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Peninsula Crimes #5
Blood Moon
Challis and his team investigate the brutal beating of the chaplain of a prestigious school and the murder of the woman in charge of punishing local land use violations. But will Hal Challis and Ellen Destry’s new romantic relationship interfere with their work?
314 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2009
150 people are currently reading
391 people want to read
About the author
Garry Disher
92 books721 followersGarry Disher was born in 1949 and grew up on his parents' farm in South Australia.
He gained post graduate degrees from Adelaide and Melbourne Universities. In 1978 he was awarded a creative writing fellowship to Stanford University, where he wrote his first short story collection. He travelled widely overseas, before returning to Australia, where he taught creative writing, finally becoming a full time writer in 1988. He has written more than 40 titles, including general and crime fiction, children's books, textbooks, and books about the craft of writing.
He gained post graduate degrees from Adelaide and Melbourne Universities. In 1978 he was awarded a creative writing fellowship to Stanford University, where he wrote his first short story collection. He travelled widely overseas, before returning to Australia, where he taught creative writing, finally becoming a full time writer in 1988. He has written more than 40 titles, including general and crime fiction, children's books, textbooks, and books about the craft of writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
October 7, 2025
This is the fifth book in the Peninsular Crimes series which I seem to have been reading out of order. I have read #7 but not #6. Need to fix that!
So much happens in this book. At work Challis and his team investigate a brutal beating and a woman's murder while managing the problems caused by Schoolies Week. At home Challis and Destry are together at last but for how long? Scobie has serious problems with a depressed wife. And Pam has the best story of all with a new relationship which turns sour. It would be worth reading this book just to find out the amazing way she ends it.
I thoroughly enjoyed the whole book and intend tracking down #6 Whispering Death as soon as possible.
So much happens in this book. At work Challis and his team investigate a brutal beating and a woman's murder while managing the problems caused by Schoolies Week. At home Challis and Destry are together at last but for how long? Scobie has serious problems with a depressed wife. And Pam has the best story of all with a new relationship which turns sour. It would be worth reading this book just to find out the amazing way she ends it.
I thoroughly enjoyed the whole book and intend tracking down #6 Whispering Death as soon as possible.
November 24, 2019
Detective Inspector Hal Challis and Sergeant Ellen Destry were partners in both their job and their private lives. But it was very new, and they were just finding their way. They also knew what the powers that be would have to say about it, and it wouldn’t be good. Meanwhile schoolies was due to start and the teens they expected in Waterloo would cause their small force some angst, with the drugs and alcohol use and abuse, among other things.
But it was the brutal bashing of an influential person that started their investigation, while not long after that a woman’s dead body was discovered beside her car. Her death would have been terrible. As Challis and his team sifted through the evidence and searched for proof, they wondered if the answers were out there. But dogged police work and sheer determination found them heading toward a conclusion. Would it be the correct one?
Blood Moon is the 5th in the Inspector Challis series by Aussie author Garry Disher and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Disher is an excellent crime writer, and I’m always captivated by his stories. There were plenty of twists, a few nasty pieces of work, and plenty to keep the reader interested. Highly recommended.
But it was the brutal bashing of an influential person that started their investigation, while not long after that a woman’s dead body was discovered beside her car. Her death would have been terrible. As Challis and his team sifted through the evidence and searched for proof, they wondered if the answers were out there. But dogged police work and sheer determination found them heading toward a conclusion. Would it be the correct one?
Blood Moon is the 5th in the Inspector Challis series by Aussie author Garry Disher and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Disher is an excellent crime writer, and I’m always captivated by his stories. There were plenty of twists, a few nasty pieces of work, and plenty to keep the reader interested. Highly recommended.
June 24, 2017
Blood Moon is the fifth book in the Inspector Challis series by Garry Disher. During schoolies week on the Mornington Peninsular, a School's chaplain was beating. Inspector Challis and Ellen Destry is on the case to find out who did it and during the investigation, a murder was committed. Readers of Blood Moon will continue to follow Inspector Challis and Sergeant Ellen Destry investigation into the killing and the assault on the chaplain.
Blood Moon is the four book I have read in this series, and I am becoming addictive to them. I like the way Garry Disher portrays his characters and intertwines them throughout the book. Reading Blood Moon, I started to see the Mornington Peninsular through the eyes of the characters. Garry Disher excellently describes the problems of schoolies week to the community and law enforcement.
Readers of Blood Moon will learn the importance of ensuring friends or relatives you believe are suffering from family violence to seek the necessary authorities to help them. Also, readers will learn about the problems law enforcement officers have if they fall in love with another staff member. Blood Moon also highlights the problems of kleptomania for the suffers.
I recommend this book.
Blood Moon is the four book I have read in this series, and I am becoming addictive to them. I like the way Garry Disher portrays his characters and intertwines them throughout the book. Reading Blood Moon, I started to see the Mornington Peninsular through the eyes of the characters. Garry Disher excellently describes the problems of schoolies week to the community and law enforcement.
Readers of Blood Moon will learn the importance of ensuring friends or relatives you believe are suffering from family violence to seek the necessary authorities to help them. Also, readers will learn about the problems law enforcement officers have if they fall in love with another staff member. Blood Moon also highlights the problems of kleptomania for the suffers.
I recommend this book.
September 12, 2025
There were mystery driveways and private roads all over the Peninsula and they all led to money.
First published in 2009, Blood Moon is 5th in the Peninsula Crimes series by Australian author Garry Disher - until now, the only one that has eluded me. Set in “schoolies week” - the drug-and-alcohol party celebration by school leavers with an added lunar eclipse - within little more than 300 pages the police investigate a murder, a violent bashing that leaves the victim in a coma, links to an ultra-orthodox religious cult and sexual assault - against a background where the rich and privileged influence or exploit planning regulations.
The police team face their own challenges: Challis and Destry are finally getting it together; Scobie Sutton struggles with a depressed wife while raising his daughter; Pam Murphy finds a new ‘love’ but is he what he seems? Tank takes a background role in this one, which, to this reader, is the best of the series.
First published in 2009, Blood Moon is 5th in the Peninsula Crimes series by Australian author Garry Disher - until now, the only one that has eluded me. Set in “schoolies week” - the drug-and-alcohol party celebration by school leavers with an added lunar eclipse - within little more than 300 pages the police investigate a murder, a violent bashing that leaves the victim in a coma, links to an ultra-orthodox religious cult and sexual assault - against a background where the rich and privileged influence or exploit planning regulations.
The police team face their own challenges: Challis and Destry are finally getting it together; Scobie Sutton struggles with a depressed wife while raising his daughter; Pam Murphy finds a new ‘love’ but is he what he seems? Tank takes a background role in this one, which, to this reader, is the best of the series.
July 19, 2023
Challis and Ellen Destry are in a relationship. A chaplain at a classy private school has been beaten, and Schoolies Week is coming to the peninsula. Another thrilling read.
January 2, 2015
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2012
Several years ago, on a trip to Australia, I read some local authors. I couldn't get absorbed by Tom Winton, but Garry Disher turned out to be a really good storyteller. His books tended to be expensive in the U.S., but now they are on kindle.
Blood Moon starts out slowly, with many different characters going through their daily lives. Of course some turn out to be criminals and their victims. Others are the engaging and sometimes quite flawed detectives of the Waterloo force, all of whom I remembered from previous reads. They are regular people, with families and issues. This first part of the book was interesting but not riveting.
Patience was rewarded, however, as soon as the multiple crimes were committed and the detectives became linked with the victims and the criminals. There was sufficient uncertainty and several surprises, up until the very last scene.
Overall, a splendid police procedural with interesting characters, whose shortcomings make them easy to relate to. Added bonuses, for me at least, are the descriptions of parts of a country I know very little about and the use of colloquial expressions. Disher knows his subject. "Boss!"
Blood Moon starts out slowly, with many different characters going through their daily lives. Of course some turn out to be criminals and their victims. Others are the engaging and sometimes quite flawed detectives of the Waterloo force, all of whom I remembered from previous reads. They are regular people, with families and issues. This first part of the book was interesting but not riveting.
Patience was rewarded, however, as soon as the multiple crimes were committed and the detectives became linked with the victims and the criminals. There was sufficient uncertainty and several surprises, up until the very last scene.
Overall, a splendid police procedural with interesting characters, whose shortcomings make them easy to relate to. Added bonuses, for me at least, are the descriptions of parts of a country I know very little about and the use of colloquial expressions. Disher knows his subject. "Boss!"
May 15, 2019
This is an excellent,solid series.
April 21, 2012
The Hal Challis series gets bigger and better with each outing. I love the character development and the personality flaws in the good guys, who are far from the stereotypical perfect crusaders against crime. A well-written, multi-layered Australian police procedural with a definite dose of grit and realism.
April 7, 2009
The Hal Challis series is really growing into something particularly interesting, as well as entertaining. There's a distinct edge to this story, there are obviously some issues which the author wants to talk about, and he's cleverly worked a number of elements of social observation and commentary into what is, overall, a good solid police procedural.
Hal and Ellen's romantic interest at the end of the last book has developed into a live-in relationship. Which has a number of complications - not just that they work together and that Hal is Ellen's boss. Ellen's divorce is only just completed, and as attracted as she is to Hal, living together is an unexpected experience that she's struggling with. And the rest of the team are well aware of what's going on, even if the whole thing is not spoken of. The brass is also less than impressed, but they have given Hal a way out of the situation which he needs to decide on whilst he's also juggling a number of simultaneous investigations.
The unit is busy. It is Schoolies Week and Waterloo has become one of the destinations for groups of celebrating teenagers in recent years, and the workload for the police increases as a result. Whilst most of the lower ranks are fully occupied with Schoolie liaison and investigating minor crimes, there are occasional bigger problems like assault and in particular sexual assault. Nobody necessarily thinks that the vicious bashing of a local private school chaplain is connected to the Schoolies, although it could be possible. What is definitely known is that the victim's brother works for the local Member of Parliament, and he's a Pollie not adverse to a spot of police bashing and throwing his weight around. Things get even more complicated in that case when a racial motive is unearthed.
Meanwhile a local planning officer is having family problems of her own. Her husband is obsessed and a bully - following her constantly, criticising her constantly, carping and harping at her all the time. She's also got a job that sometimes makes her unpopular, either enforcing breaches of planning law, or in one case, failing to stop the demolishing of a much loved old landmark.
The storylines provide a real possibility for some particularly pithy - and frequently funny - digs at things that can go very wrong when places of natural beauty start to attract a lot of people. In particular, people who seem hell-bent on destroying the things that attracted them in the first place. There is also some very elegant commentary about corruption, privilege, and overt and tacky displays of wealth, dotted throughout. By no means overpowering or distracting from the investigation, this social observation adds a layer of understanding about the area, and the people on all sides of the investigations.
It is a complicated series of threads - the bashing assault of the chaplain; a bludgeoned body; sexual assault within the Schoolies; a young man who picked on the wrong girl last year; and an unsavoury event within the investigation team. All of these threads make the story busy, but not messy; the team feels stretched but not unexpectedly or unreasonably so; and the resolutions aren't impossible (or too easy) to deduce as you go along.
The fifth book in the Hal Challis and Ellen Destry series, BLOOD MOON is another of those great, solid, entertaining, engaging chore-stopper books. Whilst it could stand on its own, if you haven't read any of the earlier books, then track them down at the same time. Reading the entire series does give you a feeling for how it's growing into its early promise.
* The Dragon Man
* Kittyhawk Down
* Snapshot
* Chain of Evidence
* Blood Moon
Hal and Ellen's romantic interest at the end of the last book has developed into a live-in relationship. Which has a number of complications - not just that they work together and that Hal is Ellen's boss. Ellen's divorce is only just completed, and as attracted as she is to Hal, living together is an unexpected experience that she's struggling with. And the rest of the team are well aware of what's going on, even if the whole thing is not spoken of. The brass is also less than impressed, but they have given Hal a way out of the situation which he needs to decide on whilst he's also juggling a number of simultaneous investigations.
The unit is busy. It is Schoolies Week and Waterloo has become one of the destinations for groups of celebrating teenagers in recent years, and the workload for the police increases as a result. Whilst most of the lower ranks are fully occupied with Schoolie liaison and investigating minor crimes, there are occasional bigger problems like assault and in particular sexual assault. Nobody necessarily thinks that the vicious bashing of a local private school chaplain is connected to the Schoolies, although it could be possible. What is definitely known is that the victim's brother works for the local Member of Parliament, and he's a Pollie not adverse to a spot of police bashing and throwing his weight around. Things get even more complicated in that case when a racial motive is unearthed.
Meanwhile a local planning officer is having family problems of her own. Her husband is obsessed and a bully - following her constantly, criticising her constantly, carping and harping at her all the time. She's also got a job that sometimes makes her unpopular, either enforcing breaches of planning law, or in one case, failing to stop the demolishing of a much loved old landmark.
The storylines provide a real possibility for some particularly pithy - and frequently funny - digs at things that can go very wrong when places of natural beauty start to attract a lot of people. In particular, people who seem hell-bent on destroying the things that attracted them in the first place. There is also some very elegant commentary about corruption, privilege, and overt and tacky displays of wealth, dotted throughout. By no means overpowering or distracting from the investigation, this social observation adds a layer of understanding about the area, and the people on all sides of the investigations.
It is a complicated series of threads - the bashing assault of the chaplain; a bludgeoned body; sexual assault within the Schoolies; a young man who picked on the wrong girl last year; and an unsavoury event within the investigation team. All of these threads make the story busy, but not messy; the team feels stretched but not unexpectedly or unreasonably so; and the resolutions aren't impossible (or too easy) to deduce as you go along.
The fifth book in the Hal Challis and Ellen Destry series, BLOOD MOON is another of those great, solid, entertaining, engaging chore-stopper books. Whilst it could stand on its own, if you haven't read any of the earlier books, then track them down at the same time. Reading the entire series does give you a feeling for how it's growing into its early promise.
* The Dragon Man
* Kittyhawk Down
* Snapshot
* Chain of Evidence
* Blood Moon
August 1, 2021
I've become addicted to this series. Garry Disher has a way of intertwining police investigations with social issues on the Mornington Peninsula where disadvantage and poverty rub shoulders with recently acquired wealth. I also enjoy the development of the characters in Challis' team and the changing relationship between him and Ellen Destry.
In this story, the imminence of the Blood Moon worries police that Schoolies Week celebrations might get out of hand. Is there a young man in town who wants to exploit young women as he did the year before? Then there is the bashing of the local private school chaplain and the surfacing of ugly racist and sexist comments in social media, linked perhaps to an extreme religious sect. Not to mention the murder of a young woman who is responsible for for enforcing often unpopular heritage and environmental decisions. Could one of her investigations have led to her death or is it more likely that her controlling husband has taken his extreme behaviour even further? Somehow Disher lets the reader keep track of all these strands and brings them to a satisfying conclusion.
In this story, the imminence of the Blood Moon worries police that Schoolies Week celebrations might get out of hand. Is there a young man in town who wants to exploit young women as he did the year before? Then there is the bashing of the local private school chaplain and the surfacing of ugly racist and sexist comments in social media, linked perhaps to an extreme religious sect. Not to mention the murder of a young woman who is responsible for for enforcing often unpopular heritage and environmental decisions. Could one of her investigations have led to her death or is it more likely that her controlling husband has taken his extreme behaviour even further? Somehow Disher lets the reader keep track of all these strands and brings them to a satisfying conclusion.
May 22, 2020
Blood Moon by Garry Disher is the fifth novel in the Australian homicide Inspector Hal Challis series.
Disher continues the development of the main characters in the novel, preventing them from growing stagnant and tiresome. With his characters, he adds just enough growth to their lives that allows their believability and allows the reader to maintain interest as the books go forward.
In Blood Moon, Challis and part of his unit are investigating the savage beating of an advising minister at a private educational institution, while others in his unit are investigating another murder. Along the way, Pam Murphy, newly installed as a detective, is investigating a string of sexual assaults.
The quality of these novels continues and it is kind of curious why Garry Disher's novels in this series are not more widely mentioned in more of the many crime fiction blogs (it was disappointing to read Disher wasn't even on the list in a recent posting at one high traffic blog of crime-related books and writers of the "best" writers from Australia).
Disher continues the development of the main characters in the novel, preventing them from growing stagnant and tiresome. With his characters, he adds just enough growth to their lives that allows their believability and allows the reader to maintain interest as the books go forward.
In Blood Moon, Challis and part of his unit are investigating the savage beating of an advising minister at a private educational institution, while others in his unit are investigating another murder. Along the way, Pam Murphy, newly installed as a detective, is investigating a string of sexual assaults.
The quality of these novels continues and it is kind of curious why Garry Disher's novels in this series are not more widely mentioned in more of the many crime fiction blogs (it was disappointing to read Disher wasn't even on the list in a recent posting at one high traffic blog of crime-related books and writers of the "best" writers from Australia).
March 1, 2015
Another enjoyable entry in this Australian series (I'm using it for my 2015 book challenge for the 'read a book set in a place you want to visit' category) in which DI Hal Challis has his personal life complicated by setting up house with his Sergeant, Ellen Destry. Trying to keep this under wraps in a working situation as insular as a small CIU office is more than challenging, especially during the course of several complicated investigations.
I haven't read any of this author's stand-alone novels, as I tend to gravitate towards series books, looking for interesting characters that develop over time, and this series definitely fits the bill. Only one left in the series to catch up and that one was written 3 years ago, so I do hope it will be continuing!
I haven't read any of this author's stand-alone novels, as I tend to gravitate towards series books, looking for interesting characters that develop over time, and this series definitely fits the bill. Only one left in the series to catch up and that one was written 3 years ago, so I do hope it will be continuing!
August 21, 2010
He's become one of my favorite mystery writers. He writes police procedurals set in Australia, usually Victoria, and the character development over time is rich and complicated.
January 9, 2023
Set in an area local to me. Hal Challis character is typical of law enforces and made the book very real life.
June 5, 2024
Another classic Garry Disher book. Love the setting and the character profiles.
Great read one of those books you can't put down.
Great read one of those books you can't put down.
April 6, 2024
This is my ninth Disher novel. He has contributed enormously to the crowded field of Australian crime fiction. His stories are consistently good. The writing is sharp and there is the occasional descriptive phrase that causes the reader to pause and appreciate. He creates and describes believable Australian characters.
The police in his books are never one dimensional characters, they have successes and foibles like all of us. Disher writes about the dynamics and relationships of the police. He lets the very senior officers get the occasional serve of criticism.
In this book private education and its products are placed under the Disher microscope. So is ‘schoolies week’, land developers, members of the ‘boys club’, unsavoury hypocritical politicians and controlling husbands.
The initial crime is the savage bashing of a school chaplain (one of the crazy Howard era policies that is still exists), the assault of a teenage boy who had his balls painted red with lipstick and who is also accused of rape. Then comes the murder of a woman who has been part of the story from the opening pages.
This all takes place in Victoria, the Frankston/Mornington Peninsular area during that uniquely end of school life celebration known as ‘schoolies week’.
The book is framed as a police procedural. It was published in 2009, so I found it interesting when Disher writes about the technology of the day, MP3 player and digital camera. As is the case in many real crime stories CCTV plays an important role.
There are a few non-constabulary characters but most of the story is centred around the police and their crime solving actions. It is interesting how crime fiction authors deal with the relationships and tensions between the police in either a squad or the whole police station. Love and sexual intimacy seems to cause dramas, but I guess that is the case in many work places.
I always think that the ending of a novel is most important, but also most difficult for the author. I thought Disher swept up the mess of the story too quickly and the crimes and other issues deposited too quickly in the trash basket, otherwise an enjoyable read.
The police in his books are never one dimensional characters, they have successes and foibles like all of us. Disher writes about the dynamics and relationships of the police. He lets the very senior officers get the occasional serve of criticism.
In this book private education and its products are placed under the Disher microscope. So is ‘schoolies week’, land developers, members of the ‘boys club’, unsavoury hypocritical politicians and controlling husbands.
The initial crime is the savage bashing of a school chaplain (one of the crazy Howard era policies that is still exists), the assault of a teenage boy who had his balls painted red with lipstick and who is also accused of rape. Then comes the murder of a woman who has been part of the story from the opening pages.
This all takes place in Victoria, the Frankston/Mornington Peninsular area during that uniquely end of school life celebration known as ‘schoolies week’.
The book is framed as a police procedural. It was published in 2009, so I found it interesting when Disher writes about the technology of the day, MP3 player and digital camera. As is the case in many real crime stories CCTV plays an important role.
There are a few non-constabulary characters but most of the story is centred around the police and their crime solving actions. It is interesting how crime fiction authors deal with the relationships and tensions between the police in either a squad or the whole police station. Love and sexual intimacy seems to cause dramas, but I guess that is the case in many work places.
I always think that the ending of a novel is most important, but also most difficult for the author. I thought Disher swept up the mess of the story too quickly and the crimes and other issues deposited too quickly in the trash basket, otherwise an enjoyable read.
October 16, 2024
An excellent addition to the Hal Challis series - well developed characters who keep evolving and becoming more complex and interesting. The local color and social aspects are fascinating and the plot is engaging. I wish the Disher books were easier to acquire in the US but it it well worth the effort to search them out.
From Publishers' Weekly
Two major crimes occupy Det. Insp. Hal Challis and his subordinate and now lover, Sgt. Ellen Destry, in this superior police procedural from Australian Disher, the fifth entry in the Ned Kelly Award–winning series (after 2007’s Chain of Evidence ). Challis and his team of Waterloo, Queensland, officers investigate the brutal assault on a private school chaplain as well as the murder of a public official in charge of enforcing compliance with land use regulations. Extra pressure for the first case’s resolution comes from a prominent politician who already has an axe to grind with the police. That Challis’s relationship with Destry violates police regulations complicates matters. Disher has a gift for terse description (e.g., Challis’s boss “wore the look of a man who’d been adored but only by his mother and long ago”). While the deus ex machina solution to the official’s murder may disappoint some, the personal interactions among Challis and his colleagues will quickly engage even newcomers.
From Publishers' Weekly
Two major crimes occupy Det. Insp. Hal Challis and his subordinate and now lover, Sgt. Ellen Destry, in this superior police procedural from Australian Disher, the fifth entry in the Ned Kelly Award–winning series (after 2007’s Chain of Evidence ). Challis and his team of Waterloo, Queensland, officers investigate the brutal assault on a private school chaplain as well as the murder of a public official in charge of enforcing compliance with land use regulations. Extra pressure for the first case’s resolution comes from a prominent politician who already has an axe to grind with the police. That Challis’s relationship with Destry violates police regulations complicates matters. Disher has a gift for terse description (e.g., Challis’s boss “wore the look of a man who’d been adored but only by his mother and long ago”). While the deus ex machina solution to the official’s murder may disappoint some, the personal interactions among Challis and his colleagues will quickly engage even newcomers.
December 30, 2023
Disher's "Blood Moon" is a triumphant return to form for the Inspector Challis series. The narrative crackles with the trademark tension and dark wit we've come to expect, but what indeed elevates this entry is the nuanced progression of its key characters.
Challis and Destry feel more weathered, more human than ever before. Their personal lives bleed subtly into the investigation, adding complexity and emotional resonance. We see cracks in their professional armour, moments of self-doubt and weariness that make them more relatable and compelling.
The plot is a classic Disher blend – a brutal crime amidst the chaotic backdrop of Schoolies Week. The twists and turns keep you guessing, the suspense ratcheting up with each page. But it's the characters who genuinely hold the spotlight. We're invested in their struggles, victories, and moments of connection.
"Blood Moon" isn't just a gripping crime thriller; it's a testament to Disher's masterful storytelling. It's a satisfying step forward in the lives of our beloved detectives. Look no further if you're yearning for a Challis and Destry adventure that delivers both thrills and character growth. "Blood Moon" is a must-read.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Challis and Destry feel more weathered, more human than ever before. Their personal lives bleed subtly into the investigation, adding complexity and emotional resonance. We see cracks in their professional armour, moments of self-doubt and weariness that make them more relatable and compelling.
The plot is a classic Disher blend – a brutal crime amidst the chaotic backdrop of Schoolies Week. The twists and turns keep you guessing, the suspense ratcheting up with each page. But it's the characters who genuinely hold the spotlight. We're invested in their struggles, victories, and moments of connection.
"Blood Moon" isn't just a gripping crime thriller; it's a testament to Disher's masterful storytelling. It's a satisfying step forward in the lives of our beloved detectives. Look no further if you're yearning for a Challis and Destry adventure that delivers both thrills and character growth. "Blood Moon" is a must-read.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
April 15, 2018
Hal Challis heads a criminal investigation unit at a seaside resort. At the end of the school year, the graduates from high school, referred to as 12 year schoolies, flock to the beach and Hal and his people are kept busy trying to keep them out of trouble. In addition to that, they are trying to solve two crimes. One, the severe beating of a disliked school chaplain and the other over the demolition of an historic landmark. Hal and his staff are very likable people and we get a look into their problems. This is one book of a series and I look forward to reading the ones that follow and getting more familiar with his staff to see how they resolve their issues.
November 17, 2019
An ok police procedural but more desultory than others in the series, possibly because a bit too much space is spent on the personal lives of the cops especially the lugubrious Scobie’s. A subtheme is controlling men and men as pigs. The main crimes are the assault on a much hated school chaplin (which opens the topic of religious fundamentalism), murder and corruption in the planning/development office as well as sex crimes, including date rape and sexual harassment, during graduation week. Despite all the police activity, the solutions to the crimes come out of left field. The view of Australia is pretty sour.
Read
August 12, 2021This episode of the Challis series by Garry Disher further develops the relationship between the two colleagues, Ellen Destry and Hal Challis, both members of the crime Investigation Unit on the Mornington Peninsula.
The assault on a local minister who was a staff member at a private school is the first crime being investigated, and reveals a new group of residents especially with Schoolies week for students celebrating the end of exams.
The second major crime is backgrounded with family violence, and involves a murder after the demolition of an old home.
The story builds on the two main characters and the relationships with Scobie Sutton, Pam Murphy and John Tankard, along with Andy Cree who develops a relationship with Murphy to the annoyance of 'Tank' who tries to help his former partner.
These books are hard to put down and the pace of the story is rapid but there is a natural sense developed of the police as a part of their community which I like.
The relationships are developing over subsequent books but sad undeveloped human beings still find their way into the narrative, both in the police and community groups.
A great series, another great episode in the Challis story that now seems to see him in a relationship with Ellen but who knows, what next?
The assault on a local minister who was a staff member at a private school is the first crime being investigated, and reveals a new group of residents especially with Schoolies week for students celebrating the end of exams.
The second major crime is backgrounded with family violence, and involves a murder after the demolition of an old home.
The story builds on the two main characters and the relationships with Scobie Sutton, Pam Murphy and John Tankard, along with Andy Cree who develops a relationship with Murphy to the annoyance of 'Tank' who tries to help his former partner.
These books are hard to put down and the pace of the story is rapid but there is a natural sense developed of the police as a part of their community which I like.
The relationships are developing over subsequent books but sad undeveloped human beings still find their way into the narrative, both in the police and community groups.
A great series, another great episode in the Challis story that now seems to see him in a relationship with Ellen but who knows, what next?
June 23, 2019
Hal and the team are called to the beating of the chaplain at a private school. The brother of the victim works for the local (anti police) member of parliament. So the matter must be handled delicately.
Meanwhile it’s Schoolies week and as well as the rise in petty crime there has been a number of rapes. Pam Murphy is working the round whilst getting to know the new young constable.
A historic house has been bulldozed the day before a preservation order is to be considered. At the same time the body of the Council’s infringement’s officer is found dead. Are the two related?
Meanwhile it’s Schoolies week and as well as the rise in petty crime there has been a number of rapes. Pam Murphy is working the round whilst getting to know the new young constable.
A historic house has been bulldozed the day before a preservation order is to be considered. At the same time the body of the Council’s infringement’s officer is found dead. Are the two related?
April 1, 2020
I am really sorry.
I wanted to like it. And I tried it for several chapters.
But I hated the change of scenes and characters every 10 - 15 sentences. I do not like this style of writing. It's so tedious! 10 sentences about Challis, then 15 sentences what Destry is doing in the meantime, then 13 sentences about a Police Constable, then again 20 sentences Challis, 16 sentences the wife of a jalouse, controlling husband ... And this goes on and on and on in this way.
Therefore: Very disappointed. DNF.
I wanted to like it. And I tried it for several chapters.
But I hated the change of scenes and characters every 10 - 15 sentences. I do not like this style of writing. It's so tedious! 10 sentences about Challis, then 15 sentences what Destry is doing in the meantime, then 13 sentences about a Police Constable, then again 20 sentences Challis, 16 sentences the wife of a jalouse, controlling husband ... And this goes on and on and on in this way.
Therefore: Very disappointed. DNF.
June 24, 2022
Schoolies week on the Mornington Peninsula . Busy time with all those kids being irresponsible. Drunkenness, drugs, sexual assaults on top of the usual day to day stuff. A pastor at a posh local school is bashed and in a coma. A young woman recognises a youth who raped her at schoolies the year before and a local shire worker is found bashed to death. Hal Challis is also adjusting to the new relationship status with his sergeant Ellen Destry.
Love Garry Disher. There’s a reason he has won so many. NEd Kelly Awards. And blood moon is no exception.
Love Garry Disher. There’s a reason he has won so many. NEd Kelly Awards. And blood moon is no exception.
July 3, 2019
I think I need to take a break from Destry and Challis. I love that they're together again but I've been seriously bingeing on Disher's Peninsula Crime Series. Have to love a local story and they are all great stories with real page turning drive but I seriously need to vary my diet from crime and Peninsu crime especially. At least a two week break called for.
September 8, 2019
I love Garry Disher and Chalis and this was well constructed Disher writes about the Mornington Peninsula and Melbourne All sorts have arrived,schoolies, toolies and the developers. Sexual politics,sex crimes and relationships. It is another rich tapestry elegant and clever.
I am reading right through Gary Dishers back catalogue and just devour them.
I am reading right through Gary Dishers back catalogue and just devour them.
February 22, 2024
Disher manages to create a complex interplay of crimes and characters but with confusion. I'll read everything of his. This has rape, murder, bashing, environmental vandalism and theft, all mixed up. No shock twists out of the blue or Christie-like "it's the last person you expect" but still unpredictable and satisfying. Read in order although each self contained.
December 31, 2017
Loving this crime series set on the Morninton Peninsula. Blood Moon is number 5 in the series and didn't disappoint with the usual ascerbic insights into the local area close to where I live. Looking forward to starting the next one in the series.
February 7, 2018
It didn't seem to have many cheap tricks but the story was just bland. I read this because it was said to be a cut above the usual police procedural, but I don't see it at all. It's probably more interesting if you live in the area.
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