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The Waterhole
When a backyard dare to discover the source of a fabled waterhole uncovers human bones, small town detective, Marley West, leaps at the chance to kickstart his stalled career. But it’s more than two decades since developers filled the Cowaramup creek. The woman who owned the land—the Ross family matriarch—has passed away. Relations between her sons, Jack and Bill, are colder than the case.
Then the Ross family learn Marley is the grandson of notorious police sergeant, Alan West, the corrupt cop who once ruled the town with an iron fist.
To solve the case, Marley must gain the trust of three people with no reason to trust each other and less reason to trust him: Bill, who left the love of his life to fight in Vietnam; charismatic Jack, who could always catch the eye of a pretty girl; and city school teacher, Annette, whose move to Cowaramup in 1966 would change the Ross brothers’ lives forever.
As he navigates a tangled web of lies and betrayals, jealousies and murder, Marley has to ask himself: are these bones better left buried?
Praise for The Waterhole
"Quintessentially Australian, Lily Malone takes us into the heart of a family ravaged by secrets.” Fiona Lowe, author of Home Fires.
Then the Ross family learn Marley is the grandson of notorious police sergeant, Alan West, the corrupt cop who once ruled the town with an iron fist.
To solve the case, Marley must gain the trust of three people with no reason to trust each other and less reason to trust him: Bill, who left the love of his life to fight in Vietnam; charismatic Jack, who could always catch the eye of a pretty girl; and city school teacher, Annette, whose move to Cowaramup in 1966 would change the Ross brothers’ lives forever.
As he navigates a tangled web of lies and betrayals, jealousies and murder, Marley has to ask himself: are these bones better left buried?
Praise for The Waterhole
"Quintessentially Australian, Lily Malone takes us into the heart of a family ravaged by secrets.” Fiona Lowe, author of Home Fires.
359 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 21, 2021
32 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Lily Malone
26 books184 followersLily Malone is a journalist and freelance writer who discovered after years of writing facts for a living, writing romance was much more fun.
Lily juggles writing with the needs of a young family, and when she isn’t writing, she likes gardening, walking, wine, and walking in gardens (sometimes with wine).
She loves to hear from readers and you can visit Lily at www.lilymalone.wordpress.com; email her at lilymalone@mail.com or connect with her here on Goodreads or find and like her page on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/lily.lilymalone
Lily juggles writing with the needs of a young family, and when she isn’t writing, she likes gardening, walking, wine, and walking in gardens (sometimes with wine).
She loves to hear from readers and you can visit Lily at www.lilymalone.wordpress.com; email her at lilymalone@mail.com or connect with her here on Goodreads or find and like her page on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/lily.lilymalone
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 17, 2021
Detective Marley West and his partner Brigit were called to a backyard discovery in the small town of Cowaramup, where bones had come to light after a bobcat began digging where an old waterhole had been. But it was over twenty years since developers had filled the creek and waterhole in so their investigation would go to the family who owned the land. The Ross family – brothers Bill and Jack – were the only ones left and they were well up in age. Bill had served in Vietnam, following in the shoes of his father and grandfather, while Jack had run the farm with their mother Morag.
When the boys were young men, they were competitive. What Bill had, Jack wanted as well. They were well liked in their town but Alan West, grandfather to Marley, was the current day cop and he wasn’t liked by many. He was corrupt and a bully, and many feared him. When Annette, a young schoolteacher at the local school, took Bill’s eye, it seemed like their future would be a rosy one. But life – and war – got in the way, and before long Jack had his eye on Annette.
As Marley and Brigit dug deeply into the past, they unearthed secrets and lies, and found the estrangement between the Ross brothers something to be questioned. But would they discover whose bones were in the waterhole? Or should they be left as an unsolved cold case?
The Waterhole is a stunning piece of work by Aussie author Lily Malone and is her first foray into the genre – and IMO has done it exceptionally well! Set in Western Australia and written in both the past and (almost) current day, I thoroughly enjoyed the settings, and the characters, especially Bill and Annette, plus many of the side characters. The mystery was enticing, and I found myself racing to the finish. And I absolutely love the cover! Highly recommended.
With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
When the boys were young men, they were competitive. What Bill had, Jack wanted as well. They were well liked in their town but Alan West, grandfather to Marley, was the current day cop and he wasn’t liked by many. He was corrupt and a bully, and many feared him. When Annette, a young schoolteacher at the local school, took Bill’s eye, it seemed like their future would be a rosy one. But life – and war – got in the way, and before long Jack had his eye on Annette.
As Marley and Brigit dug deeply into the past, they unearthed secrets and lies, and found the estrangement between the Ross brothers something to be questioned. But would they discover whose bones were in the waterhole? Or should they be left as an unsolved cold case?
The Waterhole is a stunning piece of work by Aussie author Lily Malone and is her first foray into the genre – and IMO has done it exceptionally well! Set in Western Australia and written in both the past and (almost) current day, I thoroughly enjoyed the settings, and the characters, especially Bill and Annette, plus many of the side characters. The mystery was enticing, and I found myself racing to the finish. And I absolutely love the cover! Highly recommended.
With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
January 8, 2022
I am a big fan of Lily Malone’s stories and this one differs a little from her other ones but it was so fabulous, set over three time lines this one had me turning the pages, the characters good and bad have been bought to life on the pages, we meet Detective Marley West and his partner Brigit as they dig deep into the past to find the answers when a waterhole being dug up spits out bones.
The small Western Australian town of Cowaramup is pulled into turmoil when neighbours at a BBQ decide to try and dig up an old waterhole and the digging brings bones with it, human bones, the police are called and Detective Marley West is sent to investigate now he and his partner Brigit uncover that the original waterhole was on the farm of the Ross family the matriarch Morag long gone but her two sons Bill and Jack are still here and living on parts of the old farm and they do not get along.
Bill went to Vietnam and Jack had stayed and run the farm with his mother they were popular young boys in the town and were very competitive at everything even with their love lives. There was also the local cop Alan West, yes Marley’s grandfather unfortunately he was a bad cop and controlled the town and some of its citizens back in the day. So when Marley arrives to talk to Bill and Jack they are very wary, but Brigit and Marley work well together and are soon finding some answers.
This story unravels a lot from the past and the people who have lived in Cowaramup for many years, there are secrets and lies that have added to tear a family apart and then add in the corrupt cop and this one is a must read story for any reader who loves to be swept up in a mystery that slowly unravels in the best way. There are some wonderful characters in this one not only the Ross boys but Annette who plays a big part in this story, lots of twists and turns and maybe that hole should have been left as is and secrets kept where they were or maybe it was better for the truth to come?
I thoroughly enjoyed this one and would highly recommend it and I also hope that we get to enjoy more stories with Marley West and Brigit. Marley is a fabulous character he has been through a lot because of his grandfather and he is rebuilding his career and I really want to see more of him.
The small Western Australian town of Cowaramup is pulled into turmoil when neighbours at a BBQ decide to try and dig up an old waterhole and the digging brings bones with it, human bones, the police are called and Detective Marley West is sent to investigate now he and his partner Brigit uncover that the original waterhole was on the farm of the Ross family the matriarch Morag long gone but her two sons Bill and Jack are still here and living on parts of the old farm and they do not get along.
Bill went to Vietnam and Jack had stayed and run the farm with his mother they were popular young boys in the town and were very competitive at everything even with their love lives. There was also the local cop Alan West, yes Marley’s grandfather unfortunately he was a bad cop and controlled the town and some of its citizens back in the day. So when Marley arrives to talk to Bill and Jack they are very wary, but Brigit and Marley work well together and are soon finding some answers.
This story unravels a lot from the past and the people who have lived in Cowaramup for many years, there are secrets and lies that have added to tear a family apart and then add in the corrupt cop and this one is a must read story for any reader who loves to be swept up in a mystery that slowly unravels in the best way. There are some wonderful characters in this one not only the Ross boys but Annette who plays a big part in this story, lots of twists and turns and maybe that hole should have been left as is and secrets kept where they were or maybe it was better for the truth to come?
I thoroughly enjoyed this one and would highly recommend it and I also hope that we get to enjoy more stories with Marley West and Brigit. Marley is a fabulous character he has been through a lot because of his grandfather and he is rebuilding his career and I really want to see more of him.
February 7, 2022
3.5*
The Waterhole is a multi-narrator, multiple-timeline mystery-family drama set in the south-western corner of Western Australia. Author Lily Malone has previously published in the rural romance genre, enjoying considerable success with titles such as The Vineyard in the Hills and Fairway To Heaven. Her transition to a grittier style of subject-matter (albeit with a romantic sub-plot) shows great promise.
The intrigue in The Waterhole unfolds over seventy years, and revolves around five generations of the Ross family of Cowaramup. The police procedural storyline takes place against the backdrop of the family members' property holdings in the surrounding area, their interrelationships, historical jealousies, alliances and darkest secrets.
In the novel's present (2018), a group of landowners in a subdivision near the town decide to excavate an old waterhole that had been filled for safety reasons when the surrounding homes were under construction, twenty-five years before. They're shocked to discover a human bone and local police, Detective Marley West of Busstelton CID and Constable Brigit Winger from the Margaret River station, are dispatched to investigate. Crime Scene examiners quickly establish that they're dealing with not one skeleton, but two - but who could they be, and how long have they been lying in the long-buried waterhole?
Storylines taking place during the mid 1960s and early 1990s alternate with the modern day sections, and enable the introduction of pivotal backstories for some of the characters, providing context for their attitudes and relationships decades later. Brothers Jack and Bill Ross grew up on the property that now forms part of the subdivision where the skeletons have been discovered. Their lifelong love triangle with school teacher Annette Vardy, once Jack's wife, now Bill's partner, is a tangled story of obsession, jealousy and deception. The tense relationships between the various witness-suspects would present enough of a challenge to Detective West, without the looming spectre of his late grandfather, a crooked former Cowaramup police officer, affecting locals' perceptions of him.
Meanwhile, a stomach-churning narrative thread that takes place in 1993-4 takes us inside the mind of a predator, a man who manipulates friendly strangers to gain introductions to young female victims. Could he have met his demise in the Cowaramup waterhole, but if so, who put him there, and who is the other skeleton?
I felt that the plotting and sense of setting achieved by Lily Malone were excellent, but perhaps let down a little by somewhat two-dimensional characters and several minor plot inconsistencies. At times, I felt that there were just too many twists and plot lines, for a book only a touch over 300 pages long. A simpler narrative with a reduced cast of characters may have made a more successful whole, to my mind, and may also have provided greater opportunity to explore the decisions and motivations of central characters more comprehensively.
That said, I feel I should declare potential personal bias, based in my own strong preference for gritty crime-mystery-thriller reads and general dislike of romance fiction. I've often had similar misgivings in the past in relation to titles that straddle the genres, or titles representing a shift in subject matter by established romance authors. I suspect that's due to my own pre-conceptions around style, structure and character development within the traditional crime-thriller sphere, and know that the majority of readers won't necessarily share my opinions.
Overall, I found The Waterhole an entertaining crime-mystery-family drama read, rich in plot twists and with a distinctively Australian setting. Recommended.
The Waterhole is a multi-narrator, multiple-timeline mystery-family drama set in the south-western corner of Western Australia. Author Lily Malone has previously published in the rural romance genre, enjoying considerable success with titles such as The Vineyard in the Hills and Fairway To Heaven. Her transition to a grittier style of subject-matter (albeit with a romantic sub-plot) shows great promise.
The intrigue in The Waterhole unfolds over seventy years, and revolves around five generations of the Ross family of Cowaramup. The police procedural storyline takes place against the backdrop of the family members' property holdings in the surrounding area, their interrelationships, historical jealousies, alliances and darkest secrets.
In the novel's present (2018), a group of landowners in a subdivision near the town decide to excavate an old waterhole that had been filled for safety reasons when the surrounding homes were under construction, twenty-five years before. They're shocked to discover a human bone and local police, Detective Marley West of Busstelton CID and Constable Brigit Winger from the Margaret River station, are dispatched to investigate. Crime Scene examiners quickly establish that they're dealing with not one skeleton, but two - but who could they be, and how long have they been lying in the long-buried waterhole?
Storylines taking place during the mid 1960s and early 1990s alternate with the modern day sections, and enable the introduction of pivotal backstories for some of the characters, providing context for their attitudes and relationships decades later. Brothers Jack and Bill Ross grew up on the property that now forms part of the subdivision where the skeletons have been discovered. Their lifelong love triangle with school teacher Annette Vardy, once Jack's wife, now Bill's partner, is a tangled story of obsession, jealousy and deception. The tense relationships between the various witness-suspects would present enough of a challenge to Detective West, without the looming spectre of his late grandfather, a crooked former Cowaramup police officer, affecting locals' perceptions of him.
Meanwhile, a stomach-churning narrative thread that takes place in 1993-4 takes us inside the mind of a predator, a man who manipulates friendly strangers to gain introductions to young female victims. Could he have met his demise in the Cowaramup waterhole, but if so, who put him there, and who is the other skeleton?
I felt that the plotting and sense of setting achieved by Lily Malone were excellent, but perhaps let down a little by somewhat two-dimensional characters and several minor plot inconsistencies. At times, I felt that there were just too many twists and plot lines, for a book only a touch over 300 pages long. A simpler narrative with a reduced cast of characters may have made a more successful whole, to my mind, and may also have provided greater opportunity to explore the decisions and motivations of central characters more comprehensively.
That said, I feel I should declare potential personal bias, based in my own strong preference for gritty crime-mystery-thriller reads and general dislike of romance fiction. I've often had similar misgivings in the past in relation to titles that straddle the genres, or titles representing a shift in subject matter by established romance authors. I suspect that's due to my own pre-conceptions around style, structure and character development within the traditional crime-thriller sphere, and know that the majority of readers won't necessarily share my opinions.
Overall, I found The Waterhole an entertaining crime-mystery-family drama read, rich in plot twists and with a distinctively Australian setting. Recommended.
June 25, 2022
*Love the cover, it suits the story so well!
Buried bones and buried secrets, unrequited love and family feuds, jealousies and infidelities, this book will keep you guessing…but do pay attention.
The story takes place in the small tight knit country town of Cowaramup in Western Australia and revolves around the discovery of human bones in a swimming hole which was once connected to a creek on a shared property.
We travel between timelines as characters are introduced with their unfolding histories detailing rival relationships and the story behind the swimming hole.
Marley West is the local detective investigating the case of the discovered bones and he is certain there are suspicious circumstances as to how the bones got there, he believes this is no accidental drowning, though just how long the bones have been there remains to be discovered.
This case could reinvigorate his stalled career, but his investigations are being met with a fair bit of defiance and hostility from long time residents who remember another cop named West from their past.
The plot thickens considerably as Marley West and his partner Brigit Winger probe the past and the present to unravel decades of secrets and lies.
I did very much enjoy this book and I’d hate for my observations to stop anyone from reading it because it is a very good book, but…
I do have to be honest, I had a bit of trouble getting into this story to begin with as you are introduced to so many characters, it is quite confusing trying to remember who is who.
Also, just about every character has a nickname which is used only sometimes, eg: Bridgit, Bridg, or Winger.
There are two brothers, Jack and Bill, vying for the love of the same girl.
Then there is Jed and Ned…I thought Ned was a typo for Jed, until I reread half a chapter.
As it is set in a small country town, all of these people are acquainted with one another and many are related either closely or distantly, so it’s important to have a clear understanding of who is who as well as their connection to each other.
This really is a very good, very complex story with well thought out intricate plot twists…though I do believe it has been let down by a lack of scrutiny to detail in the editing process.
Because it has such a large cast of characters and covers three timelines, plus several generations of the same families playing key roles, it can get complicated…and that is where an almost forensic attention to editing detail is vital to the overall enjoyment of the book…so that the flow is not constantly interrupted by confusion.
Such scrutiny would elevate this story from “good with potential,” to “exceptionally good”.
I thought it was a very good story with the potential to be an excellent story…with a bit more attention to it’s detail…the bones are all in there, so to speak.
This is a five star story!
I gave it 4⭐️s taking one star away solely for the want of more attentive editing.
That said, I would recommend it as a good read and look forward to more of this genre from this author.
Buried bones and buried secrets, unrequited love and family feuds, jealousies and infidelities, this book will keep you guessing…but do pay attention.
The story takes place in the small tight knit country town of Cowaramup in Western Australia and revolves around the discovery of human bones in a swimming hole which was once connected to a creek on a shared property.
We travel between timelines as characters are introduced with their unfolding histories detailing rival relationships and the story behind the swimming hole.
Marley West is the local detective investigating the case of the discovered bones and he is certain there are suspicious circumstances as to how the bones got there, he believes this is no accidental drowning, though just how long the bones have been there remains to be discovered.
This case could reinvigorate his stalled career, but his investigations are being met with a fair bit of defiance and hostility from long time residents who remember another cop named West from their past.
The plot thickens considerably as Marley West and his partner Brigit Winger probe the past and the present to unravel decades of secrets and lies.
I did very much enjoy this book and I’d hate for my observations to stop anyone from reading it because it is a very good book, but…
I do have to be honest, I had a bit of trouble getting into this story to begin with as you are introduced to so many characters, it is quite confusing trying to remember who is who.
Also, just about every character has a nickname which is used only sometimes, eg: Bridgit, Bridg, or Winger.
There are two brothers, Jack and Bill, vying for the love of the same girl.
Then there is Jed and Ned…I thought Ned was a typo for Jed, until I reread half a chapter.
As it is set in a small country town, all of these people are acquainted with one another and many are related either closely or distantly, so it’s important to have a clear understanding of who is who as well as their connection to each other.
This really is a very good, very complex story with well thought out intricate plot twists…though I do believe it has been let down by a lack of scrutiny to detail in the editing process.
Because it has such a large cast of characters and covers three timelines, plus several generations of the same families playing key roles, it can get complicated…and that is where an almost forensic attention to editing detail is vital to the overall enjoyment of the book…so that the flow is not constantly interrupted by confusion.
Such scrutiny would elevate this story from “good with potential,” to “exceptionally good”.
I thought it was a very good story with the potential to be an excellent story…with a bit more attention to it’s detail…the bones are all in there, so to speak.
This is a five star story!
I gave it 4⭐️s taking one star away solely for the want of more attentive editing.
That said, I would recommend it as a good read and look forward to more of this genre from this author.
September 14, 2022
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**3.5 stars**
The Waterhole by Lily Malone. (2021).
When a backyard dare to discover a fabled waterhole uncovers human bones, small town detective Marley West takes on the case. But it's been over 20 years since developers filled the hole - the woman who owned the land has died and her sons Jack and Bill Ross don't get along. The case gets even more difficult when the Ross family learn Marley is the grandson of corrupt cop Alan West. The case seems to be connected to three people: Bill, who left the love of his life to fight in Vietnam; Jack, who could always catch the eye of a pretty girl; and school teacher Annette whose move to Cowaramup in 1966 would change the Ross brothers' lives forever. Marley needs to navigate the tangled web of lies and betrayals, jealousies and murder.
I have read and enjoyed a few of this author's rural romance novels and so was intrigued when I saw she had published a crime mystery book. I think it was a solid effort and a good first foray into a new genre, and would be interested to see if the author continues with more, particularly as there was a vibe with police officers Marley and Brigit that had me feeling it could be the start of a crime series. The narrative takes place in a few different timelines primarily covering present-day, early to mid 90s, and mid 60s. The latter timeline lays the groundwork for the contentious relationship between Bill and Jack, with the lovely Annette in the middle; a dramatic love triangle indeed. The 90s timeline includes some graphic violent acts and thoughts which may be triggering to some readers. In the present-day, Marley is busy trying to solve the case of the unknown waterhole bones while also dealing with a divorce and the negative legacy from the reputation of his corrupt police officer grandfather - a lot of drama for him!
Overall: a good crime debut for the author who has a strong rural romance following from previous novels so this book will attract both fans of the author as well as readers who enjoy the crime/mystery genre.
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**3.5 stars**
The Waterhole by Lily Malone. (2021).
When a backyard dare to discover a fabled waterhole uncovers human bones, small town detective Marley West takes on the case. But it's been over 20 years since developers filled the hole - the woman who owned the land has died and her sons Jack and Bill Ross don't get along. The case gets even more difficult when the Ross family learn Marley is the grandson of corrupt cop Alan West. The case seems to be connected to three people: Bill, who left the love of his life to fight in Vietnam; Jack, who could always catch the eye of a pretty girl; and school teacher Annette whose move to Cowaramup in 1966 would change the Ross brothers' lives forever. Marley needs to navigate the tangled web of lies and betrayals, jealousies and murder.
I have read and enjoyed a few of this author's rural romance novels and so was intrigued when I saw she had published a crime mystery book. I think it was a solid effort and a good first foray into a new genre, and would be interested to see if the author continues with more, particularly as there was a vibe with police officers Marley and Brigit that had me feeling it could be the start of a crime series. The narrative takes place in a few different timelines primarily covering present-day, early to mid 90s, and mid 60s. The latter timeline lays the groundwork for the contentious relationship between Bill and Jack, with the lovely Annette in the middle; a dramatic love triangle indeed. The 90s timeline includes some graphic violent acts and thoughts which may be triggering to some readers. In the present-day, Marley is busy trying to solve the case of the unknown waterhole bones while also dealing with a divorce and the negative legacy from the reputation of his corrupt police officer grandfather - a lot of drama for him!
Overall: a good crime debut for the author who has a strong rural romance following from previous novels so this book will attract both fans of the author as well as readers who enjoy the crime/mystery genre.
November 3, 2022
When human bones are discovered after digging up an old waterhole Detective Marley West and his partner Bridget are sent to investigate.
During the investigation lies and secrets will be discovered, but will they find out the real truth of what happened all those years ago.
The Waterhole by Aussie author Lily Malone is set in Western Australia's small town of Cowaramup and it is an excellent read in my opinion. This author normally writes romance/rural, so when I discovered this book was crime, mystery, and thriller I wasn’t sure if it would be as good as her other novels, but I’m pleased to say it was fantastic and she did an excellent job in writing this book. I hope her next book will be in the same genre as this one as it was a page-turner and I loved it. Highly recommended
During the investigation lies and secrets will be discovered, but will they find out the real truth of what happened all those years ago.
The Waterhole by Aussie author Lily Malone is set in Western Australia's small town of Cowaramup and it is an excellent read in my opinion. This author normally writes romance/rural, so when I discovered this book was crime, mystery, and thriller I wasn’t sure if it would be as good as her other novels, but I’m pleased to say it was fantastic and she did an excellent job in writing this book. I hope her next book will be in the same genre as this one as it was a page-turner and I loved it. Highly recommended
December 13, 2021
Australian author Lily Malone, best known for her rural romance series, ‘The Chalk Hill’, dips into the crime genre with The Waterhole.
When human bones are discovered in what once was waterhole on the edge of a suburban development, Detective Marley West and Constable Brigit Winger, are tasked with unraveling a complicated cold case that opens old wounds in the community of Cowaramup, Western Australia.
Three timelines reveal a feud between brothers, Jack and Bill Ross, stretching back almost half a century, the predatory instincts of a itinerant traveller, and the legacy of Marley’s late grandfather, a corrupt cop. To learn the identities of the bodies buried in the waterhole, Marley needs to overcome the distrust of the locals, and the concerns of his colleagues, to expose the secrets others tried to bury. Malone skilfully manages the multiple threads that weave their way through the story and connect many of the characters in the past and present.
Though there’s quite a large cast, the characters are well drawn, from the warring brothers and the woman they both love, to young troubled teen, Jay. Marley’s personal life is a bit of a disaster but he presents as a decent man, and cop, and I imagine his and Brigit’s partnership could carry further novels.
With its cleverly crafted mysteries, and appealing characters, I thought The Waterhole was an excellent police procedural and I hope there will be more.
When human bones are discovered in what once was waterhole on the edge of a suburban development, Detective Marley West and Constable Brigit Winger, are tasked with unraveling a complicated cold case that opens old wounds in the community of Cowaramup, Western Australia.
Three timelines reveal a feud between brothers, Jack and Bill Ross, stretching back almost half a century, the predatory instincts of a itinerant traveller, and the legacy of Marley’s late grandfather, a corrupt cop. To learn the identities of the bodies buried in the waterhole, Marley needs to overcome the distrust of the locals, and the concerns of his colleagues, to expose the secrets others tried to bury. Malone skilfully manages the multiple threads that weave their way through the story and connect many of the characters in the past and present.
Though there’s quite a large cast, the characters are well drawn, from the warring brothers and the woman they both love, to young troubled teen, Jay. Marley’s personal life is a bit of a disaster but he presents as a decent man, and cop, and I imagine his and Brigit’s partnership could carry further novels.
With its cleverly crafted mysteries, and appealing characters, I thought The Waterhole was an excellent police procedural and I hope there will be more.
Read
November 27, 2021Quintessentially Australian, this book takes you into the heart of a community riddled with secrets.
December 10, 2021
Thank you to Lily for sending me this book as a prize for my pronunciation of Cowaramup.
Three timelines, two brothers, one woman and a tangle of secrets all woven into a dark rural suspense.
When bones are uncovered at an old waterhole it opens a cold case and a can of worms in a small country town.
Notable family hierarchies are connected again with the discovery.
The Ross family who owned the land and the investigation police officer is the grandson of the corrupt Cop who once ruled the town.
The trust eroded beyond repair.
Bill and Jack have not spoken as family pride and matrimonial secrets drive an irreparable wedge until the truth is freed.
Jealousy and betrayal so deep.
Mitch really has to earn his stripes to find the truth and play each of the suspects against each other.
Lily has ventured successfully into the dark side of rural fiction and connected characters and plots beautifully within the three time periods.
I was intrigued and my favourite era kept changing which is uncommon for me, reflecting the talent and depth of this great author.
Three timelines, two brothers, one woman and a tangle of secrets all woven into a dark rural suspense.
When bones are uncovered at an old waterhole it opens a cold case and a can of worms in a small country town.
Notable family hierarchies are connected again with the discovery.
The Ross family who owned the land and the investigation police officer is the grandson of the corrupt Cop who once ruled the town.
The trust eroded beyond repair.
Bill and Jack have not spoken as family pride and matrimonial secrets drive an irreparable wedge until the truth is freed.
Jealousy and betrayal so deep.
Mitch really has to earn his stripes to find the truth and play each of the suspects against each other.
Lily has ventured successfully into the dark side of rural fiction and connected characters and plots beautifully within the three time periods.
I was intrigued and my favourite era kept changing which is uncommon for me, reflecting the talent and depth of this great author.
December 28, 2021
I was excited to hear Lily Malone had a new novel coming out, a departure from her usual genre this new rural crime novel has a much darker feel.
Lily has definitely managed to capture the feeling of small-town Cowaramup on the south coast of Western Australia.
This novel had some seriously unlikable characters, though one does redeem himself later on in the novel. I liked the characters of the two police officers and felt for Detective Marley West who has to prove himself to everyone because his grandfather was an extremely corrupt police sergeant who ruled the town for decades before.
Told between three different timelines dating back to 1966, we slowly discover past secrets, and there are plenty until the many secrets expose the truth behind the human bones discovered in what used to be a waterhole.
I'm looking forward to more dark crime fiction by Lily Malone and definitely looking forward to seeing more of Detective Marley West and hoping he can sort his life out a bit.
Lily has definitely managed to capture the feeling of small-town Cowaramup on the south coast of Western Australia.
This novel had some seriously unlikable characters, though one does redeem himself later on in the novel. I liked the characters of the two police officers and felt for Detective Marley West who has to prove himself to everyone because his grandfather was an extremely corrupt police sergeant who ruled the town for decades before.
Told between three different timelines dating back to 1966, we slowly discover past secrets, and there are plenty until the many secrets expose the truth behind the human bones discovered in what used to be a waterhole.
I'm looking forward to more dark crime fiction by Lily Malone and definitely looking forward to seeing more of Detective Marley West and hoping he can sort his life out a bit.
April 25, 2022
Wow what an awesome story! A waterhole produces human bones, but who are they. This begins a twisty Turney story about brothers, families, forbidden romance and deep dark secrets that slowly reveal over the course of this novel. Lily Malone has written a story that is crying out to be on the big screen and I hope someone takes notice. A brilliant portrayal of small town policing gone wrong and the consequences that last for years. 5 excellent stars ⭐️
November 18, 2021
With an intriguing, often disquieting ensemble of characters, The Waterhole sets a cracking pace from the outset. Kidnapping readers for a page-turning joyride into a distinctively Australian small-town brimming with big secrets, this change of style showcases Lily Malone's versatility as a writer.
December 9, 2021
Fitting neatly into the rural crime genre, The Waterhole is set in and around the Western Australian town of Cowaramup. It’s a great setting, and Malone’s ability to write sensory and immersive prose brings it to life.
An excavator unearths some human remains on a new estate, and local legend has it that there was once a waterhole on the site. Detective Marley West and his side-kick Brigit Winger unravel a mystery with its roots half a century in the past, but with complex side-branches reaching to the present day.
Malone has created a town full of almost-real characters – brotherly rivals Jack and Bill Ross, their mother Morag, Annette the teacher, troubled teenager Jay and his mountain-biking mates, a syndicate of animal smugglers, valiant Tracey and a psychopathic killer.
The Waterhole is a captivating Australian crime thriller, right up there with Jane Harper and Chris Hammer. Intelligent, suspenseful, articulate, and very hard to put down.
An excavator unearths some human remains on a new estate, and local legend has it that there was once a waterhole on the site. Detective Marley West and his side-kick Brigit Winger unravel a mystery with its roots half a century in the past, but with complex side-branches reaching to the present day.
Malone has created a town full of almost-real characters – brotherly rivals Jack and Bill Ross, their mother Morag, Annette the teacher, troubled teenager Jay and his mountain-biking mates, a syndicate of animal smugglers, valiant Tracey and a psychopathic killer.
The Waterhole is a captivating Australian crime thriller, right up there with Jane Harper and Chris Hammer. Intelligent, suspenseful, articulate, and very hard to put down.
September 1, 2022
Fabulous Australian crime thriller with wonderful characters, a twisty plot and a true-to-life setting. Lily Malone is a fabulous story-teller and I hope one day the rest of Australia, if not the world, notices.
January 23, 2023
4.5 stars - good characterisation
December 14, 2021
Lily Malone has tackled a much darker genre in her latest novel and it's one that I loved, start to finish. Could not put it down.
October 14, 2022
'The Waterhole' by Lily Malone was an engrossing tale spanning the mid-1960s to the present day. I generally don't like narratives that send the reader back and forth over the years but this time the 'time travel' was seamless as the author explored the mystery of the bones found in the by-now filled-in waterhole. The characters were compelling, the plot intricate enough to keep a reader's interest and the pace just right. All the incidents seemed realistic, especially as I began my teaching career at the same time as two of the characters and lived during the Vietnam-war era. And a bonus for me was the setting of the story in the familiar south-west town of Cowaramup in Western Australia, my home state.
November 23, 2022
Loved this book! Bought it in Margaret River looking for a local author to remember my running holiday by and it did not disappoint! Great story and even better it was by a local author set in the local area!
December 15, 2021
This is a very well put together mystery with well rounded characters and complex backstories for days.
Detective Marley West is called to a small Western Australian town when a couple of guys with a backhoe find human bones in an attempt to find a waterhole that used to exist before it was filled in during the subdivision development. A careful excavation of the site reveals not just the bones of one body but two.
There was so much I loved about this! Firstly, I really enjoyed the character of Detective Marley West. His story is doled out slowly and I still think there’s a lot we don’t know about Marley. His grandfather Alan West was a crooked cop who controlled the town during his time, having half of it in his pocket and the other half terrified of him and what might do. Although Marley isn’t him, he bears the legacy his grandfather’s disgrace left upon the family and how it impacted on other members as well. It also cost him his marriage and Marley isn’t in the greatest of places. He fights not to be taken off this case when it might be connected to his grandfather – perhaps this is a chance of some sort of redemption for Marley who isn’t the one who needs to be redeemed but still bears the stigma of it anyway. I also loved his interactions with his younger partner, Brigit Winger. The two of them are great together.
I found myself so intrigued by the story of Bill, Jack and Annette. It was hard not to really feel for Annette and the triangle was much more complex than it first appeared. It would’ve been really easy to simply demonise Jack I think but he had hidden depths and I felt like his friendship with Jed really showcased how genuine he’d been in his desire to live a better life when he was given the chance to be free. All three of them had suffered at the hands and whims of a person who enjoyed manipulating people and having power over them and that suffering had continued for years.
As well as there being the “present day” time period, which I think is 2018 and the time period when Bill and Jack meet Annette and how that plays out in the 60s, there’s also a brief foray into 1994 and a significant event that happens during that time. That part of the story gave me shivers because I’ve lived in a small town, I’ve experienced how laid back and casual things can be in that environment and this is an excellent example of how things like that can be taken advantage of and it’s always the sort of thing that you think would never happen in such a small town.
I don’t know if Lily Malone plans this to be a series, but I hope so because I honestly feel like this has a huge amount of potential. We’ve only scratched the surface with Marley West, the shadow that hangs over his head from his grandfather and how his career can progress from here. There’s some issues in his personal life as well, which could definitely be developed further. I also wouldn’t mind exploring Brigit as a character also but I feel like West in particular, could quite easily carry a series of some weight.
This was excellent – I found it riveting from the very beginning. I loved the setting, I thought the characters were done incredibly well and the overall mystery was compelling and kept me invested. This is a clever and polished foray into the world of mystery and crime.
***A copy of this book was provided by the author for the purpose of an honest review***
Detective Marley West is called to a small Western Australian town when a couple of guys with a backhoe find human bones in an attempt to find a waterhole that used to exist before it was filled in during the subdivision development. A careful excavation of the site reveals not just the bones of one body but two.
There was so much I loved about this! Firstly, I really enjoyed the character of Detective Marley West. His story is doled out slowly and I still think there’s a lot we don’t know about Marley. His grandfather Alan West was a crooked cop who controlled the town during his time, having half of it in his pocket and the other half terrified of him and what might do. Although Marley isn’t him, he bears the legacy his grandfather’s disgrace left upon the family and how it impacted on other members as well. It also cost him his marriage and Marley isn’t in the greatest of places. He fights not to be taken off this case when it might be connected to his grandfather – perhaps this is a chance of some sort of redemption for Marley who isn’t the one who needs to be redeemed but still bears the stigma of it anyway. I also loved his interactions with his younger partner, Brigit Winger. The two of them are great together.
I found myself so intrigued by the story of Bill, Jack and Annette. It was hard not to really feel for Annette and the triangle was much more complex than it first appeared. It would’ve been really easy to simply demonise Jack I think but he had hidden depths and I felt like his friendship with Jed really showcased how genuine he’d been in his desire to live a better life when he was given the chance to be free. All three of them had suffered at the hands and whims of a person who enjoyed manipulating people and having power over them and that suffering had continued for years.
As well as there being the “present day” time period, which I think is 2018 and the time period when Bill and Jack meet Annette and how that plays out in the 60s, there’s also a brief foray into 1994 and a significant event that happens during that time. That part of the story gave me shivers because I’ve lived in a small town, I’ve experienced how laid back and casual things can be in that environment and this is an excellent example of how things like that can be taken advantage of and it’s always the sort of thing that you think would never happen in such a small town.
I don’t know if Lily Malone plans this to be a series, but I hope so because I honestly feel like this has a huge amount of potential. We’ve only scratched the surface with Marley West, the shadow that hangs over his head from his grandfather and how his career can progress from here. There’s some issues in his personal life as well, which could definitely be developed further. I also wouldn’t mind exploring Brigit as a character also but I feel like West in particular, could quite easily carry a series of some weight.
This was excellent – I found it riveting from the very beginning. I loved the setting, I thought the characters were done incredibly well and the overall mystery was compelling and kept me invested. This is a clever and polished foray into the world of mystery and crime.
***A copy of this book was provided by the author for the purpose of an honest review***
July 4, 2022
The narrative skilfully shifts between several time frames which I found challenging at first, eventually managed to get it sorted. It begins with the discovery of some bones in an area being established as a new housing subdivision. We meet the police Constable Brigit Winger and Detective Marley West from Busselton Police Station as they travel to the site to view the bones. Marley takes one look and he knows they have a problem.
Eventually they work out that they have two skeletons, one probably much older than the other. The bodies lie where there was once a waterhole, covered in over 20 years before. Some of the story goes back almost 50 years.
The author has done an excellent job of creating characters, developing credible plot lines, and finally revealing the story on several levels. A very engrossing read.
Eventually they work out that they have two skeletons, one probably much older than the other. The bodies lie where there was once a waterhole, covered in over 20 years before. Some of the story goes back almost 50 years.
The author has done an excellent job of creating characters, developing credible plot lines, and finally revealing the story on several levels. A very engrossing read.
April 1, 2022
I really enjoyed this story. A different genre from Lily’s Chalk Hill series, but still written well and kept me intrigued until the last page.
February 17, 2023
Wow, this was a fantastic, intriguing mystery to read!!!:)
Well done Lily Malone & I hope you continue to write more in this series!!:)
Well done Lily Malone & I hope you continue to write more in this series!!:)
March 17, 2022
after a few beers at a get together talking about the waterhole that was once there but covered up when the new estate was made a few of the men decide to dig around to see if they can find it -- well not only found it but bones as well --then a second lot of bones are found so who are they?? will get you reading to the end for answers
January 29, 2023
This was an excellent read and I actually reread it the next day to make sure I had not missed anything. Well done Lily looking forward to more written in the crime genre.📖📖👏👏
January 3, 2022
Book 1 for 2022
I started reading this book before Christmas and had trouble getting into it at first. But after picking it back up and finishing it in 2 days I now realise it was definitely my brain space at the time of first read attempt as the story gripped me once I continued. If this happens to you try and continue as it's well worth the read.
The Waterhole by Lily Malone is a gripping story that flicks from past to present and back again while unfolding the story of bones that were discovered in an old filled in waterhole.
In the story we meet brothers Bill and Jack who both fall in love with Annette. What follows is trickery, deception, blackmail, heartache and love. I have previously read Lily Malone's book and highly recommend this book. I will look forward to more from this author.
This story may trigger some readers as it contains sexual assault.
Thanks to Beauty and Lace and Lily Malone for the book and a chance to review.
I started reading this book before Christmas and had trouble getting into it at first. But after picking it back up and finishing it in 2 days I now realise it was definitely my brain space at the time of first read attempt as the story gripped me once I continued. If this happens to you try and continue as it's well worth the read.
The Waterhole by Lily Malone is a gripping story that flicks from past to present and back again while unfolding the story of bones that were discovered in an old filled in waterhole.
In the story we meet brothers Bill and Jack who both fall in love with Annette. What follows is trickery, deception, blackmail, heartache and love. I have previously read Lily Malone's book and highly recommend this book. I will look forward to more from this author.
This story may trigger some readers as it contains sexual assault.
Thanks to Beauty and Lace and Lily Malone for the book and a chance to review.
January 10, 2022
I found it a bit hard to get my head around all the characters at first, but that was probably me rather than the book. But I really enjoyed it and by the time I was a quarter in I found I couldn’t put it down.
August 15, 2024
A quintessentially Australian police procedural
This is a very intense novel set in the magnificent Margaret River area in West Australia. The action takes place in an unpronounceable town called Cowaramup. The author conjures up a story based on fact and creates a plausible and satisfying cold case resolution. I believe this is her first crime novel and she has plans to create more scenarios involving the main characters Marley and Brigit. I hope she does. I'm not sure there are many crime novels set in this area. There should be. It is ripe for exploitation. Maybe something set in the vineyards?
Because of the nature of the cold case there is a lot of time at the outset establishing the backstory. It all pulls together eventually with a few twists and turns. You will be doing well if you can guess the ending.
Woven through the cold cases are different strands of treachery, betrayal, deceipt and family secrets. In other words, the stuff of a good mystery. There are a few loose ends which I hope will be followed up in any sequels.
This is a very intense novel set in the magnificent Margaret River area in West Australia. The action takes place in an unpronounceable town called Cowaramup. The author conjures up a story based on fact and creates a plausible and satisfying cold case resolution. I believe this is her first crime novel and she has plans to create more scenarios involving the main characters Marley and Brigit. I hope she does. I'm not sure there are many crime novels set in this area. There should be. It is ripe for exploitation. Maybe something set in the vineyards?
Because of the nature of the cold case there is a lot of time at the outset establishing the backstory. It all pulls together eventually with a few twists and turns. You will be doing well if you can guess the ending.
Woven through the cold cases are different strands of treachery, betrayal, deceipt and family secrets. In other words, the stuff of a good mystery. There are a few loose ends which I hope will be followed up in any sequels.
March 7, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. It kept me captivated from start to finish, with hints and surprises all the way through. Entwining the timeliness wouldn't have been easy, but Lily did it as well as she depicted the setting and countryside of the area. Well done. It's a great read.
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