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A Nick Vada Thriller Series #1
Warranilla
February 1992. Billie Vada is murdered in cold blood, while her children sleep. Present day, Detective Sergeant Nick Vada has returned to his hometown Milford, for his younger sister’s wedding. When a young woman is murdered, he must return to his past, and aid the local police force in catching a killer, all while navigating long-lost relationships with family and friends. Unable to shake the parallels of his own mother’s murder, Nick must hunt the killer. Before his past finally catches up with him..
DISCLAIMER - This book is self published and self edited.
DISCLAIMER - This book is self published and self edited.
379 pages, ebook
Published January 14, 2023
575 people are currently reading
242 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
May 21, 2023
Good story, appalling grammar
Did anyone proof read this? Incorrect abbreviation hinders understanding. I found it highly frustrating and had to keep re-reading for sense.
Did anyone proof read this? Incorrect abbreviation hinders understanding. I found it highly frustrating and had to keep re-reading for sense.
April 16, 2024
Setting: New South Wales, Australia; modern day.
Main character: Detective Nick Vada.
The story - Sydney homicide detective Nick Vada returns to his hometown, the rural town of Milford, for his younger sister's wedding. He has hardly been near the place since his mother was brutally stabbed to death when he has seven years old - a crime that remains unsolved. Nick's sister Jess is marrying the son of the largest landowners in the area, the Waterfords, who own the massive property known as Warranilla. Nick is surprised by her choice - he never got on with Pete Waterford - but supportive if that is what she wants. However, shortly after his arrival, a girl's body is found on the Waterford's land, brutally stabbed to death. As he is 'on scene', his boss in Sydney asks him to take on the investigation. Nick's enquiries take place against a backdrop of a decaying rural town, previously reliant on rice crops but currently suffering from drought conditions and water shortages caused by Government measures, and the apparent attraction by some landowners of dealing with Chinese businessmen keen to use the land for solar power generation. When Nick's enquiries lead him towards his sister's fiance, family loyalties have to take a back seat - much to Jess's annoyance. Nick has his own burdens to bear - his father, still living in Milford, is dying of cancer; his drink problem, which he had suppressed in Sydney, is back with a vengeance; and his mother's unsolved murder is a constant thorn in his side. Then another girl is found murdered.....
My thoughts - this was a reasonably good rural Australian crime story, a bit 'clunky' in the dialogue but which, as many other reviewers have commented, was thoroughly spoilt by the shocking editing - commas in the wrong place and misused or over-used, capital letters where they are uncalled for, no capital letters where they should be, incorrect words used in context - 'tact' was used on two occasions where it should have been 'tack'; 'indulge' was used instead of 'divulge' and these are just a couple of such errors - and so it goes on. I understand that this book was self-published and self-edited but there is no real excuse for the latter - a quick read through by anyone would have highlighted the problems that have led to so many negative reviews and no doubt affected sales. I don't know how much professional proof-reading costs but surely it would have been a worthwhile investment (would have done it myself for a reasonable sum!!) and it has certainly made me wonder if I want to read more of the series if the editing is as poor in subsequent books, despite the storyline being pretty good. So, only 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 for this one, and that's being generous - 5/10.
Main character: Detective Nick Vada.
The story - Sydney homicide detective Nick Vada returns to his hometown, the rural town of Milford, for his younger sister's wedding. He has hardly been near the place since his mother was brutally stabbed to death when he has seven years old - a crime that remains unsolved. Nick's sister Jess is marrying the son of the largest landowners in the area, the Waterfords, who own the massive property known as Warranilla. Nick is surprised by her choice - he never got on with Pete Waterford - but supportive if that is what she wants. However, shortly after his arrival, a girl's body is found on the Waterford's land, brutally stabbed to death. As he is 'on scene', his boss in Sydney asks him to take on the investigation. Nick's enquiries take place against a backdrop of a decaying rural town, previously reliant on rice crops but currently suffering from drought conditions and water shortages caused by Government measures, and the apparent attraction by some landowners of dealing with Chinese businessmen keen to use the land for solar power generation. When Nick's enquiries lead him towards his sister's fiance, family loyalties have to take a back seat - much to Jess's annoyance. Nick has his own burdens to bear - his father, still living in Milford, is dying of cancer; his drink problem, which he had suppressed in Sydney, is back with a vengeance; and his mother's unsolved murder is a constant thorn in his side. Then another girl is found murdered.....
My thoughts - this was a reasonably good rural Australian crime story, a bit 'clunky' in the dialogue but which, as many other reviewers have commented, was thoroughly spoilt by the shocking editing - commas in the wrong place and misused or over-used, capital letters where they are uncalled for, no capital letters where they should be, incorrect words used in context - 'tact' was used on two occasions where it should have been 'tack'; 'indulge' was used instead of 'divulge' and these are just a couple of such errors - and so it goes on. I understand that this book was self-published and self-edited but there is no real excuse for the latter - a quick read through by anyone would have highlighted the problems that have led to so many negative reviews and no doubt affected sales. I don't know how much professional proof-reading costs but surely it would have been a worthwhile investment (would have done it myself for a reasonable sum!!) and it has certainly made me wonder if I want to read more of the series if the editing is as poor in subsequent books, despite the storyline being pretty good. So, only 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 for this one, and that's being generous - 5/10.
June 6, 2023
Kindle Unlimited Read
As both an Aussie expat and a lover of procedural novels, Warranilla seemed right up my alley. There's the basis for a good story here but the idea has no chance when it feels like I'm reading a first or second draft. Editing and grammar mistakes dominate this book - everything from run on sentences, typos, misuse of apostrophes (eye's, Panadol's, etc) and a major overuse of commas instead of periods. I can overlook a typo here and there but the mistakes here are so blatant they take me right out of the story.
It wasn't until I took a closer look at the book description on Amazon I noticed the author put a disclaimer in the blurb saying this was self published and self edited, and it shows. I only got about 30% into this before the constant mistakes made me put it aside. I have way too many books in my to be read pile to spend my time on something that feels completely unfinished
As both an Aussie expat and a lover of procedural novels, Warranilla seemed right up my alley. There's the basis for a good story here but the idea has no chance when it feels like I'm reading a first or second draft. Editing and grammar mistakes dominate this book - everything from run on sentences, typos, misuse of apostrophes (eye's, Panadol's, etc) and a major overuse of commas instead of periods. I can overlook a typo here and there but the mistakes here are so blatant they take me right out of the story.
It wasn't until I took a closer look at the book description on Amazon I noticed the author put a disclaimer in the blurb saying this was self published and self edited, and it shows. I only got about 30% into this before the constant mistakes made me put it aside. I have way too many books in my to be read pile to spend my time on something that feels completely unfinished
September 18, 2023
Editing needed
A good yarn spoiled by careless grammar. Apostrophes inserted when the words were just ordinary plurals, but omitted when "your" used instead of "you're". Spell check inserting same-sounding but incorrect words, e.g., "site" instead of "sight" and using "of" in place of "have" spoilt the experience. A writer's tools are words. ( or, "should of been a writers tool's are word's." Maybe? )
A good yarn spoiled by careless grammar. Apostrophes inserted when the words were just ordinary plurals, but omitted when "your" used instead of "you're". Spell check inserting same-sounding but incorrect words, e.g., "site" instead of "sight" and using "of" in place of "have" spoilt the experience. A writer's tools are words. ( or, "should of been a writers tool's are word's." Maybe? )
January 1, 2024
This was a decent police procedural yarn set in a typical Australian country town.
I liked it but I struggled with a few things about this book:
1. The editing is appalling. I don't want to be picky but the grammatical errors really detracted from my enjoyment of the book.
2. The constant drinking from the main character was annoying. I get it.. He's suffering from internal demons and the drinking is his way of coping, but it just got a bit much.
3. The story is a bit formulaic. It just seems a little too "colour by numbers" to me.
With some decent editing and proofreading help I reckon this author could produce some quality stories, but it would need a significant step up from this effort for me to revisit his work.
I liked it but I struggled with a few things about this book:
1. The editing is appalling. I don't want to be picky but the grammatical errors really detracted from my enjoyment of the book.
2. The constant drinking from the main character was annoying. I get it.. He's suffering from internal demons and the drinking is his way of coping, but it just got a bit much.
3. The story is a bit formulaic. It just seems a little too "colour by numbers" to me.
With some decent editing and proofreading help I reckon this author could produce some quality stories, but it would need a significant step up from this effort for me to revisit his work.
November 12, 2024
This is my new favorite author, Jason Summers. I love the setting, the outback and the protagonist, Nick Vada. Loved the plot and the complexities.
Excellent! I also wrote about the author in my blog CupcakeCache on WordPress. I will continue to follow the escapades of Detective Vada.
Excellent! I also wrote about the author in my blog CupcakeCache on WordPress. I will continue to follow the escapades of Detective Vada.
September 14, 2024
Warranilla is book one in Jason Summers's Nick Vada Thriller series. Detective Nick Vada comes home for his sister's wedding. While he was in town, a young woman died, and Detective Nick Vada became involved with the law enforcement investigation into the murder. However, during this investigation, Nick Vada decided to look into the murder of his mother. The readers of Warranilla will continue to follow Detective Nick Vada's investigation to discover what happens.
I kept up the tradition of reading a series in the middle by reading the second book in this series. I am pleased that I returned and read the first book in this series. Warranilla is a fantastic start to a new series, and it helped me to learn more about the main characters. I engaged with the story and the characters from the first page, and it continued to the end. I love Jason Summers's portrayal of his characters and the way they interact with each other. Warranilla is a well-written, researched and enjoyable book to read. I like Jason Summers's description of the settings of Warranilla, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of Warranilla will learn about the consequences of jealousy and greed for families and understand the issues of being bullied at school.
I recommend this book.
I kept up the tradition of reading a series in the middle by reading the second book in this series. I am pleased that I returned and read the first book in this series. Warranilla is a fantastic start to a new series, and it helped me to learn more about the main characters. I engaged with the story and the characters from the first page, and it continued to the end. I love Jason Summers's portrayal of his characters and the way they interact with each other. Warranilla is a well-written, researched and enjoyable book to read. I like Jason Summers's description of the settings of Warranilla, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of Warranilla will learn about the consequences of jealousy and greed for families and understand the issues of being bullied at school.
I recommend this book.
April 9, 2023
A wonderful read!
Firstly… the storyline is great. Jason Summers writes with a subtle humour and gives the perfect amount of detail to keep you focused without getting bored.
I barely put it down and enjoyed every minute.
Secondly, I’d made the mistake of reading reviews before reading a sample and was expecting bad grammar and such.
For me, the book was too good to notice anything like that. It’s sad that so many readers feel the need to nitpick from their sofas.
This book is excellent and I am really looking forward to more and to seeing what happens next! ❤️
Firstly… the storyline is great. Jason Summers writes with a subtle humour and gives the perfect amount of detail to keep you focused without getting bored.
I barely put it down and enjoyed every minute.
Secondly, I’d made the mistake of reading reviews before reading a sample and was expecting bad grammar and such.
For me, the book was too good to notice anything like that. It’s sad that so many readers feel the need to nitpick from their sofas.
This book is excellent and I am really looking forward to more and to seeing what happens next! ❤️
September 21, 2024
Although I liked the style of writing and general story line kept me interested, the murders were easy to predict. When the novel did reach the point of saying who-dun-it, I felt like the confessions of the killers were unrealistic and they just gave their confession straight away if they were even a little exposed. I also found the characters were pretty cliche and felt like details were added just for the sake of it e.g Nick being an alcoholic.
I do feel like I’m being picky, so I’ll read some more of the series seeing that they are on kindle unlimited, but wouldn’t personally pay for the book at this stage. Prove me wrong sequels!
I do feel like I’m being picky, so I’ll read some more of the series seeing that they are on kindle unlimited, but wouldn’t personally pay for the book at this stage. Prove me wrong sequels!
April 12, 2024
I’m always a bit nervous to start an Aussie crime novel. Sometimes the writing is so barbaric in trying to make the characters sounds stereotypical Australian that you just can’t read it. THAT IS NOT THE CASE HERE.
A great story, easy to follow characters with an intriguing plot.
The only reason it’s not getting 5 stars from me is the way the writer simply finished the main plot of the story. It was super anti climactic and could of been another 100+ pages of building intensity. That part left me a little bit disappointed. Overall though a great read.
A great story, easy to follow characters with an intriguing plot.
The only reason it’s not getting 5 stars from me is the way the writer simply finished the main plot of the story. It was super anti climactic and could of been another 100+ pages of building intensity. That part left me a little bit disappointed. Overall though a great read.
August 1, 2024
Enjoyed reading
I had this book in my samples for a number of months, thinking I'll get to it one day. Then I read one of Jason Summers' later books in the Nick Vada series and was hooked.
This is the first book of the series, with the same fast-paced action chapter to chapter that keeps you turning the page.
I had this book in my samples for a number of months, thinking I'll get to it one day. Then I read one of Jason Summers' later books in the Nick Vada series and was hooked.
This is the first book of the series, with the same fast-paced action chapter to chapter that keeps you turning the page.
April 22, 2024
This book had me gripped from the start. I could really picture the characters and I think the plot was thoughtfully written. I will be reading the rest in the series. I love celebrating Australian authors. This book was up there with ‘Wake’ for me.
August 29, 2023
Addictive!
Refreshing and addictive and the characters are likeable and believable. Must go now... to read second book!
Just try it yourself!
Refreshing and addictive and the characters are likeable and believable. Must go now... to read second book!
Just try it yourself!
April 18, 2024
Nick wasn't the most compelling main character I've read
February 2, 2024
There are some fantastic modern Australian crime fiction novels set in rural towns, sadly this isn’t one of them. It is poorly edited, predictable and full of cliches: the alcoholic city cop with a dark past ( coping with the unsolved murder of his mother) Nick Vada returns to his hometown for his sister’s wedding to the son of wealthy landowners, only to be confronted with solving the murders of two local girls. Oh, and he doesn’t get on with his father and for some reason ( God knows why) his teen love has been holding a torch for him all these years awaiting his return.
Two stars is generous. I won’t be returning for another instalment of A Nick Vada Thriller Book 2.
Two stars is generous. I won’t be returning for another instalment of A Nick Vada Thriller Book 2.
March 25, 2024
Didn’t finish. The writing felt so disjointed and felt like in a chapter it jumped around to different settings without any explanation. I found it very hard to follow.
October 14, 2024
What an amazing read.
Great characters, edge of your seat 'who dunnit'.
I couldn't put it down until I finished it. Have now launched into book 2. I can't get enough.
Great characters, edge of your seat 'who dunnit'.
I couldn't put it down until I finished it. Have now launched into book 2. I can't get enough.
January 31, 2025
Great easy read.
October 21, 2023
Not bad. First of this author I’ve read and I will read more
May 21, 2025
an airport read
Good to pass the time at airports, train stations etc . Fairly standard formula, pleasant enough. Needs better proof reading .
Good to pass the time at airports, train stations etc . Fairly standard formula, pleasant enough. Needs better proof reading .
January 28, 2024
Enjoyed the book but there were too many holes in the plot and lack of appropriate actions from the lead character. Could have great but ended up being ordinary. Read like a poor man’s Jane Harper novel.
January 27, 2024
Needs an edit. I only got as far as chapter 1 - there is way to much poor grammar to continue
April 5, 2024
Well done, Jason. for writing it and self publishing. I’m sure that wasn’t easy.
Interesting enough storyline but it needed editing for grammar and repeat phrases. I did read it all and it was a relatively quick read. I probably won’t do another though unless the editing is improved on.
I mean how many times can you refer to a character as the ‘elderly (landowner/shop owner, etc etc)…’?
I thought the passing of Nick’s dad was unexpectedly early and weird. The antagonist was too contrived and unbelievable.
Who goes ahead and gets married in those circumstances? Father of the groom in jail for murder on the property, father of the bride just died, etc etc
Does Nick have a drinking problem and how many times can he vomit on someone? Did he leave the sprinklers on for too long? Lol
Just my thoughts.
Interesting enough storyline but it needed editing for grammar and repeat phrases. I did read it all and it was a relatively quick read. I probably won’t do another though unless the editing is improved on.
I mean how many times can you refer to a character as the ‘elderly (landowner/shop owner, etc etc)…’?
I thought the passing of Nick’s dad was unexpectedly early and weird. The antagonist was too contrived and unbelievable.
Who goes ahead and gets married in those circumstances? Father of the groom in jail for murder on the property, father of the bride just died, etc etc
Does Nick have a drinking problem and how many times can he vomit on someone? Did he leave the sprinklers on for too long? Lol
Just my thoughts.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2024
I couldn't finish this book. The grammar was appalling. It obviously hadn't been edited or proof read !!!!
May 11, 2025
I realised before reading that the overall rating on this book is less than I would normally choose, however, I believe it was a debut novel (or at least first in this series) and the following books have much higher ratings. I prefer to start with the first book in any series.
Overall, the book was OK but not great. As others have mentioned, the poor editing (missing words, wrong words...) was a source of frustration. Perhaps this was self-published or a very low-cost publishing resulting in poor proofreading??? The plot itself was not very complex (the "surprise" twists weren't particularly surprising) and the actions/interrogation techniques of the lead detective were pretty basic and unsophisticated and confessions of the perpetrators were not very believable.
This book definitely came nowhere close to many of the other Aussie crime noir authors I have recently read (Chris Hammer, Jane Harper, Patricia Wolf...).
However, I did like the setting, and some of the characters and hope that the rest of the series will live up to the higher ratings on the subsequent books. I'm willing to give it a further go.
Overall, the book was OK but not great. As others have mentioned, the poor editing (missing words, wrong words...) was a source of frustration. Perhaps this was self-published or a very low-cost publishing resulting in poor proofreading??? The plot itself was not very complex (the "surprise" twists weren't particularly surprising) and the actions/interrogation techniques of the lead detective were pretty basic and unsophisticated and confessions of the perpetrators were not very believable.
This book definitely came nowhere close to many of the other Aussie crime noir authors I have recently read (Chris Hammer, Jane Harper, Patricia Wolf...).
However, I did like the setting, and some of the characters and hope that the rest of the series will live up to the higher ratings on the subsequent books. I'm willing to give it a further go.
May 10, 2024
I was very much looking forward to reading Warranilla! I’m a great fan of mysteries and police procedurals as well books set in Australia and/or written by Australian authors. Unfortunately I was deeply disappointed.
The story and plot have promise, as do the characters. And a book that's 'independently published' by an author does *not* necessarily mean a bad product. However this time that definitely *is* the case.
The writing is riddled with appalling grammar, misuse of apostrophes and commas, frequent poor sentence structure and (at times) poor narrative flow. The author obviously did not engage the editing and proof-reading assistance he so sorely needed.
These issues were so bad, I just couldn't keep reading. I read a couple of chapters, then skipped randomly to a few more places later in the book. I kept hoping against hope it might get better - but it didn't. So I gave up, almost throwing my reader across the room with it!
I'm just glad I borrowed it through my Amazon Prime membership instead of spending good money on it!
The story and plot have promise, as do the characters. And a book that's 'independently published' by an author does *not* necessarily mean a bad product. However this time that definitely *is* the case.
The writing is riddled with appalling grammar, misuse of apostrophes and commas, frequent poor sentence structure and (at times) poor narrative flow. The author obviously did not engage the editing and proof-reading assistance he so sorely needed.
These issues were so bad, I just couldn't keep reading. I read a couple of chapters, then skipped randomly to a few more places later in the book. I kept hoping against hope it might get better - but it didn't. So I gave up, almost throwing my reader across the room with it!
I'm just glad I borrowed it through my Amazon Prime membership instead of spending good money on it!
September 20, 2025
I enjoyed the first half or so of the book, but found the last disappointing. The responses of the characters to the first arrest were not believable, in my view. The solution to the older murder was clear to me so far sooner than to Nick, that I was frustrated. Then again everyone’s responses did not make sense or seem realistic.
A couple technical details:
Why did so many of the women’s names need to begin with J? I found it hard to keep them straight which was distracting.
The wedding ring — why did the killer take it? We never know. And worse, the flashback to that murder leaves it out!
How do you scratch an architrave?
This is not a Jane Smiley level Aussie mystery.
A couple technical details:
Why did so many of the women’s names need to begin with J? I found it hard to keep them straight which was distracting.
The wedding ring — why did the killer take it? We never know. And worse, the flashback to that murder leaves it out!
How do you scratch an architrave?
This is not a Jane Smiley level Aussie mystery.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2024
This could be a good book if the author took the effort to edit it both structurally and grammatically. It was difficult to read due to the effort required to track the storyline. Time and space moved inconsistently. There was a credibility gap between the Detective Sergeant’s current behaviour and the historically described prior performance. I completed reading the book out of curiosity to see how it was brought to a conclusion. I won’t be reading any more in the series as other authors represent far better value for my time.
June 20, 2024
The storyline reminded me a bit of "The Dry" , but Mr Summers is no Jane Harper. The story and the plot are quite pedestrian and the spelling and grammar are just awful. Does this author not even bother to proofread his own work? In one part there was "10.00 a.m. last night" and Russell Waterford says "It's a damn shame she". What the??? Nick's drinking was getting on my wick and when he put the sprinklers on for an entire day we were approaching fantasy land. Water would have been pouring down the street for goodness sake! Won't be reading anything else by this author.
June 12, 2025
Awful. I’m no detective, but Nick Vada might be the worst fictional detective I’ve read. The best friend of the murder victim shared she was scared of someone (she had a black eye and was almost run over by a truck). Their conversation was interrupted by another character. Instead of following up quickly with her with no one around, he went and got a 6 pack and went back to his hotel room. He went to dinner with friends instead of following up with a possible suspect the day the body was discovered. Didn’t finish it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews