quickly and several motives are swiftly identified. I loved this phrase summing up the motives for murder and haven't heard or seen it before:
"It met the criteria for one of the most common motivations for murder: love, lust, loot and loathing." Page 38
The mountain of the title overlooks Stony Creek and forms part of the Stony Creek State Forest where lights have been seen and the vengeful spirit of a wronged woman is said to haunt the mountain for eternity. Yikes!
DS Ana Brown is an easy protagonist to cheer for as she tackles misogyny in the workplace, peels back layers of lies in the small town to reveal adultery and addiction, investigates a Wiccan coven and plunges headlong into the forest despite the reported hauntings.
Detective Harry Frost was a highlight and my favourite character and I'd love to see Ana and Harry working together again in the future if this becomes a series.
Devil Mountain by Inessa Jackson is an enjoyable Aussie noir crime novel although I wish the supernatural element was more prominent.
* Copy courtesy of Simon & Schuster *
July 15, 2026
Devil Mountain is one of the best police procedural novels I've read in a long time.
The premise initially drew me in, but it was Inessa's writing style that truly kept me hooked. Her storytelling is immersive, and I couldn't get enough.
Set in a small Australian town, Devil Mountain has all the thrilling, creepy, unnerving, and supernatural elements that make for a gripping read. Detective Sergeant Anastasia Brown is transferred from Sydney to lead an investigation after a man is found chained and burned in the bush. As Ana digs deeper into the case, it quickly becomes clear that everyone in town is hiding secrets.
The pacing was spot on. Every chapter revealed something new or pushed the investigation forward in a way that kept me completely engrossed. I never found myself wanting to put it down.
Anastasia was a fantastic protagonist. She's headstrong, determined, and doesn't take any nonsense from anyone. I loved reading from her perspective and even found myself laughing at her very relatable Aussie food cravings while working the case. She was a strong female lead who stood her ground and refused to let the misogyny within the police force diminish her.
I also loved the witchy vibes and supernatural elements woven throughout the story. I'm always a sucker for a good ghost story, and these aspects added another layer of intrigue without overshadowing the investigation.
This was a brilliant debut novel, and I can't wait to see what Inessa writes next. She will definitely be an author I will look out for.
Thank you so much, Inessa, for sending me a copy of Devil Mountain to review!
The premise initially drew me in, but it was Inessa's writing style that truly kept me hooked. Her storytelling is immersive, and I couldn't get enough.
Set in a small Australian town, Devil Mountain has all the thrilling, creepy, unnerving, and supernatural elements that make for a gripping read. Detective Sergeant Anastasia Brown is transferred from Sydney to lead an investigation after a man is found chained and burned in the bush. As Ana digs deeper into the case, it quickly becomes clear that everyone in town is hiding secrets.
The pacing was spot on. Every chapter revealed something new or pushed the investigation forward in a way that kept me completely engrossed. I never found myself wanting to put it down.
Anastasia was a fantastic protagonist. She's headstrong, determined, and doesn't take any nonsense from anyone. I loved reading from her perspective and even found myself laughing at her very relatable Aussie food cravings while working the case. She was a strong female lead who stood her ground and refused to let the misogyny within the police force diminish her.
I also loved the witchy vibes and supernatural elements woven throughout the story. I'm always a sucker for a good ghost story, and these aspects added another layer of intrigue without overshadowing the investigation.
This was a brilliant debut novel, and I can't wait to see what Inessa writes next. She will definitely be an author I will look out for.
Thank you so much, Inessa, for sending me a copy of Devil Mountain to review!
June 23, 2026
Devil Mountain is the exciting debut of Aussie author Inessa Jackson. It’s a dark and intriguing police procedural that cleverly uses a Wicca/folklore element to evoke an eerie undercurrent to the narrative.
🌒 Devil Mountain is a clever and gripping debut that I couldn’t put down. The narrative moved quickly, had fantastic tension and a sinister undercurrent. The folklore element was a clever addition as it leaves you questioning everyone as the story evolves.
I really liked Ana’s character. This was a redemption case for her and she was keen to prove herself, especially given the misogyny she is experiencing in the workplace. Harry was the perfect partner for her too and I hope we see more of them both!
A fantastic aussie noir debut you that will pull you in and keep you guessing. Five stars from me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to @inessa_jackson_writer and @affirmpress for a copy to review.
🌒 Devil Mountain is a clever and gripping debut that I couldn’t put down. The narrative moved quickly, had fantastic tension and a sinister undercurrent. The folklore element was a clever addition as it leaves you questioning everyone as the story evolves.
I really liked Ana’s character. This was a redemption case for her and she was keen to prove herself, especially given the misogyny she is experiencing in the workplace. Harry was the perfect partner for her too and I hope we see more of them both!
A fantastic aussie noir debut you that will pull you in and keep you guessing. Five stars from me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to @inessa_jackson_writer and @affirmpress for a copy to review.
June 13, 2026
Impressive debut.
Small time crime, and a gripping police procedural. Elements of the supernatural may be at play too, with the mountain having a spooky history and a local mythology. Detective Sergeant Anastasia Brown is looking to redeem herself, having been sent to rural NSW to investigate a complex homicide, where a local GP and councilor is found chained to a fence and burned to a crisp. Definitely not a simple case and Anastasia and her young partner Harry make an entertaining team.
Small time crime, and a gripping police procedural. Elements of the supernatural may be at play too, with the mountain having a spooky history and a local mythology. Detective Sergeant Anastasia Brown is looking to redeem herself, having been sent to rural NSW to investigate a complex homicide, where a local GP and councilor is found chained to a fence and burned to a crisp. Definitely not a simple case and Anastasia and her young partner Harry make an entertaining team.
May 30, 2026
Thanks to Affirm Press for my advanced reading copy.
Ana and her new cohort Harry make a great team investigating a grisly murder on Devil Mountain.
Who is good? Who is evil? Can people be both? Good people in bad situations and bad people taking advantage of ‘good’ situations.
This is one of the best debut crime thrillers I have read in a long while.
Ana and her new cohort Harry make a great team investigating a grisly murder on Devil Mountain.
Who is good? Who is evil? Can people be both? Good people in bad situations and bad people taking advantage of ‘good’ situations.
This is one of the best debut crime thrillers I have read in a long while.
June 25, 2026
This book has just the right amount of creepy witchy vibes. The police-procedural element makes it fast-paced, and the ending is so dramatic and cinematic that it would make an excellent film. But at its heart it is a story exploring misogyny and the challenges women still face in male-dominated industries, as well as the misconceptions that abound when they take back their power. Great read.
July 1, 2026
I enjoyed this debut novel by Inessa Jackson. It features Anastasia Brown, a detective sergeant who is dealing with an unfortunate relationship breakdown with a colleague, and is assigned to a case involving the murder of a doctor in a small town. The location adds to the mystery - is there a supernatural involvement? Or is it more a case of personalities? Read on to find out, no spoilers here!
July 8, 2026
2.5 stars. This was just to slow! It took me forever to get through and finish I got bored and over the repetitive nature of it. I didn’t feel like things where flushed out and whole part of the symbols just felt like a waste of time.
This need more development and work
This need more development and work
June 28, 2026
Literally could not put this down!! Absolutely gripping!!
July 12, 2026
Brilliant police procedural with a strong female lead, set in rural Australia. I can’t wait to read Inessa Jackson’s next book!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews