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The Novaks #2
The Double Bind
You can run, but you can never escape your family.
Amy and Johnny Novak have fled to a seaside town in northern New South Wales. They want a fresh start with their eleven-year-old son Sasha, and Amy is determined to shake off the legacy of Johnny’s criminal family.
But it’s hard to outrun the Novaks.
Are Amy and Johnny still keeping secrets from each other? And how did they get involved in a high-stakes game with Arturo Raoul De Leon, aka The Snake? Can Amy rise to the occasion to keep her family safe or will she be forced to become Johnny’s partner in crime?
Loraine Peck’s The Second Son won the 2021 Best Debut Crime Fiction Ned Kelly Award and was shortlisted for two Davitt Awards and the Danger Award. With its character-driven plot, psychological finesse, humour and sparkling dialogue, The Double Bind is an enthralling sequel.
Amy and Johnny Novak have fled to a seaside town in northern New South Wales. They want a fresh start with their eleven-year-old son Sasha, and Amy is determined to shake off the legacy of Johnny’s criminal family.
But it’s hard to outrun the Novaks.
Are Amy and Johnny still keeping secrets from each other? And how did they get involved in a high-stakes game with Arturo Raoul De Leon, aka The Snake? Can Amy rise to the occasion to keep her family safe or will she be forced to become Johnny’s partner in crime?
Loraine Peck’s The Second Son won the 2021 Best Debut Crime Fiction Ned Kelly Award and was shortlisted for two Davitt Awards and the Danger Award. With its character-driven plot, psychological finesse, humour and sparkling dialogue, The Double Bind is an enthralling sequel.
400 pages, Paperback
First published April 4, 2023
8 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 1, 2023
Amy and Johnny Novak, with their eleven year old son Sasha, fled Sydney and the Novak family after the events in book #1, The Second Son, determined to keep away from the criminal aspect of Johnny's family. The small town of Hallows Head between Ballina and Byron Bay on the north coast of New South Wales was a reprieve for the family; the beautiful home they were living in, all Amy had dreamed about. Johnny's good friend Anto and he started a security business, installing into people's homes. Life was looking good, until the installation into Carl Carusso's home took a nasty turn.
Amy's new job, while Sasha was at school, swiftly saw her making new friends and when one of them needed help, Amy was there for her. But it seemed Johnny was getting involved in what they'd tried to leave, and when his father and cousins arrived from Sydney, Amy didn't know what to do. Could she keep her family safe? Or would their life of crime be their undoing?
The Double Bind is the 2nd in The Novaks series by Aussie author Loraine Peck and it was a brilliant sequel to follow The Second Son. Captivating, intense, gritty and completely enticing, I devoured it. This is a character driven plot, psychologically enthralling with dry humour, and it's one I recommend highly.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Amy's new job, while Sasha was at school, swiftly saw her making new friends and when one of them needed help, Amy was there for her. But it seemed Johnny was getting involved in what they'd tried to leave, and when his father and cousins arrived from Sydney, Amy didn't know what to do. Could she keep her family safe? Or would their life of crime be their undoing?
The Double Bind is the 2nd in The Novaks series by Aussie author Loraine Peck and it was a brilliant sequel to follow The Second Son. Captivating, intense, gritty and completely enticing, I devoured it. This is a character driven plot, psychologically enthralling with dry humour, and it's one I recommend highly.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
March 28, 2023
So, what's the best way to follow up a Ned Kelly Award winning first novel? Produce another cracker that provides more of the same, of course.
Another tough, hard-edged Australian thriller, The Double Bind follows on from the explosive events in Loraine Peck’s debut thriller The Second Son. As with the first book, this is a crime story told from the perspective of the criminals.
Amy and Johnny Novak have left Sydney to rebuild their lives and recover from the trauma of a kidnapping and murder that threatened to rip their lives apart. But life in a crime family never really relaxes its grip on you and Johnny, despite his desire to go straight, is dragged straight back into an impossibly dangerous situation.
A plan to smuggle drugs into Australia and then ship them from the northern NSW town of Ballina down to Sydney has been placed in Johnny’s lap. His bid to go straight running his own security agency is the perfect cover for the Sinaloan mafia and, by threatening to kill Amy and his son Sasha if he doesn’t comply, he is forced to throw in with the crooks.
Forced between a rock and a hard place, there is only one choice but this becomes even more complicated when a team of police detectives land at Johnny’s door. They’ve gotten wind of the drug deal and have enough on Amy’s involvement in a recent murder to force Johnny to feed them inside information on the operation. Against every instinct he has been brought up to obey he sees no other choice than to agree to the cops’ demands.
From Ballina to Sydney, this is a swiftly moving thriller that crackles with tension from start to finish.
The story is told in alternating chapters from the first person perspectives of Johnny and Amy. Through them you get a strong sense of their complex personalities. All other character development and description also comes from their reaction to friends, acquaintances and enemies.
Just as with the first Johnny Novak book, The Double Bind marries an incredibly strong family values ethic that plays off against the careful plotting of a heist. We witness the stark contrast between criminal groups that are thrown together with all the accompanying chest thumping and one-upmanship and the caring group of women attempting to save their friend from an abusive relationship.
Close attention should be paid to the way in which the double crosses are carried out - after all, the whole plot hinges on them. I like to think I’m pretty attentive when it comes to devious plans but I found myself struggling to work out who was where, who had the drugs and what about the money, etc. The old shell game is slickly performed so you’d better prepare yourself.
All in all, The Double Bind is a strong follow up to The Second Son and cements Loraine Peck as a leader in the Australian hard-boiled realm.
Oh, and by the way, there's a nice touch with a little mini-review of Tim Ayliffe’s The Enemy Within incorporated into the book. Amy Novak gives it the thumbs up and, I’ve gotta say, I agree with her!
My thanks to the publisher Text Publishing and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book for the purpose of review.
Another tough, hard-edged Australian thriller, The Double Bind follows on from the explosive events in Loraine Peck’s debut thriller The Second Son. As with the first book, this is a crime story told from the perspective of the criminals.
Amy and Johnny Novak have left Sydney to rebuild their lives and recover from the trauma of a kidnapping and murder that threatened to rip their lives apart. But life in a crime family never really relaxes its grip on you and Johnny, despite his desire to go straight, is dragged straight back into an impossibly dangerous situation.
A plan to smuggle drugs into Australia and then ship them from the northern NSW town of Ballina down to Sydney has been placed in Johnny’s lap. His bid to go straight running his own security agency is the perfect cover for the Sinaloan mafia and, by threatening to kill Amy and his son Sasha if he doesn’t comply, he is forced to throw in with the crooks.
Forced between a rock and a hard place, there is only one choice but this becomes even more complicated when a team of police detectives land at Johnny’s door. They’ve gotten wind of the drug deal and have enough on Amy’s involvement in a recent murder to force Johnny to feed them inside information on the operation. Against every instinct he has been brought up to obey he sees no other choice than to agree to the cops’ demands.
From Ballina to Sydney, this is a swiftly moving thriller that crackles with tension from start to finish.
The story is told in alternating chapters from the first person perspectives of Johnny and Amy. Through them you get a strong sense of their complex personalities. All other character development and description also comes from their reaction to friends, acquaintances and enemies.
Just as with the first Johnny Novak book, The Double Bind marries an incredibly strong family values ethic that plays off against the careful plotting of a heist. We witness the stark contrast between criminal groups that are thrown together with all the accompanying chest thumping and one-upmanship and the caring group of women attempting to save their friend from an abusive relationship.
Close attention should be paid to the way in which the double crosses are carried out - after all, the whole plot hinges on them. I like to think I’m pretty attentive when it comes to devious plans but I found myself struggling to work out who was where, who had the drugs and what about the money, etc. The old shell game is slickly performed so you’d better prepare yourself.
All in all, The Double Bind is a strong follow up to The Second Son and cements Loraine Peck as a leader in the Australian hard-boiled realm.
Oh, and by the way, there's a nice touch with a little mini-review of Tim Ayliffe’s The Enemy Within incorporated into the book. Amy Novak gives it the thumbs up and, I’ve gotta say, I agree with her!
My thanks to the publisher Text Publishing and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book for the purpose of review.
May 1, 2023
Another absolutely compulsive crime fiction book from Loraine Peck. If you loved The Second Son, get ready for another dark and gritty story that will keep you turning the pages into the night.
After the events of the Second Son, Amy, Johnny and Sasha Novak have packed up and moved to the northern NSW coastal town of Hallows Head. A new home, new jobs, new life. They are ready leave Sydney and the life of crime behind them, start fresh and on the right side of the law. It couldn’t be that easy though could it? Of course not. Johnny starts his own personal security company and the first job is for a wealthy American family. He thinks life is looking pretty good, until that job drags him back into the life of crime. His family is threatened and he feels he has no choice. It to comply.. or does he? You have to read it to see what happens.
A fantastic Aussie crime novel, full of secrets and danger. You certainly get more than you bargained for with Double Bind and ai loved every minute of it. It is violent as you would expect, but it does have some lighter and funny moments. A must read in this genre. It is clever and hard to put down.
Thanks to Text Publishing for my copy of this book to tead. Out now and highly recommended.
After the events of the Second Son, Amy, Johnny and Sasha Novak have packed up and moved to the northern NSW coastal town of Hallows Head. A new home, new jobs, new life. They are ready leave Sydney and the life of crime behind them, start fresh and on the right side of the law. It couldn’t be that easy though could it? Of course not. Johnny starts his own personal security company and the first job is for a wealthy American family. He thinks life is looking pretty good, until that job drags him back into the life of crime. His family is threatened and he feels he has no choice. It to comply.. or does he? You have to read it to see what happens.
A fantastic Aussie crime novel, full of secrets and danger. You certainly get more than you bargained for with Double Bind and ai loved every minute of it. It is violent as you would expect, but it does have some lighter and funny moments. A must read in this genre. It is clever and hard to put down.
Thanks to Text Publishing for my copy of this book to tead. Out now and highly recommended.
September 17, 2023
The Double Bind's series predecessor The Second Son was one of my standout reads of 2021, so I've been looking forward to launching into this for a long time. While it features many of the same cast of characters, it's a slower burn than the first book, amping up into more of an action-thriller in the second half.
May 25, 2023
I didn’t realise this was the sequel of Second Son until after I had read it, something we’ve all done before. What I can say, is that without reading the first one, I feel this can totally be read as a standalone - although I will be going back and reading The Second Son at some point.
We follow Johnny, Amy and their son move from Sydney to Hallows Head on the Northern NSW coast. Leaving behind a life of crime and starting a fresh life away from drama, corruption and illegal activity … it doesn’t last long before their old life catches up with them.
I loved this book! Told with humour, a strong sense of family and relationships - expect a story full of danger and twists. Another fabulous Australian crime thriller that I flew through.
We follow Johnny, Amy and their son move from Sydney to Hallows Head on the Northern NSW coast. Leaving behind a life of crime and starting a fresh life away from drama, corruption and illegal activity … it doesn’t last long before their old life catches up with them.
I loved this book! Told with humour, a strong sense of family and relationships - expect a story full of danger and twists. Another fabulous Australian crime thriller that I flew through.
April 11, 2023
Thank you Text Publishing for sending us a copy to read and review.
I’m pretty sure criminal and deviant behaviour runs through your blood and dictates your core.
After tumultuous and dangerous events in the first book, Johnny and Amy leave Sydney and the life of crime for the more tranquil coastal environment.
Secrets, violence and crime will follow.
The story is told from both Amy and Johnny’s point of view in alternating chapters.
Amy wants to be part of her new community and finds a job at a local cafe.
Her desire to protect her son and live a more wholesome life is strong.
Meeting new friends distracts from an unfortunate legacy.
Domestic violence rears it’s ugly head and she does what she can to protect her friend.
Johnny is lured back to the family fold and is required to undertake a job that has it’s own web of complexities and challenges.
A dominant patriarch who is determined to maintain the hierarchy even after the death of his son, is in the thick of it with Johnny.
Add an efficient police investigation, the return of no nonsense Granny Slater and some violent thugs all enhance the flavour of this gritty suspense filled story.
Apart from this being a well written and cleverly constructed read, it illustrates the dichotomy between good and bad.
Some very tender and heart warming facets give it a well rounded polish.
The strong hint on the last page suggests we will get another dose of the Novak family.
I’m pretty sure criminal and deviant behaviour runs through your blood and dictates your core.
After tumultuous and dangerous events in the first book, Johnny and Amy leave Sydney and the life of crime for the more tranquil coastal environment.
Secrets, violence and crime will follow.
The story is told from both Amy and Johnny’s point of view in alternating chapters.
Amy wants to be part of her new community and finds a job at a local cafe.
Her desire to protect her son and live a more wholesome life is strong.
Meeting new friends distracts from an unfortunate legacy.
Domestic violence rears it’s ugly head and she does what she can to protect her friend.
Johnny is lured back to the family fold and is required to undertake a job that has it’s own web of complexities and challenges.
A dominant patriarch who is determined to maintain the hierarchy even after the death of his son, is in the thick of it with Johnny.
Add an efficient police investigation, the return of no nonsense Granny Slater and some violent thugs all enhance the flavour of this gritty suspense filled story.
Apart from this being a well written and cleverly constructed read, it illustrates the dichotomy between good and bad.
Some very tender and heart warming facets give it a well rounded polish.
The strong hint on the last page suggests we will get another dose of the Novak family.
May 30, 2023
Poor Amy. She just wants to start anew in their new house and leave behind her husband's criminal family past. But once you're in the know, you're in the know and family will always catch up to you. She just has to hope they can make it out alive...again. Wow, what a fantastic read this was! Another Aussie crime gem that you must read!
November 9, 2023
A tad disappointing after I really enjoyed the first one. Didn’t find this one as credible and didn’t like the character development of Amy. I suspect this is leading to a third in the series but I hope the narrative doesn’t unfold the way I think it might.
December 27, 2023
Amy and Johnny Novak have moved away for a fresh start for their family but will they be able to escape the lives that Johnny's family drama entails. Once again the mystery and the action is wild!
May 26, 2023
The Double Bind is the next instalment after Second Son that can be read as a standalone for sure, but the context and history definitely helps. We see Johnny (the secind son), his wife Amy and young son move to the mid-north Coast to start afresh. Johnny wants out if the crime biz and Amy just wants a normal family life for her son. But trouble comes knocking, and this time Johnny has the crooks and the cops wanting a piece of him.
Peck’s books are really gritty and rely on a balance of crime related detail within the context of culture, family loyalty, relationships and expectations. It’s about 440 pages and theres alot of back and forth as Johnny and Amy scramble to look to the future whilst trying to escape Johnny’s criminal past.
Amy is a strong character, testing to work in partnership with her husband, whilst pitted against his formidable criminal enterprising father. She begins to form a new support group in their chosen home town that is colourful and diverse to say the least. Johnny - what can you say about him apart from that he’s doing his best trying to keep everyone happy. He’s a smart one who’s not averse to violence and crime - but knows better and talks the talk about a quieter life. Walking the walk … well that’s a different story.
Peck’s books are really gritty and rely on a balance of crime related detail within the context of culture, family loyalty, relationships and expectations. It’s about 440 pages and theres alot of back and forth as Johnny and Amy scramble to look to the future whilst trying to escape Johnny’s criminal past.
Amy is a strong character, testing to work in partnership with her husband, whilst pitted against his formidable criminal enterprising father. She begins to form a new support group in their chosen home town that is colourful and diverse to say the least. Johnny - what can you say about him apart from that he’s doing his best trying to keep everyone happy. He’s a smart one who’s not averse to violence and crime - but knows better and talks the talk about a quieter life. Walking the walk … well that’s a different story.
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July 28, 2023The following book reviews have been shared by Text Publishing – publisher of The Double Bind
‘An urban noir masterpiece. Street-wise, with crackling prose, this is a deep, rich mystery with family at its centre. It keeps all the promises of the best crime fiction on offer.’
Candice Fox, author of Fire with Fire
‘A breathless follow up to one of my favourite books from last year.’
Pip Drysdale, author of The Next Girl
‘Once again Loraine Peck expertly blends family dynamics with organised crime to bring you a razor-sharp, compulsive page-turner that’s as much about love, marriage and parenting as it is about drugs, guns and gang violence. A powerful and very worthy follow-up to The Second Son.’
Anna Downes, author of The Shadow House
‘Australia’s Queen of the Heist is back with a new set of twisty double crossings that had me ripping through the pages to find out how Johnny and Amy Novak were going to get away with this one.’
Andy Muir, author of Hiding to Nothing
‘An epic crime saga with characters who’ll steal your heart then drive a dagger through it. The Double Bind hooked me and wouldn’t let me go.’
Tim Ayliffe, author of the The Enemy Within
‘A dab hand at mingling psychological suspense and black comedy, Peck has produced a crime sequel as worthy of binge-reading as the original proved to be.’
Age/SMH
‘A sensational read.’
Australian
‘Honestly, The Double Bind is like a Netflix drug-cartel crime series exploded on the pages, with razor-sharp dialogue and characters thrown into situations that seem so impossible you have no idea how they'll get out of them...This is a cracker that somehow manages to be even better than Loraine's explosive debut The Second Son, which introduced readers to the Novak family and took out the 2021 Ned Kelly for best debut crime novel.’
Dinuka McKenzie, award winning author of Taken
‘An urban noir masterpiece. Street-wise, with crackling prose, this is a deep, rich mystery with family at its centre. It keeps all the promises of the best crime fiction on offer.’
Candice Fox, author of Fire with Fire
‘A breathless follow up to one of my favourite books from last year.’
Pip Drysdale, author of The Next Girl
‘Once again Loraine Peck expertly blends family dynamics with organised crime to bring you a razor-sharp, compulsive page-turner that’s as much about love, marriage and parenting as it is about drugs, guns and gang violence. A powerful and very worthy follow-up to The Second Son.’
Anna Downes, author of The Shadow House
‘Australia’s Queen of the Heist is back with a new set of twisty double crossings that had me ripping through the pages to find out how Johnny and Amy Novak were going to get away with this one.’
Andy Muir, author of Hiding to Nothing
‘An epic crime saga with characters who’ll steal your heart then drive a dagger through it. The Double Bind hooked me and wouldn’t let me go.’
Tim Ayliffe, author of the The Enemy Within
‘A dab hand at mingling psychological suspense and black comedy, Peck has produced a crime sequel as worthy of binge-reading as the original proved to be.’
Age/SMH
‘A sensational read.’
Australian
‘Honestly, The Double Bind is like a Netflix drug-cartel crime series exploded on the pages, with razor-sharp dialogue and characters thrown into situations that seem so impossible you have no idea how they'll get out of them...This is a cracker that somehow manages to be even better than Loraine's explosive debut The Second Son, which introduced readers to the Novak family and took out the 2021 Ned Kelly for best debut crime novel.’
Dinuka McKenzie, award winning author of Taken
March 16, 2023
Johnny Novak and his wife Amy have fled to the small town of Hallows Head on the NSW north coast with their 11 year old son Sasha, hoping to escape from Johnny’s Croatian crime boss father and his expectation that Johnny will work in the Novak family business. Despite wanting nothing more than to leave the world of crime behind and start a legitimate business with his best friend Anto, Johnny soon finds himself coerced into working for a new client setting up a special import business with his Mexican cousin Arturo. Moreover, once the police catch on that something big is happening on the coast and Johnny is involved, he is threatened by them to work as an inside source.
This follow up to Loraine Peck’s stunning debut novel, The Second Son, is just as gritty and explosive with a fine streak of humour and sharp dialogue. Poor Johnny can’t catch a break! He just wants a quiet life far from organised crime, but between his father and DCI MacPherson from the NSW Organised Crime Squad, he has few options but to do their bidding. Both the police and the extremely violent crime gang involved in the import have made threats against Amy and Sasha, so that Johnny has no way out, except to use his wits to find a way to outsmart them both.
The character driven plot is fast moving and the tension never lets up. As before, the characters are well drawn, especially the women who are strong and resilient and determined to protect their men and children. The plot is related from the points of view of both Amy and Johnny, who are both keeping secrets from each other, but are both prepared to fight hard to free themselves from the grasp of the criminal underworld. Violent, tense and filled with enough twists to keep your head spinning, this is compulsive reading!
While the novel works well as a stand-alone novel, I’d definitely recommend reading the excellent first book to get to know the main characters and their backstories (you won't regret it!).
With thanks to Text Publishing via Netgalley for a copy to read
This follow up to Loraine Peck’s stunning debut novel, The Second Son, is just as gritty and explosive with a fine streak of humour and sharp dialogue. Poor Johnny can’t catch a break! He just wants a quiet life far from organised crime, but between his father and DCI MacPherson from the NSW Organised Crime Squad, he has few options but to do their bidding. Both the police and the extremely violent crime gang involved in the import have made threats against Amy and Sasha, so that Johnny has no way out, except to use his wits to find a way to outsmart them both.
The character driven plot is fast moving and the tension never lets up. As before, the characters are well drawn, especially the women who are strong and resilient and determined to protect their men and children. The plot is related from the points of view of both Amy and Johnny, who are both keeping secrets from each other, but are both prepared to fight hard to free themselves from the grasp of the criminal underworld. Violent, tense and filled with enough twists to keep your head spinning, this is compulsive reading!
While the novel works well as a stand-alone novel, I’d definitely recommend reading the excellent first book to get to know the main characters and their backstories (you won't regret it!).
With thanks to Text Publishing via Netgalley for a copy to read
April 8, 2023
The Double Bind by Loraine Peck is a complex police/gangster/criminal story. When a couple of criminal families, who are seeking to be ex-criminals, move to a sleepy beach side town on the north coast of New South Wales Australia, a plethora of crime takes off!
Amy and Johnny as well as Layla and Carl find themselves in their family businesses which looks impossible to get away from. Amy doesn’t want their eleven year old son involved and Layla would like to have a family too but without the criminal connections. Carl has set up a legitimate business which, unfortunately, becomes the focus of criminal activity. Johnny also endeavours to set up a legitimate security business and finds himself being hired by Carl and inadvertently becomes entangled in gangster activities. There are bad guys trying to be good and bad guys being really bad as well as good guys being bad. Very complicated plot! Intriguing and captivating.
There are also sub-plots that add depth to the story with domestic violence raising it’s ugly head in a idyllic coastal town.
Well developed plot with many interesting characters.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from Text Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#TheDoubleBind #Netgalley
Amy and Johnny as well as Layla and Carl find themselves in their family businesses which looks impossible to get away from. Amy doesn’t want their eleven year old son involved and Layla would like to have a family too but without the criminal connections. Carl has set up a legitimate business which, unfortunately, becomes the focus of criminal activity. Johnny also endeavours to set up a legitimate security business and finds himself being hired by Carl and inadvertently becomes entangled in gangster activities. There are bad guys trying to be good and bad guys being really bad as well as good guys being bad. Very complicated plot! Intriguing and captivating.
There are also sub-plots that add depth to the story with domestic violence raising it’s ugly head in a idyllic coastal town.
Well developed plot with many interesting characters.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from Text Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#TheDoubleBind #Netgalley
April 7, 2023
**4 & Half Stars**
A very Happy Publication Day to Loraine Peck on her new book The Double Bind which I have been hanging out for since January when I read her first book in this crime drama series, The Second Son. & WOW, this one was even a wilder ride which I couldn’t put down!
We again follow the Novak Croatian / Sydney crime family but this time, most of the action is set in Hallow’s Head in coastal NSW where Johnny, joined by wife Amy & son Sascha, are trying to start a new life away from the life of crime he has been born into and go straight with a new legit business. But nothing goes to plan and 3 months after moving to the sleepy town, Johnny is drawn back in with the stakes even higher this time with the involvement of a dangerous Mexican cartel and the police closing in.
I loved this one even more than the first installment as I loved seeing gutsy Amy more involved this time around. It’s a tightly woven and propulsive storyline which had me on the edge of my seat – so much better than anything on TV at present in my opinion! Loraine is able to write a really engaging and clever cat and mouse heist masterfully and if you love a twisty, taught crime thriller, I highly recommend checking this one out (even though it could be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading in order, so you get the whole Novak back story).
Congratulations Loraine on another amazing book & I can’t wait to see her live at Brisbane Writes Festival next month which I’ve just bought tickets for!
Thanks to Netgalley and Text Publishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
A very Happy Publication Day to Loraine Peck on her new book The Double Bind which I have been hanging out for since January when I read her first book in this crime drama series, The Second Son. & WOW, this one was even a wilder ride which I couldn’t put down!
We again follow the Novak Croatian / Sydney crime family but this time, most of the action is set in Hallow’s Head in coastal NSW where Johnny, joined by wife Amy & son Sascha, are trying to start a new life away from the life of crime he has been born into and go straight with a new legit business. But nothing goes to plan and 3 months after moving to the sleepy town, Johnny is drawn back in with the stakes even higher this time with the involvement of a dangerous Mexican cartel and the police closing in.
I loved this one even more than the first installment as I loved seeing gutsy Amy more involved this time around. It’s a tightly woven and propulsive storyline which had me on the edge of my seat – so much better than anything on TV at present in my opinion! Loraine is able to write a really engaging and clever cat and mouse heist masterfully and if you love a twisty, taught crime thriller, I highly recommend checking this one out (even though it could be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading in order, so you get the whole Novak back story).
Congratulations Loraine on another amazing book & I can’t wait to see her live at Brisbane Writes Festival next month which I’ve just bought tickets for!
Thanks to Netgalley and Text Publishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
May 10, 2023
It’s not very often that I find a sequel that I enjoyed as much as the first, but Loraine Peck’s The Double Bind did.
While this book holds the new chapters in the Novak family, there are some major plot lines that are linked to the first book The Second Son so it’s a must to read the first book in the series.
This book focuses on the fact that when you are in a crime family, sometimes moving away doesn’t mean crime isn’t going to follow you because when you are a part of the Novaks, crime is going to be right behind you whether you like it or not.
I still love Amy and Johnny in this book and their POVs are back to back again in this thriller. They work as a team in this book yet hold some things back, adding to the suspense of the book. These two are in my top 5 favourite couple list.
I also love the little mention of Tim Ayliffe’s book The Enemy Within, it was great to see Amy read such a fantastic book.
I really hope there is going to be a continuation of this series because I can’t get enough.
Thank you Loraine Peck , Netgalley and Text Publishing for the copy of The Double Bind for reviewing purposes.
While this book holds the new chapters in the Novak family, there are some major plot lines that are linked to the first book The Second Son so it’s a must to read the first book in the series.
This book focuses on the fact that when you are in a crime family, sometimes moving away doesn’t mean crime isn’t going to follow you because when you are a part of the Novaks, crime is going to be right behind you whether you like it or not.
I still love Amy and Johnny in this book and their POVs are back to back again in this thriller. They work as a team in this book yet hold some things back, adding to the suspense of the book. These two are in my top 5 favourite couple list.
I also love the little mention of Tim Ayliffe’s book The Enemy Within, it was great to see Amy read such a fantastic book.
I really hope there is going to be a continuation of this series because I can’t get enough.
Thank you Loraine Peck , Netgalley and Text Publishing for the copy of The Double Bind for reviewing purposes.
May 25, 2023
YOU can run, but you can never escape your family.
This book of family, loyalty, gangs, drugs, crime, friendship, love, and the need to escape the life you were born and raised in has a lot going on.
And, although I haven't read book 1: The Second Son, this didn't detract from my reading experience.
This is #urbannoir done well.
It's gritty, cruel, and highly addictive.
Amy & Johnny Novack have a love that breaks families. A love that has put them in more danger than they intended when they left the family drug business.
But for Johnny, his family is the only thing that matters, and he will do anything to keep them safe.
What follows is fast, furious, and engaging.
A crime fiction read sure to keep you reading until the end.
This book of family, loyalty, gangs, drugs, crime, friendship, love, and the need to escape the life you were born and raised in has a lot going on.
And, although I haven't read book 1: The Second Son, this didn't detract from my reading experience.
This is #urbannoir done well.
It's gritty, cruel, and highly addictive.
Amy & Johnny Novack have a love that breaks families. A love that has put them in more danger than they intended when they left the family drug business.
But for Johnny, his family is the only thing that matters, and he will do anything to keep them safe.
What follows is fast, furious, and engaging.
A crime fiction read sure to keep you reading until the end.
April 24, 2023
A rapid and engaging follow on to The Second Son. It’s good to meet so many of the same family again and despite a new location some things never change and possibly never will. Fast moving
, clever and insights you never expect into the drug dealing world. Loraine Peck is smart enough to add some greater complexity to the base story, all of it entirely believable. I’m sure this won’t be the last we hear of our relatable family. So much more to tell. Thanks for another great read @netgalley. My comments are all my own.
, clever and insights you never expect into the drug dealing world. Loraine Peck is smart enough to add some greater complexity to the base story, all of it entirely believable. I’m sure this won’t be the last we hear of our relatable family. So much more to tell. Thanks for another great read @netgalley. My comments are all my own.
May 1, 2023
This book is an absolute blast.
I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Having loved its predecessor - The Second Son - this was such a treat to arrive in the Mail. I devoured it.
The characters jump out fully formed and yes, you’ll be rooting for the dubious actions of the main characters, thanks to Loraine’s glorious to-the-point writing and relatable dialogue.
Can we make it a trilogy please?
I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Having loved its predecessor - The Second Son - this was such a treat to arrive in the Mail. I devoured it.
The characters jump out fully formed and yes, you’ll be rooting for the dubious actions of the main characters, thanks to Loraine’s glorious to-the-point writing and relatable dialogue.
Can we make it a trilogy please?
September 5, 2023
The second book featuring Johnny Novak, The Double Bind (2023) by Loraine Peck is another riveting Aussie crime tale. Johnny and Amy alternatively reveal the story of their move to the northern coastal beaches of New South Wales. Escaping from Western Sydney and the prior dangerous events, they settle into the small town and are alert to potential threatened retaliation. As Johnny begins a security business, his first new client invites him to a party where surprisingly, his former life’s associates greet him. Amy is not impressed that Johnny’s family's criminal links are rekindled and he has one last job to do. Johnny is then pressured by the police to be an informer and of course, things don’t go as planned. Another most enjoyable crime adventure with the seemingly hapless Johnny, ensuring a four stars read rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without inducement.
May 3, 2023
Many, continuous rounds of applause for Loraine Peck. What can I say, what a ride, what a gang and what an insight into the Novak crime family who just can’t leave that world behind them. Fast pace adrenaline addiction. Thank you Loraine, thank you.
September 5, 2023
This was an intense, captivating, gritty and completely enticing read.
Devoured just like the first book.
A strong follow-up to The second son.
Australian crime thriller filled with secrets and danger.
Devoured just like the first book.
A strong follow-up to The second son.
Australian crime thriller filled with secrets and danger.
May 19, 2023
Another great read: Listened as an audio in the studio. Peck delivers on the the suspense and develops her protagonists with gusto. I’m proper sucked in… I want a #novaks3😂😂😂
June 4, 2023
Another cracker, this time set near Byron Bay (another place I have often visited family). Fast-paced, lots of action, great characters. Love it.
June 19, 2023
I thought the first book in this series was excellent. This book was entertaining but didn’t enthral me as much as the previous one.
January 25, 2024
Her bio says that the author's "love of crime fiction propelled her to write the kind of book she loves to read". Clearly, our tastes differ a great deal.
August 29, 2024
Excellent follow up to 'The Second Son'.
October 16, 2024
Follow up to The Second Son. I probably enjoyed this one more than the first although there are some pretty dark topics. Listened to this one as an audio book as well.
November 17, 2024
Really liked it.
March 4, 2024
What a great book! Just slipping into Amy’s world each night has been a lot of fun and excitement-and I’m quite upset it has come to an end.
Lots of twists and turns makes this book a very enjoyable read. The author had me picturing the town it was based and each character so well described it all just seemed so credible.
As I said. Great fun & definitely recommend
Lots of twists and turns makes this book a very enjoyable read. The author had me picturing the town it was based and each character so well described it all just seemed so credible.
As I said. Great fun & definitely recommend
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