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Dusty Kent Mysteries #1
Murder in Murloo: A Dusty Kent Mystery
When a popular young woman is strangled in her home in the seaside village of Murloo, the residents are sure an itinerant surfer who disappeared after the murder is the killer. However, one year later the surfer is still missing and the killer's identity remains a mystery. The victim's family call in investigative journalist Dusty Kent who has an impeccable record in solving the cold cases she writes about. Dusty's determination to investigate unresolved crime is fuelled by a personal connection through her own family tragedy. However, this case tests Dusty to the limit and she despairs of ever catching the callous killer who seems to be lurking nearby and yet... A gripping mystery imbued with the ambience of Australia-from the mysterious wood carving found with the body, the captivating characters of a small town, to the coastal splendour of the Southern Ocean. Murder in Murloo is a classic who-dun-it introducing Dusty Kent written by JB Rowley and published under the pseudonym Brigid George.
416 pages, Paperback
First published February 20, 2015
298 people are currently reading
458 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
June 12, 2019
Who killed Gabrielle Peters? A year after her murder in a small Victorian country town, her family are still looking for answers. Police are convinced the culprit was an itinerant surfer, who they now can't locate. Other's claim it was her fiancé Heath. Enter Dusty Kent, author and investigative journalist, who grew up in the area. With her new sidekick Sean O'Kelly she's out to find the answers in her own inimitable way.
I really enjoyed this book, from the mercurial Dusty, the characters in the local town, and of course, the Houdini sheep Mimi. I especially loved the Australian setting, the small town coming to life on the pages. I really had no idea who killed Gabby, everyone seemed to have a reason to kill her, surprising for a much loved woman. I was riveted to this book until I found the answers, and I'll definitely be looking for more escapades from Dusty and Sean in the future. Recommended to all lovers of mysteries.
I really enjoyed this book, from the mercurial Dusty, the characters in the local town, and of course, the Houdini sheep Mimi. I especially loved the Australian setting, the small town coming to life on the pages. I really had no idea who killed Gabby, everyone seemed to have a reason to kill her, surprising for a much loved woman. I was riveted to this book until I found the answers, and I'll definitely be looking for more escapades from Dusty and Sean in the future. Recommended to all lovers of mysteries.
August 25, 2019
Dusty Kent is an investigative journalist who writes books about cold crimes, teasing out clues missed by the police to solve the crimes. She's young and out-going with a black belt in karate and a gut instinct for finding the truth. Back in her home town of Murloo she has been asked to investigate a murder and write a book by the family of Gabrielle Peters, a popular young woman killed a year ago. The novel is narrated by Sean O'Kelly, an Irish backpacker visiting the area who Dusty takes on to help with IT research on the witnesses and suspects. Together they gradually piece together what everyone was doing at the time that Gabby was killed and what really happened that weekend.
This was a good introduction to this Aussie cosy mystery series. Set in a small coastal town, it has a nice Aussie vibe. Dusty acts more like a PI than a journalist, checking out people's alibis and recollections of events, but people seem to mostly go along with this, while still keeping their lies and secrets from her.
This was a good introduction to this Aussie cosy mystery series. Set in a small coastal town, it has a nice Aussie vibe. Dusty acts more like a PI than a journalist, checking out people's alibis and recollections of events, but people seem to mostly go along with this, while still keeping their lies and secrets from her.
November 9, 2018
This was a light enjoyable cosy mystery. I was not always comfortable with the idea of an author questioning people like a policeman and getting anwers! I think if anyone other than the police asked me what I was doing between the hours of .. and .. I would give them a very short answer!
Anyway in this book Dusty Kent got her answers and more by luck than judgement she got results. The story was good and the whole thing was very readable. I will probably look up book 2 in due course.
Anyway in this book Dusty Kent got her answers and more by luck than judgement she got results. The story was good and the whole thing was very readable. I will probably look up book 2 in due course.
December 16, 2016
Twelve months ago Gabrielle (Gabby) Peters had been murdered in the town of Murloo. Some people believed that the surfer who went missing not long after was the murderer, but no one knew for certain.
Gabby's parents decided to seek the help of Dusty Kent, who was an investigative journalist and best selling author. They wanted her to compose a book about Gabby's life in the hope to uncover who murdered Gabby. Dusty hires Sean O'Kelly, who specialized in IT. Together they collect information on Gabby's life, but not all is as it seems and they start to find hidden secrets. Will these secrets lead them to the murderer?
Murder in Murloo by Aussie author, Brigid George was a really enjoyable read. If you love reading mystery/crime novels, then I would recommend this book to you.
Gabby's parents decided to seek the help of Dusty Kent, who was an investigative journalist and best selling author. They wanted her to compose a book about Gabby's life in the hope to uncover who murdered Gabby. Dusty hires Sean O'Kelly, who specialized in IT. Together they collect information on Gabby's life, but not all is as it seems and they start to find hidden secrets. Will these secrets lead them to the murderer?
Murder in Murloo by Aussie author, Brigid George was a really enjoyable read. If you love reading mystery/crime novels, then I would recommend this book to you.
November 15, 2019
Probably for some unknown reason picked up this book with quite low expectations (moral - never judge a book by it's cover!) however I was very pleasantly surprised.
Murloo is a small fictitious town based on 'Marlo' near Orbost in rural Victoria. Dusty Kent is a former resident of this small town who has become a successful author through her exploration and solving of cold cases. In this first book in the series she is digging into the unsolved murder of Gabrielle Peters who was found strangled in her home. As Dusty digs it becomes apparent to her and her assistant Sean (who narrates the story) that there are a lot of people who are not quite telling the truth.
This is a well told and enjoyable story with great characters. Definitely reading more in this series.
Murloo is a small fictitious town based on 'Marlo' near Orbost in rural Victoria. Dusty Kent is a former resident of this small town who has become a successful author through her exploration and solving of cold cases. In this first book in the series she is digging into the unsolved murder of Gabrielle Peters who was found strangled in her home. As Dusty digs it becomes apparent to her and her assistant Sean (who narrates the story) that there are a lot of people who are not quite telling the truth.
This is a well told and enjoyable story with great characters. Definitely reading more in this series.
February 1, 2019
Murder in Murloo is book one in the Dusty Kent Mysteries series by Brigid George. Investigative journalist Dusty Kent was asked by the family of Gabrielle Peters to investigate her death. Dusty Kent came to Murloo without an assistant and when she realised she needed help she hired Sean O'Kelly backpacker who was looking for work. The readers of Murder in Murloo will continue to follow Brigid George investigation into Gabrielle Peters death to find the killer.
I have not read any of Brigid George books before I read Murder in Murloo and Brigid engaged me with the plot from the first chapter. Brigid George did a fantastic job in describing the settings and layout the story for her readers. Murder in Murloo is well written and researched by Brigid George. I love Brigid George portrayal of her characters and the way they entwine with each other.
The readers of Murder in Murloo will start to understand what an investigative journalist is and the role they have in solving murder cases that have gone cold. Also, readers of Murder in Murloo will learn about jealousy, and fraud and the problems and consequences for everyone involved.
I recommend this book.
I have not read any of Brigid George books before I read Murder in Murloo and Brigid engaged me with the plot from the first chapter. Brigid George did a fantastic job in describing the settings and layout the story for her readers. Murder in Murloo is well written and researched by Brigid George. I love Brigid George portrayal of her characters and the way they entwine with each other.
The readers of Murder in Murloo will start to understand what an investigative journalist is and the role they have in solving murder cases that have gone cold. Also, readers of Murder in Murloo will learn about jealousy, and fraud and the problems and consequences for everyone involved.
I recommend this book.
March 16, 2015
Sean O’Kelly had only been in Australia for the past three months, out from Ireland, and after working in Sydney for some of that time, decided to travel south into Victoria. The small town of Murloo took his eye and as he relaxed over a cappuccino, he read the local paper, the Claigan Clarion which was published in Claigan, a scant ten kilometres from Murloo. His browsing took him to the story of a young woman, Gabrielle Peters, who had been murdered right here in the town twelve months previously, and her murderer had never been found.
His introduction to a startling redhead by the name of Dusty Kent was set to change the course of his life; Dusty was an investigative journalist and bestselling author who had been requested by Gabby’s parents to write a book about Gabby’s life, and in so doing, hopefully unearth her killer. Irene and Hans, and Gabby’s sister Lisa were still deeply grieving, and desperately hoped Dusty could help them – after all, she had done it before. When Dusty hired Sean as her assistant – she was going to utilise his IT skills – Sean was very happy to have a job, and with the delectable Dusty as his boss, he felt he couldn’t go wrong.
As Dusty began her investigation, she started by questioning everyone who had been close to Gabby – Heath, Gabby’s fiancé; Lisa, her sister; Bec, her best friend; and many others. But it was at the BBQ which Irene and Hans held to introduce Dusty and Sean to everyone, asking them to help out in every way they could which made Dusty realize there were those who had secrets to hide. Would she be able to find Gabby’s killer when the police hadn’t been able to? And would she be able to block out her own pain to focus on the investigation and subsequent book?
A wonderful cosy mystery, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Aussie author Brigid George, with her debut novel, has a winner in my opinion. I’ll definitely be watching out for more from this author. Highly recommended.
His introduction to a startling redhead by the name of Dusty Kent was set to change the course of his life; Dusty was an investigative journalist and bestselling author who had been requested by Gabby’s parents to write a book about Gabby’s life, and in so doing, hopefully unearth her killer. Irene and Hans, and Gabby’s sister Lisa were still deeply grieving, and desperately hoped Dusty could help them – after all, she had done it before. When Dusty hired Sean as her assistant – she was going to utilise his IT skills – Sean was very happy to have a job, and with the delectable Dusty as his boss, he felt he couldn’t go wrong.
As Dusty began her investigation, she started by questioning everyone who had been close to Gabby – Heath, Gabby’s fiancé; Lisa, her sister; Bec, her best friend; and many others. But it was at the BBQ which Irene and Hans held to introduce Dusty and Sean to everyone, asking them to help out in every way they could which made Dusty realize there were those who had secrets to hide. Would she be able to find Gabby’s killer when the police hadn’t been able to? And would she be able to block out her own pain to focus on the investigation and subsequent book?
A wonderful cosy mystery, I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Aussie author Brigid George, with her debut novel, has a winner in my opinion. I’ll definitely be watching out for more from this author. Highly recommended.
December 4, 2022
I sometimes wonder if I read the same books as those who give out four or five stars. I'm quite picky I guess.
I wanted to like this book as it's set in a part of Victoria I was born in but I just could not get into. I found the writing repetitive and not without issues - in one instance the narrator knew the name of a victim without seemingly being told and then in the next chapter he had no clue.
There were too many characters for my liking and it just seemed to jump all over the place. I struggled to keep track of them all at one point, even saying to myself "who is that" when the character's name appeared for the first time in quite a few chapters.
And finally...BBQ does not have a Q in it when spelled in full. It's barbecue not barbeque.
I wanted to like this book as it's set in a part of Victoria I was born in but I just could not get into. I found the writing repetitive and not without issues - in one instance the narrator knew the name of a victim without seemingly being told and then in the next chapter he had no clue.
There were too many characters for my liking and it just seemed to jump all over the place. I struggled to keep track of them all at one point, even saying to myself "who is that" when the character's name appeared for the first time in quite a few chapters.
And finally...BBQ does not have a Q in it when spelled in full. It's barbecue not barbeque.
December 28, 2016
An Australian modern-day version of Watson and Holmes.
This is an Amateur Sleuth Mystery.
Sean is in between jobs when he meets Dusty. Sean is good with computers, Dusty is a published author who writes about unsolved crimes. They work together on a cold case, a popular local girl whom everyone believed was killed by visiting surfers.
I really enjoyed this story and how Ms. George shares the wonders of Australia interspersed with the unfolding mystery.
Warning: There is adult language and situations along with a hint of violence.
This is an Amateur Sleuth Mystery.
Sean is in between jobs when he meets Dusty. Sean is good with computers, Dusty is a published author who writes about unsolved crimes. They work together on a cold case, a popular local girl whom everyone believed was killed by visiting surfers.
I really enjoyed this story and how Ms. George shares the wonders of Australia interspersed with the unfolding mystery.
Warning: There is adult language and situations along with a hint of violence.
June 20, 2015
Rollicking good read
It's a mystery right up to the end. Who killed young Gabby? The cast of characters is deep and wide and the author keeps you guessing. Well written and entertaining.
It's a mystery right up to the end. Who killed young Gabby? The cast of characters is deep and wide and the author keeps you guessing. Well written and entertaining.
August 25, 2015
Murloo
Who killed poor Gabrielle Peters and why? Everyone liked her! The list of suspects is few but the police obviously suspect her boyfriend. Interesting characters and a good plot. Brought together with a Hercules Poirot ending-a gathering of suspects!
Who killed poor Gabrielle Peters and why? Everyone liked her! The list of suspects is few but the police obviously suspect her boyfriend. Interesting characters and a good plot. Brought together with a Hercules Poirot ending-a gathering of suspects!
October 31, 2018
The first book in the series was very well written. The plot thickened the more I read. I had no idea who "done it" and was pleasantly surprised when the person was correctly arrested. I'll read each book in the series.
June 23, 2015
Love Dusty Kent
Super b book, Enjoyed it very much and can't wait for the next Dusty Kent mystery with Sean O'Kelly as her sidekick.
Super b book, Enjoyed it very much and can't wait for the next Dusty Kent mystery with Sean O'Kelly as her sidekick.
June 25, 2015
Surprise!!!
Great read. Written very well, kept me guessing up to the end. A must read. Hope, everyone will read it.
Great read. Written very well, kept me guessing up to the end. A must read. Hope, everyone will read it.
July 4, 2015
Great read!
5 stars. So enjoyed reading a book that was clean without a steaming romance and foul language. It would even be appropriate for a younger teen.
5 stars. So enjoyed reading a book that was clean without a steaming romance and foul language. It would even be appropriate for a younger teen.
August 9, 2015
Australian mystery
This was a pretty good story. I read it all the way to the end so that says something. I would read another in the series.
This was a pretty good story. I read it all the way to the end so that says something. I would read another in the series.
September 14, 2015
I really liked reading this murder mystery. Very entertaining
November 10, 2018
Journalist Dusty Kent is investigating the unsolved murder of Gabby Peters one year after the event, telling everyone she is writing a book. Together with recent arrival from Ireland Sean O'Kelly who is a super "online" hacker and sleuth, she interviews the entire town, trying to find out where everybody was when Gabby was killed. The method produces an overwhelming amount of information including some which the residents did not reveal to the police at the time when they were first interviewed.
The local police warn Dusty off, telling her she is stirring up trouble, muddying their own investigation. But Dusty has a contact in the police force who she talks to from time to time.
Dusty's methodology also has the effect of giving the reader a bewildering amount of data to sift through.
The setting is close to a surfing beach on the southern coast of Victoria.
In classic Poirot style Dusty holds a gathering where she reveals the murderer, and other surprising facts come to light too.
An interesting start to what is now a series of 4 novels, in which O'Kelly appears to act as Dusty's Watson, recording the cases in his diary.
I read this book on my Kindle but now can't find the Kindle version on Amazon.com.
The local police warn Dusty off, telling her she is stirring up trouble, muddying their own investigation. But Dusty has a contact in the police force who she talks to from time to time.
Dusty's methodology also has the effect of giving the reader a bewildering amount of data to sift through.
The setting is close to a surfing beach on the southern coast of Victoria.
In classic Poirot style Dusty holds a gathering where she reveals the murderer, and other surprising facts come to light too.
An interesting start to what is now a series of 4 novels, in which O'Kelly appears to act as Dusty's Watson, recording the cases in his diary.
I read this book on my Kindle but now can't find the Kindle version on Amazon.com.
January 30, 2022
I love cold case crimes and with the Australian setting (yep, Aussie here), I was pretty excited to find this series. But this was not quite what I was expecting. I thought it would be from Dusty's point of view but instead it's narrated by Sean O'Kelly, her new assistant. I enjoyed the mystery and it was decently written, but I also felt I never really got to know Sean or Dusty all that well because of Sean narrating. They were just sort of there interviewing witnesses and puzzling out who did it.
Although Dusty had somewhat of a background it was never really fleshed out enough to help her come off the page. As far as Sean goes, I know very little about him at all, except that he's a straight male who thinks every female is attractive and is busy calculating his chances with them. It was hard to like him when he was weighing up his chances between Sarah and Dusty. As far as the mystery goes the second murder felt unnecessary and made me feel sad. I mean It was pretty rough.
Still aside from my complaints I did enjoy reading and I'll pick up the rest of the series. Hopefully Dusty and Sean will become more rounded. 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3.
Although Dusty had somewhat of a background it was never really fleshed out enough to help her come off the page. As far as Sean goes, I know very little about him at all, except that he's a straight male who thinks every female is attractive and is busy calculating his chances with them. It was hard to like him when he was weighing up his chances between Sarah and Dusty. As far as the mystery goes the second murder felt unnecessary and made me feel sad. I mean It was pretty rough.
Still aside from my complaints I did enjoy reading and I'll pick up the rest of the series. Hopefully Dusty and Sean will become more rounded. 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3.
March 5, 2024
The first book in the Dusty Kent Mystery Series.
I vacillated between 2 and 3 stars so since there are parts of the story I like I went with 3 stars. It's an ok read but I doubt I'll read anymore in this series.
I enjoyed the plot from the very beginning and thought the working relationship between the two main characters, Dusty and Sean, worked well, but I just never took a liking to Dusty. Her character is made out to be too perfect in too many ways to be truly believable. A lot of characters and a lot of red herrings but the ending was sort of anticlimactic and loooong.
I won't say for you not to read it but it's not one I'll recommend to a friend.
I vacillated between 2 and 3 stars so since there are parts of the story I like I went with 3 stars. It's an ok read but I doubt I'll read anymore in this series.
I enjoyed the plot from the very beginning and thought the working relationship between the two main characters, Dusty and Sean, worked well, but I just never took a liking to Dusty. Her character is made out to be too perfect in too many ways to be truly believable. A lot of characters and a lot of red herrings but the ending was sort of anticlimactic and loooong.
I won't say for you not to read it but it's not one I'll recommend to a friend.
July 15, 2020
Great who-done-it
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I loved it! The characters are well-developed, so even though there are quite a few characters, I was able to keep them apart in my mind easily.
There were just enough setting descriptions to keep the book interesting without lagging, and they were woven into the story nicely.
There was minimal profanity, no descriptive violence, no graphic sex, and all ends were tied up quite well, making this a standalone book.
I will read the rest of the series.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I loved it! The characters are well-developed, so even though there are quite a few characters, I was able to keep them apart in my mind easily.
There were just enough setting descriptions to keep the book interesting without lagging, and they were woven into the story nicely.
There was minimal profanity, no descriptive violence, no graphic sex, and all ends were tied up quite well, making this a standalone book.
I will read the rest of the series.
April 1, 2021
I will admit a certain term that kept cropping up in this book annoyed me a great deal, but I preserved, and I'm glad I did. The action picked up from the first page, and the lovely descriptions of the scenery and characters soon drew me in. The overarching mystery along with the subplots kept me turning pages and guessing, and the climax was rather delicious. I would preferred a little more of a resolution, but I'm unsure if I will continue with this series.
October 10, 2023
Well developed Murder mystry
This was a great murder mustry story with some good twist and turns and filling in interesting characters and unique setting. I liked that I got to learn a little bit about the Australian cities and areas. There was some good twist and turns that made me question who really had done the murder. So I like for that aspect, as well as well developed characters and plot. Would recommend anyone who likes a murder mystery.
This was a great murder mustry story with some good twist and turns and filling in interesting characters and unique setting. I liked that I got to learn a little bit about the Australian cities and areas. There was some good twist and turns that made me question who really had done the murder. So I like for that aspect, as well as well developed characters and plot. Would recommend anyone who likes a murder mystery.
October 17, 2025
In a small Australian town, Gabby Peters’ murder took place a year ago and is now a quite cold case. Dusty Kent is an author who comes in to research the case and, by writing a book, perhaps move it towards a resolution. Her methods involve a series of extremely aggressive interviews. She gets moral and technical support from traveling Irishman Sean O'Kelly, who is also the narrator of the story.
December 5, 2017
Australian Murder
This is the story of Dusty Kent reinvestigating a cold case murder. Dusty meets Sean O'Kelly in Murloo and hires him as her assistant to help her in the investigation of Gabrielle Peters murder. This was a good story with lots of suspects. Highly recommend this book.
This is the story of Dusty Kent reinvestigating a cold case murder. Dusty meets Sean O'Kelly in Murloo and hires him as her assistant to help her in the investigation of Gabrielle Peters murder. This was a good story with lots of suspects. Highly recommend this book.
June 7, 2019
Set in Australia and written in the first person voice of Dusty's assistant - which is not my favorite tense, as it seems to lend itself a wee bit more towards tell vs show. Wee bit slow in parts, but a good plot and a clean, enjoyable read none the less. Will likely read #2 sometime soon. 3.5 stars.
February 21, 2021
Aussie Ways
This story is set in a small town in Australia. Sean O'Kelly from Ireland is working his way around Australia, riding a motorcycle. He signs on to work with Dusty Kent to solve a cold case. There are many suspects. It is very interesting to follow the thoughts and actions of Dusty and Sean.
This story is set in a small town in Australia. Sean O'Kelly from Ireland is working his way around Australia, riding a motorcycle. He signs on to work with Dusty Kent to solve a cold case. There are many suspects. It is very interesting to follow the thoughts and actions of Dusty and Sean.
November 12, 2017
Exciting mystery
This is the first time that I've read an Australian murder mystery. I'm so glad that I picked this one. It was fun to learn a bit about Australia along the way. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
This is the first time that I've read an Australian murder mystery. I'm so glad that I picked this one. It was fun to learn a bit about Australia along the way. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
October 26, 2018
Different perspective
I chose 5 stars because the story read well and had many potential protagonists. I liked the story from the perspective of Dusty s trusty assistant and I also enjoyed her superstitions and her prophecies.
I chose 5 stars because the story read well and had many potential protagonists. I liked the story from the perspective of Dusty s trusty assistant and I also enjoyed her superstitions and her prophecies.
June 9, 2020
Good book but
It started out really slow and once it picked up it was hard to put down. There was a saw a few typo that I saw threw out the book. I'm excited read the next one, but like I said this one was just really slow at first was my only complaint.
It started out really slow and once it picked up it was hard to put down. There was a saw a few typo that I saw threw out the book. I'm excited read the next one, but like I said this one was just really slow at first was my only complaint.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews