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Dead Set on Murder
A detective investigates a seemingly impossible crime.
When Jennifer Parkes’s husband, Brian, disappears one rainy night, her world is torn apart.
After years of fruitless searching, she gives up hope and gets on with her life – raising her daughter and building a successful fashion brand.
Yet eighteen years later, out of the blue, Brian’s body is found right around the corner. He looks no older and he’s wearing the same rain-soaked clothes, although the weather has been fine for weeks. It’s as if he’s just stepped out of the past and been hit by a car.
Indefatigable detective Neil Lachlan, recently moved to homicide, takes on the case. But he has his hands full with the investigation of a serial killer targeting joggers on Sydney’s streets.
Could Brian’s disappearance all those years ago be the key to catching him? Or will Jennifer and her daughter’s need to know the truth add a cruel twist to the story?
When Jennifer Parkes’s husband, Brian, disappears one rainy night, her world is torn apart.
After years of fruitless searching, she gives up hope and gets on with her life – raising her daughter and building a successful fashion brand.
Yet eighteen years later, out of the blue, Brian’s body is found right around the corner. He looks no older and he’s wearing the same rain-soaked clothes, although the weather has been fine for weeks. It’s as if he’s just stepped out of the past and been hit by a car.
Indefatigable detective Neil Lachlan, recently moved to homicide, takes on the case. But he has his hands full with the investigation of a serial killer targeting joggers on Sydney’s streets.
Could Brian’s disappearance all those years ago be the key to catching him? Or will Jennifer and her daughter’s need to know the truth add a cruel twist to the story?
352 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 16, 2023
49 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Iain Henn
20 books6 followersIain Henn has been writing stories for as long as he can remember, urged on as a youngster, he suspects, by his imaginary friend, Red. Iain has continued to create fiction even though that mischievous imp is no longer around - or is he?
Iain's breakthrough came with his first published story, in Woman's Day, Australia. Many stories followed, published by magazines in Australia, New Zealand, the US, the UK, and in the Scandinavian countries.
He worked for many years as a print production controller with media companies, and as a freelance content writer for websites. Mystery and suspense fiction, however, has always been his passion.
His stories explore the ripple effect that dramatic events have on ordinary people from all walks of life. His novels are published by UK crime fiction publisher, The Book Folks.
Iain lives on the coast in New South Wales, where he is researching and writing his next thriller.
Iain's breakthrough came with his first published story, in Woman's Day, Australia. Many stories followed, published by magazines in Australia, New Zealand, the US, the UK, and in the Scandinavian countries.
He worked for many years as a print production controller with media companies, and as a freelance content writer for websites. Mystery and suspense fiction, however, has always been his passion.
His stories explore the ripple effect that dramatic events have on ordinary people from all walks of life. His novels are published by UK crime fiction publisher, The Book Folks.
Iain lives on the coast in New South Wales, where he is researching and writing his next thriller.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 19, 2023
This year’s biggest surprise for me, - a highly unusual mystery - but in a good way, and not remotely what I was expecting..
The preface briefly mentions that 35,000 people are recorded as missing in Australia every year. Some disappear off the radar themselves, to start a new life somewhere, or become victims of crime. A small percentage are never heard from again. This book is about people who seem to have disappeared off the face of the earth and those left behind will have to move on, without ever getting answers to all their questions and sorrows.
The story follows the story of Jennifer Parkes, her husband who disappeared one night, a sign of life or a body never found again, and daughter Carly, who was born after her father's disappearance.
Jennifer has her life reasonably back on track, but her world collapses again when her husband is found dead on the street after 18 years, the victim of a hit and run.
You would think that closure could finally come, but the bizarre thing is that after 18 years of missing her husband does not seem a day older. He is wearing the same clothes as the day he disappeared, and even seems younger and fitter than the day he disappeared. Autopsy and DNA testing proves that the man really is indeed her missing husband.
Strangely, more bodies are being found of people who disappeared decades ago but who have never aged a day since their disappearance.
A fascinating mystery, although I found the storyline a bit confusing at the beginning. It does switch POVs very quickly, with no clear transition, making it seem like there is a 'time gap'. H.G. Wells is mentioned briefly as an aside, but I wouldn't take that too seriously. This is really not about time travel!
The overarching theme is about missing persons, but because of the loose storylines at the beginning, the structure and cohesion of the storyline seems a bit difficult to follow at first.
It pays to read on though, especially the bits about Kaplan Industries that seem to have nothing to do with the plot; it all becomes clear in the end.
I thought the ending was overwhelmingly good, almost straight out of a James Bond story, although at times I did feel that the reader is kept on a leash for a very long time.
Some parts are quite graphic.
I happen to live in the city where Margaretha Zeller (aka Mata Hari) was born and raised.
The link to Mata Hari is left to the reader's imagination. I do regret that the author does not elaborate further on this, although I think I understand why. Loved the open ending!
A fascinating thriller with an outcome that many could not have imagined. A recommended read! 4 stars.
Thank you Netgalley and The Book Folks for this arc. I leave this review voluntarily.
The preface briefly mentions that 35,000 people are recorded as missing in Australia every year. Some disappear off the radar themselves, to start a new life somewhere, or become victims of crime. A small percentage are never heard from again. This book is about people who seem to have disappeared off the face of the earth and those left behind will have to move on, without ever getting answers to all their questions and sorrows.
The story follows the story of Jennifer Parkes, her husband who disappeared one night, a sign of life or a body never found again, and daughter Carly, who was born after her father's disappearance.
Jennifer has her life reasonably back on track, but her world collapses again when her husband is found dead on the street after 18 years, the victim of a hit and run.
You would think that closure could finally come, but the bizarre thing is that after 18 years of missing her husband does not seem a day older. He is wearing the same clothes as the day he disappeared, and even seems younger and fitter than the day he disappeared. Autopsy and DNA testing proves that the man really is indeed her missing husband.
Strangely, more bodies are being found of people who disappeared decades ago but who have never aged a day since their disappearance.
A fascinating mystery, although I found the storyline a bit confusing at the beginning. It does switch POVs very quickly, with no clear transition, making it seem like there is a 'time gap'. H.G. Wells is mentioned briefly as an aside, but I wouldn't take that too seriously. This is really not about time travel!
The overarching theme is about missing persons, but because of the loose storylines at the beginning, the structure and cohesion of the storyline seems a bit difficult to follow at first.
It pays to read on though, especially the bits about Kaplan Industries that seem to have nothing to do with the plot; it all becomes clear in the end.
I thought the ending was overwhelmingly good, almost straight out of a James Bond story, although at times I did feel that the reader is kept on a leash for a very long time.
Some parts are quite graphic.
I happen to live in the city where Margaretha Zeller (aka Mata Hari) was born and raised.
The link to Mata Hari is left to the reader's imagination. I do regret that the author does not elaborate further on this, although I think I understand why. Loved the open ending!
A fascinating thriller with an outcome that many could not have imagined. A recommended read! 4 stars.
Thank you Netgalley and The Book Folks for this arc. I leave this review voluntarily.
January 26, 2023
TERRIFIC - a stylish, craftily worded thriller, that just draws you in by the sheer inventiveness of the premiss. In this book, Iain Henn has managed to draw upon all the elements that makes for intriguing thriller writing - crossing time, social class, love, loss, indulgence, greed, and - to top it off - pure evil.
This is a fantastic read - totally suited to those who like their novels to come jagged, and the with ability to tweak the mind and unsettle the soul.
My main recommendation - just read it.
This is a fantastic read - totally suited to those who like their novels to come jagged, and the with ability to tweak the mind and unsettle the soul.
My main recommendation - just read it.
September 29, 2023
Wow. Iain Henn is an amazing author who writes the most unusual Mysteries! I read Pied Piper & loved it. Now another outstanding, gripping & well written unique mystery novel!
The plot was imaginative & unusual, and the characters were well developed & relevant.
Also, his storyline was smoothly expanded through the entire book. The anticipation grows as the story progresses.. & literally 'explodes' at the end!
A fabulous, exciting read. Don't miss it!
The plot was imaginative & unusual, and the characters were well developed & relevant.
Also, his storyline was smoothly expanded through the entire book. The anticipation grows as the story progresses.. & literally 'explodes' at the end!
A fabulous, exciting read. Don't miss it!
February 25, 2023
There's nothing gripping and suspenseful in this book. It is an interesting story with a mystery to it, but it's not a wow. Almost gave up on the book, too many POVs and different timelines. 3.5 Stars at best.
January 30, 2023
I really enjoyed this fast-paced thriller and look forward to reading more from Iain Henn!
February 18, 2023
An intriguing mystery with a surprising ending. Great pace, keeps you in suspense.
April 14, 2023
This was the greatest betrayal between friends! Gripping book, well written but I guessed the serial killer 😊
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews