What do you think?
Rate this book
Alpine #2
Crackenback
A thrilling tale of snow-bound crime and suspense, from the bestselling author of Charlotte Pass
Detective Sergeant Pierce Ryder of the Sydney Homicide Squad is on the hunt for notorious fugitive Gavin Hutton.
After months of dead-ends, the breakthrough Ryder has been hoping for leads him back to the New South Wales Snowy Mountains on the trail of the suspected killer.
Meanwhile, when an injured man bursts into the remote Thredbo lodge managed by Eva Bell, her first instinct is to protect her daughter, Poppy. The terrifying arrival of Jack Walker turns Eva's world upside down as the consequences of Jack's presence become clear.
With a killer on the loose, Jack Walker and Ryder are tangled in the same treacherous web - spun across the perilously beautiful Crackenback Range.
Detective Sergeant Pierce Ryder of the Sydney Homicide Squad is on the hunt for notorious fugitive Gavin Hutton.
After months of dead-ends, the breakthrough Ryder has been hoping for leads him back to the New South Wales Snowy Mountains on the trail of the suspected killer.
Meanwhile, when an injured man bursts into the remote Thredbo lodge managed by Eva Bell, her first instinct is to protect her daughter, Poppy. The terrifying arrival of Jack Walker turns Eva's world upside down as the consequences of Jack's presence become clear.
With a killer on the loose, Jack Walker and Ryder are tangled in the same treacherous web - spun across the perilously beautiful Crackenback Range.
272 pages, Paperback
Published February 1, 2021
7 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
About the author
Lee Christine
17 books129 followersLee is the author of four crime novels with romantic elements published with Allen and Unwin.
Lee's best-selling Snowy Mountains series Charlotte Pass, Crackenback and Dead Horse Gap were published in 2020, 2021 and 2022 respectively. Charlotte Pass won the Australian Romance Readers Association award for Favourite Romantic Suspense in 2020. Lee's latest crime novel Glenrock, published in 2024, is set in Lee's hometown of Newcastle.
Prior to her shift into crime writing, Lee wrote six romantic suspense novels published with Harlequin Australia’s Escape Publishing.
Lee loves connecting with her readers and has appeared on a panel at the Newcastle Writer’s Festival, Lake Macquarie Libraries Write Here! Festival, and the Mount Beauty Writer's Festival. Lee has been a guest speaker at major fundraisers for the Friends of Newcastle University and the Mark Hughes Brain Cancer Foundation.
Lee has two grown children and lives in Newcastle with her husband and her Irish Wheaten Terrier, Honey.
Lee's best-selling Snowy Mountains series Charlotte Pass, Crackenback and Dead Horse Gap were published in 2020, 2021 and 2022 respectively. Charlotte Pass won the Australian Romance Readers Association award for Favourite Romantic Suspense in 2020. Lee's latest crime novel Glenrock, published in 2024, is set in Lee's hometown of Newcastle.
Prior to her shift into crime writing, Lee wrote six romantic suspense novels published with Harlequin Australia’s Escape Publishing.
Lee loves connecting with her readers and has appeared on a panel at the Newcastle Writer’s Festival, Lake Macquarie Libraries Write Here! Festival, and the Mount Beauty Writer's Festival. Lee has been a guest speaker at major fundraisers for the Friends of Newcastle University and the Mark Hughes Brain Cancer Foundation.
Lee has two grown children and lives in Newcastle with her husband and her Irish Wheaten Terrier, Honey.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
January 24, 2021
I’ve just turned the last page on this brilliant book and if I could give it 100 stars I would!!
Eva Bell and her three year old daughter Poppy were preparing the lodge for the influx of tourists, happily working in the environment Eva loved. With three rooms prepared, she only had the other three to do, so had time to keep Poppy amused until her nap. But when a bloodied person by the name of Jack Walker burst into the lodge, taking Eva by surprise, she was terrified. What did he want?
Detective Sergeant Pierce Ryder of the Sydney Homicide Squad was Eva’s sister Vanessa’s partner, and when he knew the task force would be heading to the Snowy Mountains, namely Thredbo, he let Vanessa know he’d contact Eva when they arrived. Ryder had been on the trail of a killer for a long while and the newest lead had put him in the vicinity. He just hoped it wasn’t another dead end; Ryder needed the killer behind bars.
Would the killer be found before he struck again? What had Jack Walker to do with the situation? The Snowy Mountains and Crackenback would soon find out.
Crackenback by Aussie author Lee Christine was completely unputdownable! With my heart in my throat, I raced through the pages, hoping for the best yet fearing for the worst! Following on from last year’s publication of Charlotte Pass, it was great to catch up with some familiar faces. I love Ms Christine’s latest offering and recommend it highly.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Eva Bell and her three year old daughter Poppy were preparing the lodge for the influx of tourists, happily working in the environment Eva loved. With three rooms prepared, she only had the other three to do, so had time to keep Poppy amused until her nap. But when a bloodied person by the name of Jack Walker burst into the lodge, taking Eva by surprise, she was terrified. What did he want?
Detective Sergeant Pierce Ryder of the Sydney Homicide Squad was Eva’s sister Vanessa’s partner, and when he knew the task force would be heading to the Snowy Mountains, namely Thredbo, he let Vanessa know he’d contact Eva when they arrived. Ryder had been on the trail of a killer for a long while and the newest lead had put him in the vicinity. He just hoped it wasn’t another dead end; Ryder needed the killer behind bars.
Would the killer be found before he struck again? What had Jack Walker to do with the situation? The Snowy Mountains and Crackenback would soon find out.
Crackenback by Aussie author Lee Christine was completely unputdownable! With my heart in my throat, I raced through the pages, hoping for the best yet fearing for the worst! Following on from last year’s publication of Charlotte Pass, it was great to catch up with some familiar faces. I love Ms Christine’s latest offering and recommend it highly.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
June 20, 2021
That was another very satisfying read by an Aussie author. Eva Bell manages the Golden Wattle ski lodge at Thredbo in the Snowy Mountains. She lives there with her three year old daughter Poppy and is getting the lodge ready for the ski season when, on answering a knock at the door, a man bursts in. He is dirty and covered in blood. It’s snowing quite heavily. The lodge is quite isolated on the mountain and Eva’s first thought is for Poppy’s safety. But the man is Jack Walker whom Eva has a past with and who is Poppy’s father. Jack assures Eva that is not there for Poppy but the truth is even harder to hear. There is a killer after them, seeking revenge on Jack. He vows to keep them safe but is that a promise he can keep?
Meanwhile Sydney homicide detectives Detective Sergeant Pierce Ryder and Detective Mitch Flowers, along with new team member Detective Nerida Sterling are on the hunt for the killer, Gavin Hutton, who has already claimed two victims. Hutton is believed to be hiding out in the Snowy Mountains. Ryder and Flowers are the detectives who caught the Charlotte Pass killer the previous year. Charlotte Pass is another ski resort in the Snowy Mountains. The detectives head to Jindabyne, the base town of the Snowy Mountains, and begin to plan their capture of this killer.
This was a well written story that flowed well and the pace, while not relentless, was consistent and fast enough and kept me turning the pages. One thing I really liked about the book, set in Australia, was that it all took place close to where I live and all the places mentioned in the story are places I have been to. This doesn’t happen very often. I have skied at Thredbo, stayed at Jindabyne, lived in Canberra and visited all the other towns mentioned.
The characters in the book were likeable, apart from Hutton of course, and very plausible. The author captured the wintery ambience and the isolated nature of the lodge perfectly. With snow and ice on the road, help is not always immediately available. The scary part of the story was that Eva and Poppy had been targeted, there was nothing random about the danger to them. I don’t want to say any more as this is not a whodunit, you know whodunit. But there is a lot more to know and many more lovely characters to meet.
This book will appeal to all thriller and action fans but it is not gruesome and there is no animal cruelty so read this with impunity. It was an easy and enjoyable read.
Meanwhile Sydney homicide detectives Detective Sergeant Pierce Ryder and Detective Mitch Flowers, along with new team member Detective Nerida Sterling are on the hunt for the killer, Gavin Hutton, who has already claimed two victims. Hutton is believed to be hiding out in the Snowy Mountains. Ryder and Flowers are the detectives who caught the Charlotte Pass killer the previous year. Charlotte Pass is another ski resort in the Snowy Mountains. The detectives head to Jindabyne, the base town of the Snowy Mountains, and begin to plan their capture of this killer.
This was a well written story that flowed well and the pace, while not relentless, was consistent and fast enough and kept me turning the pages. One thing I really liked about the book, set in Australia, was that it all took place close to where I live and all the places mentioned in the story are places I have been to. This doesn’t happen very often. I have skied at Thredbo, stayed at Jindabyne, lived in Canberra and visited all the other towns mentioned.
The characters in the book were likeable, apart from Hutton of course, and very plausible. The author captured the wintery ambience and the isolated nature of the lodge perfectly. With snow and ice on the road, help is not always immediately available. The scary part of the story was that Eva and Poppy had been targeted, there was nothing random about the danger to them. I don’t want to say any more as this is not a whodunit, you know whodunit. But there is a lot more to know and many more lovely characters to meet.
This book will appeal to all thriller and action fans but it is not gruesome and there is no animal cruelty so read this with impunity. It was an easy and enjoyable read.
January 30, 2021
The prologue starts with a death in the Phillipines. The relevance of this event only becomes evident as the story unfolds. Detective Sergeant Pierce Ryder of the Sydney Homicide Squad is on the hunt for Gavin Hutton, a notorious killer. Ryder is determined to find Hutton before he kills again. But every lead seems to end up in another dead end. in a remote Thredbo Lodge an injured intruder has Eva Bell concerned. Her primary aim is to protected her three year old daughter Poppy. When Jake Walker appears Eva’s fears of danger are realised, but not in the way she expects.
Played out largely against the Snowy Mountains backdrop, this adds to this book’s appeal. But all of the settings are well conveyed. I had to smile when she mentioned the bottleneck that is a Pennant Hills area in Sydney. It was absolutely spot on.
The characters are interesting and well developed and the pace moves along steadily throughout. It was easy to keep flipping pages because I had to see what happened next.
Equally as good as the author’s earlier book set in the Snowy Mountains area, I have no hesitation in recommending this book as another great Aussie read. My thanks indeed to Allen & Unwin and the author for my copy to read and review. One of those stories that absolutely gets you in. A highly satisfying read.
Played out largely against the Snowy Mountains backdrop, this adds to this book’s appeal. But all of the settings are well conveyed. I had to smile when she mentioned the bottleneck that is a Pennant Hills area in Sydney. It was absolutely spot on.
The characters are interesting and well developed and the pace moves along steadily throughout. It was easy to keep flipping pages because I had to see what happened next.
Equally as good as the author’s earlier book set in the Snowy Mountains area, I have no hesitation in recommending this book as another great Aussie read. My thanks indeed to Allen & Unwin and the author for my copy to read and review. One of those stories that absolutely gets you in. A highly satisfying read.
August 11, 2021
And just when I thought Aussie author Lee Christine’s writing couldn’t get any better after reading her previous book (Charlotte Pass) she writes this book Crackenback which blew me away. There really aren't enough words to explain how incredible this book was.
Intense and on the edge of my seat this book had me hooked right from the beginning all the way to the end. If you enjoy reading these kind of books, then I STRONGLY RECOMMEND you grab a copy of this book as you won’t be disappointed.
Intense and on the edge of my seat this book had me hooked right from the beginning all the way to the end. If you enjoy reading these kind of books, then I STRONGLY RECOMMEND you grab a copy of this book as you won’t be disappointed.
March 10, 2021
*https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogsp...
I haven't read Charlotte Pass, the first book featuring DS Pierce Ryder but it didn't impact my enjoyment of Crackenback as it read perfectly as a stand alone.
Pierce Ryder is working on a multiple murder case. They have sightings of a suspect at the scene of both murders however the man has managed to evade him. When another sighting is called in Ryder is headed to the Snowy Mountains to investigate.
As Eva Bell is preparing her remote lodge at Thredbo, for the next lot of lodgers to arrive, a man bursts into her home. He looks familiar but she hasn't seen him for years and she is terrified he wants her daughter Poppy.
Crackenback was such an engaging read. I was hooked from the prologue! DS Pierce Ryder has a new recruit Detective Nerida Sterling who will be joining him and Detective Mitchell Flowers on this latest case. I loved the natural banter and ribbing between the detectives and how we got to know more about them through their conversations in the car. The police procedural came across as realistic with a lot of waiting around for information and piecing snippets of information together to further the case.
Coming from Sydney myself I found all the mentions of roads and landmarks from the Parramatta Police HQ to The Snowy engaging and easy to picture.
Reading this story during an Australian summer highlights how vividly Lee Christine depicts the cold and driving snow of the area during winter. At no time did I forget how bitterly cold it was and how isolated Eva was in her lodge.
Jack Walker is a likeable protagonist and a large part of the story is Jack and Eva getting to know each other again and Jack connecting with 3 year old Poppy who he had only ever seen in photos.
Jack, as well as Ryder, is after the murderer and the tension builds as we are held in suspense, we know there is going to be an altercation but we don't know where, when or with whom.
Crackenback held my attention from the start to finish. I found it tension filled and highly engaging. I will definitely be on the lookout for more from Lee Christine in the future.
4.5 stars
*I received a copy from the publisher
I haven't read Charlotte Pass, the first book featuring DS Pierce Ryder but it didn't impact my enjoyment of Crackenback as it read perfectly as a stand alone.
Pierce Ryder is working on a multiple murder case. They have sightings of a suspect at the scene of both murders however the man has managed to evade him. When another sighting is called in Ryder is headed to the Snowy Mountains to investigate.
As Eva Bell is preparing her remote lodge at Thredbo, for the next lot of lodgers to arrive, a man bursts into her home. He looks familiar but she hasn't seen him for years and she is terrified he wants her daughter Poppy.
Crackenback was such an engaging read. I was hooked from the prologue! DS Pierce Ryder has a new recruit Detective Nerida Sterling who will be joining him and Detective Mitchell Flowers on this latest case. I loved the natural banter and ribbing between the detectives and how we got to know more about them through their conversations in the car. The police procedural came across as realistic with a lot of waiting around for information and piecing snippets of information together to further the case.
Coming from Sydney myself I found all the mentions of roads and landmarks from the Parramatta Police HQ to The Snowy engaging and easy to picture.
Reading this story during an Australian summer highlights how vividly Lee Christine depicts the cold and driving snow of the area during winter. At no time did I forget how bitterly cold it was and how isolated Eva was in her lodge.
Jack Walker is a likeable protagonist and a large part of the story is Jack and Eva getting to know each other again and Jack connecting with 3 year old Poppy who he had only ever seen in photos.
Jack, as well as Ryder, is after the murderer and the tension builds as we are held in suspense, we know there is going to be an altercation but we don't know where, when or with whom.
Crackenback held my attention from the start to finish. I found it tension filled and highly engaging. I will definitely be on the lookout for more from Lee Christine in the future.
4.5 stars
*I received a copy from the publisher
January 25, 2021
Wow, Lee Christie, that was amazing! I loved Charlotte's Pass and I was so excited to hear that there was another book with these characters. Crackenback had me hooked right from the start and I read it in a day on the beach. Easily read as a stand alone, you need to add Crackenback to your TBR now.
Ava and her 3 year old daughter are preparing the lodge for the tourist season. The snow is coming down thick and fast and they are excited for the coming weeks. That is until Jack Walker, covered in blood, bursts in and starts locking all the doors and cutting off the phones. Who is Jack and what does he want? And why is he covered in blood? At the same time Detective Sergeant Pierce Ryder is on the hunt for a serial killer. Once again it brings him to the Snowy Mountains area. He hopes that the sightings this time will lead to an arrest.
Crackenback is full of drama and secrets. From Parramatta to Thredbo and up to The Entrance (which is where I read this book - freaky!!) the hunt is on to stop a killer and keep Ava and Poppy safe.
Thanks to Allen and Unwin for sending me an advanced copy of this book to read.
Ava and her 3 year old daughter are preparing the lodge for the tourist season. The snow is coming down thick and fast and they are excited for the coming weeks. That is until Jack Walker, covered in blood, bursts in and starts locking all the doors and cutting off the phones. Who is Jack and what does he want? And why is he covered in blood? At the same time Detective Sergeant Pierce Ryder is on the hunt for a serial killer. Once again it brings him to the Snowy Mountains area. He hopes that the sightings this time will lead to an arrest.
Crackenback is full of drama and secrets. From Parramatta to Thredbo and up to The Entrance (which is where I read this book - freaky!!) the hunt is on to stop a killer and keep Ava and Poppy safe.
Thanks to Allen and Unwin for sending me an advanced copy of this book to read.
November 26, 2021
*www.onewomansbbr.wordpress.com
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
Crackenback by Lee Christine. (2021).
Detective Sergeant Pierce Ryder of the Sydney Homicide Squad is on the hunt for notorious fugitive Gavin Hutton. After months of dead-ends, the trail leads to NSW Snowy Mountains. Meanwhile, when injured Jack bursts into the remote Thredbo lodge managed by Eva, her first instinct is to protect her daughter Poppy. But his arrival has even more terrifying consequences than she thought. With a killer on the loose, Jack and Ryder are tangled in the same treacherous web - spun across the perilously beautiful Crackenback Range.
If you've read the author's previous novel, 'Charlotte Pass', then you'll be happy to know there's some familiar faces; and if you haven't, don't stress as you can easily read this as a standalone. The reader is immediately thrown into the action with the prologue describing a hostage situation, and the suspense continues on from there until the very end. It's a fast-paced and intense storyline, with Eva's main concern being to protect her young daughter from harm. The isolated setting really ramps up the tense atmosphere and readers will be on the edge of their seats waiting to see what will happen with the violent fugitive Gavin stalking around. Highly recommend!
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
Crackenback by Lee Christine. (2021).
Detective Sergeant Pierce Ryder of the Sydney Homicide Squad is on the hunt for notorious fugitive Gavin Hutton. After months of dead-ends, the trail leads to NSW Snowy Mountains. Meanwhile, when injured Jack bursts into the remote Thredbo lodge managed by Eva, her first instinct is to protect her daughter Poppy. But his arrival has even more terrifying consequences than she thought. With a killer on the loose, Jack and Ryder are tangled in the same treacherous web - spun across the perilously beautiful Crackenback Range.
If you've read the author's previous novel, 'Charlotte Pass', then you'll be happy to know there's some familiar faces; and if you haven't, don't stress as you can easily read this as a standalone. The reader is immediately thrown into the action with the prologue describing a hostage situation, and the suspense continues on from there until the very end. It's a fast-paced and intense storyline, with Eva's main concern being to protect her young daughter from harm. The isolated setting really ramps up the tense atmosphere and readers will be on the edge of their seats waiting to see what will happen with the violent fugitive Gavin stalking around. Highly recommend!
April 14, 2021
https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
A gripping police investigation and ice-cold drama unfolds in Crackenback, the latest contemporary suspense title from Australian author Lee Christine. A story of endurance, determination, belief, conviction, chance encounters, parenting and relationships, Crackenback is an excellent novel that offers the perfect book based escape.
Crackenback welcomes back some familiar faces from Lee Christine’s previous alpine themed novel, Charlotte Pass. Detective Sergeant Pierce Ryder leads to charge in a relentless hunt for a fugitive, who is determined to stay under the radar. Ryder’s latest lead on the suspect in question, Gavin Hutton, takes him away from the city and deep into the ravines of the Snowy Mountains. When an innocent ski lodge manger and her young daughter are inexplicably involved in this manhunt, the investigation steps up a notch. The appearance of Jack Walker, a man from ski manager Eva’s past, sends this protective mother in a spin. With her prime instinct to protect her little girl Poppy at all costs, Eva hopes that Detective Ryder and Jack can fend of this deranged psychopath.
Lee Christine has produced another contemporary suspense novel that sends plenty of thrills and spills in the hands of her reader. For those who are familiar with Christine’s previous release Charlotte Pass, there is some familiarity to this new novel, with a repeat of the same location and the reappearance of a couple of the characters from the previous book. However, I do need to make it very clear that there is no need to have read the first book to appreciate all Crackenback has to offer. Lee Christine’s new release easily stands on its own two feet and it can be read independent of the previous book.
One of the most gratifying aspects of Crackenback was the refreshing alpine based setting. As I live on the coast of Western Australia, the snowy mountains region of Thredbo is so far removed from my own backyard that I appreciated the rich presentation of this unique location. I would dearly love to travel to the setting base of Crackenback one day, but until things settle down in the travel department, I was happy to take a page-based experience to Thredbo. Christine has the ability to transport her audience to this stunning part of our country with ease and the descriptions of the snowy areas surrounding the story are incredibly immersive. The cool, icy and remote landscape works to heighten the mood of this already very tense novel. I really felt the pure sense of space and isolation surrounding Crackenback. It also allows the villain of the story to get away with his nasty deeds!
Christine’s characterisation is fantastic and each protagonist plays a critical role in the story. With new faces and returning figures intermingled within the storyline, there is plenty for the reader to contend with. An even balance of good and bad characters allows Christine to formulate a wholly engaging contemporary suspense narration. The action is set to a steady pace and there are moments of high tension spaced with lower-level sequences that zone in on character relations. So just when I felt I couldn’t take the pressure of the fugitive investigation and the threats placed on Eva’s life any more, Christine would insert a much-needed relationship interlude sequence. A rest break from the relentless tension so to speak! Plenty of satisfaction derives from this clear and well formatted drama.
I am sure I am not the only one fascinated by the real-life case of Malcolm Naden, a notorious killer and a very dangerous Australian fugitive who managed to evade authorities for some time. I was reminded of this true crime case while reading Crackenback. The police procedural aspects of Crackenback felt as though they were directly inspired by this famous Australian crime case. With the emphasis being placed on the action derived from securing the whereabouts of fugitive Gavin Hutton, the reader feels a vast sense of relief when this exhilarating manhunt comes to a close.
Lee Christine has produced a novel of great merit. Crackenback builds on the success of Charlotte Pass and in its place we have another absolutely thrilling read. I am eagerly anticipating the next issue in this cracking series.
*Thanks extended to Allen & Unwin for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Crackenback is book #31 of the 2021 Australian Women Writers Challenge
A gripping police investigation and ice-cold drama unfolds in Crackenback, the latest contemporary suspense title from Australian author Lee Christine. A story of endurance, determination, belief, conviction, chance encounters, parenting and relationships, Crackenback is an excellent novel that offers the perfect book based escape.
Crackenback welcomes back some familiar faces from Lee Christine’s previous alpine themed novel, Charlotte Pass. Detective Sergeant Pierce Ryder leads to charge in a relentless hunt for a fugitive, who is determined to stay under the radar. Ryder’s latest lead on the suspect in question, Gavin Hutton, takes him away from the city and deep into the ravines of the Snowy Mountains. When an innocent ski lodge manger and her young daughter are inexplicably involved in this manhunt, the investigation steps up a notch. The appearance of Jack Walker, a man from ski manager Eva’s past, sends this protective mother in a spin. With her prime instinct to protect her little girl Poppy at all costs, Eva hopes that Detective Ryder and Jack can fend of this deranged psychopath.
Lee Christine has produced another contemporary suspense novel that sends plenty of thrills and spills in the hands of her reader. For those who are familiar with Christine’s previous release Charlotte Pass, there is some familiarity to this new novel, with a repeat of the same location and the reappearance of a couple of the characters from the previous book. However, I do need to make it very clear that there is no need to have read the first book to appreciate all Crackenback has to offer. Lee Christine’s new release easily stands on its own two feet and it can be read independent of the previous book.
One of the most gratifying aspects of Crackenback was the refreshing alpine based setting. As I live on the coast of Western Australia, the snowy mountains region of Thredbo is so far removed from my own backyard that I appreciated the rich presentation of this unique location. I would dearly love to travel to the setting base of Crackenback one day, but until things settle down in the travel department, I was happy to take a page-based experience to Thredbo. Christine has the ability to transport her audience to this stunning part of our country with ease and the descriptions of the snowy areas surrounding the story are incredibly immersive. The cool, icy and remote landscape works to heighten the mood of this already very tense novel. I really felt the pure sense of space and isolation surrounding Crackenback. It also allows the villain of the story to get away with his nasty deeds!
Christine’s characterisation is fantastic and each protagonist plays a critical role in the story. With new faces and returning figures intermingled within the storyline, there is plenty for the reader to contend with. An even balance of good and bad characters allows Christine to formulate a wholly engaging contemporary suspense narration. The action is set to a steady pace and there are moments of high tension spaced with lower-level sequences that zone in on character relations. So just when I felt I couldn’t take the pressure of the fugitive investigation and the threats placed on Eva’s life any more, Christine would insert a much-needed relationship interlude sequence. A rest break from the relentless tension so to speak! Plenty of satisfaction derives from this clear and well formatted drama.
I am sure I am not the only one fascinated by the real-life case of Malcolm Naden, a notorious killer and a very dangerous Australian fugitive who managed to evade authorities for some time. I was reminded of this true crime case while reading Crackenback. The police procedural aspects of Crackenback felt as though they were directly inspired by this famous Australian crime case. With the emphasis being placed on the action derived from securing the whereabouts of fugitive Gavin Hutton, the reader feels a vast sense of relief when this exhilarating manhunt comes to a close.
Lee Christine has produced a novel of great merit. Crackenback builds on the success of Charlotte Pass and in its place we have another absolutely thrilling read. I am eagerly anticipating the next issue in this cracking series.
*Thanks extended to Allen & Unwin for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Crackenback is book #31 of the 2021 Australian Women Writers Challenge
February 1, 2021
WOW what a fabulous story, filled with suspense as Detective Sargent Pierce Ryder is back in The Snowy Mountains after notorious killer Gavin Hutton, the fabulous characters from Charlotte Pass are back in this story and we get to meet a new hero in Jack Walker, this is defiantly a book to pick up I found it very hard to put down.
Eva Bell and her three year old daughter Poppy are busy getting the Golden Wattle Lodge in remote Thredbo ready for the ski season things are looking very good for the single mum who is also a chef, when a bloodied stranger charges into the lodge but when Eva looks closely it is not a stranger but Jack Walker someone from her past and Eva is very worried about what he wants.
Detective Ryder has a new lead on the killer Gavin Hutton and this brings him back the Snowy Mountains on the hunt, his partner Vanessa is Eva’s sister, but when Vanessa finds it hard to get in contact with Eva, Ryder is eager to find out what is going on and with the sighting of Hutton close to Eva’s lodge he is quick to get there only to find that all is not what he expected, but maybe he will finally catch the killer.
Ryder and Walker are soon working together to catch Hutton before another murder and to keep Eva and Poppy safe, there is a lot that Jack knows and hopefully they will get their man.
This is a fast paced story filled with action, heart stopping action so very well written the words flow beautifully with energy that had me turning the pages I had to know what was going to happen, Lee Christine has pulled me into this web of mystery and the hunt for the killer with fabulous characters and such a fabulous setting. There is also a very lovely journey to happiness, second time around for a couple of the characters and Poppy was a delight in this story. This is a story that I highly recommend, it really shouldn’t be missed.
Thank you to Allen & Unwin AU for my ARC to read and review
Eva Bell and her three year old daughter Poppy are busy getting the Golden Wattle Lodge in remote Thredbo ready for the ski season things are looking very good for the single mum who is also a chef, when a bloodied stranger charges into the lodge but when Eva looks closely it is not a stranger but Jack Walker someone from her past and Eva is very worried about what he wants.
Detective Ryder has a new lead on the killer Gavin Hutton and this brings him back the Snowy Mountains on the hunt, his partner Vanessa is Eva’s sister, but when Vanessa finds it hard to get in contact with Eva, Ryder is eager to find out what is going on and with the sighting of Hutton close to Eva’s lodge he is quick to get there only to find that all is not what he expected, but maybe he will finally catch the killer.
Ryder and Walker are soon working together to catch Hutton before another murder and to keep Eva and Poppy safe, there is a lot that Jack knows and hopefully they will get their man.
This is a fast paced story filled with action, heart stopping action so very well written the words flow beautifully with energy that had me turning the pages I had to know what was going to happen, Lee Christine has pulled me into this web of mystery and the hunt for the killer with fabulous characters and such a fabulous setting. There is also a very lovely journey to happiness, second time around for a couple of the characters and Poppy was a delight in this story. This is a story that I highly recommend, it really shouldn’t be missed.
Thank you to Allen & Unwin AU for my ARC to read and review
February 10, 2021
Crakenback follows Lee Christine’s debut, Charlotte’s Pass, featuring NSW Homicide Squad Detective Sergeant Pierce Ryder. It’s not necessary to have read the former however, as I found this story works very well as a stand-alone.
With the start of the ski season still a few weeks away, Golden Wattle Lodge proprietor Eva Bell is alone with her three year old, Poppy, when Jack Walker, bruised and bleeding, bursts through the door. Eva is terrified as he strips her of her phone and keys, irrationally convinced he has come for his daughter. Learning that Jack has instead come to protect them from a killer bent on revenge gives her only the smallest sense of relief.
Meanwhile DS Ryder and his small task force are searching for a new lead in the hunt for Gavin Hutton who is suspected of beating two men to death. Joined by Detective ‘Daisy’ Flowers, and new team member, Nerida Sterling, the investigation takes them from Sydney, south to Jervis Bay, north to the Central Coast and west to the Snowy Mountains, where their quarry is finally in sight.
Christine immediately captures the reader’s attention in Crackenback with a dramatic prologue, the relevance of which is revealed later in the story, but there’s plenty of action and tension to follow in this tightly plotted, exciting story.
I was as interested in the progress Ryder and his team were making in the search for their fugitive, as I was in Jack and Eva’s nervous wait for their attacker, though it quickly becomes clear they are one and the same. Both perspectives advance the plot and are neatly complimentary while building suspense. I thought the pacing of the story was very good, and I read it easily in one sitting.
Both Eva and Jack were appealing characters. I admired Eva’s determination to protect her daughter and her practical, sensible way of coping with the frightening situation she was thrust into. Jack has an interesting background, and he is obviously capable and resourceful. Though their relationship, which resulted in Poppy, was not much more than a one night stand, it’s obvious the pair are still attracted to each other, though Christine plays down the romance angle in favour of the action.
Unfortunately I hadn’t the opportunity to read Charlotte’s Pass so I’m not terribly familiar with Ryder, but I liked what I saw of him. It was his girlfriend Vanessa, who is also Eva’s sister, who had a larger role in that story. It seems likely to me that the third book will feature one of Ryder’s team.
While the main action takes place at the Lodge in Thredbo, and the deepening snow plays beautifully into the action, one of things I liked was the way in which Christine’s characters moved within the state of NSW. I was particularly delighted that my town of Taree even got a mention (though it wasn’t very flattering and, as far as I know, not true, given the Officer in Charge of our station is a woman).
With an intriguing storyline, fast paced action, and strong characterisation, I thought Crackenback was a great book, and I’ll definitely be reading Christine Lee’s next.
With the start of the ski season still a few weeks away, Golden Wattle Lodge proprietor Eva Bell is alone with her three year old, Poppy, when Jack Walker, bruised and bleeding, bursts through the door. Eva is terrified as he strips her of her phone and keys, irrationally convinced he has come for his daughter. Learning that Jack has instead come to protect them from a killer bent on revenge gives her only the smallest sense of relief.
Meanwhile DS Ryder and his small task force are searching for a new lead in the hunt for Gavin Hutton who is suspected of beating two men to death. Joined by Detective ‘Daisy’ Flowers, and new team member, Nerida Sterling, the investigation takes them from Sydney, south to Jervis Bay, north to the Central Coast and west to the Snowy Mountains, where their quarry is finally in sight.
Christine immediately captures the reader’s attention in Crackenback with a dramatic prologue, the relevance of which is revealed later in the story, but there’s plenty of action and tension to follow in this tightly plotted, exciting story.
I was as interested in the progress Ryder and his team were making in the search for their fugitive, as I was in Jack and Eva’s nervous wait for their attacker, though it quickly becomes clear they are one and the same. Both perspectives advance the plot and are neatly complimentary while building suspense. I thought the pacing of the story was very good, and I read it easily in one sitting.
Both Eva and Jack were appealing characters. I admired Eva’s determination to protect her daughter and her practical, sensible way of coping with the frightening situation she was thrust into. Jack has an interesting background, and he is obviously capable and resourceful. Though their relationship, which resulted in Poppy, was not much more than a one night stand, it’s obvious the pair are still attracted to each other, though Christine plays down the romance angle in favour of the action.
Unfortunately I hadn’t the opportunity to read Charlotte’s Pass so I’m not terribly familiar with Ryder, but I liked what I saw of him. It was his girlfriend Vanessa, who is also Eva’s sister, who had a larger role in that story. It seems likely to me that the third book will feature one of Ryder’s team.
While the main action takes place at the Lodge in Thredbo, and the deepening snow plays beautifully into the action, one of things I liked was the way in which Christine’s characters moved within the state of NSW. I was particularly delighted that my town of Taree even got a mention (though it wasn’t very flattering and, as far as I know, not true, given the Officer in Charge of our station is a woman).
With an intriguing storyline, fast paced action, and strong characterisation, I thought Crackenback was a great book, and I’ll definitely be reading Christine Lee’s next.
February 2, 2021
Thank you Allen & Unwin for sending us a copy to read and review.
A wanted fugitive, revenge for a dead brother and the desire to protect loved ones all catapult into an action packed drama up in the mountains.
The blizzard like weather adding obstacles and protective barriers as the hunter and hunted pursue their agendas.
A few familiar faces are back to aid the pursuit and build up their profiles.
Eva has her life upturned when her ex turns up injured and reveals she is in danger. Protecting her daughter and saving herself are instinctively adopted while rebuilding a connection to her past.
Jack knows what the fugitive is after and knows his pattern.
He has to protect Eva and their daughter at all costs.
The fugitive is cunning and creates chaos as he leaves subtle signs of his presence. His mission relentless.
Detective Ryder and his team have been after the fugitive after he committed two murders.
The intricate web of deception and identity uncovered, the race to have him captured expedited now all evidence shows he is Crackenback Range.
A crime suspense that creates a nervous anticipation and a tension for the reader.
I enjoyed reacquainting with Ryder and Vanessa from Charlotte Pass and loved how they were woven into this plot.
Lee has created the perfect atmosphere, a cast of believable characters and doesn’t leave any thing uncovered as it ties together.
I enjoyed this and appreciated the authors skill and growth in her second book.
A wanted fugitive, revenge for a dead brother and the desire to protect loved ones all catapult into an action packed drama up in the mountains.
The blizzard like weather adding obstacles and protective barriers as the hunter and hunted pursue their agendas.
A few familiar faces are back to aid the pursuit and build up their profiles.
Eva has her life upturned when her ex turns up injured and reveals she is in danger. Protecting her daughter and saving herself are instinctively adopted while rebuilding a connection to her past.
Jack knows what the fugitive is after and knows his pattern.
He has to protect Eva and their daughter at all costs.
The fugitive is cunning and creates chaos as he leaves subtle signs of his presence. His mission relentless.
Detective Ryder and his team have been after the fugitive after he committed two murders.
The intricate web of deception and identity uncovered, the race to have him captured expedited now all evidence shows he is Crackenback Range.
A crime suspense that creates a nervous anticipation and a tension for the reader.
I enjoyed reacquainting with Ryder and Vanessa from Charlotte Pass and loved how they were woven into this plot.
Lee has created the perfect atmosphere, a cast of believable characters and doesn’t leave any thing uncovered as it ties together.
I enjoyed this and appreciated the authors skill and growth in her second book.
June 5, 2021
Crackenback is about forgiveness, revenge and family. One night, Eva Bell put the finishing touch on her visitor's bedrooms when a man barged into her lodge. At first, Eva was thinking about saving her daughter Poppy from the injured man. However, Eva finally realised the man was Jack Walker Poppy's father. Unbeknown to Jack Walker, Detective Sergeant Pierce Ryder of the Sydney Homicide Squad was also looking for the same killer. The readers of Crackenback will continue to follow Detective Sergeant Pierce Ryder investigation to find out what happens to Eva and Jack.
Wow, Crackenback is another fantastic book by Lee Christine, and I could not put this book down until the last page. I enjoy the way Lee Christine incorporate the two plots and intertwine them at the end. I love Lee Christine portrayal of her characters and the way they interacted together throughout this book. Crackenback is well written and researched by Lee Christine. I like the way Lee Christine describe the settings of Crackenback that allow me to imagine being part of the plot's book.
The readers of Crackenback will learn about living and running a Lodge in the Snowy Mountains. Also, the readers of Crackenback will learn about the consequences of revenge and how it affects everyone involved.
I recommend this book.
Wow, Crackenback is another fantastic book by Lee Christine, and I could not put this book down until the last page. I enjoy the way Lee Christine incorporate the two plots and intertwine them at the end. I love Lee Christine portrayal of her characters and the way they interacted together throughout this book. Crackenback is well written and researched by Lee Christine. I like the way Lee Christine describe the settings of Crackenback that allow me to imagine being part of the plot's book.
The readers of Crackenback will learn about living and running a Lodge in the Snowy Mountains. Also, the readers of Crackenback will learn about the consequences of revenge and how it affects everyone involved.
I recommend this book.
February 14, 2021
What a great start to the reading year. This is a book that i was willing to stay up way past my bedtime to finish reading!! So exciting! And another author to add to my “must read” list.
January 30, 2021
Crackenback by Lee Christine is the second book in the series featuring Sydney Homicide Squad Detective Sergeant Pierce Ryder. It doesn't matter if you haven't read its predecessor,
Charlotte Pass
that introduces Ryder and his partner Detective Flowers, along with Ryder's love interest Vanessa.
This book is centred around ski lodge manager Eva and her delightful three year old daughter Poppy. I must confess I couldn't remember if we'd met them in Charlotte Pass, and though reference is made to the events of that book and Vanessa, we learn that Eva is her sister.
Which is a long way of saying, if you've read the first book in this series you'll be a little familiar with Ryder and Flowers, but if you haven't it doesn't matter as - though Ryder's in charge of the case here - he's not really the central player.
I really liked Eva and Poppy. And of course there's Jack. I mentioned in my review of the first book Christine respects her readers' intelligence and doesn't game-play or draw-out the inevitable.
We learn there's a killer on the loose at the time Eva gets a visitor from someone she hasn't seen in years. And potentially afraid of. Christine could eke that out for ages until we're finally relieved that they're not the same person. But she doesn't. Similarly she tells us quickly the reason Eva is 'afraid' isn't because her visitor is dangerous in any way, but he's Poppy's father and so worried he's there to take her. (Which doesn't make sense given his 'disinterest' to date.)
So that's out of the way quickly.
It seems Jack's got a past Eva knows nothing about and is there because he believes her life, and that of Poppy's, might be at risk.
Meanwhile, Ryder and his colleagues, including newcomer Detective Nerida Sterling (who I'm expecting her to play a bigger role next outing), are on the case but they believe the murders committed by Hutton are random. They don't see any connection at all. Of course they don't know what Jack knows.
Jack refuses to seek police help believing he's best placed to defend the woman he knew briefly four years earlier (and his daughter). There's an obvious attraction between Jack and Eva but I would have liked more about their earlier 'relationship'. There's an early mention, for example, of events that took place on a boat so I assumed Jack had been involved somehow and saved Eva and in playing White Knight they hooked up. I actually think that would have worked better. Instead we're only offered a snippet of why Eva left her previous world (as a chef on luxury yachts) and learn the pair met at the snowfields.
There's a sense of menace here as we know Hutton will strike. And we know that - despite Jack's best efforts to secure them - it's likely he'll get past Jack or into the house and their lives will be at risk. And it's probably equally obvious that Ryder and his team will become involved at the eleventh hour and a grudging respect will develop between Jack and Ryder despite Jack not bringing the police in earlier. Whether of course Hutton draws any blood in the meantime and whether he ultimately escapes we wait to learn.
Vengeful psychopaths aside, the thing I loved most about this book was the relationship between Eva, Poppy and Jack and the characters themselves.
Of course Ryder and his team are in the background, knowing nothing about Jack and his relationship with Hutton, but Christine times the investigation well as they (and therefore we) learn more about Hutton's backstory and the 'why' at just the right time.
Crackenback is another enjoyable instalment in this series and I'm looking forward to the next.
Crackenback by Lee Christine will be published by Allen & Unwin on 1 February 2021.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
This book is centred around ski lodge manager Eva and her delightful three year old daughter Poppy. I must confess I couldn't remember if we'd met them in Charlotte Pass, and though reference is made to the events of that book and Vanessa, we learn that Eva is her sister.
Which is a long way of saying, if you've read the first book in this series you'll be a little familiar with Ryder and Flowers, but if you haven't it doesn't matter as - though Ryder's in charge of the case here - he's not really the central player.
I really liked Eva and Poppy. And of course there's Jack. I mentioned in my review of the first book Christine respects her readers' intelligence and doesn't game-play or draw-out the inevitable.
We learn there's a killer on the loose at the time Eva gets a visitor from someone she hasn't seen in years. And potentially afraid of. Christine could eke that out for ages until we're finally relieved that they're not the same person. But she doesn't. Similarly she tells us quickly the reason Eva is 'afraid' isn't because her visitor is dangerous in any way, but he's Poppy's father and so worried he's there to take her. (Which doesn't make sense given his 'disinterest' to date.)
So that's out of the way quickly.
It seems Jack's got a past Eva knows nothing about and is there because he believes her life, and that of Poppy's, might be at risk.
Meanwhile, Ryder and his colleagues, including newcomer Detective Nerida Sterling (who I'm expecting her to play a bigger role next outing), are on the case but they believe the murders committed by Hutton are random. They don't see any connection at all. Of course they don't know what Jack knows.
Jack refuses to seek police help believing he's best placed to defend the woman he knew briefly four years earlier (and his daughter). There's an obvious attraction between Jack and Eva but I would have liked more about their earlier 'relationship'. There's an early mention, for example, of events that took place on a boat so I assumed Jack had been involved somehow and saved Eva and in playing White Knight they hooked up. I actually think that would have worked better. Instead we're only offered a snippet of why Eva left her previous world (as a chef on luxury yachts) and learn the pair met at the snowfields.
There's a sense of menace here as we know Hutton will strike. And we know that - despite Jack's best efforts to secure them - it's likely he'll get past Jack or into the house and their lives will be at risk. And it's probably equally obvious that Ryder and his team will become involved at the eleventh hour and a grudging respect will develop between Jack and Ryder despite Jack not bringing the police in earlier. Whether of course Hutton draws any blood in the meantime and whether he ultimately escapes we wait to learn.
Vengeful psychopaths aside, the thing I loved most about this book was the relationship between Eva, Poppy and Jack and the characters themselves.
Of course Ryder and his team are in the background, knowing nothing about Jack and his relationship with Hutton, but Christine times the investigation well as they (and therefore we) learn more about Hutton's backstory and the 'why' at just the right time.
Crackenback is another enjoyable instalment in this series and I'm looking forward to the next.
Crackenback by Lee Christine will be published by Allen & Unwin on 1 February 2021.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
September 30, 2021
Aussie author, tick
Set in southern nsw, (there’s even a reference to Maitland), big tick.
5+* reviews, another big tick.
Crime, thriller, suspense - underwritten by romance, more ticks.
The book follows some pretty standard thriller tactics that don’t always work, for example chilling final sentence to finish a chapter … reveal next chapter is a fizzer.
Some of the language is cliched:
“The more I can hole up here…”
“It’s a long shot…”
“Once and for all.”
“… hunkering down …”
“He’s going away for a long long time.”
However, the storyline, the characters, the pace and the bloody freezing conditions carry the book at a hectic pace, with just enough social and personal pitter patter to keep you piqued. But, if you’re going to repeatedly say “… weather conditions worsened…”, please describe it because a) I’m a tropics gal and b) it’s builds the weather as a character.
Unlike some other mysteries, there’s a great balance between detailing the police investigation versus unfolding the Eva / jack story, the sword edge being when will the killer strike and who will be there? You get a really good perspective of the tedium of a lot of the police footwork, never knowing what will or won’t be important, or part of the final puzzle.
The presence of a three year old as the killers target was mostly a distraction, More like padding, adding little value to the overall story.
And last comment, not a big fan of what can only be called a long tail ending.
4 stars
Set in southern nsw, (there’s even a reference to Maitland), big tick.
5+* reviews, another big tick.
Crime, thriller, suspense - underwritten by romance, more ticks.
The book follows some pretty standard thriller tactics that don’t always work, for example chilling final sentence to finish a chapter … reveal next chapter is a fizzer.
Some of the language is cliched:
“The more I can hole up here…”
“It’s a long shot…”
“Once and for all.”
“… hunkering down …”
“He’s going away for a long long time.”
However, the storyline, the characters, the pace and the bloody freezing conditions carry the book at a hectic pace, with just enough social and personal pitter patter to keep you piqued. But, if you’re going to repeatedly say “… weather conditions worsened…”, please describe it because a) I’m a tropics gal and b) it’s builds the weather as a character.
Unlike some other mysteries, there’s a great balance between detailing the police investigation versus unfolding the Eva / jack story, the sword edge being when will the killer strike and who will be there? You get a really good perspective of the tedium of a lot of the police footwork, never knowing what will or won’t be important, or part of the final puzzle.
The presence of a three year old as the killers target was mostly a distraction, More like padding, adding little value to the overall story.
And last comment, not a big fan of what can only be called a long tail ending.
4 stars
April 11, 2021
Pulse-pounding, gripping, tense.
I read far too late because I couldn't put this book down.
Great 'meeting up' with old characters from book 1 (Charlotte Pass) and getting to know wonderful new characters, Jack and Eva, Poppy, and Sterling. The back story is fascinating as the hunt for Gavin Hutton intensifies and is brought to a heart-stopping conclusion.
Highly recommended.
I read far too late because I couldn't put this book down.
Great 'meeting up' with old characters from book 1 (Charlotte Pass) and getting to know wonderful new characters, Jack and Eva, Poppy, and Sterling. The back story is fascinating as the hunt for Gavin Hutton intensifies and is brought to a heart-stopping conclusion.
Highly recommended.
April 27, 2021
I absolutely loved Lee Christine’s first book in this series Charlotte’s Pass so when I received this in the mail I was so excited.
Crackenback had me hooked right from the start and I finished it in one sitting as I absolutely couldn’t put it down.
Eva Bell manages the ski lodge and lives there with her daughter Poppy. When an injured man bursts threw the doors her first instinct is to protect Poppy but then when she realises it is Poppy’s father Jack Walker she is left with many more questions.
The ending of Chatlotte’s Pass left me hoping for another book so I couldn’t be happier although after finishing Crackenback I still want more so I’m hoping Lee continues this wonderful series.
Overall I really enjoyed the fast pace of the story that had so many twists and turns that I didn’t know what was coming next and I absolutely recommend it to those who enjoy reading crime and mysteries.
I want to thank Allen and Unwin for generously providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review.
Crackenback had me hooked right from the start and I finished it in one sitting as I absolutely couldn’t put it down.
Eva Bell manages the ski lodge and lives there with her daughter Poppy. When an injured man bursts threw the doors her first instinct is to protect Poppy but then when she realises it is Poppy’s father Jack Walker she is left with many more questions.
The ending of Chatlotte’s Pass left me hoping for another book so I couldn’t be happier although after finishing Crackenback I still want more so I’m hoping Lee continues this wonderful series.
Overall I really enjoyed the fast pace of the story that had so many twists and turns that I didn’t know what was coming next and I absolutely recommend it to those who enjoy reading crime and mysteries.
I want to thank Allen and Unwin for generously providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 13, 2021
http://jessjustreads.com
Suspense novelist Lee Christine returns with her latest novel set in the Snowy Mountains — Crackenback. Split between two storylines and written in third person POV, the hunt is on for an escaped murderer deep in icy terrain.
Half of the book focuses on Thredbo lodge manager Eva, whose life is upended when former lover Jack Walker turns up on her doorstep — injured, anxious, and forcing Eva and their daughter Poppy into hiding. Notorious killer Gavin Hutton is on the lease, and Eva and Poppy are his targets.
The other chapters in the book focus on Detective Sergeant Pierce Ryder, who is hunting Gavin. As the novel flicks back and forth between these two settings, events happen concurrently and Pierce and Eva’s lives inevitably collide as Gavin Hutton draws near.
“Eva squinted harder. What was it she could see down there? It was then she realised that it was a set of footprints, partially obscured by the fresh snowfall. They were leading from her front verandah to the trail to the Willy Wagtail. Or was it the other way round?”
Strengths lie in the police procedural aspect of the book, and Ryder’s collection of evidence. We follow Pierce as he interviews witnesses and close contacts, desperately trying to piece together Gavin’s whereabouts. It’s clear that great research has gone into this aspect of the novel to ensure authenticity.
Another strength is characterisation — Christine crafts characters we grow to love. We sympathise when they struggle, and we keep reading to find out how their stories will end. Quieter moments in the book allow for the characters to face unresolved conflict, adding a layer of depth to the book.
Once again, we finds ourselves deep within an icy, cold setting. It’s the perfect read to accompany a glass of red wine. I could feel the biting temperatures and I could picture the blocked, snowy doorways. I could sense the danger lurking beyond the dark, misty outdoors.
“Eva locked the door with a violent shiver. When guests were staying, she would leave it unlocked twenty-four-seven so they had unlimited access to the mountain bikes, skis and snowboards stowed in the equipment room next to the laundry.”
The only aspect of the novel that I didn’t love was the slow pace of the Eva/Jack storyline. He bursts into her home and their setting doesn’t change much for majority of the novel. It’s really just them hiding out, and whilst it was interesting at first, I did find myself getting a little impatient — perhaps a little bored. Even Poppy doesn’t really provide much of an obstacle for their safety, and sometimes I forgot she was even in the house.
I felt like the author was trying to establish more of a romance than a thriller in this setting, and I think there was definitely capacity for both. I would’ve liked it if Gavin reared his ugly head a little earlier on the novel, pushed them out of their hiding place sooner.
“In the lobby, she watched as Jack dug in his pocket for the key and unlocked the drawer. Poppy had gone from spinning the bear in circles to wheeling the chair around the lobby like a pram. How was it that their lives had changed so much in an instant? One minute, she’d been looking forward to the snow season and happily chatting to Bede about his son’s wedding, and the next…”
High stakes and a cracking mystery right until the end, Crackenback is recommended for fans of crime and thriller, but only if you’re also interested in romance. If romance isn’t for you, then this isn’t the series for you. Fans of Christine’s previous novel, Charlotte’s Pass, will be excited to see the return of a few familiar characters.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Suspense novelist Lee Christine returns with her latest novel set in the Snowy Mountains — Crackenback. Split between two storylines and written in third person POV, the hunt is on for an escaped murderer deep in icy terrain.
Half of the book focuses on Thredbo lodge manager Eva, whose life is upended when former lover Jack Walker turns up on her doorstep — injured, anxious, and forcing Eva and their daughter Poppy into hiding. Notorious killer Gavin Hutton is on the lease, and Eva and Poppy are his targets.
The other chapters in the book focus on Detective Sergeant Pierce Ryder, who is hunting Gavin. As the novel flicks back and forth between these two settings, events happen concurrently and Pierce and Eva’s lives inevitably collide as Gavin Hutton draws near.
“Eva squinted harder. What was it she could see down there? It was then she realised that it was a set of footprints, partially obscured by the fresh snowfall. They were leading from her front verandah to the trail to the Willy Wagtail. Or was it the other way round?”
Strengths lie in the police procedural aspect of the book, and Ryder’s collection of evidence. We follow Pierce as he interviews witnesses and close contacts, desperately trying to piece together Gavin’s whereabouts. It’s clear that great research has gone into this aspect of the novel to ensure authenticity.
Another strength is characterisation — Christine crafts characters we grow to love. We sympathise when they struggle, and we keep reading to find out how their stories will end. Quieter moments in the book allow for the characters to face unresolved conflict, adding a layer of depth to the book.
Once again, we finds ourselves deep within an icy, cold setting. It’s the perfect read to accompany a glass of red wine. I could feel the biting temperatures and I could picture the blocked, snowy doorways. I could sense the danger lurking beyond the dark, misty outdoors.
“Eva locked the door with a violent shiver. When guests were staying, she would leave it unlocked twenty-four-seven so they had unlimited access to the mountain bikes, skis and snowboards stowed in the equipment room next to the laundry.”
The only aspect of the novel that I didn’t love was the slow pace of the Eva/Jack storyline. He bursts into her home and their setting doesn’t change much for majority of the novel. It’s really just them hiding out, and whilst it was interesting at first, I did find myself getting a little impatient — perhaps a little bored. Even Poppy doesn’t really provide much of an obstacle for their safety, and sometimes I forgot she was even in the house.
I felt like the author was trying to establish more of a romance than a thriller in this setting, and I think there was definitely capacity for both. I would’ve liked it if Gavin reared his ugly head a little earlier on the novel, pushed them out of their hiding place sooner.
“In the lobby, she watched as Jack dug in his pocket for the key and unlocked the drawer. Poppy had gone from spinning the bear in circles to wheeling the chair around the lobby like a pram. How was it that their lives had changed so much in an instant? One minute, she’d been looking forward to the snow season and happily chatting to Bede about his son’s wedding, and the next…”
High stakes and a cracking mystery right until the end, Crackenback is recommended for fans of crime and thriller, but only if you’re also interested in romance. If romance isn’t for you, then this isn’t the series for you. Fans of Christine’s previous novel, Charlotte’s Pass, will be excited to see the return of a few familiar characters.
Thank you to the publisher for sending me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Read
February 17, 2021I was eagerly anticipating Lee's new novel, following on from the fantastic Charlotte Pass in 2020, and I was thrilled to find it every bit as good as I'd hoped. The snow setting, the tension and the dual point of view had me racing through the pages. A great, gritty read that you won't want to miss!
February 15, 2021
Great book is Crackenback
What a wonderful book. Absolutely loved. A plot that reels you in and great characters. Wonderful writing by Lee Christine when I was reading the book and and really enjoyed the narration by Henry Dixon when I was listening on Audible. 🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅
What a wonderful book. Absolutely loved. A plot that reels you in and great characters. Wonderful writing by Lee Christine when I was reading the book and and really enjoyed the narration by Henry Dixon when I was listening on Audible. 🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅
March 31, 2021
Another great book in the series. Just keeps getting better.
July 28, 2022
Loved this book. Tense and thrilling with both a fabulous crime and romantic story thread. If you like either genre, you'll enjoy this book.
From the moment Jack barges into Eva's home to protect her, attraction is flying. But there is no time to explore feelings when a serial killer is on the loose. Meanwhile, Detective Ryder and his team are pursuing Hutton, intertwining the two stories to create a read that has the reader knowing more than the characters they're cheering on. I loved the settings, snow, and warm cosy scenes by the fire.
I hate that I left it on my shelf for a year before finally reading it. :)
From the moment Jack barges into Eva's home to protect her, attraction is flying. But there is no time to explore feelings when a serial killer is on the loose. Meanwhile, Detective Ryder and his team are pursuing Hutton, intertwining the two stories to create a read that has the reader knowing more than the characters they're cheering on. I loved the settings, snow, and warm cosy scenes by the fire.
I hate that I left it on my shelf for a year before finally reading it. :)
February 26, 2022
This is my first book by Lee Christine and I really enjoyed it. There is tension with a killer on the loose and the feeling of being isolated due to the location of the lodge and snow storms, which add to the story. I like the detectives and their rapport with each other and the descriptions of the cold weather, snow and all the precautions and prepation people take to live and survive in the Snowy Mountains. Having not read Charlotte's Pass I realise that some of the characters are in that book but I didn't have any problems working out what was going on in this book. Plenty of tense moments and a good story and detective work made for a fast read. I will definitely be chasing up Charlotte's Pass and Dead Horse Gap to read.
February 17, 2022
*3.5 stars if GoodReads allowed. I enjoyed reading this, the Snowy Mountain setting was great, such a great sense of place and season. Lots of suspense and buildup, it swept me along, then wound up rather quickly, and to me, not entirely to my satisfaction. I must be a demanding type, the story was well written for the most part but I wanted it to be fleshed out a bit more in some areas. I will look out for more books by this Australian author next time I'm wanting a well set Australian mystery to read.
April 4, 2021
Story- 3.5/5
The story is centered on the main character Eva who operates a lodge in the Snowy Mountains, and whose preparations for the winter tourist season are interupted when a man (Jack) barges into her home. What follows is a split narrative of Eva and Jack's backstory (and why he is there now), and the investigations of the Sydney Homicide Squad into a fugitive/suspected murderer. The crossing over of the stories, whilst expected, makes for an interesting read.
Writing 2/5
I would have loved to be able to give this book a higher rating as the story was intriguing and, after a bit of a build-up the last 60-80 pages were great. But I found the writing disjointed and lacking a consistent emotive/relatable voice. I think this was a classic case of a the author failing to "show not tell", and I was unable to engage fully regardless of the hook of the story.
Overall 2.5-3/5
Overall, an easy and enjoyable Sunday read but nothing to write home about.
The story is centered on the main character Eva who operates a lodge in the Snowy Mountains, and whose preparations for the winter tourist season are interupted when a man (Jack) barges into her home. What follows is a split narrative of Eva and Jack's backstory (and why he is there now), and the investigations of the Sydney Homicide Squad into a fugitive/suspected murderer. The crossing over of the stories, whilst expected, makes for an interesting read.
Writing 2/5
I would have loved to be able to give this book a higher rating as the story was intriguing and, after a bit of a build-up the last 60-80 pages were great. But I found the writing disjointed and lacking a consistent emotive/relatable voice. I think this was a classic case of a the author failing to "show not tell", and I was unable to engage fully regardless of the hook of the story.
Overall 2.5-3/5
Overall, an easy and enjoyable Sunday read but nothing to write home about.
April 11, 2021
- thanks to @allenandunwin for my #gifted copy
I did not know that Crackenback is the continuation of the author's previous novel Charlotte Pass. However, I did not feel that it was necessary to read anything before diving into Christine's latest novel as it read perfectly well as a standalone. The connections between the characters and the previous events were explained thoroughly and right at the beginning, so I had no issue understanding and incorporating the background stories.
Users in Goodreads have classified this novel as Mystery and Suspense, but I would like to adjudicate Thriller to the list and remove Mystery. Why am I getting quite specific with the genre classification? Because there is no mystery in this novel - quite early on, the reader can understand what is happening and why it is happening. I did not read this novel searching for answers: I kept reading because I was motivated by the atmospheric suspense to discover the plot's development. Waiting for the defining scene was as exhilarating as it was thrilling, but there was no 'whodunnit' element involved.
Crackenback it's a fast-paced, short novel that I finished in two sittings. I struggled with the over descriptive writing at first, but I understood how the trivial details contributed to the characters' development and credibility. The only complaint I have about the characterisation is that Poppy, a three-year-old kid, had a highly unusual vocabulary use, more appropriate for an older kid.
I would also like to remark on the author's capacity to write atmospheric suspense and write about temperature quite candidly. I wasn't physically cold when I was reading the book, but the descriptions of snow and low temperatures made me feel cold even when I was reasonably warm. I also enjoyed reading about several parts of New South Wales, including Parramatta and specific streets that I take to work every day. Gotta love an Aussie novel full of Aussie references.
Overall, Crackenback is a quick-to-read, entertaining, suspenseful novel that could not get any more Aussie. With believable characters and an exciting plot, I would recommend it to readers looking for a captivating thriller.
I did not know that Crackenback is the continuation of the author's previous novel Charlotte Pass. However, I did not feel that it was necessary to read anything before diving into Christine's latest novel as it read perfectly well as a standalone. The connections between the characters and the previous events were explained thoroughly and right at the beginning, so I had no issue understanding and incorporating the background stories.
Users in Goodreads have classified this novel as Mystery and Suspense, but I would like to adjudicate Thriller to the list and remove Mystery. Why am I getting quite specific with the genre classification? Because there is no mystery in this novel - quite early on, the reader can understand what is happening and why it is happening. I did not read this novel searching for answers: I kept reading because I was motivated by the atmospheric suspense to discover the plot's development. Waiting for the defining scene was as exhilarating as it was thrilling, but there was no 'whodunnit' element involved.
Crackenback it's a fast-paced, short novel that I finished in two sittings. I struggled with the over descriptive writing at first, but I understood how the trivial details contributed to the characters' development and credibility. The only complaint I have about the characterisation is that Poppy, a three-year-old kid, had a highly unusual vocabulary use, more appropriate for an older kid.
I would also like to remark on the author's capacity to write atmospheric suspense and write about temperature quite candidly. I wasn't physically cold when I was reading the book, but the descriptions of snow and low temperatures made me feel cold even when I was reasonably warm. I also enjoyed reading about several parts of New South Wales, including Parramatta and specific streets that I take to work every day. Gotta love an Aussie novel full of Aussie references.
Overall, Crackenback is a quick-to-read, entertaining, suspenseful novel that could not get any more Aussie. With believable characters and an exciting plot, I would recommend it to readers looking for a captivating thriller.
February 11, 2021
Crackenback is the second novel featuring Detective Sergeant Pierce Ryder. He’s hunting a killer, and after months of dead-ends the breakthrough he was hoping for leads him to the Snowy Mountains.
Meanwhile, when an injured man bursts into the remote Thredbo lodge, The Golden Wattle, which is managed by Eva Bell, this event will turn Evas life upside down.
I liked how the chapters alternated between the Detective and Eva with the suspense building chapter by chapter.
Meanwhile, when an injured man bursts into the remote Thredbo lodge, The Golden Wattle, which is managed by Eva Bell, this event will turn Evas life upside down.
I liked how the chapters alternated between the Detective and Eva with the suspense building chapter by chapter.
February 10, 2021
This book was a nice surprise – I had lost track of time I think and hadn’t realised it was coming out! I really enjoyed Lee Christine’s last book, Charlotte Pass and this one is connected. We are back with Detective Sergeant Pierce Ryder and his hunt for Gavin Hutton. The trail has gone a bit cold but Ryder still believes that he’s deep somewhere in the Snowy Mountains, holing up in the dense forest. He’s got survivalist skills and even though winter is close, Ryder is confident that he is still around. Keeping off the radar, using cash, stealing what he needs….waiting for his next opportunity.
Eva is the sister of Ryder’s partner Vanessa. She’s running a lodge in Thredbo on her own, getting prepared for the season with mostly only her young daughter Poppy for company. She has a neighbour that pops in, an older man who also runs a lodge, as well as the local who delivers her firewood but unless there are guests staying, Eva is pretty isolated. She’s stunned by the reappearance of Jack Walker in her life – he’s injured, desperate and ready to make Eva do whatever he says. Desperate to protect Poppy, Eva has no choice….but why is Jack really here? What does he want? And can she trust him with what is the most precious thing in her life?
This is fast paced and builds the suspense so neatly. Lee Christine expertly uses the isolation of her chosen location, especially in regards to Eva and Poppy, who are deeply vulnerable in their lodge when they’re on their own. The snow is starting to fall, blanketing the area, making it feel even more isolated and dangerous. It’s hard to flee anyway, but even harder when the snow is deepening. Eva is going about her life, making rooms ready, cleaning for guests to arrive, completely oblivious to the fact that her life is about to be turned upside down and that she and her daughter are going to end up in grave danger, their lives under threat. When Jack arrives, Eva is shocked and defensive – he looks like a mess, he’s injured and she doesn’t trust him. She has little reason to trust him, considering their past and what Jack made clear to her. She’s confused as to why he’s here now and what he could possibly want. Her only thought is for Poppy and Jack’s early behaviour doesn’t exactly set her at ease. But the more he tells her, the more she’s forced to trust him, especially when he won’t hear of any other options.
It was good to check in with Ryder again – he and Vanessa are still happily loved up and Vanessa is working a new job. Ryder still has Detective Flowers on his team and he’s also added a new team member, a female Detective from up around the Manning Valley. The team works really well together as they gather information on Hutton in an attempt to guess where he is and why. If they can piece together the motive behind his seemingly unconnected murders then they might have a chance of figuring out who he’s targeting next – and get there before he can. But time is running out and Hutton is closing in on who he wants to hurt next for revenge.
I really enjoyed this! The setting is fantastic and the way the story builds in terms of Hutton’s motivation worked really well. Ryder and his team have to really dig deep to find out what happened, to find the relevant people to talk to that can give them the information they need to flesh out the story, to get the final missing pieces. Ryder splits his team up, having some in the office hunting down information whilst he and Flowers often travel to different places to see what they can learn. I like Flowers – he’s a fun offset to Pierce and I hope he might one day become a stronger focus of a book, likewise for the new detective. There’s infinite possibility for the team to keep investigating different situations in different combinations.
This is not a long book – every page advances the plot and builds the suspense incredibly well. The characters are well drawn and interact together well. I found it very difficult to put down and would definitely recommend picking it up when you can get through it in a single sitting. I hope that there are plenty more books featuring Ryder and his team in the future – sometimes I avoid suspenseful books because I can’t deal with the way they make my heart race but I find these ones irresistible. This was excellent again.
***A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of an honest review***
Eva is the sister of Ryder’s partner Vanessa. She’s running a lodge in Thredbo on her own, getting prepared for the season with mostly only her young daughter Poppy for company. She has a neighbour that pops in, an older man who also runs a lodge, as well as the local who delivers her firewood but unless there are guests staying, Eva is pretty isolated. She’s stunned by the reappearance of Jack Walker in her life – he’s injured, desperate and ready to make Eva do whatever he says. Desperate to protect Poppy, Eva has no choice….but why is Jack really here? What does he want? And can she trust him with what is the most precious thing in her life?
This is fast paced and builds the suspense so neatly. Lee Christine expertly uses the isolation of her chosen location, especially in regards to Eva and Poppy, who are deeply vulnerable in their lodge when they’re on their own. The snow is starting to fall, blanketing the area, making it feel even more isolated and dangerous. It’s hard to flee anyway, but even harder when the snow is deepening. Eva is going about her life, making rooms ready, cleaning for guests to arrive, completely oblivious to the fact that her life is about to be turned upside down and that she and her daughter are going to end up in grave danger, their lives under threat. When Jack arrives, Eva is shocked and defensive – he looks like a mess, he’s injured and she doesn’t trust him. She has little reason to trust him, considering their past and what Jack made clear to her. She’s confused as to why he’s here now and what he could possibly want. Her only thought is for Poppy and Jack’s early behaviour doesn’t exactly set her at ease. But the more he tells her, the more she’s forced to trust him, especially when he won’t hear of any other options.
It was good to check in with Ryder again – he and Vanessa are still happily loved up and Vanessa is working a new job. Ryder still has Detective Flowers on his team and he’s also added a new team member, a female Detective from up around the Manning Valley. The team works really well together as they gather information on Hutton in an attempt to guess where he is and why. If they can piece together the motive behind his seemingly unconnected murders then they might have a chance of figuring out who he’s targeting next – and get there before he can. But time is running out and Hutton is closing in on who he wants to hurt next for revenge.
I really enjoyed this! The setting is fantastic and the way the story builds in terms of Hutton’s motivation worked really well. Ryder and his team have to really dig deep to find out what happened, to find the relevant people to talk to that can give them the information they need to flesh out the story, to get the final missing pieces. Ryder splits his team up, having some in the office hunting down information whilst he and Flowers often travel to different places to see what they can learn. I like Flowers – he’s a fun offset to Pierce and I hope he might one day become a stronger focus of a book, likewise for the new detective. There’s infinite possibility for the team to keep investigating different situations in different combinations.
This is not a long book – every page advances the plot and builds the suspense incredibly well. The characters are well drawn and interact together well. I found it very difficult to put down and would definitely recommend picking it up when you can get through it in a single sitting. I hope that there are plenty more books featuring Ryder and his team in the future – sometimes I avoid suspenseful books because I can’t deal with the way they make my heart race but I find these ones irresistible. This was excellent again.
***A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of an honest review***
December 19, 2022
Crackenback isn’t the only thing ‘back’ in Eva’s life. Jack is, and just like four years ago, he’s reopening memories that she’d forgotten about as a single mum to a young child while single-handedly running a ski lodge deep in the heart of the Snowy Mountains in southern Australia.
And it’s not only Jack Walker who’s stumbled into her life; so has a dangerous killer named Gavin Hutton. Hutton is an ex-security guard who’s worked in both Zimbabwe and the Philippines. He knows Eve’s home territory well after being part of a training camp for former soldiers at the same lodge several years earlier. Now he’s doing his best to evade the law while on a mission of revenge against Jack Walker over a bungled kidnapping attempt. After several years on the run, this dangerous fugitive isn’t afraid to kill again, only this time he’s out to get back at Jack by any means possible, and after stumbling across a long-buried secret, the sworn enemies’ paths are set to meet again, with Eva and her young daughter caught in the middle.
After spending years hunting this murderous outlaw, Pierce Ryder, a determined Sydney policeman who’s already nabbed another killer in this icy white wilderness, is hell bent on tracking Hutton down once and for all, and this time with a new police recruit in tow.
On a bitterly cold winter’s night, all of their paths cross in a dangerous game of cat and mouse - but only time will tell who’ll be the victor.
This is a standalone novel with characters readers have already met and had their hearts touched by in Lee Christine’s first bestselling novel, ‘Charlotte Pass’, also set in the Australian snow country.
A tense storyline that has readers on the edge of their seats as the drama unfurls at a great rate of knots. A definite 9/10 from this fan!
And as a side note, reading about this area carried me back to a fabulous horse riding holiday my teenager daughter and I enjoyed many years ago while staying at Pender Lea Chalets located between Lake Crackenback and Thredbo Alpine Village where the storyline is set.
Great plot-line, Lee, with believable characters set in a gorgeous part of Australia, and not too far from my new home in the Victorian High Country - well done!
And it’s not only Jack Walker who’s stumbled into her life; so has a dangerous killer named Gavin Hutton. Hutton is an ex-security guard who’s worked in both Zimbabwe and the Philippines. He knows Eve’s home territory well after being part of a training camp for former soldiers at the same lodge several years earlier. Now he’s doing his best to evade the law while on a mission of revenge against Jack Walker over a bungled kidnapping attempt. After several years on the run, this dangerous fugitive isn’t afraid to kill again, only this time he’s out to get back at Jack by any means possible, and after stumbling across a long-buried secret, the sworn enemies’ paths are set to meet again, with Eva and her young daughter caught in the middle.
After spending years hunting this murderous outlaw, Pierce Ryder, a determined Sydney policeman who’s already nabbed another killer in this icy white wilderness, is hell bent on tracking Hutton down once and for all, and this time with a new police recruit in tow.
On a bitterly cold winter’s night, all of their paths cross in a dangerous game of cat and mouse - but only time will tell who’ll be the victor.
This is a standalone novel with characters readers have already met and had their hearts touched by in Lee Christine’s first bestselling novel, ‘Charlotte Pass’, also set in the Australian snow country.
A tense storyline that has readers on the edge of their seats as the drama unfurls at a great rate of knots. A definite 9/10 from this fan!
And as a side note, reading about this area carried me back to a fabulous horse riding holiday my teenager daughter and I enjoyed many years ago while staying at Pender Lea Chalets located between Lake Crackenback and Thredbo Alpine Village where the storyline is set.
Great plot-line, Lee, with believable characters set in a gorgeous part of Australia, and not too far from my new home in the Victorian High Country - well done!
April 10, 2021
Wow! Finally got around to reading "Crackenback" by the very talented Lee Christine. I must say one of the things that drew me to reading this book and its predecessor was the snowy cover shots - the Australian landscape looks so beautiful yet terrifying and the same time. Just like the storylines and actions of the characters that unfold. Being in the snow capped mountains as temperatures fall builds the feeling of isolation, feeling far from safe because of the treacherous icy roads and being snowed in with a killer possibly outside your door.
This is Lee's second book featuring detective sergeant Pierce Rider and in this story he does take a little bit of a backseat to the murderer, Hutton. We get a much clearer picture of Hutton and his backstory in this book and it is not a pleasant picture at all. We also meet Eva and Poppy, and Eva's estranged partner, Jack, who is tangled in the web that Hutton has created. And the other connection to Eva is Vanessa, her sister and now girlfriend of Ryder. The creation of each character in this book is really well done. They are so complex and it really is a gift to get to know them in a very small amount of time through the way that they are crafted and in how their relationships unfold. In particular the way Hutton is described and portrayed with a lot of menace, anger and violence is truly terrifying, as his backstory.
This is Lee's second book featuring detective sergeant Pierce Rider and in this story he does take a little bit of a backseat to the murderer, Hutton. We get a much clearer picture of Hutton and his backstory in this book and it is not a pleasant picture at all. We also meet Eva and Poppy, and Eva's estranged partner, Jack, who is tangled in the web that Hutton has created. And the other connection to Eva is Vanessa, her sister and now girlfriend of Ryder. The creation of each character in this book is really well done. They are so complex and it really is a gift to get to know them in a very small amount of time through the way that they are crafted and in how their relationships unfold. In particular the way Hutton is described and portrayed with a lot of menace, anger and violence is truly terrifying, as his backstory.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews