The Empty Beach

Cliff Hardy #4

by Peter Corris

When Cliff Hardy, an Australian private detective, investigates an apparent sighting of John Singer, who disappeared two years ago, he encounters a series of murders

Genres: Crime, Fiction, Mystery, Australia

163 pages, Paperback

First published December 12, 1986

About the author

Peter Corris was an Australian academic, historian, journalist and a novelist of historical and crime fiction. His first novel was published in 1980. Corris is credited with reviving the fully-fledged Australian crime novel with local settings and reference points and with a series character firmly rooted in Australian culture, Sydney PI Cliff Hardy. As crime fiction writer, he was described as "the Godfather of contemporary Australian crime-writing".

He won the Lifetime Achievement award at the Ned Kelly Awards for Crime Writing in 1999 and was shortlisted for best novel in 2006 for Saving Billy and in 2007 for The Undertow.

Reviews

[Olga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a masterpiece, but a decent, well-written detective story in which an Australian private detective investigates the disappearance of a businessman. He conducts his investigation mostly against the odds, but never gives up and never loses his ability to see people through or his sense of humour.

[Gary Vassallo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable Cliff Hardy novel. This being one of his early cases where we meet Frank Parker for the first time. Peter Corris never disappoints.

[Darren · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 AND A 1/2 STARS

Not entirely what I want out of a crime fiction novel. Not enough malaise about the world. Not enough disaffection about what capital has driven a man to do. Basically not French enough or French styles enough. I’m still intrigued to read more of Corris’ work especially since this was the middle of a series and maybe that led to some of the issues I had. Lacked any real tensions I thought but Still filled with some snappy dialogue and moved at a brisk enough pace to keep me intrigued

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like Cliff Hardy. He's rough, tough (but sometimes not enough to avoid broken ribs or nose), smart and funny. He's a private detective in Sydney, Australia, and takes on the strangest cases. In this one, a man who supposedly drowned 2 years ago has been reported seen locally. His wife hires Hardy to find out. She and her husband are/were deeply involved in casinos and have shares with 2 partners. Something doesn't ring quite right to Cliff as he takes the case - if everything has been settled, why is she following this lead? He hits her with the question of whether she actually wants him alive or dead. Cliff always meets interesting people in these cases: some nasty, some just interesting, and some helpful. This one is no different. There is also the added attraction of 2 murders that may or may not be a result of Cliff's investigations.

[Jennifer Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter Corris has been a late find for me, an Australian author writing about crime fiction in decades gone by. There is a charming naturalness about his private detective Cliff Hardy that I love although when reading several (short) books in rapid succession his injuries seem outragious! The typical laid back Aussie he writes is entertaining, always polite and caring and extremely successful in solving crimes and even manages a sex life. Great short reads.

[Sam Wiebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional.

[Tom Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story. I will be reading more from this author

[Martin Shilling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good read. Australian crime writing at its best.

[Robert Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

++Finished 01/18/2014. Cliff Hardy is hired by a rich widow to wants him to prove either that her husband is alive or has in fact committed suicide by drown-ing. He centers his investigation on the low lifes of Bondi & in the process two of his informants are murdered. He meets Frank Parker of the Sydney police for the first time in this novel. As it turns out, the widow knows that her husband committed suicide because he had cancer, but had advised her by letter to hire CH to keep his partners/rivals from taking over the properties which he has.++

[Sandy Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic early Cliff Hardy, set around Bondi. We first meet his long-term Police contact Frank Parker. Cliff has given up the smokes but not the drinking. The usual mix of brains and brawn and intuiting and stumbling his way through to a result.

[Bazz Sherwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, now I get it. My first read of Peter Corris was Make Me Rich, and I didn't rate it much. The Empty Beach was a better read and I see why Corris was such a ground breaking and popular author.

[Warren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read at work and at my moms house when I was watching basketball

[Glenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

three and a half rounded up. love this character and the way it is written. the story is only secondary

[Gavan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another entertaining and fast paced Peter Corris book from the Cliff Hardy series. Not intellectual or deep in any distinct way, but very well written. Perfect simple crime book.

[Karla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enjoyed the aussie scenery more than the story. Felt a bit stiff.

[Mumbler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hm. Pretty good.

These are a little disposable, like most detective series. There was a lot to like, though.

Have to think more to decide whether, or how much, I like the twist in this one.

[Andrew Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still rambly but has some tension.