What do you think?
Rate this book
Judi Westerholme #3
Mad, Bad and Dead (3)
A dead employee. A missing child. Anonymous phone calls in the dead of night. Judi Westerholme's troubles aren't over... Already struggling to juggle co-running Candlebark's pub/bistro along with her new childcare responsibilities, what Judi doesn't need right now is more stress. Yet, as usual, it arrives in she starts receiving threatening, late night phone calls before discovering one of her best employees, Kate, shot dead in her bed. Once again, Judi finds herself at the center of a murder investigation, as well as the hunt for the Kate's fourteen year-old daughter who has been missing since the murder. Add in the uncertainty of her relationship with D.S. Heath and the fact that her estranged mother's nursing home keeps calling to urge her to visit, and Judi might finally be at breaking point.
320 pages, Paperback
First published August 2, 2022
8 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Sherryl Clark
75 books95 followersSome of my first short stories were crime fiction, and although in the last 20 years I have focused a lot more on writing children's and YA books, I've kept going with my crime writing. The first two novels are now stowed somewhere in the back of my filing cabinet!
But "Trust Me, I'm Dead", first draft written in 2009, was shortlisted for the CWA Debut Dagger and then published by Verve Books in the UK. What a journey with that novel. I love the character, a grumpy woman (secretly modelled on a young Judi Dench), and couldn't let go of the story. Nine drafts later ...
There are two more Judi novels ("Dead and Gone" and "Mad, Bad and Dead") - but my brand new character is PI Lou Alcott, with "Woman, Missing" published in 2024 by HQ/Harlequin.
More about my crime writing and books at www.sherrylclarkcrimewriter.com
I have been writing poems and stories for over twenty-five years, and have two collections of poetry published. Perseverance really does count, I think, for all kinds of writing.
In 1996 I wrote my first children’s book, "The Too-Tight Tutu", which was published in 1997 by Penguin Australia. I have since written over 60 children's and YA books, which are published around the world.
My verse novel "Farm Kid" won the 2005 NSW Premier’s Literary Award for Children’s Books. "Sixth Grade Style Queen (Not!)" was a 2008 CBCA Honour Book. My YA novel "Dying to Tell Me", published in the USA by KaneMiller, has also been published in Australia by me.
My author website for children's books is at www.sherrylclark.com. I also work as a freelance editor, manuscript development editor and mentor - information on these at www.sherrylclarkwritingcoach.com.
But "Trust Me, I'm Dead", first draft written in 2009, was shortlisted for the CWA Debut Dagger and then published by Verve Books in the UK. What a journey with that novel. I love the character, a grumpy woman (secretly modelled on a young Judi Dench), and couldn't let go of the story. Nine drafts later ...
There are two more Judi novels ("Dead and Gone" and "Mad, Bad and Dead") - but my brand new character is PI Lou Alcott, with "Woman, Missing" published in 2024 by HQ/Harlequin.
More about my crime writing and books at www.sherrylclarkcrimewriter.com
I have been writing poems and stories for over twenty-five years, and have two collections of poetry published. Perseverance really does count, I think, for all kinds of writing.
In 1996 I wrote my first children’s book, "The Too-Tight Tutu", which was published in 1997 by Penguin Australia. I have since written over 60 children's and YA books, which are published around the world.
My verse novel "Farm Kid" won the 2005 NSW Premier’s Literary Award for Children’s Books. "Sixth Grade Style Queen (Not!)" was a 2008 CBCA Honour Book. My YA novel "Dying to Tell Me", published in the USA by KaneMiller, has also been published in Australia by me.
My author website for children's books is at www.sherrylclark.com. I also work as a freelance editor, manuscript development editor and mentor - information on these at www.sherrylclarkwritingcoach.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
September 3, 2022
EXCERPT: .... it was the phone. The landline phone which hardly ever rang these days. Nobody had the number other than Connor. Something must be wrong. I leapt out of bed, caught my foot in the sheet and half-staggered across the bedroom, making a grab for the chest of drawers at the last moment. Shit. One more centimetre and I would have brained myself on it.
The phone was still ringing. I lurched out into the lounge room, heading for the noisy damn thing, praying it wouldn't wake Mia.
'Waahhhh! Juddy.'
Too late. I snatched up the receiver. 'Yes!' Poor Connor. As the local cop, he'd probably get more polite answers to his calls. Still, he was used to me. We'd been mates long enough.
Silence for a couple of long seconds.
I took a breath. 'Connor? Hello?'
'Fuck you, bitch. You're going to be sorry.'
Click. The receiver was a dead thing in my hand, so dead I flung it away from me like a smelly fish. Then I stared at it lying on the floor, looking all innocent and cream-coloured.
'Judd-eeeeee.' Mia sounded very cranky. What a great way to start the bloody day. A vicious, anonymous phone call and a grumpy three-year-old.
ABOUT 'MAD, BAD AND DEAD': Already struggling to juggle co-running Candlebark's pub/bistro along with her new childcare responsibilities, what Judi doesn't need right now is more stress. Yet, as usual, it arrives in spades: she starts receiving threatening, late night phone calls before discovering one of her best employees, Kate, shot dead in her bed.
Once again, Judi finds herself at the center of a murder investigation, as well as the hunt for Kate's fourteen year-old daughter who has been missing since the murder. Add in the uncertainty of her relationship with D.S. Heath and the fact that her estranged mother's nursing home keeps calling to urge her to visit, and Judi might finally be at breaking point.
MY THOUGHTS: Thanks Sherryl Clarke. I needed this. After a week of picking books up and putting them down, I picked up Mad, Bad and Dead and read it from start to finish in one sitting. Obviously what I needed was a good dose of Aussie 'tell it like it is'.
We all have bad days, but Judi seems to get more than her fair share. She's had a lot of changes in her life in the past year, most of them uninvited and unwanted. She's estranged from her mother, her brother's been killed and she has inherited custody of her niece, the publican she worked for was murdered, and she and three other employees inherited the pub. You could say Judi attracts trouble like an outdoor dunny attracts blowflies. And now this . . .
You may have gathered that there's a lot happened in the previous two books in the series, yet this still works well as a stand-alone. I haven't read either of the two previous books, but had no trouble picking up the story in this one.
Mad, Bad and Dead is a fast-paced story with plenty of action including a murdered employee, a missing fourteen year old girl, threatening phone calls, break-ins, arson, and - oh, yes - Judi's mother is on her death bed.
I liked Judi's character immensely. She's strong, resilient and resourceful, but she's not beyond unleashing her temper every now and then when things are getting on top of her, or drowning her sorrows in a bottle of wine. She does have a romantic interest in Heath, but long distance relationships are tricky to start with, and this one is made even trickier by the circumstances of this case.
I loved Sherryl Clarke's down to earth writing and humour. I'm going in search of the previous two books, and I'll be first in line for the next in this series.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.2
#MadBadandDead #NetGalley
I: @sherrylwriter @verve_books
T: #SherrylClarkeAuthor @VERVE_Books
#australianfiction #crime #murdermystery #mystery #smalltownfiction #thriller
THE AUTHOR: Some of my first short stories were crime fiction, and although in the last 20 years I have focused a lot more on writing children's and YA books, I've kept going with my crime writing. The first two novels are now stowed somewhere in the back of my filing cabinet!
I'm a teacher of creative writing at Victoria University TAFE. I have been writing poems and stories for over twenty-five years, and have two collections of poetry published. Perseverance really does count, I think, for all kinds of writing.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to VERVE Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Mad, Bad and Dead by Sherryl Clarke for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
The phone was still ringing. I lurched out into the lounge room, heading for the noisy damn thing, praying it wouldn't wake Mia.
'Waahhhh! Juddy.'
Too late. I snatched up the receiver. 'Yes!' Poor Connor. As the local cop, he'd probably get more polite answers to his calls. Still, he was used to me. We'd been mates long enough.
Silence for a couple of long seconds.
I took a breath. 'Connor? Hello?'
'Fuck you, bitch. You're going to be sorry.'
Click. The receiver was a dead thing in my hand, so dead I flung it away from me like a smelly fish. Then I stared at it lying on the floor, looking all innocent and cream-coloured.
'Judd-eeeeee.' Mia sounded very cranky. What a great way to start the bloody day. A vicious, anonymous phone call and a grumpy three-year-old.
ABOUT 'MAD, BAD AND DEAD': Already struggling to juggle co-running Candlebark's pub/bistro along with her new childcare responsibilities, what Judi doesn't need right now is more stress. Yet, as usual, it arrives in spades: she starts receiving threatening, late night phone calls before discovering one of her best employees, Kate, shot dead in her bed.
Once again, Judi finds herself at the center of a murder investigation, as well as the hunt for Kate's fourteen year-old daughter who has been missing since the murder. Add in the uncertainty of her relationship with D.S. Heath and the fact that her estranged mother's nursing home keeps calling to urge her to visit, and Judi might finally be at breaking point.
MY THOUGHTS: Thanks Sherryl Clarke. I needed this. After a week of picking books up and putting them down, I picked up Mad, Bad and Dead and read it from start to finish in one sitting. Obviously what I needed was a good dose of Aussie 'tell it like it is'.
We all have bad days, but Judi seems to get more than her fair share. She's had a lot of changes in her life in the past year, most of them uninvited and unwanted. She's estranged from her mother, her brother's been killed and she has inherited custody of her niece, the publican she worked for was murdered, and she and three other employees inherited the pub. You could say Judi attracts trouble like an outdoor dunny attracts blowflies. And now this . . .
You may have gathered that there's a lot happened in the previous two books in the series, yet this still works well as a stand-alone. I haven't read either of the two previous books, but had no trouble picking up the story in this one.
Mad, Bad and Dead is a fast-paced story with plenty of action including a murdered employee, a missing fourteen year old girl, threatening phone calls, break-ins, arson, and - oh, yes - Judi's mother is on her death bed.
I liked Judi's character immensely. She's strong, resilient and resourceful, but she's not beyond unleashing her temper every now and then when things are getting on top of her, or drowning her sorrows in a bottle of wine. She does have a romantic interest in Heath, but long distance relationships are tricky to start with, and this one is made even trickier by the circumstances of this case.
I loved Sherryl Clarke's down to earth writing and humour. I'm going in search of the previous two books, and I'll be first in line for the next in this series.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.2
#MadBadandDead #NetGalley
I: @sherrylwriter @verve_books
T: #SherrylClarkeAuthor @VERVE_Books
#australianfiction #crime #murdermystery #mystery #smalltownfiction #thriller
THE AUTHOR: Some of my first short stories were crime fiction, and although in the last 20 years I have focused a lot more on writing children's and YA books, I've kept going with my crime writing. The first two novels are now stowed somewhere in the back of my filing cabinet!
I'm a teacher of creative writing at Victoria University TAFE. I have been writing poems and stories for over twenty-five years, and have two collections of poetry published. Perseverance really does count, I think, for all kinds of writing.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to VERVE Books via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Mad, Bad and Dead by Sherryl Clarke for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
July 30, 2022
This is my first taste of Sherryl Clark's small town Aussie outback series set in Candlebark, not too far from Melbourne, featuring Judi Westerholme. There is a lot that has happened in previous books in the series, and many events and characters are mentioned, including the death of Judi's brother that has her being mum to 3 year old orphaned Mia, but it still worked reasonably as a standalone crime read. Struggling financially in the co-running Candlebark's pub/bistro with her chef partner and close friend, Andre, along with managing her new childcare responsibilities, Judi has more than enough on her plate, and her relationship with DS Ben Heath is suffering, leaving her feeling uncertain. However, trouble arrives in spades and she begins facing disasters left, right and centre, this includes receiving threatening late night phone calls at her home, which she reports to the helpful and competent local country cop, DC Connor Byrne.
This is before discovering one of her most invaluable, reliable and hardworking employees has not turned up for work and when she goes to find out what is wrong, she finds Kate Brown shot dead in her bed and her 14 year old daughter, Emma, missing. You would think Judi would leave the investigation to the police, but no, she is right there at the centre of the murder inquiry, and the hunt for Emma. And when she least needs it, her estranged mother's nursing home keeps calling to urge her to visit, particularly as her mother is dying, a last chance to see her alive, something a reluctant Judi will do anything to avoid. Judi's life is placed in danger and further complicated with hitmen on the loose, arson, trying to get to the bottom of what Emma is keeping secret, and the possibility of corruption in the police force.
It is barely surprising that Judi on occasion bursts under the pressures she faces, her first priority at all times is the safety of Mia, and this places limits on what she is willing to do for a grieving and despairing Emma who desperately needs help, but does not trust the police. This is an engaging and entertaining crime read that I very much enjoyed, it is held together by the character of Judi, a courageous and resilient protagonist that grabbed my interest, I really felt for her as she is bombarded by one thing after another. A great Aussie series. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
This is before discovering one of her most invaluable, reliable and hardworking employees has not turned up for work and when she goes to find out what is wrong, she finds Kate Brown shot dead in her bed and her 14 year old daughter, Emma, missing. You would think Judi would leave the investigation to the police, but no, she is right there at the centre of the murder inquiry, and the hunt for Emma. And when she least needs it, her estranged mother's nursing home keeps calling to urge her to visit, particularly as her mother is dying, a last chance to see her alive, something a reluctant Judi will do anything to avoid. Judi's life is placed in danger and further complicated with hitmen on the loose, arson, trying to get to the bottom of what Emma is keeping secret, and the possibility of corruption in the police force.
It is barely surprising that Judi on occasion bursts under the pressures she faces, her first priority at all times is the safety of Mia, and this places limits on what she is willing to do for a grieving and despairing Emma who desperately needs help, but does not trust the police. This is an engaging and entertaining crime read that I very much enjoyed, it is held together by the character of Judi, a courageous and resilient protagonist that grabbed my interest, I really felt for her as she is bombarded by one thing after another. A great Aussie series. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
May 27, 2023
This is the 3rd book in a series featuring small-town pub owner Judi Westerholme. Owning and running a small-town pub is a stressful proposition at the best of times with the constant battle proving to be trying to keep your head above water. But for Judi, receiving threatening phone calls in the early hours, caring full-time for her 3 year old niece and then finding one of her employees, Kate, shot to death at home takes things to a new level.
To make matters worse, the dead woman’s daughter, Emma, is missing and it’s presumed she has fled for her life when her mother was killed. The hunt begins for Emma, but there are also questions about Kate’s past, her identity and why someone would come to this small town to have her killed.
Things escalate pretty quickly and a lot of it is directly the doing of Judi and her insistence that she owes it to Kate and her daughter. The police are well involved, some of whom have had dealings with Judi in previous incidents, there’s a killer still out there somewhere looking for Emma, Judi is receiving late night abusive phone calls and the local health farm is less than impressed that their residents are sneaking off to eat at the pub.
This is a fast moving, some might even say frantic, crime story that rushes from one dangerous confrontation to the next at a fast pace. I found it consistently entertaining and enjoyed the straightforward and abrasive attitude that Judi exhibits. It’s her ingenuity and determination that gets her into trouble, but it also ensures there’s something exciting going down.
Mad, Bad and Dead was a little more violent than I expected, but this speaks more to the fact that it was more hard-boiled mystery than soft-boiled. (You know what they say about judging a book by its cover).
As well as trying to work out who murdered Kate, her valued employee, Judi is also charged with the task of protecting Emma who is extremely distrustful of the police and wants nothing to do with them. This type of attitude causes exactly the types of confrontations you might expect and certainly ensures that things remain hot and spicy between Judi and a few of the detectives with whom she’s had run-ins with in the past.
I found this to be a fully engrossing story with a great deal going on to ensure my attention was undivided. The more mundane personal problems faced by Judi were nicely combined with far more outrageous problems giving us a taste of both a relatable lifestyle and one that’s completely out of control. Relatable as well as oh so not relatable. The result? A completely sympathetic character being placed into the most unbearable situations and then expected to survive.
When I started reading I wasn’t aware that I’d jumped into the middle of an ongoing series but soon became alerted by the fact that characters were coming into the story without any introduction and an assumption that the reader knew who they were and their relationship to Judi. Although I quickly caught up and worked out what was what, there was a definite chasm of information that wasn’t imparted about what had gone before.
Bottom line, probably make sure you’ve read the earlier books in the series before embarking on this one because, quite frankly, knowing what I know after reading Mad, Bad and Dead I’m not really inclined to go back and read the earlier two books.
To make matters worse, the dead woman’s daughter, Emma, is missing and it’s presumed she has fled for her life when her mother was killed. The hunt begins for Emma, but there are also questions about Kate’s past, her identity and why someone would come to this small town to have her killed.
Things escalate pretty quickly and a lot of it is directly the doing of Judi and her insistence that she owes it to Kate and her daughter. The police are well involved, some of whom have had dealings with Judi in previous incidents, there’s a killer still out there somewhere looking for Emma, Judi is receiving late night abusive phone calls and the local health farm is less than impressed that their residents are sneaking off to eat at the pub.
This is a fast moving, some might even say frantic, crime story that rushes from one dangerous confrontation to the next at a fast pace. I found it consistently entertaining and enjoyed the straightforward and abrasive attitude that Judi exhibits. It’s her ingenuity and determination that gets her into trouble, but it also ensures there’s something exciting going down.
Mad, Bad and Dead was a little more violent than I expected, but this speaks more to the fact that it was more hard-boiled mystery than soft-boiled. (You know what they say about judging a book by its cover).
As well as trying to work out who murdered Kate, her valued employee, Judi is also charged with the task of protecting Emma who is extremely distrustful of the police and wants nothing to do with them. This type of attitude causes exactly the types of confrontations you might expect and certainly ensures that things remain hot and spicy between Judi and a few of the detectives with whom she’s had run-ins with in the past.
I found this to be a fully engrossing story with a great deal going on to ensure my attention was undivided. The more mundane personal problems faced by Judi were nicely combined with far more outrageous problems giving us a taste of both a relatable lifestyle and one that’s completely out of control. Relatable as well as oh so not relatable. The result? A completely sympathetic character being placed into the most unbearable situations and then expected to survive.
When I started reading I wasn’t aware that I’d jumped into the middle of an ongoing series but soon became alerted by the fact that characters were coming into the story without any introduction and an assumption that the reader knew who they were and their relationship to Judi. Although I quickly caught up and worked out what was what, there was a definite chasm of information that wasn’t imparted about what had gone before.
Bottom line, probably make sure you’ve read the earlier books in the series before embarking on this one because, quite frankly, knowing what I know after reading Mad, Bad and Dead I’m not really inclined to go back and read the earlier two books.
August 15, 2022
An Aussie crime thriller set in the outback, I wasn’t aware this was part of a series and for the most part it read ok as a stand-alone. I do feel that I missed alot of what made the main characters tick and do some of the things that they did.
It was a story with a lot going on. A quick and enjoyable read. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my copy of this book to read.
It was a story with a lot going on. A quick and enjoyable read. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my copy of this book to read.
August 22, 2022
My first read from the Judi Westerholme series from Sherryl Clark and definitely not my last. This is a fast paced, well written and intriguing thriller that picks you up in the first few pages and doesn’t let you drop til the very end.
I engaged with Judi straight away and Sherryl Clark gives enough of her history to make the story a good standalone read. The tense atmosphere crackles as you learn more about the inhabitants of the town and Judi’s inquisitive nature is only natural but can tell it’s not going to do her any good. A cracking read and now I need to get the first two in the series.
I engaged with Judi straight away and Sherryl Clark gives enough of her history to make the story a good standalone read. The tense atmosphere crackles as you learn more about the inhabitants of the town and Judi’s inquisitive nature is only natural but can tell it’s not going to do her any good. A cracking read and now I need to get the first two in the series.
August 22, 2022
An Aussie crime thriller set in the outback.
[AD: Thanks to Verve Books for an advanced reader's copy in return for an honest review]
SYNOPSIS:
"A dead employee. A missing child. Anonymous phone calls in the dead of night. Judi Westerholme's troubles aren't over...
Judi starts receiving threatening, late night phone calls before discovering one of her best employees, Kate, shot dead in her bed.
Once again, Judi finds herself at the center of a murder investigation, as well as the hunt for the Kate's fourteen year-old daughter who has been missing since the murder. Add in the uncertainty of her relationship with D.S. Heath and the fact that her estranged mother's nursing home keeps calling to urge her to visit, and Judi might finally be at breaking point."
MY THOUGHTS:
🔫 I loved the fact this crime thriller is set in the Australian outback, it's not normally where a lot of thriller books I read are based. And it felt like it had small-town vibes.
🔫 This is part of a series, but my first read in the series, and it absolutely can be read as a standalone, but the fact I can read more of the MC (main character, Judi) is a bonus.
🔫 The pacing of this thriller is great, it sucked me in at the very start and felt pretty intense at points which I loved.
🔫 Judi is a brilliant, strong female MC, and I felt invested in her story with her at the centre of a murder investigation whilst also trying to protect her 3 yr old niece Mia (who she's now caring for). She's a well-developed protagonist and I loved hearing the story told from her POV.
🔫 A great page-turner, with a strong female lead, this is a thriller read I'd definitely recommend and I look forward to reading more in the series.
[AD: Thanks to Verve Books for an advanced reader's copy in return for an honest review]
SYNOPSIS:
"A dead employee. A missing child. Anonymous phone calls in the dead of night. Judi Westerholme's troubles aren't over...
Judi starts receiving threatening, late night phone calls before discovering one of her best employees, Kate, shot dead in her bed.
Once again, Judi finds herself at the center of a murder investigation, as well as the hunt for the Kate's fourteen year-old daughter who has been missing since the murder. Add in the uncertainty of her relationship with D.S. Heath and the fact that her estranged mother's nursing home keeps calling to urge her to visit, and Judi might finally be at breaking point."
MY THOUGHTS:
🔫 I loved the fact this crime thriller is set in the Australian outback, it's not normally where a lot of thriller books I read are based. And it felt like it had small-town vibes.
🔫 This is part of a series, but my first read in the series, and it absolutely can be read as a standalone, but the fact I can read more of the MC (main character, Judi) is a bonus.
🔫 The pacing of this thriller is great, it sucked me in at the very start and felt pretty intense at points which I loved.
🔫 Judi is a brilliant, strong female MC, and I felt invested in her story with her at the centre of a murder investigation whilst also trying to protect her 3 yr old niece Mia (who she's now caring for). She's a well-developed protagonist and I loved hearing the story told from her POV.
🔫 A great page-turner, with a strong female lead, this is a thriller read I'd definitely recommend and I look forward to reading more in the series.
August 19, 2022
Mad, Bad and Dead is part of a crime series featuring Judi Westerholme, set in the Australian outback. I didn’t realise it was part of a series when I began reading and the book works fine as a stand alone as some of the ‘gaps’ are filled in. I do feel as though reading the previous books first would be helpful to understand the characters and their dynamics etc. but the basics are explained so it works fine.
I loved the fact that the narrator is Australian. It’s an accent I love to listen to and it really helped to set the scene and keep me reminded that the book is set there. The narrator uses a variety of different voices for the characters and I loved little Mia’s voice. The narration really added tension to the right places and was brilliant for expressing the angst and stress of Judi’s character.
The plot is fast-paced and always moving forward and I love a crime thriller where there is initially no or limited clues/evidence and then little things come to light. I really enjoyed trying to piece this one together and unravel the clues and as I don’t know the characters from previous books – I was suspicious of quite a few different people too.
Judi is a really likable character. Dry witted, tenacious and very determined, Judi is such a great character and really should be a detective. She was like a little pressure cooker, crumbling underneath the stress and pressure of home life, business and losing her friend/employee and this made her such a real and relatable character as I imagine this would make anyone fit to burst. She is also a funny character and I especially chuckled at her rivalry with the health spa down the road.
I really enjoyed this crime novel and will definitely be looking to read the rest of the series.
I loved the fact that the narrator is Australian. It’s an accent I love to listen to and it really helped to set the scene and keep me reminded that the book is set there. The narrator uses a variety of different voices for the characters and I loved little Mia’s voice. The narration really added tension to the right places and was brilliant for expressing the angst and stress of Judi’s character.
The plot is fast-paced and always moving forward and I love a crime thriller where there is initially no or limited clues/evidence and then little things come to light. I really enjoyed trying to piece this one together and unravel the clues and as I don’t know the characters from previous books – I was suspicious of quite a few different people too.
Judi is a really likable character. Dry witted, tenacious and very determined, Judi is such a great character and really should be a detective. She was like a little pressure cooker, crumbling underneath the stress and pressure of home life, business and losing her friend/employee and this made her such a real and relatable character as I imagine this would make anyone fit to burst. She is also a funny character and I especially chuckled at her rivalry with the health spa down the road.
I really enjoyed this crime novel and will definitely be looking to read the rest of the series.
August 21, 2022
Mad, Bad and Dead is part of a series but was the first I'd read by this author. I don't feel like I missed anything but perhaps I would have liked to know a bit more backstory of our main character even though a lot of the gaps were filled.
Set in the fictional town of Candelbark in Australia, Judi runs a pub/bistro with friend Andre. She has a lot going on with the pubs finances, her ill mother and juggling her job and childcare for Mia then she starts receiving threatening telephone calls.
Her best staff member, Kate, doesn't show up for work so Judi calls to her house to find Kate dead in bed after being shot. Kate's fourteen year old daughter Emma has run away. What were they hiding and why doesn't Emma trust the police? Instead of leaving it to the police to investigate, Judi takes an active interest in trying to find out what really happened.
I love a crime thriller where you are trying to piece things together and I was fully invested in this story. I really felt for Judi with everything that was thrown at her and how resilient she was. I will definitely read more by this author. Listening on audio where the narrator had an Australian accent really helped to set the scene too.
Set in the fictional town of Candelbark in Australia, Judi runs a pub/bistro with friend Andre. She has a lot going on with the pubs finances, her ill mother and juggling her job and childcare for Mia then she starts receiving threatening telephone calls.
Her best staff member, Kate, doesn't show up for work so Judi calls to her house to find Kate dead in bed after being shot. Kate's fourteen year old daughter Emma has run away. What were they hiding and why doesn't Emma trust the police? Instead of leaving it to the police to investigate, Judi takes an active interest in trying to find out what really happened.
I love a crime thriller where you are trying to piece things together and I was fully invested in this story. I really felt for Judi with everything that was thrown at her and how resilient she was. I will definitely read more by this author. Listening on audio where the narrator had an Australian accent really helped to set the scene too.
October 19, 2022
I’ve been a fan of Sherryl Clark’s crime solver and ex cop , Judi Westerholme for three books now. Pragmatic but generous spirited , Judi lives in a ‘real’ Australian world although she speeds between band-aiding disasters at her co -owned country pub and city rescue missions leading to catastrophes. The number of dead bodies, fires and crimes which follow her seem higher than average.
But it is Judi’s compassionate , on- the -spot decisions in caring for her three year old Mia as a substitute single Mum or righting wrongs for under-dogs which make her an appealing character.
Very hard working, Judi deals with domestic violence, interstate drug operations,the ‘ordinariness’of the country pub money problems , babysitting hassles and totally credible characters with strengths and weaknesses. Interwoven with serious crime but in a believable framework. Plus Judi's shortage of money and time.
Well crafted with good twists towards the end as the story gains momentum and motives beyond the local scene of Candlebark . The stupidity of a couple of the lower level ‘ local baddies’ is a contrast.
The police procedures and technical details of arson and drugs sound authentic as Clark does her research and has actually attended a Forensic course.
The supportive friendship from Andre the ex prisoner chef and the police access from local cop Connor are vital.As is the always sexually hurried relationship with her city lover Heath.
The exchanges with the teenager widowed by her mother’s murder, are authentic. Sullen non co -operation. These scenes remind that Clark also writes YA fiction well.
It’s such a change in a crime novel to have kindness amidst the evil More relatable and it makes the well crafted novel more frightening
There’s just enough back story for those who have not read the earlier books , for this to be read as a stand-alone, but still more enjoyable to read in order.
Characters, setting and plot work
A good read and the series could make a film, with the rural settings of interest to internationals. Book clubs will relate
Just wondering which characters the labels in the title refer? Not all are dead, but quite a few are bad or mad.
Worth checking
Sherrylclarkcrimewriter.com
But it is Judi’s compassionate , on- the -spot decisions in caring for her three year old Mia as a substitute single Mum or righting wrongs for under-dogs which make her an appealing character.
Very hard working, Judi deals with domestic violence, interstate drug operations,the ‘ordinariness’of the country pub money problems , babysitting hassles and totally credible characters with strengths and weaknesses. Interwoven with serious crime but in a believable framework. Plus Judi's shortage of money and time.
Well crafted with good twists towards the end as the story gains momentum and motives beyond the local scene of Candlebark . The stupidity of a couple of the lower level ‘ local baddies’ is a contrast.
The police procedures and technical details of arson and drugs sound authentic as Clark does her research and has actually attended a Forensic course.
The supportive friendship from Andre the ex prisoner chef and the police access from local cop Connor are vital.As is the always sexually hurried relationship with her city lover Heath.
The exchanges with the teenager widowed by her mother’s murder, are authentic. Sullen non co -operation. These scenes remind that Clark also writes YA fiction well.
It’s such a change in a crime novel to have kindness amidst the evil More relatable and it makes the well crafted novel more frightening
There’s just enough back story for those who have not read the earlier books , for this to be read as a stand-alone, but still more enjoyable to read in order.
Characters, setting and plot work
A good read and the series could make a film, with the rural settings of interest to internationals. Book clubs will relate
Just wondering which characters the labels in the title refer? Not all are dead, but quite a few are bad or mad.
Worth checking
Sherrylclarkcrimewriter.com
July 24, 2023
If you're new to the Judi Westerholme series, it's one of those featuring a slightly older, marginally wiser, female character who's in too deep and doing the two steps forward, one step dance that quite a few of us might recognise. It's a great series, with a believable, slightly manic central character that's keeping her head above water by sheer willpower and, some would say, the slightly delusional idea that she alone will just have to sort it out.
Full review at: https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
Full review at: https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
August 4, 2022
This is a very good thriller set in the Australian outback in a small town. I really liked the main character of Judi, tough and determined, as well as the other believable characters. The book is well written, with an interesting plot and a steady pace. Although it is part of a series, with reference to previous events, it can be read as a stand alone. There are plenty twists and it's definitely worth the read. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
May 13, 2022
I would like to thank Netgalley and Oldcastle Books for an advance copy of Mad, Bad and Dead, the third novel to feature Judi Westerholme set in the fictional Australian country town of Candlebark, Victoria.
Judi is getting threatening phone calls and doesn’t know why. The one of her employees, Kate Brown is late for work. Judi needs her to help her run the local pub so goes to chivvy her along, only to find her murdered in her bed and her teenage daughter, Emma, missing. Running a faltering pub, looking after her three year old orphaned niece and now a murder investigation, not to mention her estranged mother being close to death, no wonder Judi is feeling the strain.
I enjoyed Mad, Bad and Dead, even if it is the first novel in the series I have read and it makes copious references to past events. Fortunately there is enough recap to feel up to date and make the novel work as a stand-alone.
This is a high octane novel with a relentless pace and too many events to count. It is told in the first person from Judi’s point of view so the reader gets up close and personal with the toll these events take on her and her strength in confronting them. I think she is one of the best drawn characters I have read in a while. She’s tough and resourceful but has no hesitation in calling out poor behaviour or lashing out if the situation requires it. She even, very occasionally, lets the situation get on top of her.
I don’t even know where to start with the plot, which covers a gamut of crime, including but not limited to hitmen, murder and arson with a whiff of police corruption as the cherry on top.
I thought from the description that this would be a humorous novel, but the author mostly plays it straight. It is eventful and keeps the reader wondering about what is coming next, but it lacks that spark to be be truly engrossing. Still it’s entertaining in a light hearted way.
Mad, Bad and Dead is a fun read that I can recommend.
Judi is getting threatening phone calls and doesn’t know why. The one of her employees, Kate Brown is late for work. Judi needs her to help her run the local pub so goes to chivvy her along, only to find her murdered in her bed and her teenage daughter, Emma, missing. Running a faltering pub, looking after her three year old orphaned niece and now a murder investigation, not to mention her estranged mother being close to death, no wonder Judi is feeling the strain.
I enjoyed Mad, Bad and Dead, even if it is the first novel in the series I have read and it makes copious references to past events. Fortunately there is enough recap to feel up to date and make the novel work as a stand-alone.
This is a high octane novel with a relentless pace and too many events to count. It is told in the first person from Judi’s point of view so the reader gets up close and personal with the toll these events take on her and her strength in confronting them. I think she is one of the best drawn characters I have read in a while. She’s tough and resourceful but has no hesitation in calling out poor behaviour or lashing out if the situation requires it. She even, very occasionally, lets the situation get on top of her.
I don’t even know where to start with the plot, which covers a gamut of crime, including but not limited to hitmen, murder and arson with a whiff of police corruption as the cherry on top.
I thought from the description that this would be a humorous novel, but the author mostly plays it straight. It is eventful and keeps the reader wondering about what is coming next, but it lacks that spark to be be truly engrossing. Still it’s entertaining in a light hearted way.
Mad, Bad and Dead is a fun read that I can recommend.
April 28, 2022
Well written with a fast paced and gripping storyline and well developed characters. This book was twisty and unpredictable and I couldn't out it down. I loved it.
August 29, 2022
Judi Westerholme has her hands full co-running the local pub/bistro in the small Australian town of Candlebark, being a parent to her orphaned three-year-old niece Mia, coping with an on-off relationship with a Melbourne detective, and fielding the frequent demands from her estranged mother's care home to go visit her. She could certainly do without any further complications coming her way, but somehow she does seem to attract them. Suddenly she has to deal with the added burden of late night threatening phone calls from an unidentified caller, and the very vocal accusations of the owner of the local spa, which have her unsettled.
When her normally reliable employee Kate fails to turn up for work Judi is immediately concerned. Shockingly, she discovers that Kate has been shot dead by an unknown intruder, and Kate's fourteen-year-old-daughter Emma has gone missing. On top of everything Judi is now caught up in a murder investigation that opens up a disturbing can of worms about the life Kate and Emma used to lead in Sydney, and what they have been running from. Of course, Judi being Judi she cannot stand on the side-lines, but this investigation might just bring her to breaking point.
Mad, Bad and Dead is the third instalment in the Judi Westerholme Aussie crime series, but my first Sherryl Clark book. There are some threads that run through the book from Judi's previous adventures, especially in terms of her relationships with quite a few of the the characters, but the crime story itself is self-contained and I had no trouble to reading this as a stand-alone.
I love an Aussie crime story, especially one set in a small Outback town, so this book caught me right from the word go. It ticks all the boxes of my taut small town vibe requirements and makes a fabulous backdrop for the story that Clark weaves around the good... the mad... the bad... and the dead of the cast of characters she creates. Interestingly, this has the added spice of a metropolitan edge too, as some of the action takes place in Melbourne, and it brings in a lovely element of big city corruption and double-dealing as Kate and Emma's part of the story unfolds. I really enjoyed how Clark builds in crackling tension and a tangible atmosphere of mystery and menace in both environments, injecting very clever misdirection and making you question who Judi can trust - even among her friends. I did not see the harrowing direction in which this story was taking me, and thoroughly enjoyed the ride. She also has you looking closely at the different approaches to small town vs big city police procedurals, which was quite thought provoking.
Judi is a complex character, and has clearly been profoundly affected by her upbringing, her previous brushes with violence, and how she has related to the trustworthy and incompetent among the police fraternity. She sometimes lets her temper get the better of her, which I think makes her quite relatable, but her heart is firmly in the right place. There are characters here to both ground her, and incite her rage, and the interplay between them causes plenty of riveting drama, as well as some very touching moments and a good dose of humour.
This is one of those gratifying books that combines a solid central core of characters with a gripping crime story. I really felt that I had become part of the community of Candlebark, and I did not want to say goodbye to them at the end of the story. I will definitely be picking up the next book in the series to find out what happens next, and look forward to going back and reading he first two books to catch up on all the back stories. Highly recommended if you are partial to top quality Aussie noir!
When her normally reliable employee Kate fails to turn up for work Judi is immediately concerned. Shockingly, she discovers that Kate has been shot dead by an unknown intruder, and Kate's fourteen-year-old-daughter Emma has gone missing. On top of everything Judi is now caught up in a murder investigation that opens up a disturbing can of worms about the life Kate and Emma used to lead in Sydney, and what they have been running from. Of course, Judi being Judi she cannot stand on the side-lines, but this investigation might just bring her to breaking point.
Mad, Bad and Dead is the third instalment in the Judi Westerholme Aussie crime series, but my first Sherryl Clark book. There are some threads that run through the book from Judi's previous adventures, especially in terms of her relationships with quite a few of the the characters, but the crime story itself is self-contained and I had no trouble to reading this as a stand-alone.
I love an Aussie crime story, especially one set in a small Outback town, so this book caught me right from the word go. It ticks all the boxes of my taut small town vibe requirements and makes a fabulous backdrop for the story that Clark weaves around the good... the mad... the bad... and the dead of the cast of characters she creates. Interestingly, this has the added spice of a metropolitan edge too, as some of the action takes place in Melbourne, and it brings in a lovely element of big city corruption and double-dealing as Kate and Emma's part of the story unfolds. I really enjoyed how Clark builds in crackling tension and a tangible atmosphere of mystery and menace in both environments, injecting very clever misdirection and making you question who Judi can trust - even among her friends. I did not see the harrowing direction in which this story was taking me, and thoroughly enjoyed the ride. She also has you looking closely at the different approaches to small town vs big city police procedurals, which was quite thought provoking.
Judi is a complex character, and has clearly been profoundly affected by her upbringing, her previous brushes with violence, and how she has related to the trustworthy and incompetent among the police fraternity. She sometimes lets her temper get the better of her, which I think makes her quite relatable, but her heart is firmly in the right place. There are characters here to both ground her, and incite her rage, and the interplay between them causes plenty of riveting drama, as well as some very touching moments and a good dose of humour.
This is one of those gratifying books that combines a solid central core of characters with a gripping crime story. I really felt that I had become part of the community of Candlebark, and I did not want to say goodbye to them at the end of the story. I will definitely be picking up the next book in the series to find out what happens next, and look forward to going back and reading he first two books to catch up on all the back stories. Highly recommended if you are partial to top quality Aussie noir!
September 2, 2022
Book Review…Mad, Bad and Dead by Sherryl Clark
This was my first book by Sherryl Clark and it was a quick and easy read!
Already struggling to juggle co-running Candlebark's pub and her new childcare responsibilities, what Judi doesn't need right now is more stress. But of course she does. She starts receiving threatening phone calls and one of her best employees, Kate, is dead. Once again, Judi finds herself at the center of a murder investigation, as well as the hunt for the Kate's daughter who has been missing since the murder. Plus the uncertainty of her relationship with D.S. Heath and the fact that her mother's nursing home keeps calling for her to visit, and Judi might finally be at breaking point.
There is a lot going on in the book and honestly I wouldn't blame her if she did break apart. That's a lot for one person to take on. Judi is a strong female main character and she's easy to like and become invested in. I haven't read the other books in the series but I didn't feel lost or confused by anything so it stands well on its own. It's a fast paced thrill that you really have trouble putting down once you start. Thank you Verve Books for sharing this book with me!
This was my first book by Sherryl Clark and it was a quick and easy read!
Already struggling to juggle co-running Candlebark's pub and her new childcare responsibilities, what Judi doesn't need right now is more stress. But of course she does. She starts receiving threatening phone calls and one of her best employees, Kate, is dead. Once again, Judi finds herself at the center of a murder investigation, as well as the hunt for the Kate's daughter who has been missing since the murder. Plus the uncertainty of her relationship with D.S. Heath and the fact that her mother's nursing home keeps calling for her to visit, and Judi might finally be at breaking point.
There is a lot going on in the book and honestly I wouldn't blame her if she did break apart. That's a lot for one person to take on. Judi is a strong female main character and she's easy to like and become invested in. I haven't read the other books in the series but I didn't feel lost or confused by anything so it stands well on its own. It's a fast paced thrill that you really have trouble putting down once you start. Thank you Verve Books for sharing this book with me!
September 8, 2022
Trigger Warnings: Mention of rape, Murder, mention of abduction, mention of domestic violence, mention of assault
This follows Judi who is trying to get her life back on track. Juggling running a pub and now being a mom. But when she starts getting threatening calls, a co worker gets murdered, and the teen daughter goes missing just to start playing hide and seek. Judi doesnt know how much more she can take.
Of course, Judi wants nothing more than the best for the teen daughter. But she has to think about her and Mia. Because that is what matters. She has to think about herself even when things start getting tough and she doesnt know which way to turn. But will thinking about what is best for the teen girl as well as Mia be her ultimate downfall? Especially with a killer on the loose>
*This can be read as a standalone. But note that it does reference things that happened in books one and two. But it does not interfere with the ultimate plot of this book. Of who killed Kate and who wants to to kill this teen girl that Judi saw herself getting attached too.*
This follows Judi who is trying to get her life back on track. Juggling running a pub and now being a mom. But when she starts getting threatening calls, a co worker gets murdered, and the teen daughter goes missing just to start playing hide and seek. Judi doesnt know how much more she can take.
Of course, Judi wants nothing more than the best for the teen daughter. But she has to think about her and Mia. Because that is what matters. She has to think about herself even when things start getting tough and she doesnt know which way to turn. But will thinking about what is best for the teen girl as well as Mia be her ultimate downfall? Especially with a killer on the loose>
*This can be read as a standalone. But note that it does reference things that happened in books one and two. But it does not interfere with the ultimate plot of this book. Of who killed Kate and who wants to to kill this teen girl that Judi saw herself getting attached too.*
September 20, 2022
Judi Westerholme is working hard to get her life back on track and set up a gastro pub with friend Andre in the rural town of Candlebark. She has been receiving some threatening phone calls but is prepared to ignore them as a prank until her waitress, Kate is murdered. Judi is thrust into a new and dangerous mystery as she attempts to locate Kate’s missing daughter and provide safety for her young ward, Mia.
Mad, Bad and Dead is a rollicking ride that keeps you on your toes from start to finish. It is an easy read and a captivating story that is hard to put down. Clark offers a tantalising visual taste of rural life in Australia, with colourful (and accurate) descriptions of both rural Victoria and Melbourne. Her characters are well-rounded, deeply flawed and immensely likeable (well, most of them).
Mad, Bad and Dead is the third book in the Judi Westerholme series. It is a stand-alone story and can be read without the benefit of having read the first two (although once you start, you’ll want to.) It is a great addition to the growing collection of Australian Rural Noir. I am looking forward to going back to read the first two books in the series.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Mad, Bad and Dead is a rollicking ride that keeps you on your toes from start to finish. It is an easy read and a captivating story that is hard to put down. Clark offers a tantalising visual taste of rural life in Australia, with colourful (and accurate) descriptions of both rural Victoria and Melbourne. Her characters are well-rounded, deeply flawed and immensely likeable (well, most of them).
Mad, Bad and Dead is the third book in the Judi Westerholme series. It is a stand-alone story and can be read without the benefit of having read the first two (although once you start, you’ll want to.) It is a great addition to the growing collection of Australian Rural Noir. I am looking forward to going back to read the first two books in the series.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
September 23, 2022
Set in the small country Victorian town of Candlebark, this is a fun, pacy crime novel told with humour, empathy and a cast of vibrant, relatable characters who live and breathe.
Likeable Judi Westerholme runs the Candlebark pub. She discovers her best employee and friend, Kate, shot dead in bed. Kate's teenage daughter is missing. Headstrong, frank and resilient, Judi is determined to solve the mystery.
It's not easy. Judi is also juggling the needs of her elderly mother who lives in a nursing home, her adopted toddler daughter Mia, and her love-interest police officer Ben Heath.
In the tradition of the small town mystery, arson, police corruption and an active criminal underbelly all play a role in the action. There are intriguing red herrings and lots of clues to unpack; it's a clever, character-driven puzzle. I really loved the rivalry with the health retreat, and how annoyed they got when their guests keep sneaking away to get some 'real food' at the Candlebark pub. Highly recommed this engaging read!
Likeable Judi Westerholme runs the Candlebark pub. She discovers her best employee and friend, Kate, shot dead in bed. Kate's teenage daughter is missing. Headstrong, frank and resilient, Judi is determined to solve the mystery.
It's not easy. Judi is also juggling the needs of her elderly mother who lives in a nursing home, her adopted toddler daughter Mia, and her love-interest police officer Ben Heath.
In the tradition of the small town mystery, arson, police corruption and an active criminal underbelly all play a role in the action. There are intriguing red herrings and lots of clues to unpack; it's a clever, character-driven puzzle. I really loved the rivalry with the health retreat, and how annoyed they got when their guests keep sneaking away to get some 'real food' at the Candlebark pub. Highly recommed this engaging read!
August 14, 2025
Judy has a lot on her plate. She's trying to keep the bar going with Andre. It was more his dream to show off his cooking skills. Things have been tight. Every customer is needed if they're going to make it. She's just on the verge of firing grumpy Maria and letting efficient Kate take over when the unthinkable happens. The normally reliable Kate doesn't show up for work and when Judy goes over to wake her, she finds Kate still in bed for a totally different reason.
This story is set in Australia and has a pretty good storyline. I kept suspecting one or the other of men that Judy trusts as a suspect. In the mix are two children, Kate's daughter, Emma and Judy's charge, her niece Mia. Apparently there was a previous book telling how that happened. Judy tries hard to keep them safe and everything else going while they try to get Emma to crack.
It's a good solid 3.5 stars, but I gave it four.
This story is set in Australia and has a pretty good storyline. I kept suspecting one or the other of men that Judy trusts as a suspect. In the mix are two children, Kate's daughter, Emma and Judy's charge, her niece Mia. Apparently there was a previous book telling how that happened. Judy tries hard to keep them safe and everything else going while they try to get Emma to crack.
It's a good solid 3.5 stars, but I gave it four.
September 4, 2022
This is the third book in the Judi Westerholme series but this is the first one I’ve read. There are references to the previous books but I found it works well as a standalone.
I liked Judi loved her inquisitiveness too. She was such a strong main character.
I was gripped by the story it was so intense at times. I definitely want to read the previous two books in the series.
Thank you to Verve Books for inviting me on the blog tour and for the gifted copy of the book.
I liked Judi loved her inquisitiveness too. She was such a strong main character.
I was gripped by the story it was so intense at times. I definitely want to read the previous two books in the series.
Thank you to Verve Books for inviting me on the blog tour and for the gifted copy of the book.
June 3, 2023
As this series goes along the pace rises. Threatening phone calls start to be received by Judi. Then one of her workers is murdered and the daughter is nowhere to be found. The police sent to investigate already know Judi and she knows them. They stay at the hotel making life more complicated for her I. Caring for her niece.
A plot that was keeping me wanting to continue reading and that had twists I did not see. Well worth the read.
A plot that was keeping me wanting to continue reading and that had twists I did not see. Well worth the read.
December 19, 2023
I disagree with other reviewers that this, as the third of a series, works as a stand alone. I saw it in the local independent book shop, wanted to support a local author, but was soon annoyed by the seeming contradiction of the gaps where you felt you were missing background that came from the earlier books and the times when you felt events and characters from the earlier books were over described. I found the main protagonist somewhat cliched, and struggled to get into the story.
September 4, 2022
Mad, Bad, and Dead by Sherryl Clark.
A dead employee. A missing child. Anonymous phone calls in the dead of night. Judi Westerholme's troubles aren't over yet...
Really good read. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author. 4*.
A dead employee. A missing child. Anonymous phone calls in the dead of night. Judi Westerholme's troubles aren't over yet...
Really good read. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author. 4*.
May 11, 2022
A bit of a slow burner as you tried to piece the pieces together but once that happened what a great read it was.
January 15, 2023
glad it was only £2.50
May 10, 2024
The first book was great. The third one was so unbelievable it hurt to
Generously two stars. I expect more after book 1
Generously two stars. I expect more after book 1
September 18, 2024
Good book overall, dragged a bit, quite a few mysteries but overall a good book.
November 4, 2024
A favourite.
November 10, 2024
Riveting read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews