Prisoner

Detective Dana Russo #2

by S.R. White

24 HOURS AFTER LEAVING HIS CELL HE WAS DEAD. CAN SHE FIND OUT WHY?

'S. R. White is the real deal.' CHRIS HAMMER, author of SCRUBLANDS.

*** From THE AUSTRALIAN TOP TEN BESTSELLER***

When a man is found savagely 'crucified' amidst a murky swamp in northern Australia, detective Dana Russo and her team are called to a shocking scene. The victim is a convicted rapist, just released from prison, who years earlier committed an atrocious crime yards from where he was killed.

Who murdered him - and why? With several potential leads, the investigation quickly becomes more complex, and sinister, than anyone imagined. And Dana realises she'll have to confront her own troubled past to understand the true motives of the killer...

A twisting, compelling and utterly haunting new novel from the international bestseller, perfect for fans of Jane Harper's THE DRY and Chris Hammer's SCRUBLANDS.

Praise for S. R. White:

'A taut, beautifully observed slow-burner with an explosive finish.' Peter May

'Original, compelling and highly recommended.' Chris Hammer

'A fascinating case'SUNDAY TIMES

'It draws you in - and rewards with a truly powerful ending.' HEAT

'This slow-burn novel catches light' THE SUN

'A dark and compulsive read' WOMAN & HOME

Genres: Crime, Mystery, Suspense, Procedural, Thriller, Australia

352 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 2, 2021

About the author

S.R. White worked for a UK police force for twelve years, before returning to academic life and taking an MA in Creative Writing at Nottingham Trent University. He now lives in Queensland, Australia.

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prisoner by Aussie author S.R. White is the second book in the Detective Dana Russo series and I must admit I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first one in the series. In saying that I was curious to know how it would end, but it just seemed to drag on a bit too much for me. But I will continue with the series and I’m looking forward to the next instalment. Recommended.

[Elisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Early on I was thinking this book is going to be a solid 4. It is set in Australia but it feels more like an American or British crime novel. Some of the language you just wouldn't hear in Australia, for example the next village over, um no Aussie would ever say village, it would be town. Yes that is nit picking. The setting didn't strike me as very Australian either. However I noticed that the author did use the slang term Maccas for McDonald's which did redeem it a little for me. Generally it really was an enjoyable novel, just slipped a bit for me in the end, I struggled to keep focus and not skip ahead. I haven't read the Hermit, but I will definitely give it a go. In summary it's a good read, just a bit too long.

[Karin Pearson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as I was expecting or hoping. The entire 400pp covered only two days.. and believe me it was a long two days. I felt the story dragged on a bit and was quite repetitive, but wrapped itself up nicely in the last few pages. This could easily have been a good 200pp shorter.

Still, having said all that.. I am willing to give this authors previous book 'Hermit' a go.

[Angelique Simonsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid. If you prefer the investigation rather than the thriller. I got right into this and I loved the way the case came together

[Dexter's Mate · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story was good but the location was a bit confusing for me as it was set in Australia, had a lot of American terms at the start and I couldn't work out whether Carlton was in the state of Victoria or Tasmania (Eagle Hawk Neck reference).

[Clbplym · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t convinced by the answer to the murder inquiry but what I really enjoyed (as I did in the first novel) were the interview scenes and the methods being used to get suspects to open up.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Setting: Queensland, Australia; August 2019.
This is the second book featuring Detective Dana Russo and is set over two days in August 2019.
A rapist released on parole after serving nine years of his sentence is found murdered in a local quarry only hours after his release. Suspicion immediately turns to two sisters who live in a nearby house - who have been corresponding with the former prisoner prior to his release and had offered him short-term accommodation with them. Against a background of internal power struggles within the police force, Dana must interview the two sisters to try to get to the truth.....
Excellent characters in this series and a great Aussie setting with this one, although perhaps I didn't enjoy it quite as much as the first book as the interviews with the suspects got a bit tedious at one stage. Still, looking forward to reading the next in the series - 8.5/10.

[charlotte, · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rep: lesbian mcs

CWs: child abuse

[Unseen Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of Prisoner from Hachette Australia to review.

Rating of 4.5.

Prepare for a twisty and dark Australian murder mystery novel as author S. R. White presents the compelling and powerful Prisoner.

Deep in rural Northern Australia, a dead body has been found in the middle of a dank and dangerous swamp. The corpse is staged to appear like a crucifixion, with the man’s arms and legs tied to poles, and his chest caved in with several blows. Called to the scene of the crime, Detective Dana Russo soon discovers that the victim was a convicted rapist who had only been released from prison a few hours earlier and whose crime occurred only a short walk away from his murder site.

Determined to get to the bottom of this unusual murder, Russo and her team swiftly begin tearing apart the victim’s life in prison and find that he had been in communication with two local sisters who offered him a place to stay once he was released. Investigating the sisters, they discover a unique pair of siblings who have been irreparably damaged by trauma and abuse and who live separate from the rest of society. Believing that the solution to the mystery may lay with them, Russo brings them both in for questioning, but finds them uncooperative and elusive.

Under pressure to solve the crime, the detectives slowly unwind an intriguing case, concerning corruption, drugs and prison gangs. However, the further they dig, the more apparent it becomes that the sisters are hiding some dark secrets about themselves and the victim. Forced to dig deep within herself, Russo uses the memories of her own traumatic childhood to analyse the suspects and find some common understanding with them. Can Russo break through these two unlikely suspects, or will the solution to this murder never be revealed?

This was a pretty cool and captivating novel from former British Police officer turned author S. R. White. Prisoner is White’s second novel and serves as a sequel to his 2020 debut, Hermit. This proved to be a fantastic read and I deeply enjoyed the intriguing and powerful narrative, especially as White loads his book with a complex mystery and some deeply damaged characters. I got pretty hooked on this book as it progressed and ended up finishing it in only a couple of days.

To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2021/08/30/...

An abridged version of this review ran in the Canberra Weekly on 2 September 2021:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2021/10/14/...

For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/

[Shelleyrae at Book'd Out · Rating 4 out of 5]

From ex-UK police officer now Queensland resident S.R. White, comes Prisoner, his second novel to feature Detective Dana Russo.

When the body of Curtis Monroe is found brutally murdered on the edge of a swamp barely twenty four hours after his release from prison, Detective Dana Russo and her team find they have more than one avenue of investigation. Having served just six years of a nine year sentence for rape, it’s possible revenge is a motive for the grisly killing, or perhaps it’s punishment for a jailhouse transgression, and Monroe’s crucification a warning. Sisters, Suzanne and Marika Doyle, seem to be the least likely suspects, but the proximity of their home to the crime scene, and their recent contact with the victim, stirs curiousity in Russo.

Unfolding over a period of 36 hours, Russo leads an investigation that considers multiple targets, methodically assessing the clues and evidence the team gathers. Creating a plausible narrative from the information they develop proves more difficult than they expect however, and it’s the gaps that take on significance as the case deepens. White’s intricate plotting is impressive as the team patiently works to expose the dark truth behind the crime. ‘Why’ is ultimately a much more stunning proposition than ‘who’.

I enjoy being privy to the procedures of the investigation, though White admits he takes some liberty with a particular law the team utilise. Each member of the squad has a specific role in the case, but they also function as a cohesive unit. In Prisoner, station head, Bill, is away at a conference and Russo feels the pressure of his absence, especially as internal politics rear their head. Russo is a skilful interrogator whose methods are somewhat unusual but effective. Guided in large part by intuition, the process is emotionally taxing for her, particularly when she draws on her own traumatic past to affect a breakthrough. Fellow detective, Mike, and administrative assistant, Lucy, are wonderful returning characters, while newcomer Ali, struggles to fit in. Glimpses of the team’s personal lives, including a somewhat surprising developing romantic relationship, adds depth to the story.

A clever, finely crafted work of crime fiction, Prisoner is an absorbing read, and I look forward to seeing how the series develops.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I agree with another review - the language and description of setting is not typically Australian, and that costs a star. But … this author depicts a character who is damaged by abuse and trauma in an insightful way, and uses that unique experience of the trauma survivor to deeply understand the suspect in a way that only a trauma survivor can. It adds authenticity to character of Dana Russo as she conducts her investigations and interviews.

[Sivvy · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I didn’t fully buy the motive behind the killing at the centre of the story, the journey to uncover it was a well-written and plausible tale of isolation, justice, redemption and dysfunctional relationships, all set against a remote Australian backdrop. (Now I just need to go back and read the first book in the series to work out who all the characters are. Oops).

[Danielle Burns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yet another twisted mystery solved by an oddly likeable Detective with a sinister past.
This tale and it’s unfolding case held my attention after I got over all the Americanisation of its supposedly Australian setting. Not sure where such swampy marshlands exist in our wide brown land though.

[Hermien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting plot and maybe a bit unrealistic but a gripping and enjoyable read nonetheless.

[Jennifer (JC-S) · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘Willie Fitzgibbons nearly ran off the road trying to change the radio station.’

Willie Fitzgibbons, on his way home, finds the body of Curtis Monroe on the edge of a swamp in northern Australia. Monroe has been savagely crucified just twenty-four hours after being released from prison. He had just served six years of a nine-year sentence for rape, a rape which occurred close to where he was killed.

Who killed Curtis Monroe, and why? As Detective Dana Russo and her team quickly discover, there are several possibilities. Sisters Suzanne and Marika Doyle, who live close by, had offered accommodation to Monroe. Detective Russo is intrigued but finds it challenging to get information from the sisters. Could Monroe’s victim have been responsible for his murder? Or could Monroe have made enemies while in prison?

Investigation yields more possibilities, and Detective Russo is required to confront some skeletons in her own closet to try to understand the killer’s motivation. The story unfolds over thirty-six hours as various leads are followed.

‘Sometimes, Mike felt, Dana let perfection be the enemy of success.’

While aspects of this novel grabbed and held my attention, I was annoyed by Mr White’s departure from Australian law as the case progressed. I acknowledge that he includes an author’s note at the end of the book explaining this (and while I agree about not relying on fiction for explanations of the law), the invention jerked me out of the story.

I’ve read the Dana Russo novels out of order: this was the second published and the third I have read. Of the three, ‘Hermit’ is my favourite. I find Dana Russo an intriguing, flawed character and I like her co-workers, especially Lucy and Mike.

Yes, I am interested enough in Dana Russo and her colleagues to keep reading any further additions to the series.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

[Jackie McMillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prisoner is S. R. White’s second novel, coming after Hermit. To my eye it’s a better book. It’s also a good antidote to the host of Australian crime novels that feel a bit thin, favouring blunt sentences to move the action along over heavily descriptive writing and character development. However I’m not saying White has the latter two completely sorted, at times it’s overbearing, unnecessary and repetitive, like the triple reference to BDSM knots: “a common knot in bondage situations, but especially for beginners to that scene.” Utterly pointless as bondage enthusiasts don’t feature. Sometimes the descriptive writing just missed the mark, like Botox stopping change in a woman’s expression “which curled at the edges like warm paper”; a full bin that was described as “a waterfall of polystyrene”; and cushions as “the parsley sprig of furniture”.

Those gripes aside, White makes a good attempt at painting a visual picture, and revealing the characters by degree. Common to the Aussie noir genre, the landscape is a character, and White paints a disturbing picture of the ever-changing swamp and what it hides: “swamps moved. They rose and subsided; any mental map would be a guideline, not a guarantee.” I did laugh at an upper management training course being described as “dry waterboarding – the same panic, same willingness to say anything to get out of the room.”

The protagonist, Detective Dana Russo, is common to both books. Her backstory—eluded to in Hermit—is further unpacked in Prisoner, so it’s definitely worth reading these two books in order. She seems autistic, overwhelmed by too much human contact so “she grabbed at solo time” and makes glancing connections to others: “it was the sort of personal detail that slid its frictionless way through her brain.” I liked the “Tak, Saga” reference to The Bridge, which perhaps shows the author’s inspiration for his protagonist.

[Singer_SA · Rating 3 out of 5]

A complex and complicated detective story surrounding the discovery of a young man's body in swampland, in a cruciform position, 24 hours after leaving prison. He'd been serving a sentence for rape.
The female detective and her team have little to work on - the public way his body was positioned seemed to suggest a warning perhaps. There were two young women living close to the area, in a toxic family relationship. Their cruel mother had died and left a tumble-down home to them. The older daughter had managed to 'escape' to university and resented being drawn back to the home, where the younger sister had to care for the mother and could not escape. She was very angry. The mother died in mysterious circumstances and her body was found in the swampland.
The female detective, Dana, had obviously been through a difficult childhood with a vicious mother herself and she used this to obtain information from the younger sister.
There was a side theory that the victim had given the prison guards evidence of narcotic gangs in the prison before he walked out and the gang may have had him killed.
Overall it was an interesting story, but I found the ending contrived.

[Deborah (debbishdotcom) · Rating 4 out of 5]

SR White's debut novel Hermit was a real sleeper for me. It lured me in and had me intrigued before throwing in some huge twists. Someone I follow on social media said his next novel Prisoner, also featuring cop Dana Russo, was their favourite book this year, so I went in with high expectations.

Which, in retrospect wasn't entirely fair as I kept thinking I'd again be blown away by ridiculously inexplicable reveals at the end. He does.... and I suspect they are mind-blowing, but less-so when you've been waiting for them.

That said, White crafts the unfolding of this plot cleverly. I kept wondering why suspects were being questioned in a certain manner. It didn't make sense. I mean, I'm an avid consumer of crime fiction and television... I know how suspects or witnesses should be questioned and... It. Did. Not. Seem. Right.

Until of course we're offered up the 'why' and then it makes sense.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...

[Rina · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a man is found savagely 'crucified' amidst a murky swamp in northern Australia, detective Dana Russo and her team are called to a shocking scene. The victim is a convicted rapist, just released from prison, who years earlier committed an atrocious crime yards from where he was killed. Who murdered him - and why?

Just like the first book, this was also a slow burning psychological crime. Not gonna lie, I struggled through the first half of the book as it was so full of analysis, even the analysis was analysed. However, once I got into the rhythm and immersed myself in the symbolism, metaphors and over-analytical thinking, I was hooked. The second half felt quicker afterwards.

I quite enjoyed the deep dive into Lucy’s personal life and Dana’s dark past. They helped breaking the singularity of the current investigation, and ended up supporting the process in a way. I felt I knew the characters better by the end of the book.

See my bookstagram review.

[Jocelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rating. This is a well structured detective procedural approach to mystery, but very intense. So much trauma and painful childhood history involving a number of lead characters, then there are all the other obnoxious nasty pieces of work that the ‘good’ characters have to contend with. This is not a happy place. The setting is bleak forbidding swamp-land, a constant danger. Just too weighted with angst for my liking. And everything is analyzed to the ‘nth degree. So, no, I’m not enjoying this book, but it is compelling, and I’m committed to seeing how it all ends.
Finished on August 24th, and yes, quite a charged ending, but I had figured it out before then. Prisoner is a well written, finely detailed novel. My review is purely subjective, I guess I don’t particularly like psychological thrillers, and this mystery verges into that category, too dark and disturbing to read before bed.

[Ernie Rijs]

I listened to the audiobook of this novel and was often disappointed by the variety of mispronunciations the reader surprised me with.
The novel struck me like a manual on how to interview a suspect and how to read a suspect's mind. I would have like to heard more about the crusty Willie Fitzgibbons who found the savaged body of ex-prisoner Curtis Monroe. He hid more interest for me than either of the sisters and even Dana Russo, who seems to be almost magical in her ability to decipher a case.
In addition, I was never sure where this story was set and therefore couldn't easily engage with the environment. It seemed to be overly contrived to "feel" dangerous, oppressive and mysterious.
Nevertheless, I stuck it out to the end. After all, I was driving :). The psychological history of the sisters and their mother were certainly interesting to follow. I also felt it was too long.
It seems the author has a solid following so I wouldn't draw them away from reading more.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

The follow up to his first acclaimed book, S R White’s Prisoner is another Detective Dana Russo case. This time, a convicted rapist is crucified having just been released. As the investigation begins, there are no leads nor apparent motive and little forensic evidence. It’s a classic police procedural with a close-knit team, their differing styles and strengths and dramatic development impairing the outcome. In order for Dana to comprehend the killer’s motives, she must delve into her own past troubles, if she is to unlock the mystery. With astute psychological undertones, engaging characters and an ingenious chronicle makes for a five-star plus rating. If you enjoy astute complex human stories that rely on a detective’s intuition and good old-fashioned sleuthing, then you will love this book. So, do yourself a favour and add another name to the must-read Aussie crime genre author list.

[Michele (michelethebookdragon) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read from S.R. White.

Believe me, if you are being questioned in relation to a crime, you do not want to be questioned by Detective Dana Russo. She will tear you apart, tiny piece by tiny piece.

This was another very slow burn of a book, but there is enough happening to keep you interested. All the action occurs in just over 24 hours and this keeps the story moving.

As much a psychological thriller as a crime/police procedural, Prisoner is a book that will make you feel a bit creeped out at times. From the setting of unforgiving swampland to Nazi gangs, an extremely unlikeable Sergeant and two of the scariest sisters you will ever come across.

A recommended read, but you need to read Hermit first up.

[Marney · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book in this series very much, not so this one unfortunately. Lots of interminable detail that dragged on and on with little to no advancement of the story. Things happen that are not adequately explained and are in any case peripheral to the case at hand. And, although this book is ostensibly set in Australia, there is absolutely no Australian feel to either the setting or the characters. The marshy, foggy, wet landscape described seems highly unlikely for Australia. Overall there were too many negatives to this book for me to want to continue with the series, however I already bought books three and four on the strength of the first one, so hopefully the standard goes back up.

[Jay Dwight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last year’s Hermit was my favourite 2020 read, and this might end up being my favourite 2021 read.

The level of detail in the narrative may not be for everybody, but I love this exquisite detail where you feel like you’re on the shoulders of the detectives for every minute of the case. This aspect reminds me of the underrated Tana French’s Dublin Murder Squad novels.

The whole story takes place over about 36 hours. A deep dive into the psychology of the crime, the approach and questioning of Detective Dana Russo is intense and totally absorbing.

A slow burn with an explosive ending. A 5 star read !

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the reviews so “… a slow burn” well they’re correct! This book took me days and days to read. Normally I can knock one over well within 24 hrs.
Slow start.
Can’t believe it all happens over 24 hrs. Soo much going on.
Chapter 22 & Dana hints at a same sex relationship- this was a bit odd and obviously ticks a publisher woke box. There’s no need for that as the story carries itself without some side hinted promiscuity occurring in the near future.

I enjoyed the chapter where the lawyer Nancy Foster took on Butcher from Ethics! Let’s have a book about her!

I’ve read book 3, then 1& 2, slight out of order, now I’ll have a go at #4 & hope Lucy has moved on!

[Simon Rider · Rating 4 out of 5]

No spoilers -
Clever book -similar to Chris Whitaker in that it takes its time and slowly reveals the characters backstory which makes everything make sense in the end. Having read the first in the series Hermit it was good to pic up with the characters again and learn a bit more about the background, plot was clever with a terrific conclusion.
I do like reading a Biot of Aussie noir and am enjoying SR White - this one was a bit different as heat and space is the usual setting but here it is very claustrophobic for the characters and the landscape is more like Bodmin Moor or Ireland. Will read the highly rated Red Dirt Road soon..

[Corinne Johnston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost a 4star because of the interesting 2 day narrative, and quite interesting characters. Fell down due to the weirdness of figuring out where we were. Supposedly Australia, but so many words seemed wrong; villages, city hall, counsellor. A small town with so many detectives and great ancillary teams (DNA results in a few hours) and wonderful sounding public housing. Just write in the Australian vernacular and let others figure out meaning, like we've done for decades with British and American authors.

[Al Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars is a tad too generous, but it's better than 3 in my estimation.

Usually in Australian crime novels I can identify with the settings. Any big city. The outback dry country. Rain forests. Farmlands. The bush. But I can't think of any part of Australia that has temperate climate swamplands as described in this novel. So as I'm reading I'm constantly thinking where is this place?

The plot? Pretty unlikely. I liked the detective, but a few too many minor characters.

Readable, but not a knockout. I liked The Hermit better.

[Pgchuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a little slow to get going, but picked up momentum in the middle. It peaked for me in the scene where Lucy's lawyer makes mincemeat of the detective from Internal Affairs, but I found the ending a little disappointing. The answer to what happened to Curtis was not as unexpected as I had hoped and at the same time felt a bit of a stretch, motivation-wise. There were also threads left unresolved, presumably for the next in the series.