Hirsch is checking firearms. The regular police audit: all weapons secured, ammo stored separately, no unauthorised person with keys to the gun safe. He’s checking people, too. The drought is hitting hard in the mid-north, and Hirsch is responsible for the welfare of his scattered flock of battlers, bluebloods, loners and miscreants.
He isn’t usually called on for emergency roadside assistance. But with all the other services fully stretched, it’s Hirsch who has to grind his way out beyond the Mischance Creek ruins to where some clueless tourist has run into a ditch.
As it turns out, though, Annika Nordrum isn’t exactly a tourist. She’s searching for the body of her mother, who went missing seven years ago. And the only sense in which she’s clueless is the lack of information unearthed by the cops who phoned in the original investigation.
Hirsch owes it to Annika to help, doesn’t he? Not to mention that tackling a cold case beats the hell out of gun audits and admin…
Garry Disher is an Aussie author of over forty books, and a BR favourite. His Challis and Destry police procedurals, and his Wyatt crime from the inside thrillers, have gained international recognition, winning best crime novel of the year awards in Australia and Germany.
Disher is a master at setting the scene and creating a chilling atmosphere, besides the fact that his latest book is set during a drought. No matter the page, Mischance Creek maintains a fast pace and a thrilling, unputdownable energy. Each mystery Hirsch uncovers while partnering with Annika is fascinating, deepening Annika’s character, while also putting Hirsch in some nail-biting situations. Be prepared to sit at the edge of your seat – this one’s a page-turner.
A standout in this, much like the previous Hirsch thrillers, is Disher’s excellent character writing. Learning about Mischance Creek, Annika, her mother, and a little more about Hirsch, too, kept me hooked. I enjoyed the relationships explored. They felt real, as if I was on the case with Hirsch, trying to figure out why the original investigators phoned in what really happened to Annika’s mother.
Disher’s writing in Mischance Creek is perfectly paced. Each place Hirsch and Annika visit is painted with charm and vibrancy, giving me a clear window into this rural noir world. Even secondary characters, who might only appear in one or two chapters, have a life of their own.
If you’ve enjoyed the previous Hirsch books or are looking for your next mind-blowing Aussie crime epic in a similar vein to The Dry and Scrublands, you’ll enjoy the thrilling atmosphere of Mischance Creek.
Garry Disher nails the bleak beauty of Mischance Creek—review had me grab it instantly! Snapped my bush backdrop reading shot for IG; lock in your handle before posting at
Disher never misses! Rural noir set on the Mornington Peninsula sounds irresistible—tight plot, sharp land-scape as a character. Can’t wait to grab my copy and disappear into those pages. For more bookish joy and side-hustle cash to fund my reading pile, visit