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Seven Deadly Sinners
No mobile phones, not even a landline, no electricity, no computers, no radio – just a band of unexpected guests stranded at an isolated outback hotel in Queensland Australia in 1957. They all have somewhere else to be, but thunder storms and flooding prevent them from carrying on.
Each person has a story, but who is telling the truth – and who is murdering them one at a time?
For anyone who has never visited Australia, or experienced the country in drought, it can be hard to imagine just how dry the continent can get. It can also be difficult to appreciate just how isolated some parts of rural Australia are, and how badly people, animals and plants can be affected when it doesn’t rain for years. Some people don’t see another soul for months at a time. This novella is set in 1957 in a fictional outback pub near the Queensland/New South Wales border, and is based on the many pubs that dot the landscape and offer a respite for weary travellers across the wide brown land. Eleven people are thrown together, isolated by swollen rivers and creeks. As the booze flows and the flies buzz, details of their lives unfurl and danger lurks in the form of unpalatable cocktails, dubious food served up by the proprietor – and a serial killer.
Each person has a story, but who is telling the truth – and who is murdering them one at a time?
For anyone who has never visited Australia, or experienced the country in drought, it can be hard to imagine just how dry the continent can get. It can also be difficult to appreciate just how isolated some parts of rural Australia are, and how badly people, animals and plants can be affected when it doesn’t rain for years. Some people don’t see another soul for months at a time. This novella is set in 1957 in a fictional outback pub near the Queensland/New South Wales border, and is based on the many pubs that dot the landscape and offer a respite for weary travellers across the wide brown land. Eleven people are thrown together, isolated by swollen rivers and creeks. As the booze flows and the flies buzz, details of their lives unfurl and danger lurks in the form of unpalatable cocktails, dubious food served up by the proprietor – and a serial killer.
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First published November 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 26, 2019
Death comes for us all in the end, especially when you're in a pub in the outback of Australia in 1957...
An excellent thriller from Carmel McMurdo Audsley. One which will keep you guessing until the watery end.
Another fabulous read from this author. Her historical fiction novels never cease to entertain. This one not only entertains but makes you squirm in your seat, and not just because of the food being offered in the pub. I could smell the stench of the dead from the screen of my kindle.
An excellent thriller from Carmel McMurdo Audsley. One which will keep you guessing until the watery end.
Another fabulous read from this author. Her historical fiction novels never cease to entertain. This one not only entertains but makes you squirm in your seat, and not just because of the food being offered in the pub. I could smell the stench of the dead from the screen of my kindle.
January 3, 2020
This is a taut closed room mystery - Australia style. As the floodwaters rise, so does the body count and the tension. Audsley uses words to good effect and sleight of hand to even greater effect. The reader is kept guessing right up to the last page of this tense novella. A brilliant ending. If you are looking for a short read, this is perfect v
April 11, 2022
This is quite a short read, only 120 pages, but it is a gripping Whodunnit.
Set in the Australian outback, during a serious rainstorm, a small group of people are trapped by the rising waters in an old, rundown hotel.
They are a mixed bunch, but all have one thing in common. They are all guilty of some type of sin, or crime.
Two police officers and their murder suspect prisoner. A Texan conman and his wife. A young couple who seem to be unhappy. The terribly overweight bus driver and the disillusioned hotel owner, her lazy husband and her creepy son.
Then the murders begin and the bodies pile up as one by one their numbers dwindle, almost in proportion to the rising flood waters. There is no phone, no radio and no electricity so no help will be forthcoming.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved trying to figure out which person was the murderer or, was there more than one killer? But I also loved the descriptive parts. The author managed to put me right in that old hotel and had me worrying if I would be murdered or killed by the floods.
I won't spoil the ending other than to say it was brilliant.
Set in the Australian outback, during a serious rainstorm, a small group of people are trapped by the rising waters in an old, rundown hotel.
They are a mixed bunch, but all have one thing in common. They are all guilty of some type of sin, or crime.
Two police officers and their murder suspect prisoner. A Texan conman and his wife. A young couple who seem to be unhappy. The terribly overweight bus driver and the disillusioned hotel owner, her lazy husband and her creepy son.
Then the murders begin and the bodies pile up as one by one their numbers dwindle, almost in proportion to the rising flood waters. There is no phone, no radio and no electricity so no help will be forthcoming.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved trying to figure out which person was the murderer or, was there more than one killer? But I also loved the descriptive parts. The author managed to put me right in that old hotel and had me worrying if I would be murdered or killed by the floods.
I won't spoil the ending other than to say it was brilliant.
July 7, 2025
The Outback proves a great location for an Agatha Christie-style mystery. When I read about an Outback pub in Queensland, I want uncouth Aussies chugging beer and putting off showering. The author delivers this in the shape of Fat Frank the coach driver. Along with Frank, a motley crew of eight, including two cops, are stranded in the Watering Hole Hotel for three days as flash floods hit the formerly drought-stricken land.
One by one the hotel guests start coming to sticky ends. Purposely unpleasant characters, it’s hard to feel sorry for them—except Dulcie, the long-suffering Publican. As you’d expect, everybody is a suspect.
Set in the fifties, the author excels at describing the physical details of the pub like the sweat-stained hats on the wall, the plain food, and the smelly longdrop toilet. Although this is a short book, and a lot of people have to cark it before the conclusion, I didn’t find the pace rushed.
One by one the hotel guests start coming to sticky ends. Purposely unpleasant characters, it’s hard to feel sorry for them—except Dulcie, the long-suffering Publican. As you’d expect, everybody is a suspect.
Set in the fifties, the author excels at describing the physical details of the pub like the sweat-stained hats on the wall, the plain food, and the smelly longdrop toilet. Although this is a short book, and a lot of people have to cark it before the conclusion, I didn’t find the pace rushed.
May 2, 2023
Seven Deadly Sinners takes the classic whodunit scenario of strangers being thrown together. One of them is the killer, but who? This is much like the classic game of Cluedo, in that any one of the characters might have a motive for the murders, it keeps the red herrings coming and the reader guessing. The twist of having the seven deadly sins used as a plot ploy for the murders threw me a curveball in a good way. I was glad when I erroneously guessed who the killer was, it was a pleasant surprise.
Instead of the group being isolated in a remote hotel, resort, or mansion, these people are thrown into the Australian outback, right smack during a flood event. The rising waters and ultra-remote location really up the stakes for the story and I thought the author's world-building was excellent.
The characters were fleshed out well, such as the police constable and the Texan con man. Others I felt could have used a bit of work. For example - Cynthia was a bit over the top, and Byron could have used a better backstory. Some characters were a bit too cliche as well.
The action scenes could be sharpened up a bit, as some of the writing got bland in a few places. "He became agitated and fearful. He grabbed at his throat and his neck, and his back began to arch uncontrollably." --Nothing wrong with the sentences, but not very exciting either.
I am only giving the story less than 5 stars because some of the characters just seemed a bit too cliche for my liking, some of the conversations and scenarios were a little far-fetched. However, it didn't significantly take away from the fun of this story. I am certain fans of this genre are going to love this!
Instead of the group being isolated in a remote hotel, resort, or mansion, these people are thrown into the Australian outback, right smack during a flood event. The rising waters and ultra-remote location really up the stakes for the story and I thought the author's world-building was excellent.
The characters were fleshed out well, such as the police constable and the Texan con man. Others I felt could have used a bit of work. For example - Cynthia was a bit over the top, and Byron could have used a better backstory. Some characters were a bit too cliche as well.
The action scenes could be sharpened up a bit, as some of the writing got bland in a few places. "He became agitated and fearful. He grabbed at his throat and his neck, and his back began to arch uncontrollably." --Nothing wrong with the sentences, but not very exciting either.
I am only giving the story less than 5 stars because some of the characters just seemed a bit too cliche for my liking, some of the conversations and scenarios were a little far-fetched. However, it didn't significantly take away from the fun of this story. I am certain fans of this genre are going to love this!
November 12, 2019
Great whodunnit
A remote ramshackle hotel in the outback, 8 strangers and 3 hotel staff, and days of constant rain with all couped up in a confined space. What could go wrong? Well, lots. When the heavens let loose with rain not seen in five years of drought the water and body count rises. When guests start turning up dead one at a time two stranded police officers try to piece together who is carrying out the gruesome deeds. Their only clue, Bible verses of the seven deadly sins are attached to each corpse. A thoroughly enjoyable read!
A remote ramshackle hotel in the outback, 8 strangers and 3 hotel staff, and days of constant rain with all couped up in a confined space. What could go wrong? Well, lots. When the heavens let loose with rain not seen in five years of drought the water and body count rises. When guests start turning up dead one at a time two stranded police officers try to piece together who is carrying out the gruesome deeds. Their only clue, Bible verses of the seven deadly sins are attached to each corpse. A thoroughly enjoyable read!
January 27, 2020
Carmel Mcmurdo Audsley weaves a web of evil in her book ‘The Seven Deadly Sinners’.
Mid 1950s outback Australia. Torrential rain and floodwater cut off access to the district. Eight strangers trapped in an isolated hotel. The veneer of civilisation is stripped away as, one by one, people die. Who is the killer? What is his/her terrifying agenda?
Am I going to spoil the story by giving the game away? Of course not! I urge you to read this ‘edge of the seat yarn’ for yourself. Oh - and watch out for technicolour descriptions that have you right there, in the thick of the action.
Mid 1950s outback Australia. Torrential rain and floodwater cut off access to the district. Eight strangers trapped in an isolated hotel. The veneer of civilisation is stripped away as, one by one, people die. Who is the killer? What is his/her terrifying agenda?
Am I going to spoil the story by giving the game away? Of course not! I urge you to read this ‘edge of the seat yarn’ for yourself. Oh - and watch out for technicolour descriptions that have you right there, in the thick of the action.
November 20, 2019
Well Written Thriller
I was especially drawn to the author’s description of the outback and carefully crafted details that set the scenery. This story was a suspenseful thriller with a “who done it” plot that left me rooting for the tragic characters and hoping for a different outcome!!
I was especially drawn to the author’s description of the outback and carefully crafted details that set the scenery. This story was a suspenseful thriller with a “who done it” plot that left me rooting for the tragic characters and hoping for a different outcome!!
July 16, 2024
This is the second of the author’s novels that I have read. The first, ‘Conviction’, was set in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and spanned many years, telling the story of a young Scottish woman’s transportation to a penal settlement in Australia. In contrast, this book is short: both in length (it is actually a novella) and in time span (a few days).
Set in an isolated Australian hotel in 1957, ‘Seven Deadly Sinners’ deliberately borrows themes from the Golden Age of detective fiction, but then adds some twists of its own. So we’ve all seen the basic idea before: a location from where there is no immediate escape; no communication with the outside world; a succession of deaths; an unknown murderer; and a closed circle of suspects. But here there are also things which are much less common in Agatha Christie-style books from that era. For instance, while there are well-written descriptions of the parched (and then flooded) outback, we also see examples of what this means in reality: such as a malodorous outside toilet with strips of newspaper instead of toilet paper, and an increasingly smelly coach which is used to store the escalating number of dead bodies. Similarly, the author doesn’t just hint at sexual feelings and motivations as they often did in the old days: here there is a sexually frustrated man who fondles a female guest’s nightdress and imagines himself visiting a prostitute in the faraway city. So it’s a nice blend of old and new.
Was there anything that didn’t quite work for me? Well, if I am honest, I do wish the book had been longer. This would have given the author a chance to develop the characters and make us care more about what happens to them. As it is, there is inevitably more “tell” than “show”. To give two examples: we are told that one woman hates her husband rather than having this demonstrated to us more subtly; and we are told that another couple are in the business of swindling people rather than being allowed to come to this conclusion ourselves from things they do.
That said, the book is a very easy and enjoyable read, and I never stopped wanting to find out who the murderer was (and why). A good book from a talented author who has demonstrated to me her skills in two completely different styles of writing.
Set in an isolated Australian hotel in 1957, ‘Seven Deadly Sinners’ deliberately borrows themes from the Golden Age of detective fiction, but then adds some twists of its own. So we’ve all seen the basic idea before: a location from where there is no immediate escape; no communication with the outside world; a succession of deaths; an unknown murderer; and a closed circle of suspects. But here there are also things which are much less common in Agatha Christie-style books from that era. For instance, while there are well-written descriptions of the parched (and then flooded) outback, we also see examples of what this means in reality: such as a malodorous outside toilet with strips of newspaper instead of toilet paper, and an increasingly smelly coach which is used to store the escalating number of dead bodies. Similarly, the author doesn’t just hint at sexual feelings and motivations as they often did in the old days: here there is a sexually frustrated man who fondles a female guest’s nightdress and imagines himself visiting a prostitute in the faraway city. So it’s a nice blend of old and new.
Was there anything that didn’t quite work for me? Well, if I am honest, I do wish the book had been longer. This would have given the author a chance to develop the characters and make us care more about what happens to them. As it is, there is inevitably more “tell” than “show”. To give two examples: we are told that one woman hates her husband rather than having this demonstrated to us more subtly; and we are told that another couple are in the business of swindling people rather than being allowed to come to this conclusion ourselves from things they do.
That said, the book is a very easy and enjoyable read, and I never stopped wanting to find out who the murderer was (and why). A good book from a talented author who has demonstrated to me her skills in two completely different styles of writing.
January 3, 2024
This story takes place in a remote, arid area in 1957 in outback Australia near the Queensland/New South Wales border. Following five bone-dry years, the place is reduced to a powdery desert so when torrential rains do come, and stay, floodwaters cut off all access. A group of generally unhappy, unlikeable strangers are trapped in an isolated hotel/bar there usually frequented by rough-cut kangaroo hunters. And among them is an accused murderer, being transported by police.
Then, one by one, people begin to mysteriously die, following a formula seen in the best-selling mystery novel of all time, AND THEN THERE WERE NONE by Agatha Christie. Amid technicolor descriptions, the reader is left to wonder who the killer is and what is motivating these crimes.
The strengths of this novel are the very good descriptions of the unfamiliar Australian outback, and the development of characters, whom the author fully introduces while filling in enough detail to enable the reader to easily keep them straight. Many newer authors fail to do this well, being in a hurry to plunge into the murdering, etc.
But after that great start, the book started sagging in the second half. And toward the end, there was a feeling of things being rushed, along with some late character revelations that felt not quite fair to the reader.
The biggest challenge in such a work is for the author to maintain reader interest once the plot is made evident, that victims are to be dispatched, one by one. By then, knowing what is to happen, the reader's curiosity must be sustained about the questions of how, by whom and why. If the reader’s interest in those lag, the book becomes tiring. Agatha Christie herself said that AND THEN THERE WERE NONE was the most difficult book she’d ever written. "Ten people had to die without it becoming ridiculous or the murderer being obvious. I wrote the book after a tremendous amount of planning, and I was pleased with what I had made of it. It was clear, straightforward, baffling, and yet had a perfectly reasonable explanation”
Overall, Carmel McMurdo Audsley is quite a talented writer and I look forward to more of her work.
Then, one by one, people begin to mysteriously die, following a formula seen in the best-selling mystery novel of all time, AND THEN THERE WERE NONE by Agatha Christie. Amid technicolor descriptions, the reader is left to wonder who the killer is and what is motivating these crimes.
The strengths of this novel are the very good descriptions of the unfamiliar Australian outback, and the development of characters, whom the author fully introduces while filling in enough detail to enable the reader to easily keep them straight. Many newer authors fail to do this well, being in a hurry to plunge into the murdering, etc.
But after that great start, the book started sagging in the second half. And toward the end, there was a feeling of things being rushed, along with some late character revelations that felt not quite fair to the reader.
The biggest challenge in such a work is for the author to maintain reader interest once the plot is made evident, that victims are to be dispatched, one by one. By then, knowing what is to happen, the reader's curiosity must be sustained about the questions of how, by whom and why. If the reader’s interest in those lag, the book becomes tiring. Agatha Christie herself said that AND THEN THERE WERE NONE was the most difficult book she’d ever written. "Ten people had to die without it becoming ridiculous or the murderer being obvious. I wrote the book after a tremendous amount of planning, and I was pleased with what I had made of it. It was clear, straightforward, baffling, and yet had a perfectly reasonable explanation”
Overall, Carmel McMurdo Audsley is quite a talented writer and I look forward to more of her work.
March 16, 2024
When an assorted group of strangers is forced to stay the night at a remote hotel in the Australian outback, it isn’t long before the bodies start piling in this fun, if fairly predictable, murder mystery whodunit.
Classic genre tropes abound as author Carmel McMurdo Audsley introduces his vivid cast of characters and sprinkles hints of various ulterior motives. The hotel’s beleaguered owner and proprietor, Dulcie, has a deadbeat husband and a weirdo son. She can’t wait to offload the place onto a new buyer and retire to the city. Meanwhile, a pair of tinhorn grifters, a lawman escorting a murder suspect, and several others find themselves stranded there with a severe storm approaching.
The author makes great use of the setting to heighten the tense atmosphere. The heat, the encroaching bad weather, and later the flooding: it builds nicely and is well described. Details of the Aussie outback, and also the period trappings (it’s set in 1957) are convincing and add a lot to the storytelling. The characters aren’t given much development beyond the well-done introductions, but I mostly kept track of who was who—important for such a big cast in a single setting. Good job there.
I think the biggest drawback here is the brevity. Once the murders start, they occur too frequently and aren’t given the dramatic weight needed to heighten the emotional stakes. The tone is light, which is fine, but I wanted each death to mean more to the group and to the bereaved individuals. Instead, it’s quickly on to the next murder. As a result, I wasn’t particularly invested in their fates.
The explanation is fun, if unoriginal. I like the ending quite a bit—again, it uses the elements to good effect. Fans of whodunits with unusual settings should get a kick out of Seven Deadly Sinners. It’s not a top tier example of the genre, but it runs like clockwork, passes the time well, and has plenty to recommend it.
Classic genre tropes abound as author Carmel McMurdo Audsley introduces his vivid cast of characters and sprinkles hints of various ulterior motives. The hotel’s beleaguered owner and proprietor, Dulcie, has a deadbeat husband and a weirdo son. She can’t wait to offload the place onto a new buyer and retire to the city. Meanwhile, a pair of tinhorn grifters, a lawman escorting a murder suspect, and several others find themselves stranded there with a severe storm approaching.
The author makes great use of the setting to heighten the tense atmosphere. The heat, the encroaching bad weather, and later the flooding: it builds nicely and is well described. Details of the Aussie outback, and also the period trappings (it’s set in 1957) are convincing and add a lot to the storytelling. The characters aren’t given much development beyond the well-done introductions, but I mostly kept track of who was who—important for such a big cast in a single setting. Good job there.
I think the biggest drawback here is the brevity. Once the murders start, they occur too frequently and aren’t given the dramatic weight needed to heighten the emotional stakes. The tone is light, which is fine, but I wanted each death to mean more to the group and to the bereaved individuals. Instead, it’s quickly on to the next murder. As a result, I wasn’t particularly invested in their fates.
The explanation is fun, if unoriginal. I like the ending quite a bit—again, it uses the elements to good effect. Fans of whodunits with unusual settings should get a kick out of Seven Deadly Sinners. It’s not a top tier example of the genre, but it runs like clockwork, passes the time well, and has plenty to recommend it.
May 22, 2023
Entertaining read, and sure to be loved by fans of the genre.
The Watering Hole Hotel, ‘hard to find and impossible to leave’, is a small rural pub with a couple of rooms for travellers set somewhere in the Australian outback, near the Queensland/New South Wales border. In 1957, it’s run by Dulcie, accompanied by her lazy husband Jocko, and unsociable son Bryon. It’s miles from anywhere, without running water or electricity (other than a small generator). It doesn’t get much business, hasn’t seen rain in five years, and Dulcie drives the six hour round trip to the nearest town to get supplies once every three months. It’s probably the last place in the world you would stay in.
Unfortunately for one coach driver, two American tourists, a young Australian couple, and two policemen escorting a murder suspect to the city, this is where they are stranded on a blistering hot January day right before the floods strike.
Oh, and one of these eleven people is a serial killer.
This is a short and entertaining read. The author does a commendable job of creating a claustrophobic, sweltering atmosphere, building up tension as the supplies (food, alcohol, and kerosene for the lamps) run out and the body count climbs. I found it really tense when Dulcie blew out the candles at night, leaving the people in complete darkness. I also really enjoyed the setting, the surroundings and the glimpses of animal life. It’s a short read, so the characters don’t have much room for development, however they are drawn sufficiently well to be clearly distinguishable from each other. The killer/killers motivation was not that convincing for me, and I was a little disappointed in the ending. However I have no doubt that lots of readers will feel the opposite on both of these points.
Overall, if you like this genre, I recommend you pay the Watering Hole Hotel a visit.
The Watering Hole Hotel, ‘hard to find and impossible to leave’, is a small rural pub with a couple of rooms for travellers set somewhere in the Australian outback, near the Queensland/New South Wales border. In 1957, it’s run by Dulcie, accompanied by her lazy husband Jocko, and unsociable son Bryon. It’s miles from anywhere, without running water or electricity (other than a small generator). It doesn’t get much business, hasn’t seen rain in five years, and Dulcie drives the six hour round trip to the nearest town to get supplies once every three months. It’s probably the last place in the world you would stay in.
Unfortunately for one coach driver, two American tourists, a young Australian couple, and two policemen escorting a murder suspect to the city, this is where they are stranded on a blistering hot January day right before the floods strike.
Oh, and one of these eleven people is a serial killer.
This is a short and entertaining read. The author does a commendable job of creating a claustrophobic, sweltering atmosphere, building up tension as the supplies (food, alcohol, and kerosene for the lamps) run out and the body count climbs. I found it really tense when Dulcie blew out the candles at night, leaving the people in complete darkness. I also really enjoyed the setting, the surroundings and the glimpses of animal life. It’s a short read, so the characters don’t have much room for development, however they are drawn sufficiently well to be clearly distinguishable from each other. The killer/killers motivation was not that convincing for me, and I was a little disappointed in the ending. However I have no doubt that lots of readers will feel the opposite on both of these points.
Overall, if you like this genre, I recommend you pay the Watering Hole Hotel a visit.
August 30, 2024
This story is pretty short, but does everything it sets out to do. Set in a grimy outback pub/hotel in the heat and desolation of the Australian outback, the author does a great job setting the scene and establishing the mood. There isn't really a protagonist in this story, rather, we are introduced to a group of 11 people who become stranded at the pub when a severe flood strikes the area. Meanwhile, someone is killing the guests one by one.
I don't want to spoil too much in this review, but I'll address the positives first. I think the descriptions of the sun-soaked, harsh desert were very evocative, as was a brief scene taking place at night which mentioned the incredible night sky far from civilisation. The set up for the characters was generally quite strong and there was no filler in this book. Everything was there for a reason and the prose was extremely lean.
For a critique, I did think the mystery was very predictable. There is a lot of telling, rather than showing, happening in this story, and dialogue and characterisation was weak overall. I don't want to spoil anything, but at one point in the tale, one of the characters needs to be told what the seven deadly sins are. They have never heard of the concept (!). That really strains credulity for me. There are other events and situations like that throughout the book, which ruins the good work the author does elsewhere creating interesting imagery. The villain's motivations are similarly weak - we have seen these motivations before in the genre and they are played out by now. Let's get some new material.
So, for these reasons, I'm giving this book 3 stars. It's well-written, fast-paced, and has some really nice atmosphere. Better character development and theming would have brought it up to a 4. An easy read for your next plane trip, perhaps?
I don't want to spoil too much in this review, but I'll address the positives first. I think the descriptions of the sun-soaked, harsh desert were very evocative, as was a brief scene taking place at night which mentioned the incredible night sky far from civilisation. The set up for the characters was generally quite strong and there was no filler in this book. Everything was there for a reason and the prose was extremely lean.
For a critique, I did think the mystery was very predictable. There is a lot of telling, rather than showing, happening in this story, and dialogue and characterisation was weak overall. I don't want to spoil anything, but at one point in the tale, one of the characters needs to be told what the seven deadly sins are. They have never heard of the concept (!). That really strains credulity for me. There are other events and situations like that throughout the book, which ruins the good work the author does elsewhere creating interesting imagery. The villain's motivations are similarly weak - we have seen these motivations before in the genre and they are played out by now. Let's get some new material.
So, for these reasons, I'm giving this book 3 stars. It's well-written, fast-paced, and has some really nice atmosphere. Better character development and theming would have brought it up to a 4. An easy read for your next plane trip, perhaps?
January 13, 2024
A refreshing take on the evergreen closed-circle trope. Not an island or an alpine chalet this time, but an isolated hotel in the Australian outback in 1957 - with no phone, no electricity and a dead radio.
The well sketched and varied cast of characters are introduced early in the book — the owners of the hotel, their son, and their guests who all end up at the only premises for a hundred miles in either direction: the driver of a coach which is almost out of petrol and his two passengers; a younger couple with flat tyres; and two policemen escorting a prisoner charged with murder to Sydney but unable to continue their journey due to the worsening weather. There is just the right amount of description of the characters and the venue to set the scene for the reader.
Unusually heavy rain further afield leads to steadily rising water around the hotel as creeks and rivers overflow. An apparently accidental death combines with the growing sense of inescapable isolation to create a tense, brooding atmosphere. As some of the characters’ unsavoury inner thoughts, history and intentions are gradually revealed, the death count increases while the supplies of alcohol, food, kerosene for lighting and, ultimately, even candles decrease.
The darkening atmosphere (both inside and out) combines with crisp dialogue, fast moving events and a good flow to keep the reader engaged and keen to know what happens next. I found the ending slightly disappointing, though I can’t quite put my finger on why — there was resolution, certainly, but somehow not satisfaction. But there were no loose ends and I heartily recommend this original and well written book to all readers of crime.
The well sketched and varied cast of characters are introduced early in the book — the owners of the hotel, their son, and their guests who all end up at the only premises for a hundred miles in either direction: the driver of a coach which is almost out of petrol and his two passengers; a younger couple with flat tyres; and two policemen escorting a prisoner charged with murder to Sydney but unable to continue their journey due to the worsening weather. There is just the right amount of description of the characters and the venue to set the scene for the reader.
Unusually heavy rain further afield leads to steadily rising water around the hotel as creeks and rivers overflow. An apparently accidental death combines with the growing sense of inescapable isolation to create a tense, brooding atmosphere. As some of the characters’ unsavoury inner thoughts, history and intentions are gradually revealed, the death count increases while the supplies of alcohol, food, kerosene for lighting and, ultimately, even candles decrease.
The darkening atmosphere (both inside and out) combines with crisp dialogue, fast moving events and a good flow to keep the reader engaged and keen to know what happens next. I found the ending slightly disappointing, though I can’t quite put my finger on why — there was resolution, certainly, but somehow not satisfaction. But there were no loose ends and I heartily recommend this original and well written book to all readers of crime.
September 10, 2025
When a motley group of travellers gets stuck at a remote inn in Queensland as a terrible storm
approaches, be prepared for things to get bad, because they do.
I was transported to the Australian outback of 1957, thanks to the vivid physical descriptions that
really set the scene, from the dusty, parched soil to the gut-wrenching, smelly, fly-infested coach
housing the dead bodies.
Overall, the prose was well written, with great use of similes to create an atmosphere of brooding
heat, helping the reader immerse themselves in the mysterious events about to unfold.
The characters were well-defined and believable. They all had separate personalities, and I found it
easy to remember each cast member as they divulged their personal story. Although one or two
were somewhat clichéd.
There was maybe a bit too much telling and not showing, which wasn’t to my liking. But since this
is a novella, there wasn’t time for characters to be motivated by things happening around them or
react to events as they occurred.
The rapidity of unpleasant deaths left me guessing as to who the killer was. Due to their backstories,
no one appeared to be innocent, and the lack of a clear motivation for the murders added to the
mystery of ‘whodunnit.’
However, the ending seemed a little forced and not quite as satisfying as I had hoped. When the
murderer is revealed, their reason for the killings wasn't convincing to me. But overall, the writing
was clean and fast-paced, making it an easy read for anyone who enjoys a traditional crime
whodunnit story.
approaches, be prepared for things to get bad, because they do.
I was transported to the Australian outback of 1957, thanks to the vivid physical descriptions that
really set the scene, from the dusty, parched soil to the gut-wrenching, smelly, fly-infested coach
housing the dead bodies.
Overall, the prose was well written, with great use of similes to create an atmosphere of brooding
heat, helping the reader immerse themselves in the mysterious events about to unfold.
The characters were well-defined and believable. They all had separate personalities, and I found it
easy to remember each cast member as they divulged their personal story. Although one or two
were somewhat clichéd.
There was maybe a bit too much telling and not showing, which wasn’t to my liking. But since this
is a novella, there wasn’t time for characters to be motivated by things happening around them or
react to events as they occurred.
The rapidity of unpleasant deaths left me guessing as to who the killer was. Due to their backstories,
no one appeared to be innocent, and the lack of a clear motivation for the murders added to the
mystery of ‘whodunnit.’
However, the ending seemed a little forced and not quite as satisfying as I had hoped. When the
murderer is revealed, their reason for the killings wasn't convincing to me. But overall, the writing
was clean and fast-paced, making it an easy read for anyone who enjoys a traditional crime
whodunnit story.
December 3, 2023
Things are about to go downhill fast at the Watering Hole hotel. The year is 1957, and with rising floods in the area, a number of guests are stranded at this isolated establishment in south-western Queensland Australia. One by one, guests start dying, and it’s not from natural causes.
This book was entertaining from the very start. Who doesn’t love a well-executed whodunit mystery? Of course, there’s a decent-sized cast of characters, but we get enough time and character development with each of them to get a good feel for who they are. The author juggled all of these characters perfectly, and the book was really easy to follow. As the story progresses, we realize that most of these characters have some shady aspects, so the killer could be any one of a number of people. It kept me guessing at who it might be. I also thought that the tie in with the seven deadly sins was a great aspect.
Like any good mystery, there’s a bit of a twist at the end. I thought it worked. But what got me was the resolution to the story after the killer was discovered. I wasn’t expecting that. I thought the ending was a perfect fit for the story.
I enjoyed my time with this book from start to finish. The pacing was good, and I was always invested in what was going on. I was entertained by the characters. I’m really glad I picked this book up.
This book was entertaining from the very start. Who doesn’t love a well-executed whodunit mystery? Of course, there’s a decent-sized cast of characters, but we get enough time and character development with each of them to get a good feel for who they are. The author juggled all of these characters perfectly, and the book was really easy to follow. As the story progresses, we realize that most of these characters have some shady aspects, so the killer could be any one of a number of people. It kept me guessing at who it might be. I also thought that the tie in with the seven deadly sins was a great aspect.
Like any good mystery, there’s a bit of a twist at the end. I thought it worked. But what got me was the resolution to the story after the killer was discovered. I wasn’t expecting that. I thought the ending was a perfect fit for the story.
I enjoyed my time with this book from start to finish. The pacing was good, and I was always invested in what was going on. I was entertained by the characters. I’m really glad I picked this book up.
August 13, 2024
Set in 1957 in the Australian outback, the harsh and unforgiving environment is realistically portrayed, and combined with the lack of modern communications it makes for a compelling scenario. From the first chapter I was transported into the blistering, dusty heat with the author's vivid descriptions. Knowing from the book blurb that one of the eleven characters was a serial killer had me scrutinising each new arrival as they were introduced, keen to notice clues to help me guess the outcome. The author's well drawn characterisations made for an interesting and diverse cast .
Seven Deadly Sinners is a short read – possibly because there's little for the characters to do over the four days they are marooned in the remote and basic outback pub, with floodwaters rising. Perhaps the author could have given us a bit more about each person, especially as all of them clearly had an interesting back story. The writing flowed well with a good pace and energy, although it was a shame that some of the characters' private intentions and motives were told to the reader rather than being revealed little by little as the plot unfolded. That didn't affect the outcome, but for me it did spoil the reader experience a little. Even though the cast got smaller each day, the 'reveal' of the perpetrator at the end wasn't a foregone conclusion and had an unexpected twist. I
Seven Deadly Sinners is a short read – possibly because there's little for the characters to do over the four days they are marooned in the remote and basic outback pub, with floodwaters rising. Perhaps the author could have given us a bit more about each person, especially as all of them clearly had an interesting back story. The writing flowed well with a good pace and energy, although it was a shame that some of the characters' private intentions and motives were told to the reader rather than being revealed little by little as the plot unfolded. That didn't affect the outcome, but for me it did spoil the reader experience a little. Even though the cast got smaller each day, the 'reveal' of the perpetrator at the end wasn't a foregone conclusion and had an unexpected twist. I
March 1, 2023
“Seven Deadly Sinners: Drought, Flood, an Outback Pub—and a Serial Killer” by Carmel McMurdo Audsley is a relatively short mystery novel, but in that space of 121 pages, the author packs a page-turning mystery of the “locked room” variety, though the “room” in this book is the desolate Australian Outback: 100 miles this way, 100 miles that way is nothing and no one who can help. Because it’s 1957, there are no cell phones. In the remote, decaying Queensland hotel where the hapless characters gather, the radio no longer works. The incessant misery of the location is almost its own character: biting files, heat, humidity, blowing red dust. After years of painful drought, the rains have arrived. With the rains come flash flooding that strands the travelers together in the hotel that has no electricity and minimal comforts. The booze starts running out. The assortment of characters reminds me of an Agatha Christie mystery. There’s the well-dressed couple, the tense newlyweds, the tour bus driver, the cops and their prisoner, and the family running the hotel who have been trapped there together for years. To makes matters worse, murder arrives! Who done it? An involving short mystery read.
April 8, 2023
The blurb to “Seven Deadly Sinners” immediately brought to mind Agatha Christie’s famous book, “And Then There Were None,” so I was keen to read this. This is a singularly bleak story. First, because of the desolate and unforgiving setting: a remote and desert-like area of Queensland Australia in 1957. After five years of no rain, the wildlife in the area are dying…or going to extreme lengths in an effort to survive. Rain is in the forecast, but when they come, they bring momentary relief but the subsequent flooding causes even more strife. The tale is also rather dismal for the mostly unhappy and/or unpleasant characters.
Due to flooded roads, a group of people are stranded at the Watering Hole Hotel. Two policemen and their prisoner, charged with murder, are present. Will one of the lawmen solve the mystery before all the guests are killed off?
I read this story with great interest but found the ending to be unsatisfying and aspects of the plot unbelievable. It is hard to mention them without spoilers, but I will say that at one point, one of the policemen questions a suspect, who makes a creepy and ambiguous statement, and the cop does not ask any follow-up questions.
This story is most suited for readers of dark, twisted crime stories.
Due to flooded roads, a group of people are stranded at the Watering Hole Hotel. Two policemen and their prisoner, charged with murder, are present. Will one of the lawmen solve the mystery before all the guests are killed off?
I read this story with great interest but found the ending to be unsatisfying and aspects of the plot unbelievable. It is hard to mention them without spoilers, but I will say that at one point, one of the policemen questions a suspect, who makes a creepy and ambiguous statement, and the cop does not ask any follow-up questions.
This story is most suited for readers of dark, twisted crime stories.
September 8, 2025
I really enjoyed this book and the author, Carmel McMurdo Audsley, has skilfully woven all the key elements together to create a suspenseful novel. From the offset, McMurdo Audsley sets the scene, evoking the barren landscape of the Australian outback. Remoteness and isolation is the world we find ourselves in along with the desperate need for rainfall. And so the story begins. The plot unfolds in a pub—The Watering Hole—where a random group of people take shelter from an impending storm. One by one, McMurdo Audsley introduces her characters, including feisty proprietor, Dulcie, her peculiar son, Byron; two policemen who are on their way to Sydney with a convicted criminal, and two couples. McMurdo Audsley builds tension by cleverly illuminating their individual flaws against the backdrop of a sudden spate of deaths among them. And that is the point: to make you wonder. What are their motives? Who is trustworthy? Which one is guilty? The looming storm and subsequent deluge only adds to the tension and the ending was powerful but totally unexpected. ‘Seven Deadly Sinners’ reminded me of the Agatha Christie novel, ‘And Then There Were None.’ If you enjoy stories with a twist, you’ll definitely enjoy this.
February 2, 2026
Seven Deadly Sinners is an Agatha Christie style murder mystery that takes place in 1957 in the Australian outback. Seasonal flooding has trapped eleven people together at an isolated pub in eastern Australia. At 121 pages, the book is a quick read with the first death occurring at about 30% into the story. Deaths keep accumulating, each one related to one of the seven deadly sins.
The location is fun to read about and all the characters are distinguishable if not a little cliche. A lot more character building is spent on some characters than others who only had a few sentences of description before being found dead. The reactions to most of the deaths were almost nonexistent, like akin to an eyebrow raise or a shoulder shrug.
The murderer was someone I suspected from the beginning, and I thought they were a red herring based on how blatant it was, but it turned out to be them all along. Unfortunately, the backstory of the murderer was not very elaborate, so I found it not that fulfilling of an ending. Still, the book was an easy and very fast read, and I did read the whole thing because I wanted to know what happened and who dunnit.
The location is fun to read about and all the characters are distinguishable if not a little cliche. A lot more character building is spent on some characters than others who only had a few sentences of description before being found dead. The reactions to most of the deaths were almost nonexistent, like akin to an eyebrow raise or a shoulder shrug.
The murderer was someone I suspected from the beginning, and I thought they were a red herring based on how blatant it was, but it turned out to be them all along. Unfortunately, the backstory of the murderer was not very elaborate, so I found it not that fulfilling of an ending. Still, the book was an easy and very fast read, and I did read the whole thing because I wanted to know what happened and who dunnit.
December 30, 2023
Seven Deadly Sinners takes you back to 1957, right in the heart of the Australian outback. Picture this: floodwaters trapping a bunch of diverse characters in the Watering Hole hotel. All of them hiding some secrets. Bodies then pile up, the mystery deepens, and the line of suspects thins out – one pretty much gets hooked from the get-go.
The style of the language varies slightly, but the story unfolds generally quick-paced. In this sense, the author quite successfully captures the classic whodunit vibes; and there’s an undeniable reminiscence of the Agatha Christie novels. The characters are well developed. What might seem over-the-top in other contexts perfectly fits the genre and the reader’s amusement. The story’s setting, somewhat eclectically, draws on numerous classic themes. The seven capital sins, but even the sinister agency of nature (in the rising floodwaters) in confining the characters and letting the human “tragedy” unfold. All well employed. Overall, a highly recommendable story.
The style of the language varies slightly, but the story unfolds generally quick-paced. In this sense, the author quite successfully captures the classic whodunit vibes; and there’s an undeniable reminiscence of the Agatha Christie novels. The characters are well developed. What might seem over-the-top in other contexts perfectly fits the genre and the reader’s amusement. The story’s setting, somewhat eclectically, draws on numerous classic themes. The seven capital sins, but even the sinister agency of nature (in the rising floodwaters) in confining the characters and letting the human “tragedy” unfold. All well employed. Overall, a highly recommendable story.
April 4, 2023
This book is a thrilling, captivating and meticulously-crafted mystery novel that expertly molds the elements of a "locked-room" mystery with a remote setting in the desolate Australian Outback. I also like that it’s short at only 121 pages, so it’s easy to get through as casual reading material. I don’t want to spoil too much. But despite the short length, the author creates a page-turning tale that keeps readers guessing until the very end. The characters have skeletons in the closet which are exposed as they are trapped together in a run-down hotel. All the while a colossal storm is occurring. The relentless descriptions of the unique setting add to the eerie atmosphere and make the location almost a character in its own right. The only minor drawback is the ending, which might be a hit or miss, depending on your expectations. Still, this book should be good for mystery crime novel lovers and casual readers.
March 1, 2024
Short and to the Point
Seven Deadly Sinners is a short novella about a group of strangers who are assembled at a remote tavern by chance. I enjoyed the story with respect to the 1957 period it was set in and its location of Australia. This is a story that delivers as advertised. People are getting murdered, and the killer is a mystery. This story reminded me a little bit of a cross between the films, The Hateful Eight, directed by Quentin Tarantino and Seven, directed by David Fincher. I enjoyed the setting and the character development. The murders are frequent, and the killer is kept a secret until the end. I enjoyed the beginning and the middle more than the ending, but it was still enjoyable overall, despite some flaws. The book cover, title and cover blurb accurately describe to the reader what kind of book it is. This would be a good book to read in one sitting at a cottage or camping trip.
Seven Deadly Sinners is a short novella about a group of strangers who are assembled at a remote tavern by chance. I enjoyed the story with respect to the 1957 period it was set in and its location of Australia. This is a story that delivers as advertised. People are getting murdered, and the killer is a mystery. This story reminded me a little bit of a cross between the films, The Hateful Eight, directed by Quentin Tarantino and Seven, directed by David Fincher. I enjoyed the setting and the character development. The murders are frequent, and the killer is kept a secret until the end. I enjoyed the beginning and the middle more than the ending, but it was still enjoyable overall, despite some flaws. The book cover, title and cover blurb accurately describe to the reader what kind of book it is. This would be a good book to read in one sitting at a cottage or camping trip.
May 26, 2024
Buckle up for a suspenseful ride through the Australian outback in "Seven Deadly Sinners: Drought, Flood, an Outback Pub - and a Serial Killer." This fast-paced novella crams a classic whodunit into a remote Queensland pub, where a flash flood strands a group of strangers in 1957. With no A/C, phones, electricity, or escape, tensions rise as quickly as the eminent floodwaters. The killer cleverly uses the seven deadly sins as a chilling theme for their murders, making you question everyone's motives. You could extrapolate a motive for almost any of them. Author Carmel McMurdo Audsley excels at world-building and character development. You'll practically feel the dust, hear the flies, and taste the desperation as secrets spill and the body count climbs. "Seven Deadly Sinners" is a perfect weekend read, offering a satisfying blend of mystery, suspense, and a touch of Aussie grit. I recommend this thrilling whodunit set against the backdrop of a relentless outback flood.
January 27, 2026
Carmel McMurdo Audsley's lean, mean novella sets a fascinating stage. In the remote Australian outback at a desolate pub/motel run by the irascible Dulcie, a group of strangers unwittingly gather to take shelter from a once in a decade deluge that leaves them stranded. One by one they begin to get picked off by a cunning murderer inspired by the seven deadly sins.
I enjoyed the strict adherence to the murder mystery tropes and the unique, bleak and well painted backdrop. The characters were introduced well and successfully get the plot churning, but it was hard to find someone (good or bad) to root for in this setting which became a character in itself. As is the nature of these types of tales, it starts to get a little strained in the end to keep the plot moving and solve the mystery. That being said, this was a quick, fun and dark read.
Highly recommended for fans of Agatha Christie style mysteries.
I enjoyed the strict adherence to the murder mystery tropes and the unique, bleak and well painted backdrop. The characters were introduced well and successfully get the plot churning, but it was hard to find someone (good or bad) to root for in this setting which became a character in itself. As is the nature of these types of tales, it starts to get a little strained in the end to keep the plot moving and solve the mystery. That being said, this was a quick, fun and dark read.
Highly recommended for fans of Agatha Christie style mysteries.
March 13, 2024
I should start by saying that I’m mainly a fantasy reader, but I also like mystery and suspense. That said, I was turned on to “Seven Deadly Sinners” as an alternative to my norm. It’s a short-ish read, maybe around 70 pages or so. I found it to be a well written book and very descriptive. The author, Carmel McMurdo Audlsey, did a nice job of creating the visual for your minds’ eye. I felt there was enough character development and description of the surroundings to really see it.
The setting is the Australian outback where a group of strangers are stranded at a seedy hotel due to flooding after years of drought. This group of strangers is quite the cast of unlikely characters you wouldn’t think to wind up together. People start dying pretty right off and it moves along quickly. I wasn’t keen on the ending, but overall I liked the book. I would recommend it.
The setting is the Australian outback where a group of strangers are stranded at a seedy hotel due to flooding after years of drought. This group of strangers is quite the cast of unlikely characters you wouldn’t think to wind up together. People start dying pretty right off and it moves along quickly. I wasn’t keen on the ending, but overall I liked the book. I would recommend it.
February 14, 2023
The cover of this book vividly portrayed to me the austere beauty and isolation of the rural Australian setting of this novel.
This closed-door mystery, set in the late 50s, kept me guessing who the killer was. As the story unfolded, the rains flooded the surrounding land, and the bodies began piling up, I realized that every character seemed suspect. The premise is interesting—there is literally no where else to go until the roads have cleared. The flooding is like another character in this novel, and we don’t know what it’ll do or what to expect.
This is a quick, entertaining read and different from what I’ve read for some time, and I enjoyed it. I am glad I discovered this Australian author. I have my eye on a couple other of her books.
This closed-door mystery, set in the late 50s, kept me guessing who the killer was. As the story unfolded, the rains flooded the surrounding land, and the bodies began piling up, I realized that every character seemed suspect. The premise is interesting—there is literally no where else to go until the roads have cleared. The flooding is like another character in this novel, and we don’t know what it’ll do or what to expect.
This is a quick, entertaining read and different from what I’ve read for some time, and I enjoyed it. I am glad I discovered this Australian author. I have my eye on a couple other of her books.
February 4, 2024
I know little of the Australian Outback. I’ve seen a few movies, and read a few books. If I had ever been tempted to travel there, after reading this book, I think not. I would never want to be in the position where I had to stay in the place described.
And the author described it well. The setting is the major character in the book. A run-down hotel with no electricity, it’s ominous from the beginning. You can feel the heat and the biting insects and smell the unwashed bodies.
When the murders begin, it’s almost expected in such a place. A group of characters have been forced to stay the night in a place run by a lazy husband, an unhappy wife, and a son who isn’t quite all there. At times I felt as if I was walking into an Alfred Hitchcock movie.
The book is very fast-paced, and there are twists and turns, and a surprising finish.
And the author described it well. The setting is the major character in the book. A run-down hotel with no electricity, it’s ominous from the beginning. You can feel the heat and the biting insects and smell the unwashed bodies.
When the murders begin, it’s almost expected in such a place. A group of characters have been forced to stay the night in a place run by a lazy husband, an unhappy wife, and a son who isn’t quite all there. At times I felt as if I was walking into an Alfred Hitchcock movie.
The book is very fast-paced, and there are twists and turns, and a surprising finish.
July 21, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. The story takes place in the Australian Outback in 1957. A group of travellers ends up at rustic pub/hotel called ‘The Watering Hole,’ essentially in the middle of nowhere.
The place hadn’t seen rain in years, but now everyone finds themselves trapped there for an unspecified amount of time due to potential flooding. Then, eventually, one by one people begin to die. At first, no one suspects foul play until the bodies start to pile up and it becomes obvious there’s a killer among them.
This book is short enough that it can be read in one sitting, it kept me guessing and turning the pages, It’s a wonderfully written and well executed ‘who done it’ type mystery. If you enjoy these kinds of thrillers, I highly recommend it!
The place hadn’t seen rain in years, but now everyone finds themselves trapped there for an unspecified amount of time due to potential flooding. Then, eventually, one by one people begin to die. At first, no one suspects foul play until the bodies start to pile up and it becomes obvious there’s a killer among them.
This book is short enough that it can be read in one sitting, it kept me guessing and turning the pages, It’s a wonderfully written and well executed ‘who done it’ type mystery. If you enjoy these kinds of thrillers, I highly recommend it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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