What do you think?
Rate this book
Harry Dunkley #1-3
Secret City: The Capital Files
The three novels that inspired the acclaimed Foxtel/Netflix series condensed into one compelling thriller. When seasoned journalist Harry Dunkley is slipped a compromising photograph of a federal MP one frosty Canberra morning, he knows he is onto something big. But the deeper Harry investigates, the more he realises that this photograph is merely the hint of a larger conspiracy at work, and a secret its guardians are willing to kill to protect.
'There are more spies in Canberra than anywhere else in the country' - Chris Uhlmann
'I'd always had this idea of writing a political thriller' - Steve Lewis
'Given the fact that the books are set in Canberra (the capital of Australia), the novels' authors definitely have some solid background in the city's political workings' - Bustle.com
'Political insiders Steve Lewis and Chris Uhlmann bring biting wit and behind-the-headlines insight to this sharply observed novel ... House of Cards, Canberra style' Sunday Canberra Times
'There are more spies in Canberra than anywhere else in the country' - Chris Uhlmann
'I'd always had this idea of writing a political thriller' - Steve Lewis
'Given the fact that the books are set in Canberra (the capital of Australia), the novels' authors definitely have some solid background in the city's political workings' - Bustle.com
'Political insiders Steve Lewis and Chris Uhlmann bring biting wit and behind-the-headlines insight to this sharply observed novel ... House of Cards, Canberra style' Sunday Canberra Times
560 pages, ebook
Published November 1, 2018
2 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 8, 2022
I’ve gone from pandemic dystopia to political intrigue with this trilogy. Apparently there’s a [Netflix ?] tv series but Harry Dunkley has become Harriet (with the amazing Anna Torv playing her). Is Canberra really peopled with such awful types? I think I can answer my own question there 🙄🤷🏻♀️
That being said, I did enjoy the story, the ‘baddie’ wasn’t too obvious and it’s always good when they get their comeuppance.
That being said, I did enjoy the story, the ‘baddie’ wasn’t too obvious and it’s always good when they get their comeuppance.
August 28, 2020
Secret City
is a great thriller about the seedy underbelly of Australian politics. We always hear about America's corruption in government, usually through Hollywood movies or TV shows, but I haven't come across too many Australian ones - not that I go looking for them.
I cannot say that I am drawn to these types of stories, however I thought I might challenge myself with reading one and I was pleasantly surprised. There were lots of twists and turns that made this novel a great read. The characters, namely Harry Dunkley (the reporter) and Martin Toohey (Labor Prime Minister/then former Prime Minister), were well defined and I enjoyed the way they went about things. There were also some characters that I didn't like; which I guess were also well defined and written in a way that brought about those feelings towards them.
The book still hasn't made me want to go out in search of more books like it, but if I come across one, I might not be so quick to overlook it.
I cannot say that I am drawn to these types of stories, however I thought I might challenge myself with reading one and I was pleasantly surprised. There were lots of twists and turns that made this novel a great read. The characters, namely Harry Dunkley (the reporter) and Martin Toohey (Labor Prime Minister/then former Prime Minister), were well defined and I enjoyed the way they went about things. There were also some characters that I didn't like; which I guess were also well defined and written in a way that brought about those feelings towards them.
The book still hasn't made me want to go out in search of more books like it, but if I come across one, I might not be so quick to overlook it.
April 4, 2022
If you like a political drama that has intrigue, treason, spooks, murders, compromises, and the never-ending dance of international relations - then this is the book for you.
Lewis and Uhlmann have put together a narrative that screams along at a pace that reflects the game of politics. The National Press Gallery, as always, is revelling in reporting the goings-on of Canberra and no one likes a scoop more than Harry Dunkley - veteran journalist with an instinct for where a story lies.
However there are powers at play that want to play Dunkley. This takes Dunkley into an intricate plot that may bring down the Australian government. There is also the 'tiny problem' of posturing between the USA and China that may drag the world into the next global conflict.
Who can Dunkley trust? Who will live through this plots? What really is the truth?
Fascinating and riveting.
Lewis and Uhlmann have put together a narrative that screams along at a pace that reflects the game of politics. The National Press Gallery, as always, is revelling in reporting the goings-on of Canberra and no one likes a scoop more than Harry Dunkley - veteran journalist with an instinct for where a story lies.
However there are powers at play that want to play Dunkley. This takes Dunkley into an intricate plot that may bring down the Australian government. There is also the 'tiny problem' of posturing between the USA and China that may drag the world into the next global conflict.
Who can Dunkley trust? Who will live through this plots? What really is the truth?
Fascinating and riveting.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews