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The Goodbye Party
Please note: This series contains mature themes and listener discretion is advised.
In 1984, Detective Eric O'Malley investigated the bizarre deaths of a young couple, their bodies found naked by the side of a creek in Sydney's northern suburbs. Shortly before their demise, O'Malley learned, the pair had attended a swingers' party.
The case was barely open before it was deemed an accident. But O'Malley knew it was murder. He just couldn't prove it.
Thirty-five years later, O'Malley is found dead in his flat in what looks like a drug overdose. But his son James knows something's amiss. His dad was close to solving that case after all these years. And someone else knew it.
To track down his father's killer, James must find the men and women who were there on the fateful night when that young couple died. This was the night of 'The Goodbye Party' - and uncovering its secrets will lead James down a dark path, filled with horrific twists and turns.
Inspired by Sydney’s real-life Bogle-Chandler case, playwright Louis Nowra (writer of Australian classics Cosi, Radiance and The Golden Age) creates an enthralling multicast audio drama, featuring an exceptional cast including Ben Oxenbould (Deep Water, Wolf Creek), Steve Bisley (Water Rats, Mad Max), and Aaron Pedersen (Mystery Road, Jack Irish).
This is an Audible Original Podcast. Free for members. You can add all 12 episodes to your Library now.
©2019 Audible Australia Pty Ltd (P)2019 Audible Australia Pty Ltd
In 1984, Detective Eric O'Malley investigated the bizarre deaths of a young couple, their bodies found naked by the side of a creek in Sydney's northern suburbs. Shortly before their demise, O'Malley learned, the pair had attended a swingers' party.
The case was barely open before it was deemed an accident. But O'Malley knew it was murder. He just couldn't prove it.
Thirty-five years later, O'Malley is found dead in his flat in what looks like a drug overdose. But his son James knows something's amiss. His dad was close to solving that case after all these years. And someone else knew it.
To track down his father's killer, James must find the men and women who were there on the fateful night when that young couple died. This was the night of 'The Goodbye Party' - and uncovering its secrets will lead James down a dark path, filled with horrific twists and turns.
Inspired by Sydney’s real-life Bogle-Chandler case, playwright Louis Nowra (writer of Australian classics Cosi, Radiance and The Golden Age) creates an enthralling multicast audio drama, featuring an exceptional cast including Ben Oxenbould (Deep Water, Wolf Creek), Steve Bisley (Water Rats, Mad Max), and Aaron Pedersen (Mystery Road, Jack Irish).
This is an Audible Original Podcast. Free for members. You can add all 12 episodes to your Library now.
©2019 Audible Australia Pty Ltd (P)2019 Audible Australia Pty Ltd
6 pages, Audible Audio
Published August 23, 2019
10 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Louis Nowra
48 books40 followersLouis Nowra (born 12 December 1950) is an Australian writer, playwright, screenwriter and librettist. His most significant plays are Così, Byzantine Flowers, Summer of the Aliens, Radiance, and The Golden Age. In 2007 he completed the The Boyce Trilogy for Griffin Theatre Company, consisting of The Woman with Dog's Eyes, The Marvellous Boy and The Emperor of Sydney. Many of his plays have been filmed.[1]
He was born as Mark Doyle in Melbourne. He changed his name to Louis Nowra in the early 1970s. He studied at Melbourne's La Trobe University without earning a degree. In his memoir, The Twelfth of Never, Nowra claimed that he left the course due to a conflict with his professor on Patrick White's The Tree of Man. He worked in several jobs and lived an itinerant lifestyle until the mid-1970s when his plays began to attract attention.
His radio plays include Albert Names Edward, The Song Room, The Widows and the five part The Divine Hammer aired on the ABC in 2003.[2]
In March 2007, Nowra published a controversial book on violence in Aboriginal communities, Bad Dreaming.
Nowra has been studied extensively in Veronica Kelly's work The Theatre of Louis Nowra.
He resides in Sydney with his wife, author Mandy Sayer.
From Wikipedia
He was born as Mark Doyle in Melbourne. He changed his name to Louis Nowra in the early 1970s. He studied at Melbourne's La Trobe University without earning a degree. In his memoir, The Twelfth of Never, Nowra claimed that he left the course due to a conflict with his professor on Patrick White's The Tree of Man. He worked in several jobs and lived an itinerant lifestyle until the mid-1970s when his plays began to attract attention.
His radio plays include Albert Names Edward, The Song Room, The Widows and the five part The Divine Hammer aired on the ABC in 2003.[2]
In March 2007, Nowra published a controversial book on violence in Aboriginal communities, Bad Dreaming.
Nowra has been studied extensively in Veronica Kelly's work The Theatre of Louis Nowra.
He resides in Sydney with his wife, author Mandy Sayer.
From Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
August 16, 2024
James O'Malley is trying to uncover the truth behind his father's (Eric O'Malley's) death. Eric was an ex-cop. The coroner claims that his dad overdosed on drugs, with no foul play involved, but James isn't buying it.
When James discovers that certain boxes are missing containing information on a cold case that his dad was investigating, James knows his father's death was no accident.
With no further help from the cops, James decides to find out who killed his dad. The search leads him in very surprising places. James is hit with hard truths with whom Eric O'Malley truly was. It seems that his father held many secrets.
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This podcast is currently free through Audible. The narration and sound effects are very engaging! Overall, it was a wonderful story. 👍
When James discovers that certain boxes are missing containing information on a cold case that his dad was investigating, James knows his father's death was no accident.
With no further help from the cops, James decides to find out who killed his dad. The search leads him in very surprising places. James is hit with hard truths with whom Eric O'Malley truly was. It seems that his father held many secrets.
_______________________________________________
This podcast is currently free through Audible. The narration and sound effects are very engaging! Overall, it was a wonderful story. 👍
July 5, 2020
The story was interesting but some of the voices were annoying which made it hard to engage with
December 5, 2022
I listened to this on audible. It was a decent mystery/thriller. It's split into 12 30minute episodes, I think if it were a novella I would've dnf'd it. For some reason this time the end of episode cliffhangers just really worked, and succeeded in making me binge the series, I did speed it up to 1.75x in the end episodes so I think it could've been edited down a bunch, but then it was supposed to be a realistic "immersive listening experience" so the extra chatter makes it realistic.The mystery aspect was quite good but it did begin to get a bit convoluted, lots of characters and red herrings that went back and forth, even with that I was still invested in this intriguing story. I definitely will at least try more of these audible productions (but my favorite is still Evil Eye, they even made a series on Amazon prime (I think).) I think this would be a good listen for commuters each ride could be an episode or two. I listened while I did chores and ended up doing more chores because I was enjoying myself. 4stars for the surprise enjoyment and productivity it gave me, and the way the mc went through the clues to solve the intriguing mystery.
November 30, 2019
I am really getting into these multi-cast narrations with all the bells and whistles. They are certainly proving to be entertaining.
In THE GOODBYE PARTY, we're in my part of the world: Sydney, Australia. And the author's done a good job of describing the parts of the city the story takes place in. The characters are also well fleshed-out and throughout my life I have met them all. Sadly, I don't have a local pub where I can hang out with such a bunch of characters.
The story itself is a search of discovery, so there's a lot of grunt work in terms of interviewing people and researching facts. And trying to solve a recent murder that has strong links to the past proves difficult.
I really enjoyed the narration: Known Aussie actors doing a great job in bringing the story to life.
In THE GOODBYE PARTY, we're in my part of the world: Sydney, Australia. And the author's done a good job of describing the parts of the city the story takes place in. The characters are also well fleshed-out and throughout my life I have met them all. Sadly, I don't have a local pub where I can hang out with such a bunch of characters.
The story itself is a search of discovery, so there's a lot of grunt work in terms of interviewing people and researching facts. And trying to solve a recent murder that has strong links to the past proves difficult.
I really enjoyed the narration: Known Aussie actors doing a great job in bringing the story to life.
April 24, 2020
Seriously disappointing. The story had no flow and consisted of every possible cliché. Unfortunately, it didn't get any better as the story went on. My advice: if you're not sure about the first episode... don't continue.
May 11, 2020
This was so thoroughly enjoyable I'm a little bit devastated that there aren't any other Audible dramas by the same author available. Please publish more. The world needs more Aussie audio dramas, particularly by talented writers like Louis Nowra.
November 27, 2019
Listened to this on audio book and disappointed I stuck with it
August 8, 2020
Nothing special but occupied me for a while.
March 16, 2021
Very good performance, interesting story, but the ending felt quite rushed and somehow ruined a wonderful experience. Other thing to note, it was difficult for me to understand some people talking with heavy aussie accent. I get it, it's part of the charm, but not being english my mother tongue it was really challenging, and I usually don't have any problems understanding audiobooks with a linear narration.
Overall I still enjoyed it very much, recommended if it's your genre, and also free to listen with audibe uk, so why not?
Overall I still enjoyed it very much, recommended if it's your genre, and also free to listen with audibe uk, so why not?
February 5, 2021
It took me a while to get into this but I am so glad I gave it another chance.
The plot was quite predicatable but I loved the characters and the cast. I think if I was reading it, I may have given up, but having the rich tones of the world and the cast, it really helped bringing it to life.
The plot was quite predicatable but I loved the characters and the cast. I think if I was reading it, I may have given up, but having the rich tones of the world and the cast, it really helped bringing it to life.
February 27, 2021
It did get predictable towards the end but in a vague sort of way of one of the many possibilities.
Keeps you hooked for sure.
Keeps you hooked for sure.
December 27, 2022
So slowwww. I don’t even know what’s going on anymore. DNFd
June 4, 2020
In 1984, two dead bodies were discovered in betraying positions along the side of a creek. Within hours word had gotten out the couple had been attending a swingers party. After a conclusive investigation, it was declared they die as a result of toxic fumes being released into the water by a nearby paint plant. Though the community accepted hydrogen sulfate poisoning as the cause of death, detective, Eric O'Malley was unconvinced. Now, thirty-five years later, James finds his father, Eric, lifeless in his armchair. Instantly, he is dismayed due to a small pool of dried blood clinging to his father's arm. Though James declares his relationship with his father was minimal, he never knew his dad to be an addict. A toxicology reports police confirm that Eric's death was an overdose, but James remains unconvinced. Learning his father had become re-involved in the haunting case, James suspects his father was killed due to his probing into the fatal night. Hoping to discover the true reason for his father's death, James sets out on an unforgettable mission. In Louis Nowra's acclaimed, mystery novel, The Goodbye Party, science is rejected and the cruelty of humankind is uncovered.
As this was my first trial with an audiobook, I was shocked at the detail and interactive quality of this book. Though I anticipated I would fall bored or uninterested, this novel was constructed with an amplifying plot that was encompassed by theatrical voices and subtle sound effects. The vivid detail captivated the ear and made it impossible to stop listening. While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the conclusion was banal and rather obvious. However, this novel is perfect for mystery readers with a short attention span who are looking for a quick, straight forward read. Though the novel is simplistic, the crude use of language could be unappealing or inappropriate for some audiences.
Overall, this book lived up to my expectations and was an enjoyable read. As a person who finds books grow dull and is not a lover of secretive endings, this book was nearly perfect. While this novel is not special or ample enough to be rewarded five stars, The Goodbye Party is a solid read, or in this case, listen.
As this was my first trial with an audiobook, I was shocked at the detail and interactive quality of this book. Though I anticipated I would fall bored or uninterested, this novel was constructed with an amplifying plot that was encompassed by theatrical voices and subtle sound effects. The vivid detail captivated the ear and made it impossible to stop listening. While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the conclusion was banal and rather obvious. However, this novel is perfect for mystery readers with a short attention span who are looking for a quick, straight forward read. Though the novel is simplistic, the crude use of language could be unappealing or inappropriate for some audiences.
Overall, this book lived up to my expectations and was an enjoyable read. As a person who finds books grow dull and is not a lover of secretive endings, this book was nearly perfect. While this novel is not special or ample enough to be rewarded five stars, The Goodbye Party is a solid read, or in this case, listen.
As this was my first trial with an audiobook, I was shocked at the detail and interactive quality of this book. Though I anticipated I would fall bored or uninterested, this novel was constructed with an amplifying plot that was encompassed by theatrical voices and subtle sound effects. The vivid detail captivated the ear and made it impossible to stop listening. While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the conclusion was banal and rather obvious. However, this novel is perfect for mystery readers with a short attention span who are looking for a quick, straight forward read. Though the novel is simplistic, the crude use of language could be unappealing or inappropriate for some audiences.
Overall, this book lived up to my expectations and was an enjoyable read. As a person who finds books grow dull and is not a lover of secretive endings, this book was nearly perfect. While this novel is not special or ample enough to be rewarded five stars, The Goodbye Party is a solid read, or in this case, listen.
As this was my first trial with an audiobook, I was shocked at the detail and interactive quality of this book. Though I anticipated I would fall bored or uninterested, this novel was constructed with an amplifying plot that was encompassed by theatrical voices and subtle sound effects. The vivid detail captivated the ear and made it impossible to stop listening. While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the conclusion was banal and rather obvious. However, this novel is perfect for mystery readers with a short attention span who are looking for a quick, straight forward read. Though the novel is simplistic, the crude use of language could be unappealing or inappropriate for some audiences.
Overall, this book lived up to my expectations and was an enjoyable read. As a person who finds books grow dull and is not a lover of secretive endings, this book was nearly perfect. While this novel is not special or ample enough to be rewarded five stars, The Goodbye Party is a solid read, or in this case, listen.
August 9, 2020
The story is a slow progressing tale with twists and turns. The case was very curious, however I might say that the climax was not upto the mark. This is an audible original production and it must say it strives to arouse the detective instinct in you. Despite a disappointing ending, this book manages to entertain throughout the protagonist's journey to find the killer of his father and resolve the mystery of an eerie murder of an odd couple at the goodbye party with few bits and pieces of romance here and there.
February 5, 2021
I liked it because I was homesick for Australia and I enjoyed the Sydney accent ....lol.
The story....interesting, atmospheric BUT I found it too far fetched knowing Australian culture in that period. It seemed an affectation imported from American writers of the same period.
However I would recommend just for the colorful Australian Characters....but it did seemed too North shore...and skippy...
You know there were loads of Greek , Italian, Polish, Chinese, Malaysian etc people in that period of Australia history....etc etc...and loads of Diversity in Sydney from all walks of life...It is not all Happy Skippy days of White Australia policy. (Sic.)
I couldn't quite picture the Albino love interest...again...I felt that was an affectation...it did not add anything to her character development in the story...
The story....interesting, atmospheric BUT I found it too far fetched knowing Australian culture in that period. It seemed an affectation imported from American writers of the same period.
However I would recommend just for the colorful Australian Characters....but it did seemed too North shore...and skippy...
You know there were loads of Greek , Italian, Polish, Chinese, Malaysian etc people in that period of Australia history....etc etc...and loads of Diversity in Sydney from all walks of life...It is not all Happy Skippy days of White Australia policy. (Sic.)
I couldn't quite picture the Albino love interest...again...I felt that was an affectation...it did not add anything to her character development in the story...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2020
I’ve just finished listening to this. I enjoyed the start more but the ending wasn’t great. I found the whole thing to be very crass - I’m not even a prude but I felt uncomfortable listening to this at times!!
January 24, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this! Another free audible catch 👏🏻 Narrating cast were amazing! Just a shame the ending wasn’t as climatic as I was expecting..
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
February 15, 2021
I did enjoy it and stayed to the end, but was astounded that it could come to a conclusion with only circumstantial evidence. The story is based on an incident in 1984, two dead bodies found by a creek. The creek was supposedly contaminated by paint factory contamination and toxic fumes.
James O'Malley an unemployed ex-cop, disabled with a prosthetic leg is the son of one of the original detectives. He finds his father; Eric O'Malley dead and believes it to be murder. This sounded like a really good exciting read, swingers, toxic waste, cold war politics and it could have been, but I found it just adequate. The first thing you note is that James has a lot of money for someone unemployed, he drinks a lot, takes taxis and the science and forensics are slim if none. Of course in defence of this, the files from the original case are missing. With a merry band of his father's friends, he takes on the case on his own. I liked the characters and they all seemed likeable and fun but the book should have brought in the clues. Instead, it just plodded along and he seems to find his way without science by stumbling across details, following his father investigation (sort of) books and gossip.
The Goodbye Party will keep you guessing since it follows no real pattern.
James O'Malley an unemployed ex-cop, disabled with a prosthetic leg is the son of one of the original detectives. He finds his father; Eric O'Malley dead and believes it to be murder. This sounded like a really good exciting read, swingers, toxic waste, cold war politics and it could have been, but I found it just adequate. The first thing you note is that James has a lot of money for someone unemployed, he drinks a lot, takes taxis and the science and forensics are slim if none. Of course in defence of this, the files from the original case are missing. With a merry band of his father's friends, he takes on the case on his own. I liked the characters and they all seemed likeable and fun but the book should have brought in the clues. Instead, it just plodded along and he seems to find his way without science by stumbling across details, following his father investigation (sort of) books and gossip.
The Goodbye Party will keep you guessing since it follows no real pattern.
May 16, 2020
Never heard of the author but liked the blurb so thought I'd give this one a try. Very enjoyable listening. Interesting topic, sex parties, murders and drug dealing!! This was one of the best audio books I have listened to with having a cast of people reading different characters. Made it much more interesting and easier to distinguish the characters by the voices. Will keep an eye out for more by this Author.
December 14, 2020
This was an interesting Aussie murder mystery. A retired cop finds his father dead in his apartment, a needle nearby. He refuses to believe the police assumption that his father was an addict and begins his own investigation into how his died. Taking up a case his father hadn’t solved, he discovers new friends, some enemies and that he knew little about his father’s life. Twists and turns abound with a shocking ending. Well done, not for kids and a great cast and production.
June 3, 2022
3.25 stars
This gives you true crime podcast vibes with added bits of drama. You try to solve the case from long ago and some more recent. It's pretty good, with lots to unpick.
The multicast narration is good and helps distinguish who is who, which is good because there are a lot of characters ("suspects").
Overall pretty entertaining, though some parts I think would have benefited from a bit more time or a repeat of the key facts!
This gives you true crime podcast vibes with added bits of drama. You try to solve the case from long ago and some more recent. It's pretty good, with lots to unpick.
The multicast narration is good and helps distinguish who is who, which is good because there are a lot of characters ("suspects").
Overall pretty entertaining, though some parts I think would have benefited from a bit more time or a repeat of the key facts!
June 5, 2020
Not my usual listening choice but I have a secret interest in real-life Australian crime. The Underbelly series got me hooked. This kept my interest peaked from start to finish and the cast did an amazing job. Audible counts this is a 12 episode podcast so it was included for free in my membership. Not a bad way to spend a few hours.
April 24, 2021
I usually guess things pretty close or spot on. The Goodbye Party caught me off guard a couple of times and changing my mind along the way.
Overall it was an enjoyable listen, although not edge of the seat gripping it still drew me in enough to want to find out all the answers James was seeking. An easy listen that's likely to be enjoyable for most.
Overall it was an enjoyable listen, although not edge of the seat gripping it still drew me in enough to want to find out all the answers James was seeking. An easy listen that's likely to be enjoyable for most.
October 4, 2024
I'm not usually a fan of multi-narrator stories, but I thought this one worked really well. The story and characters were interesting enough to keep me entertained for the full 6 hours or so of the book (delivered in 12x 30 minute instalments) .
Based on The Goodbye Party I'd definitely listen to other similar books from the Included Lbrary.
Based on The Goodbye Party I'd definitely listen to other similar books from the Included Lbrary.
January 8, 2022
This one was kinda hard to get through. Only thing that kept me in it was wanting o know who did what. And it wasn’t really worth it. Really slow story. I personally wouldn’t recommend this one. I like who done it books, and crime thrillers but this one just misses.
April 21, 2022
Some actors speak in such a slurred manner that, if English is your second language, it is terribly difficult to understand. At times it was enjoyable and interesting to listen to, but otherwise - a pain, a torment - repeated rewinding, repeating, listening and wondering, "What did he say?"
February 13, 2023
This audio book started out very interesting with good characters and plot. However, for me, as it got towards the end, it became too predictable and a bit of scratching my head wondering how do some things fit??
December 31, 2023
I’m sorry this was terrible . Quite a few of the voice actors were over the top. And some of the scenes such as someone getting away with murder on a Sydney ferry … were just completely unrealistic. Such a shame as I’m sure a lot of work went into producing and creating this audiobook
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2020
Three stars. I enjoyed listening to this free dramatized Australian thriller serialized audiobook for the most part. Four stars with a two star ending.
May 21, 2020
I loved it, I loved the characters, it was well played, and the actors were amazing
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews