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One Spring morning a woman is found dead in a Melbourne laneway adorned with symbols of the occult. Catherine Kint, milliner, gin enthusiast and raconteur, has no reason to be involved until her friend is under investigation. Armed with her sharp wit, a crime scene background and a barman named Boris, Catherine walks into a world of new age prophecies, curses and money. Honestly, it would drive a girl to drink.
200 pages, Paperback
Published February 13, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 3, 2017
Jinx is the first book in the Catherine Kint Mystery series by Australian musician and author, Hugh McGinlay. When a call from Catherine’s best friend (and barman at the local tavern) interrupts her breakfast, she drops everything to join him. Boris has stumbled across a dead body in a nearby alley, and Catherine may be a professional milliner, but as an ex-CSI, she has experience with crime scenes. The victim’s throat has been slit, she is missing three fingers and there’s some evidence of a pagan ritual nearby.
As if that’s not disturbing enough, soon after, Catherine gets a call from her good friend Melissa, “rock star witch” (and unapologetic publicity seeker): it seems that the proximity of the body to Melissa’s home, plus a few other pieces of (possibly damning) evidence, have made her the main suspect for the murder. The fact that Melissa has had a recent altercation with the victim doesn’t help, and, worse still, Detective Kenneth Williams (with whom Catherine has a bit of history) is on the case.
McGinlay’s debut novel probably fits under the cosy murder mystery banner. It has an intriguing plot with a few twists and plenty of red herrings, some covert surveillance (of course), break-and-enters, a car chase, some charismatic religious movement gurus, the odd melodramatic exchange, blackmail, a make-shift Molotov cocktail, an itchy spell, a poetic missive that could be a threat or a flirtation, and quite a bit of gin.
Catherine is a quirky heroine, smart and sassy, occasionally a little flakey, but with a good heart. She has what every some-time PI needs: a skill that can be traded (classified information for millinery services), DIY lock picks (hatpins), a mostly willing and available assistant (Boris), an IT expert, and a bit of family money to back it all up. Her inner monologue is often dry and funny: Shakespeare and the BLT feature. Which way will she go when confronted by a gorgeous suspect who might be genuinely grieving, or might just be a very good actor?
The banter between characters (many of whom are a bit eccentric) is snappy often amusing, including theories on the grumpy elderly, and on the connection between sleaze and murder. The reader is treated to some delightful turns of phrase, of which “…the 8.38am tram disgorged him like an olive-green caterpillar displeased with its lunch” is an example.
McGinlay conveys his setting (inner city Melbourne) well so this will add appeal for those familiar with the area. This is a fun read and it’s good to know that there will be more of Catherine and Boris in “Pachyderm”, the next book in the series.
With thanks to the author for this copy to read and review.
As if that’s not disturbing enough, soon after, Catherine gets a call from her good friend Melissa, “rock star witch” (and unapologetic publicity seeker): it seems that the proximity of the body to Melissa’s home, plus a few other pieces of (possibly damning) evidence, have made her the main suspect for the murder. The fact that Melissa has had a recent altercation with the victim doesn’t help, and, worse still, Detective Kenneth Williams (with whom Catherine has a bit of history) is on the case.
McGinlay’s debut novel probably fits under the cosy murder mystery banner. It has an intriguing plot with a few twists and plenty of red herrings, some covert surveillance (of course), break-and-enters, a car chase, some charismatic religious movement gurus, the odd melodramatic exchange, blackmail, a make-shift Molotov cocktail, an itchy spell, a poetic missive that could be a threat or a flirtation, and quite a bit of gin.
Catherine is a quirky heroine, smart and sassy, occasionally a little flakey, but with a good heart. She has what every some-time PI needs: a skill that can be traded (classified information for millinery services), DIY lock picks (hatpins), a mostly willing and available assistant (Boris), an IT expert, and a bit of family money to back it all up. Her inner monologue is often dry and funny: Shakespeare and the BLT feature. Which way will she go when confronted by a gorgeous suspect who might be genuinely grieving, or might just be a very good actor?
The banter between characters (many of whom are a bit eccentric) is snappy often amusing, including theories on the grumpy elderly, and on the connection between sleaze and murder. The reader is treated to some delightful turns of phrase, of which “…the 8.38am tram disgorged him like an olive-green caterpillar displeased with its lunch” is an example.
McGinlay conveys his setting (inner city Melbourne) well so this will add appeal for those familiar with the area. This is a fun read and it’s good to know that there will be more of Catherine and Boris in “Pachyderm”, the next book in the series.
With thanks to the author for this copy to read and review.
May 3, 2016
Set within the hipster world of inner Melbourne lane-ways, cafes and bright young things, JINX is the debut crime fiction novel from local musician and writer Hugh McGinlay. A light-hearted, comedic styled novel, JINX introduces ex-police investigator, now accidental amateur detective, raconteur and milliner Catherine Kint and the world that she occupies in what seems to be intended as the first book in a series.
On the escapist side of crime fiction - there's something nicely engaging about Kint, what with the complicated background, the inner-city lifestyle, the hats and the best mate barman - to say nothing of the gin obsession and a handy IT virtuoso on the side to assist with a spot of Google type sleuthing. Written with a light touch, and a tendency to wax lyrical, part of what could lead a reader to assume that this is the start of a series is that there is a lot of time spent setting up friendships, and characters in JINX.
Set in and around Sydney Road Brunswick, the sense of place is elaborated with a lot of hipster lifestyle elements, combined with voodoo, occult and witchcraft. Which seemed to make a lot of sense to somebody who hasn't spent much time in that area in the last decade or so. Certainly the proximity of all the suspects, and the investigators, and the way that the main roads are intersected with laneways, and littered with cafe's, pubs and hidey holes felt real to an outsider.
Relying considerably on character, the plot in JINX isn't badly served by the eccentricity of everyone, and there's a strong sense of them belonging in their place and time. It might be the over-stating of some of these lifestyle components could irk some readers, but this isn't supposed to be high tension thrills and spills, nor is it trying to be dark or considered. JINX comes across as aiming to be entertaining, and it certainly works as a bit of light-hearted escapism. Even if the idea of the inner-Melbourne, hipster lifestyle is enough to make you want to head out into a paddock and thank the universe for space, dirt bikes instead of mopeds, and the gin-enthusiasts at the local pub.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
On the escapist side of crime fiction - there's something nicely engaging about Kint, what with the complicated background, the inner-city lifestyle, the hats and the best mate barman - to say nothing of the gin obsession and a handy IT virtuoso on the side to assist with a spot of Google type sleuthing. Written with a light touch, and a tendency to wax lyrical, part of what could lead a reader to assume that this is the start of a series is that there is a lot of time spent setting up friendships, and characters in JINX.
Set in and around Sydney Road Brunswick, the sense of place is elaborated with a lot of hipster lifestyle elements, combined with voodoo, occult and witchcraft. Which seemed to make a lot of sense to somebody who hasn't spent much time in that area in the last decade or so. Certainly the proximity of all the suspects, and the investigators, and the way that the main roads are intersected with laneways, and littered with cafe's, pubs and hidey holes felt real to an outsider.
Relying considerably on character, the plot in JINX isn't badly served by the eccentricity of everyone, and there's a strong sense of them belonging in their place and time. It might be the over-stating of some of these lifestyle components could irk some readers, but this isn't supposed to be high tension thrills and spills, nor is it trying to be dark or considered. JINX comes across as aiming to be entertaining, and it certainly works as a bit of light-hearted escapism. Even if the idea of the inner-Melbourne, hipster lifestyle is enough to make you want to head out into a paddock and thank the universe for space, dirt bikes instead of mopeds, and the gin-enthusiasts at the local pub.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
October 15, 2023
This book grabbed my attention so I quickly secured a copy of Hugh McGinlay’s fourth book “Silks” featuring Catherine Kint and her exploits with offsider barman Boris Shakhovskoy. Both stories held my attention right to the last page. In “Jinx” with lines like “Half an hour later, Catherine sipped coffee on her balcony and listened to Boris plead his way out of the day shift at the Glasgow Palace.” Who hasn’t done that at some time in their working life? Or as it is written in the classics chuck a sickie but this time Boris was out of luck. Catherine is a bit too heavy on the alcohol although she has an enquiring mind, a certain subtlety of approach and does get results. Chapter 15 is tense and extremely good emotionally. The duo have a mutual like-dislike relationship.
The location of Brunswick in Melbourne is seedy and highly suitable for a dead body, severed fingers, alleyway crimes, brothels, rough pubs and altogether uncomfortable situations reminiscent of crime writer Peter Corris and his creation Cliff Hardy, although Cliff roved around Sydney. However, back to the plot and Catherine’s occupation of milliner (hats) doesn’t feature much but she is an ex-cop CSI so naturally crime intrudes on her senses when she isn’t hungover. Yes, justice is done after a fair amount of leg work, google-whacking, and witchcraft. As heroes go, my verdict is out on Catherine and Boris in this story, mainly because they feel a little rough around the edges but in a nice way, so definitely worth a read. Next stop “Silks” with drama and an aerial death in the circus.
The location of Brunswick in Melbourne is seedy and highly suitable for a dead body, severed fingers, alleyway crimes, brothels, rough pubs and altogether uncomfortable situations reminiscent of crime writer Peter Corris and his creation Cliff Hardy, although Cliff roved around Sydney. However, back to the plot and Catherine’s occupation of milliner (hats) doesn’t feature much but she is an ex-cop CSI so naturally crime intrudes on her senses when she isn’t hungover. Yes, justice is done after a fair amount of leg work, google-whacking, and witchcraft. As heroes go, my verdict is out on Catherine and Boris in this story, mainly because they feel a little rough around the edges but in a nice way, so definitely worth a read. Next stop “Silks” with drama and an aerial death in the circus.
December 27, 2025
Jinx is book one in the Catherine Kint Mystery series by Hugh McGinlay. When Catherine Kint became involved in the investigation of a woman who was found dead in a Brunswick laneway after her friend became the prime suspect, would her knowledge of crime scenes and Barman Boris help Catherine save her friend and find the killer? Readers will continue to follow Catherine Kint to discover what happens.
Jinx is the first book I have read by Hugh McGinlay, and I was drawn to it by the setting. I engaged with the story and the characters from the start and continued to the end. Readers of Jinx will learn about the northern Melbourne suburb of Brunswick.
I enjoy the way Hugh McGinlay portrays his characters and their interactions throughout this book. Jinx is well written and researched by Hugh McGinlay. I like Hugh McGinlay's descriptions of the settings of Jinx, which complement the book's plot.
I recommend this book.
Jinx is the first book I have read by Hugh McGinlay, and I was drawn to it by the setting. I engaged with the story and the characters from the start and continued to the end. Readers of Jinx will learn about the northern Melbourne suburb of Brunswick.
I enjoy the way Hugh McGinlay portrays his characters and their interactions throughout this book. Jinx is well written and researched by Hugh McGinlay. I like Hugh McGinlay's descriptions of the settings of Jinx, which complement the book's plot.
I recommend this book.
December 7, 2021
Whip smart, fast paced, north of the river, crime drama. A pleasure to read a book set in the inner north of Melbourne. An odd mix of crime scene gore with endearing, genuinely funny characters. The banter between the two main characters made me snort laugh and yearn for the days where you sat in pubs discussing why women were targeted as witches or how you really felt about modern art. I also loved the structure of the chapters, each with a quote from a character revealing more about themselves and another way to look at the evidence.
February 18, 2024
Don’t know why I didn’t rate this book more highly. The good points: Cleverly written, many laugh-out-loud pieces of dialogue, an Aussie setting. Maybe it was the occult running through it, the smart but obnoxious characters. Hmmm.
January 20, 2016
Should start by saying crime isn't really my genre overlay that across everything that follows. The book is distractedly overwritten, it spends far too much time of similes, descriptions on the main character's love of gin and setting the story up as the first in a series of murder mysteries involving a Milliner/amateur detective. Which is a shame because the overall story was engrossing, and it did the primary job of crime fiction (as I understand it) which was to keep me guessing until the final reveal.
If you can overcome the distractions (that you might only notice if things like similes and side tangents annoy you) and it's an entertaining read.
If you can overcome the distractions (that you might only notice if things like similes and side tangents annoy you) and it's an entertaining read.
January 4, 2017
Not a crime fiction fan so this was always up against it. A star for the gin, and a star for the setting. I'm a sucker for books set in familiar places.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews