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Brunswick Street Blues
Winner of the inaugural ASA/HQ Commercial Fiction Prize. The twists keep piling up in this fun and distinctively Australian debut mystery, perfect for readers of The Thursday Murder Club and Janet Evanovich.
Brick Brown has a she hates her day job, and her beloved Uncle Baz has gone missing.
Although a bartender by trade, Brick Brown has finagled herself a job on the city council to investigate a complaint that threatens to close her uncle's well-loved blues club in the heart of Melbourne.
Brick suspects something strange is going on, but when her amateur sleuthing uncovers the mayor's dead body in a locked room, she's dragged into the dangerous world of dodgy developers with the reluctant help of Mitch Mitchell, a prickly war correspondent turned investigative journalist.
Relying on her street smarts and an unlikely band of allies, Brick and Mitchell unearth corruption that runs deeper than just local government, and the stakes are higher than they banked on. And when Brick also discovers some terrifying information about her past, the stakes turn deadly...
Brick Brown has a she hates her day job, and her beloved Uncle Baz has gone missing.
Although a bartender by trade, Brick Brown has finagled herself a job on the city council to investigate a complaint that threatens to close her uncle's well-loved blues club in the heart of Melbourne.
Brick suspects something strange is going on, but when her amateur sleuthing uncovers the mayor's dead body in a locked room, she's dragged into the dangerous world of dodgy developers with the reluctant help of Mitch Mitchell, a prickly war correspondent turned investigative journalist.
Relying on her street smarts and an unlikely band of allies, Brick and Mitchell unearth corruption that runs deeper than just local government, and the stakes are higher than they banked on. And when Brick also discovers some terrifying information about her past, the stakes turn deadly...
299 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 2, 2022
24 people are currently reading
250 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
March 4, 2022
Brick Brown is a foundling, abandoned as a baby in Brick Lane (hence her name - really?). She remembers having a wonderful foster mother who disappeared and then being adopted by the man she calls Uncle Baz. He owns the Phoenix pub where Brick has always helped out after school and during holidays. Now she has a job in the PR department of the local council, she still helps out at the pub in her spare time. The pub is a popular Blues venue, often with impromptu jam sessions at all hours.
When Baz disappears, Brick isn't too worried at first as he often takes off for a day or two but as the days go by she becomes more concerned and tries to track him down. She also uses her job at the council to look into rumours that a property developer is after the Phoenix and the pub next door and that someone on the council is involved. Then there's the body she found when she broke into the council archives - the one that mysteriously disappeared afterwards. Investigative journalist Mitch Mitchell has also got the scent of some shady dealings at the council so it's not long before their paths cross.
I wanted to like this book more than I did. I liked the premise very much, but I felt the novel was trying too hard to be light and funny and the plot wasn't particularly novel or interesting. The characters were mostly pretty flat, and the work-avoiding, inept council staff felt too stereotyped, with Brick's confidant, Brucie and Bernie the traffic inspector, the only ones who felt real.
With thanks to Harlequin Australia and Netgalley for a copy to read
When Baz disappears, Brick isn't too worried at first as he often takes off for a day or two but as the days go by she becomes more concerned and tries to track him down. She also uses her job at the council to look into rumours that a property developer is after the Phoenix and the pub next door and that someone on the council is involved. Then there's the body she found when she broke into the council archives - the one that mysteriously disappeared afterwards. Investigative journalist Mitch Mitchell has also got the scent of some shady dealings at the council so it's not long before their paths cross.
I wanted to like this book more than I did. I liked the premise very much, but I felt the novel was trying too hard to be light and funny and the plot wasn't particularly novel or interesting. The characters were mostly pretty flat, and the work-avoiding, inept council staff felt too stereotyped, with Brick's confidant, Brucie and Bernie the traffic inspector, the only ones who felt real.
With thanks to Harlequin Australia and Netgalley for a copy to read
March 2, 2022
As several other people have already commented the copy received from the publisher via Netgalley was extremely difficult to read. I persisted and tried not to let it affect my opinion of the book but it was difficult to do so.
Brunswick Street Blues is set in Melbourne and tells the story of Brick Brown who is supposed to have been found as a baby in Brick Lane, hence her unusual name. A rather convoluted tale of corruption in Melbourne political figures takes place with references to iconic events such as Melbourne Cup Day.
I felt the author was trying too hard at times to be clever and many of the characters she presented were unlikeable. There was a pretty good story in there and there were moments when I enjoyed the narrative but in the end there were too many coincidences and too many people who were supposed to be trendy or fashionably outrageous but were actually a bit gross.
With the proper formatting it is probably an okay read but not really my cup of tea.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Brunswick Street Blues is set in Melbourne and tells the story of Brick Brown who is supposed to have been found as a baby in Brick Lane, hence her unusual name. A rather convoluted tale of corruption in Melbourne political figures takes place with references to iconic events such as Melbourne Cup Day.
I felt the author was trying too hard at times to be clever and many of the characters she presented were unlikeable. There was a pretty good story in there and there were moments when I enjoyed the narrative but in the end there were too many coincidences and too many people who were supposed to be trendy or fashionably outrageous but were actually a bit gross.
With the proper formatting it is probably an okay read but not really my cup of tea.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
March 3, 2022
2.5★s
Brick Brown, once foster child, and then adopted by Uncle Baz, had worked most of her life in the bar of her uncle’s much-loved Blues venue. Her day job was to do the PR work for the city council. But when she found a dead body – that of the mayor – in the archives, where she wasn’t meant to be, Brick quickly left the area without reporting the find. The anonymous report to the council of the smell permeating the offices might work…
Uncle Baz’s pub, The Phoenix on Brunswick Street, had long been home to Brick, and Uncle Baz lived in an apartment upstairs. When Baz went missing, Brick checked his apartment but couldn’t see anything missing except his guitar. So where was he? Her searching uncovered corruption and crime, blackmail and more. But would she find Baz? And would she stay safe?
Unfortunately, Brunswick Street Blues, debut novel by Aussie author Sally Bothroyd, felt stiff and stilted and not easy to read. The characters had no depth and were mostly unlikeable, plus the book wasn’t helped by the atrocious formatting of the ARC I was reading (as noted by other reviewers) with CONFIDENTIAL READING MATERIAL, spread across almost every page in block, bolded writing. The publisher has definitely done the author a disservice as it was difficult to concentrate throughout the story.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Brick Brown, once foster child, and then adopted by Uncle Baz, had worked most of her life in the bar of her uncle’s much-loved Blues venue. Her day job was to do the PR work for the city council. But when she found a dead body – that of the mayor – in the archives, where she wasn’t meant to be, Brick quickly left the area without reporting the find. The anonymous report to the council of the smell permeating the offices might work…
Uncle Baz’s pub, The Phoenix on Brunswick Street, had long been home to Brick, and Uncle Baz lived in an apartment upstairs. When Baz went missing, Brick checked his apartment but couldn’t see anything missing except his guitar. So where was he? Her searching uncovered corruption and crime, blackmail and more. But would she find Baz? And would she stay safe?
Unfortunately, Brunswick Street Blues, debut novel by Aussie author Sally Bothroyd, felt stiff and stilted and not easy to read. The characters had no depth and were mostly unlikeable, plus the book wasn’t helped by the atrocious formatting of the ARC I was reading (as noted by other reviewers) with CONFIDENTIAL READING MATERIAL, spread across almost every page in block, bolded writing. The publisher has definitely done the author a disservice as it was difficult to concentrate throughout the story.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
May 10, 2022
Brunswick Street Blues is the story of Brick Brown, a foster child who had been passed around from foster family to foster family, until she found her adoptive family with her beloved father Uncle Baz.
Baz runs the Phoenix pub in Brunswick where Brick has worked most of her life as a barmaid. Brick has recently found herself a day job working for the local council in their PR department. Whilst at work at the Council, Brick discovers a dead body in the archive department, the deceased is the local town Mayor. Everything around this discovery is quite mysterious.
Shortly after this discovery Brick's Uncle Baz, goes missing, she goes to his apartment above the pub and nothing is missing apart from his guitar.
Brick takes it upon herself to find her Uncle Baz, and stumbles upon some dirty property developers and politicians that are involved in Melbourne's underworld of crime.
The story is a little slow, but it really heats up towards the end, there are a couple of parts where I was truly fearing for Brick's safety.
Thankyou to Netgalley, Harlequin Australia and Sally Bothroydfor this advanced copy in return for my honest review. I rate this novel 3 stars.
Please visit my blog and follow to see all of my past and future book reviews.
https://www.facebook.com/Kylies-Book-...
Baz runs the Phoenix pub in Brunswick where Brick has worked most of her life as a barmaid. Brick has recently found herself a day job working for the local council in their PR department. Whilst at work at the Council, Brick discovers a dead body in the archive department, the deceased is the local town Mayor. Everything around this discovery is quite mysterious.
Shortly after this discovery Brick's Uncle Baz, goes missing, she goes to his apartment above the pub and nothing is missing apart from his guitar.
Brick takes it upon herself to find her Uncle Baz, and stumbles upon some dirty property developers and politicians that are involved in Melbourne's underworld of crime.
The story is a little slow, but it really heats up towards the end, there are a couple of parts where I was truly fearing for Brick's safety.
Thankyou to Netgalley, Harlequin Australia and Sally Bothroydfor this advanced copy in return for my honest review. I rate this novel 3 stars.
Please visit my blog and follow to see all of my past and future book reviews.
https://www.facebook.com/Kylies-Book-...
March 2, 2022
3.5★s
Brunswick Street Blues is the first novel by Australian author, Sally Bothroyd. Bar tender and sometimes jill-of-several-trades, Brick Brown has taken a job in the PR department of Yarra City Council because she’s concerned about her Uncle Baz’s pub, the Phoenix on Brunswick Street in Fitzroy. She’s trying to subtly uncover the source of complaints to council that threaten the continuation of pub’s licence.
But sneaking up to the archives after hours nets her no information, just the dead body of the Mayor, Dickie Ruffhead. (So that’s what that smell is!) The PR department puts a different spin on his death, and some other weird things are going on, including that renowned war correspondent, Mitch Mitchell turns up at a council meeting, seeming very interested in a certain development. He remains tight-lipped when questioned, however.
When Baz shuts the pub and disappears, Brick isn’t too worried at first. But when he remains AWOL, she becomes concerned, and starts asking questions. When she spots Mitchell hanging around the Phoenix and the record shop next door, stalking him seems like a good idea and works in his favour when she foils a kidnap attempt.
From there the plot gets quite convoluted, involving a shady developer in cahoots with the Victorian Premier, the dodgy sale of a former convent, a number of hit-and-run accidents, a fall from a roof that might not be, aliases and false identities, adoptions, a hidden tunnel, look-alikes, missing documents, repressed memories, blackmail and corrupt councillors. The pace of the story is a little uneven, sometimes dragging, sometimes rushing headlong into action, and borders, at times, on slapstick.
Some of Brick’s choices defy logic, and most of the characters don’t have a lot of depth, but it’s conceivable that this could be the first of a series with more detail emerging later. In which case the quirky team will likely consist of a barmaid/council employee, a musical publican, an investigative reporter, a handy young IT whizz, a doctor, another journalist/mum and a paranoid record retailer.
It is to be hoped that the terrible formatting associated with the anti-theft measures evident on EVERY page is corrected in the final copy because it is extremely distracting, making the advance copy a less-than-pleasant read. Nonetheless, a creditable debut.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harlequin Australia.
Brunswick Street Blues is the first novel by Australian author, Sally Bothroyd. Bar tender and sometimes jill-of-several-trades, Brick Brown has taken a job in the PR department of Yarra City Council because she’s concerned about her Uncle Baz’s pub, the Phoenix on Brunswick Street in Fitzroy. She’s trying to subtly uncover the source of complaints to council that threaten the continuation of pub’s licence.
But sneaking up to the archives after hours nets her no information, just the dead body of the Mayor, Dickie Ruffhead. (So that’s what that smell is!) The PR department puts a different spin on his death, and some other weird things are going on, including that renowned war correspondent, Mitch Mitchell turns up at a council meeting, seeming very interested in a certain development. He remains tight-lipped when questioned, however.
When Baz shuts the pub and disappears, Brick isn’t too worried at first. But when he remains AWOL, she becomes concerned, and starts asking questions. When she spots Mitchell hanging around the Phoenix and the record shop next door, stalking him seems like a good idea and works in his favour when she foils a kidnap attempt.
From there the plot gets quite convoluted, involving a shady developer in cahoots with the Victorian Premier, the dodgy sale of a former convent, a number of hit-and-run accidents, a fall from a roof that might not be, aliases and false identities, adoptions, a hidden tunnel, look-alikes, missing documents, repressed memories, blackmail and corrupt councillors. The pace of the story is a little uneven, sometimes dragging, sometimes rushing headlong into action, and borders, at times, on slapstick.
Some of Brick’s choices defy logic, and most of the characters don’t have a lot of depth, but it’s conceivable that this could be the first of a series with more detail emerging later. In which case the quirky team will likely consist of a barmaid/council employee, a musical publican, an investigative reporter, a handy young IT whizz, a doctor, another journalist/mum and a paranoid record retailer.
It is to be hoped that the terrible formatting associated with the anti-theft measures evident on EVERY page is corrected in the final copy because it is extremely distracting, making the advance copy a less-than-pleasant read. Nonetheless, a creditable debut.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harlequin Australia.
February 1, 2022
Fans of Janet Evanovich will love this smart and funny crime novel set in Melbourne and following the efforts of Brick Brown to solve the mystery of her uncle's disappearance. It's full of quirky characters, and witty observations about football and footballers, local councils, the Melbourne Cup and of course Brunswick Street and its surrounds. A great read.
January 20, 2022
A cheeky tale of murder, missing persons and Australian larrikinism in the vibe of Les Norton - set in 2007 in Fitzroy. A very funny novel from the perspective of Brick Brown, barmaid and council worker, living the inner city hipster life of my generation while trying to stay out of trouble and solve the mystery of her uncle Baz's whereabouts
Contains hilarious (ly true) depictions of Melbourne city council's, the Melbourne Cup, underworld crime and AFL footballers
Contains hilarious (ly true) depictions of Melbourne city council's, the Melbourne Cup, underworld crime and AFL footballers
January 29, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this Aussie read.
Set in and around Brunswick Street Fitzroy this mystery with a twist (or few) is filled with colourful, quirky and some dodgy characters. A clever and entertaining read that made me laugh whilst building up the suspense and danger.
I hope there are more Brick Brown stories to come.
Set in and around Brunswick Street Fitzroy this mystery with a twist (or few) is filled with colourful, quirky and some dodgy characters. A clever and entertaining read that made me laugh whilst building up the suspense and danger.
I hope there are more Brick Brown stories to come.
March 16, 2022
The winner of the inaugural ASA/HQ Commercial Fiction Prize, Brunswick Street Blues is an entertaining crime fiction debut from Sally Bothroyd.
Though she’d rather be behind the bar at the Phoenix, when the Brunswick Street pub owned for forty years by her adoptive father, Baz, is subject to a barrage of anonymous complaints, Brick Brown gets a job in the PR department of Melbourne’s Yarra City Council in hopes of identifying the complainant. Sneaking into the archive room after hours in search of paperwork that might give her answers, Brick is horrified to find the body of the Mayor, Dickie Ruffhead (which explains the bad smell that has permeated the council offices). She can’t admit to the break-in so Brick decides to leave an anonymous message on her boss’s voicemail, but when the Mayor’s death is announced, she’s puzzled by reports that Dickie was found at home, the victim of a heart attack.
Connecting the cover-up to rumours of corruption involving the Development Consent Committee, a theory that seems to be supported by the sudden interest of respected investigative journalist, Mitch Mitchell, in council business, Brick wonders if it may be related to the attacks on Baz’s bar. She’d discuss it with Baz except he’s closed the Phoenix and left behind only a brief voice message, claiming he is in need of a few days break. Digging around with some help from Sue, a writer for the neighbourhood paper, results in Brick repeatedly crossing paths with Mitch Mitchell, but it’s not until she stops him being bundled into the boot of a black Mercedes by a couple of thugs that he’s willing to share information.
Brick and Mitch quickly realise that the corruption isn’t confined to a deal between a property development company and select Yarra City councillors but extends into higher levels of government, and someone is willing to kill to protect their secrets. The action and suspense ramps up as the pair uncover missing documents, suspicious deaths, hidden tunnels, identity theft, long repressed memories all while enduring attempts on their lives. There’s quite a lot going on with the plot, perhaps a little too much, throwing off the pace at times, but I really enjoyed how it all came together at the end, and much of the humour too.
In her mid-to-late twenties (I think), Brick is a likeable character. Abandoned as a baby, she lived in several foster homes before being (not-quite-legally) adopted by Baz as a young child, with several secrets exposed over the course of the book that reveal more about her early childhood. Her unconventional background and skills come in handy, as does her eclectic group of friends and acquaintances that includes a paranoid record store owner, an IT specialist, a parking inspector, a former councillor, and Brick’s newly returned roommate, a doctor who has been working in Somalia. Inevitably there is the development of romance between Brick and Mitch, but it’s not intrusive.
While it has its flaws, I liked a lot of elements of the plot, many of the characters and the balance of humour, suspense and action. If Brunswick Street Blues is intended to introduce a series then Bothroyd has laid a decent foundation to build on.
Though she’d rather be behind the bar at the Phoenix, when the Brunswick Street pub owned for forty years by her adoptive father, Baz, is subject to a barrage of anonymous complaints, Brick Brown gets a job in the PR department of Melbourne’s Yarra City Council in hopes of identifying the complainant. Sneaking into the archive room after hours in search of paperwork that might give her answers, Brick is horrified to find the body of the Mayor, Dickie Ruffhead (which explains the bad smell that has permeated the council offices). She can’t admit to the break-in so Brick decides to leave an anonymous message on her boss’s voicemail, but when the Mayor’s death is announced, she’s puzzled by reports that Dickie was found at home, the victim of a heart attack.
Connecting the cover-up to rumours of corruption involving the Development Consent Committee, a theory that seems to be supported by the sudden interest of respected investigative journalist, Mitch Mitchell, in council business, Brick wonders if it may be related to the attacks on Baz’s bar. She’d discuss it with Baz except he’s closed the Phoenix and left behind only a brief voice message, claiming he is in need of a few days break. Digging around with some help from Sue, a writer for the neighbourhood paper, results in Brick repeatedly crossing paths with Mitch Mitchell, but it’s not until she stops him being bundled into the boot of a black Mercedes by a couple of thugs that he’s willing to share information.
Brick and Mitch quickly realise that the corruption isn’t confined to a deal between a property development company and select Yarra City councillors but extends into higher levels of government, and someone is willing to kill to protect their secrets. The action and suspense ramps up as the pair uncover missing documents, suspicious deaths, hidden tunnels, identity theft, long repressed memories all while enduring attempts on their lives. There’s quite a lot going on with the plot, perhaps a little too much, throwing off the pace at times, but I really enjoyed how it all came together at the end, and much of the humour too.
In her mid-to-late twenties (I think), Brick is a likeable character. Abandoned as a baby, she lived in several foster homes before being (not-quite-legally) adopted by Baz as a young child, with several secrets exposed over the course of the book that reveal more about her early childhood. Her unconventional background and skills come in handy, as does her eclectic group of friends and acquaintances that includes a paranoid record store owner, an IT specialist, a parking inspector, a former councillor, and Brick’s newly returned roommate, a doctor who has been working in Somalia. Inevitably there is the development of romance between Brick and Mitch, but it’s not intrusive.
While it has its flaws, I liked a lot of elements of the plot, many of the characters and the balance of humour, suspense and action. If Brunswick Street Blues is intended to introduce a series then Bothroyd has laid a decent foundation to build on.
September 18, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Since the locations were in my neighbourhood and the fact that I had worked for the very local council, it was all very familiar and dare I say, accurate. I had some laugh out loud moments. I think my favourite part was Brick and Mitch at the Melbourne Cup. I would be happy if there was more of these characters and this author.
February 2, 2022
I really enjoyed this book and I hardly ever read a physical books. A friend gave me the book and said I might enjoy it. I really got into the story and what I predicted was going to take me about 12 days to finish only took me 5 days (that's quick for me). I would finish one chapter and want to start the next to see what happens. Again I enjoyed reading this book.
May 27, 2022
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3.5 stars
Brunswick Street Blues introduces detective and bartender Brick Brown. Sally Bothroyd’s prize winning debut is a slapstick mystery tale, full of quirky characters and interesting crime situations, which is all set to a lively Australian backdrop.
Meet Brick Brown. When the story opens, we witness this part-time bartender’s attempt at investigating an issue surrounding her uncle’s treasured blues club. This leads Brick into the heart of the city council, where this burgeoning detective finds the local mayor’s dead body. This shocking discovery sets off a chain of dangerous events which this enthusiastic sleuth must contend with. With the assistance of a journalist, Brick becomes fully immersed in this criminal world. Together, Brick and her sidekick Mitch work with a set of associates in their united quest to uncover the corruption that has seeped through Melbourne. This wayward investigation will churn up buried truths, past memories and deadly facts. Will Brick come out unscathed?
Sally Bothroyd was the inaugural winner of the ASA/HQ Commercial Fiction Prize in 2020. In March 2022 this first time novelist saw her manuscript Brunswick Street Blues receive full publication treatment thanks to the folks at Harlequin Australia. Sally Bothroyd’s debut entertains readers with an enjoyable crime mystery and action-drama novel with a deep Australian flavour. I was looking forward to reading Brunswick Street Blues, the synopsis and front cover caught my eye. I enjoyed a number of elements of this crime mystery debut.
Lead protagonist Brick Brown is a likeable and colourful figure. I liked that this woman had a very interesting background, which is illuminated well by Sally Bothroyd. Brick’s past does not detract from the overall storyline arc which is crime and mystery based. Bothroyd devotes the correct amount of page time to fleshing out her prime protagonist’s past and backstory, so a clear understanding emerges from the pages of this entertaining story. Brick is supported by a strange bunch of outside sources, from love interest Mitch, through to other various allies. This lively bunch help to progress the storyline and they also introduce elements of humour, which I do admit went slightly over my head.
The investigation itself rips open the dark underbelly of Melbourne’s gritty world. Full of corruption, dodgy political alliances, property issues, wayward documentation, questionable deaths, forgery, theft and plenty of dark corners, this is one very busy plot. The pace is somewhat comprised by all these happenings, which resulted in a less than smooth reading for me. However, Bothroyd does tease out the narrative with plenty of gritty and seedy themes which are related well to her Victorian setting base. I did enjoy my Melbourne sojourn with Brick, Mitch and the crew.
A great entry book in the Australian crime mystery genre, congratulations to Sally Bothroyd on the release of Brunswick Street Blues.
*I wish to thank Harlequin Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
3.5 stars
Brunswick Street Blues introduces detective and bartender Brick Brown. Sally Bothroyd’s prize winning debut is a slapstick mystery tale, full of quirky characters and interesting crime situations, which is all set to a lively Australian backdrop.
Meet Brick Brown. When the story opens, we witness this part-time bartender’s attempt at investigating an issue surrounding her uncle’s treasured blues club. This leads Brick into the heart of the city council, where this burgeoning detective finds the local mayor’s dead body. This shocking discovery sets off a chain of dangerous events which this enthusiastic sleuth must contend with. With the assistance of a journalist, Brick becomes fully immersed in this criminal world. Together, Brick and her sidekick Mitch work with a set of associates in their united quest to uncover the corruption that has seeped through Melbourne. This wayward investigation will churn up buried truths, past memories and deadly facts. Will Brick come out unscathed?
Sally Bothroyd was the inaugural winner of the ASA/HQ Commercial Fiction Prize in 2020. In March 2022 this first time novelist saw her manuscript Brunswick Street Blues receive full publication treatment thanks to the folks at Harlequin Australia. Sally Bothroyd’s debut entertains readers with an enjoyable crime mystery and action-drama novel with a deep Australian flavour. I was looking forward to reading Brunswick Street Blues, the synopsis and front cover caught my eye. I enjoyed a number of elements of this crime mystery debut.
Lead protagonist Brick Brown is a likeable and colourful figure. I liked that this woman had a very interesting background, which is illuminated well by Sally Bothroyd. Brick’s past does not detract from the overall storyline arc which is crime and mystery based. Bothroyd devotes the correct amount of page time to fleshing out her prime protagonist’s past and backstory, so a clear understanding emerges from the pages of this entertaining story. Brick is supported by a strange bunch of outside sources, from love interest Mitch, through to other various allies. This lively bunch help to progress the storyline and they also introduce elements of humour, which I do admit went slightly over my head.
The investigation itself rips open the dark underbelly of Melbourne’s gritty world. Full of corruption, dodgy political alliances, property issues, wayward documentation, questionable deaths, forgery, theft and plenty of dark corners, this is one very busy plot. The pace is somewhat comprised by all these happenings, which resulted in a less than smooth reading for me. However, Bothroyd does tease out the narrative with plenty of gritty and seedy themes which are related well to her Victorian setting base. I did enjoy my Melbourne sojourn with Brick, Mitch and the crew.
A great entry book in the Australian crime mystery genre, congratulations to Sally Bothroyd on the release of Brunswick Street Blues.
*I wish to thank Harlequin Australia for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
February 9, 2022
What a delightful romp through the dingy, hip and often beer-smelling streets of Melbourne’s beloved Fitzroy. I tend to preference dark and moody crime novels, but this book was exactly what I needed over Christmas when the world felt like it was falling apart. The plot was engaging. The quirky characters kept me laughing. Foundling Brick Brown is certainly lovable, and her devotion to her adopted uncle blues-aficionado Baz is admirable, but it is Brick’s irreverent crime fighting style and uniquely personalised sleuthing abilities that brought me the most joy. Brick draws us into the bizarre combined world of AFL footballers, blues musicians, paranoid doomsday preppers, and dysfunctional local council workers, in a very believable Fitzroy of 2007. Anyone who has ever attended the Melbourne Cup is in for a treat. Having lived in Fitzroy at the time this novel is set, I relished being taken back there. I also appreciated the definite sizzle whenever Brick is joined on the page by war correspondent Mitch Mitchell. This book was so much fun I will be recommending it to friends and to my book club. I honestly can’t wait for the sequel.
May 15, 2023
This was a fun, light read. It has an interesting cast of characters, some great one liners and laugh-out-loud descriptions/metaphors. I enjoyed the Melbourne setting and references to Fitzroy and neighbouring suburbs. Occasionally it borders on being a caricature/cliche, but mostly I found the descriptions of the area resonated with me (eg the homeless guy that everyone knows by name outside the 7 Eleven). The mystery unravels at an appropriate pace. I also liked the way the author incorporated dodgy developers, AFL and the Melbourne Cup into the story. There are a few too many characters and a couple of the subplots seemed unnecessary.
October 9, 2022
From the first few pages I was disappointed. Being a fan of local crime fiction I was looking forward to a light sardonic who dunnit in familiar settings. Unfortunately the author has chosen to largely ignore the rich reality of Fitzroy in favour of lazy clichés that could be set anywhere else. Struggled to 80 pages and gave up. I'd rather re-read some Shane Maloney.
February 22, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed this light hearted detective novel. Set in the recent past in Fitzroy when we thought people with smart phones were freaks, it is full of caustic observations on everything from local council to footballers.
The pace is quick after our introduction to the main characters. The main character Brick is thoroughly likeable with a quirky internal dialogue that had me chuckling.
The pace is quick after our introduction to the main characters. The main character Brick is thoroughly likeable with a quirky internal dialogue that had me chuckling.
April 26, 2022
Lucky guess in a bookshop and discovered this chaotic read that I totally enjoyed. A whole mish-mash of characters that I loved including the well described gross and creepy bad guys. Bonus star given for the Melbourne flavour. Worth it.
March 2, 2022
‘This wasn’t the first time I’d encountered a dead body.’
Meet Brick Brown. Brick, who works as a bartender in her Uncle Baz’s Phoenix pub in Fitzroy, hates her day job in the public relations department of an inner-city Melbourne council. But she needs the money and is also keen to try to find out more about the noise complaints which threaten to close her uncle’s pub. And then, in the archive department, she discovers the dead body of the mayor. How can Brick report the body without admitting she was in the archives? Simple. Lodge a complaint about the smell.
Shortly afterwards, Brick’s uncle Baz goes missing. Where is Uncle Baz? When she visits his apartment above the Phoenix, Brick discovers that nothing is missing except his guitar.
A meeting of Council attracts an investigative journalist, Mitch Mitchell. Mitch and Brick soon join forces, and discover some dangerous links between the Melbourne underworld, property developers and corrupt politicians. Can Brick find the truth she is looking for, and her Uncle Baz?
Ms Bothroyd takes us into inner-city Melbourne, into a council so hidebound by process and procedure that only the parking inspectors seem to be effective. And Brick herself is an interesting character: a foster child with limited memory of her life before being adopted by Uncle Baz. Her quest to find her uncle and the threats to the Phoenix lead Brick (and Mitch) into a dangerous world and take Brick into the past.
It took me a while to get into this story. I enjoyed the humour and rolled my eyes a couple of times at the descriptions of an inept council but then I became caught up in Brick’s search for her own past, and for her Uncle Baz.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia HQ for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Meet Brick Brown. Brick, who works as a bartender in her Uncle Baz’s Phoenix pub in Fitzroy, hates her day job in the public relations department of an inner-city Melbourne council. But she needs the money and is also keen to try to find out more about the noise complaints which threaten to close her uncle’s pub. And then, in the archive department, she discovers the dead body of the mayor. How can Brick report the body without admitting she was in the archives? Simple. Lodge a complaint about the smell.
Shortly afterwards, Brick’s uncle Baz goes missing. Where is Uncle Baz? When she visits his apartment above the Phoenix, Brick discovers that nothing is missing except his guitar.
A meeting of Council attracts an investigative journalist, Mitch Mitchell. Mitch and Brick soon join forces, and discover some dangerous links between the Melbourne underworld, property developers and corrupt politicians. Can Brick find the truth she is looking for, and her Uncle Baz?
Ms Bothroyd takes us into inner-city Melbourne, into a council so hidebound by process and procedure that only the parking inspectors seem to be effective. And Brick herself is an interesting character: a foster child with limited memory of her life before being adopted by Uncle Baz. Her quest to find her uncle and the threats to the Phoenix lead Brick (and Mitch) into a dangerous world and take Brick into the past.
It took me a while to get into this story. I enjoyed the humour and rolled my eyes a couple of times at the descriptions of an inept council but then I became caught up in Brick’s search for her own past, and for her Uncle Baz.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia HQ for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
July 13, 2022
The book has significance for me because in the past I have had family connections in this inner city area of Melbourne and I so wanted to immerse myself in the whole Brunswick story. I did get to live vicariously through Brick Brown, Uncle Baz and their Phoenix jazz friends as they battled with corrupt local government (grrr) real estate fraud, attempted murder, adoption, abuse, arson, cats and cups of tea. Enter bad dreams, journalism (and alcohol) and the famous Melbourne Cup races (more alcohol) quote "No one could lower the tone faster than an Australian" with several unexpected reveals. There is heartfelt social commentary written in our great Aussie lingo, followed by computer hacking (nerd lives in caravan in backyard) texts, tasers and white Kombie vans galore.
What can I say except the story romps along like an ABCTV Kids series with lots of twists and turns. Brick even does a Nicole-style BMX Bandits. The plot sagged a bit in the middle and the continuity suffered, e.g. biscuits, blankets and hangovers. There is romance, if only journo Mitch Mitchell would either loosen up or grow up. For a ravaged war correspondent he is not tough enough for me. His repartee with Brick is less than scintillating but his research is good. There are some excellent support characters like Mavis, Bunny and work colleague Brucie, although I thought villains like Hugo Clark and Dave Mullet were not sinister enough. Despicable, disgusting but not skin-crawling. I enjoyed this debut novel and hope to read more about Brick's exploits in the future.
What can I say except the story romps along like an ABCTV Kids series with lots of twists and turns. Brick even does a Nicole-style BMX Bandits. The plot sagged a bit in the middle and the continuity suffered, e.g. biscuits, blankets and hangovers. There is romance, if only journo Mitch Mitchell would either loosen up or grow up. For a ravaged war correspondent he is not tough enough for me. His repartee with Brick is less than scintillating but his research is good. There are some excellent support characters like Mavis, Bunny and work colleague Brucie, although I thought villains like Hugo Clark and Dave Mullet were not sinister enough. Despicable, disgusting but not skin-crawling. I enjoyed this debut novel and hope to read more about Brick's exploits in the future.
June 26, 2022
Quite enjoyed this Melbourne-based crime novel
March 31, 2024
Solid read
Very Melbourne
Very Melbourne
October 16, 2022
My kind of story. A bit like a Jack Irish / Mr Inbetween. Great characters and a whole lot of fun.
September 5, 2024
I really enjoyed this book, a great holiday read with plenty of humour, action and excitement. Love the jokes about Yarra Council having worked there and politics in general. This would make a brilliant tv series.
March 11, 2022
An entertaining first book from author Sally Bothroyd, Brunswick Street Blues combines two story threads, one involving the disappearance of heroine Brick Brown’s Uncle Baz, and the other involving Brick’s discovery of Mayor Dickie Ruffhead dead in the archives of the council building where she works. Journalist Mitch Mitchell becomes involved and reluctantly allows Brick to work with him as he investigates the murder and tries to write the story his father died writing. This book takes plenty of tongue-in-cheek digs at councils generally and at some members of the media, which helps to ensure that things are kept light. The mysteries Brick finds herself investigating get a bit convoluted at times and there are spots in the book where the pace slows right down to a plod but overall this is an entertaining read.
March 1, 2022
Brunswick Street Blues is a slick, humorous & fast-paced read. Brick Brown works in media, in the PR department of a local council.
The mayor is found dead & starting to leave a stink in the office ... but this is not Brick's main concern.
If you have ever stood in a queue to pay a parking fine or waited forever for an email response from council it comes as no surprise that most of the staff are on stress or maternity leave or out & about in a council vehicle trying to solve a mystery or two. Even the parking / by-laws officer is not all that he might seem.
Set in the inner-city suburb of Fitzroy it is full of quirky pop culture references from Melbourne's coffee culture, to its weather, (which, very aptly) "has the changeable nature of a meth addict ".
Anyone from a big city can relate to issues such as drugs, traffic, freeways, over-development, inner-city music culture & outer suburban McMansions ...will greatly enjoy this read.
The mayor is found dead & starting to leave a stink in the office ... but this is not Brick's main concern.
If you have ever stood in a queue to pay a parking fine or waited forever for an email response from council it comes as no surprise that most of the staff are on stress or maternity leave or out & about in a council vehicle trying to solve a mystery or two. Even the parking / by-laws officer is not all that he might seem.
Set in the inner-city suburb of Fitzroy it is full of quirky pop culture references from Melbourne's coffee culture, to its weather, (which, very aptly) "has the changeable nature of a meth addict ".
Anyone from a big city can relate to issues such as drugs, traffic, freeways, over-development, inner-city music culture & outer suburban McMansions ...will greatly enjoy this read.
February 12, 2022
This novel was a fun read - full of larger than life characters but somehow still a shockingly believable take on the seedier side of Melbourne and the dysfunctions inherent in bureaucracy. Sally Bothroyd has a great free-flowing writing style - and the witty dialogue brought the characters to life and made me laugh out loud. The build up of tension in the later stages kept me turning the pages (I couldn't help myself and read the final 100 pages or so in one sitting, into the wee hours!). Highly recommended if you are looking for an escape from the ordinary.
March 8, 2022
I loved this book! I had work to finish but I had to finish reading this first as it was too distracting not knowing how it would end. Anyone who has worked for a bureaucracy or has lived in Melbourne will enjoy this. I've done both so it was particularly satisfying. Brick is a great character and made me laugh.
December 28, 2022
What a fantastic Melbourne crime debut. Fantastically farcical, the book rolls through my old neighbourhood Fitzroy and its surrounds, filling the streets with shady characters and people fighting for justice.
Perhaps it's because I know the locations so well already, but I found the book delightfully…well… *Melbourne*. I didn't care that the plot was at times silly, that some of the characters were almost caricatures, because as a full ensemble it all hung together. At times it reminded of Carl Hiassen's absurdist style, and it made me laugh.
The author throws great shade at local and state government, with corruption and general dodginess running ride. The plot revolves around a few key characters whose pasts keep tapping them on the shoulder, while the pollies swarm around them, trying to cover their own corrupt tracks.
The current outback noir trend in Australian publishing is getting saturated (no complaints here!) so it was also nice to read a fresh and different urban crime voice. It's harder than most people think to write and amusing crime book, but to me this is highly successful.
The author worked on it for over a decade so hopefully book #2 is faster. I'm very interested to see what she does next.
Please shop at your local independent bookstore.
Follow me at www.instagram.com/avrbookstuff.
Perhaps it's because I know the locations so well already, but I found the book delightfully…well… *Melbourne*. I didn't care that the plot was at times silly, that some of the characters were almost caricatures, because as a full ensemble it all hung together. At times it reminded of Carl Hiassen's absurdist style, and it made me laugh.
The author throws great shade at local and state government, with corruption and general dodginess running ride. The plot revolves around a few key characters whose pasts keep tapping them on the shoulder, while the pollies swarm around them, trying to cover their own corrupt tracks.
The current outback noir trend in Australian publishing is getting saturated (no complaints here!) so it was also nice to read a fresh and different urban crime voice. It's harder than most people think to write and amusing crime book, but to me this is highly successful.
The author worked on it for over a decade so hopefully book #2 is faster. I'm very interested to see what she does next.
Please shop at your local independent bookstore.
Follow me at www.instagram.com/avrbookstuff.
February 23, 2022
Thank you Harlequin for sending us a copy to read and review.
A female Dick Tracy arrives on the scene to help solve the latest mystery.
Introducing Brick Brown.
Bartender and part time detective.
By day she dislikes her job, by night she roams the streets searching for the truth.
Brick accepts a job on the city council, so she can get the inside scoop of what is going on with her uncle’s blues club in Brunswick.
There’s gossip surfacing that someone wants to close the club.
Then Brick comes across the dead body of the mayor.
Soon she’s pulled into danger, lies and situations.
Cautiously obtaining the assistance of Mitch Mitchell, a street smart journalist, both are caught in a web of the past, peril and rapidly things could turn fatal.
I so wanted to enjoy this book but I found it very cartoonish and two dimensional.
It was trying to be slapstick funny but didn’t quite reach there and the plot wasn’t interesting or original.
It’s a little slow off the mark but does get more eventful towards the end.
If you enjoy a cast of eclectic and eccentric characters, even some shady ones and a plot that’s mysterious mixed with jeopardy, mishaps and charade then this book could be for you.
A female Dick Tracy arrives on the scene to help solve the latest mystery.
Introducing Brick Brown.
Bartender and part time detective.
By day she dislikes her job, by night she roams the streets searching for the truth.
Brick accepts a job on the city council, so she can get the inside scoop of what is going on with her uncle’s blues club in Brunswick.
There’s gossip surfacing that someone wants to close the club.
Then Brick comes across the dead body of the mayor.
Soon she’s pulled into danger, lies and situations.
Cautiously obtaining the assistance of Mitch Mitchell, a street smart journalist, both are caught in a web of the past, peril and rapidly things could turn fatal.
I so wanted to enjoy this book but I found it very cartoonish and two dimensional.
It was trying to be slapstick funny but didn’t quite reach there and the plot wasn’t interesting or original.
It’s a little slow off the mark but does get more eventful towards the end.
If you enjoy a cast of eclectic and eccentric characters, even some shady ones and a plot that’s mysterious mixed with jeopardy, mishaps and charade then this book could be for you.
August 16, 2022
Brick Brown loves her adoptive a uncle. He owns a blues club in a rundown part of Melbourne. She loves hanging out there with the assorted characters. When the local council starts getting a lot of complaints about the club Brick manages to talk her way into a job at the local council in an effort to find out who is complaining and why. One evening staying late in order to rifle through the archives to learn about thr complaints Brick finds the body of the mayor. Spooked, she runs away.
Later it’s announced the mayor died at home. Brick knows that’s not true . Then her uncle drops off the radar. Not that unusual he’s told no one and has been gone too long. Bricks efforts to get to the bottom of all this lead her down a very murky path to her mostly forgotten early childhood and s9me very dark deeds.
Brunswick Street Blues started well enough. Some nice cynical humour about bureaucracy and the dodgy characters on the council and the characters were likeable enough but later one things became a little too far fetched and the ending was just plain silly. A pity because it held a lot of promise.
Later it’s announced the mayor died at home. Brick knows that’s not true . Then her uncle drops off the radar. Not that unusual he’s told no one and has been gone too long. Bricks efforts to get to the bottom of all this lead her down a very murky path to her mostly forgotten early childhood and s9me very dark deeds.
Brunswick Street Blues started well enough. Some nice cynical humour about bureaucracy and the dodgy characters on the council and the characters were likeable enough but later one things became a little too far fetched and the ending was just plain silly. A pity because it held a lot of promise.
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