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Kill Your Brother
Elise Glyk is a disgraced athlete. Her brother, Callum, is a well-liked teacher who has gone missing. In Elise’s search for her brother, they both become captured in a remote, abandoned farm.
Their captor hates Callum, and refuses to explain why, but she has little interest in Elise. So she offers a gruesome she'll let Elise go - if Elise kills Callum. That way, Elise can't talk to the police, not without getting arrested for murder.
Years ago, when everyone turned against Elise, Callum was the only person who stood by her. But if Elise refuses the deal, they'll both die. With the clock ticking, Elise is forced to confront the will she kill her brother to save herself?
Their captor hates Callum, and refuses to explain why, but she has little interest in Elise. So she offers a gruesome she'll let Elise go - if Elise kills Callum. That way, Elise can't talk to the police, not without getting arrested for murder.
Years ago, when everyone turned against Elise, Callum was the only person who stood by her. But if Elise refuses the deal, they'll both die. With the clock ticking, Elise is forced to confront the will she kill her brother to save herself?
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2021
371 people are currently reading
743 people want to read
About the author
Jack Heath
67 books824 followersJack Heath wrote his debut novel, The Lab, in secondary school and sent it to a publisher at age seventeen. He's now the award-winning author of forty novels for adults and children, including the international bestsellers Hangman, The Wife Swap and 300 Minutes of Danger. His books have been translated into ten languages, optioned for TV and adapted for film. He lives on Ngunnawal/Ngambri country in Canberra, Australia, with his wife, their children, several chickens, a few fish and a possum named Oreo.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 225 reviews
February 4, 2022
Elise Glyk is worried about her brother Callum. A teacher at the local Warragal high school, he's been missing for weeks and after finding drugs in his house, the police think he's in hiding and aren't looking for him. No one is listening to Elise's concerns. She was a promising athlete, on her way to the top, the pride of Warragal until she screwed things up so badly that everyone in town now reviles her, even her own father. Callum is the only one who has stood by her and Elise feels she has to keep looking for him. Posing as as PI she unexpectedly finds him at a remote property, being held and tortured by a middle aged woman. Now captive herself, she's given the choice of dying with him or buying her freedom by killing him. Elise might not know her brother as well as she thinks, but will have plenty of time to catch up on his recent life while she tries to work out how to solve this dilemma.
Written with Heath's trademark dark humour, this is a tightly written thriller, with intelligent plotting, complex characters and some clever twists. It's fast paced right from the outset with the suspense building to a wickedly entertaining ending.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin for a copy to read
Written with Heath's trademark dark humour, this is a tightly written thriller, with intelligent plotting, complex characters and some clever twists. It's fast paced right from the outset with the suspense building to a wickedly entertaining ending.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin for a copy to read
December 11, 2021
This is the first book I have read from this author, but it will not be the last wow what a roller coaster of a ride, so many twists and turns, hair pin bends this one had my mind jumping all over the place in this fast paced nail biting thriller that I would highly recommend to any reader who loves a good thriller, the characters are strong and believable, whether they are good or not so good.
Elise Glyk, disgraced athlete, has no job and no friends she has broken up with her girlfriend who is a police officer and has been searching for her missing brother Callum for months, she is following leads acting as a private investigator when she discovers a lead and finds him locked in a septic tank on a sheep farm being help by Stephanie Hartnell and she finds herself being offered a deal kill her brother and save herself.
Being locked up with her brother has Elise seeing things differently she could not possible kill him he has always been there for her no matter what she has been through or done but as time goes on maybe Elise is seeing things differently and understanding their jailer a little better so many questions, what are the answers, will she get to the truth?
Through all that Elise has been through in her life she remains strong and determined and fights to the end for the truth of what has happened, I thought she was a wonderful character.
There is lots of terrible things happening in this story, there is danger coming from more than one direction as Elise has to make a decision as to what to do the ending is like and explosion of all things put together in this page turner of a story, I am not going to say too much other than it is a great story if you love a fast paced thriller that had me on the edge of my seat throughout, then this is one to read. I do highly recommend this one.
My thanks to Allen & Unwin for my copy to read and review.
Elise Glyk, disgraced athlete, has no job and no friends she has broken up with her girlfriend who is a police officer and has been searching for her missing brother Callum for months, she is following leads acting as a private investigator when she discovers a lead and finds him locked in a septic tank on a sheep farm being help by Stephanie Hartnell and she finds herself being offered a deal kill her brother and save herself.
Being locked up with her brother has Elise seeing things differently she could not possible kill him he has always been there for her no matter what she has been through or done but as time goes on maybe Elise is seeing things differently and understanding their jailer a little better so many questions, what are the answers, will she get to the truth?
Through all that Elise has been through in her life she remains strong and determined and fights to the end for the truth of what has happened, I thought she was a wonderful character.
There is lots of terrible things happening in this story, there is danger coming from more than one direction as Elise has to make a decision as to what to do the ending is like and explosion of all things put together in this page turner of a story, I am not going to say too much other than it is a great story if you love a fast paced thriller that had me on the edge of my seat throughout, then this is one to read. I do highly recommend this one.
My thanks to Allen & Unwin for my copy to read and review.
December 8, 2021
⭐️4 Stars⭐️
Kill Your Brother by Jack Heath is a chilling and unpredictable crime thriller that will drop a bombshell on you!
I’m a huge fan of Jack Heath’s Timothy Blake series so I was very excited to read a copy Kill Your Brother.
Would you kill your brother to save yourself?
Elise’s character has fallen into disrepute, she’s also unemployed and has no friends left. Her brother Callum a teacher, has been missing for months, she’s been desperately searching for him but hasn’t given up hope. Drugs were found, assumably planted in his house. Elise’s gut feel is that something terrible has happened to him but the police have given up on the search and think he’s fled overseas.
Elise starts her own investigation masquerading as a private investigator. She finally has a break-through and comes face to face with Callum’s captor. Before she can escape Elise finds herself held captive in a septic tank along with her brother Callum.
Elise is given an unthinkable choice, will she or won’t she do it?
A dark story filled with unspeakable evil and lies that will make you question what you really know about the people you love.
What a compulsive, tense and twisty read but that revealing twist at the end was absolutely blooming brilliant, one of the best! It suddenly puts all the answers into place and the penny drops and the ugly realisation hits you! All I will say without giving away any spoilers is the ‘hitman’ moment’! Read it and you’ll know exactly what I mean.
Publication Date 30 November 2021
Kill Your Brother by Jack Heath is a chilling and unpredictable crime thriller that will drop a bombshell on you!
I’m a huge fan of Jack Heath’s Timothy Blake series so I was very excited to read a copy Kill Your Brother.
Would you kill your brother to save yourself?
Elise’s character has fallen into disrepute, she’s also unemployed and has no friends left. Her brother Callum a teacher, has been missing for months, she’s been desperately searching for him but hasn’t given up hope. Drugs were found, assumably planted in his house. Elise’s gut feel is that something terrible has happened to him but the police have given up on the search and think he’s fled overseas.
Elise starts her own investigation masquerading as a private investigator. She finally has a break-through and comes face to face with Callum’s captor. Before she can escape Elise finds herself held captive in a septic tank along with her brother Callum.
Elise is given an unthinkable choice, will she or won’t she do it?
A dark story filled with unspeakable evil and lies that will make you question what you really know about the people you love.
What a compulsive, tense and twisty read but that revealing twist at the end was absolutely blooming brilliant, one of the best! It suddenly puts all the answers into place and the penny drops and the ugly realisation hits you! All I will say without giving away any spoilers is the ‘hitman’ moment’! Read it and you’ll know exactly what I mean.
Publication Date 30 November 2021
October 5, 2022
Kill Your Brother is a psychological thriller with a very distinguishing feature, and the title kinda gives away what the dilemma might be. This is an emotionally charged crime story from Jack Heath, better known for his powerful Timothy Blake series (Hangman, Hunter, etc.)
Elise Glyk is a former star athlete who turned her hometown and, indeed, the entire country against her after a cheating scandal. She has daily problems to deal with (spray painted insults at her house, unsavory package deliveries, etc) but the thing that’s foremost in her mind is her missing brother, Callum. He’s a respected and popular teacher who disappeared suddenly and hasn’t been seen for a month.
The police aren’t proving to be much help so Elise conducts her own investigation and manages to track her brother’s movements to an old rundown farm. Against all her expectations she virtually stumbles upon her brother, imprisoned underground in a locked septic tank. Before she can either release him or make good her own escape, Elise is taken captive too.
The farm is owned by Stephanie Hartnell who, it turns out, believes Callum is responsible for her daughter’s death. She has been intent on getting a confession from him. Stephanie is unaware Elise is Callum’s brother, believing she is simply a private investigator. Now that she has two prisoners she offers Elise a deal: kill Callum and she is free to go.
This, of course, is out of the question but she agrees to the proposition, if only to join her brother in the cell in order to try to come up with an escape plan.
What follows is a deadly game of cat and mouse as Elise comes up with ways to avoid having to kill her brother while still appeasing Stephanie. At the same time, she begins to draw information from Callum which begins to become dotted with inconsistencies.
Kill Your Brother is an impressive thrill-ride that combines the desperation of the captive situation with a ticking clock scenario. On top of that is the gradual revelation of the story behind her brother and how he managed to get himself into this situation.
The strength character displayed by Elise throughout the story is a strong point of the story. We are taken through her past via selected flashback chapters explaining how she came to go from being a champion athlete to a cheat and the effect it had on her and her standing as a pariah in her community. For all of that she remains undaunted and defiant, strong enough to present as an admirable protagonist.
The book deals sympathetically with mental health issues, particularly depression and the trauma of coping with the loss of a loved one. Add to that the complexity around the rigorous world of high performance sports and the pressures to compete at the highest levels. Specifically, the poor choices that can change your life for the worse.
Overall, Kill Your Brother is a multi-layered thriller that produces unexpected twists and numerous high points. It is the epitome of the fast-paced crime novel that has you wondering how Elise and her brother are ever going to come out of it well. It ticks all the boxes and demands that you keep reading right til the end.
The book was a finalist for the 2022 Ned Kelly Award for Best Crime Fiction.
Elise Glyk is a former star athlete who turned her hometown and, indeed, the entire country against her after a cheating scandal. She has daily problems to deal with (spray painted insults at her house, unsavory package deliveries, etc) but the thing that’s foremost in her mind is her missing brother, Callum. He’s a respected and popular teacher who disappeared suddenly and hasn’t been seen for a month.
The police aren’t proving to be much help so Elise conducts her own investigation and manages to track her brother’s movements to an old rundown farm. Against all her expectations she virtually stumbles upon her brother, imprisoned underground in a locked septic tank. Before she can either release him or make good her own escape, Elise is taken captive too.
The farm is owned by Stephanie Hartnell who, it turns out, believes Callum is responsible for her daughter’s death. She has been intent on getting a confession from him. Stephanie is unaware Elise is Callum’s brother, believing she is simply a private investigator. Now that she has two prisoners she offers Elise a deal: kill Callum and she is free to go.
This, of course, is out of the question but she agrees to the proposition, if only to join her brother in the cell in order to try to come up with an escape plan.
What follows is a deadly game of cat and mouse as Elise comes up with ways to avoid having to kill her brother while still appeasing Stephanie. At the same time, she begins to draw information from Callum which begins to become dotted with inconsistencies.
Kill Your Brother is an impressive thrill-ride that combines the desperation of the captive situation with a ticking clock scenario. On top of that is the gradual revelation of the story behind her brother and how he managed to get himself into this situation.
The strength character displayed by Elise throughout the story is a strong point of the story. We are taken through her past via selected flashback chapters explaining how she came to go from being a champion athlete to a cheat and the effect it had on her and her standing as a pariah in her community. For all of that she remains undaunted and defiant, strong enough to present as an admirable protagonist.
The book deals sympathetically with mental health issues, particularly depression and the trauma of coping with the loss of a loved one. Add to that the complexity around the rigorous world of high performance sports and the pressures to compete at the highest levels. Specifically, the poor choices that can change your life for the worse.
Overall, Kill Your Brother is a multi-layered thriller that produces unexpected twists and numerous high points. It is the epitome of the fast-paced crime novel that has you wondering how Elise and her brother are ever going to come out of it well. It ticks all the boxes and demands that you keep reading right til the end.
The book was a finalist for the 2022 Ned Kelly Award for Best Crime Fiction.
January 27, 2023
Apart from the Timothy Blake (Hangman) series, this is the only other Jack Heath novel I've read. But it's also the second one I've read this month, so the contrast is sharp in my mind. While Kill Your Brother has all the thrills I was hoping for, it lacked the sly humour that makes the Blake books so irresistible to me. I'd have to say it's more of a straight thriller.
Disgraced former athlete Elise Glyck is worried about her older brother Callum. He's been missing for a while, and nobody else seems to be concerned about him since the police found illicit drugs in his home. They all assume he is on the run from the law. But Elise knows better, as Callum has never been into drugs. While out on a roadtrip following up a lead, Elise notices an older woman who seems to be following her. She notes the car registration and calls her ex-, Senior Constable Kiara Lui, to see if she can find out who it belongs to. Equally frustrated by and sympathetic to Elise's determination to find her brother, Kiara lets some information slip that sends Elise off to search for the mystery woman. Then all hell breaks loose.
I'll just pause there and point out that the audiobook edition was only about a 5-hour read, while I note that the paperback is a pretty normal ~350 pages. So I'm not sure whether the audiobook was abridged (it didn't say), but from here, the story was tight! So much action, not a word wasted. It's rare to read such sustained, heightened tension. With lots of misdirection and a fairly spectacular twist towards the end, there was nothing predictable about this story. A good, thrilling read.
Free on Audible.
Disgraced former athlete Elise Glyck is worried about her older brother Callum. He's been missing for a while, and nobody else seems to be concerned about him since the police found illicit drugs in his home. They all assume he is on the run from the law. But Elise knows better, as Callum has never been into drugs. While out on a roadtrip following up a lead, Elise notices an older woman who seems to be following her. She notes the car registration and calls her ex-, Senior Constable Kiara Lui, to see if she can find out who it belongs to. Equally frustrated by and sympathetic to Elise's determination to find her brother, Kiara lets some information slip that sends Elise off to search for the mystery woman. Then all hell breaks loose.
I'll just pause there and point out that the audiobook edition was only about a 5-hour read, while I note that the paperback is a pretty normal ~350 pages. So I'm not sure whether the audiobook was abridged (it didn't say), but from here, the story was tight! So much action, not a word wasted. It's rare to read such sustained, heightened tension. With lots of misdirection and a fairly spectacular twist towards the end, there was nothing predictable about this story. A good, thrilling read.
Free on Audible.
December 16, 2021
Another fast-paced thriller from Jack Heath!
I have to admit - the three stars is more me than this book. I've seemingly become a little jaded with reading about murder, assault, rape, etc. so it just doesn't quite hit the same for me any more.
So, that in mind, let me mention all the things that are great about this story.
First, there's the unique premise: Elise can go free from her captor, but only if she murders her (also captive) brother. If that's not an original hook, I haven't read as much crime as I thought! I found the sibling dynamic was quite fascinating, especially when their true colours started coming out.
The twists were aplenty, and while I did see a few coming there were still some that kept me guessing and had me surprised. This is a rather convoluted story with many seemingly disconnected characters that somehow weave together into the same narrative.
I found Stephanie to be a really interesting character, and would have loved to explore her story more thoroughly. I didn't particularly like Elise or Callum, so Stephanie actually attracted most of my sympathy.
This book travels at a fast pace which means you do have to put some things together for yourself. Sometimes I rather missed the lack of detail, and I do feel this story could have been fleshed out further by adding more meat to the characters.
As mentioned, I've become a bit jaded with crime, so for me it was the unique aspects of the story that kept me hooked. I got a bit tired reading about some of the details of the various crimes discussed in this story, and I think that's just because of how sad it makes me that these things are still happening for real all around the world.
An excellent crime novel and a brilliant follow up to the Hangman series that should leave fans satisfied.
Personally, however, I think it's time for me to disappear back into some fantasy.
With thanks to A&U for an uncorrected proof ARC
I have to admit - the three stars is more me than this book. I've seemingly become a little jaded with reading about murder, assault, rape, etc. so it just doesn't quite hit the same for me any more.
So, that in mind, let me mention all the things that are great about this story.
First, there's the unique premise: Elise can go free from her captor, but only if she murders her (also captive) brother. If that's not an original hook, I haven't read as much crime as I thought! I found the sibling dynamic was quite fascinating, especially when their true colours started coming out.
The twists were aplenty, and while I did see a few coming there were still some that kept me guessing and had me surprised. This is a rather convoluted story with many seemingly disconnected characters that somehow weave together into the same narrative.
I found Stephanie to be a really interesting character, and would have loved to explore her story more thoroughly. I didn't particularly like Elise or Callum, so Stephanie actually attracted most of my sympathy.
This book travels at a fast pace which means you do have to put some things together for yourself. Sometimes I rather missed the lack of detail, and I do feel this story could have been fleshed out further by adding more meat to the characters.
As mentioned, I've become a bit jaded with crime, so for me it was the unique aspects of the story that kept me hooked. I got a bit tired reading about some of the details of the various crimes discussed in this story, and I think that's just because of how sad it makes me that these things are still happening for real all around the world.
An excellent crime novel and a brilliant follow up to the Hangman series that should leave fans satisfied.
Personally, however, I think it's time for me to disappear back into some fantasy.
With thanks to A&U for an uncorrected proof ARC
February 3, 2022
This is the first book I have read by Jack Heath and now I am keen to read more!
In this story, Elise Glyk, is not a very likeable character. She is a disgraced former athlete and paramedic who is determined to find her brother Callum, who has been missing for weeks. From police investigations it looks like her brother, a secondary school teacher, may have been dealing drugs, but Elise suspects a set up to throw police off looking for him.
In pursuing her own leads Elise is soon faced with a terrible dilemma, save herself or save her brother?
While the characters in this story all appear to have some serious issues, the pace is fast and I could not put it down.
Thank you Allen & Unwin for the paperback ARC that I won.
In this story, Elise Glyk, is not a very likeable character. She is a disgraced former athlete and paramedic who is determined to find her brother Callum, who has been missing for weeks. From police investigations it looks like her brother, a secondary school teacher, may have been dealing drugs, but Elise suspects a set up to throw police off looking for him.
In pursuing her own leads Elise is soon faced with a terrible dilemma, save herself or save her brother?
While the characters in this story all appear to have some serious issues, the pace is fast and I could not put it down.
Thank you Allen & Unwin for the paperback ARC that I won.
February 9, 2022
A woman held captive is offered her release if she kills the other kidnappee, who just happens to be her own brother. Thus, begins Kill Your Brother by Jack Heath, a prolific Aussie thriller author. As the narrative unfolds, the sibling’s past is seen through flashbacks and the reasons for this captive drama scenario revealed. Despite its fascinating premise, this comes with only a three-star rating, as there was little to endear the characters and the tension was somewhat pedestrian. The lack of time indicators for the different time frame action made it jumpy and interrupted the narrative flow. Given Jack Heath many published books, there is now a dilemma whether to read another one?
December 5, 2021
Would you kill your brother to save yourself? How can you not be intrigued by that line? I love Jack Heath's Hangman series so it was a no brainer that I would need to read this one. In true Heath style it is addictive, messy and so much fun to read. This is a stand alone book and if you like your books dark and messed up then you need to read Kill Your Brother.
Elise Glyk's life is a bit of a mess after being kicked off the Australian track and field team. And now her brother has gone missing and nobody seems to be looking for him. She spends all her time trying to find him and then she gets a strong lead, only to be captured herself and locked up with him. Their captor gives her the chance to leave, but only after killing Callum, her brother. What would you do? She discovers that maybe she doesn't know him as well as she thought she did.
Thanks to Allen and Unwin for my advanced copy of this book to read. First released as an Audible Original, the paperback is released November 30th in Australia.
Elise Glyk's life is a bit of a mess after being kicked off the Australian track and field team. And now her brother has gone missing and nobody seems to be looking for him. She spends all her time trying to find him and then she gets a strong lead, only to be captured herself and locked up with him. Their captor gives her the chance to leave, but only after killing Callum, her brother. What would you do? She discovers that maybe she doesn't know him as well as she thought she did.
Thanks to Allen and Unwin for my advanced copy of this book to read. First released as an Audible Original, the paperback is released November 30th in Australia.
November 30, 2021
What an incredible book I just read. Loved it.
What I loved about the book -
This was the perfect thriller for me. It kept me on my toes and turning the pages.
The twists started from the very first page.
What an ending - say no more.
I have discovered a new author.
So many things in this book that you dont expect.
The title grabbed me from the get go.
Writing was exceptional , so many things going on even with Elise's character.
Highly recommend.
What I loved about the book -
This was the perfect thriller for me. It kept me on my toes and turning the pages.
The twists started from the very first page.
What an ending - say no more.
I have discovered a new author.
So many things in this book that you dont expect.
The title grabbed me from the get go.
Writing was exceptional , so many things going on even with Elise's character.
Highly recommend.
August 6, 2024
Audio - 3.75
Story - 4.5
Story - 4.5
May 20, 2022
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Kill Your Brother by Jack Heath. (2021).
After months of searching, disgraced athlete Elise has finally found her missing brother Callum. He's being held in a backyard prison by Stephanie. Before she can help him, Elise is captured and locked up with him. Stephanie doesn't have room for two prisoners and she has nothing against Elise. To make sure Elise can't go to the police, she offers her a deal: kill Callum, and Elise can go. Of course, Elise won't even consider the deal. But she's running out of time to find another way out. And her brother may not have told her the whole truth...
This author has written many books and is quite popular; this is my first experience of his work however it won't be the last. I was drawn in from the very beginning and was racing through the pages to find out what was going to happen to Elise and Callum. Just to ramp up the tension, it is quickly clear that for some reason almost everyone in the town looks down on Elise, the reason for which is explained over the course of the book. The storyline was dark with quite a few twists, and with Elise coming to the realisation that her brother might not be the person she thought he was...
Overall: highly recommend this thriller for anyone who enjoys a great suspense read.
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
Kill Your Brother by Jack Heath. (2021).
After months of searching, disgraced athlete Elise has finally found her missing brother Callum. He's being held in a backyard prison by Stephanie. Before she can help him, Elise is captured and locked up with him. Stephanie doesn't have room for two prisoners and she has nothing against Elise. To make sure Elise can't go to the police, she offers her a deal: kill Callum, and Elise can go. Of course, Elise won't even consider the deal. But she's running out of time to find another way out. And her brother may not have told her the whole truth...
This author has written many books and is quite popular; this is my first experience of his work however it won't be the last. I was drawn in from the very beginning and was racing through the pages to find out what was going to happen to Elise and Callum. Just to ramp up the tension, it is quickly clear that for some reason almost everyone in the town looks down on Elise, the reason for which is explained over the course of the book. The storyline was dark with quite a few twists, and with Elise coming to the realisation that her brother might not be the person she thought he was...
Overall: highly recommend this thriller for anyone who enjoys a great suspense read.
December 18, 2021
Kill Your Brother is the fourth adult novel by Australian author, Jack Heath. Elise Glyk’s brother, Callum is missing, and she fears that he may have been murdered. But the circumstances surrounding his disappearance mean that police are unconcerned for his welfare, and her own alarm is discounted due to her shameful status: no one is listening to Elise Glyk.
But Callum has always had her back, even when the rest of the town has ostracised her, so she’s not giving up. Posing as a PI, she finds, while retracing his last known movements, she has a rather inept tail. Taking advantage of her one sympathetic source, she tracks down that tail and is shocked to discover Callum held captive. But now she, too, is captive. And the (clearly crazy) woman who has inexplicably kidnapped her brother has given her an ultimatum: she can go free if she kills Callum.
But kill her brother? She couldn’t possibly!
Senior Constable Kiara Lui has rather regretfully ended her relationship with Elise Glyk, not because of the disgrace she brought upon the town of Warrigal during her athletic career, but because of a certain betrayal of trust. But while following up a new lead in the recent disappearance of a teenaged boy, she finds a link to the woman who was following Elise, and questions begin to surround the suicide of a fifteen-year-old girl months earlier.
Heath uses multiple narrators to tell a tale that is cleverly plotted with clues and red herrings to keep the reader guessing right up to the nail-biting climax. The reader will wonder about the reliability of some of that narrative, but even as the story ventures into very dark territory, there is some (quite black) humour to relieve the tension, and when the ugly truth becomes apparent, it’s a jaw-dropping moment.
Heath’s characters are believable for all their flaws and failings, and he captures the feel of the NSW country town with consummate ease. The story also touches on the pressures under which athletes must perform and the trauma of suicide for those left behind.
Readers of Heath’s Timothy Blake series know they will be in for a wild ride, and some aspects of the story will require them to momentarily don their disbelief suspenders, but the best advice is to just go with the flow for an action-packed dose of Aussie intrigue.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Allen & Unwin.
But Callum has always had her back, even when the rest of the town has ostracised her, so she’s not giving up. Posing as a PI, she finds, while retracing his last known movements, she has a rather inept tail. Taking advantage of her one sympathetic source, she tracks down that tail and is shocked to discover Callum held captive. But now she, too, is captive. And the (clearly crazy) woman who has inexplicably kidnapped her brother has given her an ultimatum: she can go free if she kills Callum.
But kill her brother? She couldn’t possibly!
Senior Constable Kiara Lui has rather regretfully ended her relationship with Elise Glyk, not because of the disgrace she brought upon the town of Warrigal during her athletic career, but because of a certain betrayal of trust. But while following up a new lead in the recent disappearance of a teenaged boy, she finds a link to the woman who was following Elise, and questions begin to surround the suicide of a fifteen-year-old girl months earlier.
Heath uses multiple narrators to tell a tale that is cleverly plotted with clues and red herrings to keep the reader guessing right up to the nail-biting climax. The reader will wonder about the reliability of some of that narrative, but even as the story ventures into very dark territory, there is some (quite black) humour to relieve the tension, and when the ugly truth becomes apparent, it’s a jaw-dropping moment.
Heath’s characters are believable for all their flaws and failings, and he captures the feel of the NSW country town with consummate ease. The story also touches on the pressures under which athletes must perform and the trauma of suicide for those left behind.
Readers of Heath’s Timothy Blake series know they will be in for a wild ride, and some aspects of the story will require them to momentarily don their disbelief suspenders, but the best advice is to just go with the flow for an action-packed dose of Aussie intrigue.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Allen & Unwin.
January 28, 2022
This book has been an Audible freebie for a while but I was lucky enough to receive the newly released paperback version from the publisher which, apparently, has some scenes added. Whichever way you decide to read this book, I’d recommend you do.
Elise Glyk once represented Australia in hurdling at the Commonwealth Games before she managed to screw things up to such an extent that most of her friends, and the Australian public in general, treat her like a leper. Therefore, when her brother, Callum, goes missing, no one seems to believe her that foul play is involved and that he isn’t just a drug dealer who has done a runner. Deciding to do her own investigation, Elise does learn Callum has indeed been kidnapped but unfortunately she ends up held captive alongside him. Her kidnapper does offer her a way out though - Elise can go free if she agrees to kill her brother.
I loved Elise. She was tough and resourceful and most of the scenes explaining her fall from grace were really sad. Her issues which have caused her so much heartache too, I must add, were a little more unique than the usual book backstory. Most of the supporting characters weren’t as appealing but I did like Elise’s ex-girlfriend, Kiara. Kiara is [conveniently, I guess] a police officer and, along with the tension I felt for Elise and Callum’s fate, I fretted Kiara would get tangled up in the kidnapper’s trap somewhere along the line.
The plot had a lot of twists and turns, some more obvious than others, but all entertaining. I think that’s the best way to describe this book actually - pure entertainment. I flew through it in a couple of days and enjoyed it immensely. 4 ⅕ out of 5
*Thanks to Allen and Unwin for my copy
Elise Glyk once represented Australia in hurdling at the Commonwealth Games before she managed to screw things up to such an extent that most of her friends, and the Australian public in general, treat her like a leper. Therefore, when her brother, Callum, goes missing, no one seems to believe her that foul play is involved and that he isn’t just a drug dealer who has done a runner. Deciding to do her own investigation, Elise does learn Callum has indeed been kidnapped but unfortunately she ends up held captive alongside him. Her kidnapper does offer her a way out though - Elise can go free if she agrees to kill her brother.
I loved Elise. She was tough and resourceful and most of the scenes explaining her fall from grace were really sad. Her issues which have caused her so much heartache too, I must add, were a little more unique than the usual book backstory. Most of the supporting characters weren’t as appealing but I did like Elise’s ex-girlfriend, Kiara. Kiara is [conveniently, I guess] a police officer and, along with the tension I felt for Elise and Callum’s fate, I fretted Kiara would get tangled up in the kidnapper’s trap somewhere along the line.
The plot had a lot of twists and turns, some more obvious than others, but all entertaining. I think that’s the best way to describe this book actually - pure entertainment. I flew through it in a couple of days and enjoyed it immensely. 4 ⅕ out of 5
*Thanks to Allen and Unwin for my copy
October 22, 2022
Oh my goodness this is one book you really won’t be able to put down. This is the second book I’ve read by this author and I must say once again, he had me on the edge of my seat and at times holding my breath.
If you enjoy reading suspense, crime, mystery or thrillers then this book is a must for you. Aussie author Jack Heath certainly knows how to keep his readers entertained and I’ll be reading more of his books in the future. With thanks to Allen & Unwin for my uncorrected arc copy to read and review. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
If you enjoy reading suspense, crime, mystery or thrillers then this book is a must for you. Aussie author Jack Heath certainly knows how to keep his readers entertained and I’ll be reading more of his books in the future. With thanks to Allen & Unwin for my uncorrected arc copy to read and review. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
December 13, 2021
Everyone in Warrigal despises disgraced elite athlete Elise Glyk. She’s lost her job as a paramedic, her father is hostile, her car has been keyed, house window smashed, and a trespasser has left a gruesome deposit in her fridge. Her cop ex-girlfriend, Kiara Lui is reluctant to have anything to do with her. The only ally she has is her brother Callum, a charming PE teacher at the local school – who has been missing for weeks. Drugs found at his home suggest to all but his sister that he has done a runner to escape prosecution.
Changing her appearance and assuming the fake identity of Tina Thatcher PI, Elise is on the hunt to follow clues but it becomes apparent that the middle-aged woman driver of a Holden Barina seems to be following her. Despite being busy investigating a missing adolescent and a teenage suicide Kiara lets slip the driver’s surname, and Elise manages to track the woman down. Stephanie Hartnell’s remote NSW property has an air of neglect, no livestock, but suspiciously contains rifles, tranquiliser darts and a padlocked septic tank. While snooping Elise is captured, but Stephanie is caring and mothering while ministering the wounds from the cattle prod used to overpower her. Then the bombshell choice is dropped, a deal that is untenable. Especially so when she learns who she is required to kill.
Dumped in the septic tank with the prisoner, who has been systematically tortured to elicit his confession, Elise is determined to forestall the stipulated outcome. But Elise finds that Stephanie and Callum’s version of events differ. Trapped in the dark, she has nowhere to run from the mounting evidence, and pity turns to disdain. Has her big brother always looked out for her, or for himself?
‘Kill Your Brother’ is a pacy thriller with tight characterisation and suspenseful plot but it’s most artful twist propels it into a Must Read. Well done Jack Heath!
Thanks to Allen & Unwin for an advanced reading copy
Changing her appearance and assuming the fake identity of Tina Thatcher PI, Elise is on the hunt to follow clues but it becomes apparent that the middle-aged woman driver of a Holden Barina seems to be following her. Despite being busy investigating a missing adolescent and a teenage suicide Kiara lets slip the driver’s surname, and Elise manages to track the woman down. Stephanie Hartnell’s remote NSW property has an air of neglect, no livestock, but suspiciously contains rifles, tranquiliser darts and a padlocked septic tank. While snooping Elise is captured, but Stephanie is caring and mothering while ministering the wounds from the cattle prod used to overpower her. Then the bombshell choice is dropped, a deal that is untenable. Especially so when she learns who she is required to kill.
Dumped in the septic tank with the prisoner, who has been systematically tortured to elicit his confession, Elise is determined to forestall the stipulated outcome. But Elise finds that Stephanie and Callum’s version of events differ. Trapped in the dark, she has nowhere to run from the mounting evidence, and pity turns to disdain. Has her big brother always looked out for her, or for himself?
‘Kill Your Brother’ is a pacy thriller with tight characterisation and suspenseful plot but it’s most artful twist propels it into a Must Read. Well done Jack Heath!
Thanks to Allen & Unwin for an advanced reading copy
December 20, 2021
A twisted tale of revenge and redemption, Kill Your Brother is a thrilling novel from Jack Heath.
When Elise Glyk’s brother, Callum, disappears, no one will believe her, a proven liar and cheat, when she tells them something is very wrong. As days turns into weeks, Elise refuses to give up, changing her appearance and masquerading as a private investigator in the hopes that people will answer her questions if they don’t recognise her. It’s while tracing an unusual purchase of her brother’s that Elise realises she is being followed, and tracks the stalker to an isolated farmhouse, where she finds Callum being held in an underground tank. Before she can raise the alarm she finds herself a captive too, but Stephanie Hartnell is willing to give Elise her freedom, as long she agrees to kill her brother.
This edition of Kill Your Brother is a novel length expansion of an Audible original novella of the same name, but there doesn’t seem to be any padding. The story is well-written with a tight, cleverly crafted plot and developed characterisation.
Heath is skilled at turning the tables on his characters, and by extension the reader, with twists that surprise and shock. There is a lot of convincing, well paced tension as Elise tries to understand why Stephanie, a seemingly ordinary women in her late 40’s, has tortured her brother for weeks, and now wants him dead. Callum claims to be baffled by the woman’s vendetta, and Elise has no reason not to trust the only person who has been on her side through scandal and scorn. As long as Stephanie thinks Elise is just a PI, Elise hopes she can convince her to let them both go. When that fails, there are some gripping action scenes as Elise and Callum fight to save themselves from a determined assailant.
Provocative, entertaining and exciting, Kill Your Brother is a great read.
When Elise Glyk’s brother, Callum, disappears, no one will believe her, a proven liar and cheat, when she tells them something is very wrong. As days turns into weeks, Elise refuses to give up, changing her appearance and masquerading as a private investigator in the hopes that people will answer her questions if they don’t recognise her. It’s while tracing an unusual purchase of her brother’s that Elise realises she is being followed, and tracks the stalker to an isolated farmhouse, where she finds Callum being held in an underground tank. Before she can raise the alarm she finds herself a captive too, but Stephanie Hartnell is willing to give Elise her freedom, as long she agrees to kill her brother.
This edition of Kill Your Brother is a novel length expansion of an Audible original novella of the same name, but there doesn’t seem to be any padding. The story is well-written with a tight, cleverly crafted plot and developed characterisation.
Heath is skilled at turning the tables on his characters, and by extension the reader, with twists that surprise and shock. There is a lot of convincing, well paced tension as Elise tries to understand why Stephanie, a seemingly ordinary women in her late 40’s, has tortured her brother for weeks, and now wants him dead. Callum claims to be baffled by the woman’s vendetta, and Elise has no reason not to trust the only person who has been on her side through scandal and scorn. As long as Stephanie thinks Elise is just a PI, Elise hopes she can convince her to let them both go. When that fails, there are some gripping action scenes as Elise and Callum fight to save themselves from a determined assailant.
Provocative, entertaining and exciting, Kill Your Brother is a great read.
January 4, 2022
Disgraced athlete Elise Glyk finds more than she bargains for when trying to locate her missing bother Callum by posing as a private investigator in Jack Heath's latest crime thriller, Kill Your Brother.
You know from the title going in that Elise is going to have to confront her loyalties head on at some point, but knowing this doesn't detract from the tension and the action that builds and explodes on the page. The reader also knows from the blurb that Elise is going to be caught by Callum's captor and imprisoned alongside him, but in no way is this a spoiler. Trust me, you won't be able to predict what happens next.
Having loved Heath's Timothy Blake series (Hangman, Hunter and Hideout), I'm pleased to report that the author is just as skilled at writing kick-ass female characters as he is penning kick-ass male ones. Elise is a brilliant and resourceful protagonist with a refreshing and unique background and I was rooting for her all the way.
The sibling dynamic between Elise and Callum was layered and entertaining and the setting in Warrigul in Victoria was a refreshing surprise and a stroke of genius from this Canberra based author.
Kill Your Brother is the latest high octane crime thriller from Jack Heath and it's a ripper of a stand alone novel. Highly recommended! (You can find a link to a free excerpt of the first 24 pages of the book on my blog).
* Copy courtesy of Allen & Unwin *
You know from the title going in that Elise is going to have to confront her loyalties head on at some point, but knowing this doesn't detract from the tension and the action that builds and explodes on the page. The reader also knows from the blurb that Elise is going to be caught by Callum's captor and imprisoned alongside him, but in no way is this a spoiler. Trust me, you won't be able to predict what happens next.
Having loved Heath's Timothy Blake series (Hangman, Hunter and Hideout), I'm pleased to report that the author is just as skilled at writing kick-ass female characters as he is penning kick-ass male ones. Elise is a brilliant and resourceful protagonist with a refreshing and unique background and I was rooting for her all the way.
The sibling dynamic between Elise and Callum was layered and entertaining and the setting in Warrigul in Victoria was a refreshing surprise and a stroke of genius from this Canberra based author.
Kill Your Brother is the latest high octane crime thriller from Jack Heath and it's a ripper of a stand alone novel. Highly recommended! (You can find a link to a free excerpt of the first 24 pages of the book on my blog).
* Copy courtesy of Allen & Unwin *
May 10, 2022
I have never read a Jack Heath novel before, and I am extremely grateful to have received this unedited advanced copy from Allen & Unwin. Kill Your Brother, is a well written suspenseful thriller. Entertaining and and on the edge of your seat excitement from the very first page.
The first chapter sets the scene for the remainder of the book. Elise is injured and hurt, and has somebody tending to her wounds and bandaging her. It turns out this person is Elise's captive, and the captive has also captured Elise's brother Callum whom Elise has been searching for. Elise is soon given an ultimatum, her capturer will let her go free, on one condition, Elise must kill her brother.
Jack Heath captures our attention from the very first chapter with this shocking dilemma.
The reader then goes on to read and discover more about who is Elise and what her relationship is with her brother Callum.
Elise is disliked in her home town, she is threatened continuously, she has had food thrown at her, poo put in her letterbox, her house broken into and she is being followed. Elise reports it to the police, but she feels the police are sick of her phone calls and no longer will investigate the threats until Elise herself is dead.
Elise's brother Callum, a local school teacher, goes missing and the police don't have any leads. Elise decides to take matters into her own hands and track down her missing brother herself by posing as a private detective.
Things turn ugly for Elise when she also becomes captured with her brother. Nobody, will be looking for Elise, as the town and everyone she knows turns against her years ago.
Will Elise and Callum, come up with a plan to escape, or will Elise have to kill her brother?
Many thanks to Allen & Unwin Publishers for my advanced unedited copy, released November 2021 - I rate this book 4 Stars, it is engaging from beginning to the end.
Please visit my blog and follow to see all of my past and future book reviews.
https://www.facebook.com/Kylies-Book-...
The first chapter sets the scene for the remainder of the book. Elise is injured and hurt, and has somebody tending to her wounds and bandaging her. It turns out this person is Elise's captive, and the captive has also captured Elise's brother Callum whom Elise has been searching for. Elise is soon given an ultimatum, her capturer will let her go free, on one condition, Elise must kill her brother.
Jack Heath captures our attention from the very first chapter with this shocking dilemma.
The reader then goes on to read and discover more about who is Elise and what her relationship is with her brother Callum.
Elise is disliked in her home town, she is threatened continuously, she has had food thrown at her, poo put in her letterbox, her house broken into and she is being followed. Elise reports it to the police, but she feels the police are sick of her phone calls and no longer will investigate the threats until Elise herself is dead.
Elise's brother Callum, a local school teacher, goes missing and the police don't have any leads. Elise decides to take matters into her own hands and track down her missing brother herself by posing as a private detective.
Things turn ugly for Elise when she also becomes captured with her brother. Nobody, will be looking for Elise, as the town and everyone she knows turns against her years ago.
Will Elise and Callum, come up with a plan to escape, or will Elise have to kill her brother?
Many thanks to Allen & Unwin Publishers for my advanced unedited copy, released November 2021 - I rate this book 4 Stars, it is engaging from beginning to the end.
Please visit my blog and follow to see all of my past and future book reviews.
https://www.facebook.com/Kylies-Book-...
February 15, 2022
4 1/2 stars. At first I was disappointed that this wasn't one of the Timothy Blake series, but that quickly subsided. Interesting moral concepts were raised in this book, and I really enjoyed the characters and their respective stories
August 4, 2021
Jack Heath has conjured a compulsive thriller about disgraced ex-athlete Elise, who's kept searching for her missing brother, a schoolteacher in small-town Australia, even as the police and others presume he's fled after drugs were found in his house. Grasping for even the smallest of leads, Elise stumbles into something incredibly dark, which puts her life and others at risk.
Heath does an excellent job drawing listeners in with a tense, intriguing storyline that turns on itself several times. Hannah Monson does a great job with the narration, creating a smooth flow to match the unfolding storyline. I was transported into the story and taken for a great ride, and found myself devouring the whole thing in a day, unable to stop listening. Recommended.
Heath does an excellent job drawing listeners in with a tense, intriguing storyline that turns on itself several times. Hannah Monson does a great job with the narration, creating a smooth flow to match the unfolding storyline. I was transported into the story and taken for a great ride, and found myself devouring the whole thing in a day, unable to stop listening. Recommended.
February 7, 2022
A little far-fetched but a good thriller.
December 31, 2021
Oh man, what a tale! "Kill your Brother" is a fabulous knife-edged thriller from Jack Heath. So much to uncover, so much to unearth, so much buried that is discovered in this tale.
You are taken very quickly into the thick of it all: Elise is looking for her brother, Callum; he is being held by someone seeking retribution; when Elise is captured and thrown into the same septic tank as her brother, she is given an ultimatum- to go free, kill your brother. Lots of insights are revealed along the way about Elise's and Callum's family life. It all seems a bit strange to get to know Elise so well, when Callum is the captive.
We also learn about Stephanie and why she is so determined, so headstrong and doesn't seem too shy about violence and murder. Jack Heath spares no time or detail in maintaining the momentum of this story, and it's hard not to be hooked into the pace. But this book is not only about grisly and gruesome murder and violence and hatred and revenge. It is about the Glyk family. Sacrifice. Second-best. Belonging. The mis-read connections between family, and blind expectations of them. And that’s reflected in the wider relationships here, not just the siblings and their family. There's even a connection between Elise and the police officer who is begrudgingly helping her. Does Elise really know Callum as well as she thinks she does? Are these the very vulnerable moments in time that seem to stand still and bring everything that had happened into question ... as well as deciding how to get to the bottom of why your brother has a death sentence upon him. Loved it!
Thanks Allen and Unwin for the gifted copy.
You are taken very quickly into the thick of it all: Elise is looking for her brother, Callum; he is being held by someone seeking retribution; when Elise is captured and thrown into the same septic tank as her brother, she is given an ultimatum- to go free, kill your brother. Lots of insights are revealed along the way about Elise's and Callum's family life. It all seems a bit strange to get to know Elise so well, when Callum is the captive.
We also learn about Stephanie and why she is so determined, so headstrong and doesn't seem too shy about violence and murder. Jack Heath spares no time or detail in maintaining the momentum of this story, and it's hard not to be hooked into the pace. But this book is not only about grisly and gruesome murder and violence and hatred and revenge. It is about the Glyk family. Sacrifice. Second-best. Belonging. The mis-read connections between family, and blind expectations of them. And that’s reflected in the wider relationships here, not just the siblings and their family. There's even a connection between Elise and the police officer who is begrudgingly helping her. Does Elise really know Callum as well as she thinks she does? Are these the very vulnerable moments in time that seem to stand still and bring everything that had happened into question ... as well as deciding how to get to the bottom of why your brother has a death sentence upon him. Loved it!
Thanks Allen and Unwin for the gifted copy.
September 3, 2021
From the intended shock value in the title I was not expecting much to come out of this story, but I was pleasantly mistaken. There were moments during this where we follow a police officer on investigation and I briefly wished there was more of the police procedural format but in hindsight it wouldn't have served the story quite as well.
Along the way we find out the major discoveries ahead of the characters which gives some time to watch and process their reactions, separately to our own and I liked that technique. The story is written very well.
I often comment about whether or not I can believe the emotions that characters experience, but unlike many other readers I rarely share the characters' feelings. In this case I easily took on some of the rage and most people probably would. But on top of that I actually got a little bit bubbly when Kiara was frantically searching for a pulse on her lover's body, which was a bit of a surprise since that relationship was not super central to the story.
The narration by Hannah Monson was absolutely excellent! I suspect that Audible is purposely giving me audiobooks from Australian authors because this is at least the third book I've read based in an Australian town. Warragul is a town I've driven through many more times than visited. With a bit of artistic license, the author may have made Warragul seem like a smaller town than it is and although it's likely that it has reached 45°C in some summers, it's not as regular there as Heath implied.
Along the way we find out the major discoveries ahead of the characters which gives some time to watch and process their reactions, separately to our own and I liked that technique. The story is written very well.
I often comment about whether or not I can believe the emotions that characters experience, but unlike many other readers I rarely share the characters' feelings. In this case I easily took on some of the rage and most people probably would. But on top of that I actually got a little bit bubbly when Kiara was frantically searching for a pulse on her lover's body, which was a bit of a surprise since that relationship was not super central to the story.
The narration by Hannah Monson was absolutely excellent! I suspect that Audible is purposely giving me audiobooks from Australian authors because this is at least the third book I've read based in an Australian town. Warragul is a town I've driven through many more times than visited. With a bit of artistic license, the author may have made Warragul seem like a smaller town than it is and although it's likely that it has reached 45°C in some summers, it's not as regular there as Heath implied.
November 30, 2021
I was a bit nervous going into Kill Your Brother by Jack Heath as we're told the premise: it's a bit of a kill or be killed kinda scenario and I had flashbacks to Eeny Meeny by MJ Arlidge, a novel in which couples or pairs are captured and have to do just that.
But Heath goes further here. Thankfully it isn't just a gladiator-style fight to the death, but far more complex - both in terms of our characters (brother and sister - Elise and Callum, and their captor Stephanie) and the depth of their backstories and personalities as well as the events unfolding in the present.
I appreciated that Heath dives right into the action and we don't spend a lot of time getting to the pointy bit so there's no question of a lagging plot. The pace is set from the book's opening and readers are engaged from the start.
Although we realise we're yet to learn more about Elise and why the former Olympic hopeful has become a (national) pariah, everything else seems straight-forward; Callum's been kidnapped by someone hellbent on retribution and who seemingly isn't shy about killing.
But slowly things change and therein lies the strength of Heath's work.
It's not just about the 'action' rather there's a deeper insight - into the assumptions we make about those we love. How well we think we know them and the expectations we have of them. And that's reflected in most of the relationships here, not just the siblings and their family.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
But Heath goes further here. Thankfully it isn't just a gladiator-style fight to the death, but far more complex - both in terms of our characters (brother and sister - Elise and Callum, and their captor Stephanie) and the depth of their backstories and personalities as well as the events unfolding in the present.
I appreciated that Heath dives right into the action and we don't spend a lot of time getting to the pointy bit so there's no question of a lagging plot. The pace is set from the book's opening and readers are engaged from the start.
Although we realise we're yet to learn more about Elise and why the former Olympic hopeful has become a (national) pariah, everything else seems straight-forward; Callum's been kidnapped by someone hellbent on retribution and who seemingly isn't shy about killing.
But slowly things change and therein lies the strength of Heath's work.
It's not just about the 'action' rather there's a deeper insight - into the assumptions we make about those we love. How well we think we know them and the expectations we have of them. And that's reflected in most of the relationships here, not just the siblings and their family.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
September 23, 2025
Setting: New South Wales, Australia; modern day.
In the rural town of Warrigal, aspiring Olympic hurdler Elise Glyk is suffering the disapproval of the townspeople having been disqualified for breaching athletics rules by having blood transfusions in the run-up to the national trials race she won.
Now, her only supporter seems to be her brother Callum, a P.E. teacher at a local school. But Callum has gone missing and the police don't seem that bothered about finding him after discovering illegal drugs in his home.
So Elise decides to pursue her own enquiries, masquerading as a private investigator - and ends up joining him in captivity as their captor demands that Callum confess to his role in the death of her teenage daughter. Not knowing that Elise is actually Callum's sister, the woman encourages her to find out the truth from Callum. Elise is initially convinced of his innocence but, as time goes on, she becomes more suspicious of Callum....
This was a great psychological thriller with some shocking twists, turns and revelations as the story progresses - and a stunning conclusion! An excellent read from an author new to me - will certainly be looking for more from him - 9/10.
In the rural town of Warrigal, aspiring Olympic hurdler Elise Glyk is suffering the disapproval of the townspeople having been disqualified for breaching athletics rules by having blood transfusions in the run-up to the national trials race she won.
Now, her only supporter seems to be her brother Callum, a P.E. teacher at a local school. But Callum has gone missing and the police don't seem that bothered about finding him after discovering illegal drugs in his home.
So Elise decides to pursue her own enquiries, masquerading as a private investigator - and ends up joining him in captivity as their captor demands that Callum confess to his role in the death of her teenage daughter. Not knowing that Elise is actually Callum's sister, the woman encourages her to find out the truth from Callum. Elise is initially convinced of his innocence but, as time goes on, she becomes more suspicious of Callum....
This was a great psychological thriller with some shocking twists, turns and revelations as the story progresses - and a stunning conclusion! An excellent read from an author new to me - will certainly be looking for more from him - 9/10.
August 30, 2023
Dark, twisty and brilliant! So fast paced and tense that I was barely able to take a breath!
July 5, 2022
I think this is Jack Heath's best book yet. This story made me squeamish and uneasy and I loved the conclusion. Such a fantastic Aussie crime novel. Thanks to Allen & Unwin for my ACR.
February 15, 2024
Having read Kill Your Brother for a second time - this time in the form of my very own *insert dreamy face and happy sigh here*…personally-signed-by-Jack extended paperback copy - my previous review still applies, but I will also add that the expansion of the story did help, and I’d forgotten how dark and twisted the story got at times. Timothy Blake is still the loveable psycho we all feel bad for rooting for, but this book still holds its own… Now I can FINALLY read the long-awaited sequel! Once again, well done, JH!
*audiobook*
As a massive Jack Heath fanboy suffering from excruciating Timothy Blake withdrawals (#4 can't come soon enough!), I just had to try out his latest offering.
Although perhaps slightly (IMO) less bonkers than his TB books - make of that what you will - Kill Your Brother still had plenty of dark themes, twists, etc. While not as darkly funny as his best work, it was still a thrilling ride, and had some unexpectedly tense, emotional and chilling moments - the title alone is a hint at some of the difficult decisions faced by the characters.
My main complaint about this book was that unlike Timothy Blake, I found it a little harder to connect with the characters, likeable or otherwise. To be fair, a lot of effort was obviously invested in writing them in ways that served the story well - I just didn't find them as enjoy able to "be with" as those in Hangman. The most enjoyable character for me, came a little late to the show, and left too soon... *cough* cool codename *cough* ...
Hannah Monson did a decent job as narrator. She was easy to listen to, and portrayed various characters well with subtle shifts in tone. If anything, I would say she could have been *less* subtle. But overall, a good fit for the story.
Overall, a predictably fantastic and engaging effort from one of, if not my favourite Australian authors... Can't wait for more JH one-off stories, while I wait for my Timothy Blake fix!!
*audiobook*
As a massive Jack Heath fanboy suffering from excruciating Timothy Blake withdrawals (#4 can't come soon enough!), I just had to try out his latest offering.
Although perhaps slightly (IMO) less bonkers than his TB books - make of that what you will - Kill Your Brother still had plenty of dark themes, twists, etc. While not as darkly funny as his best work, it was still a thrilling ride, and had some unexpectedly tense, emotional and chilling moments - the title alone is a hint at some of the difficult decisions faced by the characters.
My main complaint about this book was that unlike Timothy Blake, I found it a little harder to connect with the characters, likeable or otherwise. To be fair, a lot of effort was obviously invested in writing them in ways that served the story well - I just didn't find them as enjoy able to "be with" as those in Hangman. The most enjoyable character for me, came a little late to the show, and left too soon... *cough* cool codename *cough* ...
Hannah Monson did a decent job as narrator. She was easy to listen to, and portrayed various characters well with subtle shifts in tone. If anything, I would say she could have been *less* subtle. But overall, a good fit for the story.
Overall, a predictably fantastic and engaging effort from one of, if not my favourite Australian authors... Can't wait for more JH one-off stories, while I wait for my Timothy Blake fix!!
January 3, 2022
"I promise I'll set you free. All you have to do is kill him"
If the title of this book alone doesn't get your blood pumping, are you actually alive?
Jack Heath is an Australian author of over 30 books, with this being the first I've read.
Kill Your Brother is set in fictional Warrigal, a small town on the outskirts of Canberra.
Brother & Sister, Elise and Callum Glyk and new to town Stephanie Hartnell are the three characters that will have you keep turning those pages.
Elise Glyk, is a disgraced elite athlete who won't give up looking for her brother Callum who can't do any wrong in her eyes, but does she really know him?
Callum Glyk, a local PE teacher disappeared without a trace, but is that all he was?
Stephanie Hartnell, has a beef with Callum, or is it mistaken identity?
Kill Your Brother has more twists and turns then the Corkscrew at Seaworld. If you like to read by the seat of your pants, not knowing what's around the bend then you will love this.
***Highlight - that moment when the penny dropped 👏👏👏
Most books have you questioning or reasoning with decisions or actions taken by the characters but nothing like this moral dilemma.
Would you kill your brother to save your own life?
First read for 2022 and the bar has been set extremely high.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
1 of 52 #2021goodreadschallenge
Thank you to @jackheathwriter @killyourbrotherbook and @allenandunwin for this gifted copy!
If the title of this book alone doesn't get your blood pumping, are you actually alive?
Jack Heath is an Australian author of over 30 books, with this being the first I've read.
Kill Your Brother is set in fictional Warrigal, a small town on the outskirts of Canberra.
Brother & Sister, Elise and Callum Glyk and new to town Stephanie Hartnell are the three characters that will have you keep turning those pages.
Elise Glyk, is a disgraced elite athlete who won't give up looking for her brother Callum who can't do any wrong in her eyes, but does she really know him?
Callum Glyk, a local PE teacher disappeared without a trace, but is that all he was?
Stephanie Hartnell, has a beef with Callum, or is it mistaken identity?
Kill Your Brother has more twists and turns then the Corkscrew at Seaworld. If you like to read by the seat of your pants, not knowing what's around the bend then you will love this.
***Highlight - that moment when the penny dropped 👏👏👏
Most books have you questioning or reasoning with decisions or actions taken by the characters but nothing like this moral dilemma.
Would you kill your brother to save your own life?
First read for 2022 and the bar has been set extremely high.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
1 of 52 #2021goodreadschallenge
Thank you to @jackheathwriter @killyourbrotherbook and @allenandunwin for this gifted copy!
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