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A Sandi Kent Mystery #1
Traffic
Melbourne Private Investigator, Sandi Kent, has her hopes for an easy December dashed when two complicated cases crash into her lap.
Sandi is hired by her volatile ex-girlfriend to rescue a young South Korean woman from an illegal brothel. And then - in a curiously parallel case - is engaged by a lawyer friend seeking defence angles for a Colombian immigrant charged with murdering a sex worker.
As Sandi juggles the demands of her clients, she becomes embroiled in the city's seamy underworld of human trafficking, drugs and murder.
And soon more lives, including her own, are at risk.
Sandi is hired by her volatile ex-girlfriend to rescue a young South Korean woman from an illegal brothel. And then - in a curiously parallel case - is engaged by a lawyer friend seeking defence angles for a Colombian immigrant charged with murdering a sex worker.
As Sandi juggles the demands of her clients, she becomes embroiled in the city's seamy underworld of human trafficking, drugs and murder.
And soon more lives, including her own, are at risk.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2020
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 21, 2021
*https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogsp...
Traffic is the first book in Robin Gregory's PI Sandi Kent series. Sandi is a fledgling private investigator and supplements her meagre earnings from investigative work by teaching swimming to children.
Sandi is hired for two separate jobs both concerning sex workers. She is hired by her ex-girlfriend, defence lawyer Maria, to interview her client Ricardo who is accused of murdering a sex-worker, and find out more about his background. The second case, where she is hired by another ex, Cassy, who is based at The Fair Sex Coalition, is to help a trafficked sex-worker escape from the people who hold her. But first she needs to find out where she is held.
The idea of two different cases both involving sex-workers landing with Sandi at the same time was a little hard to believe but that minor point aside the story was fast moving and filled with believable danger.
I really warmed to Sandi. We get a fair bit of her personal life and she has had a rough time in the love department. She tries much too hard to please and I feel her girlfriends seem to abuse her loyalty.
The investigations were well executed both in a narrative way and in an investigative way. Sandi doesn't baulk at putting herself in danger to get the information she needs.
I loved Sandi's best friend Stewart. He is also not having much luck with love as his boyfriend is cheating on him but he can't let go. Stewart is always there for Sandi coming to her rescue when needed and getting her out of some sticky situations.
Robin Gregory exposes the hidden horror of sex-trafficking and the plight of the girls that are lured to Australia under false pretences, then once there are kept under lock and key and have no means of escape.
Set in Melbourne, Australia, Gregory depicts the fickle Melbourne weather with accuracy as we tour the seedy side of metro Melbourne. Each scene is vividly described and it was like having a movie running through my mind as I read.
Robin Gregory has given her readers a character that is vulnerable, courageous and raw. I am looking forward to the next book in the PI Sandi Kent series and I'm hoping Stewart will also make an appearance.
*I received a copy from the publisher
Traffic is the first book in Robin Gregory's PI Sandi Kent series. Sandi is a fledgling private investigator and supplements her meagre earnings from investigative work by teaching swimming to children.
Sandi is hired for two separate jobs both concerning sex workers. She is hired by her ex-girlfriend, defence lawyer Maria, to interview her client Ricardo who is accused of murdering a sex-worker, and find out more about his background. The second case, where she is hired by another ex, Cassy, who is based at The Fair Sex Coalition, is to help a trafficked sex-worker escape from the people who hold her. But first she needs to find out where she is held.
The idea of two different cases both involving sex-workers landing with Sandi at the same time was a little hard to believe but that minor point aside the story was fast moving and filled with believable danger.
I really warmed to Sandi. We get a fair bit of her personal life and she has had a rough time in the love department. She tries much too hard to please and I feel her girlfriends seem to abuse her loyalty.
The investigations were well executed both in a narrative way and in an investigative way. Sandi doesn't baulk at putting herself in danger to get the information she needs.
I loved Sandi's best friend Stewart. He is also not having much luck with love as his boyfriend is cheating on him but he can't let go. Stewart is always there for Sandi coming to her rescue when needed and getting her out of some sticky situations.
Robin Gregory exposes the hidden horror of sex-trafficking and the plight of the girls that are lured to Australia under false pretences, then once there are kept under lock and key and have no means of escape.
Set in Melbourne, Australia, Gregory depicts the fickle Melbourne weather with accuracy as we tour the seedy side of metro Melbourne. Each scene is vividly described and it was like having a movie running through my mind as I read.
Robin Gregory has given her readers a character that is vulnerable, courageous and raw. I am looking forward to the next book in the PI Sandi Kent series and I'm hoping Stewart will also make an appearance.
*I received a copy from the publisher
February 27, 2021
‘After that case, I’d sworn I’d never investigate another homicide. If only I’d remembered.’
Meet Private Investigator Sandi Kent. Sandi works in Melbourne, where she supplements her PI income by teaching swimming to children twice a week. She’s on her way home from one of those swimming sessions in December when her ‘phone rings. Her friend lawyer, Maria Luisetto, wants her to find out more information about a client she is defending, Ricardo Lopez, who has been charged with the murder of a sex worker. There are inconsistent witness statements, a few complicating issues and Sandi is initially reluctant.
‘If my lack of money hadn’t been such an issue right now, I would have waved adiós amiga.’
Sandi then takes on another case, after meeting up with her volatile ex-girlfriend Cassy Joynson. It has been seven years, and Sandi wonders why Cassy has contacted her. She soon finds that Cassy wants Sandi’s help to rescue a young woman who is being held as a prisoner in a Melbourne brothel. Can Sandi help?
Meeting Cassy brings the past back to Sandi. Memories of failed relationships and hopes for the future. And then a reminder that it is December, and a family Christmas needs to be negotiated with her sister Iris and their mother.
Sandi is smart, strong, brave, instinctive, and impulsive. She will need all her skills if she is to negotiate the dangerous reefs of Melbourne’s underworld to get the information she needs. Sandi quickly finds that there is more to Ricardo’s case than she thought, and several people are in danger. And rescuing the young sex worker will not be easy. Her friend Stewart Wright helps: teamwork at its best!
This is a fast-moving story, with a plenty of tension and more than a threat of violence. While everyday Melbourne provides the setting, an underworld of human trafficking, drugs and murder is where much of the action takes place. The story held my attention from beginning to end. Sandi is an engaging character, her friendship with Stewart is terrific, and I hope to read more Sandi Kent mysteries.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Meet Private Investigator Sandi Kent. Sandi works in Melbourne, where she supplements her PI income by teaching swimming to children twice a week. She’s on her way home from one of those swimming sessions in December when her ‘phone rings. Her friend lawyer, Maria Luisetto, wants her to find out more information about a client she is defending, Ricardo Lopez, who has been charged with the murder of a sex worker. There are inconsistent witness statements, a few complicating issues and Sandi is initially reluctant.
‘If my lack of money hadn’t been such an issue right now, I would have waved adiós amiga.’
Sandi then takes on another case, after meeting up with her volatile ex-girlfriend Cassy Joynson. It has been seven years, and Sandi wonders why Cassy has contacted her. She soon finds that Cassy wants Sandi’s help to rescue a young woman who is being held as a prisoner in a Melbourne brothel. Can Sandi help?
Meeting Cassy brings the past back to Sandi. Memories of failed relationships and hopes for the future. And then a reminder that it is December, and a family Christmas needs to be negotiated with her sister Iris and their mother.
Sandi is smart, strong, brave, instinctive, and impulsive. She will need all her skills if she is to negotiate the dangerous reefs of Melbourne’s underworld to get the information she needs. Sandi quickly finds that there is more to Ricardo’s case than she thought, and several people are in danger. And rescuing the young sex worker will not be easy. Her friend Stewart Wright helps: teamwork at its best!
This is a fast-moving story, with a plenty of tension and more than a threat of violence. While everyday Melbourne provides the setting, an underworld of human trafficking, drugs and murder is where much of the action takes place. The story held my attention from beginning to end. Sandi is an engaging character, her friendship with Stewart is terrific, and I hope to read more Sandi Kent mysteries.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
March 29, 2021
Traffic, Robin Gregory’s impressive crime fiction debut, succeeds in cleverly presenting a serious, well-researched social issue within a rollicking murder mystery.
Set in inner suburban Melbourne, Traffic artfully uses the city’s distinctive character, places and landmarks – even its variable weather – to add considerable authenticity to the narrative. Traffic reads like a real story in a real place. Admittedly, I say this as a Melburnian for whom these features are very familiar, but they would work just as well for readers who don’t know the city.
Robin’s earthy depictions of Melbourne’s inner suburban life are equally effective in complementing the grim basis of her story - in the murky realms of organised crime, sex trafficking runs second only to drug trafficking. Shockingly, it’s a thriving business in Melbourne where an estimated 500 illegal brothels operate. It’s hardly surprising that in exposing the detail of this sordid trade, Traffic hardly presents Melbourne with the superficial glitz that is all too often lavished on the “world’s most liveable city”. At a time when “rural noir” is enjoying such prominence with writers such as Jane Harper and Chris Hammer using the unrelenting bleakness of rural Australia as the backdrop to their dark tales, it is refreshing to see the urban landscape used with similar impact.
Robin pulls no punches in her explanation and description of sex trafficking, but she stops well short of lecturing the reader. Her deft use of Traffic’s protagonist, private investigator Sandi Kent, is important here. Kent is drawn into this world as she is hired to investigate two seemingly simple but unrelated cases involving sex workers and illegal brothels. As connections between the cases start to emerge, the magnitude of the sex trafficking business gradually becomes apparent to Sandi and the reader in parallel. The interplay between Kent’s increasingly dangerous investigations and the wry accounts of her daily life, complete with money struggles and rollercoaster relationships, serves to keep the narrative lively and never straying into the realms of overwhelming gloom or moral indignation. Robin injects both sides of the narrative with an eclectic range of characters that avoid cliché or stereotype. Kent herself is a subtly layered, flawed and idiosyncratic character, providing sufficient depth and interest for what is intended to be an ongoing series.
Ultimately, Traffic follows the tried and trusted formula of the genre, building the suspense, tantalisingly connecting plot lines and concluding in a rousing action-packed finale. Its entertainment value is unquestioned, and Robin’s meticulous research and professional expertise adds thought-provoking substance to an already “good read”.
Set in inner suburban Melbourne, Traffic artfully uses the city’s distinctive character, places and landmarks – even its variable weather – to add considerable authenticity to the narrative. Traffic reads like a real story in a real place. Admittedly, I say this as a Melburnian for whom these features are very familiar, but they would work just as well for readers who don’t know the city.
Robin’s earthy depictions of Melbourne’s inner suburban life are equally effective in complementing the grim basis of her story - in the murky realms of organised crime, sex trafficking runs second only to drug trafficking. Shockingly, it’s a thriving business in Melbourne where an estimated 500 illegal brothels operate. It’s hardly surprising that in exposing the detail of this sordid trade, Traffic hardly presents Melbourne with the superficial glitz that is all too often lavished on the “world’s most liveable city”. At a time when “rural noir” is enjoying such prominence with writers such as Jane Harper and Chris Hammer using the unrelenting bleakness of rural Australia as the backdrop to their dark tales, it is refreshing to see the urban landscape used with similar impact.
Robin pulls no punches in her explanation and description of sex trafficking, but she stops well short of lecturing the reader. Her deft use of Traffic’s protagonist, private investigator Sandi Kent, is important here. Kent is drawn into this world as she is hired to investigate two seemingly simple but unrelated cases involving sex workers and illegal brothels. As connections between the cases start to emerge, the magnitude of the sex trafficking business gradually becomes apparent to Sandi and the reader in parallel. The interplay between Kent’s increasingly dangerous investigations and the wry accounts of her daily life, complete with money struggles and rollercoaster relationships, serves to keep the narrative lively and never straying into the realms of overwhelming gloom or moral indignation. Robin injects both sides of the narrative with an eclectic range of characters that avoid cliché or stereotype. Kent herself is a subtly layered, flawed and idiosyncratic character, providing sufficient depth and interest for what is intended to be an ongoing series.
Ultimately, Traffic follows the tried and trusted formula of the genre, building the suspense, tantalisingly connecting plot lines and concluding in a rousing action-packed finale. Its entertainment value is unquestioned, and Robin’s meticulous research and professional expertise adds thought-provoking substance to an already “good read”.
March 8, 2021
Posted on blog https://booksafewkids.wordpress.com/2...
This is my first book by Robin Gregory and it was great.
This book introduces you to Sandi Kent who is a private PI who works in Melbourne as well as teaching kids swimming twice a week.
Sandi is smart, brave, instinctive, impulsive and also a little damaged that she immediately immerses you.
After Sandi initially takes on a simple background information case for her friend, she is quickly thrown into the Melbourne underworld when her volatile ex also convinces her to take on a case.
This is a fast paced story with plenty of tension and ugly truths of human trafficking, drugs and murder and held my interest from beginning to end. Sandi is an engaging character and I can't wait to read more of her and learn more of her own story.
This is my first book by Robin Gregory and it was great.
This book introduces you to Sandi Kent who is a private PI who works in Melbourne as well as teaching kids swimming twice a week.
Sandi is smart, brave, instinctive, impulsive and also a little damaged that she immediately immerses you.
After Sandi initially takes on a simple background information case for her friend, she is quickly thrown into the Melbourne underworld when her volatile ex also convinces her to take on a case.
This is a fast paced story with plenty of tension and ugly truths of human trafficking, drugs and murder and held my interest from beginning to end. Sandi is an engaging character and I can't wait to read more of her and learn more of her own story.
January 9, 2021
An exceptional novel from an inspiring author who knows her stuff! Perfectly paced, skillfully balanced between two main arcs and the protagonist's personal story and twists left, right and centre, I struggled to put down the final thirty pages and found myself reacting out loud. Gregory immerses us in Melbourne, and Sandi's mind, and all the while gives us cinching climax and left me ready for the sequel. I'm hooked!
March 8, 2021
4.5 stars. More in my next Good Reads blog at www.sandiwallace.com/blog/. Review copy received with thanks from the publisher.
July 22, 2021
Enjoyed this book, easy to read and liked the investigator Sandi Kent. Always enjoy a book set in inner Melbourne. The story encompassed International Sex Trafficking with money laundering at Crown Casino getting a shoutout, very relevant at the moment.
March 15, 2022
Sandi Kent becomes embroiled in not one but two P.I matters involving slave trading into prostitution, mixed in with old love interests she is tested to her ultimate, but gets the goods and lets the cops take over.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews