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Georgie Harvey & John Franklin #4
Black Cloud
How many lives can one incident shatter?
For one Daylesford cop, this will be their last callout. Another may not make it. A third will call it quits.
Black cloud on a winter’s morning signals what nobody could’ve seen coming. An anything-but-routine welfare check by two Daylesford police officers at a farm in Korweinguboora. A fatal house explosion that leaves a rural community reeling.
Local cop John Franklin and Melbourne journalist Georgie Harvey are among the first responders at the property. The crime scene is compromised by fire and tonnes of water, and speculations run rife. Murder-suicide? Accident or sabotage? An isolated incident or just the beginning?
As lives hang in the balance, Franklin seeks answers and someone to hold accountable while Georgie investigates her toughest story yet. But will one of them crack?
For one Daylesford cop, this will be their last callout. Another may not make it. A third will call it quits.
Black cloud on a winter’s morning signals what nobody could’ve seen coming. An anything-but-routine welfare check by two Daylesford police officers at a farm in Korweinguboora. A fatal house explosion that leaves a rural community reeling.
Local cop John Franklin and Melbourne journalist Georgie Harvey are among the first responders at the property. The crime scene is compromised by fire and tonnes of water, and speculations run rife. Murder-suicide? Accident or sabotage? An isolated incident or just the beginning?
As lives hang in the balance, Franklin seeks answers and someone to hold accountable while Georgie investigates her toughest story yet. But will one of them crack?
- GenresProceduralCrime
373 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 22, 2020
29 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Sandi Wallace
10 books81 followersSandi Wallace is an award-winning Australian crime writer and avid reader of good crime reads. Her latest publication is psychological suspense-thriller What You Don’t Know.
‘Tense, twisty, terrific.’—Vanda Symon
‘An unsettling claustrophobic tale of small-town secrets.’—Alan Carter
‘A deliciously tense and suspenseful journey.’—Nikki Crutchley
Sandi’s ‘writer’s apprenticeship’ included gathering fodder for her stories from stints as banker, paralegal, cabinetmaker, office manager, executive assistant, personal trainer, journalist… and life. She nearly joined Victoria Police but instead, chased her writing dream. Sandi has won a host of prizes for her short crime fiction including several Scarlet Stiletto Awards. Her debut rural thriller Tell Me Why won the Davitt Award Readers’ Choice and was shortlisted for the Davitt's Best Debut.
Sandi lives on Millowl / Phillip Island off the southern coast of Victoria, Australia with her husband where she is at work on a new thriller. She loves to hear from her readers. Stay in touch by joining her on her socials or her website.
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sandi.wallac...
Website https://www.sandiwallace.com
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/author/sandiwa...
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sandiwallac...
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sandi...
‘Tense, twisty, terrific.’—Vanda Symon
‘An unsettling claustrophobic tale of small-town secrets.’—Alan Carter
‘A deliciously tense and suspenseful journey.’—Nikki Crutchley
Sandi’s ‘writer’s apprenticeship’ included gathering fodder for her stories from stints as banker, paralegal, cabinetmaker, office manager, executive assistant, personal trainer, journalist… and life. She nearly joined Victoria Police but instead, chased her writing dream. Sandi has won a host of prizes for her short crime fiction including several Scarlet Stiletto Awards. Her debut rural thriller Tell Me Why won the Davitt Award Readers’ Choice and was shortlisted for the Davitt's Best Debut.
Sandi lives on Millowl / Phillip Island off the southern coast of Victoria, Australia with her husband where she is at work on a new thriller. She loves to hear from her readers. Stay in touch by joining her on her socials or her website.
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sandi.wallac...
Website https://www.sandiwallace.com
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/author/sandiwa...
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sandiwallac...
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sandi...
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 11, 2020
Black Cloud is the 4th book in the Georgie Harvey & John Franklin Aussie crime series written by Sandi Wallace. Unusually, I didn't start with this series from the beginning, and this was the first book I've read by the author. I came across her work through her blog and a publisher's monthly newsletter and thought it was about time I read a few thrillers from other countries.
Georgie and Franklin are partners. She's a journalist. He's a detective. Together, they spend their days and nights keeping things in order. In Black Cloud, a pair of cops are called to a rural area to meet with someone regarding a potential child services case. When they arrive, things are amiss... no one can be found, and then an explosion happens. Both cops and the nurse are immediately injured, and when Franklin reaches the scene, things get far worse. Murder. Fraud. Illness. What's going on in this poor little town?
The book kicks off with the explosion, which immediately draws you in. New to the series, I wasn't familiar with some of the character relationships, but within the first ten percent, it all becomes clear. I quickly rooted for the two cops to pull through the massive fire and gas storm... to find the family... to save the nurse. I also needed to know who called them there and what it had to do with another potential murder case Georgie was investigating. Everything is tied together in various ways, and figuring out the path was good fun.
The entire book takes place in about five days. After the explosion scene, things slow down and take a few days to understand which bodies were found, who would survive, and why a strange woman keeps changing her mind about talking to Georgie in regard to the original murder. By the third day, we learn enough facts to connect some intriguing puzzle pieces, and the challenge truly begins for me. The last third of the book ramps up again as things come to a conclusion. All in all, for a ~400 page book, it goes very quickly. I expected to take three days but finished in two, and I found myself having to slow down a little to ensure I took in all the drama and potential clues.
Kudos to the author for creating a great setting with strong protagonists. I'll have to go back to the beginning and start this series properly now!
Georgie and Franklin are partners. She's a journalist. He's a detective. Together, they spend their days and nights keeping things in order. In Black Cloud, a pair of cops are called to a rural area to meet with someone regarding a potential child services case. When they arrive, things are amiss... no one can be found, and then an explosion happens. Both cops and the nurse are immediately injured, and when Franklin reaches the scene, things get far worse. Murder. Fraud. Illness. What's going on in this poor little town?
The book kicks off with the explosion, which immediately draws you in. New to the series, I wasn't familiar with some of the character relationships, but within the first ten percent, it all becomes clear. I quickly rooted for the two cops to pull through the massive fire and gas storm... to find the family... to save the nurse. I also needed to know who called them there and what it had to do with another potential murder case Georgie was investigating. Everything is tied together in various ways, and figuring out the path was good fun.
The entire book takes place in about five days. After the explosion scene, things slow down and take a few days to understand which bodies were found, who would survive, and why a strange woman keeps changing her mind about talking to Georgie in regard to the original murder. By the third day, we learn enough facts to connect some intriguing puzzle pieces, and the challenge truly begins for me. The last third of the book ramps up again as things come to a conclusion. All in all, for a ~400 page book, it goes very quickly. I expected to take three days but finished in two, and I found myself having to slow down a little to ensure I took in all the drama and potential clues.
Kudos to the author for creating a great setting with strong protagonists. I'll have to go back to the beginning and start this series properly now!
November 24, 2020
The novel opens with a massive explosion that kills one member of the Daylesford police and injures another, along with a nurse sent to carry out a welfare check on the woman who lives at the property. The resulting fire is so fierce that no one can get into the house to search for the woman, her husband and two young children. Arriving on the scene with other detectives from Bacchus Marsh, newly appointed DS John Franklin was appalled to learn that two of his close colleagues from his previous station are the victims caught in the blast, and is determined to stop at nothing to find out what caused it. His girlfriend, journalist Georgie Harvey, also friends of the police caught in the blast is also determined to investigate whether someone was responsible for the blast.
With any evidence destroyed by the heat of the fire and the water used to put it out, it's tough for he detectives and fire investigation team to find any clues to the cause of the fire. However, Georgie is working on another suspicious death and has observed some unusual activity on another farm that she thinks may have links to the case. As his injured police colleague fights for life in hospital, Franklin becomes obsessed with solving the case, constantly searching for answers and avoiding home. He becomes more and more distanced from Georgie and his teenage daughter Kat, such that by the end of the book it's difficult to know if Franklin and Georgie will be able to salvage their relationship.
Sandi Wallace writes excellent rural crime and this was not only atmospheric and descriptive of the rural setting but also highlighted the hardships that those on the land are suffering from drought and climate change. With intense drama and a complex crime to unravel this makes for compelling reading. 4.5★
With any evidence destroyed by the heat of the fire and the water used to put it out, it's tough for he detectives and fire investigation team to find any clues to the cause of the fire. However, Georgie is working on another suspicious death and has observed some unusual activity on another farm that she thinks may have links to the case. As his injured police colleague fights for life in hospital, Franklin becomes obsessed with solving the case, constantly searching for answers and avoiding home. He becomes more and more distanced from Georgie and his teenage daughter Kat, such that by the end of the book it's difficult to know if Franklin and Georgie will be able to salvage their relationship.
Sandi Wallace writes excellent rural crime and this was not only atmospheric and descriptive of the rural setting but also highlighted the hardships that those on the land are suffering from drought and climate change. With intense drama and a complex crime to unravel this makes for compelling reading. 4.5★
August 9, 2020
As the two officers headed to a welfare check not too far from Daylesford in Victoria, Sam hoped the community nurse would be on time. When the two vehicles arrived, the house looked deserted: quiet and lonely. But Sam was uneasy. As her partner headed for the door, knocking but receiving no answer, Sam and the nurse followed. Everything happened in the blink of an eye; Sam’s premonition was correct.
After the local fire brigade arrived, Daylesford police officer, John Franklin and his partner were first on scene, while Melbourne journalist Georgie Harvey wasn’t far behind. What Franklin found shocked him to the core; never in all his policing days had he seen anything so bad. With police and CIU teams, ambulances and arson suits converging, the crime scene was soon established. As soon as Franklin could leave he started his search for answers, while Georgie followed her leads in the toughest story she’d ever followed.
But was it a terrible accident? A murder-suicide – surely not! Or was there more to it – Franklin would find out if it was the last thing he did…
Black Cloud is the 4th in the Georgie Harvey & John Franklin series by Aussie author Sandi Wallace, and it’s her best yet in my opinion. Intense and chilling, the book opened with a bang and kept going until the shattering conclusion. Franklin was internally focused to the point of ignoring everything else. Texts, phone calls, his daughter Kat, Georgie – nobody and nothing mattered but finding the answers. Black Cloud was a great read, and one I recommend highly.
With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read in exchange for my honest review.
After the local fire brigade arrived, Daylesford police officer, John Franklin and his partner were first on scene, while Melbourne journalist Georgie Harvey wasn’t far behind. What Franklin found shocked him to the core; never in all his policing days had he seen anything so bad. With police and CIU teams, ambulances and arson suits converging, the crime scene was soon established. As soon as Franklin could leave he started his search for answers, while Georgie followed her leads in the toughest story she’d ever followed.
But was it a terrible accident? A murder-suicide – surely not! Or was there more to it – Franklin would find out if it was the last thing he did…
Black Cloud is the 4th in the Georgie Harvey & John Franklin series by Aussie author Sandi Wallace, and it’s her best yet in my opinion. Intense and chilling, the book opened with a bang and kept going until the shattering conclusion. Franklin was internally focused to the point of ignoring everything else. Texts, phone calls, his daughter Kat, Georgie – nobody and nothing mattered but finding the answers. Black Cloud was a great read, and one I recommend highly.
With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read in exchange for my honest review.
July 15, 2020
Brilliant Australian rural crime fiction. One awful incident, so many lives irrevocably altered, a community pitched into stunned sadness and disbelief.
Black Cloud is the fourth book in the rural crime series which features Georgie Harvey and John Franklin, by award-winning Australian author, Sandi Wallace. It is a routine welfare check at the Murray farm on Riley’s Lane in Korweinguboora. Constable Samanta Tesorino (Sam) and her colleague, Grant Irvine (Irvy) are meeting the nurse, Denise Zachary there. But it all goes badly wrong.
The place seems too quiet for a family of four. Irvy is barely inside the front door when Sam smells gas, yells a warning. Seconds later, the blast blows her and Denise flat. When Sam comes to, there’s fire everywhere: the house, Denise, Sam herself, on fire. Someone eventually pours water over her. Sam slips in and out of consciousness.
Now stationed with the detective unit at Bacchus Marsh, Senior Constable John Franklin is investigating stock theft with his colleague, Marty Howell when they catch a police radio report of explosions and fire, with police casualties, near Korweingi. They immediately head there, not only because they are closest, but also because Franklin fears his former colleagues at Daylesford may be involved.
Journalist Georgie Harvey puts her foot down in her Alfa Spider, alerted by the news bulletin mentioning injured police: she knows her partner Franklin won’t be there, but some of their friends might. Her human-interest follow-up story about an accidental drowning will wait, although several missed calls while she is at the scene suggest there may be more to that.
Within hours, Franklin considers the horrific scene: “At least one police officer critical and another MIA. One civilian down and a family of four also unaccounted for. A house destroyed by a fire fuelled by accelerants. Several exploding gas cylinders. Not yet known if all this was by accident, or by design.”
In the immediate aftermath, Georgie, trying to distract herself from the distress of the scene, pivots between two activities: condolence visits to Murray neighbours, with perhaps an eye on a thoughtful article about communities supporting each other (not for her the sensationalist pieces that some of her less ethical colleagues indulge in, jumping to conclusions and fuelling speculation about the Murray family’s fate); and interviews for her earlier accidental (or not) drowning piece. Here, her journalist brain notes details that hint at an unexpected connection.
Franklin, meanwhile, spreads himself too thinly, trying to discover what truly happened while also taking time to comfort the bereaved and sit with the comatose. Even sleep-deprived, he does some excellent detective work, but will frustrate the reader with his disconnect from Georgie, just when collaboration would be advantageous.
Once again, Wallace embroils her clever, resourceful journalist and her principled, caring cop in a case that twists and turns and surprises as it rushes into a nail-biting climax. Her depiction of the explosion and fire is skilful, conveying the urgency, the intensity, the danger, to which the victims and the first responders are exposed. She does not spare the reader’s emotions: prepare for a gut-punch.
Wallace also draws the reader’s attention to the frustration that must accompany a case where much of the evidence is destroyed by fire, where delays occur due to the presence of asbestos in old buildings, and where the judgement of investigators may be adversely affected by grief and worry about their colleagues.
While part of a series, this book can be read as a stand-alone as references to earlier books are sufficiently ambiguous to avoid spoilers. This is another gripping page-turner that will definitely have readers new to the series seeking out Wallace’s backlist.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by the author.
Black Cloud is the fourth book in the rural crime series which features Georgie Harvey and John Franklin, by award-winning Australian author, Sandi Wallace. It is a routine welfare check at the Murray farm on Riley’s Lane in Korweinguboora. Constable Samanta Tesorino (Sam) and her colleague, Grant Irvine (Irvy) are meeting the nurse, Denise Zachary there. But it all goes badly wrong.
The place seems too quiet for a family of four. Irvy is barely inside the front door when Sam smells gas, yells a warning. Seconds later, the blast blows her and Denise flat. When Sam comes to, there’s fire everywhere: the house, Denise, Sam herself, on fire. Someone eventually pours water over her. Sam slips in and out of consciousness.
Now stationed with the detective unit at Bacchus Marsh, Senior Constable John Franklin is investigating stock theft with his colleague, Marty Howell when they catch a police radio report of explosions and fire, with police casualties, near Korweingi. They immediately head there, not only because they are closest, but also because Franklin fears his former colleagues at Daylesford may be involved.
Journalist Georgie Harvey puts her foot down in her Alfa Spider, alerted by the news bulletin mentioning injured police: she knows her partner Franklin won’t be there, but some of their friends might. Her human-interest follow-up story about an accidental drowning will wait, although several missed calls while she is at the scene suggest there may be more to that.
Within hours, Franklin considers the horrific scene: “At least one police officer critical and another MIA. One civilian down and a family of four also unaccounted for. A house destroyed by a fire fuelled by accelerants. Several exploding gas cylinders. Not yet known if all this was by accident, or by design.”
In the immediate aftermath, Georgie, trying to distract herself from the distress of the scene, pivots between two activities: condolence visits to Murray neighbours, with perhaps an eye on a thoughtful article about communities supporting each other (not for her the sensationalist pieces that some of her less ethical colleagues indulge in, jumping to conclusions and fuelling speculation about the Murray family’s fate); and interviews for her earlier accidental (or not) drowning piece. Here, her journalist brain notes details that hint at an unexpected connection.
Franklin, meanwhile, spreads himself too thinly, trying to discover what truly happened while also taking time to comfort the bereaved and sit with the comatose. Even sleep-deprived, he does some excellent detective work, but will frustrate the reader with his disconnect from Georgie, just when collaboration would be advantageous.
Once again, Wallace embroils her clever, resourceful journalist and her principled, caring cop in a case that twists and turns and surprises as it rushes into a nail-biting climax. Her depiction of the explosion and fire is skilful, conveying the urgency, the intensity, the danger, to which the victims and the first responders are exposed. She does not spare the reader’s emotions: prepare for a gut-punch.
Wallace also draws the reader’s attention to the frustration that must accompany a case where much of the evidence is destroyed by fire, where delays occur due to the presence of asbestos in old buildings, and where the judgement of investigators may be adversely affected by grief and worry about their colleagues.
While part of a series, this book can be read as a stand-alone as references to earlier books are sufficiently ambiguous to avoid spoilers. This is another gripping page-turner that will definitely have readers new to the series seeking out Wallace’s backlist.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by the author.
March 12, 2021
Black Cloud by Sandi Wallace
Book #4 in the Georgie Harvey and John Franklin series.
What an opening! Buckle up fans.
From the opening lines it’s clear that the pace has already been set for this story and things are about to get nail biting.
A cold winter’s morning and a routine welfare check by officials at a country home on a property in rural Victoria...seems like an average day until they walk in the door and......BOOM!!
What happens next will have the questions in your head tumbling over themselves in an effort to make sense of the unexpected shock of what just happened...and all in the opening pages!
Two police officers from Franklin’s team and a welfare officer are to meet at the property before they make a combined routine visit with the family living there.
The family, a mother, father and two young children have been suffering the effects of too many life affecting problems and the welfare authorities has cause for concern about their capacity to manage.
When there is no answer at their knock on the door, one of the police officers enters ahead of the other two in his eagerness to have this over with. As the other two hasten to catch up with him there is a sudden and mind blowing explosion, and everything goes blank.
What just happened??! An unfortunate accident? A set up...foul play? Or murder- suicide?
Franklin is in the vicinity on other business, he hears the explosion and quickly heads in the direction knowing that two of his team are also somewhere nearby on a routine call. As he gets closer he is terrified at the thought that his officers might have been caught up in something, possibly hurt.
When he arrives and notices the unmarked police car and another, probably belonging to the welfare officer, his worst fears are realized as the house is totally engulfed in flames and there are no visible signs of life.
As the only first responder he has to do what he can to check for hurt people, though he is paralyzed with shock and fear for the people he knows are somewhere here.
Georgie, a journalist, is also in the area chasing a story for her boss. A story which may or may not be connected to the people living on nearby properties.
She follows the sirens and is able to gain entry before police cordon off the property.
Georgie gets involved with helping and her ever alert journalistic skills start to take notes of everything she sees, to be sifted through and deciphered later.
What a page turner! I was engrossed in this read from beginning to end,
Sandi Wallace I think this is your best yet! I loved it.
5⭐️’s
Book #4 in the Georgie Harvey and John Franklin series.
What an opening! Buckle up fans.
From the opening lines it’s clear that the pace has already been set for this story and things are about to get nail biting.
A cold winter’s morning and a routine welfare check by officials at a country home on a property in rural Victoria...seems like an average day until they walk in the door and......BOOM!!
What happens next will have the questions in your head tumbling over themselves in an effort to make sense of the unexpected shock of what just happened...and all in the opening pages!
Two police officers from Franklin’s team and a welfare officer are to meet at the property before they make a combined routine visit with the family living there.
The family, a mother, father and two young children have been suffering the effects of too many life affecting problems and the welfare authorities has cause for concern about their capacity to manage.
When there is no answer at their knock on the door, one of the police officers enters ahead of the other two in his eagerness to have this over with. As the other two hasten to catch up with him there is a sudden and mind blowing explosion, and everything goes blank.
What just happened??! An unfortunate accident? A set up...foul play? Or murder- suicide?
Franklin is in the vicinity on other business, he hears the explosion and quickly heads in the direction knowing that two of his team are also somewhere nearby on a routine call. As he gets closer he is terrified at the thought that his officers might have been caught up in something, possibly hurt.
When he arrives and notices the unmarked police car and another, probably belonging to the welfare officer, his worst fears are realized as the house is totally engulfed in flames and there are no visible signs of life.
As the only first responder he has to do what he can to check for hurt people, though he is paralyzed with shock and fear for the people he knows are somewhere here.
Georgie, a journalist, is also in the area chasing a story for her boss. A story which may or may not be connected to the people living on nearby properties.
She follows the sirens and is able to gain entry before police cordon off the property.
Georgie gets involved with helping and her ever alert journalistic skills start to take notes of everything she sees, to be sifted through and deciphered later.
What a page turner! I was engrossed in this read from beginning to end,
Sandi Wallace I think this is your best yet! I loved it.
5⭐️’s
August 17, 2020
From the explosive opening, I was hooked. The pain and emotional impact of this tragedy was vividly portrayed and intertwined with the intriguing investigation. A gripping read which I was unable to put down.
October 24, 2020
Black Cloud is the fourth book in Sandi Wallace’s crime fiction series featuring journalist Georgie Harvey and police officer John Franklin.
Wallace has been on my radar for quite some time, so I welcomed the invitation to read and review Black Cloud. Had I the time, I would have read the previous novels in the series as I think familiarity with the characters would have enhanced my reading experience, nevertheless the plot of this fourth book works as a standalone.
Set around Daylesford in rural Victoria, Black Cloud begins with a bang, literally, as a family home explodes. Among the first responders is John Franklin who is horrified to discover two of his colleagues, and friends, were caught in the blast while carrying out a routine welfare check. One is dead, and the other badly injured, so too is a community nurse and when the blaze if finally brought under control, the bodies of all four members of the Murray family are discovered inside the home.
From its dramatic opening scenes, Black Cloud unfolds at a fast pace as the investigation into the explosion begins in earnest. Franklin exhausts himself, physically and emotionally, as he interviews the family, neighbours, and friends of the deceased, searching for evidence that may explain the tragedy.
Georgie is equally distressed by the disaster, and though distracted somewhat by her ongoing investigation related to the accidental drowning of a local farmer she considers suspicious, she makes some inquiries of her own. Unexpectedly she uncovers a link between both incidents, but she needs Franklin’s help to determine if it’s simply more than a coincidence.
Franklin and Georgie are romantic partners, but this incident places strain on their relationship with Franklin avoiding Georgie as a way of avoiding his own emotions. Wallace’s portrayal of Franklin’s grief is nuanced and authentic, as is Georgie’s concern for his well-being, and hurt feelings from being shut out. The lack of communication also affects how the case plays out, as it’s only by exchanging information that the tragedy can be solved.
With its intriguing storyline and appealing characters, Black Cloud is a great read.
I’m determined to get my hands on Sandi Wallace’s backlist, and I’d recommend those who enjoy rural Australian crime fiction do the same.
Wallace has been on my radar for quite some time, so I welcomed the invitation to read and review Black Cloud. Had I the time, I would have read the previous novels in the series as I think familiarity with the characters would have enhanced my reading experience, nevertheless the plot of this fourth book works as a standalone.
Set around Daylesford in rural Victoria, Black Cloud begins with a bang, literally, as a family home explodes. Among the first responders is John Franklin who is horrified to discover two of his colleagues, and friends, were caught in the blast while carrying out a routine welfare check. One is dead, and the other badly injured, so too is a community nurse and when the blaze if finally brought under control, the bodies of all four members of the Murray family are discovered inside the home.
From its dramatic opening scenes, Black Cloud unfolds at a fast pace as the investigation into the explosion begins in earnest. Franklin exhausts himself, physically and emotionally, as he interviews the family, neighbours, and friends of the deceased, searching for evidence that may explain the tragedy.
Georgie is equally distressed by the disaster, and though distracted somewhat by her ongoing investigation related to the accidental drowning of a local farmer she considers suspicious, she makes some inquiries of her own. Unexpectedly she uncovers a link between both incidents, but she needs Franklin’s help to determine if it’s simply more than a coincidence.
Franklin and Georgie are romantic partners, but this incident places strain on their relationship with Franklin avoiding Georgie as a way of avoiding his own emotions. Wallace’s portrayal of Franklin’s grief is nuanced and authentic, as is Georgie’s concern for his well-being, and hurt feelings from being shut out. The lack of communication also affects how the case plays out, as it’s only by exchanging information that the tragedy can be solved.
With its intriguing storyline and appealing characters, Black Cloud is a great read.
I’m determined to get my hands on Sandi Wallace’s backlist, and I’d recommend those who enjoy rural Australian crime fiction do the same.
June 27, 2021
"Irvy disappeared calling, 'Mr and Mrs Murray...." And just like that within a handful of pages you are plunged into yet another brilliant offering from this wonderful author. Sandi Wallace delivers on her promise with this fourth, page turning, riveting rural crime thriller with all the familiar characters that we have all grown to love. But this particular story has a much more personal theme to it as well and for me was as much a heartbreaking read as it was thrilling. What I love about Sandi's writing and novels is the way she weaves in places that are familiar to many of us living here in Victoria but can also allow those not too familiar to visualise and bring these places to life. Having said that I had to look up Korweinguboora as I had never head of it!!! I was amazed that I hadn't seeing how close it is to Daylesford, a place I know well. Here is what I found: "A small town with a big heart and a big name, locals say there's something very special about life in Korweinguboora." Sandi has a talent of creating not only a fast paced, engrossing crime/thriller tale but one that includes human relationships and very relatable themes. Her characters become like family or friends as you read and get to know them. You find yourself completely absorbed in their lives and trials. There was only one thing that I didn't like about this book and that was that I don't have a fifth one to continue on with. I'm hoping there is still more of Franklin and Georgie to come. Somehow I feel like there is. Am I right Ms. Wallace? Well in the meantime I look forward to seeing what else this amazing author has in store for us. I highly recommend this Australian rural crime series to anyone that appreciates good story telling.
January 2, 2023
I read this in a day as I couldn’t put it down and wanted to know what happened. Great book!
September 19, 2020
The book had me into it from the very beginning. Another great read
September 24, 2020
Book of the year (so far) and best in this series.
January 28, 2021
The fourth book in the Georgie Harvey and John Franklin series, this series is set, in the main, around Daylesford and the goldfields area, with BLACK CLOUD mostly in Korweinguboora, one of my all time favourite place names (and locales). When I was a kid my grandfather loved heading out to there to collect spa water from a roadside spring. His garage was always filled with bottles coated with dark red mineralisation, and the daily glass of lemon cordial and spa water cold from the fridge must have done something - he lived until he was 99 after all. It's a great part of the world, and the ultimate local test of where you're from was always if you could pronounce Korweinguboora or not.
This series is based around Harvey's journalistic and Franklin's police careers; and their personal partnership which is pretty well always a bit on the rocks, especially from Harvey's point of view as Franklin struggles with the pressures and pitfalls of policing in small towns where the personal and professional often overlap. In BLACK CLOUD the overlap is awful, when in the opening of the novel, a family home explodes into flames, whilst police colleagues and a community nurse are on scene, doing a health and welfare check on the family. When the smoke settles, and the flames are bought under control the death toll includes the entire family of 4 and one of Franklin's police colleagues, whilst the other policewoman and a community nurse have been critically injured.
The story revolves around the questions you'd expect to have asked of an incident like this - murder, murder-suicide or tragic accident? As is always the case in small towns though, there's pressure of different sorts here. The tension between the big city specialist cops called into investigate, and the grief and commitment that Franklin has to his team, his colleagues and his community. His grief is palpable in his determination to get to the bottom of this mystery, sidelined or not, and in the process he exhausts himself, whilst turning away from Harvey and his daughter, creating tensions at home and at work, driven and desperate to understand what happened. Meanwhile Harvey is conducting her own investigations as part of a story to be written, discovering bits of information and connections with other strange goings on, dealing all the while with her hurt as Franklin withdraws further. Sadly, this disconnection has a direct impact on the way the case unfolds, and the path to the truth that eventually comes to light.
An elegant combination of rural crime fiction and police procedural with a romance element incorporated, this series has developed really strongly. The relationship - personal and professional - at the heart of these works. Franklin and Harvey feel like a real couple, with tensions and imperfections, and a way of muddling through. The sense of place is pretty strong, and the subject matter being tackled here very current and very believable.
You never know, by the end of BLACK CLOUD, you may even be pronouncing Korweinguboora like a local :)
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
This series is based around Harvey's journalistic and Franklin's police careers; and their personal partnership which is pretty well always a bit on the rocks, especially from Harvey's point of view as Franklin struggles with the pressures and pitfalls of policing in small towns where the personal and professional often overlap. In BLACK CLOUD the overlap is awful, when in the opening of the novel, a family home explodes into flames, whilst police colleagues and a community nurse are on scene, doing a health and welfare check on the family. When the smoke settles, and the flames are bought under control the death toll includes the entire family of 4 and one of Franklin's police colleagues, whilst the other policewoman and a community nurse have been critically injured.
The story revolves around the questions you'd expect to have asked of an incident like this - murder, murder-suicide or tragic accident? As is always the case in small towns though, there's pressure of different sorts here. The tension between the big city specialist cops called into investigate, and the grief and commitment that Franklin has to his team, his colleagues and his community. His grief is palpable in his determination to get to the bottom of this mystery, sidelined or not, and in the process he exhausts himself, whilst turning away from Harvey and his daughter, creating tensions at home and at work, driven and desperate to understand what happened. Meanwhile Harvey is conducting her own investigations as part of a story to be written, discovering bits of information and connections with other strange goings on, dealing all the while with her hurt as Franklin withdraws further. Sadly, this disconnection has a direct impact on the way the case unfolds, and the path to the truth that eventually comes to light.
An elegant combination of rural crime fiction and police procedural with a romance element incorporated, this series has developed really strongly. The relationship - personal and professional - at the heart of these works. Franklin and Harvey feel like a real couple, with tensions and imperfections, and a way of muddling through. The sense of place is pretty strong, and the subject matter being tackled here very current and very believable.
You never know, by the end of BLACK CLOUD, you may even be pronouncing Korweinguboora like a local :)
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
December 19, 2020
Set in regional Victoria, Black Cloud begins dramatically with a fatal house explosion. With remarkable detail, Sandi Wallace describes the crime scene and the experience of those involved.
The story then follows the main characters journalist Georgie Harvey and local cop John Franklin, as they separately – although they are in a relationship – investigate the situation.
One of the strengths of this novel is how Sandi Wallace poignantly captures the impact of grief and how this can negatively impact individuals, their relationships, and in this case the investigation.
Another theme Sandi Wallace deftly develops is the increasing economic strain on regional and rural communities and how farmers in particular have had to diversify their business, sometimes in dodgy ways, to make ends meet.
The story then follows the main characters journalist Georgie Harvey and local cop John Franklin, as they separately – although they are in a relationship – investigate the situation.
One of the strengths of this novel is how Sandi Wallace poignantly captures the impact of grief and how this can negatively impact individuals, their relationships, and in this case the investigation.
Another theme Sandi Wallace deftly develops is the increasing economic strain on regional and rural communities and how farmers in particular have had to diversify their business, sometimes in dodgy ways, to make ends meet.
April 13, 2022
Another fantastic rural crime police procedural set around the Daylesford area, following journalist Georgie Harvey and police officer, John Franklin.
Police officers, performing a welfare check with a local nurse on a farm in Korweinguboora end up in a fatal explosion. The crime scene is compromised by resulting fire, further explosions and water, and local speculations run rife.
Wallace explores the impact on various communities; family, local, police, CFA etc trying to understand what has occurred whilst simultaneously grieving. Reminding us that Post traumatic stress affects first responders and bystanders alike.
John Franklin is pushed to breaking point.
I can't wait for the next in this excellent series!
Police officers, performing a welfare check with a local nurse on a farm in Korweinguboora end up in a fatal explosion. The crime scene is compromised by resulting fire, further explosions and water, and local speculations run rife.
Wallace explores the impact on various communities; family, local, police, CFA etc trying to understand what has occurred whilst simultaneously grieving. Reminding us that Post traumatic stress affects first responders and bystanders alike.
John Franklin is pushed to breaking point.
I can't wait for the next in this excellent series!
December 6, 2020
The reason it is over so many days that I read this book is both work related and fear of the possible ending coming. Sandi has structured the story so well feeding us the threads of the investigation by police and by the investigative journalist in small parts of each chapter, with some other threads woven in.
Our emergency services risk their lives to support a safe society, in this book Sandi gives us a look into those risks and the difficulties they cause for colleagues and family.
I recommend this book to help you in thinking on the effects jobs they do.
Our emergency services risk their lives to support a safe society, in this book Sandi gives us a look into those risks and the difficulties they cause for colleagues and family.
I recommend this book to help you in thinking on the effects jobs they do.
January 14, 2021
Sandi Wallace's Black Cloud is a gripping read focused on the work of our hard-working police, and the grief of losing colleagues who don't make it home at the end of the day.
Black Cloud opens with an explosive house fire which takes the lives of a young family. Dare devil Georgie Harvey's investigations into the event lead her into dangerous situations, but she gradually gathers information which is vital to solving the case. Meanwhile John Franklin is more reflective, grieving the loss of his old mate and anxious for another friend who is fighting for their life after the explosion. Tensions rise as they close in on the culprits in a high risk conclusion.
Black Cloud opens with an explosive house fire which takes the lives of a young family. Dare devil Georgie Harvey's investigations into the event lead her into dangerous situations, but she gradually gathers information which is vital to solving the case. Meanwhile John Franklin is more reflective, grieving the loss of his old mate and anxious for another friend who is fighting for their life after the explosion. Tensions rise as they close in on the culprits in a high risk conclusion.
June 22, 2021
Sandi Wallace creates a world of intriguing characters and builds the murder-mystery to an awesome climax that had me on the edge of my seat. The opening is literally "explosive" and the description of the explosion and the aftermath is both horrifying and mesmerizing. It had me hooked! Highly recommended.
February 13, 2021
Sandi Wallace's books are riveting, rich characters and a page turner
I'm so glad I found Sandi Wallace's books. Each character is so rich and explored. The dialogue is outstanding. Also being set in Australia is a plus. I can't stop thinking about the characters and how their journey evolves. Love Franklin and Georgie.
I'm so glad I found Sandi Wallace's books. Each character is so rich and explored. The dialogue is outstanding. Also being set in Australia is a plus. I can't stop thinking about the characters and how their journey evolves. Love Franklin and Georgie.
May 26, 2021
Stunning crime series
Fantastic Australian series, set in country Victoria and bristling with excellent characters. Intriguing story lines. Well written and a likeable but conflicted pair of heroes.
Fantastic Australian series, set in country Victoria and bristling with excellent characters. Intriguing story lines. Well written and a likeable but conflicted pair of heroes.
May 1, 2024
oh my goodness
Oh my goodness I am glad the books finished there. I don’t think my heart could take any more of the suspense. Sandi Wallace you are one amazing author. Thank you. ♥️Susie
Oh my goodness I am glad the books finished there. I don’t think my heart could take any more of the suspense. Sandi Wallace you are one amazing author. Thank you. ♥️Susie
September 23, 2020
Most enjoyable. I am looking forward to their ongoing story.
June 14, 2021
Yet another outstanding book from Sandi Wallace, number 4 in her Georgie Harvey and John Franklin series. To me this was the best yet. Can’t wait for number 5 !
October 1, 2021
Another really enjoyable book from a very talented writer. Read the 4 book series in less than a week and can't wait for the next one.
July 31, 2024
I loved this series and now don’t know what to read next. The ending left me wanting more.
February 22, 2021
Black cloud
Definitely not as good as the previous two books.
The ending sucked with nothing resolved.
I feel that i wasted time reading it for nothing.
Definitely not as good as the previous two books.
The ending sucked with nothing resolved.
I feel that i wasted time reading it for nothing.
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