Your Preview Verdict: Whisky Valley by Joan Sauers

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Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:

This was a real treat!! I’d not read Joan Sauers novel, Echo Lake and I didn’t feel I’d missed any key elements for the story to play out. I love Joan’s style of writing, her description of place and the beautiful country side, her ability to bring a reader into the story. The relationship between Rose and her sister, Kim was great! I loved the dialogue between them, I felt I could relate to this dynamic of the story. It was so interesting to have the instrumental and musical world central to this crime novel. I’ve not read this sort of plot before and I learnt so much! Now I’m off to find my copy of Echo Lake and begin again at the start 🤗 Julie, VIC, 5 stars

Joan Sauers’ Whisky Valley is a compelling second instalment in the Southern Highlands Mystery series, following the events of Echo Lake. This atmospheric crime novel centers on Rose McHugh, a historian-turned-amateur sleuth, who is drawn into the disappearance of a world-renowned violinist during a local music festival. As a rare flood isolates the town, Rose navigates a web of secrets among the musician’s circle, her own family, and the enigmatic locals. Sauers masterfully blends suspense with rich character development, exploring themes of trauma, relationships, and the haunting echoes of the past. The novel’s pacing is brisk, with multiple storylines intertwining seamlessly, keeping readers turning the pages until the final dramatic showdown. While Whisky Valley can be enjoyed as a standalone, having read Rose’s previous adventures in Echo Lake I would say makes for a deeper understanding of Rose and her crew. For fans of cozy crime with a touch of mystery and charm, Whisky Valley offers a fabulous blend of suspense and drama, set against the picturesque backdrop of the Australian Southern Highlands. Imogen, VIC, 5 stars

A well written murder mystery that moves along at a rollicking pace. The characters, complete with their flaws, are likeable and the setting sounds idyllic. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be reading the first book in the series to get the full backstory on Rose. Vanessa, QLD, 5 stars

Whiskey Valley by Joan Sauers is a wonderfully descriptive mystery set in the Southern Highlands of Australia. Rose McHugh is no stranger to mystery. One year ago, Rose was the main character of her own drama, Echo Lake. Now, Rose is happily settled in her home, job and friendships. Until her son’s best friend Billy goes missing, along with his historical, priceless musical instrument. Along with a newfound love interest, Rose is determined to find out what has happened to Billy, especially when her son comes under police suspicion. However, Rose uncovers more than she bargains for. Not only does she discover her own family secrets, but also those of a close friend. These secrets have the potential to break family bonds, but Rose’s gentle nature manages to support healing rather than major rifts. Sauers style of writing had me hooked from the beginning. The descriptions of the Higlands, Joadja and various other locations had me wanting to research and plan a trip. Each chapter had twists that kept me guessing at the outcome. I could have sat through another 100+ pages for more details. In the end, the mystery was solved, and most questions answered. Although Whiskey Valley follows Rose and her family one year after Echo Lake, it is a brilliant stand-alone novel. Karen, WA, 5 stars

I loved Whisky Valley. It’s the 2nd book in the Southern Highlands Mystery series the 1st being Echo Park which I haven’t read yet but will now. The author gives brief references to Echo Park storyline which made Whisky Valley easier to read as a standalone. Whisky Valley is a cosy crime. It has crime, atmosphere, family drama, romance, mystery and intrigue which kept me engaged and entertained. There are issues relating to past trauma, loss and mental health. Several times I thought I’d solved the crime but I was proven wrong. The story strolls along nicely and builds to a climax the last quarter of the book. I thought the characters were believable and all came with their issues and idiosyncrasies which made for a great read. The author gave wonderful atmospheric descriptions which helped me to feel I was in the story. Helen, NSW, 5 stars

“Whiskey Lake” by Joan Sauers follows Rose McHugh, a historian and amateur sleuth, in the aftermath of her attempted murder the previous year. This book, although a sequel, provides enough information to link the two books, so I did not find it frustrating not to have read Echo Lake. However, I will add it to my ‘to be read soon’ list. Whisky Valley sees Rose attempting to put her life back together, but needing to put her skills back into play when her son’s childhood friend is murdered and her son is accused of the crime. Whisky Valley was easy to read, and had enough going on to keep my interest. Tracy, VIC, 5 stars

I could not put this book down and when I did, I was thinking about what would happen next. I loved the murder mystery twisted with romance. The way the author described the scenery was breathtaking. Highly suggest reading this, you won’t be disappointed. Monica, VIC, 5 stars

Easy reading right from the start. There’s suspense, intrigue and mystery as well as great character development. The subject of the murderer changes, throughout the book, and whilst you may suspect someone there is often a twist to keep you wondering. Rose, the main character, investigates the murder whilst dealing with anxiety, and because her son is involved she thinks carefully about many people and what they say and do. I enjoyed the twists and turns of the narrative and would recommend this book highly. Lorraine, VIC, 5 stars

Whisky Valley is a terrific crime novel set in the atmospheric Southern Highlands. Mum and historian, Rose McHugh turns amateur sleuth to try and work out the whereabouts of her son’s best friend and his priceless violin. His band members, patron and her enigmatic psychologist husband all have secrets. When Rose’s son becomes a suspect after the body is found her sense of urgency increases …but so does the danger. I loved the classical musical elements and the addition of a grown up romance. Rose is an endearing character who is very relatable. I loved the moody setting and the addition of floodwaters rising to create a sense of pacing. A twisting and turning Aussie crime story that keeps you guessing. Michelle, QLD, 5 stars

This is cosy Aussie crime at its atmospheric best. I’ll place emphasis on cosy- apart from the first 100 pages and the last 50 pages it’s a pretty gentle, meandering pace. No stress. Ample time for coffee and croissants throughout. The mid section actually pivoted to a budding bush romance which was quite nice for the old heartstrings. Historian Rose McHugh is recovering emotionally from last years’ near death experience (must read Echo Lake to know more). She’s very settled into life in her Southern Highland Community. Her museum is thriving, her life is safe and predictable. A music festival sees her son Billy reunite with his childhood friend Billy Mah, a virtuoso in possession of ‘The Mick’ a multimillion dollar violin. So it’s very unfortunate that the next day Billy and his violin are missing. And even more unfortunate when it turns into a murder investigation. Can Rose find the killer to clear any suspicion from her son? I loved Rose. She likes dogs and ghosts and wine and flaky pastries and is turned on by men who notice museum lighting. She’ll teach you a lot about classical music and subtle sleuthing. And her ‘rather just stay at home and read’ vibe is pretty relatable. I wasn’t completely invested in the whodunit component here; I was just happy to be lost in this beautiful part of Australia. An enjoyable, slow burn thriller. Kate (Katherine), VIC, 5 stars

What a great read set in the Southern Highlands of NSW this murder mystery book had me guessing right to the end, loved all the characters just a great read Gavin, NSW, 5 stars

‘Whiskey Valley’ is a murder mystery set in the Southern Highlands of NSW. The location and the history of the area the story is set in are real and the characters are well developed and likeable, except for the potential villains of course. I enjoyed how the author kept us guessing ‘who dun-it’ until the very end. The reader will suspect quite a few characters as the story unfolds. There is something for everyone in this enjoyable story – even a bit of romance. I found the local history of a by-gone mining era very interesting as well as the ghost story in the background. There are classical music pieces named and delicious menu items detailed along with violin and musical history throughout the book which I enjoyed. I didn’t find this detail at all out of place. It just fitted into the storyline beautifully. I totally recommend this book for an easy and fascinating read! Diane, NSW, 5 stars

A thrilling rollercoaster ride, this book had me reading late into the night desperate to know what happened next. The writing is beautiful and evocative, the characters complex and oh so relatable and the story is top notch. I 100% recommend this for your next book club or vacation read! Shantha, QLD, 5 stars

The character Rose McHugh returns from the first Book Echo Lake. Great if you have read however Whisky Valley can be read as a standalone. Characters return and new characters appear. My favourite is Bob. Set in the NSW area of the Southern Highlands. The story covers classical music, romance, family dramas and of course a missing person – are they missing or have they been murdered. Each page has something happening to keep you turning. Flora and fauna and scenery are delightfully described and there is some humour as well. The book is an easy read right to the end. If you like Mary Higgins Clark, Harlan Coban, Darcy Tindale, Christian White, Petronella McGovern you will enjoy this book. Elaine, NSW, 5 stars

I read Echo Lake last year and was reluctant to say goodbye to the characters. To my delight the author thought the same. Whisky Valley is the result. I loved that I not only got to see how Rose got mixed up with a new mystery but also how she still deals with the aftermath of Echo Lake. After all Rose is a historian, and not a detective, who might be able to brush off terrible events more easily and digging deeper is the way forward. You can read this as standalone but you will get more out of it, if you read Echo Lake first and also avoid all spoilers. And you will want to read both anyway! The atmospheric Southern Highlands setting calls for an excursion in the near future and it felt so real that I expect to see Rose and George with their two dogs at the local cafe. The classical music woven into this engrossing story was the extra special touch. Please keep writing about Rose. Loved it! Sabine, NSW, 5 stars

Whisky Valley by Joan Sauers is the second in the enjoyable series featuring semi-retired historian Rose McHugh. In my review of the first book in the series, Echo Lake, I commented that—as an historian and a background in research—she’s a feasible amateur (citizen) detective. Sauers also reintroduces characters from the first book, including Rose’s son Sam and her sister Kim, and local friends George and Detective Inspector Joe Blackmore and his wife Grace. I also commented on [Echo Lake] being an atmospheric read, based in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, and again here the song sense of ‘place’ resonates. This centres around the disappearance of a young musician, visiting as part of a music festival and childhood friend of Sam’s. But when he and his very expensive violin go missing and Sam becomes a suspect Rose is again forced to turn her hand to sleuthing. Despite the trauma she suffered during her last (successful) attempt. I’m really enjoying this series. I noted in my review of Echo Lake that Sauers was a screenwriter and I think that’s evident here as well as she’s able to bring scenes, characters and actions to life. Deborah, QLD, 4 stars

For a reader who knows the Southern Highlands of New South Wales this tale is immediately inviting. Then add the intrigue of various family groups, classical music students and the mystery of a wealthy local couple and one can look forward to a good tale with ongoing twists and turns – and of course a good murder. The narrative revolves around the main character, Rose, who is recovering from physical and mental scars from a past accident, and her involvement in her local community. Rose seems to have a natural attraction for seeking out details of accidents and murders, by being in the right (or wrong) place when events happen. Her inquisitive personality then gets her involved in the aftermath of what is then to evolve from each ‘event’. In her own mind, Rose is just seeking the truth about why each event happened and the follow up consequences, often with Rose getting entwined with not good results. The book will appeal to a broad group of readers, but in particular those who enjoy the intricacies of how various individuals act or react to challenges and change, and the interpretation of differing personalities in a relatively wealthy part of semi-rural Australia. Mark, QLD, 4 stars

Whisky Valley is set in the Southern Highlands of NSW. Central to the story is the investigation into the disappearance, then murder of a renowned musician. Rose has a historical link to the victim, and when her son becomes a suspect, she sets out to clear his name. Rose journeys on a roller coaster of self confidence and self doubt. Her conflicting emotions impacting on her relationships with those she holds near and dear. Anne, ACT, 4 stars

From the first chapter, I felt like Rose was an old friend, and I couldn’t wait to learn more about her. I thoroughly enjoyed her interactions with the other characters, and the weaving together of her own personal journey with the main mystery plot of the book. The only downside for me was that there were a lot of references to a previous book about Rose that I had not read. Whilst it still was a standalone story, that detracted from the overall experience for me as I like to read things in order. All in all, would definitely recommend for an easy to read, comfortable and interesting whodunnit. Dan, QLD, 4 stars

Historian turned amateur sleuth Rose McHugh is back and she does not disappoint. Whisky Valley picks up shortly after the ending of Echo Lake with Rose still processing her experiences and trying to get on with her life. It is not long before Rose finds herself in the middle of another investigation and with her support people in tow, undertakes her own investigation. Sauers crafts a tale woven with Australian history and a bunch of likeable characters who portray exactly what it is like to live in a small community. While Whisky Valley could be read as a standalone novel, you will definitely savour the experience more if you have read Echo Lake first. Joan Sauers has crafted the perfect sequel, and I will be waiting patiently to see what Sauers has planned for Rose and her friends next. Mel, NSW, 4 stars

A compelling murder mystery with a musical twist that keeps you captivated until the end, I’ve enjoyed the musical experience and wondering who did it at the end. Mary, VIC, 4 stars

This was an enjoyable read and I must say I enjoyed this book more than the Joan Sauers previous book (Echo Lake) with the same main character. The book meandered along rather than an edge of your seat ride, entirely suitable for life in the NSW Southern Highlands. As I know many of the places mentioned in the book, it is not too far from where I live, I found it easy to immerse myself into the location. The main character Rose is a family person, friend, historian and amateur sleuth all rolled into one. These traits are heavily intertwined in the story. I am not sure about the inclusion of the romantic interest and how that actually fits into the narrative, seems like an unnecessary add on. This book is much more family centred than the last with Rose enduring very personal anxieties, fears and surprises along the way. I rate this book 4 stars and thoroughly recommend it as an easy read. Grahame, NSW, 4 stars

Having read Joan Sauers previous novel Echo Lake, I couldn’t wait to catch up with historian Rose to see how her life was going. Set in the Southern Highlands of NSW, her new book Whisky Valley brought murder, mystery and love to Rose’s doorstep. I love how Joan has woven the stories of other characters into the novel and with the history of the region including a whisky distillery, I knew I would love this book, yes it is a gentle murder mystery but it so much more than that, it tells a story of families with secrets and of friendship with shared histories, it was a wonderful read. Terri, WA, 4 stars

I really enjoyed this cosy murder mystery though I think everything else in the novel was better than the central mystery. The characters were great and never felt stereotypical or like other characters I’d read before. Good depth of character and dialogue that sounded like real people. Rose herself was an excellent protagonist and someone I enjoyed spending time with and I’d gladly read another book featuring Rose. Not having read Echo Lake, the prior book in the series never felt like I’d missed something crucial. My only negative was the red herrings and narrative dead ends, not only in the central mystery (where red herrings are to be expected) but in a lot of other parts of the story (the therapist and his wife, the spooky oranges, the romance). A lot of plot threads seemed to end abruptly. All in all, an easy, worthwhile read for fans of small-town stories with a hint of murder. Richard, VIC, 4 stars

I enjoyed reading the book and thought the history of Joadja Creek was interesting and the surrounding areas of the southern highlands was familiar. The story takes many twists and turns with various storylines playing out, it was a murder mystery, romance and history book all rolled into one. At times though it felt a little disjointed and lost some momentum in the middle. There wasn’t a character I could truly say I disliked (except maybe George’s daughter), they all had their story and I loved the relationship/friendship between Rose and George, and Joe. Rose was brave, loyal, independent, and kind. For me the book wasn’t a page turner but it was a lovely story with enough twists and stories to keep you interested and guessing. Melissa, NSW, 4 stars

Whisky Valley was an interesting story of classical music, whisky, pastries and murder. Set in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, I really appreciated the detail put into the surroundings. The beautiful plants would make for a stunning hike. I was also a big fan of the cultural name dropping, so many films and music pieces to be added to my watch and listen lists. I found the copious referencing to the previous book quite distracting. Whilst events were recalled often, putting things into more of a perspective, I think I would have gotten more from this story had I read the previous one, understanding the full background of the references. Jodie, WA, 4 stars

I enjoyed discovering this Aussie crime author, and the book made me want to travel to the Southern Highlands. While the pace is fairly slow, the author manages to give atmospheric, cosy and secretive vibes to the story which kept me entertained until the end. I will now look out for the previous book to complete the experience and would highly recommend this book Marjolaine, WA, 4 stars

Whisky Valley is a sequel to Echo Lake and features the amateur detective, Rose McHugh, as the main protagonist again. I have not read Echo Lake and Rose has some health issues from her experiences in the first book, but this was easy to follow, and Whisky Valley is easily read as a stand-alone book. Having spent some of my younger years in the NSW Southern Highlands, I particularly enjoyed the setting and description of this scenic part of Australia. There are several storylines running concurrently through the book which keep the reader engaged. Rose’s relationship with her son Sam when he becomes the key suspect in the murder, her developing connection with Diego, the support from her sister and engagement with local community members all serve to keep the reader interested. I did feel that Rose was a little too much of the detective and I wondered if the local police would really be as accommodating or as willing to ignore her personal sleuth-work as they were in this book. Overall, an easy and enjoyable read. Jane, NSW, 4 stars

Whisky Valley was a wonderful find. From the moment I started the novel I found myself drawn to the characters , many of them who had unique quirks. Easy to imagine the beauty of the Australian countryside and I loved discovering the relationships between various characters. An easy and enjoyable read that was the perfect novel to take away on holiday. Now looking forward to reading the first novel ‘Echo Lake’. Anne, SA, 4 stars

Whisky Valley is a nicely paced murder mystery with a side of romance, and an undercurrent of emotional turmoil of past trauma. Rose is a strong female lead character with an awesome support network of diverse characters. The setting in the Australian Southern Highlands is very grounding and at time intimate. Theresa, QLD, 4 stars

I really enjoyed Whisky Valley by Joan Sauers. I loved the setting, and cosy, daily life of the main character, Rose. And into that comes a murder. And Rose is going to get to the truth of it. Interspersed with local history, art, classical music and family history, this book is easy to read, and hard to put down. Paula, QLD, 4 stars

Whisky Valley is a solid follow-up to Echo Lake. While it technically works as a standalone, I’d definitely recommend reading book 1 first to really appreciate the returning characters and ongoing threads. I especially enjoyed that it’s set in the NSW Southern Highlands—a region I visit often—so the setting felt familiar and vivid. A good mix of mystery and drama, with a satisfying small-town vibe. Looking forward to what’s next in the series. Alicia, NSW, 4 stars

Whisky Valley by Joan Sauers is a mystery set in the picturesque setting of the NSW Southern Highlands, where Historian Rose McHugh finds herself using her skills to uncover the truth. A music festival goes wrong, the star a famous violinist Billy Mah goes missing, he is a friend of her son Sam, who ends up becoming the main murder suspect. Rose cannot help herself; she needs to find out the truth and starts carrying out her own enquires to find the murderer. She also is on a personal journey to deal with her own overwhelming and crippling at times anxiety brought about by a recent traumatic Incident at Echo Lake. It is a murder mystery, a personal journey of overcoming trauma and anxiety, a history lesson, a love story, a story of classical musicians, and friendships. This book has a lot going on in it, and as lovely and delightful as it is, the reference to food and additional story lines is distracting and annoying. I love the part where she sets out on her own investigations, her conversations and uncovering of clues interesting, and her almost nosey and impulsive urge Rose has to get in there and find out the truth, despite the risks. I loved her own person journey, with her own anxiety and romance. I found the start of the book slow, however when the star musician Billy goes missing, the story gets interesting, and I feel invested to keep reading. Fran, VIC, 3 stars

I found Whisky valley an easy read. It’s the second book featuring the main character and I did find regular references to the previous book frustrating at times (it gave some details but then kept going back- I haven’t read the previous book) I also found it a little annoying that the age of the main character was never given, just “gen x”. I enjoyed the mystery, but found the regular descriptions of the food being consumed or cooked distracting. I did enjoy that the main character was a middle aged woman who knew what she wanted in life. Overall, it was a pleasant read. Row, TAS, 3 stars

Whiskey Valley by Joan Sauers Battling anxiety after nearly being murdered, historian-turned-amatuer sleuth, Rose McHugh is back to solve her next mystery in the Southern Highlands. Rose is investigating the disappearance of her son’s best friend, a famous violinest and his priceless violin. Secrets and lies are uncovered. As a body is found suspicions develop around her son’s involvement. Sauers novel keeps you guessing with every word. There are a lot of different varying stories with a lot of different characters. The interlocking stories drag out the plot making it hard to focus on and work out which charcters are which and who is in what storyline. There is so much going on while the main character is trying to solve the murder. It is very distracting and too much plot, stories and characters in one novel. Although the novel is very busy and crowded, Jo Sauers weaves a gripping, compelling, intriging and thrilling mystery right until the end. Arrisarne, Vic, 3 stars

Rose McHugh has faced more than a few challenges in her life, including an attempted murder. But here she is, a year on, with her life starting to settle down in the glorious Southern Highlands of NSW. But unpleasant things seem to follow Rose around, and she is soon immersed in the sudden disappearance of a famous violinist, who happens to be an old friend of her son Sam. As the police investigation continues, Rose can’t help carrying out her own enquiries to uncover what has happened to the violinist and the 10-million-dollar violin that has disappeared with him. Rose has to face her own anxieties and fears, while making discoveries about the investigation that shakes her to her core. Who can she trust? Is she in danger? Is the killer someone she has known all her life? It is a story full of mystery, amateur sleuthing and of course, a smoldering romance with a local distillery owner who seems a little too good to be true. How will Rose’s life change during this time? Lee, NSW, 3 stars

Vibes: Cosy Crime, Small Town Secrets, Musical Murder – – – As a big fan of Aussie crime fiction, I was excited when this one landed in my mailbox, especially with that eye catching cover. As with all my reads, I went into this blind but after some comments in the first few pages, I realised there was a first book in this series. While Whisky Valley does hold up as a standalone, I’d recommend starting with book one to get a better feel for the main character and her backstory. The standout for me here was landscape and setting, it actually outshone the plot a little, but still added great atmosphere to the story. The pacing moved quickly from event to event, which I appreciated as it avoided too much repetitive dialogue. This felt more like a cosy, amateur detective style read rather than high stakes suspense, so if you’re after edge of your seat thrills, maybe adjust your expectations. But if you love stories set in rural Australia with a plucky protagonist and layered community dynamics, this might just hit the spot. Ash, VIC, 3 stars

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