Reviews

Reviews for Line of Sight

  • 'My first pick of new Australian talent to watch for is Line of Sight by David Whish-Wilson... Line of Sight, Whish-Wilson’s second book but his first crime novel, is for my money the best thing to come out of Australia in a very long time (and yes, that does include Peter Temple). The book is loosely based on the real life murder in the seventies of a notorious Perth brothel madam, Shirley Finn. It’s told from the point of view of Superintendent Frank Swan, a tough as nails old school cop turned whistle blower for the sham Royal Commission established to look into Finn’s murder. Well written and meticulously researched, it’s a wonderful piece of hard-boiled writing and an incisive analysis of the changing nature of corruption in Western Australia. There’s a sequel in the works. I can hardly wait.' http://www.crimefictionlover.com
  • 'Line of Sight is one of the best Australian crime novels I read in 2010. The writing is taut and infused with the sights, sounds and feel of seventies Perth. Whish-Wilson also does an excellent job of combining a fast-moving plot with an examination of how the emergence of new types of crime impacted on existing power structures in the state.' Andrew Nette, Crime Factory 6
  • 'This is hard-boiled and riveting writing, with a sense of place and urgency...A notable addition to Australia's crime-writing canon.' Andrew Prentice, Crime Factory 6
  • "In Line of Sight the pursuit of the truth is a grim one; no flashy encounters with the stereotypes of crime fiction, rather a dogged tracking of clues small and large, and often wrung from characters as finely drawn as anything in the genre. This is the hallmark of Whish-Wilson’s novel; it sounds like the truth. The plot is not a racetrack of events, full of red herrings that are resolved by a mixture of derring-do and genius. Rather it is a dark seam that is mined by Swann for the tiny glimmers of light, and, in so doing, he exposes even more of the darkness. The novel is beautifully crafted. The characterisation is flawless and economical, the plot has a creeping intensity that grows greater and greater as it progresses to the unexpected conclusion." The West Australian, Dec 7 2010
  • "The spot-on references to 70s Perth are among the delights of this elegantly written detective story. Highly recommended, especially to those who remember when bogans were bogs, Fremantle jail wasn't a museum and DNA evidence was science fiction." writingWA recommends... www.writingWA.org
  • "Superintendent Frank Swann's investigation into the murder of a leading brothel madam sets him on a dangerous and sordid trail. Tracking the main tale are two sub-plots, one with a particularly surprising conclusion. Well structured and written, this is first rate crime noir." Ross Southernwood, Sun Herald
  • “Line of Sight is a great achievement. In the crime genre, atmosphere counts heavily. In this novel, the cops talk like cops, the crims talk like crims and the atmosphere is electric. Line of Sight doesn’t relax its grip for a minute. Forget the genteel world you thought you inhabited. Here is what happens to you if you try to fight the system. Extraordinarily raw violence is reported without squeamishness or excess. Chilling, bleak and very satisfying; Whish-Wilson’s move to crime fiction is already making waves and, I imagine, causing some discomfort for those who care to remember.”  M/C Reviews, http://reviews.media-culture.org.au/
  • “In the Western Australia of Whish-Wilson’s novel, nothing happens without a financial understanding... Line of Sight is a gripping, tense thriller, peopled by credible characters.” Angela Savage, author of the The Half Child, and Behind the Night Bazaar. angelasavage.wordpress.com
  •  “LINE OF SIGHT is terrific. The portrayal of Swann is beautifully done – he’s believable, decent, fallible, genuine... a man who stands up against overwhelming odds. He's supported by Victorian Justice Partridge, brought to WA to head a Royal Commission into corruption that is doomed to fail.  There's a palpable sense of the way in which 1970's WA regarded themselves as separate from the rest of Australia, and Canberra absolutely irrelevant. Corruption is endemic and money rules absolutely.  These alternating viewpoints lift the book, providing a fuller look at the reach of such endemic corruption. LINE OF SIGHT is a great book with a terrific sense of place and time, a palpable sense of tension, and a cast of characters that you can really get a connection with.” http://www.austcrimefiction.org/node/5710
  • “This is an outstanding book... There is a realness about the story, an edgy sorrow-filled inevitability... that compels you on...” crimedownunder.com
  • “I loved this book not just because it's a great story but because it's tough and strong but also has heart.  And I really admired the authenticity of Whish-Wilson's re-creation of the atmosphere of Perth in the seventies. Line of Sight is a great read...” Liz Byrski, author of The Gang of Four and Belly Dancing for Beginners http://lizbyrski.typepad.com/
  • “Line of Sight pulls you in like a powerful undertow; it drags you under and spits you out, gasping….Swann is a character that slowly gets under your skin, he could be your brother, mate or bloke around the corner….until he starts to come undone.  A compelling page-turner, it’s hard to believe it’s a first crime novel.” Rochelle Jackson, ABC 774 Crime Couch, author of The Texan: The Life and Times of Billy ‘The Texan’ Longley, and Inside Their Minds: Australian Criminals.
  • “Line of Sight is well drawn and convincing. The police resentment of Swann and his stance on the side of right resonates with reality. One can only hope it won’t be too long before Whish-Wilson turns out another book...” Denise Pickles, http://www.marymartin.com.au
  •  “Against an intimately realised Perth backdrop three stories intertwine...gripping and well constructed... there is a satisfying twist to the end of the tale...” Katherine England, The Advertiser

Reviews for The Summons

  • ‘An eloquent and thought provoking novel.' Katherine England, The Advertiser
  • ‘Hats off to a terrific first novel ... Original and stylish ... A powerfully imagined tragedy.’ Cath Kenneally, Sydney Morning Herald
  • ‘An unorthodox and imaginative story of quiet heroism.’ The Age
  • ‘A great joy to read.’ Brenda Walker
  • 'THE sickly, cloying atmosphere of Nazi Germany in the lead-up to World War II is captured brilliantly in The Summons.' Weekend Australian.
  • '...a thoughtful and thought-provoking read. Four stars.' Australian Bookseller & Publisher
  • ‘The Summons...anticipates a strong future for this writer who demonstrates that he has read widely, researched solidly, and thought boldly... one expects this novel or his future work to win him the acclaim he deserves.’ Text