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Red Herring
Murder, political intrigue, bent cops and the fate of a nation - a thriller set in the murky underworld of 1951 New Zealand.
A man overboard, a murder and a lot of loose ends ...
In Auckland 1951 the workers and the government are heading for bloody confrontation and the waterfront is the frontline. But this is a war with more than two sides and nothing is what it seems.
Into the secret world of rival union politics, dark political agendas and worldwide anti-communist hysteria steps Johnny Molloy, a private detective with secrets of his own.
Caitlin O'Carolan, a feisty young reporter, is following her own leads. Together they begin to uncover a conspiracy that goes to the heart of the Establishment - and which will threaten their own lives in the process.
Filled with memorable characters, including many colourful real-life figures from recent New Zealand history, Red Herring is the stunning debut from a vibrant new voice in New Zealand fiction.
A man overboard, a murder and a lot of loose ends ...
In Auckland 1951 the workers and the government are heading for bloody confrontation and the waterfront is the frontline. But this is a war with more than two sides and nothing is what it seems.
Into the secret world of rival union politics, dark political agendas and worldwide anti-communist hysteria steps Johnny Molloy, a private detective with secrets of his own.
Caitlin O'Carolan, a feisty young reporter, is following her own leads. Together they begin to uncover a conspiracy that goes to the heart of the Establishment - and which will threaten their own lives in the process.
Filled with memorable characters, including many colourful real-life figures from recent New Zealand history, Red Herring is the stunning debut from a vibrant new voice in New Zealand fiction.
320 pages, Paperback
First published August 28, 2016
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71 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 9, 2018
Historical crime fiction with a political basis, Jonothan Cullinane's RED HERRING is set in 1950's Auckland during a time of confrontation between workers and the government. Based on the waterfront it's fascinating how this sort of pitched battle resonates in difficult places, across different decades. At that time the external threat was Communism, the battleground New Zealand's place in the world - especially as a reliable supplier of farm products "home" to England, still in the thralls of post-War austerity. But battle lines have been clearly drawn and vocally drawn: unions and workers on one side, Government and authorities on the other.
Somewhere in the middle is Johnny Molloy, soldier, turned private eye, he naturally feels more sympathy for the union side than that of the authorities, which becomes a challenge when he finds himself up against Fintan Patrick Walsh from the Federation of Labour, and the local Communist Party boss. But he's been hired to find a supposedly dead man, spotted in photographs of strike organisers, and Molloy is a good private detective. His investigation, and that of young reporter Caitlin O'Carolan collide and they find themselves both under threat, and under pressure to find out what the IRA bomber Frank O'Flynn is doing in New Zealand.
Styled as a noir tale, firmly embedded in a period of real New Zealand History, RED HERRING is dryly funny in places, deliberately dark and sparse, and an absolute page turner. It's a combination of history, mystery and reality set in something almost cinematic in quality, with heaps of dark places, a few light touches and some extremely good characters. Yet again it's taken an embarrassingly long time to realise that this review hadn't seen the light of day - and the book really should hit reading lists a lot quicker than that.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
Somewhere in the middle is Johnny Molloy, soldier, turned private eye, he naturally feels more sympathy for the union side than that of the authorities, which becomes a challenge when he finds himself up against Fintan Patrick Walsh from the Federation of Labour, and the local Communist Party boss. But he's been hired to find a supposedly dead man, spotted in photographs of strike organisers, and Molloy is a good private detective. His investigation, and that of young reporter Caitlin O'Carolan collide and they find themselves both under threat, and under pressure to find out what the IRA bomber Frank O'Flynn is doing in New Zealand.
Styled as a noir tale, firmly embedded in a period of real New Zealand History, RED HERRING is dryly funny in places, deliberately dark and sparse, and an absolute page turner. It's a combination of history, mystery and reality set in something almost cinematic in quality, with heaps of dark places, a few light touches and some extremely good characters. Yet again it's taken an embarrassingly long time to realise that this review hadn't seen the light of day - and the book really should hit reading lists a lot quicker than that.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
November 10, 2016
I thought back across the books I had read so far this year and realised I had not read a book from a NZ author. I picked up Red Herring a 2016 NZ novel by a first time local author in an effort to redress the balance.
I immediately enjoyed the rare pleasure of reading about places I know and actually live close to, it was fun to take tea and Asparagus rolls in 1950s Smith and Caughey's for example.
This seemed a thinly plotted crime/ historical novel with plenty of shady characters and a war-battered private-eye, uncovering communist plots during the 1951 waterfront dispute. It really helps to be interested in this period in NZ history and perhaps communism in general - which I admit I wasn't.
The writing is a little Noir-ish with shades of Ellroy and Hammett and a very rich kiwi flavour. It is a solid first novel but I did wish for better character development and a more engaging plot.
I immediately enjoyed the rare pleasure of reading about places I know and actually live close to, it was fun to take tea and Asparagus rolls in 1950s Smith and Caughey's for example.
This seemed a thinly plotted crime/ historical novel with plenty of shady characters and a war-battered private-eye, uncovering communist plots during the 1951 waterfront dispute. It really helps to be interested in this period in NZ history and perhaps communism in general - which I admit I wasn't.
The writing is a little Noir-ish with shades of Ellroy and Hammett and a very rich kiwi flavour. It is a solid first novel but I did wish for better character development and a more engaging plot.
February 9, 2017
Kiwi filmmaker Cullinane blends mystery and local history in this terrific debut novel. Readers are plunged headlong into postwar Aotearoa, where the politics of the day are being played out in clashes between unions and business interests on the waterfront.
The shadow of war, with its death and deprivation, still lingers. A growing spectre of Communism domino-ing it's way down through Asia looms. New Zealand may be small and far away, but plenty of power brokers believe the 'land of milk and honey' is a battleground. One where they want to be pulling the strings, behind the scenes.
Into this murky world steps Johnny Molloy, a soldier turned private eye who leaned hard left in the past. Hired to track a supposedly dead man, he crosses paths with an ambitious reporter looking to make her mark, and the pair find themselves knee-deep in the proverbial.
Cullinane weaves a fascinating noir tale textured by lesser-known aspects of Kiwi history. There's a muscularity and dry humour to his storytelling. A page-turner with more.
The shadow of war, with its death and deprivation, still lingers. A growing spectre of Communism domino-ing it's way down through Asia looms. New Zealand may be small and far away, but plenty of power brokers believe the 'land of milk and honey' is a battleground. One where they want to be pulling the strings, behind the scenes.
Into this murky world steps Johnny Molloy, a soldier turned private eye who leaned hard left in the past. Hired to track a supposedly dead man, he crosses paths with an ambitious reporter looking to make her mark, and the pair find themselves knee-deep in the proverbial.
Cullinane weaves a fascinating noir tale textured by lesser-known aspects of Kiwi history. There's a muscularity and dry humour to his storytelling. A page-turner with more.
June 1, 2024
Noir Vibes.
Solid plot.
Only one complaint
Solid plot.
Only one complaint
December 20, 2016
Interesting topic but I would have liked more depth in both the story and the characters. Also as a Rotorua local I was disappointed to see an incorrect place name used with regards to the reference to penny divers - I'm fairly certain the book is referring to Whakarewarewa.
October 24, 2016
The year is 1951, New Zealand is recovering from two world –wars, but there is unrest on the Auckland waterfront. Like the rest of the world the country has concerns with the rise of communism, stirring workers into confrontation with the Government.
Wool and meat destined for Great Britain will sit on the wharves if the dispute escalates and business leaders are anxious the arguments are settled so this does not happen.
It is an era in New Zealand history many do not remember and although I was only small at the time I well remember my father talking about watersider disputes, as a farmer it was ingrained in him to supply quality products “back home”.
Red Herring is a work of fiction but the author Jonothan Cullinane has cleverly included historical facts and fascinating characters to create a page turning thriller.
Johnny Molloy is a private detective hired to investigate possible insurance fraud by one of the watersiders, who was thought to have drowned until being spotted in a photograph with the some of the organisers of the strike.
The reader is taken on a murky journey as Molloy runs into conflict with Fintan Patrick Walsh from the Federation of Labour, and the Communist Party boss, V.G .Parker.
But a young Auckland Star reporter Caitlin O’Carolan adds a lightness to the novel as she supports Molloy in his quest to unravel the mystery surrounding Frank O’Flynn an IRA bomber on the run.
This book will appeal to anyone who enjoys a thriller but I think men will particularly enjoy some of the descriptions “ Harry Bridges had always been a handsome bloke in what might be called an Australian way- long face, long nose, hooded eyes, hair slicked back”.
I found it a complex read with some chapters providing background history, while other chapters were short adding real momentum to the story which gripped me from the first page.
The cover design is very appropriate and the author has provided a number of pages of acknowledgements to clarify points raised in the book.
Jonothan Cullinane has worked in America and Canada as well as in the film and television in New Zealand . Now based in Grey Lyn, Auckland this is his first novel and I certainly hope there are further mysteries for Johnny Molloy to solve and for us to enjoy.
Wool and meat destined for Great Britain will sit on the wharves if the dispute escalates and business leaders are anxious the arguments are settled so this does not happen.
It is an era in New Zealand history many do not remember and although I was only small at the time I well remember my father talking about watersider disputes, as a farmer it was ingrained in him to supply quality products “back home”.
Red Herring is a work of fiction but the author Jonothan Cullinane has cleverly included historical facts and fascinating characters to create a page turning thriller.
Johnny Molloy is a private detective hired to investigate possible insurance fraud by one of the watersiders, who was thought to have drowned until being spotted in a photograph with the some of the organisers of the strike.
The reader is taken on a murky journey as Molloy runs into conflict with Fintan Patrick Walsh from the Federation of Labour, and the Communist Party boss, V.G .Parker.
But a young Auckland Star reporter Caitlin O’Carolan adds a lightness to the novel as she supports Molloy in his quest to unravel the mystery surrounding Frank O’Flynn an IRA bomber on the run.
This book will appeal to anyone who enjoys a thriller but I think men will particularly enjoy some of the descriptions “ Harry Bridges had always been a handsome bloke in what might be called an Australian way- long face, long nose, hooded eyes, hair slicked back”.
I found it a complex read with some chapters providing background history, while other chapters were short adding real momentum to the story which gripped me from the first page.
The cover design is very appropriate and the author has provided a number of pages of acknowledgements to clarify points raised in the book.
Jonothan Cullinane has worked in America and Canada as well as in the film and television in New Zealand . Now based in Grey Lyn, Auckland this is his first novel and I certainly hope there are further mysteries for Johnny Molloy to solve and for us to enjoy.
November 13, 2017
I really enjoyed this book set during the New Zealand watersider's strike in the early 50's. The author has done a huge amount of research into what life was like during that period and has cleverly woven some well known figures of the day into the plot. This was a time when unions flexed their muscles and the two world wars still loomed large in the consciousness of the nation. England was still home, but this was also the time when a gradual sense of what it meant to be a New Zealander was being generated.
Cullinane brings the period to life for me, this was a time of great prosperity for the country which could have been undermined by the watersider's strike. I can recall sheep farmers talking about the value of their wool clips during the Korean war as a kid growing up on the farm and they all used the prices they got during these times as a benchmark.
This book might not be everyone's cup of tea, but as I have already mentioned, it is well researched, well written and produced and worthy of a read.
Cullinane brings the period to life for me, this was a time of great prosperity for the country which could have been undermined by the watersider's strike. I can recall sheep farmers talking about the value of their wool clips during the Korean war as a kid growing up on the farm and they all used the prices they got during these times as a benchmark.
This book might not be everyone's cup of tea, but as I have already mentioned, it is well researched, well written and produced and worthy of a read.
May 21, 2018
A rattling good tale of internecine politics, fraud and murder!
Jonny Molloy is a private detective in Auckland in 1951. Set against the backdrop of the notorious Wharfies Strike, Cullinane neatly weaves in real characters from the time, anti-Communist hysteria and partisan agendas.
Molloy is hired by an insurance investigator to track down a supposedly dead man. Unluckily for Molloy, the "dead man" is a major player in one of the trade unions fighting both the government and the other unions. Using his contacts from his own past with the NZ communist party, and assisted by Caitlin O'Carolan, a determined young journalist, Molloy encounters corruption, violence and political ambition.
Jonny Molloy is a private detective in Auckland in 1951. Set against the backdrop of the notorious Wharfies Strike, Cullinane neatly weaves in real characters from the time, anti-Communist hysteria and partisan agendas.
Molloy is hired by an insurance investigator to track down a supposedly dead man. Unluckily for Molloy, the "dead man" is a major player in one of the trade unions fighting both the government and the other unions. Using his contacts from his own past with the NZ communist party, and assisted by Caitlin O'Carolan, a determined young journalist, Molloy encounters corruption, violence and political ambition.
May 27, 2017
I was really excited after reading the blurb, but unfortunately this book was a bit of a let-down for me. It felt as though I was just waiting for the story to get exciting, for the big things to happen, but they never did. From an historical point of view it was interesting to mentally follow the characters through the streets of Auckland (where I currently live), but I could have done without the dull (and often irrelevant) descriptions of politicians and NZ bigwigs of the time. Also, despite the author's attempt to finish cleanly with everything wrapped up, he did leave a few loose ends, which I would be frustrated about if I had cared more about the book. Overall, a disappointment.
January 10, 2021
A different type of PI novel set in New Zealand in 1951. What is impressive is that the language, customs and technology of the times is un-anachronistically rendered in a plot centred on ex-Communist war veteran PI, Johnny Molloy, hired in an insurance case which connects to political and union infighting over an Auckland waterfront strike. The attached female reporter is plausible, the motivations and action realistic, the minor characters well-realised and the conclusion logically ties the various threads together
June 4, 2017
Loved this book. As an Aucklander born and bred in 1951 it was my town, my city and my history. A lot of the landmarks I recognised from my childhood. Loved the the history of the strike , the machinations behind the scenes, the connections to the Irish. Reasonably well written and a a strong plot. Excellent.
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June 3, 2024It’s written classic 1950s crime style with lots of dialogue and not a lot of substance. Not surprised I didn’t enjoy it and wish I’d stopped earlier. The whole “man walked into a bar” thing is just not my thing.
August 15, 2017
Great to read local fiction. Enjoyable book not my normal reading choice.
August 30, 2018
New Zealand thriller set during a time when the union men ran the country. Rajkot enjoyed this!
May 29, 2020
Tough to follow, very very New Zealand. There was too much emphasis on character building and not enough emphasis on plot explanation.
March 14, 2021
Solid noir. Satisfyingly gritty characters, both historic and fictional. Great feel for Auckland in the 1950s. And a rollicking good story. Thanks to Yeah, Noir for the recommendation.
March 18, 2017
Picked this up in New Zealand. It features a private investigator in Auckland. Not bad for the authors first attempt.
September 28, 2016
BOOK REVIEW - RED HERRING BY Jonothan Cullinane
I had trouble deciding whether our author was influenced by the detective writer of the fifties, Carter Brown or our own historian, the late Michael King. Many characters come and go, some from the author’s imagination, some germane to the plot, some superfluous.
Our two main character, Walsh and Molloy differ greatly, but in both cases I found it hard to get a good grip on their personalities with some of the peripheral folk, such as Sunny, getting centre stage.
I left a part read library book to read Red Herring and was glad that I did. Although not a particularly riveting read, I found it hard to put down both, due to my interest in the subject matter and the way the author has put his words together.
A good read all round.
Extra note. It seems to me to be a long and circuitous route to drive from Napier to Ruatanuna via Tikitiki ! Maybe the road through Waikaremoana was a bit raw in 1951.
I had trouble deciding whether our author was influenced by the detective writer of the fifties, Carter Brown or our own historian, the late Michael King. Many characters come and go, some from the author’s imagination, some germane to the plot, some superfluous.
Our two main character, Walsh and Molloy differ greatly, but in both cases I found it hard to get a good grip on their personalities with some of the peripheral folk, such as Sunny, getting centre stage.
I left a part read library book to read Red Herring and was glad that I did. Although not a particularly riveting read, I found it hard to put down both, due to my interest in the subject matter and the way the author has put his words together.
A good read all round.
Extra note. It seems to me to be a long and circuitous route to drive from Napier to Ruatanuna via Tikitiki ! Maybe the road through Waikaremoana was a bit raw in 1951.
August 15, 2017
Red Herring harkens back to the golden days of hardboiled private investigators, with its clipped prose, gangsters, Communists, and fisticuffs. It is a genre that I've never cared much for, but Cullinane brings the time period and setting to life. For me, this was the best part of the book because none of the characters lit a spark in me. However, if you like handsome, laconic P.I.s and beautiful, feisty reporters in a pitch perfect setting, give this a try. I bet you'll enjoy it!
April 19, 2017
What a top read this turned out to be. So much diversity in what New Zealand authors are writing about at the moment. This was completely unexpected, as one would expect with a title like 'Red Herring'. Not a fish in sight. But 'red' does refer to the time and setting of this story - the 1951 Waterfront Strike - a very significant event in NZ's history, that impacted hugely on the country in every possible way. The fear and paranoia around the rise of communism, reds under the bed, the growing power of the unions completely freaked out the government of the day. Such the perfect setting and atmosphere for a thriller, a murder, and a private investigator with his own murky past!
The hero of the day is Johnny Molloy, hard man, ex war veteran, killed a man or two in his time, now working as a private investigator in downtown Auckland. It's so interesting reading about Auckland city in 1951, suburbs we now think of prime real estate, with character homes, actually all quite new then; downtown Auckland a little seedy and down at heel with equally seedy characters lurking in the scenery. Trams are the main form of public transport, as well as taxis, s few privately owned cars. Googling photos shows a very, very different Auckland!
Even though the war finished some six years earlier, these are still dangerous and uncertain times, with a fair few dodgy characters, hidden agendas, a heightened sense of lawlessness. An American insurance rep has arrived in town looking for an Irishman who has apparently faked his own death and is now in Auckland. He approaches Molloy to track this miscreant down. Also doing her own detective work is young newspaper reporter Caitlin O'Carolan. Together the two of join forces, playing a dangerous game as they attempt to unravel a conspiracy linked to the strike, the government of the day, trying to stay as many steps as possible ahead of those hunting them down.
Great reading - gripping, diverse characters and motivations, really good depiction of Auckland and what it was like to live there in those times. The author is a filmmaker, and I can just see this being turned into a movie or a TV series. Fantastic stuff.
The hero of the day is Johnny Molloy, hard man, ex war veteran, killed a man or two in his time, now working as a private investigator in downtown Auckland. It's so interesting reading about Auckland city in 1951, suburbs we now think of prime real estate, with character homes, actually all quite new then; downtown Auckland a little seedy and down at heel with equally seedy characters lurking in the scenery. Trams are the main form of public transport, as well as taxis, s few privately owned cars. Googling photos shows a very, very different Auckland!
Even though the war finished some six years earlier, these are still dangerous and uncertain times, with a fair few dodgy characters, hidden agendas, a heightened sense of lawlessness. An American insurance rep has arrived in town looking for an Irishman who has apparently faked his own death and is now in Auckland. He approaches Molloy to track this miscreant down. Also doing her own detective work is young newspaper reporter Caitlin O'Carolan. Together the two of join forces, playing a dangerous game as they attempt to unravel a conspiracy linked to the strike, the government of the day, trying to stay as many steps as possible ahead of those hunting them down.
Great reading - gripping, diverse characters and motivations, really good depiction of Auckland and what it was like to live there in those times. The author is a filmmaker, and I can just see this being turned into a movie or a TV series. Fantastic stuff.
Read
July 14, 2017Ah me! Nothing wrong with the writing or the story but just found it rather American, aimed at their market, and not sufficiently New Zealand for a novel claiming to be A kiwi book.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews