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Caleb Zelic #2
And Fire Came Down
Deaf since early childhood, Caleb Zelic is used to meeting life head-on. Now, he’s struggling just to get through the day. His best mate is dead, his ex-wife, Kat, is avoiding him, and nightmares haunt his waking hours.
But when a young woman is killed, after pleading for his help in sign language, Caleb is determined to find out who she was. The trail leads Caleb back to his hometown, Resurrection Bay. The town is on bushfire alert, and simmering with racial tensions. As Caleb delves deeper, he uncovers secrets that could ruin any chance of reuniting with Kat, and even threaten his life. Driven by his own demons, he pushes on. But who is he willing to sacrifice along the way?
The second Caleb Zelic thriller from the author of Resurrection Bay – Winner of the Ned Kelly Award for Best First Fiction, and Davitt Awards for Best Novel, Best Debut and Reader’s Choice.
But when a young woman is killed, after pleading for his help in sign language, Caleb is determined to find out who she was. The trail leads Caleb back to his hometown, Resurrection Bay. The town is on bushfire alert, and simmering with racial tensions. As Caleb delves deeper, he uncovers secrets that could ruin any chance of reuniting with Kat, and even threaten his life. Driven by his own demons, he pushes on. But who is he willing to sacrifice along the way?
The second Caleb Zelic thriller from the author of Resurrection Bay – Winner of the Ned Kelly Award for Best First Fiction, and Davitt Awards for Best Novel, Best Debut and Reader’s Choice.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2017
103 people are currently reading
1055 people want to read
About the author
Emma Viskic
10 books269 followersEmma Viskic is author of the internationally acclaimed Caleb Zelic series. Her novels have won numerous prizes, including a Ned Kelly Award and an unprecedented five Davitt Awards. Her debut novel, Resurrection Bay, was shortlisted for the UK’s prestigious Gold Dagger and New Blood Dagger Awards. It was recently voted one of the decade’s best crime novels by Crime Time UK.
Emma consulted extensively with people in the D/deaf and hard-of-hearing communities in order to create the character of Caleb, who is profoundly deaf. Her attempts to learn lipreading were a dismal failure, however she continues to enjoy learning Auslan (Australian sign language)
She lives in Naarm (Melbourne), Australia
Emma consulted extensively with people in the D/deaf and hard-of-hearing communities in order to create the character of Caleb, who is profoundly deaf. Her attempts to learn lipreading were a dismal failure, however she continues to enjoy learning Auslan (Australian sign language)
She lives in Naarm (Melbourne), Australia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 222 reviews
October 24, 2019
For everyone who has been anxiously awaiting the sequel to "Resurrection Bay” by Emma Viskic, it’s here! For readers new to Emma Viskic, she’s an author not to be missed. In “And Fire Came Down” a young woman comes to severely hearing impaired insurance investigator Caleb Zelic for help. She is killed before he even knows why she’s there and he’s determined to find out who she was and what happened. His business is struggling, his life is in shambles, and he’s an emotional wreck following the events of “Resurrection Bay.” With all his own problems, his family and residents of Resurrection Bay don’t understand why he’s so committed to learning this woman’s story. “ ‘Then why are you goin’ around asking questions about her?’ Because she’d come to him. Because he’d seen the light in her eyes flicker and fade to nothing. Because if he crawled back to his flat now, he might never come out.”
Viskic creates believable, life-like, and fully developed characters. One of the things I appreciate most is the intimate view she provides of her characters’ interior lives. Caleb’s introspection, emotional vulnerability, and the devastating effects crimes have on him make him a singular character - one who feels much more real than the hardened world-weary investigators in so many crime fiction novels. In addition to creating brilliant characters, Viskic powerfully evokes the Australian setting; the blistering heat, looming brush fires, and the restorative escape the bay provides. Combine that with brilliant writing and crackling suspense and this is a book I highly recommend.
Viskic creates believable, life-like, and fully developed characters. One of the things I appreciate most is the intimate view she provides of her characters’ interior lives. Caleb’s introspection, emotional vulnerability, and the devastating effects crimes have on him make him a singular character - one who feels much more real than the hardened world-weary investigators in so many crime fiction novels. In addition to creating brilliant characters, Viskic powerfully evokes the Australian setting; the blistering heat, looming brush fires, and the restorative escape the bay provides. Combine that with brilliant writing and crackling suspense and this is a book I highly recommend.
February 9, 2021
4★
“Caleb followed him, then stopped. It was a place of deep shadows and hidden corners – he wouldn’t be able to understand a word Sniffy said; wouldn’t know if someone was creeping up behind him, ready to slip a knife between his ribs.”
Second in the Caleb Zelic series and Caleb is still no better at telling people he’s deaf. He’s also still chasing bad guys back home in Resurrection Bay, although that’s not home to him anymore. His younger brother, Anton, had gone badly off the rails some years ago, and law-abiding Cal had pretty much disowned him
“He’d thought his brother had needed to learn a lesson, and he’d left him to learn it. And Ant had. He’d learned the best places to score and the easiest places to rob. The lowest forms of humanity to befriend.”
That didn’t go so well, did it, Cal? But now Ant’s been clean for a couple of years and is living in the family home in Resurrection Bay. It’s still equipped with flashing lights for the front door bell, just as it was when Cal was a boy.
The brothers are a bit touchy with each other, understandable, given Ant’s criminal past and Cal now working with the police trying to track down a killer.
“Their adult relationship was exactly seven months old: a rickety construction built on a few honest moments and a memory of childhood closeness. Hard to know what its load-bearing capacity was.”
The killer Cal’s after has some connection to Resurrection Bay, but he doesn’t know what. He lives in Melbourne these days, and the story opens with him out running (without his hearing aids), trying to clear his mind of the demons that haunt his nightmares, when a street guy catches him and hands him a lipstick-scrawled note with Cal’s name and address.
The guy mumbles something about a girl with black hair who gave it to him and needs help. Cal is terrified that the girl is Kat, his estranged wife, whom he adores, but when they get to the alley, there is a terrified young woman in a red dress trying desperately to make herself understood, but it’s so dark that he picks up only a few words.
Meanwhile, a blond guy attacks Cal from behind while Red Dress escapes, only to be run over by a van. She dies in his arms, and the sight of her life fading from her eyes haunts him for the rest of the book.
So Cal’s back in Resurrection Bay, needing advice from his brother and wondering how much to trust him. Ant is also a competent Auslan signer, but Cal doesn’t like him to sign in public because it makes people aware of his limitations.
Their relationship is complicated but even more complicated is his relationship with Kat, his estranged wife whom he clearly adores. She’s an active member of the Koori (Aboriginal) community as is her mother, a local doctor. He’s part of the family, or at least he always was. Now he’s not so sure.
Interesting is the fact that unless they are face-to-face, their connection is through texting, since he can’t use the phone. He’s thirty-one, and it’s hard feeling like a kid again.
“It was nearly twenty-four hours since he’d spoken to Kat. Was that a long time in the scheme of things? God, a teenager again, not knowing if the lack of contact meant ‘piss off’ or, ‘I’m presently busy, but please do continue to pine for me.’”
Cal is a mess. He also laments the loss of his partner, Frankie, a wild, energetic 57-year old woman on whose wit and interpretation skills he’d come to depend but who had unforgivably betrayed him. Ant's obviously not going to fill the bill there, and with Kat keeping her distance, the Koori community is a bit leery of him, too.
Cal’s a good guy, flawed and stubborn, but he’s someone you worry about, and we don't know who's trustworthy either. He gets in some life-threatening situations, and the plot isn’t something you’re likely to figure out. We just hope he makes it to another book!
Another welcome addition to the series. Thanks to NetGalley and Bonnier Publishing/Echo for the preview copy from which I’ve quoted.
[read Dec 2017]
“Caleb followed him, then stopped. It was a place of deep shadows and hidden corners – he wouldn’t be able to understand a word Sniffy said; wouldn’t know if someone was creeping up behind him, ready to slip a knife between his ribs.”
Second in the Caleb Zelic series and Caleb is still no better at telling people he’s deaf. He’s also still chasing bad guys back home in Resurrection Bay, although that’s not home to him anymore. His younger brother, Anton, had gone badly off the rails some years ago, and law-abiding Cal had pretty much disowned him
“He’d thought his brother had needed to learn a lesson, and he’d left him to learn it. And Ant had. He’d learned the best places to score and the easiest places to rob. The lowest forms of humanity to befriend.”
That didn’t go so well, did it, Cal? But now Ant’s been clean for a couple of years and is living in the family home in Resurrection Bay. It’s still equipped with flashing lights for the front door bell, just as it was when Cal was a boy.
The brothers are a bit touchy with each other, understandable, given Ant’s criminal past and Cal now working with the police trying to track down a killer.
“Their adult relationship was exactly seven months old: a rickety construction built on a few honest moments and a memory of childhood closeness. Hard to know what its load-bearing capacity was.”
The killer Cal’s after has some connection to Resurrection Bay, but he doesn’t know what. He lives in Melbourne these days, and the story opens with him out running (without his hearing aids), trying to clear his mind of the demons that haunt his nightmares, when a street guy catches him and hands him a lipstick-scrawled note with Cal’s name and address.
The guy mumbles something about a girl with black hair who gave it to him and needs help. Cal is terrified that the girl is Kat, his estranged wife, whom he adores, but when they get to the alley, there is a terrified young woman in a red dress trying desperately to make herself understood, but it’s so dark that he picks up only a few words.
Meanwhile, a blond guy attacks Cal from behind while Red Dress escapes, only to be run over by a van. She dies in his arms, and the sight of her life fading from her eyes haunts him for the rest of the book.
So Cal’s back in Resurrection Bay, needing advice from his brother and wondering how much to trust him. Ant is also a competent Auslan signer, but Cal doesn’t like him to sign in public because it makes people aware of his limitations.
Their relationship is complicated but even more complicated is his relationship with Kat, his estranged wife whom he clearly adores. She’s an active member of the Koori (Aboriginal) community as is her mother, a local doctor. He’s part of the family, or at least he always was. Now he’s not so sure.
Interesting is the fact that unless they are face-to-face, their connection is through texting, since he can’t use the phone. He’s thirty-one, and it’s hard feeling like a kid again.
“It was nearly twenty-four hours since he’d spoken to Kat. Was that a long time in the scheme of things? God, a teenager again, not knowing if the lack of contact meant ‘piss off’ or, ‘I’m presently busy, but please do continue to pine for me.’”
Cal is a mess. He also laments the loss of his partner, Frankie, a wild, energetic 57-year old woman on whose wit and interpretation skills he’d come to depend but who had unforgivably betrayed him. Ant's obviously not going to fill the bill there, and with Kat keeping her distance, the Koori community is a bit leery of him, too.
Cal’s a good guy, flawed and stubborn, but he’s someone you worry about, and we don't know who's trustworthy either. He gets in some life-threatening situations, and the plot isn’t something you’re likely to figure out. We just hope he makes it to another book!
Another welcome addition to the series. Thanks to NetGalley and Bonnier Publishing/Echo for the preview copy from which I’ve quoted.
[read Dec 2017]
April 16, 2018
This is the sequel to Resurrection Bay which really needs to be read first in order to get a full understanding of events in And Fire Came Down.
Caleb now lives in Melbourne but returns to Resurrection Bay to try and discover the murderer of a woman he meets in the city. In the course of the book he unknowingly upsets a number of people and blunders into many dangerous situations. Luckily for him he has family and friends who look out for him and save him from himself.
I enjoyed the Australian setting with the threat of bushfire hanging over the town. I read it on a hot windy day when all the news was full of a major fire threatening south Sydney. It felt very appropriate.
I was a little disappointed in Caleb in this book, both with his continued refusal to tell anyone he is deaf which just seemed plain silly on occasion, and the way he repeatedly set himself up to get into trouble. I think I missed his partner Frankie who in the first book stopped him from some of his excesses.
Still a very good book with lots of intrigue and excitement and a total surprise of an ending!
Caleb now lives in Melbourne but returns to Resurrection Bay to try and discover the murderer of a woman he meets in the city. In the course of the book he unknowingly upsets a number of people and blunders into many dangerous situations. Luckily for him he has family and friends who look out for him and save him from himself.
I enjoyed the Australian setting with the threat of bushfire hanging over the town. I read it on a hot windy day when all the news was full of a major fire threatening south Sydney. It felt very appropriate.
I was a little disappointed in Caleb in this book, both with his continued refusal to tell anyone he is deaf which just seemed plain silly on occasion, and the way he repeatedly set himself up to get into trouble. I think I missed his partner Frankie who in the first book stopped him from some of his excesses.
Still a very good book with lots of intrigue and excitement and a total surprise of an ending!
July 25, 2017
Caleb Zelic’s life changed the instant the young woman begged desperately for his help – but his inability to save her buried itself deep into his brain, especially as it wasn’t that long since the horrors that had killed his best mate and took his beloved wife from him. Caleb left Melbourne and drove to his hometown of Resurrection Bay in the hope of finding answers. But worse was to come – much worse…
Ant, Caleb’s brother, had been clean for two years and had a lovely young woman in his life. Caleb was quietly optimistic that Ant’s change was there to stay. But he tried not to involve him in the investigations he was making, especially as it became obvious that Caleb was stirring up trouble. The local Koori families were being harassed and though Caleb tried to help, he wasn’t welcome.
Caleb kept getting knocked down – his deafness impacted but his stubbornness had him getting up again and again. He knew he should leave it be; it was obvious there was more at stake than he’d worked out. But he couldn’t – it wasn’t in his nature. Would he find answers before more deaths occurred? Would he push too hard and too far, just once too often? And would people he loved suffer because of his tenacity?
Wow! And Fire Came Down is the second in the Caleb Zelic series by Aussie author Emma Viskic and I absolutely loved it! Gritty, fast-paced, filled with heart-pounding tension – it was an intense and outstanding thriller! I love the characters – Caleb and Ant’s back and forth bantering; Maria and Frankie (though she didn’t play a big part this time) – the author has made the characters real. I have no hesitation in recommending And Fire Came Down highly – looking forward to #3 already!
With thanks to Bonnier Publishing and NetGalley for my ARC to read and review.
Ant, Caleb’s brother, had been clean for two years and had a lovely young woman in his life. Caleb was quietly optimistic that Ant’s change was there to stay. But he tried not to involve him in the investigations he was making, especially as it became obvious that Caleb was stirring up trouble. The local Koori families were being harassed and though Caleb tried to help, he wasn’t welcome.
Caleb kept getting knocked down – his deafness impacted but his stubbornness had him getting up again and again. He knew he should leave it be; it was obvious there was more at stake than he’d worked out. But he couldn’t – it wasn’t in his nature. Would he find answers before more deaths occurred? Would he push too hard and too far, just once too often? And would people he loved suffer because of his tenacity?
Wow! And Fire Came Down is the second in the Caleb Zelic series by Aussie author Emma Viskic and I absolutely loved it! Gritty, fast-paced, filled with heart-pounding tension – it was an intense and outstanding thriller! I love the characters – Caleb and Ant’s back and forth bantering; Maria and Frankie (though she didn’t play a big part this time) – the author has made the characters real. I have no hesitation in recommending And Fire Came Down highly – looking forward to #3 already!
With thanks to Bonnier Publishing and NetGalley for my ARC to read and review.
August 6, 2017
Caleb Zelic is back in Melbourne trying to put his life back on track. His best friend Gary is dead, his ex-wife has vanished after a brief reconciliation and his business partner Frankie has fled leaving him to run his investigation service on his own. When he is summoned into an alley where a distraught young woman is waiting for him, but before he can find out what the problem is, a big blond thug chases after her, forcing her into the traffic where she is fatally hit by a car. She tries to tell him something as she is dying but because Caleb is deaf and relies on lip reading he's not sure how much he got. However, Caleb is determined to help her even though she is now dead and returns to Resurrection Bay, the town where he grew up, to find out who sent her to him and why she needed his help.
Emma Viskic paints a very vivid and real picture of small town rural Australia. It's high summer and the threat of bushfires hangs over the town. Racial tensions are high as gangs of white youths damage and burn down properties. Caleb thinks a bikie gang may be trying to take over the local drug supply but where does the dead girl fit into all this?
Caleb has moved in with his brother Ant, still living in their old family home. He was a drug user but has been clean for 2 years and has a girlfriend and a job. It's clear they really care about each other and start to mend their relationship once Caleb sees that Ant has become more responsible. Caleb's wife Kat also arrives back in town and they clearly still love each other but Kat finds his inability to share his thought and feelings with her difficult to live with. Everyone seems to have secrets and it takes Caleb some time to work out what is going on. He doesn't always make the best decisions and puts himself in danger but ultimately his actions pay off as all the pieces start to fall into place.
This is a well written thriller, with a lovely sense of place in the descriptions of the Australian bush and the lives of the small town inhabitants. I will be looking out for Caleb Zelic #3!
With thanks to Netgalley and Bonnier Publishing for a copy to read and review
Emma Viskic paints a very vivid and real picture of small town rural Australia. It's high summer and the threat of bushfires hangs over the town. Racial tensions are high as gangs of white youths damage and burn down properties. Caleb thinks a bikie gang may be trying to take over the local drug supply but where does the dead girl fit into all this?
Caleb has moved in with his brother Ant, still living in their old family home. He was a drug user but has been clean for 2 years and has a girlfriend and a job. It's clear they really care about each other and start to mend their relationship once Caleb sees that Ant has become more responsible. Caleb's wife Kat also arrives back in town and they clearly still love each other but Kat finds his inability to share his thought and feelings with her difficult to live with. Everyone seems to have secrets and it takes Caleb some time to work out what is going on. He doesn't always make the best decisions and puts himself in danger but ultimately his actions pay off as all the pieces start to fall into place.
This is a well written thriller, with a lovely sense of place in the descriptions of the Australian bush and the lives of the small town inhabitants. I will be looking out for Caleb Zelic #3!
With thanks to Netgalley and Bonnier Publishing for a copy to read and review
September 24, 2022
And Fire Came Down by Aussie author Emma Viskic is the second book in the Caleb Zelic series. This book was a brilliant read that had me not only turning the pages quickly, but also had me on the edge of my seat.
Looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Highly recommended
Looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Highly recommended
October 16, 2018
This is the second book in the Caleb Zelic series, and it carries on after the events in Resurrection Bay. It will make more sense to the reader if Resurrection Bay is read first.
I really like Caleb (Cal). He’s deaf and, as I said in my review of the first book, the author has done a fantastic job writing the experience of a deaf person. I especially like the dialogue when Cal is with his brother Anton (Ant). They do have their differences, but the love between brothers is always there.
The book starts when Cal is approached by a fearful young woman who is being chased in an alley. Cal has an altercation with the man and the young woman runs out into traffic and is killed. Cal is holding her when she dies, and because he is emotionally sensitive, he can’t get her death out of his mind and has to know why she was running. This leads Cal into some very dangerous situations involving drugs, racial tensions, and teen gangs.
Cal also reconnects with his ex-wife, Kat, but it’s tenuous. Kat’s mother figures in this book more prominently and I really liked her. Ant goes off the deep end…maybe? And then there’s Frankie, but you’ll need to read the first book to find out about her.
At one point, I had to look at Cal from the other characters’ viewpoints. Was he in bad shape mentally? Does he need counseling? Is he really suicidal?
I think my only problem with this book was the ending. I would have liked more resolution as it seemed to just end abruptly. I felt that Cal metaphorically threw up his hands, shrugged his shoulders, and accepted how things were. Hopefully, there will be more in the next book, which I will gladly read.
I really like Caleb (Cal). He’s deaf and, as I said in my review of the first book, the author has done a fantastic job writing the experience of a deaf person. I especially like the dialogue when Cal is with his brother Anton (Ant). They do have their differences, but the love between brothers is always there.
The book starts when Cal is approached by a fearful young woman who is being chased in an alley. Cal has an altercation with the man and the young woman runs out into traffic and is killed. Cal is holding her when she dies, and because he is emotionally sensitive, he can’t get her death out of his mind and has to know why she was running. This leads Cal into some very dangerous situations involving drugs, racial tensions, and teen gangs.
Cal also reconnects with his ex-wife, Kat, but it’s tenuous. Kat’s mother figures in this book more prominently and I really liked her. Ant goes off the deep end…maybe? And then there’s Frankie, but you’ll need to read the first book to find out about her.
At one point, I had to look at Cal from the other characters’ viewpoints. Was he in bad shape mentally? Does he need counseling? Is he really suicidal?
I think my only problem with this book was the ending. I would have liked more resolution as it seemed to just end abruptly. I felt that Cal metaphorically threw up his hands, shrugged his shoulders, and accepted how things were. Hopefully, there will be more in the next book, which I will gladly read.
June 12, 2018
“It’s not over, none of it’s over.”
Trouble seems to find Caleb Zelic. This book is much darker that its predecessor “Resurrection Bay”.
After the events of the first book, you’d think that Cal would be left in peace and quiet to lick his wounds. Both his wife and business partner have gone AWOL, and Cal is still trying to set his life back on track, to return to some sense of normality. However an innocent late afternoon jog finds Cal unwittingly embroiled in a case that’s best left alone…
As Cal becomes more entrenched in discovering the identity of the woman who was pleading for his help at the beginning of the story, more than one can of worms gets opened.
This book tackles many themes, including community, family, revenge, vandalism and the impact of the drug trade on all of these. There are simmering racial tensions, and unease between the drug suppliers. Who to trust? Who is telling the truth? Even Mother Nature gets in on the action by unleashing her fury with a bush fire.
Highly recommended. Best if “Resurrection Bay” is read first, as it will put this story in more context (especially with the characters’ backgrounds, foibles & relationships to one another).
Trouble seems to find Caleb Zelic. This book is much darker that its predecessor “Resurrection Bay”.
After the events of the first book, you’d think that Cal would be left in peace and quiet to lick his wounds. Both his wife and business partner have gone AWOL, and Cal is still trying to set his life back on track, to return to some sense of normality. However an innocent late afternoon jog finds Cal unwittingly embroiled in a case that’s best left alone…
As Cal becomes more entrenched in discovering the identity of the woman who was pleading for his help at the beginning of the story, more than one can of worms gets opened.
This book tackles many themes, including community, family, revenge, vandalism and the impact of the drug trade on all of these. There are simmering racial tensions, and unease between the drug suppliers. Who to trust? Who is telling the truth? Even Mother Nature gets in on the action by unleashing her fury with a bush fire.
Highly recommended. Best if “Resurrection Bay” is read first, as it will put this story in more context (especially with the characters’ backgrounds, foibles & relationships to one another).
April 29, 2021
Another edge-of-your-seat thrillride with my favourite deaf PI, Caleb Zelic.
When a young woman - a stranger - seeks Caleb out in Melbourne and asks for his help in clumsy but effective sign language, Caleb is intrigued but not hooked. That is, not until the woman practically dies in his arms minutes later. Not knowing who she was or what she wanted, he can think of little else in the following days. When a lead points him in the direction of his hometown, Resurrection Bay, the mystery deepens and Caleb can’t resist trying to get to the bottom of it.
Back in The Bay, Caleb’s brother Anton provides a 2-years-clean voice of reason, but is still willing to lend a hand when Caleb really needs it. Because being there isn’t easy for Caleb, bringing back feelings of regret in relation to so many things, not least of which is his uncertain relationship with his estranged wife, Kat. Caleb’s questions quickly attract attention, and he finds himself in danger on a number of fronts. Underneath, Resurrection Bay is far from the sleepy coastal town he grew up in.
This is #2 in a series (of 3 to date) and as you would hope, there is great character growth and continuity from the previous instalment. The events of book #1 are referred to a number of times, but I think this could be read as a standalone without too much trouble. However, the reading experience will definitely be enhanced if the books are read in order. I look forward to #3.
When a young woman - a stranger - seeks Caleb out in Melbourne and asks for his help in clumsy but effective sign language, Caleb is intrigued but not hooked. That is, not until the woman practically dies in his arms minutes later. Not knowing who she was or what she wanted, he can think of little else in the following days. When a lead points him in the direction of his hometown, Resurrection Bay, the mystery deepens and Caleb can’t resist trying to get to the bottom of it.
Back in The Bay, Caleb’s brother Anton provides a 2-years-clean voice of reason, but is still willing to lend a hand when Caleb really needs it. Because being there isn’t easy for Caleb, bringing back feelings of regret in relation to so many things, not least of which is his uncertain relationship with his estranged wife, Kat. Caleb’s questions quickly attract attention, and he finds himself in danger on a number of fronts. Underneath, Resurrection Bay is far from the sleepy coastal town he grew up in.
This is #2 in a series (of 3 to date) and as you would hope, there is great character growth and continuity from the previous instalment. The events of book #1 are referred to a number of times, but I think this could be read as a standalone without too much trouble. However, the reading experience will definitely be enhanced if the books are read in order. I look forward to #3.
July 31, 2017
My View:
The continuing narrative of the chaotic life of Caleb Zelic, private investigator, is filled with suspense, mystery, anger, social commentary wit, humour and many exquisite moments. This is a portrait of a fractured love, a fractured life with many references to Picasso’s Guernica; violence, chaos, war, flames…the suffering of innocents.
The writing is evocative and fast paced. Themes of family, drug reliance, race and identity intersect and explode in small town contemporary Australia. This narrative is fraught with regrets and what ifs, there are many stories left unfinished, many moments of heartache and pain yet there is a glimpse of potential, of a brighter future, of redemption (for some)…book three will be amazing!
“Not together, not apart, still caught between breaths.” P.151 Exquisite and powerful writing.
The continuing narrative of the chaotic life of Caleb Zelic, private investigator, is filled with suspense, mystery, anger, social commentary wit, humour and many exquisite moments. This is a portrait of a fractured love, a fractured life with many references to Picasso’s Guernica; violence, chaos, war, flames…the suffering of innocents.
The writing is evocative and fast paced. Themes of family, drug reliance, race and identity intersect and explode in small town contemporary Australia. This narrative is fraught with regrets and what ifs, there are many stories left unfinished, many moments of heartache and pain yet there is a glimpse of potential, of a brighter future, of redemption (for some)…book three will be amazing!
“Not together, not apart, still caught between breaths.” P.151 Exquisite and powerful writing.
February 20, 2019
This is the 2nd offering in the Caleb Zelic private detective series. Viskic won a Ned Kelly for Resurrection Bay, the first book featuring her hearing-impaired investigator. Here, a woman accosts him on the street and seems to be seeking his help. But before he can fully understand what she is saying, two people chase her into traffic—she is hit and dies as Caleb tries to save her. Her wounded eyes haunt him. It makes him determined to find out what she wanted and who caused her to die.
In the meantime, Caleb’s life is a mess. He is separated from the Koori wife he adores. Frankie, whom betrayed him in the previous book, circles his life like a buzzard. The one good piece of news is that his brother, Anton, has kept himself clean from drugs for two years and is in love with a lovely woman. Great news as family is everything to Caleb.
Viskic tells the story through Caleb’s eyes—and his inability to hear causes him to miss certain clues and catch others. This allows Viskic to deliberately obscure clues as the plot develops. Further, there are aspects to the story that suggest that her next offering will address them. Enjoy getting to know the stubborn investigator with a tender heart.
In the meantime, Caleb’s life is a mess. He is separated from the Koori wife he adores. Frankie, whom betrayed him in the previous book, circles his life like a buzzard. The one good piece of news is that his brother, Anton, has kept himself clean from drugs for two years and is in love with a lovely woman. Great news as family is everything to Caleb.
Viskic tells the story through Caleb’s eyes—and his inability to hear causes him to miss certain clues and catch others. This allows Viskic to deliberately obscure clues as the plot develops. Further, there are aspects to the story that suggest that her next offering will address them. Enjoy getting to know the stubborn investigator with a tender heart.
August 28, 2017
And Fire Came Down finds Caleb Zelic recovering from his previous exploits, still suffering nightmares and not really looking after himself. He's in a lot of pain, most of it emotional. Being a man, he doesn't do anything about it, unless you count avoidance and dismissing emotions and thoughts as doing something.
The love of his life, Kat, is in and out of contact. Their relationship is complicated. At least his relationship with his former drug addict brother, Anton, is going well.
This time, Caleb finds himself embroiled in another complicated mystery where a young woman who sought his help got killed in front of him, as she was running away from a man chasing her. The leads point back to his home town, Ressurection Bay. So he drives back there. Things become complicated. Bikies, drugs, violence and property destruction, racial turmoil and the summer fires made this follow-up novel more complex or convoluted. His former business partner, Frankie, who's on the run, makes an appearance a couple of times. I confess, I found her appearances and motives a bit random.
Also, Caleb's obstinance, lack of danger awareness were infuriating.
This second novel had more threads. Unfortunately, some of them were unfinished and unresolved and I didn't think they were all necessary. I'm guessing Viskic is planting the seeds for a third novel in the series.
I still enjoyed Emma Viskic's writing, despite And Fire Came Down suffering from a case of too many ingredients that resulted in some loose ends and occasional confusion.
As I conclude this review, I just want to say:
for goodness' sake, Caleb, put your damn hearing aids in!!!
I've received this novel via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Bonnier Publishing Australia for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
_______________________
This novel goes towards my Aussie Author Challenge 2017 on http://bookloverbookreviews.com/readi...
The love of his life, Kat, is in and out of contact. Their relationship is complicated. At least his relationship with his former drug addict brother, Anton, is going well.
This time, Caleb finds himself embroiled in another complicated mystery where a young woman who sought his help got killed in front of him, as she was running away from a man chasing her. The leads point back to his home town, Ressurection Bay. So he drives back there. Things become complicated. Bikies, drugs, violence and property destruction, racial turmoil and the summer fires made this follow-up novel more complex or convoluted. His former business partner, Frankie, who's on the run, makes an appearance a couple of times. I confess, I found her appearances and motives a bit random.
Also, Caleb's obstinance, lack of danger awareness were infuriating.
This second novel had more threads. Unfortunately, some of them were unfinished and unresolved and I didn't think they were all necessary. I'm guessing Viskic is planting the seeds for a third novel in the series.
I still enjoyed Emma Viskic's writing, despite And Fire Came Down suffering from a case of too many ingredients that resulted in some loose ends and occasional confusion.
As I conclude this review, I just want to say:
for goodness' sake, Caleb, put your damn hearing aids in!!!
I've received this novel via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to Bonnier Publishing Australia for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
_______________________
This novel goes towards my Aussie Author Challenge 2017 on http://bookloverbookreviews.com/readi...
November 1, 2017
And Fire Came Down is book two in the Caleb Zelic series by Emma Viskic. One day a young woman asked Caleb Zelic for help in sign language but died before Caleb could find out her name. After the young woman died, Caleb was determined to find out who she was and why she died. The readers of And Fire Came Down will continue to follow Caleb Zelic investigation.
And Fire Came Down is the first book I have read by Emma Viskic, and I did enjoy it. I love that Emma Viskic made her main character have a disability. Also, I like that Emma Viskic characters are Indigenous Australians. I like the way Emma Viskic portrayed her characters. Emma Viskic did a great job of describing living in a small community where everyone knows what everyone is doing. I also like that Emma Viskic mentions the consequences of significant trauma on people.
The Readers of And Fire Came Down will start to think about how drugs and drink can destroy people. Also, the readers of And Fire Came Down will think about what are the reason we drink and take drugs. Reading And Fire Came Down will start you thinking about the problems and consequences of the way we tread indigenous communities and people with a disability.
I recommend this book.
And Fire Came Down is the first book I have read by Emma Viskic, and I did enjoy it. I love that Emma Viskic made her main character have a disability. Also, I like that Emma Viskic characters are Indigenous Australians. I like the way Emma Viskic portrayed her characters. Emma Viskic did a great job of describing living in a small community where everyone knows what everyone is doing. I also like that Emma Viskic mentions the consequences of significant trauma on people.
The Readers of And Fire Came Down will start to think about how drugs and drink can destroy people. Also, the readers of And Fire Came Down will think about what are the reason we drink and take drugs. Reading And Fire Came Down will start you thinking about the problems and consequences of the way we tread indigenous communities and people with a disability.
I recommend this book.
May 11, 2021
Rough surface and distance from Melbourne meant the Bay didn’t get many tourists. Those who did come wandered around looking bemused at the lack of artisanal bread, then left for somewhere better. The EezyWay seemed to earn most of its money by selling them the petrol to get there.
Months after the events of “Resurrection Bay”, hearing-impaired PI Caleb Zelic returns there seeking answers after a girl with limited sign language who was given his name, dies on a Melbourne street, rundown while fleeing from a violent offender. His artist wife Kat, is in Broome, recovering from the injuries to her hand, his former business partner Frankie is nowhere to be found, and back in his home town his brother Anton has been “clean” of drugs for a couple of years and has a new girlfriend. But the town is on edge with racial attacks on the indigenous housing community known as the “Mish”, by drug dealers suspected to have links to a bikie gang, the whole area tinder-dry, readying itself for a bushfire. A hanging, the AFP involved, and Melbourne Detective “by-the-book” Tedesco warning Caleb to leave well alone. (As if?)
A familiar beer-gutted figure was weaving his way through the tables towards the door, a brown sports bag hooked over his shoulder. Dave McGregor. McGregor wasn’t a standout in terms of local fuckwits, though he definitely made the team. He was a year older than Caleb, but signs of his boyhood still lingered in his slit-eyed expression, ready to beat fear into anyone unable to hit back. No reason to think he had rat-tail’s black backpack stuffed inside his sports bag – except for the unusual sight of a McGregor carrying anything other than a grievance.
I still don’t get the whole ethnic/indigenous/disability slant of these books, with the same characters drawn into a similar dance pattern, though writer Emma Viskic brings some vivid images of the landscape, and of a man haunted by nightmares of a killer he shot dead, in self-defence.
He ran. Into the pine plantations, away from town. One foot and then the other, following the broken white line through the darkness. It was dense forest around here, the high branches blocking the moonlight, casting shadow upon shadow. Too dark to run; he should turn back. He should do a lot of things, most of them too late.
I will certainly read the next one, in the hope that Caleb and Kat can get their lives together and transcend the agony-aunt guilt-trips.
Months after the events of “Resurrection Bay”, hearing-impaired PI Caleb Zelic returns there seeking answers after a girl with limited sign language who was given his name, dies on a Melbourne street, rundown while fleeing from a violent offender. His artist wife Kat, is in Broome, recovering from the injuries to her hand, his former business partner Frankie is nowhere to be found, and back in his home town his brother Anton has been “clean” of drugs for a couple of years and has a new girlfriend. But the town is on edge with racial attacks on the indigenous housing community known as the “Mish”, by drug dealers suspected to have links to a bikie gang, the whole area tinder-dry, readying itself for a bushfire. A hanging, the AFP involved, and Melbourne Detective “by-the-book” Tedesco warning Caleb to leave well alone. (As if?)
A familiar beer-gutted figure was weaving his way through the tables towards the door, a brown sports bag hooked over his shoulder. Dave McGregor. McGregor wasn’t a standout in terms of local fuckwits, though he definitely made the team. He was a year older than Caleb, but signs of his boyhood still lingered in his slit-eyed expression, ready to beat fear into anyone unable to hit back. No reason to think he had rat-tail’s black backpack stuffed inside his sports bag – except for the unusual sight of a McGregor carrying anything other than a grievance.
I still don’t get the whole ethnic/indigenous/disability slant of these books, with the same characters drawn into a similar dance pattern, though writer Emma Viskic brings some vivid images of the landscape, and of a man haunted by nightmares of a killer he shot dead, in self-defence.
He ran. Into the pine plantations, away from town. One foot and then the other, following the broken white line through the darkness. It was dense forest around here, the high branches blocking the moonlight, casting shadow upon shadow. Too dark to run; he should turn back. He should do a lot of things, most of them too late.
I will certainly read the next one, in the hope that Caleb and Kat can get their lives together and transcend the agony-aunt guilt-trips.
October 23, 2018
Caleb Zelic returns in the second book from Emma Viskic, a very promising Australian noir mystery novel that fronts an investigator severely hard of hearing due to a childhood illness, with various chips on his shoulder and many unresolved issues. But he does want to help people, especially when a young woman is killed virtually in front of him.
So that’s the set up for And Fire Came Down. So much happens that the story pulls you along. And the reader’s knowledge is most often the same as Caleb’s, limited by his deafness whether it be by mumbling witnesses, people speaking as they are turning away, or by being in a dark place. And when will people remember to text him?
I recommend this book and series highly with the possible mild caveat that it is noir and you have to be able to tolerate swearing. It’s present here as a fact of every day life/conversation and did not seem gratuitous to me at all. But I know some are sensitive on this subject.
My only other suggestion would be to read Resurrection Bay first. That book introduced many of the recurring characters important to the story here.
I am really looking forward to the next episode in Caleb’s life.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
So that’s the set up for And Fire Came Down. So much happens that the story pulls you along. And the reader’s knowledge is most often the same as Caleb’s, limited by his deafness whether it be by mumbling witnesses, people speaking as they are turning away, or by being in a dark place. And when will people remember to text him?
I recommend this book and series highly with the possible mild caveat that it is noir and you have to be able to tolerate swearing. It’s present here as a fact of every day life/conversation and did not seem gratuitous to me at all. But I know some are sensitive on this subject.
My only other suggestion would be to read Resurrection Bay first. That book introduced many of the recurring characters important to the story here.
I am really looking forward to the next episode in Caleb’s life.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
September 29, 2017
I received a copy of And Fire Came Down from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
3.5
And Fire Came Down is the second book in the Caleb Zelic series by Emma Viskic. I’ve not read the first book in the series, Resurrection Bay, and that may have been a mistake - especially when it comes to understanding past events and fully appreciating the characters. I feel I would have understood the motivations of some of the supporting characters like Caleb’s former partner, Frankie, and his policeman friend, Tedesco, more if I’d read Resurrection Bay first. Frankie and the business she and Caleb operated were a little unclear to me. That said, you can read And Fire Came Down as a standalone because Viskic does decent job of providing some back story.
While on his way home one night, Caleb Zelic is stopped by a strange, unsettling man who hands him a note that contains Caleb’s name and address written in lipstick. The man indicates that a woman is waiting for Caleb in the alley. Cautiously approaching the alley, Caleb finds a young, frightened woman who is desperately trying to communicate with him. But, Caleb struggles to understand her in the dark alley because he is deaf. He can tell she is asking him for help but before he can ascertain what she needs from him, a man grabs the young woman and drags her away. During the ensuing altercation, she is hit by a car and dies before she can tell Caleb why she needed his help. The man gets away. Caleb has one clue, the note was written on a receipt from a train ticket. The point of origin is his hometown, Resurrection Bay.
Caleb returns to Resurrection Bay determined to find out not just what the young woman wanted from him but also who sent her. He quickly becomes obsessed with getting to the bottom of everything, which is understandable since she died in front of him. While trying to find out the truth, Caleb finds himself embroiled in more than one mystery. Sometimes it feels like maybe too much is going on and Caleb is in the middle of it all, putting himself in dangerous situations. At times, Caleb is a bit reckless and a bit self-destructive, much of which is due to events in Resurrection Bay that cost him a friend and fractured his relationship with his wife, Kat.
The interactions between Caleb and his younger brother, Anton (Ant), are probably my favorite part of the book. Caleb moves in with Ant when he comes back to Resurrection Bay. Their relationship has been rocky mostly due to Ant’s drug issues but Ant has been clean for a few years and has met a girl. Caleb sees the change in him and they are getting along better. There are a lot sarcastic, hysterical exchanges between them using sign language. Less funny and definitely emotional are the scenes of Caleb and Kat. The two still love each other but so much has happened that has strained their relationship. You really feel for Caleb with Kat being so distant.
Like many of the Australian crime novels I’ve read in the last year, And Fire Came Down is dark and gritty but also wonderfully atmospheric. It’s well-written and full of suspense. Viskic tackles a lot in the book, maybe too much at times, but she shines when the book revolves around family issues and racial tension. I’d definitely read more in this series.
3.5
And Fire Came Down is the second book in the Caleb Zelic series by Emma Viskic. I’ve not read the first book in the series, Resurrection Bay, and that may have been a mistake - especially when it comes to understanding past events and fully appreciating the characters. I feel I would have understood the motivations of some of the supporting characters like Caleb’s former partner, Frankie, and his policeman friend, Tedesco, more if I’d read Resurrection Bay first. Frankie and the business she and Caleb operated were a little unclear to me. That said, you can read And Fire Came Down as a standalone because Viskic does decent job of providing some back story.
While on his way home one night, Caleb Zelic is stopped by a strange, unsettling man who hands him a note that contains Caleb’s name and address written in lipstick. The man indicates that a woman is waiting for Caleb in the alley. Cautiously approaching the alley, Caleb finds a young, frightened woman who is desperately trying to communicate with him. But, Caleb struggles to understand her in the dark alley because he is deaf. He can tell she is asking him for help but before he can ascertain what she needs from him, a man grabs the young woman and drags her away. During the ensuing altercation, she is hit by a car and dies before she can tell Caleb why she needed his help. The man gets away. Caleb has one clue, the note was written on a receipt from a train ticket. The point of origin is his hometown, Resurrection Bay.
Caleb returns to Resurrection Bay determined to find out not just what the young woman wanted from him but also who sent her. He quickly becomes obsessed with getting to the bottom of everything, which is understandable since she died in front of him. While trying to find out the truth, Caleb finds himself embroiled in more than one mystery. Sometimes it feels like maybe too much is going on and Caleb is in the middle of it all, putting himself in dangerous situations. At times, Caleb is a bit reckless and a bit self-destructive, much of which is due to events in Resurrection Bay that cost him a friend and fractured his relationship with his wife, Kat.
The interactions between Caleb and his younger brother, Anton (Ant), are probably my favorite part of the book. Caleb moves in with Ant when he comes back to Resurrection Bay. Their relationship has been rocky mostly due to Ant’s drug issues but Ant has been clean for a few years and has met a girl. Caleb sees the change in him and they are getting along better. There are a lot sarcastic, hysterical exchanges between them using sign language. Less funny and definitely emotional are the scenes of Caleb and Kat. The two still love each other but so much has happened that has strained their relationship. You really feel for Caleb with Kat being so distant.
Like many of the Australian crime novels I’ve read in the last year, And Fire Came Down is dark and gritty but also wonderfully atmospheric. It’s well-written and full of suspense. Viskic tackles a lot in the book, maybe too much at times, but she shines when the book revolves around family issues and racial tension. I’d definitely read more in this series.
September 16, 2018
First I have to say a HUGE thanks to Pushkin Press for providing me with a copy of this novel. I absolutely LOVED Resurrection Bay and was thrilled to catch up with Caleb Zelic in the next book of this amazing series. If you are interested in my review of Resurrection Bay, click HERE.
We’re back in Australia: Melbourne and Resurrection Bay for the second book in this fantastic series – have I already said how great it is? Because it bloody well is! The reader is faced with so many different things this time around: PTSD, racism, secrets, loss, betrayal, forgiveness; change; the dark web; socio-economic status; family, relationships, consequences, turning a blind eye, building walls and breaking down barriers… ‘friggin fantastic!
OMFG I just loved catching up with Caleb again and the opening chapter had me completely HOOKED! I was absolutely enthralled by the storyline and I completely lost myself in the pages of this novel! I had no idea where the story was taking me and was blind as little snippets laced throughout finally made sense when all was revealed! I also found this book to be so emotive and as much as I loved Resurrection Bay, this book surpassed that one on all counts. A taut storyline, addictive atmosphere and compelling narrative had me reading this book every spare moment I had!
Can we talk characters? Caleb Zelic has to be one of my all time favourite characters and man-oh-man my head and heart was all over the place when I picked up and joined him on his journey this time around. I seriously love this character – he is so intense, vulnerable but really strong-willed and determined, stubborn and he just had me all the way through! All-the-way! Caleb is deaf, and continues to struggle with this as he doesn’t want it to define him…and it doesn’t!! There were times I just wanted to grab him and shake him and scream – “C’mon, Caleb – I know you are in there!” He has changed since the first book, at least on the surface but his internal demons still egg him on. I can’t wait to see where the author takes him in the next book – because OMFG- he was broken…😱😵
We get to learn a lot more about Caleb’s brother Ant in this novel and OMG OMG OMG – Aaaaaaant! I love this guy – ex drug addict who wants to protect his brother but also teeters on the edge of his addiction all along. Sweet-mother-of-gawd — I could not believe what was going on with Ant and even though his role was secondary – the impact it had on me as a reader was GINORMOUS.
Then we have Kat – OMFG Emma Viskic you are killing me with these fantastic characters – ALL THE EMOTIONS!! 😱🙄🤣🤐😭😰🤔😳 I adore Kat, and we are thrown a real doozy with her and Caleb. Won’t say anymore on that front – just can’t wait for the next book to find out what the heck is going to happen.
I could go on and on, but I won’t…there are quite a few key characters they I haven’t mentioned but whose presence just rips the story open and really draws you in as a reader. But to talk about them, might lead me to inadvertently dropping a spoiler and I just couldn’t live with myself if I did that!!
Soooo, the big question is… would I recommend this read. BOOM! 👊🏻 BOOM! 💥 BOOM!👊🏻 This book is on 🔥 FIRE 🔥and it is an easy HELL YEAH recommendation from me! I love a series that leaves me aching for more and that is THIS series. I was devastated to be finished as I knew I would have to wait another year before I caught up with Caleb again. And Fire Came Down just BLEW me away – if you want a series that will knock you for six, grab you instantly and keep you engaged throughout – you need to buy this book! Easily read as a standalone but believe me, once you meet Caleb, you will want to follow him from the start!
We’re back in Australia: Melbourne and Resurrection Bay for the second book in this fantastic series – have I already said how great it is? Because it bloody well is! The reader is faced with so many different things this time around: PTSD, racism, secrets, loss, betrayal, forgiveness; change; the dark web; socio-economic status; family, relationships, consequences, turning a blind eye, building walls and breaking down barriers… ‘friggin fantastic!
OMFG I just loved catching up with Caleb again and the opening chapter had me completely HOOKED! I was absolutely enthralled by the storyline and I completely lost myself in the pages of this novel! I had no idea where the story was taking me and was blind as little snippets laced throughout finally made sense when all was revealed! I also found this book to be so emotive and as much as I loved Resurrection Bay, this book surpassed that one on all counts. A taut storyline, addictive atmosphere and compelling narrative had me reading this book every spare moment I had!
Can we talk characters? Caleb Zelic has to be one of my all time favourite characters and man-oh-man my head and heart was all over the place when I picked up and joined him on his journey this time around. I seriously love this character – he is so intense, vulnerable but really strong-willed and determined, stubborn and he just had me all the way through! All-the-way! Caleb is deaf, and continues to struggle with this as he doesn’t want it to define him…and it doesn’t!! There were times I just wanted to grab him and shake him and scream – “C’mon, Caleb – I know you are in there!” He has changed since the first book, at least on the surface but his internal demons still egg him on. I can’t wait to see where the author takes him in the next book – because OMFG- he was broken…😱😵
We get to learn a lot more about Caleb’s brother Ant in this novel and OMG OMG OMG – Aaaaaaant! I love this guy – ex drug addict who wants to protect his brother but also teeters on the edge of his addiction all along. Sweet-mother-of-gawd — I could not believe what was going on with Ant and even though his role was secondary – the impact it had on me as a reader was GINORMOUS.
Then we have Kat – OMFG Emma Viskic you are killing me with these fantastic characters – ALL THE EMOTIONS!! 😱🙄🤣🤐😭😰🤔😳 I adore Kat, and we are thrown a real doozy with her and Caleb. Won’t say anymore on that front – just can’t wait for the next book to find out what the heck is going to happen.
I could go on and on, but I won’t…there are quite a few key characters they I haven’t mentioned but whose presence just rips the story open and really draws you in as a reader. But to talk about them, might lead me to inadvertently dropping a spoiler and I just couldn’t live with myself if I did that!!
Soooo, the big question is… would I recommend this read. BOOM! 👊🏻 BOOM! 💥 BOOM!👊🏻 This book is on 🔥 FIRE 🔥and it is an easy HELL YEAH recommendation from me! I love a series that leaves me aching for more and that is THIS series. I was devastated to be finished as I knew I would have to wait another year before I caught up with Caleb again. And Fire Came Down just BLEW me away – if you want a series that will knock you for six, grab you instantly and keep you engaged throughout – you need to buy this book! Easily read as a standalone but believe me, once you meet Caleb, you will want to follow him from the start!
July 16, 2017
And Fire Came Down is the second Caleb Zelic thriller by award-winning Australian author, Emma Viskic. Out for a run in the Melbourne dusk, Caleb Zelic is accosted by a dubious type who, knowing his name and address, manages to draw him to a dark alley where a jittery young woman waits. It seems she wants his help, but a sudden attack by a tattooed tough has her fleeing before he can find out why. Caleb follows, but watches in horror as her flight takes her into the path of a van. Her dying words are cryptic, moreso because Caleb isn’t wearing his aids and lip-reading is never an exact skill.
Who sent this anonymous young woman to him? And why? She used some basic sign language, but neither his estranged wife nor his brother know. One small clue sends him back to Resurrection Bay for answers. His intentions to stay with Ant and his girl, Etty, in their childhood home need revision when his investigations seem to provoke a violent response from an unknown quarter. But Caleb is determined to find out the who and the why of it. The reappearance of his ex-business partner, Frankie Reynolds adds to his confusion.
As Resurrection Bay simmers through a blistering summer, bushfires are not the only things flaring up. Race-directed violence is on the rise, and the once-dry aboriginal mission, Bellville is plagued by an ice epidemic. Caleb is convinced that the Copperhead bikie gang is controlling the drug trade, but is it smart to go blundering in? Is it wise to be courting danger, especially now that his wife, Kat has indicated there may be a chance for their failing marriage?
Once again, Viskic gives the reader a fast-paced thriller that is topical and relevant. Her protagonist is an appealing character for all his flaws, and with his deafness, presents an interesting perspective. There is plenty of humour, some of it quite dark: the dry wit that makes up the interactions between the brothers is an absolute delight, and Tedesco’s attempts at signing are very amusing. Caleb gets distracted by a school of red herrings, and the revelations of the last pages will leave the reader gasping.
While this novel could be read as a stand-alone, it contains many spoilers for the first book, Resurrection Bay, so reading the series in order is recommended. Once again, there are several loose ends, ensuring plenty of material for a third book, and fans will be hoping Viskic does not leave them waiting too long. A dazzling sequel from a talented author.
With thanks to Echo Publishing for this copy to read and review.
Who sent this anonymous young woman to him? And why? She used some basic sign language, but neither his estranged wife nor his brother know. One small clue sends him back to Resurrection Bay for answers. His intentions to stay with Ant and his girl, Etty, in their childhood home need revision when his investigations seem to provoke a violent response from an unknown quarter. But Caleb is determined to find out the who and the why of it. The reappearance of his ex-business partner, Frankie Reynolds adds to his confusion.
As Resurrection Bay simmers through a blistering summer, bushfires are not the only things flaring up. Race-directed violence is on the rise, and the once-dry aboriginal mission, Bellville is plagued by an ice epidemic. Caleb is convinced that the Copperhead bikie gang is controlling the drug trade, but is it smart to go blundering in? Is it wise to be courting danger, especially now that his wife, Kat has indicated there may be a chance for their failing marriage?
Once again, Viskic gives the reader a fast-paced thriller that is topical and relevant. Her protagonist is an appealing character for all his flaws, and with his deafness, presents an interesting perspective. There is plenty of humour, some of it quite dark: the dry wit that makes up the interactions between the brothers is an absolute delight, and Tedesco’s attempts at signing are very amusing. Caleb gets distracted by a school of red herrings, and the revelations of the last pages will leave the reader gasping.
While this novel could be read as a stand-alone, it contains many spoilers for the first book, Resurrection Bay, so reading the series in order is recommended. Once again, there are several loose ends, ensuring plenty of material for a third book, and fans will be hoping Viskic does not leave them waiting too long. A dazzling sequel from a talented author.
With thanks to Echo Publishing for this copy to read and review.
September 5, 2021
'And Fire Came Down' by Emma Viskic is number two in a wonderful detective series! Why is the series not better known? I suspect because Viskic is an Australian and a new writer, and the private detective, Caleb Zelic, is maybe being passed over by mystery readers because Caleb is deaf. This is sad. Not just the deafness but the readers maybe taking a pass on the books. The tone of the novel has exactly the same tone of bleak regrets, along with all of the other usual elements, American fans of mystery novels adore. Leaping lords!, I am really hoping Viskic continues with this series! I intend to read book three in any case.
If, gentle reader, you are curious, begin with book one Resurrection Bay . There are continuing characters and situations. Caleb is separated from his wife Kat, who is an Aboriginal, a Koori. Caleb's brother Anton is an ex-addict. Caleb himself suffers from eternal embarrassment over his deafness, trying unsuccessfully to appear as if he can hear. He is unreasonable about this, which causes his friends to become very exasperated, but he possesses a dry humor that had me chuckling frequently. In this novel, we see more of how the brothers Caleb and Ant interact. Omg, I was laughing out loud! But the case Caleb is working on is very serious. Fortunately, in the previous novel Caleb developed a frenemy relationship with a police officer, Tedesco. They are beginning to trust each other after the mess over Caleb's ex-business partner, Frankie Reynolds. Frankie and Caleb had both run Trust Works, their security firm.
In 'And Fire Came Down' Caleb is trying to discover why a girl was so desperate to talk to him. Unfortunately, he can't really hear well in Melbourne traffic despite his hearing aids, so he must read lips or sign - and he hates signing in public. She was scared, running from someone, but unfortunately in her fear while talking to him, she ran in front of a truck! What did she say, damn it? Who was she running from?
Before long, Caleb is attacked! Why? Is it about his missing partner, Frankie? Is it about the girl who was trying to tell him something? Is it his brother's drug dealers, which means it could be local bikies or a really scary mafia called the Copperheads?
Read the book! The books have won mystery awards, gentle reader! The series is worthy of your time!
If, gentle reader, you are curious, begin with book one Resurrection Bay . There are continuing characters and situations. Caleb is separated from his wife Kat, who is an Aboriginal, a Koori. Caleb's brother Anton is an ex-addict. Caleb himself suffers from eternal embarrassment over his deafness, trying unsuccessfully to appear as if he can hear. He is unreasonable about this, which causes his friends to become very exasperated, but he possesses a dry humor that had me chuckling frequently. In this novel, we see more of how the brothers Caleb and Ant interact. Omg, I was laughing out loud! But the case Caleb is working on is very serious. Fortunately, in the previous novel Caleb developed a frenemy relationship with a police officer, Tedesco. They are beginning to trust each other after the mess over Caleb's ex-business partner, Frankie Reynolds. Frankie and Caleb had both run Trust Works, their security firm.
In 'And Fire Came Down' Caleb is trying to discover why a girl was so desperate to talk to him. Unfortunately, he can't really hear well in Melbourne traffic despite his hearing aids, so he must read lips or sign - and he hates signing in public. She was scared, running from someone, but unfortunately in her fear while talking to him, she ran in front of a truck! What did she say, damn it? Who was she running from?
Before long, Caleb is attacked! Why? Is it about his missing partner, Frankie? Is it about the girl who was trying to tell him something? Is it his brother's drug dealers, which means it could be local bikies or a really scary mafia called the Copperheads?
Read the book! The books have won mystery awards, gentle reader! The series is worthy of your time!
July 1, 2018
Pitch perfect follow up to the brilliant Resurrection Bay, Caleb is back and I for one am extremely happy about it. Read in one sitting, incredibly addictive and an emotional and multi layered story. Loved it. I'm on such a good book roll at the moment. Next?
Full review to follow.
Full review to follow.
February 12, 2022
3.5 really
This is maybe my fav book in the series so far but then end really sucked 😏
This is maybe my fav book in the series so far but then end really sucked 😏
August 27, 2018
A contemporary crime novel set in Australia, and featuring a hearing-impaired private investigator, And Fire Came Down by Emma Viskic is bold, fresh, original, and achingly real.
I bought her book after putting out a call on Facebook for some great crime recommendations. Emma Viksic’s name was mentioned several times and so, seeing this novel while browsing in a bookstore, I grabbed it.
It’s the second in a series, with the first book Resurrection Bay winning a swathe of awards including the Ned Kelly Award for Best First Fiction. I do wish I’d bought Book 1 first, as there are inevitable references to what happened previously, and some of the characters are introduced only briefly, the reader obviously meant to recognise them from earlier encounters.
Nonetheless, I was hooked in from the very first page, in which a mysterious young woman asks the hero Caleb for help in sign language … and then dies. Written in taut, pared-back language, with moments of dark wit and humour and high-octane action, And Fire Came Down is a compulsive page-turner.
The setting is vivid and memorable too – a small Australian country town baking in the summer heat with drug-fuelled violence and racial tensions simmering just below the surface. I could feel the sweat sliding down Caleb’s back and smell the dangerous hint of bushfire smoke in the scorchingly hot air. Just brilliant.
I bought her book after putting out a call on Facebook for some great crime recommendations. Emma Viksic’s name was mentioned several times and so, seeing this novel while browsing in a bookstore, I grabbed it.
It’s the second in a series, with the first book Resurrection Bay winning a swathe of awards including the Ned Kelly Award for Best First Fiction. I do wish I’d bought Book 1 first, as there are inevitable references to what happened previously, and some of the characters are introduced only briefly, the reader obviously meant to recognise them from earlier encounters.
Nonetheless, I was hooked in from the very first page, in which a mysterious young woman asks the hero Caleb for help in sign language … and then dies. Written in taut, pared-back language, with moments of dark wit and humour and high-octane action, And Fire Came Down is a compulsive page-turner.
The setting is vivid and memorable too – a small Australian country town baking in the summer heat with drug-fuelled violence and racial tensions simmering just below the surface. I could feel the sweat sliding down Caleb’s back and smell the dangerous hint of bushfire smoke in the scorchingly hot air. Just brilliant.
January 30, 2020
And Fire Came Down is the second Australian thriller by author Emma Viskic, featuring deaf P.I. Caleb Zelic. It confirms Emma Viskic as an author to follow, and this series as a sure bet thrill.
Following the events of the first book, Caleb Zelic is struggling with trauma (a recurring theme in the book), as well as with a dwindling business. When a young woman he doesn’t know comes to him for help on the street, only to get run down a few minutes later trying to escape an assaillant, Caleb can’t help but investigate her story. An investigation that, once again, will hit too close to home.
Caleb is, as stated by another character, an « obsessive fuckhead ». He won’t drop a bone once he has caught it, even if he has no stake in the case, and whatever the cost.
This second book in the series maintain the original style, and gives the same atmosphere. In the span of seven months, however, Resurrection Bay has changed. It seems to have become a town Charles Bronson’s Paul Kersey would gladly make his playground. Meth distribution, vandalism, random violence are spiking. This echoes the volatility of the various characters relationships, as the protagonists keep being developed nicely by the author.
We also learn a bit more, this time around, about this region of Australia, its inhabitants and history, as well as the bush fires they have to live with yearly.
The mystery itself often takes a few steps back, giving more room to explore the characters and their motivations, as there are now many of them. In spite of his amazing sense of observation, Caleb keeps his habit of missing some obvious clues. One character points out that he hasn’t studied much to become a P.I. and, indeed, the help of someone more experienced at connecting dots couldn’t hurt, if it were available.
Greatly recommended to all thriller lovers.
The third book in the series, Darkness For Light, will be released worldwide on June 2020. I’ve been granted an ARC of it, that I will read and review shortly.
Link to review of book one : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Following the events of the first book, Caleb Zelic is struggling with trauma (a recurring theme in the book), as well as with a dwindling business. When a young woman he doesn’t know comes to him for help on the street, only to get run down a few minutes later trying to escape an assaillant, Caleb can’t help but investigate her story. An investigation that, once again, will hit too close to home.
Caleb is, as stated by another character, an « obsessive fuckhead ». He won’t drop a bone once he has caught it, even if he has no stake in the case, and whatever the cost.
This second book in the series maintain the original style, and gives the same atmosphere. In the span of seven months, however, Resurrection Bay has changed. It seems to have become a town Charles Bronson’s Paul Kersey would gladly make his playground. Meth distribution, vandalism, random violence are spiking. This echoes the volatility of the various characters relationships, as the protagonists keep being developed nicely by the author.
We also learn a bit more, this time around, about this region of Australia, its inhabitants and history, as well as the bush fires they have to live with yearly.
The mystery itself often takes a few steps back, giving more room to explore the characters and their motivations, as there are now many of them. In spite of his amazing sense of observation, Caleb keeps his habit of missing some obvious clues. One character points out that he hasn’t studied much to become a P.I. and, indeed, the help of someone more experienced at connecting dots couldn’t hurt, if it were available.
Greatly recommended to all thriller lovers.
The third book in the series, Darkness For Light, will be released worldwide on June 2020. I’ve been granted an ARC of it, that I will read and review shortly.
Link to review of book one : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
February 6, 2022
I finished book one in this series and went on to read this, the second, immediately. I decided on the audio version and, when my usual 40 minute commute home turned into 2 ½ hours due to a truck accident, I finished And Fire Came Down really quickly. This was one good thing about that otherwise crappy day at least.
Book one finished with Caleb in all sorts of a mess with regards to both his professional and personal life. In this book, Viskic tortures him even further and his talent for grandly stuffing things up only escalates. He manages to seriously annoy the hell out of his ex-wife, his brother, his ex-wife’s close and extended family, the police, the feds, drug dealers and bikie gangs.
Caleb’s problems begin when a woman begs for his help before being murdered a few moments later. Learning the woman is from his hometown of Resurrection Bay, Caleb returns and gets caught up in seemingly racially motivated vandalism and arson attacks while investigating why the girl was killed.
I felt so much empathy for Caleb in this book. The holes he digs for himself seem inevitable and seldom of his own making. One of the plot points of book one was his inability to admit to having a disability and that he tries to hide his deafness. Even when he gives in and does admit he can’t hear this time around, he still manages to do something to earn the ire of all and sundry.
I really don’t think I’d recommend you read this book as a standalone. It follows on pretty much straight after book one and the storylines are very much connected. There were a couple of twists at the end of the book which I really loved and I’ve already started reading book three. Loving this series. 4 ½ out of 5
Book one finished with Caleb in all sorts of a mess with regards to both his professional and personal life. In this book, Viskic tortures him even further and his talent for grandly stuffing things up only escalates. He manages to seriously annoy the hell out of his ex-wife, his brother, his ex-wife’s close and extended family, the police, the feds, drug dealers and bikie gangs.
Caleb’s problems begin when a woman begs for his help before being murdered a few moments later. Learning the woman is from his hometown of Resurrection Bay, Caleb returns and gets caught up in seemingly racially motivated vandalism and arson attacks while investigating why the girl was killed.
I felt so much empathy for Caleb in this book. The holes he digs for himself seem inevitable and seldom of his own making. One of the plot points of book one was his inability to admit to having a disability and that he tries to hide his deafness. Even when he gives in and does admit he can’t hear this time around, he still manages to do something to earn the ire of all and sundry.
I really don’t think I’d recommend you read this book as a standalone. It follows on pretty much straight after book one and the storylines are very much connected. There were a couple of twists at the end of the book which I really loved and I’ve already started reading book three. Loving this series. 4 ½ out of 5
June 22, 2021
And Fire Came Down is the second Caleb Zelic thriller by award-winning Australian author, Emma Viskic. The audio version is narrated by Lewis Fitzgerald. Out for a run in the Melbourne dusk, Caleb Zelic is accosted by a dubious type who, knowing his name and address, manages to draw him to a dark alley where a jittery young woman waits. It seems she wants his help, but a sudden attack by a tattooed tough has her fleeing before he can find out why. Caleb follows, but watches in horror as her flight takes her into the path of a van. Her dying words are cryptic, moreso because Caleb isn’t wearing his aids and lip-reading is never an exact skill.
Who sent this anonymous young woman to him? And why? She used some basic sign language, but neither his estranged wife nor his brother know. One small clue sends him back to Resurrection Bay for answers. His intentions to stay with Ant and his girl, Etty, in their childhood home need revision when his investigations seem to provoke a violent response from an unknown quarter. But Caleb is determined to find out the who and the why of it. The reappearance of his ex-business partner, Frankie Reynolds adds to his confusion.
As Resurrection Bay simmers through a blistering summer, bushfires are not the only things flaring up. Race-directed violence is on the rise, and the once-dry aboriginal mission, Bellville is plagued by an ice epidemic. Caleb is convinced that the Copperhead bikie gang is controlling the drug trade, but is it smart to go blundering in? Is it wise to be courting danger, especially now that his wife, Kat has indicated there may be a chance for their failing marriage?
Once again, Viskic gives the reader a fast-paced thriller that is topical and relevant. Her protagonist is an appealing character for all his flaws, and with his deafness, presents an interesting perspective. There is plenty of humour, some of it quite dark: the dry wit that makes up the interactions between the brothers is an absolute delight, and Tedesco’s attempts at signing are very amusing. Caleb gets distracted by a school of red herrings, and the revelations of the last pages will leave the reader gasping.
While this novel could be read as a stand-alone, it contains many spoilers for the first book, Resurrection Bay, so reading the series in order is recommended. Once again, there are several loose ends, ensuring plenty of material for a third book, and fans will be hoping Viskic does not leave them waiting too long. A dazzling sequel from a talented author.
Who sent this anonymous young woman to him? And why? She used some basic sign language, but neither his estranged wife nor his brother know. One small clue sends him back to Resurrection Bay for answers. His intentions to stay with Ant and his girl, Etty, in their childhood home need revision when his investigations seem to provoke a violent response from an unknown quarter. But Caleb is determined to find out the who and the why of it. The reappearance of his ex-business partner, Frankie Reynolds adds to his confusion.
As Resurrection Bay simmers through a blistering summer, bushfires are not the only things flaring up. Race-directed violence is on the rise, and the once-dry aboriginal mission, Bellville is plagued by an ice epidemic. Caleb is convinced that the Copperhead bikie gang is controlling the drug trade, but is it smart to go blundering in? Is it wise to be courting danger, especially now that his wife, Kat has indicated there may be a chance for their failing marriage?
Once again, Viskic gives the reader a fast-paced thriller that is topical and relevant. Her protagonist is an appealing character for all his flaws, and with his deafness, presents an interesting perspective. There is plenty of humour, some of it quite dark: the dry wit that makes up the interactions between the brothers is an absolute delight, and Tedesco’s attempts at signing are very amusing. Caleb gets distracted by a school of red herrings, and the revelations of the last pages will leave the reader gasping.
While this novel could be read as a stand-alone, it contains many spoilers for the first book, Resurrection Bay, so reading the series in order is recommended. Once again, there are several loose ends, ensuring plenty of material for a third book, and fans will be hoping Viskic does not leave them waiting too long. A dazzling sequel from a talented author.
July 5, 2022
“And the Fire Came Down” is both a physical reality in a season of Australian brush fires and an allusion to what Caleb is feeling in the second book in this gritty realistic Australian crime series. Trouble finds some people no matter what they’re doing and Caleb is not the exception to this rule. A late night jog brings him into contact with a mysterious woman in a dark alley where he has difficulty reading her lips. Caleb is hearing-impaired, though he’s generally hesitant to admit he’s handicapped. It’s clear though this woman came to him for help though it turns out he wasn’t exactly much help to her. But his conscience gets the better of him and he heads back to the Bay to find out who she was and what she wanted. Caleb is tolerated in the Bay by the indigenous folk, the Koori, on account of he was married to Kat, one of their own, although the divorce papers have yet to be signed and the relationship is yo yo-ing back and forth. Of course, this opens up a real neat can of worms as to race riots, drug dealers, biker gangs, and more, none if which Caleb is emotionally ready to deal with being as how he’s still having post-traumatic nightmares from the events in the first book of the series. Bottom line is that it’s an intense ride through this book, both fir the reader and for Caleb.
August 11, 2017
Having enjoyed 'Resurrection Bay' the earlier Caleb Zelic mystery, there's an unexpected pleasure in finding the sequel 'And the Fire Came Down' is even better. Tighter. And the character revelation is sustained across the whole story. Like Caleb's dislike of using his hearing aids or admitting he misses crucial facts when his suspects mumble or turn away so he can't lipread. The dialogue which flows in hilarious scenes is a delight, with sub-text. Definitely filmic material. With a plot twist at the end.
I like the sustained humour in Viskic's detailed observation of the deaf sleuth Caleb's challenges. A few of the Auslan exchanges are funny, but laughing 'with' not 'at' the victims who try to communicate with Caleb, having been deliberately taught some inappropriate signing by brother Ant. Especially for the word police.
The relationship between the two brothers is realistic, with understated acceptance of each others' weaknesses. Viskic does relationships well. The ex-wife and artist Kat with her indigenous family connections is a strong and likeable character as is her doctor mother who looks after the community in a practical way. Older women like Aunty Eileen are pragmatic about dealing with the troubles of the youth of their community and the compromises which need to be made. Caleb is loyal and a romantic, but he gets 'used' at times.
There's lots of apparently pointless driving around based on hunches but also insights into country town prejudices and racial violence. Violence and poor diet is a strong part of the 'hard-boiled' detective tradition, even though Caleb is a new styled sleuth. I like his resourcefulness in solving problems in quirky ways. He notices 'stuff' which the reader thinks is inconsequential and then the writer uses that observation like the address labels to advance the plot or justify a later twist.
The heat permeates the novel and links to the fire in the title.
You get the feeling that Viskic has researched her communities well. No patronising of indigenous characters. The people of this book all have flaws. And the writer has managed to convey these with compassion but also a lot of fast action.
I hope Caleb has health insurance in the next novel because he gets bashed up a lot. And he can't expect his ex-mother-in-law to patch him up everytime.
Highly recommended.
I like the sustained humour in Viskic's detailed observation of the deaf sleuth Caleb's challenges. A few of the Auslan exchanges are funny, but laughing 'with' not 'at' the victims who try to communicate with Caleb, having been deliberately taught some inappropriate signing by brother Ant. Especially for the word police.
The relationship between the two brothers is realistic, with understated acceptance of each others' weaknesses. Viskic does relationships well. The ex-wife and artist Kat with her indigenous family connections is a strong and likeable character as is her doctor mother who looks after the community in a practical way. Older women like Aunty Eileen are pragmatic about dealing with the troubles of the youth of their community and the compromises which need to be made. Caleb is loyal and a romantic, but he gets 'used' at times.
There's lots of apparently pointless driving around based on hunches but also insights into country town prejudices and racial violence. Violence and poor diet is a strong part of the 'hard-boiled' detective tradition, even though Caleb is a new styled sleuth. I like his resourcefulness in solving problems in quirky ways. He notices 'stuff' which the reader thinks is inconsequential and then the writer uses that observation like the address labels to advance the plot or justify a later twist.
The heat permeates the novel and links to the fire in the title.
You get the feeling that Viskic has researched her communities well. No patronising of indigenous characters. The people of this book all have flaws. And the writer has managed to convey these with compassion but also a lot of fast action.
I hope Caleb has health insurance in the next novel because he gets bashed up a lot. And he can't expect his ex-mother-in-law to patch him up everytime.
Highly recommended.
April 26, 2023
And Fire Came Down by Emma Viskic is the second in the Australian crime series featuring Caleb Zelic. Deaf since childhood, Caleb is still recovering from the events in Resurrection Bay. His private investigation business is a mess, his relationships are strained and he's struggling with nightmares and flashbacks. Then a young woman tracks him down and begs for his help.
He begins to investigate and with a little help from Tedesco (my favourite character in the series) he stars to uncover a string of crimes in his hometown of Resurrection Bay.
Occasionally the second in a series can fall short of the first, but this definitely isn't the case here. In fact, I'd go so far as to say And Fire Came Down was better than Resurrection Bay. The plot was more engaging and complex, the tension was tighter, the danger was greater and the writing was better.
Caleb's hearing difficulty and use of sign language with several of the characters is my favourite part of this series. Caleb's relationship with his brother Ant was another aspect of the book I really enjoyed and I hope they work things out.
I'm really glad to have caught up with the series and look forward to following Caleb into recently published Darkness for Light. Highly recommended for fans of Australian crime.
* Copy courtesy of Echo Publishing *
He begins to investigate and with a little help from Tedesco (my favourite character in the series) he stars to uncover a string of crimes in his hometown of Resurrection Bay.
Occasionally the second in a series can fall short of the first, but this definitely isn't the case here. In fact, I'd go so far as to say And Fire Came Down was better than Resurrection Bay. The plot was more engaging and complex, the tension was tighter, the danger was greater and the writing was better.
Caleb's hearing difficulty and use of sign language with several of the characters is my favourite part of this series. Caleb's relationship with his brother Ant was another aspect of the book I really enjoyed and I hope they work things out.
I'm really glad to have caught up with the series and look forward to following Caleb into recently published Darkness for Light. Highly recommended for fans of Australian crime.
* Copy courtesy of Echo Publishing *
December 8, 2017
This is a great follow on novel from Resurrection Bay. Caleb is dealing with the trauma of his last case, his wife Kate has left him, his business is doing badly and a young woman who turns up looking for him is soon dead.
There is plenty of mystery, storylines that build and build, very bad bad men and women, the scourge of ice and newer chemicals of recreational use, racism, and the local Aboriginal settlement dealing with violent attacks.
Caleb's deafness is a great character trait, the darkness is dark and the ending leads to a need to read the next book in this very, very good Australian series.
There is plenty of mystery, storylines that build and build, very bad bad men and women, the scourge of ice and newer chemicals of recreational use, racism, and the local Aboriginal settlement dealing with violent attacks.
Caleb's deafness is a great character trait, the darkness is dark and the ending leads to a need to read the next book in this very, very good Australian series.
July 26, 2020
Caleb trifft beim Joggen auf eine junge Frau, die seine Hilfe zu brauchen scheint, doch der Gehörlose kann sie nicht verstehen. Kurz darauf ist die Frau tot und Caleb möchte um jeden Preis aufklären, was der Grund dafür ist. Seine Ermittlungen führen ihn nach Ressurection Bay zur dort ansässigen Gemeinschaft australischer Ureinwohner.
Im zweiten Teil der Reihe um Caleb Zelic bleibt Emma Viskic sich treu und redet nicht lange um den heißen Brei herum. »No Words« beginnt erneut mit einem Mordfall, den der Privatermittler auf eigene Faust lösen will. Leider wurde mir Caleb in diesem Band zunehmend unsympathischer, da er viel aus dem ersten Teil aufzuarbeiten hat und auch neues Leid erfährt, wodurch er sich unberechenbar und fahrlässig verhält. Ab einem gewissen Punkt ging mir das auf die Nerven. An mancher Stelle musste ich wirklich an seiner Eignung für die Ermittlungsarbeit zweifeln. Zu meiner Freude bekommt sein Bruder Ant eine gewichtigere Rolle und auch Kat und Frankie tauchen wieder auf. Der Fokus liegt wieder stark auf den Charakteren und ihren Beziehungen zueinander, die nicht immer das sind, was sie zu sein scheinen.
Ich hatte bereits im ersten Teil der Reihe ein paar Anlaufschwierigkeiten, fand mich dann aber schnell in der Geschichte zurecht. In »No Words« konnte ich leider während der gesamten Lektüre dem Fall nicht richtig folgen, zu viele Namen, zu viel hin und her. Da meine Begeisterung für den ungewöhnlichen Protagonisten und das interessante, australische Setting nun auch nicht mehr ganz frisch ist, kann ich darüber nicht hinwegsehen.
Der Schreibstil der Autorin ist wie gewohnt auf den Punkt, direkt und ausdrucksstark. Auch wenn mir einige Figuren eher negative Gefühlsregungen entlockten, so will ich trotzdem lobend erwähnen, dass Emma Viskic es wieder geschafft hat, mich emotional zu involvieren.
Da die Reihe als Ganzes großes Potential hat, bin ich trotz der Tatsache, dass Band zwei nur mittelmäßig für mich abschneidet, schon sehr gespannt auf den dritten Teil!
Im zweiten Teil der Reihe um Caleb Zelic bleibt Emma Viskic sich treu und redet nicht lange um den heißen Brei herum. »No Words« beginnt erneut mit einem Mordfall, den der Privatermittler auf eigene Faust lösen will. Leider wurde mir Caleb in diesem Band zunehmend unsympathischer, da er viel aus dem ersten Teil aufzuarbeiten hat und auch neues Leid erfährt, wodurch er sich unberechenbar und fahrlässig verhält. Ab einem gewissen Punkt ging mir das auf die Nerven. An mancher Stelle musste ich wirklich an seiner Eignung für die Ermittlungsarbeit zweifeln. Zu meiner Freude bekommt sein Bruder Ant eine gewichtigere Rolle und auch Kat und Frankie tauchen wieder auf. Der Fokus liegt wieder stark auf den Charakteren und ihren Beziehungen zueinander, die nicht immer das sind, was sie zu sein scheinen.
Ich hatte bereits im ersten Teil der Reihe ein paar Anlaufschwierigkeiten, fand mich dann aber schnell in der Geschichte zurecht. In »No Words« konnte ich leider während der gesamten Lektüre dem Fall nicht richtig folgen, zu viele Namen, zu viel hin und her. Da meine Begeisterung für den ungewöhnlichen Protagonisten und das interessante, australische Setting nun auch nicht mehr ganz frisch ist, kann ich darüber nicht hinwegsehen.
Der Schreibstil der Autorin ist wie gewohnt auf den Punkt, direkt und ausdrucksstark. Auch wenn mir einige Figuren eher negative Gefühlsregungen entlockten, so will ich trotzdem lobend erwähnen, dass Emma Viskic es wieder geschafft hat, mich emotional zu involvieren.
Da die Reihe als Ganzes großes Potential hat, bin ich trotz der Tatsache, dass Band zwei nur mittelmäßig für mich abschneidet, schon sehr gespannt auf den dritten Teil!
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