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Wyatt #9
Kill Shot
The latest gripping story in the popular Wyatt thriller series kicks off in Sydney and then unfolds on the beaches of Newcastle
Some people just work better alone. Wyatt’s one of them. He’s been getting by on nice quiet little burglaries—one-man jobs—when he gets wind of something bigger.
A corporate crook, notorious Ponzi schemer, set to face court and certain jail time. He’s about to skip bail the old-fashioned way: on a luxury yacht with a million dollars in cash.
Wyatt thinks it sounds like something he should get into.
He’s not alone.
221 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2018
144 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
About the author
Garry Disher
91 books722 followersGarry Disher was born in 1949 and grew up on his parents' farm in South Australia.
He gained post graduate degrees from Adelaide and Melbourne Universities. In 1978 he was awarded a creative writing fellowship to Stanford University, where he wrote his first short story collection. He travelled widely overseas, before returning to Australia, where he taught creative writing, finally becoming a full time writer in 1988. He has written more than 40 titles, including general and crime fiction, children's books, textbooks, and books about the craft of writing.
He gained post graduate degrees from Adelaide and Melbourne Universities. In 1978 he was awarded a creative writing fellowship to Stanford University, where he wrote his first short story collection. He travelled widely overseas, before returning to Australia, where he taught creative writing, finally becoming a full time writer in 1988. He has written more than 40 titles, including general and crime fiction, children's books, textbooks, and books about the craft of writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
September 18, 2019
Wyatt: Master Thief, pulls off daring, well planned heists, then disappears into the night with no trace. He's been doing small jobs, ticking over, until something much bigger comes his way... Wyatt has just had a tip from a prison insider about the mastermind of a Ponzi scheme, who is being closely looked at by the law. The tipoff says the crook has ferreted away over a million dollars and is about to skip the country on a luxury yacht. Wyatt decides that this is one payoff he needs to be in on, and so sets about stealing from a thief. As the action moves from Sydney to Newcastle we're along for the ride as Wyatt goes about his surveillance and planning for the robbery. Yet, he's not the only one after the loot, and he's got a dogged policeman on his tail!
I found Kill Shot to be a wonderful, engrossing thriller, quick to get through and unputdownable. None of the characters are particularly likeable, yet this only makes the novel more believable. A first rate read.
My thanks to Text Publishing for a copy to read and review. The opinions are entirely my own.
I found Kill Shot to be a wonderful, engrossing thriller, quick to get through and unputdownable. None of the characters are particularly likeable, yet this only makes the novel more believable. A first rate read.
My thanks to Text Publishing for a copy to read and review. The opinions are entirely my own.
February 20, 2020
I went into this not knowing it was #9 in a series. It turned out to be really good, and I liked Wyatt very much despite the fact that he is a professional thief. He is one of those very smart criminals who you want to see succeed and not get caught.
Also good was the setting - Sydney and Newcastle (the Australian one) and lots of places I know well. It is always pleasant to read a book based on home soil. The story was excellent with lots of action and near misses.
So now I have another series to read . I wonder how many I am actually juggling at the moment. Best not to count:) Just keep on reading.
Also good was the setting - Sydney and Newcastle (the Australian one) and lots of places I know well. It is always pleasant to read a book based on home soil. The story was excellent with lots of action and near misses.
So now I have another series to read . I wonder how many I am actually juggling at the moment. Best not to count:) Just keep on reading.
December 4, 2018
4.5★s
When Wyatt’s contact notified him of the person in Newcastle who was due to face court and was sure to end up in jail for a long time, Wyatt was definitely interested. It was the extra information that made him sure it would be worth his while. Wyatt was a crook. A thief who could do pretty much anything and get away with everything. But would the lure of a big cash payday be his undoing?
Travelling from Sydney to Newcastle, Wyatt set himself up in a nondescript residence and prepared to watch and wait. But as his investigation deepened, so did the feeling of danger tweak his senses. Did he recognize that person from Sydney? Or was paranoia making him jumpy? Would this be one job he’d have to let go?
Kill Shot by Aussie author Garry Disher is the 9th in the Wyatt series, and another fantastic episode. How and why do we readers like Wyatt? It seems to me that even though he’s a “bad” guy, his determination, courage, grit and tenacity are endearing. Set mostly in my home town, all the suburbs were familiar; the beaches, the mention of places to the north of Newcastle – all well-known by me! An excellent, tension-filled read which I highly recommend.
With thanks to Text Publishing for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
When Wyatt’s contact notified him of the person in Newcastle who was due to face court and was sure to end up in jail for a long time, Wyatt was definitely interested. It was the extra information that made him sure it would be worth his while. Wyatt was a crook. A thief who could do pretty much anything and get away with everything. But would the lure of a big cash payday be his undoing?
Travelling from Sydney to Newcastle, Wyatt set himself up in a nondescript residence and prepared to watch and wait. But as his investigation deepened, so did the feeling of danger tweak his senses. Did he recognize that person from Sydney? Or was paranoia making him jumpy? Would this be one job he’d have to let go?
Kill Shot by Aussie author Garry Disher is the 9th in the Wyatt series, and another fantastic episode. How and why do we readers like Wyatt? It seems to me that even though he’s a “bad” guy, his determination, courage, grit and tenacity are endearing. Set mostly in my home town, all the suburbs were familiar; the beaches, the mention of places to the north of Newcastle – all well-known by me! An excellent, tension-filled read which I highly recommend.
With thanks to Text Publishing for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
November 13, 2018
Kill Shot is the ninth book in the Wyatt series by award-wining Australian author, Garry Disher. Wyatt is a thief. He’s a pretty successful thief because he’s efficient, unsentimental, discriminating, well-prepared, inventive, very careful and ever vigilant. Just lately, he’s doing his thieving in Sydney, because his broker for the thefts, Sam Kramer is in Watervale prison: they exchange information when Sam’s on day-release. They have a neat arrangement that benefits both Wyatt and Sam’s family.
But Sam’s son, Joshua would like a bigger share of the money Wyatt is holding in trust, to service his own failing businesses and his leisure activities, including his cocaine habit. He mentions the arrangement to his friend, Afghanistan vet Nick Lazar. Meanwhile, Wyatt checks out a very lucrative proposition: crooked financial advisor, Jack Tremayne is under investigation by the Securities and Investments Probity Commission and Kramer is convinced he’s planning to skip the country soon with the million he has safely stashed.
As Wyatt sets about establishing whether there really is a stash and where it might be, all the while staying under the radar, it seems his vigilance has not been sufficient: a certain detective sergeant has a bead on him. And if there’s a stash, Wyatt’s not the only one interested.
Disher gives the reader another excellent dose of Aussie crime fiction in which Wyatt: assumes and discards several identities, abodes and vehicles; hires or steals cars and boats as the situation requires; dons disguises; places and follows multiple GPS trackers; buys a drone; performs a bit of fancy boatwork; and acquires another gunshot scar. The plot takes several twists and there is plenty of action. Wyatt fans will not be disappointed and the next instalment will be eagerly anticipated.
But Sam’s son, Joshua would like a bigger share of the money Wyatt is holding in trust, to service his own failing businesses and his leisure activities, including his cocaine habit. He mentions the arrangement to his friend, Afghanistan vet Nick Lazar. Meanwhile, Wyatt checks out a very lucrative proposition: crooked financial advisor, Jack Tremayne is under investigation by the Securities and Investments Probity Commission and Kramer is convinced he’s planning to skip the country soon with the million he has safely stashed.
As Wyatt sets about establishing whether there really is a stash and where it might be, all the while staying under the radar, it seems his vigilance has not been sufficient: a certain detective sergeant has a bead on him. And if there’s a stash, Wyatt’s not the only one interested.
Disher gives the reader another excellent dose of Aussie crime fiction in which Wyatt: assumes and discards several identities, abodes and vehicles; hires or steals cars and boats as the situation requires; dons disguises; places and follows multiple GPS trackers; buys a drone; performs a bit of fancy boatwork; and acquires another gunshot scar. The plot takes several twists and there is plenty of action. Wyatt fans will not be disappointed and the next instalment will be eagerly anticipated.
February 9, 2022
While I've previously read (and loved) Garry Disher's Hirschhausen series and his recent standalone The Way it is Now, I'd never before read anything from his Wyatt series. Although it's the ninth instalment in the series, I thoroughly enjoyed Kill Shot, and will now be making time to read the series from the start.
In contrast to Disher's other works, this series features a protagonist - the mononymous Wyatt - who is on the "wrong" side of the law. He's a shadowy, but strangely sympathetic, character who bides his time carrying out burglaries when he's between more major "projects". One such project comes Wyatt's way when he receives a tip-off from a prison contact about a nefarious businessman in Newcastle (Australia), who's about to jump bail on a yacht, with a tidy sum in dodgy liquid assets aboard. We follow Wyatt as he undertakes surveillance, picking apart the complex web of information required to pull off the job, all the time needing to keep one step ahead of both his rivals for the loot and the persistent Detective Sergeant Greg Muecke.
With its multiple perspectives and complex, fast-moving plot, Kill Shot is an engrossing read, hard to put down once started. Wyatt is an engaging anti-hero and the supporting cast of characters, on both sides of the law, are well developed and convincing. Disher's characteristically stylish and deceptively straightforward prose and punchy dialogue make this a very high quality example of modern Australian Noir. It's a great read.
In contrast to Disher's other works, this series features a protagonist - the mononymous Wyatt - who is on the "wrong" side of the law. He's a shadowy, but strangely sympathetic, character who bides his time carrying out burglaries when he's between more major "projects". One such project comes Wyatt's way when he receives a tip-off from a prison contact about a nefarious businessman in Newcastle (Australia), who's about to jump bail on a yacht, with a tidy sum in dodgy liquid assets aboard. We follow Wyatt as he undertakes surveillance, picking apart the complex web of information required to pull off the job, all the time needing to keep one step ahead of both his rivals for the loot and the persistent Detective Sergeant Greg Muecke.
With its multiple perspectives and complex, fast-moving plot, Kill Shot is an engrossing read, hard to put down once started. Wyatt is an engaging anti-hero and the supporting cast of characters, on both sides of the law, are well developed and convincing. Disher's characteristically stylish and deceptively straightforward prose and punchy dialogue make this a very high quality example of modern Australian Noir. It's a great read.
Read
March 27, 2019‘Disher’s Wyatt series is one of the joys of Australian crime fiction. If you’re a fan of hard-boiled crime, they’re some of the best around.’
Weekend NZ Herald
‘The brilliance of these stories is that, as the plot unfolds, it becomes increasingly obvious that the real villains are lawyers, financiers and bankers…Million dollar yachts, expensive cars and elaborate Ponzi schemes all provide the backdrop for an engaging read.’
Good Reading Magazine
Weekend NZ Herald
‘The brilliance of these stories is that, as the plot unfolds, it becomes increasingly obvious that the real villains are lawyers, financiers and bankers…Million dollar yachts, expensive cars and elaborate Ponzi schemes all provide the backdrop for an engaging read.’
Good Reading Magazine
April 21, 2019
(Wyatt) had already isolated the main exit points and was preternaturally aware of the guards and any other men or women in uniform…the other day-release men continued to dig and fork and scrape.
‘When things went pear-shaped for Tremayne and Roden, they started stashing money away. Roden’s went on fines and legal costs, but he reckons Tremayne salted away close to a million in liquid assets. He intends to skip the country when things get too hot.’
That was the job. Relieve Tremayne of his million.
In Kill Shot Garry Disher’s anti-hero Wyatt, master thief of artworks, rare books and bank notes, who changes disguise and works alone, is working in Sydney, fed information on heists by Sam Kramer, in jail for swindling investors, via his family. But as in the best and worst of families there is a loose cannon in the son, Joshua, cut out of the loop due to his ice addiction, who is in contact with a former Commando running a security company – both needing money.
"The job" takes Wyatt north to Newcastle where he sets up surveillance on his target, the unfaithful wife, the lawyer, and the best friend who had made money out of Tremayne’s schemes and wisely shifted it elsewhere. But as Wyatt outwits the people tagging Tremayne, he himself is hunted by DS Muecke from Property Crime in Sydney.
For a while I was bemused by the plot, switching locations between Sydney and Newcastle, between Wyatt, Tremayne and Muecke, the wayward son and the prison where Sam Kramer and Tremayne’s former business partner are serving sentences, and sliding in a yacht with minor characters, holed up in a rundown shipyard for repairs -apparently out of left field. Aside from the unsavoury characters, dead bodies, low-level violence and sex scenes, I was drawn in by Disher’s descriptions of the countryside.
(Wyatt) U-turned and began the drive south to Sydney, a steady advance down a slow inland route to avoid the police. This hinterland was edgily desolate at night: small towns, farmhouse and emptiness. His headlights shaped the unwinding bitumen, nocturnal contours he couldn’t make sense of. The eyes of occasional creatures glinting as they assessed him.
And finally, everything fits together: Tremayne gets his just deserts and Wyatt quietly leaves the scene. Another intriguing read in an excellent series.
‘When things went pear-shaped for Tremayne and Roden, they started stashing money away. Roden’s went on fines and legal costs, but he reckons Tremayne salted away close to a million in liquid assets. He intends to skip the country when things get too hot.’
That was the job. Relieve Tremayne of his million.
In Kill Shot Garry Disher’s anti-hero Wyatt, master thief of artworks, rare books and bank notes, who changes disguise and works alone, is working in Sydney, fed information on heists by Sam Kramer, in jail for swindling investors, via his family. But as in the best and worst of families there is a loose cannon in the son, Joshua, cut out of the loop due to his ice addiction, who is in contact with a former Commando running a security company – both needing money.
"The job" takes Wyatt north to Newcastle where he sets up surveillance on his target, the unfaithful wife, the lawyer, and the best friend who had made money out of Tremayne’s schemes and wisely shifted it elsewhere. But as Wyatt outwits the people tagging Tremayne, he himself is hunted by DS Muecke from Property Crime in Sydney.
For a while I was bemused by the plot, switching locations between Sydney and Newcastle, between Wyatt, Tremayne and Muecke, the wayward son and the prison where Sam Kramer and Tremayne’s former business partner are serving sentences, and sliding in a yacht with minor characters, holed up in a rundown shipyard for repairs -apparently out of left field. Aside from the unsavoury characters, dead bodies, low-level violence and sex scenes, I was drawn in by Disher’s descriptions of the countryside.
(Wyatt) U-turned and began the drive south to Sydney, a steady advance down a slow inland route to avoid the police. This hinterland was edgily desolate at night: small towns, farmhouse and emptiness. His headlights shaped the unwinding bitumen, nocturnal contours he couldn’t make sense of. The eyes of occasional creatures glinting as they assessed him.
And finally, everything fits together: Tremayne gets his just deserts and Wyatt quietly leaves the scene. Another intriguing read in an excellent series.
December 5, 2018
Plan for the best, expect the worst, note the exit points.
Good bit of general life advice this, although at the time Wyatt is standing, motionless, waiting for any signs his entry into the house he's about to rob has been noticed. Perhaps not a recommended scenario for the rest of us. Mind you, Wyatt doesn't get noticed that often, and even when people think they know who he is, pinning him down will always prove more difficult than they could possibly imagine. Even going home is an exercise in watching for Wyatt:
Still he waited, the night swollen with the sounds he was accustomed to. Another half-hour passed before he crossed the street and let himself in. He sat in an armchair for some time, thinking about the evening. He'd made no errors. There was nothing to improve on.
After all these years, you'd like to think that Wyatt has his act together. His constant vigilance, his care, precision and cautiousness, combined with a willingness to simply walk away at the slightest sign of interest in him is a well crafted routine. Which is just as well, because in KILL SHOT, there are a few people actively looking for him.
He's not a complete loner, so he has weak points, vulnerabilities. It's his working relationship, veering towards friendship with Kramer, that makes him particularly vulnerable. Kramer is the man who passes potential heist targets onto him, arranges the fences, let's him know any intelligence that will help make sure that whatever the job, it's done quickly, quietly and most importantly anonymously. The personal is what makes him vulnerable though. In the past there was something, short and sweet with Kramer's daughter Phoebe, but now that Kramer is in jail, and Phoebe is caring for her disabled mother, Wyatt's role is to ensure that the proceeds of any joint jobs are trickle fed to the family. It's not perfect but the authorities haven't taken their eyes off the Kramer family and they would dearly like to track down the proceeds of crime that Wyatt has salted away for them. Pity that Kramer's son Josh is an idiot, who somehow manages to drop Wyatt's existence (and that of the money) into the ear of a very dodgy security guard - Lazar's security firm is going broke and a nice stash of cash is exactly what he'd like.
Meanwhile a Newcastle cop's instincts are working overtime and glimpses of an unknown, lean, precise, watchful bloke poking around where he shouldn't be are enough to ring some loud bells, even if every other cop working all the related jobs thinks that DS Greg Muecke is on a wild goose chase.
The Wyatt novels are predictable on many levels. Always there is the basic modus operandi of the man himself. The cautious, controlled, cold robber - the man who uses the money he makes to survive, never to enjoy. The lone-wolf character with a basic moral compass that may not match everyone else's, but it's there and extremely visible. The Wyatt novels are also wonderfully unpredictable on many levels. There are glimpses of loss, of regret and even a bit of longing in places. There are signs of humanity, the slightest hint of personal feelings.
All of this is delivered in the classic pared down, matter of fact manner that's part of expectations that a reader is well within their rights to have when picking up the latest Wyatt novel. Garry Disher is one of the great writers that Australia has produced, and should be celebrating. His consummate skill in creating a character that's so wrong on so many levels and yet engaging, sympathetic and ... likeable is evident, and KILL SHOT delivers on the expected and unexpected in equal measure.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
January 13, 2021
Kill Shot is the ninth book in the Wyatt series by award-wining Australian author, Garry Disher. The audio version is narrated by Dorje Swallow. Wyatt is a thief. He’s a pretty successful thief because he’s efficient, unsentimental, discriminating, well-prepared, inventive, very careful and ever vigilant. Just lately, he’s doing his thieving in Sydney, because his broker for the thefts, Sam Kramer is in Watervale prison: they exchange information when Sam’s on day-release. They have a neat arrangement that benefits both Wyatt and Sam’s family.
But Sam’s son, Joshua would like a bigger share of the money Wyatt is holding in trust, to service his own failing businesses and his leisure activities, including his cocaine habit. He mentions the arrangement to his friend, Afghanistan vet Nick Lazar. Meanwhile, Wyatt checks out a very lucrative proposition: crooked financial advisor, Jack Tremayne is under investigation by the Securities and Investments Probity Commission and Kramer is convinced he’s planning to skip the country soon with the million he has safely stashed.
As Wyatt sets about establishing whether there really is a stash and where it might be, all the while staying under the radar, it seems his vigilance has not been sufficient: a certain detective sergeant has a bead on him. And if there’s a stash, Wyatt’s not the only one interested.
Disher gives the reader another excellent dose of Aussie crime fiction in which Wyatt: assumes and discards several identities, abodes and vehicles; hires or steals cars and boats as the situation requires; dons disguises; places and follows multiple GPS trackers; buys a drone; performs a bit of fancy boatwork; and acquires another gunshot scar. The plot takes several twists and there is plenty of action. Wyatt fans will not be disappointed and the next instalment will be eagerly anticipated.
But Sam’s son, Joshua would like a bigger share of the money Wyatt is holding in trust, to service his own failing businesses and his leisure activities, including his cocaine habit. He mentions the arrangement to his friend, Afghanistan vet Nick Lazar. Meanwhile, Wyatt checks out a very lucrative proposition: crooked financial advisor, Jack Tremayne is under investigation by the Securities and Investments Probity Commission and Kramer is convinced he’s planning to skip the country soon with the million he has safely stashed.
As Wyatt sets about establishing whether there really is a stash and where it might be, all the while staying under the radar, it seems his vigilance has not been sufficient: a certain detective sergeant has a bead on him. And if there’s a stash, Wyatt’s not the only one interested.
Disher gives the reader another excellent dose of Aussie crime fiction in which Wyatt: assumes and discards several identities, abodes and vehicles; hires or steals cars and boats as the situation requires; dons disguises; places and follows multiple GPS trackers; buys a drone; performs a bit of fancy boatwork; and acquires another gunshot scar. The plot takes several twists and there is plenty of action. Wyatt fans will not be disappointed and the next instalment will be eagerly anticipated.
November 10, 2018
Text publishing kindly gave me a copy of this latest book by Gary Disher to read and review. Wyatt is a master thief who breaks into people’s homes to steal their property for profit so you would think he’d be the least likeable character in the book, wrong. He’s such a tightly drawn character with all the wiles of a cunning fox but the kind of fox you want to escape the pack chasing him. I found myself almost looking over my own shoulder to see who might be following, Disher is very good at creating tension. It’s especially good to read about recognisable places, Coogee Beach, Centennial Park, Newcastle, and people like the laconic prisoners on day release weeding council garden plots. It’s probably a book which will appeal to readers who enjoy the Jack Irish series. A good fast paced tale of mean characters who you wouldn’t want to meet in real life.
August 11, 2020
Kill Shot is book nine in the Wyatt series by Garry Disher. Wyatt started a new life in Sydney doing small burglaries jobs. Wyatt needed more money, so when he heard about a job that involves a hefty paycheck, Wyatt agrees to get involved. However, Wyatt was not the only one who was interested in the money. The readers of Kill Shot will continue to follow Wyatt to find out what happens.
Kill Shot is an enjoyable book to read. I love this series, and I engaged with the plot of Kill Shot from the first page. Love Garry Disher portrayal of his characters and the way they intertwine with each other throughout this book. I like Garry Disher's writing style, and his way of describing the settings of Kill Shot that complement the plot of this book.
The readers of Kill Shot will understand what a Ponzi scheme is and the consequences for the people involved are. Also, the readers of Kill Shot will learn about living in Newcastle and Sydney.
I recommend this book.
Kill Shot is an enjoyable book to read. I love this series, and I engaged with the plot of Kill Shot from the first page. Love Garry Disher portrayal of his characters and the way they intertwine with each other throughout this book. I like Garry Disher's writing style, and his way of describing the settings of Kill Shot that complement the plot of this book.
The readers of Kill Shot will understand what a Ponzi scheme is and the consequences for the people involved are. Also, the readers of Kill Shot will learn about living in Newcastle and Sydney.
I recommend this book.
February 23, 2020
Another enjoyable Wyatt story. This one is a bit more complicated (not a negative) as Wyatt is chasing another bad guy to steal his hidden loot while being chased himself by the cops. The ending in the lagoon is perhaps a bit over the top... nevertheless Disher delivers.
November 12, 2018
"Plan for the best, expect the worst, note the exit points."
Kill Shot is the ninth book in Garry Disher's 'Wyatt' series of heist novels. Wyatt is a one-man operation; a professional thief with no personal connections, and that's the way he likes it. It's the way we like it too, with Wyatt's preference for old-fashioned loot (cash, jewels, art, collectibles) rendering him an easily likeable crook who chases the spoils of crooks we love to hate. In Kill Shot, Wyatt has notorious corporate criminal and Ponzi schemer Jack Tremayne in his sights, but it's soon clear that Wyatt isn't alone in his target.
Kill Shot follows the Wyatt formula beautifully: a job > a betrayal > revenge. But around this seemingly simple arc dances an interplay of minor characters and subplots that results in the kind of satisfaction that very few authors can pull-off regularly the way that Disher does. The balance of plot with character is just right, but it's the setting that brings the story to life.
Full review at: http://dogeared.reviews/reviews/Kill-...
April 4, 2020
I am conflicted about this book. Miss Moral speaking here, the protagonist Wyatt is a thief, a killer, violent when necessary, but somehow he’s the hero?! Troubles me a bit but I read on anyway. He’s clever, has idea he’s keeping the balance of the universe right . Please. Ok, almost every other character is more wicked, thieving, deceitful and cruel. And it’s fast paced, action packed at times. It’s a popular series apparently, says it all.
Ebook from BorrowBox
Ebook from BorrowBox
July 10, 2023
The perfect thief?
This is the latest in the series of novels by Garry Disher about the enigmatic Wyatt, a master thief who plies his trade in Australia. Wyatt has been committing high end thefts for 20 years without being caught or even identified by the police.
Various police agencies know about some of the jobs Wyatt has done, but they know nothing about the man. That's because he is obsessively secretive. He has no family or social relationships through which he can be traced. When he is working in an area, he lives in a place that he can walk away from literally at a moment's notice if he believes it has been spotted. If his place is searched by police either before or after he leaves, they will find nothing - money, stolen goods, and identity or travel documents are always kept elsewhere. His first act on going to any location for work, day or night, is to check the area for the best escape route in case something goes wrong and he is pursued. He prefers to work alone, rather than with a team. The people he does deal with, primarily "fences" who refer jobs to him and who dispose of the goods, know almost as little about him as the police do. In short, he seems like the perfect thief.
That doesn't mean he has no worries. After 20 years, surveillance and security technology are becoming too sophisticated for him to handle without help. Since he prefers to work alone, that's a problem. He wants to focus on big jobs, but only those he can do by himself. So when a fence points him to an investment manager who is being investigated for running a Ponzi scheme and who may have hidden a large amount of cash that he plans to abscond with, Wyatt is interested. To succeed, he has to learn enough about the target to figure out where the stash is and get to it before the man takes it and runs. And he's not the only one who wants to grab what the man is rumored to have. The story is similar to a police procedural - except that the person conducting the investigation is a criminal, not a cop, and his objective is not to solve a crime but to commit one.
What is impressive about Wyatt is not only his careful and secretive nature, but his relentlessness. He's quite willing to walk away from a job if he thinks the risk of being caught has become too great. But if he doesn't think that is true, he will keep going despite any setbacks until he gets what he's after. Highly recommended.
This is the latest in the series of novels by Garry Disher about the enigmatic Wyatt, a master thief who plies his trade in Australia. Wyatt has been committing high end thefts for 20 years without being caught or even identified by the police.
Various police agencies know about some of the jobs Wyatt has done, but they know nothing about the man. That's because he is obsessively secretive. He has no family or social relationships through which he can be traced. When he is working in an area, he lives in a place that he can walk away from literally at a moment's notice if he believes it has been spotted. If his place is searched by police either before or after he leaves, they will find nothing - money, stolen goods, and identity or travel documents are always kept elsewhere. His first act on going to any location for work, day or night, is to check the area for the best escape route in case something goes wrong and he is pursued. He prefers to work alone, rather than with a team. The people he does deal with, primarily "fences" who refer jobs to him and who dispose of the goods, know almost as little about him as the police do. In short, he seems like the perfect thief.
That doesn't mean he has no worries. After 20 years, surveillance and security technology are becoming too sophisticated for him to handle without help. Since he prefers to work alone, that's a problem. He wants to focus on big jobs, but only those he can do by himself. So when a fence points him to an investment manager who is being investigated for running a Ponzi scheme and who may have hidden a large amount of cash that he plans to abscond with, Wyatt is interested. To succeed, he has to learn enough about the target to figure out where the stash is and get to it before the man takes it and runs. And he's not the only one who wants to grab what the man is rumored to have. The story is similar to a police procedural - except that the person conducting the investigation is a criminal, not a cop, and his objective is not to solve a crime but to commit one.
What is impressive about Wyatt is not only his careful and secretive nature, but his relentlessness. He's quite willing to walk away from a job if he thinks the risk of being caught has become too great. But if he doesn't think that is true, he will keep going despite any setbacks until he gets what he's after. Highly recommended.
December 12, 2018
This was my first journey into Disher’s Wyatt series of novels, and it was enjoyable.
Wyatt is a man beyond the law, a criminal on the outskirts of society and always ready to run. He steals to make his money, yet he is likeable as a main character; an antihero. Wyatt finds himself involved in a spiderweb scheme of embezzlement and bankruptcy, making money for his accomplice who is in prison.
What happens next is a string of related, yet vastly different, plot lines that all lead to Wyatt’s current job. There is a variety of characters from both sides of the law, and everything in between. Each of them play their roles, with only a minor few being enjoyable.
I found Disher’s style easy to read and enjoyable, with no word existing without a purpose. Each sentence is necessary and engaging. I felt like I was reading a Bond novel at times, and often forgot that Wyatt was a criminal.
If you like crime thrillers, then you’ll love Kill Shot.
Thanks to Text Publishing for the free copy to review.
Wyatt is a man beyond the law, a criminal on the outskirts of society and always ready to run. He steals to make his money, yet he is likeable as a main character; an antihero. Wyatt finds himself involved in a spiderweb scheme of embezzlement and bankruptcy, making money for his accomplice who is in prison.
What happens next is a string of related, yet vastly different, plot lines that all lead to Wyatt’s current job. There is a variety of characters from both sides of the law, and everything in between. Each of them play their roles, with only a minor few being enjoyable.
I found Disher’s style easy to read and enjoyable, with no word existing without a purpose. Each sentence is necessary and engaging. I felt like I was reading a Bond novel at times, and often forgot that Wyatt was a criminal.
If you like crime thrillers, then you’ll love Kill Shot.
Thanks to Text Publishing for the free copy to review.
February 25, 2019
Thrilling, action packed and entertaining
April 16, 2019
Another good Wyatt read from Garry Disher. I haven’t read all - I guess I will get around to it eventually!
January 12, 2020
3 1/2. A fun action packed thriller where the hero is also a criminal. While quite stereotypical in character there was plenty of interesting plot to propel me through this one.
November 5, 2018
My first Wyatt thriller - but it will not be my last. I am going back to read the others. Stylish, concise and exciting.
February 22, 2019
Recommended to me by a colleague this was my first foray into the Wyatt series. I felt it got off to a slow start, but it definitely picks up for a tense and exciting finale. Wyatt is a loner thief who operates outside of the law with a sense of impunity so we are definitely in anti-hero territory here. I didn’t think there was anything to particularly distinguish the Wyatt character from others of his ilk, so that probably weakened the book a little bit for me. But this may be because I have come late to the party
as this is the eighth or ninth book in the series. The quite extensive cast of villains are truly awful (as even Wyatt states at one point!) and all get their comeuppance in one way or another. The detective on Wyatt’s trail is one of the only sympathetic characters but Disher knows we will be rooting for Wyatt by the end! I enjoyed the setting of the book – Sydney and surrounds and thought that Disher did a good job of bringing it to life. Whilst not a member of the recent new wave of Australian crime writers Disher’s experience means he knows his way around a plot and if you stick with this book there will ultimately be a payoff.
as this is the eighth or ninth book in the series. The quite extensive cast of villains are truly awful (as even Wyatt states at one point!) and all get their comeuppance in one way or another. The detective on Wyatt’s trail is one of the only sympathetic characters but Disher knows we will be rooting for Wyatt by the end! I enjoyed the setting of the book – Sydney and surrounds and thought that Disher did a good job of bringing it to life. Whilst not a member of the recent new wave of Australian crime writers Disher’s experience means he knows his way around a plot and if you stick with this book there will ultimately be a payoff.
September 28, 2021
Wyatt hat diesmal einen Typen im Visier, der mit einer Art Schneeballsystem Anleger geprellt hat. Doch wie immer ist er nicht als einziger hinter der Beute her und diesmal wird es für Wyatt richtig eng.
Gangsterroman aus Australien, wie immer (Band 8) routiniert, schnörkellos und lässig vorgetragen. Souverän und gut.
Gangsterroman aus Australien, wie immer (Band 8) routiniert, schnörkellos und lässig vorgetragen. Souverän und gut.
August 21, 2019
Wyatt is almost spectral as he shifts unseen through a corrupt world, an inscrutable villain doing what he does best - stinging the stingers. No qualms from Wyatt as he tracks ruthless, avaricious people and their hidden treasures, taking back what is not rightfully theirs and passing it on. I read 'Kill Shot' early January but since it has just been Shortlisted in the Ned Kelly Awards for Australian Crime Writing 2019, I thought I'd post an extract from my blog review.
After some quick research, Wyatt learns his target is corporate financier Jack Tremayne who is being investigated by the Probity Commission and facing jail time for a Ponzi scheme which ripped off innocent people and made him rich. Tremayne appears likely to abscond with the lot. Before he escapes the country, Wyatt’s task is to find the assets he’s hidden, a million in cash, shares and bonds. The trouble is several other felonious characters are interested in the hidden million, working just as hard as Wyatt to find it.
Full of neat plot twists ‘Kill Shot’ is number 9 of this tightly written series. As the title suggests, we know there will be inescapable violence along the way. The drama starts in Sydney NSW and unfolds around the beachside homes in Newcastle before progressing through to yachting marinas and beyond. For me, the sense of place came through strongly.
Amid the rising tension, several players emerge to join the action including trophy wife Lynx Tremayne; Will DeLacey the Tremayne lawyer; Mark Impey nervous investor; and my personal favourite Property Crimes DS Greg Muecke who gets in the way of Robbery & Serious Crimes division as he relentlessly follows Wyatt’s trail. A knowing man but usually one step behind.
Author Garry Disher is adept at getting inside the morally deficient minds of the criminal fraternity Wyatt encounters, tearing down their respectable facades, releasing their foibles bit by bit until cruel, cunning personalities emerge - those who will fight hard to steal a valuable prize. And fight even harder when they find out Wyatt is closing in.
The ending is not what I expected which makes the story even more enthralling. I wish Garry Disher all the best for a successful outcome for 'Kill Shot' in the Ned Kelly Awards.
♥ Gretchen Bernet-Ward
After some quick research, Wyatt learns his target is corporate financier Jack Tremayne who is being investigated by the Probity Commission and facing jail time for a Ponzi scheme which ripped off innocent people and made him rich. Tremayne appears likely to abscond with the lot. Before he escapes the country, Wyatt’s task is to find the assets he’s hidden, a million in cash, shares and bonds. The trouble is several other felonious characters are interested in the hidden million, working just as hard as Wyatt to find it.
Full of neat plot twists ‘Kill Shot’ is number 9 of this tightly written series. As the title suggests, we know there will be inescapable violence along the way. The drama starts in Sydney NSW and unfolds around the beachside homes in Newcastle before progressing through to yachting marinas and beyond. For me, the sense of place came through strongly.
Amid the rising tension, several players emerge to join the action including trophy wife Lynx Tremayne; Will DeLacey the Tremayne lawyer; Mark Impey nervous investor; and my personal favourite Property Crimes DS Greg Muecke who gets in the way of Robbery & Serious Crimes division as he relentlessly follows Wyatt’s trail. A knowing man but usually one step behind.
Author Garry Disher is adept at getting inside the morally deficient minds of the criminal fraternity Wyatt encounters, tearing down their respectable facades, releasing their foibles bit by bit until cruel, cunning personalities emerge - those who will fight hard to steal a valuable prize. And fight even harder when they find out Wyatt is closing in.
The ending is not what I expected which makes the story even more enthralling. I wish Garry Disher all the best for a successful outcome for 'Kill Shot' in the Ned Kelly Awards.
♥ Gretchen Bernet-Ward
May 19, 2022
Another satisfying Wyatt thriller, though it follows a pretty established approach being ninth in the series!
In ‘Kill Shot’, Wyatt is alerted to possible heists by Kramer, a trusted broker doing time in a Sydney prison. Kramer’s contacts feed him information which he passes to Wyatt during day-release outings. This setup works fine until Kramer’s wastrel son Josh decides he wants some of his father’s cut and sets out to trap Wyatt. Meanwhile, Wyatt is alerted to the possible ‘secret stash’ of a corporate criminal facing court and jail-time, and heads to Newcastle. He has to try to verify the stash and steal it before the ‘crook’ does a runner. The crook’s wife, lawyer and investor/friend are all suspicious characters. A dogged police detective is pursuing the case too and he becomes an extra problem for Wyatt to deal with. How Wyatt deduces the truth, eludes the police and survives a sniper attack from Josh’s ex-Army buddy makes for exciting reading. His obsessive methods of changing his appearance, his vehicles, his accomodation and his surveillance make up a lot of the action but it makes him a believable ‘pro’. As for the ‘stash’, let’s just say that Wyatt always gets his man!
The cop is actually NOT corrupt which is nice for a change, but there are lots of nasty characters in this book which makes it easy to root for Wyatt. His use of new technology such as GPS trackers and drones shows he’s moving with the times even though he’s an old-school crim! There’s a tentative romance with Kramer’s daughter which is left hanging but I’m not expecting much. Wyatt doesn’t do long-term intimacy!
I don’t know how many more Wyatt novels Disher will write, but I’d like to see a bit more change in future instalments. How much of a ‘nest-egg’ does Wyatt need before retirement? I know he loves the challenge of planning and executing a heist but can he use his instincts and experience in some other caper? Could he ‘mentor’ a younger thief? Is he destined to be ‘a loner’?
In ‘Kill Shot’, Wyatt is alerted to possible heists by Kramer, a trusted broker doing time in a Sydney prison. Kramer’s contacts feed him information which he passes to Wyatt during day-release outings. This setup works fine until Kramer’s wastrel son Josh decides he wants some of his father’s cut and sets out to trap Wyatt. Meanwhile, Wyatt is alerted to the possible ‘secret stash’ of a corporate criminal facing court and jail-time, and heads to Newcastle. He has to try to verify the stash and steal it before the ‘crook’ does a runner. The crook’s wife, lawyer and investor/friend are all suspicious characters. A dogged police detective is pursuing the case too and he becomes an extra problem for Wyatt to deal with. How Wyatt deduces the truth, eludes the police and survives a sniper attack from Josh’s ex-Army buddy makes for exciting reading. His obsessive methods of changing his appearance, his vehicles, his accomodation and his surveillance make up a lot of the action but it makes him a believable ‘pro’. As for the ‘stash’, let’s just say that Wyatt always gets his man!
The cop is actually NOT corrupt which is nice for a change, but there are lots of nasty characters in this book which makes it easy to root for Wyatt. His use of new technology such as GPS trackers and drones shows he’s moving with the times even though he’s an old-school crim! There’s a tentative romance with Kramer’s daughter which is left hanging but I’m not expecting much. Wyatt doesn’t do long-term intimacy!
I don’t know how many more Wyatt novels Disher will write, but I’d like to see a bit more change in future instalments. How much of a ‘nest-egg’ does Wyatt need before retirement? I know he loves the challenge of planning and executing a heist but can he use his instincts and experience in some other caper? Could he ‘mentor’ a younger thief? Is he destined to be ‘a loner’?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2018
Not quite as nasty as some of Garry Disher's books, this still has some shock moments, especially towards the end, when, as always, the worst of the bad guys get their comeuppance.
Wyatt, of course is a bad guy too, because he's a thief, and a highly successful one, yet we feel as much sympathy towards him as we do towards the policeman who's on his trail. Disher's writing plays with our sympathies as always: why do we care about what happens to Wyatt? He's up to no good...except, that he is doing some good behind the scenes, enabling the crippled wife of a con to manage financially (with the help of her daughter) while her husband is yet again in jail. The fact that the money is from previous thefts is a horse of a different colour. Disher always manages to make us feel that some thieves are better than others. Wyatt, especially.
There's a deal of ambiguity in how we feel about different characters. The con who's concerned about his crippled wife and wayward son, isn't actually all that nice a guy, as at least one other inmate in the prison discovers. And his son is wheeling and dealing in a way that his father would hardly approve of.
But perhaps Disher isn't so much concerned with morality as with technique, with skill, with planning, with criminal insight, all of which Wyatt has in spades, and it's only when he once or twice puts these aside that he comes a cropper. What makes these books so readable is standing alongside Wyatt as he works out how he's going to do the next job without getting caught. Or how he's going to make the best of an increasingly bad and complex situation.
As always what seems a convoluted plot increasingly ties together as the book heads towards its climax. Disher yet again provides us with a bunch of interlocking characters whose lives are all headed for a fall if they carry on with the path they choose. And, as always, the writing is taut, terse, but never dry.
Wyatt, of course is a bad guy too, because he's a thief, and a highly successful one, yet we feel as much sympathy towards him as we do towards the policeman who's on his trail. Disher's writing plays with our sympathies as always: why do we care about what happens to Wyatt? He's up to no good...except, that he is doing some good behind the scenes, enabling the crippled wife of a con to manage financially (with the help of her daughter) while her husband is yet again in jail. The fact that the money is from previous thefts is a horse of a different colour. Disher always manages to make us feel that some thieves are better than others. Wyatt, especially.
There's a deal of ambiguity in how we feel about different characters. The con who's concerned about his crippled wife and wayward son, isn't actually all that nice a guy, as at least one other inmate in the prison discovers. And his son is wheeling and dealing in a way that his father would hardly approve of.
But perhaps Disher isn't so much concerned with morality as with technique, with skill, with planning, with criminal insight, all of which Wyatt has in spades, and it's only when he once or twice puts these aside that he comes a cropper. What makes these books so readable is standing alongside Wyatt as he works out how he's going to do the next job without getting caught. Or how he's going to make the best of an increasingly bad and complex situation.
As always what seems a convoluted plot increasingly ties together as the book heads towards its climax. Disher yet again provides us with a bunch of interlocking characters whose lives are all headed for a fall if they carry on with the path they choose. And, as always, the writing is taut, terse, but never dry.
December 3, 2018
I only knew Garry Disher as a YA author (Two Way Cut, The Divine Wind, Moondyne Kate). I had no idea he had written this wonderful Wyatt series for adults. I sincerely wish I had before now.
Starting with #9 in the series, Kill Shot, I was a little worried I’d be behind the eight ball but I think, as with Michael Robotham’s Joe O’Loughlin series, you can pick up any book in the series first and immediately get a sense of where the story of the main character is at.
For the main part the characters in this book were unlikeable - dishonest, disloyal and deceiving. I found it difficult to muster sympathy for any of them. DS Muecke seemed to be the only genuinely 'good' character. That said I did feel a certain empathy for Wyatt. I know technically he's a bad guy doing bad things but I felt the humanity in him. Especially in his treatment of Phoebe and Cindy. And I don't think he ever had any intentions to hurt anyone physically unless provoked. He's interested in money not murder.
This was a short but complex novel that started slowly and quickly built momentum adding characters and plot points and twists and turns. The use of technology was applaudable as was Wyatt ability to quickly change his appearance and keep a keen eye on his surroundings.
I look forward to reading further books in the Wyatt series; his story is not over!
Thank you to Text Publishing for this review copy.
Starting with #9 in the series, Kill Shot, I was a little worried I’d be behind the eight ball but I think, as with Michael Robotham’s Joe O’Loughlin series, you can pick up any book in the series first and immediately get a sense of where the story of the main character is at.
For the main part the characters in this book were unlikeable - dishonest, disloyal and deceiving. I found it difficult to muster sympathy for any of them. DS Muecke seemed to be the only genuinely 'good' character. That said I did feel a certain empathy for Wyatt. I know technically he's a bad guy doing bad things but I felt the humanity in him. Especially in his treatment of Phoebe and Cindy. And I don't think he ever had any intentions to hurt anyone physically unless provoked. He's interested in money not murder.
This was a short but complex novel that started slowly and quickly built momentum adding characters and plot points and twists and turns. The use of technology was applaudable as was Wyatt ability to quickly change his appearance and keep a keen eye on his surroundings.
I look forward to reading further books in the Wyatt series; his story is not over!
Thank you to Text Publishing for this review copy.
January 10, 2019
Most of Wyatt's recent jobs have been brokered by a day-release prisoner named Sam Kramer. Through his daughter Kramer passes on information he has gleaned from other prison inmates. As a result Wyatt relieves people of their valuables, mainly through burglary, passes them on to a fence, and puts a commission into an safety deposit box for Kramer, keeping the remainder for himself. Periodically Kramer's daughter contacts him to let him know the family needs some money. It works well.
Wyatt is a cautious, yet confident man, careful to remain anonymous, leaving nothing his victims can identify him by, and watchful for signs that he has been noticed. He thinks back over what he's done, looking for errors.
The weak link in the scheme is Kramer's son who passes Wyatt's name on to someone else who like to cash in on the jobs that Wyatt is doing.
There are a couple of linked stories in this novel: a Ponzi scheme operator planning to skip the country with about a million dollars, and a couple from South Australia who've stolen a luxury boat.
Wyatt gets information about the first from Kramer. Looks like it might be easy pickings if he can work out where the Ponzi scheme money is.
There definitely an Australian flavour to this novel. And some how you forget that Wyatt is on the wrong side of the law.
January 9, 2019
“Kill Shot” is a lovely dry thriller, with an anti-hero reminiscent of Richard Stark’s Parker. Disher uses an understated writing style which is nevertheless engrossing; his characters are convincing and his settings and situations believable.
Wyatt is a burglar. He prefers to avoid violence – it brings so much extra trouble – but he isn’t afraid of it either. Lately he’s been sticking to one man jobs, almost burglaries to order; someone will tell him where a particularly valuable something is, often something they’d like to get their hands on. Wyatt will steal it (and anything else that looks valuable and saleable) for a fair price.
It’s drawn to his attention that a white collar crook who fleeced investors of millions is unlikely to be able to stave off jail much longer. He’s planning to leave before then, with over a million dollars in liquid assets to smooth his way. And wouldn’t those assets be so much better in Wyatt’s hands?
I loved the flavour of classic hardboiled crime combined with a more modern Australian setting and sensibility. This was a character driven novel with a strong plot. The spare writing style and relatively flat approach to emotion worked well and was a refreshing change from the style of many crime thrillers. Strongly recommended.
Wyatt is a burglar. He prefers to avoid violence – it brings so much extra trouble – but he isn’t afraid of it either. Lately he’s been sticking to one man jobs, almost burglaries to order; someone will tell him where a particularly valuable something is, often something they’d like to get their hands on. Wyatt will steal it (and anything else that looks valuable and saleable) for a fair price.
It’s drawn to his attention that a white collar crook who fleeced investors of millions is unlikely to be able to stave off jail much longer. He’s planning to leave before then, with over a million dollars in liquid assets to smooth his way. And wouldn’t those assets be so much better in Wyatt’s hands?
I loved the flavour of classic hardboiled crime combined with a more modern Australian setting and sensibility. This was a character driven novel with a strong plot. The spare writing style and relatively flat approach to emotion worked well and was a refreshing change from the style of many crime thrillers. Strongly recommended.
May 2, 2023
This is an enjoyable read, gripping from the start. It fascinates me that I, the reader, want Wyatt, this thief and criminal, to succeed. Wyatt is this character who shows loyalty and respect, who is careful, thoughtful and acts without impulse and yet he is a crook. In this novel Wyatt is on the hunt for the man behind various Ponzi schemes which caused innocent men and women to lose much money. There is a detective, Muecke, who is also after the same criminal and then after Wyatt whom he suspects is key. Muecke has some of Wyatt’s qualities. He is dogged, aware that finding the key people is messy, doesn’t always work in a logical way. His supervisors don’t think much of him. And so, the book spirals with both Muecke and Wyatt focussing in on the key criminal. The ending is OK and also somewhat unsatisfying. Maybe there is some reality to how things would have to go, I’m not sure.
April 24, 2022
Wow, the last Wyatt story, and it ends with a series of jobs performed in his usual precise and exacting manner and with the possibility of a happy ending! Who thought this could happen?
The plotlines at beautifully drawn, the characters are always out for themselves and prepared to betray each other and they always double cross each other, but not Wyatt. He works alone, and plans several steps ahead, and this time it paid off.
With the proceeds of Jack Tremayne's ill gotten gains, in a remote and distant part of Australia, he is able to disappear in a way he always planned.
The pilot.who.flew.him back said
' You were never here, according to the pilot who flew him back'
So Wyatt could blend in, and find a new place and blend in. A great series, highly recommended
The plotlines at beautifully drawn, the characters are always out for themselves and prepared to betray each other and they always double cross each other, but not Wyatt. He works alone, and plans several steps ahead, and this time it paid off.
With the proceeds of Jack Tremayne's ill gotten gains, in a remote and distant part of Australia, he is able to disappear in a way he always planned.
The pilot.who.flew.him back said
' You were never here, according to the pilot who flew him back'
So Wyatt could blend in, and find a new place and blend in. A great series, highly recommended
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