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Helidon
Child protection worker Dana Gibson is called to attend a fatal shooting at the pub in Helidon where a bikie gang war has exploded. Seventeen-year-old Savannah and her younger sister, Maddie, have been caught in the crossfire, and the rural town finds itself divided between two cultures – the commune on the edge of town where Savannah's family live and an outlaw motorcycle gang.
As Savannah clings to life, Dana uncovers corruption that runs rivulets through the small town, eroding the community's trust in law enforcement. When Maddie, the primary witness to the shooting, goes missing and Helidon is at the mercy of surrounding bushfires, Dana must expose the truth and find Maddie before it's too late.
As Savannah clings to life, Dana uncovers corruption that runs rivulets through the small town, eroding the community's trust in law enforcement. When Maddie, the primary witness to the shooting, goes missing and Helidon is at the mercy of surrounding bushfires, Dana must expose the truth and find Maddie before it's too late.
291 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 13, 2026
4.5 stars.
Child protection worker Dana Gibson attends a fatal shooting at a Helidon pub where a bikie gang war has exploded. Caught in the crossfire, nineteen-year-old Savannah clings to life while her younger sister, Maddie, becomes the primary witness. As Dana uncovers deep-seated corruption eroding the community's trust in law enforcement, Maddie suddenly goes missing. With surrounding bushfires threatening the town, Dana must expose the truth and find Maddie before it's too late.
I’m glad I decided to rush-read 'Killarney' before diving into this one, as the events from that previous book were referenced in this third instalment. I really liked seeing Dana work on improving her life and mental health here. After all the adventures she went through in the first two books, she certainly needed it! Dana’s conversations with her therapist actually reminded me of Anne Buist and Graeme Simsion’s 'Menzies Mental Health' series - I think a Dana Gibson x Doctor Hannah Wright crossover would be brilliant!
The mystery in this one is deliciously multi-layered, and nothing is as straightforward as it seems. There were scenes that had my heart racing, and my heart genuinely ached for Maddie and Savannah. I think this book hits the absolute sweet spot between thriller mystery and action-adventure elements.
Romantically, I really enjoyed seeing Dana build the healthiest relationship she’s ever had. I’m glad this aspect didn’t turn cliche or overtake the central suspense. I did wish we could have seen a bit more of her relationship with Ryan that developed off-screen between books two and three, though.
This ended up being my favourite so far. The ending came together brilliantly, and I was more than happy to have guessed some of the twists incorrectly. The looming bushfires heightened the stakes, and I can’t wait to see what lies ahead for Dana!
(Thanks to UQP for a gifted review copy)
See my bookstagram review.
Child protection worker Dana Gibson attends a fatal shooting at a Helidon pub where a bikie gang war has exploded. Caught in the crossfire, nineteen-year-old Savannah clings to life while her younger sister, Maddie, becomes the primary witness. As Dana uncovers deep-seated corruption eroding the community's trust in law enforcement, Maddie suddenly goes missing. With surrounding bushfires threatening the town, Dana must expose the truth and find Maddie before it's too late.
I’m glad I decided to rush-read 'Killarney' before diving into this one, as the events from that previous book were referenced in this third instalment. I really liked seeing Dana work on improving her life and mental health here. After all the adventures she went through in the first two books, she certainly needed it! Dana’s conversations with her therapist actually reminded me of Anne Buist and Graeme Simsion’s 'Menzies Mental Health' series - I think a Dana Gibson x Doctor Hannah Wright crossover would be brilliant!
The mystery in this one is deliciously multi-layered, and nothing is as straightforward as it seems. There were scenes that had my heart racing, and my heart genuinely ached for Maddie and Savannah. I think this book hits the absolute sweet spot between thriller mystery and action-adventure elements.
Romantically, I really enjoyed seeing Dana build the healthiest relationship she’s ever had. I’m glad this aspect didn’t turn cliche or overtake the central suspense. I did wish we could have seen a bit more of her relationship with Ryan that developed off-screen between books two and three, though.
This ended up being my favourite so far. The ending came together brilliantly, and I was more than happy to have guessed some of the twists incorrectly. The looming bushfires heightened the stakes, and I can’t wait to see what lies ahead for Dana!
(Thanks to UQP for a gifted review copy)
See my bookstagram review.
September 17, 2026
Hurray for part three of the Dana Gibson series! Everyone’s favourite child protection worker has survived floods and corrupt cops and drug gangs. But can she survive bush fire season in a rural bush town!?
I sped through #helidon. This was incredibly quick paced and built tension beautifully, helped by the volatile environment of the encroaching fires.
It starts with a shooting at the local pub between the police and a renowned bikie gang. One of the victims is 19 year old Savannah, now in ICU in a coma. And a main witness is her 7 year old sister Maddie who now won’t speak a word.
Add in a fairly creepy commune.
And then a missing child.
Dana has her work cut out for her, as well as juggling her own traumatic past for the sake of her current mental health and ability to manage adopted child Angus.
Mottram packs a lot in 290 pages.
Dana is a fascinating FMC. A combination of foolhardy, emotive, intuitive and tenacious.
I look forward to the next Dana Gibson instalment where she saves a child from neglect whilst surviving a volcano/viral outbreak/ earthquake.
I sped through #helidon. This was incredibly quick paced and built tension beautifully, helped by the volatile environment of the encroaching fires.
It starts with a shooting at the local pub between the police and a renowned bikie gang. One of the victims is 19 year old Savannah, now in ICU in a coma. And a main witness is her 7 year old sister Maddie who now won’t speak a word.
Add in a fairly creepy commune.
And then a missing child.
Dana has her work cut out for her, as well as juggling her own traumatic past for the sake of her current mental health and ability to manage adopted child Angus.
Mottram packs a lot in 290 pages.
Dana is a fascinating FMC. A combination of foolhardy, emotive, intuitive and tenacious.
I look forward to the next Dana Gibson instalment where she saves a child from neglect whilst surviving a volcano/viral outbreak/ earthquake.
September 19, 2026
The plot was good but the execution was off. Also the inaccuracies really got to me.
You don't drive through Cunningham's Gap to get to Toowoomba from Warwick.
Dana comes across as silly and whiny at times, the writing style just isn't that schmick. A shame because I love that these novels are set in my area and I'm always keen to support local authors.
You don't drive through Cunningham's Gap to get to Toowoomba from Warwick.
Dana comes across as silly and whiny at times, the writing style just isn't that schmick. A shame because I love that these novels are set in my area and I'm always keen to support local authors.
September 2, 2026
On a hot summer's day, seemingly out of nowhere, a deadly shootout at the Helidon hotel throws the quiet rural town into chaos and leaves a small child in a vulnerable position.
Dana Gibson is back and she's better than ever. Still determined to help any child in need, still prone to bending the rules or making questionable decisions, but finally starting to crack open and let people in.
Helidon is the pinnacle of the series, in which mystery abounds, fires loom nearby and danger could be closer than anyone imagines.
Dana Gibson is back and she's better than ever. Still determined to help any child in need, still prone to bending the rules or making questionable decisions, but finally starting to crack open and let people in.
Helidon is the pinnacle of the series, in which mystery abounds, fires loom nearby and danger could be closer than anyone imagines.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews