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Claudia Valentine #1
The Life And Crimes Of Harry Lavender
Mark Bannister, writing 'the bestseller of the century' is dead at his computer, a murder so perfect that Claudia Valentine smells a rat and wants it caught. The chase leads deep into the murky underworld of Sydney. Bright, tough Claudia must play a deadly high-tech game of cat and rat with a corrupt menacing crime lord.
154 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
14 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
About the author
Marele Day
19 books29 followersDay was born in Sydney, and grew up in Pagewood, an industrial suburb. She attended Sydney Girls High School and Sydney Teachers' College and in 1973 obtained a degree from Sydney University. She has worked as a patent searcher and as a researcher and has also taught in elementary school during the 1980s.
Her Claudia Valentine series features a feminist Sydney-based private investigator but her breakthrough novel was Lambs of God which was a departure from the crime genre and features two nuns battling to save the island on which they live from developers; it became a bestseller.
She lives on the New South Wales North coast.
Marele Day's four book Claudia Valentine series has become a minor classic in Australian crime writing, but her Lambs of God (1998) was even more highly acclaimed as an original and provocative literary work, published in the US by Riverhead and in the UK by Sceptre. Her most recent novel was Mrs Cook, a rich portrayal of the life of a woman whose passion and intellect matched that of her celebrated husband.
Her Claudia Valentine series features a feminist Sydney-based private investigator but her breakthrough novel was Lambs of God which was a departure from the crime genre and features two nuns battling to save the island on which they live from developers; it became a bestseller.
She lives on the New South Wales North coast.
Marele Day's four book Claudia Valentine series has become a minor classic in Australian crime writing, but her Lambs of God (1998) was even more highly acclaimed as an original and provocative literary work, published in the US by Riverhead and in the UK by Sceptre. Her most recent novel was Mrs Cook, a rich portrayal of the life of a woman whose passion and intellect matched that of her celebrated husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 6, 2010
I took a creative course taught by the author, and found it utterly dull. Giving her the benefit of the doubt (after all, some people aren't born teachers), I picked up this book at the library. My doubts about her writing weren't completely unfounded. The writing style is clunky at best, with overly descriptive passages about nothing in particular. Having met the author, I would say the main character takes too much from her to be really original, and she (Valentine) seems to be a shapeless amalgamation of various skill sets. I don't think I could recommend this book to anyone with a clear conscience.
March 21, 2012
ugh, australian. ugh, crime fiction. ugh, slang. i've never particularly been a fan of contemporary books, especially ones set in australia (so unpatriotic) and life and crimes is no exception to this.
September 14, 2024
At first the storyline of this book was hard to follow. I kept wanting to reread sections to have a better understanding of the plot. However decided to just plow on otherwise I would still be reading it in 6 months time.
I enjoyed sections of this book but did get the feeling of a school text that I had been forced to read.
So pushing on the storyline kind of revealed itself, but still a little confusing. There are exerpts that look like articles, randomly placed throughout the book. However, there is no way to know what these relate to, until the very last page.
Is it worth reading? If you live in Sydney Australia you may enjoy it for the location references and insight into a possible darker side in the 1980's.
I enjoyed sections of this book but did get the feeling of a school text that I had been forced to read.
So pushing on the storyline kind of revealed itself, but still a little confusing. There are exerpts that look like articles, randomly placed throughout the book. However, there is no way to know what these relate to, until the very last page.
Is it worth reading? If you live in Sydney Australia you may enjoy it for the location references and insight into a possible darker side in the 1980's.
April 29, 2013
I read it because it was the only book around and I was on a car trip. It was horribly boring I am going to die wow.
April 22, 2014
As soon as I read the first line I put the book down: I woke up feeling like death. Ironically appropriate, given what the day held in store. EYE ROLL. The book is full of terrible one liners, often at the end of a chapter, that completely kill any mood Day was trying to create. Another example (this one at the beginning of a chapter) Someone had been in my room. Nothing was missing, nothing rearranged, but the smell was there, the smell of intrusion. EYE ROLL. Please. Other times a meaningless line is exacerbated with a lengthy description that says the exact same thing in more words.
This book won the Shamus Award for best detective fiction; my eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. It’s also being studied in Australian high schools as an example of detective narrative. I can’t believe it. I also can’t believe that Day teaches creative writing courses. She should know better.
The story is lacking in two major areas – plot and characterisation. Evidentially this makes it a terrible novel.
All her characters lack depth and even our protagonist shows no character development. Whether you like a protagonist or not, if you don’t form a connection with them then the story is meaningless. In this case the protagonist is Claudia Valentine, a whisky drinking, divorced mother of two who lives above a pub, sleeps with as many men as she wants and is a private investigator. A skillful writer could have made this believable if we understood more of who she is, not what Day tells us she does and tells us she is. That’s Day’s problem, she suffers the amateur writer’s issue of telling not showing.
The dialogue is unbelievable, meaningless and often pointless.
The story has a few twists and turns but no real surprises, nothing to keep you hanging on desperately to find out what happens next. The book is just (for lack of a better word) boring.
There is a silver lining. In an interview Day said that she wanted to write a novel about Sydney. This makes a lot of sense because Day’s descriptions of Sydney were great. The only time I was immersed in the action was when Claudia was involved in something that required descriptions of the place. From the beach to the city, I felt connected to the imagery and, as a Sydneysider, thought the descriptions were accurate, for the most part.
In the end, if you trudge through the interminable, flat narrative the conclusion will not satisfy you as much as closing the book and knowing you never have to think about it again.
I’m giving the book one whole gold star for the sense of place it creates.
This book won the Shamus Award for best detective fiction; my eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. It’s also being studied in Australian high schools as an example of detective narrative. I can’t believe it. I also can’t believe that Day teaches creative writing courses. She should know better.
The story is lacking in two major areas – plot and characterisation. Evidentially this makes it a terrible novel.
All her characters lack depth and even our protagonist shows no character development. Whether you like a protagonist or not, if you don’t form a connection with them then the story is meaningless. In this case the protagonist is Claudia Valentine, a whisky drinking, divorced mother of two who lives above a pub, sleeps with as many men as she wants and is a private investigator. A skillful writer could have made this believable if we understood more of who she is, not what Day tells us she does and tells us she is. That’s Day’s problem, she suffers the amateur writer’s issue of telling not showing.
The dialogue is unbelievable, meaningless and often pointless.
The story has a few twists and turns but no real surprises, nothing to keep you hanging on desperately to find out what happens next. The book is just (for lack of a better word) boring.
There is a silver lining. In an interview Day said that she wanted to write a novel about Sydney. This makes a lot of sense because Day’s descriptions of Sydney were great. The only time I was immersed in the action was when Claudia was involved in something that required descriptions of the place. From the beach to the city, I felt connected to the imagery and, as a Sydneysider, thought the descriptions were accurate, for the most part.
In the end, if you trudge through the interminable, flat narrative the conclusion will not satisfy you as much as closing the book and knowing you never have to think about it again.
I’m giving the book one whole gold star for the sense of place it creates.
May 10, 2021
Absolutely atrocious! Polluted my view on my life, Sydney and distinguished reality from thought. Flooded with characters for the small book that it is, and the limited plot can not accommodate for character development. This author brings shame to the writing community, DISGUSTING! YOU MAKE ME SICK !!!
February 8, 2020
This is a mystery with an Australian PI named Claudia Valentine, which was a new perspective, but the book was not really my style—it was too hard-boiled for me, and I found the mystery convoluted and difficult to follow, and too much rhapsodizing—or obsessing about the seamy side of life in Sydney. I don’t think I’ll be following this series.
May 27, 2024
Very naive plot, characterisation and dialogue. A lot of it was difficult to understand.
There were some funny lines but it trying to be too smart and snappy. Characterisation was very thin. Lots of implausibility. Didn’t really empathise with the characters. A lot of the characters were caricatures.
There were some funny lines but it trying to be too smart and snappy. Characterisation was very thin. Lots of implausibility. Didn’t really empathise with the characters. A lot of the characters were caricatures.
May 17, 2013
I would say its a hardboil parody
May 30, 2018
I decided to read this book after it was set for study for one of the students I tutor in Year 11 English. I noticed that it has at times been prescribed for the NSW HSC (Standard modules such as 'Close Study of Text', 'Distinctive Voices', etc) - so thought it would be worth having a copy and being familiar with it.
It was somewhat disappointing. I suppose it was at times considered a good example of contemporary Australian crime fiction. It has sold well and, I believe, received at least one award. But, at 30 years old (first published 1988) I don't think it has dated well. It is interesting to have it set in Sydney, a city I am familiar with, but that didn't quite make up for its lacklustre story and pastiche style. It just didn't seem that contemporary any more (e.g. the repeated references to the Sydney Monorail - a novelty in 1988 but demolished in 2013).
Actually, the style occasionally reminded me a little bit of Neuromancer by William Gibson (1983) but without the appeal. For example, the attempts to create dramatic, poetic descriptions of the emerging digital landscape. Gibson's work has become an enduring SF classic, despite not anticipating things like WiFi. Somehow, Harry Lavender just seems out of date (e.g. some people are even using modems to transfer data!)
I notice The Life and Crimes of Harry Lavender does not appear in the latest prescriptions beginning 2019. Read it if you're keen.
It was somewhat disappointing. I suppose it was at times considered a good example of contemporary Australian crime fiction. It has sold well and, I believe, received at least one award. But, at 30 years old (first published 1988) I don't think it has dated well. It is interesting to have it set in Sydney, a city I am familiar with, but that didn't quite make up for its lacklustre story and pastiche style. It just didn't seem that contemporary any more (e.g. the repeated references to the Sydney Monorail - a novelty in 1988 but demolished in 2013).
Actually, the style occasionally reminded me a little bit of Neuromancer by William Gibson (1983) but without the appeal. For example, the attempts to create dramatic, poetic descriptions of the emerging digital landscape. Gibson's work has become an enduring SF classic, despite not anticipating things like WiFi. Somehow, Harry Lavender just seems out of date (e.g. some people are even using modems to transfer data!)
I notice The Life and Crimes of Harry Lavender does not appear in the latest prescriptions beginning 2019. Read it if you're keen.
October 27, 2019
in spite of the many negative reviews, I read this after reading the wonderful Lambs of God . Very different, of course, but I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. A perfect noir pastiche. Perhaps you need to be a little older to fully appreciate it, but the computer jargon rang true for the time (I worked in the industry then) and I didn't find the Australian slang confusing except for one word (deros) that eventually explained itself. The descriptive passages were excellent. The flawed italicised text was obviously (to me anyway) part of the plot, not from the narrator. I look forward to reading the rest of the Claudia Valentine series.
March 10, 2022
Too short to be really boring (I managed to finish it after all) but couldn't get with the style at all. Won't be following this author. A bit embarrassed to be putting it back into my Street Library tbh.
September 25, 2022
Introducing Australia’s first female private eye Claudia Valentine.
This book was published over 30 years ago so some of the references, especially the tech ones, are quite dated but it still a fast paced story that takes the reader into the murky underworld of Sydney, the Harbour city.
This book was published over 30 years ago so some of the references, especially the tech ones, are quite dated but it still a fast paced story that takes the reader into the murky underworld of Sydney, the Harbour city.
October 24, 2017
A quick read with some snappy writing. The depiction of Sydney was sharp and interesting.
April 25, 2024
the female version of phillip marlow, a really good book !!
January 6, 2010
I don't like this book. Maybe because our English teacher bore so many aspects of the book into our brains, but I don't think that's exactly the reason why I don't like it.
The mystery (if you can even really call it a mystery) was really lame, in my opinion. The plot was too complicated, maybe because the book was full of computer/tech jargon, and the language as really hard to understand. Day also uses too much Australian slang (which I should know because I'm Australian, but don't) and that's why I don't like it. You have to go really IN-DEPTH to understand what Day is talking about and I don't like that. I like a book that I can understand without going thoroughly into mindless, boring details.
The mystery (if you can even really call it a mystery) was really lame, in my opinion. The plot was too complicated, maybe because the book was full of computer/tech jargon, and the language as really hard to understand. Day also uses too much Australian slang (which I should know because I'm Australian, but don't) and that's why I don't like it. You have to go really IN-DEPTH to understand what Day is talking about and I don't like that. I like a book that I can understand without going thoroughly into mindless, boring details.
May 4, 2015
Claudia Valentine is a private investigator who is asked to look into the death of the brother of an old school friend. The coroner proclaimed the death was not suspicious but a note with the words "terminal illness" was left for the sister and it got her wondering. Claudia follows the clues, the drugs and the computer trail through Harry Lavender's Sydney of the 1980s. Harry has his fingers in every pie - and not as an upstanding citizen.
Claudia is both competent and paranoid but possibly not entirely likeable. The writing is good but the characters weren't engaging enough for me to care about them or the mystery at the centre of the story.
Claudia is both competent and paranoid but possibly not entirely likeable. The writing is good but the characters weren't engaging enough for me to care about them or the mystery at the centre of the story.
May 2, 2010
An old school chum of Claudia's asks her to look into her brother's death. Supposedly a heart attack, she didn't believe it was so.
Right away, things start to happen. A BMW keeps showing up wherever she goes, though it never seems to be following her. Then she discovers the directional device planted under the wheel well.
A boy friend is killed, Claudia gets knocked around, an everyone seems to be looking for a book the brother was working on. "A bestseller!" Hre'd said, but no one can find a manuscript.
What was the book about and where was it?
Right away, things start to happen. A BMW keeps showing up wherever she goes, though it never seems to be following her. Then she discovers the directional device planted under the wheel well.
A boy friend is killed, Claudia gets knocked around, an everyone seems to be looking for a book the brother was working on. "A bestseller!" Hre'd said, but no one can find a manuscript.
What was the book about and where was it?
May 14, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed Day's Delores Delgado
, but found this - her first book - rough and jumpy, and oddly, trying to be a bit existential. OK, but it doesn't encourage me to read more by her.
, but found this - her first book - rough and jumpy, and oddly, trying to be a bit existential. OK, but it doesn't encourage me to read more by her.August 10, 2015
I liked the book, unlike many others here. I love the way that Day described the city of Sydney throughout the novel. I enjoyed Day's writing style in general actually. I thought that the climax lacked a little oomf but otherwise it was an enjoyable and quick read.
January 7, 2008
Reading it for my book group - good Australian crime writing
September 9, 2016
I love the descriptions of Sydney!
December 19, 2014
Read in order to teach to year 12. As far as HSC texts go this is a very good one. The ending is a little formulaic and simplistic though.
Read
March 5, 2024fun and an example of 1980s Sydney - video game arcades as well!
February 12, 2016
I had to read this for school. I wasn't a fan of this. I didn't like the slang and found it hard to follow. The plot was quite boring as well.
March 19, 2016
not bad but not that exciting either, read for first year Uni class.
November 5, 2016
average crime !
Want to read
January 6, 2019Synopsis: the writer Mark Bannister is dead at his computer, and Claudia must play a deadly high-tech game with a crime lord.
May 26, 2020
A quintessentially Australian crime novel and a very clever one too. The story of Claudia Valentine and her quest to solve the mystery is great.
December 16, 2023
I was made to read this book for school. It was slow, boring, predictable,dull, stereotypical and so bad. I would burn this book if I could.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews