The Second Son

The Novaks #1

by Loraine Peck

Duty always has a price.

When Ivan Novak is shot dead putting out his garbage bins in Sydney’s west, his family wants revenge, especially his father Milan, a notorious crime boss. It’s a job for the second son, Ivan’s younger brother Johnny.

But Johnny loves his wife Amy and their son Sasha. And she’s about to deliver her ultimatum: either the three of them escape this wave of killing or she’ll leave, taking Sasha.

Torn between loyalty to his family and love for his wife, Johnny plans the heist of a lifetime and takes a huge risk. Is he prepared to pay the price? And what choice will Amy make?

The Second Son is a brilliant action-packed crime debut that creates a world where honour is everything, violence is its own language, and love means breaking all the rules.

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

464 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turf wars across the streets of Sydney! When Ivan Novak was gunned down in his driveway, his father Milan declared war on the Serbians. The Croations and the Serbians had long been sworn enemies and with two others killed in the days prior to Ivan, Milan knew it was the Serbs to blame. He demanded his second son, Johnny be the one to take their revenge. Johnny’s wife Amy and ten-year-old son Sasha were his life – Amy’s ultimatum to put his wife and son first before his father and the gang should have made for an easy decision. But it didn’t.

Johnny decided he’d go with Amy after one last job. He had a big one lined up and although he organized protection for his wife and son, he had no idea what was about to happen. As threats and retribution occurred daily, Johnny and the gang came up with a plan. But was it foolproof? There was much to lose and no guarantee of safety with what was around the corner…

The Second Son is the debut novel by Aussie author Loraine Peck and it’s hard to realise it’s her debut. Full on action, with plenty of gun fights, revenge attacks, gangs and innocent bystanders fill this 464 page thriller which I have no hesitation in recommending.

With thanks to NetGalley and Text Publishing for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this gritty suspense-thriller set in the multi-ethnic organised crime world of western Sydney. It was a compulsively readable, punchy story which challenged my sheltered white Anglo perspective on the world and had me - almost! - cheering on one set of brutal gangsters over another. I also loved the lower-octane interludes in which the author explored the close-knit multigenerational family life of the Croatian protagonists, in which baka (the family matriarch) Branka is a prolific grower of vegetables and constantly cooking Croatian delicacies for the extended family.

I feel that the Balkan conflict is something I should probably know more about, but having gone to school with several Croatian kids, I do have some basic understanding of the depth of enmity between different ethnic groups associated with the former Yugoslavia. This cultural tension underlies the plot of The Second Son, in which the protagonists belong to the Croatian diaspora, and are at constant loggerheads with rival gangs, principally that representing the local Serbian community, but also Italians, Lebanese, Chinese and "Skip" (Australian) bikers (confusingly, the term "skip" can also denote a superior in the pecking order within Italian-American mafia circles).

The Second Son opens with Johnny, the titular younger son of Croatian crime boss Milan Novak, being woken in the early hours by police knocking on the front door. His elder, and somewhat idolised, brother Ivan has been gunned down while wheeling out his rubbish bins, in a scene that mirrors the real-life Melbourne gangland killing of Mark Moran in 2000. Shock and anger reverberates among the members of the Novak "crew", which consists of Johnny's extended family and several additional factotums who belong to the Croatian community of Liverpool, western Sydney.

Milan Novak issues the order to assassinate Serbian kingpin Stanislaw Vucavac in retaliation, based on the assumption that the Serbians are behind the attack on Ivan. Milan also instructs Johnny to carry out the deed, as Ivan's brother and now the heir assumptive to the Novak empire. Johnny's role in the family business to date has consisted in shaking down local businesses and taking part in the odd armed robbery - lacking the brutality of his father and late brother, he's never killed anybody and isn't keen to start now.

The story unfolds from the dual perspectives of Johnny and his Anglo-Australian wife, Amy, mother of their 10-year-old son, Sasha. Up until now, Amy's been able to turn a blind eye to the reality of her husband's "business" activities and live happily on the proceeds, albeit resenting the unreserved disdain of her father-in-law, who still can't understand why Johnny wouldn't have married a nice Croatian girl instead. Now that Johnny's role in the gang has become more active, Amy starts becoming genuinely frightened for their family's future - what if he ends up in prison, or worse? Amy issues an ultimatum - leave the family business behind or she will take Sasha and leave, and she does, in fact, temporarily relocate with her son to her conservative parents' gated community. Johnny, understandably, is torn - he feels loyalty to his Croatian family and wants his brother's death appropriately avenged, but he's also a reluctant gangster and deeply loves his wife and child.

The action rolls on as Johnny tries to uncover the truth behind Ivan's death, meanwhile orchestrating an audacious drugs heist, and experiencing escalating threats and attacks to property.

I felt the dual-perspective narrative, combined with short, punchy chapters, really worked in The Second Son, and found myself sympathising with both Johnny and Amy's predicaments and points of view. There was a great cast of supporting characters, both inside the Novak crew and representing rival gangs. Several surprising twists kept me on the edge of my seat right up until the dramatic and satisfying conclusion. Loraine Peck pulls in a couple of final twists which set the scene for a sequel, which I believe she's currently working on - I can't wait to get my hands on it!

I'd recommend The Second Son to readers who enjoy gritty thrillers and complex characters. Those who enjoyed the Australian television series "Underbelly" (and John Silvester's books upon which the series was based), exploring the real-life world of Australian organised crime, would really love this. It's a cracking read!

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Johnny Novak is the second son of Croatian gang leader Milan Novak. When his older brother Ivan is shot when putting out the garbage, Johnny is expected to step up to the role of heir apparent to his father. However, Johnny is married to Amy a non-Croatian woman who wants him to step back from the gang wars that plague western Sydney and become an ordinary law-abiding family with their ten year old son, Sasha.

Told in alternating points of view from Amy and Johnny, Loraine Peck’s superb debut novel delves into the world of Sydney’s crime gangs. Milan is convinced their enemies from the Balkan war, the Serbians are responsible for Ivan’s death and wants Johnny to exact revenge. However, when similar killings occur Johnny is not so sure the Serbians are responsible and hatches a plan to find out who is causing this trouble amongst the gangs. Conflicted by loyalty to his family and gang members and love for his wife and son, Johnny must make decisions about the life he wants to lead.

This is gritty crime at it’s best. Peck’s understanding of the gangs and their different modes of operation have been well researched and she sets up a believable world of violence, drugs, family loyalty and revenge. The plot is clever and complex, with great main and secondary characters in Johnny, Amy, Milan and his wife Branka, Johnny’s best friend Anto, his cousin Marko and the meth addled, tattooed biker Ink Slater. The police are also given a sympathetic treatment with DI MacPherson knowing when he shouldn’t delve too deeply into Johnny’s statements and prepared to help him find out who killed Ivan. There is also humour amongst the violence, in the affection the family have for each other and the way Johnny’s mother Branka wants to feed everyone, including an elderly woman kidnapped by the gang. All this and an excellent ending, with the promise of a sequel. Brilliant!

[Jennifer (JC-S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The price of loyalty.

Ivan Novak was putting out his garbage bins one evening in Sydney’s west, when he was shot dead. His father, Milan, leader of a criminal gang, wants revenge. Milan is sure that Ivan was murdered by a rival gang, and revenge is a job for Ivan’s younger brother, Johnny.

There is plenty of tension between the various ethnic gangs in western Sydney. Old fears and suspicions, together with the trauma of war, have accompanied those who have fled in their former homelands.

While Johnny is part of the gang his father leads, he is torn between his loyalty to his Croatian heritage and his love for his wife Amy and their son Sasha. Amy wants the three of them to break free from this wave of violence, of attack and retribution. She moves temporarily with Sasha to the home of her parents. The violence escalates and others become involved.

Johnny wants to be with Amy and Sasha, but he also wants to prove himself to his father. Johnny has a plan which just may enable him to meet the expectations of both. In the meantime, can he keep his family safe?
In this fast-paced debut novel, Ms Peck explores the causes and consequences of ethnic gang violence as well as conflicting loyalties. There are a couple of twists which help sustain the suspense. And the outcome?

Well, we can hope for a violence-free future …

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Text Publishing for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Second Son had been on my radar for some time and I am happy to have finally read it, thanks to Text Publishing Australia for sending a copy my way. Author Lorraine Peck won the Ned Kelly Award for Best Debut Crime in 2021 for this book and I can now see why.

Turf wars, brutal killings and family loyalties, this book has it all. It is set in South West Sydney, in Liverpool, which is about 20 minutes from where I live. It was strange to have a book set so close home, I could see the streets and shops as the story was going along. Thankfully, this is a work of fiction as it is violent. I am sure it all happens, I just hope I never get caught up in it.

Johnny is the second son. When his older brother, Ivan Novak, is shot dead while putting the bins out, the family want revenge. Father Milan tasks Johnny with this, but his wife Amy wants a better and safer life for them and their son Sasha, and give him an ultimatum. In order to keep everybody happy, Johnny comes up with a dangerous plan, where nobody needs to die. But things are never that simple are they.

Crime lovers will absolutely devour this book. I look forward to seeing what Lorraine has for us next.

[Text Publishing]

The following book reviews have been shared by Text Publishing – publisher of The Second Son

'Outstanding…a gripping whodunnit. Original and straight from the heart.’
Kate London, author of Gallowstree Lane

‘Tight and tense, The Second Son is a wonderfully sharp-toothed crime thriller.’
Christian White, author of The Nowhere Child

'Hi-octane, raw and emotional. A gritty, compelling debut.’
Greg Woodland, author of The Night Whistler

'A tense, sinuous, fast-moving debut where hard answers are given to questions of honour and justice.’
Garry Disher

'Loraine Peck’s debut novel is as relentless as headlights following you at night, full of spark, simmering violence and outright gang bloodshed.’
Books+Publishing

'The novel snaps along at a cracking pace, [and] is filled with sharply drawn and complex characters...Disturbing, fresh, and thoroughly entertaining.’
Meredith Jaffé

‘[A]n engaging read...Peck writes well on all narrative levels: the background, the action, and the personal relationships, which are tender and convincing.’
Australian

'Have you ever read a book and imagined it as a gripping, 10-episode Australian crime drama? The Second Son is like that: action-packed, full of surprises, and with enough family tension to keep you hooked with every chapter.'
Readings

‘Don’t start this book late at night. You will not be able to put it down. Fast-paced, great characters, evil plot and a shocking twist right at the end—what more could a crime fan want?’
Herald Sun

'A brilliant action-packed crime debut.’
Avenue Bookstore


'Impressive...Loraine Peck gives us a fast-paced gangland thriller…[T]he women are the real strength here.’
Sydney Morning Herald

'This is a cracking read and I was reeled in from the first chapter. The characters are strong and pitch perfect, as the story is revealed in alternating chapters between Johnny and Amy. The plot is action-packed and compelling, and I struggled to put it down, bargaining with myself for ‘one more page’. With overtones of The Godfather, these of family dynamics, conflict and expectations are explored with insight and nuance...exciting new voice on the Australian crime writing landscape.’
Good Reading

'[A] fast-paced thriller…a cross between The Godfather and Underbelly.’
Weekend West

‘Dark, gritty, and full of the kind of characters that are so deliciously complex you don’t know who to root for.’
Candice Fox, author of The Chase

'This book blew my mind, broke my heart and scared the hell out of me. I can't wait to read the sequel.’
Pip Drysdale, author of The Strangers We Know

'It is rare that a book grabs me the way this one did. I spent two days in bed with it, certain that it was true, that somewhere in Sydney all this was all happening. After I had finished it, I felt bereaved, like my world had dissolved. And, as dangerous as it was, I wanted to go back. I loved it and I hope to see it on Netflix one day.’
Pip Drysdale, author of The Strangers We Know

[Charlie Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so excited about this book – I’ve been waiting for it to come out for so long because I’ve got a cameo role – yes! I’m Charlie (Chaz) Tyler, gangster wife, Amy’s, best friend. That aside, I’ve been privileged to watch this story grow wings and take flight. I was on the CBC creative writing course with Loraine and was amongst a handful who got to see and comment on her opening chapters and, let me tell you, it was always going to be a bestseller.

The novel is set around Novak ‘business’ – an umbrella of horrors incorporating coercion, armed robbery and drug trafficking although, according to the second son, Johnny, the Novaks are the good ones – they only do party drugs! Johnny doesn’t really fit in this world, so it isn’t surprising that he’s tasked with laundering the money through his father’s portfolio of fish shops. Unaware of his dyslexia until later in life, Johnny underestimates how smart he is, but his wife Amy knows he could do so much better than this and she wants herself, Johnny and their son, Sasha, to head to the North Coast, leaving her manipulative in-laws behind.
But when Johnny’s older brother, Ivan – the favourite firstborn, is assassinated, his father, Milan, tasks him with the job of exacting revenge and restoring honour to the family. Johnny swears this will be his last job, but Amy knows things are going to get far worse, let’s face it, this is a family who have a rule that the kids aren’t allowed to handle guns until they are twelve – she’s fighting a losing battle…

But as well as being a story about gangs, turf war, kidnap and drug dealing, at its core is a story about what being ‘a family’ really means – there is also plenty of mystery hidden in amongst the action. Something big is bothering Amy. And who actually did the assassinations – was it the Serbs, or is there something more sinister going on?

Right from the opening, this book is brutal with animal cruelty and descriptions of violence that are difficult to read, but this is offset by gorgeous descriptive passages, for example, Johnny’s marriage proposal to Amy on the Dalmation Coast with them sitting on a boat under the stars surrounded by inky water. Amy’s first wedding anniversary present provides a startling and ominous contrast. I also love how important food is in the book and it is funny how Johnny’s mother, Branka, imagines everyone to be too skinny and her default setting for any situation is to provide a meal. I’m desperate to try paprenjakc; biscuits laced with honey and pepper, or fritule; little balls of dough covered with sugar.

I love the flashbacks to Johnny’s childhood – how he and Ivan painted Anto red and green with Branka’s food colouring. Peck, at all times, draws out Ivan’s ghost and makes him visible between the current action, showing how he was the one to keep bully Milan happy and how he was always there to protect Johnny. The scene with Johnny reminiscing in the brothers’ old room, throwing bits of chewed up tissues onto the ceiling, is very moving. In contrast, the scenes with Milan physically bullying Johnny were hard to read, and I hated him with his motto – ‘Only family. Everyone else is enemy’.

Peck has a great sense of location and her writing never drops its fast pace – the heist scene will have you holding your breath. I like how Peck gives enough information about the Serbian/Croat war without overloading the reader, but it’s essential to understand so you can make sense of the high feelings between the gangs.

Amy is my absolute favourite character. Her voice is real and intuitive. Peck inserts priceless little touches, like her fighting the desire to clean up Johnny’s mess when she returns to her house to pinch some money. I love her constant inner dialogue; she knows the situations she ends up in aren’t her fault, but it sounds very natural how she talks herself round into saying it is. She is a lioness of a mother and I love how that instinct always wins.

There is so much humour here too – Granny Slater forced to return home with a Tupperware box of chicken soup and a scene where one of the bikers orders ‘pointless hot milk’. I also note Peck had to get the Dragons thrashing the Bulldogs into the novel somehow! Weary DI MacPherson is the great moderator who Johnny would really like to confess all to and who keeps popping up a couple of steps behind every incident – he is a useful narrative means for filling in other necessary details.

Mysterious brooding, psycho cousin Marko and his gold convertible, Black Mercedes SUVs, Ink Slater’s revolting tattoos and meth habit, ketamine, fish and chips, rakia which means now, we talk, the ozone tang of the coming storm are all just jumbles of delicious touches in this superb debut. What a fantastic, brilliant, edge-of-the-seat story. I’m so proud of my super talented friend and can’t wait for the sequel…

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

The Second Son is Loraine Peck’s impressive, thrilling crime fiction debut.

‘One. No friends. Two. No feelings. Three. No conscience. Only family. Everyone else is enemy.’

When Ivan Novak is shot dead in his driveway, his father, Milan is certain the leader of a rival Serbian gang is responsible and insists his younger son, Johnny exacts retribution. Johnny isn’t a killer and, not convinced the Serbs are responsible, is reluctant to perpetuate the war that began in Croatia on the streets of Sydney. Looking to deescalate the situation, Johnny develops a brilliant plan that he hopes will satisfy his father’s lust for revenge, and allow he, his wife, Amy, and son, Sasha, to finally escape his family’s stranglehold and start a new, legitimate life. But if the plan fails, Johnny risks losing everything.

Unfolding from the alternating perspectives of Johnny and Amy, The Second Son is an action-packed, (mostly) fast paced crime thriller that explores the themes of family, heritage, loyalty, revenge, and trauma.

Set in the western suburbs of Sydney, where the criminal underworld, often divided by ethnicity, competes for territory and illegal trade, Peck focuses on the animosity between the Serbs and Croats, their conflict imported from the Balkans civil war in the 1990’s. Milan Novak heads a gang of around 25, mostly family members, whose business involves drug trafficking, protection rackets, grand theft, armed robbery and money laundering, their territory abutting the Serbs, Italian, Asian and Bikie syndicates.

With his brother dead, Johnny is expected to step up and take his place as the second-in-command. Peck has given us a complex character, while his devotion to his wife and son are admirable, he is not exactly a good guy. He may not have a taste for killing, but he is not adverse to intimidation, or administering a beating, and his income is largely derived from illegal means. His relationship with his brutal father is complicated, and defying his orders seems impossible unless he can find an alternative. Peck cleverly plots a solution for Johnny, which I won’t share because it would spoil the surprise, but there is still great risk involved, especially in regards to keeping his marriage.

Johnny’s wife, Amy, has always turned a blind eye to the unsavoury elements of the family business, but when her safety and that of their son are threatened, she gives Johnny an ultimatum, demanding they move up north, far from the influence of her in-laws. Amy’s behaviour shows some naivety with regards to understanding the Novak family dynamic (though just enough nous to keep a dark secret), and she underestimates the danger her husband’s rivals presents. I liked her much more in the second half of the story, than the first.

In fact Amy was the cause of my only real issue with the novel as I found her perspective to be repetitive during the first half, which was a detriment to the pacing for me. The sag around the middle was soon forgotten though as Peck ups the stakes for both of her main protagonists, and the suspense drew me eagerly towards the conclusion.

There is quite a lot of violence in The Second Son but there are also flashes of humour. Peck’s writing is confident and engaging and I thought she showed a good understanding of both people, creating interesting, well-rounded characters, and setting, capturing a different aspect of Australian urban life.

The Second Son is an entertaining, tense and gritty crime novel, and I’m looking forward to the next instalment.

[RG · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great debut thriller. Gang warfare, amazing action scenes, great tension and well rounded characters. I loved the dual husband wife chapter perspectives. The first person narrative also gave a more personal touch.

[Marion Farrelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant. I honestly didn't think I'd like this book as much as I did - I wanted some escapism and I love crime and I TOTALLY LOVED IT - page turner - great characters, beautiful use of language, amazing story telling, and relatable. I felt how trapped the main Johnny, the main character is and his struggle to do right by both his families - the one he was born into and the one he made for himself with his wife and child. All this against a backdrop of crime that's happening every day on the doorstep but we just don't realise - read it - you're welcome. Mx

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

The Second Son by Loraine Peck is a gritty mystery about a Croatian crime family.

Johnny Novak might be part of an organized crime family, but he has managed to stay out of the dirtiest work. But when his older brother, Ivan, is gunned down in cold blood, their brutish father, Milan, forces him to take Ivan's position. Johnny is deeply conflicted since he is married with a ten year old son. And he is just not wired the same as the some of their more violent crew members.

Johnny's wife Amy has always looked the other way when it comes to Johnny's family business. She knows he is involved but she would rather not know too much about what they are doing.  Amy is a little restless now their son Sasha is older and she would like to go back to work.  Once the gang violence  hits close to home, Amy will do whatever it takes to protect herself and Sasha from danger. But will she convince Johnny to leave Sydney and strike out on their own?

Johnny has not been averse to the minor violence he is occasionally involved in. He collects payments from the managers of their legitimate businesses and he works the heists the family occasionally pulls off.  Johnny has not had to deal with the more deadly aspects of the business since Ivan is their father's right hand man. Under extreme pressure from Milan to avenge Ivan's murder, Johnny is torn between loyalty to his father and his love and devotion to Amy and Sasha.

The Second Son is a fast-paced and compelling mystery. The characters are vibrantly developed and  likable which makes it easy to overlook their livelihood. The storyline is engaging and quite suspenseful. The various settings are meticulously detailed and easy to visualize. With stunning twists and shocking turns, Loraine Peck brings this clever debut to an exciting conclusion. I completely enjoyed and highly recommend this outstanding novel. I cannot wait for the sequel!

[Naomi (aplace_inthesun) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A war is brewing between the Serbs and Croats on the streets of Western Sydney following the murders of high profile gang members. When Ivan Novak is added to the list of the slain, gunned down putting his garbage out, Milan Novak calls for revenge - an eye for an eye. He demands his second son Johnny deliver it.

Whilst Johnny is far from clean, he’s a good crook to some extent - he’s respectful, doesn’t want to kill anyone, and he helps out the immigrants they set up in their family businesses, occasionally giving back rent and protection money they receive, out of his own pocket keeping it a secret from his father. Johnny now has to come up with a plan that dishes out the revenge Milan demands, as well as keeping his wife Amy happy, and happy for Amy means Johnny, Amy and their son Sasha are far removed from the family business.

THE SECOND SON is a gritty thriller that puts the reader in the thick of the Novak business. The criminal enterprises, drugs, guns, and violence. The simmering cultural tension, and the currency of information. There’s also a strong sense of family, looking after one another, and lingering generational trauma moulding the family’s experiences. Johnny has to develop contingency plans like never before, always having relied and on big brother Ivan who not only protected but served as a buffer against the the world, as well as their harsh and unyielding father. There’s a brusque detective who has seen it all who makes for a great character. Told from the alternating points of view of Johnny and Amy, with a great pace and plenty of action, you could see how their different upbringings brought them to the circumstances they found themselves in, and their fighting (individually and collectively) to save their families.

The writing is quite simple, and attitudinally I struggled with how females are portrayed to a degree in this book, and there are some fairly strong cultural stereotypes to challenge. If readers can accept these they will likely enjoy this one.

Thanks to Text Publishing for the complimentary copy of THE SECOND SON. I’m sensing the book may give rise to a further instalment.

[Hala · Rating 1 out of 5]

‘The Second Son’ is a second-rate crime novel that mostly features horrible people doing horrible things to each other. Don’t waste your time, there is nothing to see here, except amateurishly written garbage. How this poorly written racist and sexist novel made it to publication is beyond me. I guessed ‘whodunnit’ within the first few pages. The reason why the murder of Johnny’s brother Ivan was committed beggars belief. Ivan raped Johnny’s wife Amy. Amy was counselled by Johnny’s cousin Marko not to tell anyone about the rape. Marko then shoots dead Ivan whilst he was taking his bins out. When Johnny finds out he is apparently okay with this and accepts it all so it doesn’t upset his repugnant crime family. Johnny also finds it hard to believe that the brother he worshipped, who was tall, good looking, funny and never had any problems ‘pulling chicks’ could be a rapist. Yes folks, this was actually published in 2021 where apparently women should remain silent about rape, retribution should be the immediate execution of the perpetrator and guys who can easily ‘get’ girls cannot possibly rape! That Peck can be so out of touch with current societal expectations is frankly sickening. Women should not be expected to be silent about sexual assault anymore to protect men or their families or anyone else. This attitude is deeply offensive, oh and I’m pretty sure good looking guys who can easily ‘get’ girls can be rapists too. As if this wasn’t bad enough Peck presents us with broad brush ethnic stereotypes who are all criminals of course. The Croats, Serbs, Lebs, they all get a guernsey here and all are simplistically and offensively portrayed through Peck's white privileged gaze. I hated all of Johnny’s family starting with his mother Branka who is permanently in the kitchen cooking of course, like all good Croatian housewives, turning a blind eye to all the lowlife criminals in her family. Milan, Johnny’s father and family patriarch is a total arsehole of a criminal only obsessed with furthering his family’s fortunes whatever the cost to his sons and grandson. I hated how he spoke in broken English despite being in Australia for forty years. I know migrants who have been here less and came to Australia with no English that can speak better English than Milan. I wanted some sort of reckoning for Milan, some sort of character development where he sees what his singular pursuit of crime is doing to his family. It never happens (what was I thinking!) because Milan is, of course, one dimensional like most of the reprobates in this novel. We do however get some cringe worthy soul searching from Johnny which goes a bit like this ‘Who the fuck is Johnny Novak anyway. A petty crim who’s been lucky up to now. I’ve always felt kind of cool, like I’m an outlaw, living by my wits’. You are not cool Johnny, you are a horrible drug dealing stand over man who doesn’t hesitate to use kidnap and torture as a means to an end. Can you tell that Peck has failed to create any sympathy for any of these appalling characters? The ‘he said, she said’ alternating chapters between Johnny and Amy were annoying and repetitive. I hated Amy too, basically a vacuous spoilt gangster’s moll. She heals from her rape and kidnap ordeal by using the phrase ‘I am healing’ as if saying it is the equivalent of waving a magic wand to make it all go away. Peck then decides to give her a happy ending by making her pregnant, because we know that a new baby is all a woman needs to make everything right again. At one point Johnny is told he has a ‘dark red aura’ around him because he is angry (yes, seriously). I probably have one now as I am angry that I read this drivel. Peck very optimistically leaves the ending open for a sequel. There is no way I want to spend more time with these awful characters and Peck’s putrid prose. Give this one a wide berth, not recommended.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Johnny Novak is the titular second son, and a member of a Sydney based Croation crime family. When his older brother is murdered Johhny is called upon to avenge the family name. His wife Amy gives an ultimatum as well - leave the family violence or she will leave with their young son.

This is fast paced and engaging, and the narrative switches between the viewpoint of Johnny and Amy which adds a layer of complexity to the storytelling. There is lots of action (and violence), but ultimately it is a story about family.

It is hard to beleive this is a debut novel by Loraine Peck and I look forward to more!

[David Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Having grown up in the outer Sydney there was a pervasive familiarity with many of the characters and their haunts. Hard to put down and easy to pick up I found myself saying one more chapter so often the book almost read itself...

[Meredith Jaffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
The Second Son is being touted by the publisher as the first bestseller of 2021 and with good cause. This is an assured debut by Peck. The novel snaps along at a cracking pace, is filled with sharply drawn and complex characters, and has a complicated enough plot to keep the reader guessing until the end. Set in the multicultural suburbs of Western Sydney, this page-turner has an authentic Australian flavour without resorting to the rural landscapes that have popularised so many recent Aussie crime novels. Disturbing, fresh, and thoroughly entertaining.

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, hard to believe it’s a first novel. I literally couldn’t put it down. Set in the Western suburbs of Sydney and populated by the Serb Croat families steeped in crime… The grittiness of the suburbs is real, the heat of summer I’d relentless and cultures are beautifully created. Food is always on the table and it’s good. The families are as real as you’ll ever get from the patriarch to the second son. Johnny is the second son married to Amy, and they take you on the self confessed ‘wild ride’ of drug deals and murders. There are so many clever aspects to this and the writing is fabulous. Believable because you’re invested in the family, the second son has to step up after the first son is murdered but an our Johnny make it.? Will his father let him? Perfect summer reading. Thanks to @netgalley for a copy to review.

[Havers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loraine Peck taucht mit ihrem Debüt, für das sie 2021 mit dem Ned Kelly Award ausgezeichnet wurde, in die Unterwelt von Sydney ein, in der Rivalitäten zwischen Serben und Kroaten ihre Fortsetzung finden. Auf beiden Seiten gibt es alte Rechnungen, die darauf warten, beglichen zu werden.

Ivan, Milans Erstgeborener und zukünftiger Nachfolger des kroatischen Clan-Chefs, ist tot, wird vor seinem Haus in Sydney erschossen, als er seinen Müll in die Tonne kippt. Eine Vergeltung und Provokation der Serben, die sein Vater nicht unbeantwortet lassen kann. Es ist eine Frage der Ehre und Johnny, „Der zweite Sohn“, soll seinen Bruder rächen. Aber dieser ist nicht für das Familiengeschäft gemacht, will viel lieber mit seiner Frau Amy und seinem Sohn Sasha wie eine normale Familie in Frieden leben. Zumal ihn Zweifel an der Herkunft des Täters kommen, als sich weitere Morde ereignen. Wer hat ein Interesse daran, die beiden Banden gegeneinander aufzubringen? Johnny fasst einen Plan, wie er nicht nur diese Frage klären sondern sich auch noch ohne großes Aufsehen aus dem kriminellen Milieu verabschieden kann.

Peck lässt uns abwechselnd aus zwei unterschiedlichen Perspektiven einen Blick auf die Ereignisse werfen. Zum einen ist das natürlich Johnny, seine Herkunftsfamilie, der er Loyalität schuldet, aber auch dessen Sehnsucht nach einem ruhigen, unspektakulären Leben Frau und Kind. Amy hingegen ist die Außenseiterin, die Australierin, die eingeheiratet hat, nicht dazugehört und deshalb auch mit kritischem Blick beobachtet, was in dieser Familie vor sich geht, weshalb sie am liebsten mit Johnny und Sasha weit weg von Sydney neu anfangen möchte.

Die Handlung ist zwar im Clan-Milieu angesiedelt, aber dafür war mir dieser angebliche Thriller viel zu zahm, hatte eher etwas von einem Roman über eine Einwanderfamilie, die im neuen Leben nicht heimisch geworden ist und noch immer Traumata aus der Vergangenheit mit sich herumschleppt. Dass Frauen in Gangsterkreisen üblicherweise nichts zu melden haben, ist klar, schließlich muss sich ja jemand um die Kinder und den Haushalt kümmern (Ironie aus). Aber dass Amy, das naive Dummchen, eines Tages aufwacht und völlig schockiert darüber ist, dass sowohl ihr Mann als auch dessen Familie ihren Lebensunterhalt mit kriminellen Geschäften finanzieren…sorry, aber das scheint mir dann doch zu weit hergeholt.

Als Thriller funktioniert der Roman nur bedingt, und auch für einen Whodunit ist die Story zu durchsichtig. Ivans Killer hatte ich recht schnell auf dem Schirm, lediglich über das Motiv musste ich etwas länger rätseln. Kann man lesen, muss man aber nicht.

[Lisa (Insta: serenity.of.books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Second Son by Loraine Peck is a wild ride of a crime family saga which reads more like a gripping TV series (think the original Underbelly series) and I couldn’t put it down! I can see why this new Aussie author won the 2021 Ned Kelly Crime Award for Best Debut Crime Fiction and I can’t wait to see more books from her if this is the starting point!

Johnny Novak is born into a Croatian crime family based in the Western suburbs of Sydney. When his older brother, Ivan, is murdered in his driveway one night, his crime boss father Milan sets him the job of avenging his death potentially sparking a gang war. But Johnny isn’t the same as the other men in his family; he wants to give his wife Amy and son, Sasha a better life and doesn’t want his son to ever know what it feels like to pick up a gun. But when more sons of the city’s crime bosses begin to be gunned down too, the pressure is on for something to be done and this has all sorts of unintended consequences.

I really enjoyed how this story was told from both Johnny & Amy’s point of views – it made it feel more authentic seeing both sides of their sometimes-hidden lives. The pace was excellent and even though there were a lot of moving parts in this story from the police, the immediate and extended family and other gangs it was all crafted together to make for a compelling, bingeable read.

Highly recommend picking this one up if you enjoy a gritty Aussie crime that’s engaging from the very first page and you can’t wait to see what happens next!

Thanks to Netgalley and Text Publishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Leanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

[Risha · Rating 3 out of 5]

TW: rape, death, grief, murder, animal abuse, hostage situations

Happy publication day to this lovely thriller!! I want to thank text publishing for sending me an arc of this book back in December!

Although this isnt my usual genre of books, the second son actually surprised me!! The story follows Croatian Johnny who has to step up and be the “main” gang leader after his brother Ivan is killed. Being an active part of this gang comes with a price, his wife and child’s safety and leaves Johnny in a tousle between his obligation to his father, or his son while trying to figure out who killed his brother and why.

This book was super fast paced and quite enjoyable!! I definitely found myself flying through pages to figure out what happened. While the writing was quite mediocre, I think the intense plot pushed it up to that 3 star level for me.

The biggest let down for me about this one was the writing, it was just quite simplistic and ordinary. Some of the elements of the story also seemed quite cliche to me. Johnny’s wife, amy who is also one of the protagonists of the story was described in the most irritating way of being “tall and skinny and blonde and beautiful”, she was also literallly the the only woman in this book that had any role at all (from a female author nonetheless!!) and she’s made out to be just perfect. I feel like in 2021, we’re all over the norm of the one beautiful sexy female character and definitely would like to see more well rounded female characters in Peck’s next novel!!

I think the author has a fantastic imagination and weaved together plotlines really well though!! Overall, pick this up if you’re looking for something fast paced and simple.

[61418963300 · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a number of down days following surgery I was prepared, books, Netflix, Foxtel etc. My first choice was The Second Son by a new Australian writer Loraine Peck. What a great choice, it gave me everything. Crime, gangsters, family, misguided loyalty - thrilling and dramatic to the last page taking my breath away along the way. I loved this book and read it greedily. What a brilliant debut novel.

[Hayley (meet_me_at_the_library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

Inspired by stories the author’s Croatian husband told her about his childhood, The Second Son is an action-packed crime debut that would be perfect for fans of The Sopranos and Breaking Bad.

I wasn’t sure this book would be my cup of tea, but I decided to give it a go anyway (don’t judge a book by it’s cover and all that!) and I ended up really enjoying it.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Text Publishing.

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loraine Peck has written a compulsive and gripping novel that skillfully weaves the same story through two sets of eyes - a husband and wife. From the moment I picked up the book I was invested in its characters. I wanted to know what was going to happen next. it’s fast paced, a joy to read and keeps you guessing right to the very end. Loved it!

[Alexander Henseleit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eine spannende, packende und rasante Geschichte mit gelungenen Wendungen!

,,Der zweite Sohn" der Autorin Loraine Peck ist ein Thriller aus dem Hause Suhrkamp, welcher am 07.03.2022 erschienen ist. Dies ist ihr Debüt-Thriller, der meiner Meinung nach direkt volle Punkte erreicht hat. Suhrkamp-Thriller gehören sowieso zu meinen Favoriten und auch dieses Buch hat meine Erwartungen erneut vollkommen erfüllt. Als Johnnys’ Bruder während des Mülls rausbringen erschossen wird, ist für das kroatische Oberhaupt Milan sofort klar, dass sein Sohn die Rache für seinen älteren Bruder übernehmen muss. Denn kurz vor dem Mord wurde der Sohn des serbischen Gangsterclanchefs Stanislav Vucavec auf dieselbe Weise getötet. Für Milan kommt daher kein anderer infrage, außer seinem Todesfeind Vucavec. Doch Johnny hat Zweifel an dieser Theorie und versucht, mit einem gerissenen und lukrativen Plan Zeit zu gewinnen und den wahren Mörder zu finden. Seine Frau Amy fühlt sich in der mächtigen und gewaltbereiten Familie unwohl und ist von dem neuen Job ihres Mannes überhaupt nicht begeistert. Sie stellt Johnny ein knallhartes und konsequentes Ultimatum, denn er muss sich zwischen seiner eigenen kleinen und der kriminellen Familienbande entscheiden. Johnny versucht mit allen Mitteln, den wahren Mörder seines Bruders zu finden und muss auf diesem Weg feststellen, dass er einer Wahrheit ins Auge schauen muss, mit der er überhaupt nicht gerechnet hat. Eine, die ihm den Boden unter den Füßen wegzieht. Zwischen Wut, Verzweiflung und Zerrissenheit muss er sich zudem auch noch um seine Frau und seinem kleinen Sohn Sasha sorgen, denn ohne die beiden hat das Leben für den kriminellen Legastheniker keinen Sinn. Er schwört sich, dass dies sein letzter Familienjob sein wird, doch bis dahin ist es für ihn ein rasanter und spannender Weg mit neuen Erkenntnissen.

Der Schauplatz Sydney und die kriminellen Machenschaften verschiedener Gangs wurden in dieser gut durchdachten Geschichte klar und authentisch beschrieben. Besonders Johnny, seine Familienmitglieder und vor allem seine Eltern sind ausgezeichnet dargestellt worden. Milan und seine Frau Branka sind typische Kroaten, dessen Lebensstil klar und realistisch dargestellt wird. Milan, Johnnys’ Vater, ist der Chef und Bestimmer, der seine Truppe voll und ganz unter Kontrolle hat. Niemand wagt es, ihm zu widersprechen. Er ist ein knallharter und unsympathischer Charakter mit einer Menge Wut im Bauch, viel mehr noch nach dem Verlust seines Sohnes. Seine Frau dagegen entspricht ebenfalls voll und ganz dem Klischee einer hörigen, kroatischen Hausfrau, die den ganzen Tag in Massen kocht, backt und sich nur um das Wohl ihrer großen Familie kümmert. Dass diese Frau Angst hat, eines ihrer Familienmitglieder könnte vom Fleisch fallen, hat hier gut reingepasst und gleichzeitig für Abwechslung gesorgt, sodass das Bild dieser kroatischen Mafia perfekt gezeichnet ist.

Es wird abwechselnd aus Johnnys’ und Amys’ Perspektive geschrieben, sodass ich dessen Gedankengänge und Handlungen sehr gut nachvollziehen konnte. Beide Charaktere schwanken zwischen Zerrissenheit und Wut. Amys’ Angst wurde authentisch rübergebracht, die in ihrer Situation selbstverständlich ist. Obwohl sie die Machenschaften der kroatischen Mafia nicht befürwortet, versucht sie trotzdem, mit ihrem Mann ein Leben außerhalb der Kriminalität zu leben. Doch diesmal kann sie Johnny bei seinem letzten Job nicht zur Seite stehen und ihm den Rücken freihalten, da sie ahnt, dass schlimmeres passieren wird. Auf dem Weg ihrer Flucht muss sie sich eingestehen, dass sie recht hatte. Denn nicht alle Mitglieder der anderen Gangs halten sich strikt an die Regel, Frauen und Kinder in Ruhe zu lassen. Es beginnt für alle ein Wettlauf gegen die Zeit, denn es kann nur eine Gang heil aus einem perfiden Plan überleben und als Sieger hervorgehen.

Mitglieder einer weiteren Gang nehmen in dieser Handlung ebenfalls eine große Rolle ein. Auch hier hatte ich das Gefühl, bei vielen Verhandlungen hautnah mit dabei zu sein. Ich habe oft mitgefiebert und mitgelitten und obwohl ich schnell einen Verdacht wegen Ivans’ Mörder hatte, haben sich meine Befürchtung nur zum Teil bestätigt. Denn warum der ältere Sohn wirklich sterben musste, habe ich bis zur kompletten Auflösung nicht kommen sehen. Die Autorin hat geschickt versucht, mich auf falsche Fährten zu führen und gegen Ende überschlagen sich nochmal die Ereignisse, die mich mit ungeheuerlichen Geheimnissen überrascht haben. Dass in einem Clan die Familie an erster Stelle steht und es einen Familienkodex gibt, der niemals zu missachten gilt, kam ebenfalls klasse rüber.

Der Schreibstil von Loraine Peck hat mir außerordentlich gut gefallen, denn er ist flüssig und sehr authentisch. Durch die klare Sprache wurde die temporeiche Handlung äußerst bildlich, wie erwähnt sind die Charaktere ausgezeichnet ausgearbeitet. Sprachfehler und das authentisch gesprochene kroatisch-deutsch in zahlreichen Dialogen hat diese rasante Geschichte sehr realistisch erscheinen lassen. Dass es in der Unterwelt oftmals sehr rabiat und ohne Rücksicht auf Verluste zugeht, hat die Autorin deutlich hervorgehoben. Auch wenn einige Handlungen auf den ersten Blick etwas unrealistisch erscheinen, sind ihre Beschreibungen der Geschehnisse und den Machenschaften der kriminellen Familienbanden von der Realität oftmals gar nicht so weit entfernt. Einige könnten sich in der wahren Welt wahrscheinlich wirklich so abgespielt haben. Von Anfang an wurde deutlich, dass hier viel recherchiert wurde, um diesen Thriller so authentisch wie möglich zu gestalten, was der Autorin meiner Meinung nach auch super gelungen ist.

Ein guter Spannungsbogen lässt einen schnellen Lesefluss zu und ich hatte spannende Lesestunden. Die Atmosphäre passt sich jeder Situation perfekt an und viele Einblicke aus verschieden Familienclans, besonders der kroatischen, haben mir wahnsinnig gut gefallen. Ein knallharter Thriller, der die australische Unterwelt, Clan-Gesetze und den familiären Zusammenhalt deutlich hervorhebt. Hier packt keiner aus, denn klare Clan-Gesetze und der intensive Zusammenhalt stehen in diesem Debüt über Rechtsstaat und Grundgesetz. Die Polizei ist teilweise machtlos, denn es herrschen eigene Gesetze innerhalb der skrupellosen Unterwelt. Von Amy wurde ich zu guter Letzt auch noch überrascht, denn der unscheinbare Charakter scheint nicht alle Geheimnisse mit ihrem Mann geteilt zu haben. Von mir gibt es eine klare Leseempfehlung, da ein brillant ausgeklügelter Plan und unstillbare Rachegelüste für einen genialen und hinterlistigen Plot gesorgt haben. Mir hat es Spaß gemacht zu erfahren, wie Johnny verzweifelt versucht, sich aus dem Würgegriff seiner Clan-Familie zu befreien, um ein neues Leben mit Amy und Sasha beginnen zu können.

[Catherine O'Neill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great yarn from a top chick. Loraine Peck is awesome - a generous and a top shelf human who shared her author story with a bunch of wanna-bees from my writing group, The ALL WRiTE CLUB - the most supportive bunch of humans I've come across.

[Rachel Coutinho · Rating 4 out of 5]

Western Sydney mafias! Who'd have thought. The tale twists and turns and the characters very real. A great read!

[Spiritedbookishbabe · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn’t get into the story. I got half way and it turned into a DNF. Western suburb isn’t a type of story I like reading. It just wasn’t for me

[JoanStef · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mitreißend.Spannend.Mitreißend
"Der zweite Sohn" ist der Debutroman von der australischen Autorin Loraine Peck.

Die deutsche Veröffentlichung erfolgt durch den Herausgeber: Thomas Wörtche & dem Suhrkamp / Insel Verlag, am 7. März 2022.

Die Autorin:

Loraine Peck wurde als Kind eines Piloten und einer Künstlerin, in Australien geboren. Obwohl sie schon früh Bücher und Geschichten schreiben wollte, hat sie sich erst mit 54 Jahren durch vielerlei Kurse, dem professionellem Schreiben zugewandt. Ihr Debut ein spannender Roman innerhalb des Spannungs-Genre.

Das Cover zeugt von einer sorgfältigen Planung, kreativen Zielrichtung & gelungenem äußeren Erscheinungsbild. Durch das in schwarz/weiß gestaltete Cover, mit einer im Titel zentrierten Patrone, ist dem Betrachter schnell klar, das es sich hier um einen Spannungsroman handelt. Der Titel lässt auch Assoziationen auf mafiöse Strukturen zu. Mir gefällt die äußere Aufmachung gut.

Zum Inhalt:

Australien: Ivan Novak, ältester Sohn von Milan Novak,einem bekannten kroatischen Clanboss, wird erschossen aufgefunden.

Milan Novak erwartet von seinem zweiten Sohn Johnny, den vermutlichen Mörder zu richten. Obwohl der Täter noch nicht gefunden & überführt wurde, vermuten Milan und seine Clanmitglieder, dass die Tat durch ein Mitglied eines verfeindeten serbischen Clans, erfolgte.

Johnny entwickelt daraufhin einen Plan, den Mörder zu überführen, diesen zu bestrafen, ohne jedoch selbst töten zu müssen.

Mein persönliche Leseerlebnis:

Erzählstil, Grammatik, Übersetzung,Spannung:

Der Aufbau dieser Story ist wohldurchdacht und gut lesbar. Die Kapitel werden nicht durchgezählt. Sie berichten zwei Sichtweisen. Johnny & Amy - Johnnys Ehefrau. Der lockere alltagsähnliche Sprachgebrauch sichert ein flüssiges Lesetempo. Die deutschsprachige Übersetzung ist gut gelungen. Die geschichtlichen Hintergründe beider Clans, werden ohne den Leser zu sehr zu strapazieren, ausreichend kommuniziert,

Die in der kroatischen Grammatik verwurzelten Satzstrukturen bewirken bei mir Assoziationen zu dem, mir bekannten Sprachgebrauch & Ausprache, befreundeter Kroaten. Hierdurch gewinnt die Geschichte ebenfalls an Authentizität.

Die Geschichte punktet hauptsächlich, durch die gut und nachvollziehbar beschriebenen Gewissenskonflikte der Protagonisten.

Ihrem Leben innerhalb der australischen Gesellschaft. Die serbischen & kroatischen mafiösen Clanmitglieder, welche nur ihre eigene Statuten anerkennen & ausleben wollen. Der Graben zwischen dem Patriachat und dem Leben mit Werten der Gleichberechtigung.

Ein täglicher Spagat für alle Beteiligten.Diese innere Zerreißprobe versteht die Autorin, sehr authentisch zu erzählen. Die inneren Kämpfe der Ehefrauen, welche konventionelle kulturellen Zwänge abwerfen wollen. Die Hürden, sich in der australischen Gesellschaft eine eigene Identität zu erkämpfen, ohne ihre Männer zu brüskieren oder zu verletzen.

Zusammenfassung: Ein durchweg flüssig erzähltes Familiendrama, das realitätsnah die Konflikte zwischen den ethnischen Gruppen von Serben & Kroaten, thematisiert.

Das überraschende Ende lässt mich auf weitere Episoden aus der Feder dieser Autorin hoffen.

Fazit: Ein fesselnder Roman, der mit eingeflochtenen Spannungsbögen, den Leser an die Lektüre fesselt.

Eine sehr gute 4* Sternebewertung, verbunden mit einer Leseempfehlung! Besonders empfohlen für Leser, die spannende Lektüre lieben & gern hinter ethnische & gesellschaftliche Normen sowie Fassaden, blicken.

Formate: elektr. Formate, Taschenbuch

ISBN: 978-3-518-47229-3

Seitenzahl: 424

Übersetzung: Stefan Lux

[Underground Writers]

This review was first published on the Underground Writers website: http://underground-writers.org/review...

Loraine Peck’s debut novel The Second Son was inspired by the author’s passion for crime fiction and brings to life an imagination procured by the author’s many global adventures, from dealing blackjack on the Gold Coast to working in the film industry. The bookfollows Johnny and his family after the murder of his brother Ivan, in Sydney’s western suburbs, which sets Johnny on a course of guilt and revenge. Born into a Croatian crime family, Johnny must maintain the trajectory of the family ‘business’, ensuring money continues to line their pockets and their enemies remain at bay.

The dual perspective narrative of the book offers insight into Johnny’s mental state, as well as that of his wife Amy. We see her struggle to cope with the life she married into and stress over the safety of their son, Sasha. Both points of view give the reader an idea of the Novak family dynamic, particularly how patriarch Milan determines the ways in which the two main characters are treated by others—Amy is an outsider, Johnny is simply there to follow orders. Peck has expertly crafted themes of culture, family and crime in a way that lends itself to excellent character development.

Whilst the crux of the story is based around crime and gang relations, generational father-son relationships are also addressed in detail; Johnny has a fractured relationship with his father and his ‘job’ is causing emotional turmoil for Sasha. I also think the addition of Amy’s maternal perspective worked in the story’s favour, as the reader witnesses how deeply entrenched she is within this crime family and the consequences of that.

The book comes in at around 400 pages, which is lengthy for a crime/thriller in my experience. The pacing for the most part was well-executed; however, I felt as though it lagged slightly through the middle. If it had been cut down by around 50 or so pages, I think readers would be less likely to be bogged down in slower parts of the plot. That being said, the slower parts work well in providing a deeper insight into the family and their motivations.

Peck has created a unique crime story that is compelling, gritty and realistic. The crime elements feel high stakes and adding the familial relationships amidst the drama ups the ante. If you’re a fan of The Godfather, and enjoy crime stories with an Australian twist, I would highly recommend this book. It has also been announced that a sequel is in the works, so look out for that!