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Rose Riley #1
Black River
Black River is the most compelling thriller you'll read this year.
A long, burning summer in Sydney. A young woman found murdered in the deserted grounds of an elite boarding school. A serial killer preying on victims along the banks of the Parramatta River. A city on edge.
Adam Bowman, a battling journalist who grew up as the son of a teacher at Prince Albert College, might be the only person who can uncover the links between the school murder and the 'Blue Moon Killer'. But he will have to go into the darkest places of his childhood to piece together the clues. Detective Sergeant Rose Riley, meanwhile, is part of the taskforce desperately trying to find the killer before he strikes again. Adam Bowman's excavation of his past might turn out to be Rose's biggest trump card or it may bring the whole investigation crashing down, and put her own life in danger.
A long, burning summer in Sydney. A young woman found murdered in the deserted grounds of an elite boarding school. A serial killer preying on victims along the banks of the Parramatta River. A city on edge.
Adam Bowman, a battling journalist who grew up as the son of a teacher at Prince Albert College, might be the only person who can uncover the links between the school murder and the 'Blue Moon Killer'. But he will have to go into the darkest places of his childhood to piece together the clues. Detective Sergeant Rose Riley, meanwhile, is part of the taskforce desperately trying to find the killer before he strikes again. Adam Bowman's excavation of his past might turn out to be Rose's biggest trump card or it may bring the whole investigation crashing down, and put her own life in danger.
343 pages, Paperback
First published May 31, 2022
About the author
Matthew Spencer
6 books75 followersMatthew Spencer was a journalist at The Australian for twenty years, with long stints running the Foreign News desk and as Opinion Editor. He has written for newspapers and magazines in Uganda and Kenya and been published in The Australian Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald.
Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.
He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.
Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife, Ritu Gupta, and their three children.
Matthew has an Honours degree in English Literature from the University of Sydney. Black River is his first novel.
He was born in Parramatta. The son of teachers, he lived with his sister Kate on the 320-acre campus of a boys’ boarding school. Long summers on the largely deserted property while exploring the remnant bush with its tributary of the Parramatta River inspired the book.
Matthew lives in Sydney with his wife, Ritu Gupta, and their three children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 565 reviews
June 5, 2023
4.5 Stars for this compelling, complex crime novel that kept me puzzled and intrigued throughout. This is a debut mystery by Sydney author Matthew Spencer, who is certain to join the ranks of popular Australian writers of thrillers. The story is a meticulous, detailed police procedural. It shows how solving a police case can be grim, challenging, and tedious work but rewarding when the perpetrator is brought to justice.
We follow a team of Sydney detectives interviewing suspects and witnesses, gathering clues, carefully observing crime scenes and related sites, collecting evidence, and forming theories leading to a solution. There is some danger, but attention is given to the way a police team works on a complicated case. Don't expect distractions such as graphic violent action on the pages or romantic or sexual interludes.
I was drawn to this book as I lived and worked in the Sydney area for three years a long time ago. I loved Sydney and lived in one of the suburbs mentioned in the book. I worked out of an office in Parramatta. Memories fade over the years, and cities grow and change, but I felt the author conveyed a vivid, comprehensive sense of place.
The Sydney police team in the story is smart and generally works very well together. They are careful to follow police rules and procedures while working within the law. Sometimes they found it necessary to approach the grey line that separates acceptable from unacceptable police tactics. They have assistance from a forensic psychologist for his advice on serial killers, not always agreeing with his views. A broken and alcoholic reporter is being manipulated by the police to write news articles hoping to draw out a killer.
a 17-year-old girl has been found murdered on the grounds of a costly, exclusive boys' boarding school in Parramatta, Prince Albert College. She was the well-behaved daughter of the school's chaplain. Her body was displayed in a manner resembling unsolved murders of women several years earlier. At least two women were murdered by a man called the Blue Moon Killer. Their hands and legs were bound, and the bodies were enclosed in black plastic wrapping. There are similarities (and a few differences) in the way their bodies were presented and the present murder of the young girl. Has a serial killer resumed his crimes, and is he targeting young women along the Parramatta River? The author has built an extraordinary case in the form of a puzzle that will keep readers guessing about the identity of the killer.
There are many clues pointing to an array of possible suspects. These include the school's headmaster, a teacher, the groundskeeper, a mechanic, some of the staff's youngsters, a politician, and a Mafia boss. These people all seem to be involved in some way in this grim, difficult case.
The characters are well developed and memorable. Of primary interest to me was a leading detective, D.S. Rose Riley. She was obsessed with the case, determined to get justice for the murdered girl. She wonders if the unknown suspect, the BMK, could be connected with the latest murder on the school property. A dejected, failing reporter, Adam Bowman, is brought into the case because he attended the school and has knowledge of its vast grounds and buildings. There were some disturbing and hurtful incidents in his past when he was a student there. These are not known to many, and some of the worst may even be unknown to Adam himself. Is he a key to solving the case and revitalizing his career?
The working relationship between Rose and Adam is tantalizing. Do they like or dislike each other? Is each one using the other to gain information to further their careers? Is a romantic relationship in their future? Their working alliance and rapport are a further unsolved mystery.
To add to the pressure and stress of the police team, they are uncovering a significant political scandal that may destroy their careers.
Highly recommended. I doubt if I will read a more captivating and absorbing police procedural this year.
We follow a team of Sydney detectives interviewing suspects and witnesses, gathering clues, carefully observing crime scenes and related sites, collecting evidence, and forming theories leading to a solution. There is some danger, but attention is given to the way a police team works on a complicated case. Don't expect distractions such as graphic violent action on the pages or romantic or sexual interludes.
I was drawn to this book as I lived and worked in the Sydney area for three years a long time ago. I loved Sydney and lived in one of the suburbs mentioned in the book. I worked out of an office in Parramatta. Memories fade over the years, and cities grow and change, but I felt the author conveyed a vivid, comprehensive sense of place.
The Sydney police team in the story is smart and generally works very well together. They are careful to follow police rules and procedures while working within the law. Sometimes they found it necessary to approach the grey line that separates acceptable from unacceptable police tactics. They have assistance from a forensic psychologist for his advice on serial killers, not always agreeing with his views. A broken and alcoholic reporter is being manipulated by the police to write news articles hoping to draw out a killer.
a 17-year-old girl has been found murdered on the grounds of a costly, exclusive boys' boarding school in Parramatta, Prince Albert College. She was the well-behaved daughter of the school's chaplain. Her body was displayed in a manner resembling unsolved murders of women several years earlier. At least two women were murdered by a man called the Blue Moon Killer. Their hands and legs were bound, and the bodies were enclosed in black plastic wrapping. There are similarities (and a few differences) in the way their bodies were presented and the present murder of the young girl. Has a serial killer resumed his crimes, and is he targeting young women along the Parramatta River? The author has built an extraordinary case in the form of a puzzle that will keep readers guessing about the identity of the killer.
There are many clues pointing to an array of possible suspects. These include the school's headmaster, a teacher, the groundskeeper, a mechanic, some of the staff's youngsters, a politician, and a Mafia boss. These people all seem to be involved in some way in this grim, difficult case.
The characters are well developed and memorable. Of primary interest to me was a leading detective, D.S. Rose Riley. She was obsessed with the case, determined to get justice for the murdered girl. She wonders if the unknown suspect, the BMK, could be connected with the latest murder on the school property. A dejected, failing reporter, Adam Bowman, is brought into the case because he attended the school and has knowledge of its vast grounds and buildings. There were some disturbing and hurtful incidents in his past when he was a student there. These are not known to many, and some of the worst may even be unknown to Adam himself. Is he a key to solving the case and revitalizing his career?
The working relationship between Rose and Adam is tantalizing. Do they like or dislike each other? Is each one using the other to gain information to further their careers? Is a romantic relationship in their future? Their working alliance and rapport are a further unsolved mystery.
To add to the pressure and stress of the police team, they are uncovering a significant political scandal that may destroy their careers.
Highly recommended. I doubt if I will read a more captivating and absorbing police procedural this year.
July 1, 2023
My thanks to Thomas & Mercer, Matthew Spencer and Netgalley.
Long story, short.
I loved it.
I often find books based on Australia to be a bit blah. So what? Sue me!
This was not blah.
Long story, short.
I loved it.
I often find books based on Australia to be a bit blah. So what? Sue me!
This was not blah.
November 13, 2023
Yet another strong and viable debut from a new Australian author. This one was great. I share my maiden name with the protagonist, a strong and fearlesss Detective Sergeant, Rose Riley. Set in western Sydney, my stomping ground, this was a page turning and thrilling ride. A gritty and palpable police procedural set around the corner; I should get my son to listen to the audio version, he wants to join the force. Not to mention my daughter, sharing Riley's name, my girl studying criminology. I love my book similarities.
Bring in a tired and heavy drinking journalist slogging out the graveyard shift for The National, Bowman has ties to the story that Riley is working on. A girl murdered on the grounds of an elite boarding school that he grew up on all those years ago. Bowman, an alcoholic with OCD tendencies, forms an alliance with the team while of course being vaguely under suspicion for some of the time. So many observations were spot on, Bowman trying to control his drinking, characteristics of the working class, and the snobbery found in schools like these. Journalism and its print demise features too, and of course, with the author’s background being this precise industry, we know we are in safe hands.
Suburbs from Breakfast point, to St Marys, Mt Druitt, Toongabbie, Pemulwuy, Blayney and Orange are mentioned, and for Australians and Sydney siders like me this always adds more depth. When you grow up just up the road it’s a bit of fun. Full of all the usual Aussie colloquialisms, this was down to earth writing matched well with an interesting and unique storyline.
Riley drank a lot of stubbies with Bowman, I’m not sure all detectives have that blokey feel, but stubbies certainly do fit the Aussie way and for the fiction element this fits. Riley fits in with the best of them and drinks like the blokes, beer, wine, she's not fussy. The author mentions the RTA (which is now Service NSW) but this doesn’t matter. My pedantic editorial vibe always has to make a mention!
A gritty and details heavy mystery with elements of childhood abuse, infidelity, and corruption. The school principal was an arrogant man, his callousness and greed, and lack of sympathy for a girl killed on his campus were awful; I wanted to wring his neck! He and other old boys had a grandiose sense of entitlement; these were all explained by the character I loved - the forensic psychiatrist Farquhar who throughout guided the team with ideas; the personality reflections were extremely interesting and to my untrained eye, it seemed a lot of research went into this, I think if one was to refer to the DSM-5, one would not be led astray. I don't think I've met a fictional character quite like him. His observations included a thought provoking correlation between his alcoholism and his books, an addictive personality filling a void with booze and books. Curious!
And of course, the wonderful Parramatta River tied this all together. Wonderfully evocative with well drawn and likeable main characters, this is a series to keep an eye on. Well done to Matthew Spencer on a quality debut. Us Aussies keep churning them!
With many thanks to Allen & Unwin for my physical copy to read and review, I had such fun with entering this one with the same name and growing up in the area. Thank you!
Bring in a tired and heavy drinking journalist slogging out the graveyard shift for The National, Bowman has ties to the story that Riley is working on. A girl murdered on the grounds of an elite boarding school that he grew up on all those years ago. Bowman, an alcoholic with OCD tendencies, forms an alliance with the team while of course being vaguely under suspicion for some of the time. So many observations were spot on, Bowman trying to control his drinking, characteristics of the working class, and the snobbery found in schools like these. Journalism and its print demise features too, and of course, with the author’s background being this precise industry, we know we are in safe hands.
Suburbs from Breakfast point, to St Marys, Mt Druitt, Toongabbie, Pemulwuy, Blayney and Orange are mentioned, and for Australians and Sydney siders like me this always adds more depth. When you grow up just up the road it’s a bit of fun. Full of all the usual Aussie colloquialisms, this was down to earth writing matched well with an interesting and unique storyline.
Riley drank a lot of stubbies with Bowman, I’m not sure all detectives have that blokey feel, but stubbies certainly do fit the Aussie way and for the fiction element this fits. Riley fits in with the best of them and drinks like the blokes, beer, wine, she's not fussy. The author mentions the RTA (which is now Service NSW) but this doesn’t matter. My pedantic editorial vibe always has to make a mention!
A gritty and details heavy mystery with elements of childhood abuse, infidelity, and corruption. The school principal was an arrogant man, his callousness and greed, and lack of sympathy for a girl killed on his campus were awful; I wanted to wring his neck! He and other old boys had a grandiose sense of entitlement; these were all explained by the character I loved - the forensic psychiatrist Farquhar who throughout guided the team with ideas; the personality reflections were extremely interesting and to my untrained eye, it seemed a lot of research went into this, I think if one was to refer to the DSM-5, one would not be led astray. I don't think I've met a fictional character quite like him. His observations included a thought provoking correlation between his alcoholism and his books, an addictive personality filling a void with booze and books. Curious!
And of course, the wonderful Parramatta River tied this all together. Wonderfully evocative with well drawn and likeable main characters, this is a series to keep an eye on. Well done to Matthew Spencer on a quality debut. Us Aussies keep churning them!
With many thanks to Allen & Unwin for my physical copy to read and review, I had such fun with entering this one with the same name and growing up in the area. Thank you!
May 31, 2023
WOWZA
What a start to a new series by Matthew Spencer a debut novel that knocked my socks off he is a talent on the rise.
Adam Bowman is a reporter for the National newspaper a story is breaking that a girls body has been found in Prince Albert boarding school in North Parramatta in Sydney’s Western Suburbs.
The body is a female who was tortured wrapped in a black plastic bag nails in their feet holding them to the poles, Adam & DS Rose Riley get together to solve this heinous crime Could The Black Moon Killer have struck again?
As the prose progresses we find out secrets that the residents want to remain hidden, but one girl Marguerite Dunlop her mo was different to the other two girls.
I devoured this in 3 days I could not put it down the characters were fabulous could not fault anything with this book the writing is top notch & I used to live in the parramatta area so I was invested in this from start to finish Mr Spencer is an author to watch out for highly reccomended.
What a start to a new series by Matthew Spencer a debut novel that knocked my socks off he is a talent on the rise.
Adam Bowman is a reporter for the National newspaper a story is breaking that a girls body has been found in Prince Albert boarding school in North Parramatta in Sydney’s Western Suburbs.
The body is a female who was tortured wrapped in a black plastic bag nails in their feet holding them to the poles, Adam & DS Rose Riley get together to solve this heinous crime Could The Black Moon Killer have struck again?
As the prose progresses we find out secrets that the residents want to remain hidden, but one girl Marguerite Dunlop her mo was different to the other two girls.
I devoured this in 3 days I could not put it down the characters were fabulous could not fault anything with this book the writing is top notch & I used to live in the parramatta area so I was invested in this from start to finish Mr Spencer is an author to watch out for highly reccomended.
November 7, 2023
Impossible to put down from start to finish. Sign me up for book #2.
July 14, 2023
Matthew Spencer is a Sydney-based author. This crime novel, "Black River,” is his debut fiction. Spencer is a former journalist, and this novel draws on his experience of reporting on crime.
The prologue gives a blow-by-blow description of a young woman coming home after doing some shopping. In Chapter 1, Adam Bowman, a reporter gets a call telling him to get out to his old school to dig up information on the discovery of the body on the grounds of the elite boarding school. A brutally murdered victim and there are no witnesses.
At about the same time, Detective Rose Riley, currently working on a task force to find a serial killer, is called out to determine if it is the same perpetrator. The killer targets young women.
I liked Black River for several reasons. First, the characters were well-developed. Riley is a robust and determined detective, and I was rooting for her to catch the killer. The other characters are also well-developed, and I care about what happened to them.
Second, the plot was suspenseful. The novel kept me guessing until the end, and I was on the edge of my seat, wondering who the killer was. The author does an excellent job of creating a sense of dread and suspense, and he keeps the reader hooked until the final page.
Third, the setting was well-described. The novel takes place in Sydney, Australia, and I felt like I was there as I read the book. The author does an excellent job of describing the city, and I could picture the streets, the buildings, and the river.
I recommend this book to lovers of mystery and suspense.
The prologue gives a blow-by-blow description of a young woman coming home after doing some shopping. In Chapter 1, Adam Bowman, a reporter gets a call telling him to get out to his old school to dig up information on the discovery of the body on the grounds of the elite boarding school. A brutally murdered victim and there are no witnesses.
At about the same time, Detective Rose Riley, currently working on a task force to find a serial killer, is called out to determine if it is the same perpetrator. The killer targets young women.
I liked Black River for several reasons. First, the characters were well-developed. Riley is a robust and determined detective, and I was rooting for her to catch the killer. The other characters are also well-developed, and I care about what happened to them.
Second, the plot was suspenseful. The novel kept me guessing until the end, and I was on the edge of my seat, wondering who the killer was. The author does an excellent job of creating a sense of dread and suspense, and he keeps the reader hooked until the final page.
Third, the setting was well-described. The novel takes place in Sydney, Australia, and I felt like I was there as I read the book. The author does an excellent job of describing the city, and I could picture the streets, the buildings, and the river.
I recommend this book to lovers of mystery and suspense.
July 18, 2022
I loved the familiarity of this book. The book is set in Western Sydney, the scenes and settings are so real and familiar to me, having lived in this area myself.
The body of a teenage girl, has been discovered on the grounds of a prestigious boys private school in North Parramatta. She's dead, wrapped in plastic.
The body is linked to the "Gladesville" serial killer, where multiple victims were murdered, and found wrapped in plastic at their place of residence.
The investigation is undertaken by Detective Riley, who enlists the assistance of a journalist who is an ex student of the boys private school. His familiarity of the school and the way it operates and his investigative nature, could be a big asset in solving the case, or he could possibly be a suspect himself.
This novel is possibly one of the best thriller's I have read recently. The suspense, there is absolutely no chance of guessing or predicting who the killer would be. There is no romantic rendezvous the middle of the book, as most crime novels seem to add these days. It is 100% pure crime thriller!
Special thanks to Tracey Allen author of Carpe Librum Blog for my copy which I won in one of her giveaways, courtesy of Allen & Unwin Publishers
4 Stars: I enjoyed it and would recommend it to people who like the genre. I will definitely want to read more books by this author.
Please visit my Facebook page and blog to see all of my past and future book reviews.
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The body of a teenage girl, has been discovered on the grounds of a prestigious boys private school in North Parramatta. She's dead, wrapped in plastic.
The body is linked to the "Gladesville" serial killer, where multiple victims were murdered, and found wrapped in plastic at their place of residence.
The investigation is undertaken by Detective Riley, who enlists the assistance of a journalist who is an ex student of the boys private school. His familiarity of the school and the way it operates and his investigative nature, could be a big asset in solving the case, or he could possibly be a suspect himself.
This novel is possibly one of the best thriller's I have read recently. The suspense, there is absolutely no chance of guessing or predicting who the killer would be. There is no romantic rendezvous the middle of the book, as most crime novels seem to add these days. It is 100% pure crime thriller!
Special thanks to Tracey Allen author of Carpe Librum Blog for my copy which I won in one of her giveaways, courtesy of Allen & Unwin Publishers
4 Stars: I enjoyed it and would recommend it to people who like the genre. I will definitely want to read more books by this author.
Please visit my Facebook page and blog to see all of my past and future book reviews.
https://www.facebook.com/kyliesbookad...
https://kyliesbookaddictreviews.blogs...
June 11, 2022
Another sensational debut crime thriller from an Australian writer. We really are so spoilt with so many talented authors in our part of the world. As soon as I heard about Black River I knew that I had to read it. It was an absolute page turner and deserves to be a massive hit.
Black River is set in Sydney which I loved. I could picture the locations in the story and see the action taking place in my head. A serial killer dubbed the Blue Moon Killer, a murdered girl in an elite private school and a journalist working with the police to crack the case, it had all the ingredients for a crime fiction novel and it absolutely delivered.
Matthew spender, I hope we hear from Adam and Rose again. An amazing debut that I will be telling all my friends to read. A big thanks to Allen and a Unwin for making this crime fiction lovers day and sending me an advanced copy to read. Published in Australia May 31st
Black River is set in Sydney which I loved. I could picture the locations in the story and see the action taking place in my head. A serial killer dubbed the Blue Moon Killer, a murdered girl in an elite private school and a journalist working with the police to crack the case, it had all the ingredients for a crime fiction novel and it absolutely delivered.
Matthew spender, I hope we hear from Adam and Rose again. An amazing debut that I will be telling all my friends to read. A big thanks to Allen and a Unwin for making this crime fiction lovers day and sending me an advanced copy to read. Published in Australia May 31st
June 3, 2022
Summer in Sydney was hot and while it was school holidays the boarding school beside the Parramatta River was quiet. But when a young teenager discovered the body of a woman, wrapped in black plastic, it pointed to a serial killer who was killing women in Sydney. Adam Bowman was a journalist but had grown up with his father being a teacher of the boarding school and knew the grounds intricately. He snuck in the back way when he heard the police were at the school, to get some photos of the scene and print his piece.
Detective Sergeant Rose Riley, along with O’Neill, Patel and several others were on the task force for the serial killer and immediately began drawing comparisons. Working with Bowman and his knowledge, he found himself digging into a past he’d rather forget. But was it anything to do with the current day’s murders? Riley was dedicated to her work and went with her gut as she knew she’d been right before. But would they find the serial killer, and was the latest death by the same person?
Black River is the debut novel by Aussie author Matthew Spencer and although I found it slow to get into, I enjoyed Riley’s gritty determination and found the setting of Sydney’s Parramatta River to be silent, creepy and compelling. I love the cover too – perfect for the type of book it is. Recommended to fans of crime fiction.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my uncorrected proof ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Detective Sergeant Rose Riley, along with O’Neill, Patel and several others were on the task force for the serial killer and immediately began drawing comparisons. Working with Bowman and his knowledge, he found himself digging into a past he’d rather forget. But was it anything to do with the current day’s murders? Riley was dedicated to her work and went with her gut as she knew she’d been right before. But would they find the serial killer, and was the latest death by the same person?
Black River is the debut novel by Aussie author Matthew Spencer and although I found it slow to get into, I enjoyed Riley’s gritty determination and found the setting of Sydney’s Parramatta River to be silent, creepy and compelling. I love the cover too – perfect for the type of book it is. Recommended to fans of crime fiction.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my uncorrected proof ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
October 13, 2022
Black River (Rose Riley #1) by Matthew Spencer
Synopsis /
A long, burning summer in Sydney. A young woman found murdered in the deserted grounds of an elite boarding school. A serial killer preying on victims along the banks of the Parramatta River. A city on edge.
Adam Bowman, a battling journalist who grew up as the son of a teacher at Prince Albert College, might be the only person who can uncover the links between the school murder and the 'Blue Moon Killer'. But he will have to go into the darkest places of his childhood to piece together the clues. Detective Sergeant Rose Riley, meanwhile, is part of the taskforce desperately trying to find the killer before he strikes again. Adam Bowman's excavation of his past might turn out to be Rose's biggest trump card or it may bring the whole investigation crashing down and put her own life in danger.
My Thoughts /
BMK had killed twice here near the bridge, two nights a month apart. November first, and then November thirtieth, under a big blue moon. A tabloid sub on The Mirror had cherry-picked the lunacy and christened him: Blue Moon Killer. BMK. Crisp—good for headlines.
Black River is a serial-killer based crime fiction novel set locally in Sydney, Australia, and is the debut novel in the Rose Riley series by Aussie author Matthew Spencer.
Journalist, Adam Bowman works the nightshift in a diminishing newsroom of a local broadsheet. At the story’s beginning, we find out that there is a serial killer on the loose in Sydney. A tabloid journo has dubbed the murderer the Blue Moon Killer. BMK seems to favour places along the Parramatta River, and the Police have established a task force, whose primary job is to hunt down and locate the person responsible for these killing sprees. Task Force Satyr is headed by Detective Chief Inspector Steve O’Neil and Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. Books had been written about the top dog at New South Wales Homicide, O’Neil had a reputation for blowing cases wide open.
When a young woman by the name of Marguerite Dunlop is found murdered in a residence on the grounds of Prince Albert College, there’s enough evidence to suggest the BMK is to blame. Marguerite, the daughter of the Chaplain of the College was only seventeen and Strike Force Satyr had run hard on any religious aspects of the BMK’s previous crimes. Those investigations led nowhere.
Adam Bowman was a former student and resident of the College. He’s now working as a journalist for The National and has been charged with covering the murder at the College. But in doing so, Bowman is forced to confront his own traumatic childhood, as he weaves his way into the Police investigation.
The story moves between Strike Force Satyr lead investigators, DCI O’Neil and DS Riley and journalist Adam Bowman, who, we learn, has lived in the area most of his life and whose traumatic childhood helps uncover potential truths about the latest murder.
I’m not sure whether it’s because this is the first book or because the plot itself is significantly complex, but Spencer gives us a lot of detail to wade through. The main Strike Force Satyr team, Bowman, secondary characters and, normal police procedure – like forensics and psychological profile analysis; as well as backstories for Bowman, O’Neil, and Riley. I felt the pace differed throughout the book – it started off well in the beginning, seemed to get bogged down in the middle with all that detail, then took off again at the end when the final climax was revealed.
All that being said, I think there is a lot more left to explore with Rose Riley and Steve O’Neil and I’m interested to see where the next book will take them.
Synopsis /
A long, burning summer in Sydney. A young woman found murdered in the deserted grounds of an elite boarding school. A serial killer preying on victims along the banks of the Parramatta River. A city on edge.
Adam Bowman, a battling journalist who grew up as the son of a teacher at Prince Albert College, might be the only person who can uncover the links between the school murder and the 'Blue Moon Killer'. But he will have to go into the darkest places of his childhood to piece together the clues. Detective Sergeant Rose Riley, meanwhile, is part of the taskforce desperately trying to find the killer before he strikes again. Adam Bowman's excavation of his past might turn out to be Rose's biggest trump card or it may bring the whole investigation crashing down and put her own life in danger.
My Thoughts /
BMK had killed twice here near the bridge, two nights a month apart. November first, and then November thirtieth, under a big blue moon. A tabloid sub on The Mirror had cherry-picked the lunacy and christened him: Blue Moon Killer. BMK. Crisp—good for headlines.
Black River is a serial-killer based crime fiction novel set locally in Sydney, Australia, and is the debut novel in the Rose Riley series by Aussie author Matthew Spencer.
Journalist, Adam Bowman works the nightshift in a diminishing newsroom of a local broadsheet. At the story’s beginning, we find out that there is a serial killer on the loose in Sydney. A tabloid journo has dubbed the murderer the Blue Moon Killer. BMK seems to favour places along the Parramatta River, and the Police have established a task force, whose primary job is to hunt down and locate the person responsible for these killing sprees. Task Force Satyr is headed by Detective Chief Inspector Steve O’Neil and Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. Books had been written about the top dog at New South Wales Homicide, O’Neil had a reputation for blowing cases wide open.
When a young woman by the name of Marguerite Dunlop is found murdered in a residence on the grounds of Prince Albert College, there’s enough evidence to suggest the BMK is to blame. Marguerite, the daughter of the Chaplain of the College was only seventeen and Strike Force Satyr had run hard on any religious aspects of the BMK’s previous crimes. Those investigations led nowhere.
Adam Bowman was a former student and resident of the College. He’s now working as a journalist for The National and has been charged with covering the murder at the College. But in doing so, Bowman is forced to confront his own traumatic childhood, as he weaves his way into the Police investigation.
The story moves between Strike Force Satyr lead investigators, DCI O’Neil and DS Riley and journalist Adam Bowman, who, we learn, has lived in the area most of his life and whose traumatic childhood helps uncover potential truths about the latest murder.
I’m not sure whether it’s because this is the first book or because the plot itself is significantly complex, but Spencer gives us a lot of detail to wade through. The main Strike Force Satyr team, Bowman, secondary characters and, normal police procedure – like forensics and psychological profile analysis; as well as backstories for Bowman, O’Neil, and Riley. I felt the pace differed throughout the book – it started off well in the beginning, seemed to get bogged down in the middle with all that detail, then took off again at the end when the final climax was revealed.
All that being said, I think there is a lot more left to explore with Rose Riley and Steve O’Neil and I’m interested to see where the next book will take them.
August 19, 2022
This one started strong: characters with potential,interesting plot. Soon it started to drag:endless rehashing of theories,pointless detail ("opened the car,sat in the passenger seat,put the key...") and I lost interest. Also,there were several threads which didn´t make a cohesive whole and made the narrative lose focus,so the denouement ends up being a disappointment.
September 28, 2024
Omg this took me FOREVER to finish. It wasn't even bad so idk. No character development. Straight up police procedural written in stereotypical male style.
June 5, 2023
I feel like I’ve read a different book from everyone else, most of whom have given it four and five stars. BLACK RIVER was among the Kindle June First Reads, and having already read good reviews about it, I immediately selected it. I tried. I read through to the end, but I couldn’t get a handle on anything that was happening. I didn’t guess who the killer was before the 80% mark, but I didn’t care either.
The prose is terribly muddled. I know it’s about a group of police officers, and a reporter Adam Bowman, who are trying to identify the killer of the 17-year-old girl, Marguerite, who is slain at the beginning of the story. They think it might have been done by the man called the Blue Moon Killer who has been operating in the same geographical area; this killer is generally referred to as BMK or “Gladesville” which is confusing. As well, the team of police officers—a team that includes a forensic psychiatrist—speculate that she might have been killed by a copycat. They interview witnesses and suspects, having narrowed the suspect down to a group of people who work and live at an exclusive boys’ boarding school.
The story goes round and round—yes, it’s the BMK, no it’s a copycat. There is no real characterization, just cliched stereotypes. Everyone sounds the same and it’s difficult to distinguish among them. At the beginning, in particular, the sentences are short and monotonous; the grammar is reduced to a series of one-word exclamations. Throughout, the writing is all “tell” and no “show”.
Plus, the plot is so complicated that it’s difficult to follow the narrative threads—there’s a promiscuous headmaster, a dirty politician, and a “retired” mafia boss thrown into the mix, none of whom are essential to the primary story line.
After all this running around, there’s a sudden shift to the unexpected (and rather unbelievable) identification of the killer. No real explanation of the killer’s psychology, or his actions. In addition, suddenly everything is tied up too neatly: The activities of the corrupt politician and the promiscuous headmaster are exposed in the media; BMK is eventually captured. All because Marguerite’s killer is identified. This ending is too neat, and by the time it comes, I was no longer invested in the plot. I was never invested in the characters because they were stereotypes moved around to fit a complicated plot line.
In conclusion:
* very poor characterization;
* lacklustre writing;
* no logical unraveling of clues; and
* an overly complicated plot.
I generally like Australian crime fiction. I especially like Australian noir. BLACK RIVER is not well-written, or a compelling addition to the genre. I can’t understand why it was so popular in Australia. Maybe it’s because of all those references to Sydney geography. Or the downfall of the dirty politician.
The prose is terribly muddled. I know it’s about a group of police officers, and a reporter Adam Bowman, who are trying to identify the killer of the 17-year-old girl, Marguerite, who is slain at the beginning of the story. They think it might have been done by the man called the Blue Moon Killer who has been operating in the same geographical area; this killer is generally referred to as BMK or “Gladesville” which is confusing. As well, the team of police officers—a team that includes a forensic psychiatrist—speculate that she might have been killed by a copycat. They interview witnesses and suspects, having narrowed the suspect down to a group of people who work and live at an exclusive boys’ boarding school.
The story goes round and round—yes, it’s the BMK, no it’s a copycat. There is no real characterization, just cliched stereotypes. Everyone sounds the same and it’s difficult to distinguish among them. At the beginning, in particular, the sentences are short and monotonous; the grammar is reduced to a series of one-word exclamations. Throughout, the writing is all “tell” and no “show”.
Plus, the plot is so complicated that it’s difficult to follow the narrative threads—there’s a promiscuous headmaster, a dirty politician, and a “retired” mafia boss thrown into the mix, none of whom are essential to the primary story line.
After all this running around, there’s a sudden shift to the unexpected (and rather unbelievable) identification of the killer. No real explanation of the killer’s psychology, or his actions. In addition, suddenly everything is tied up too neatly: The activities of the corrupt politician and the promiscuous headmaster are exposed in the media; BMK is eventually captured. All because Marguerite’s killer is identified. This ending is too neat, and by the time it comes, I was no longer invested in the plot. I was never invested in the characters because they were stereotypes moved around to fit a complicated plot line.
In conclusion:
* very poor characterization;
* lacklustre writing;
* no logical unraveling of clues; and
* an overly complicated plot.
I generally like Australian crime fiction. I especially like Australian noir. BLACK RIVER is not well-written, or a compelling addition to the genre. I can’t understand why it was so popular in Australia. Maybe it’s because of all those references to Sydney geography. Or the downfall of the dirty politician.
June 3, 2023
The introduction of a new Aussie police procedural, Black River by Matthew Spencer is a most promising debut. Sergeant Rose Riley is a detective in Sydney working on a serial killer task force. Struggling journalist, Adam Bowman investigates the murder of a young woman at his former private school that stirs reminders of his own past family tragedy. When Rose spots him near the school grounds, an initial working connection is made but each has their own agenda. Police Command is skeptical of any possible link to the ‘Blue Moon Killer’, yet Rose and Adam follow the evidence. As the intriguing case unfolds, the school is the focus of the investigation, yet the school’s old boys’ network exerts political pressure to protect its reputation. A new high quality crime novel with a riveting narrative and most promising characters in a revealing tale, with a four and a half stars read rating.
December 21, 2022
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
Black River is the first crime fiction release from former journalist Matthew Spencer. A taut, creepy and knife-edge style thriller, Black River is a high calibre novel that slots very easily into the Australian crime noir genre.
In Black River, we witness a city gripped by fear, as a brutal series of murders occur in Sydney. Investigative journalist Adam Bowman believes he can crack this heinous killer’s code. However, to uncover the Blue Moon Killer’s M.O. Adam will need to dig deep into his painful past to extract the answers to this baffling crime case. Hot on this prolific killer’s tail is Detective Rose Riley, who is determined to put a stop to this vicious killer before more victims are claimed. It is a deadly game of cat and mouse, as this illusive killer tries to avoid capture. Will the combined efforts of Detective Rose and dogged journalist Adam Bowman close this deadly chapter?
Black River came with a big endorsement from Allen and Unwin Publishing Director Tom Gilliatt. With a such a glowing reference, an intriguing synopsis and atmospheric cover, I was keen to start Black River.
Black River is a serial killer-based crime fiction novel set locally in Sydney. I really appreciated the familiar references and location points of this novel. It gave the book a rather chilly and fearful tone. Spencer does a good job illuminating his setting, with the river backdrop acting as the perfect playground for a killer to strike and to dump bodies. The added bonus of an elite school as a further reference point for this deranged killer to strike was utilised well by Spencer.
Struggling journalist Adam Bowman was perfectly cast as this book’s prime protagonist. I enjoyed the set focus on Adam’s work in the reporting field, it was quite eye opening as to how pressure filled this job can be. Spencer also draws on Adam’s past to flesh out this plot and the lead’s connection to the case. With plenty of red herrings, crazy twists, storyline blocks and deviations, Matthew Spencer has penned a well written crime tale. The ending was worth the wait as it ties everything together.
Matthew Spencer makes a grand entrance into the Australia crime fiction genre with Black River. I hope we hear more from Mathew Spencer very soon, he is definitely a literary star on the rise!
*Thanks extended to Allen & Unwin for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Black River is the first crime fiction release from former journalist Matthew Spencer. A taut, creepy and knife-edge style thriller, Black River is a high calibre novel that slots very easily into the Australian crime noir genre.
In Black River, we witness a city gripped by fear, as a brutal series of murders occur in Sydney. Investigative journalist Adam Bowman believes he can crack this heinous killer’s code. However, to uncover the Blue Moon Killer’s M.O. Adam will need to dig deep into his painful past to extract the answers to this baffling crime case. Hot on this prolific killer’s tail is Detective Rose Riley, who is determined to put a stop to this vicious killer before more victims are claimed. It is a deadly game of cat and mouse, as this illusive killer tries to avoid capture. Will the combined efforts of Detective Rose and dogged journalist Adam Bowman close this deadly chapter?
Black River came with a big endorsement from Allen and Unwin Publishing Director Tom Gilliatt. With a such a glowing reference, an intriguing synopsis and atmospheric cover, I was keen to start Black River.
Black River is a serial killer-based crime fiction novel set locally in Sydney. I really appreciated the familiar references and location points of this novel. It gave the book a rather chilly and fearful tone. Spencer does a good job illuminating his setting, with the river backdrop acting as the perfect playground for a killer to strike and to dump bodies. The added bonus of an elite school as a further reference point for this deranged killer to strike was utilised well by Spencer.
Struggling journalist Adam Bowman was perfectly cast as this book’s prime protagonist. I enjoyed the set focus on Adam’s work in the reporting field, it was quite eye opening as to how pressure filled this job can be. Spencer also draws on Adam’s past to flesh out this plot and the lead’s connection to the case. With plenty of red herrings, crazy twists, storyline blocks and deviations, Matthew Spencer has penned a well written crime tale. The ending was worth the wait as it ties everything together.
Matthew Spencer makes a grand entrance into the Australia crime fiction genre with Black River. I hope we hear more from Mathew Spencer very soon, he is definitely a literary star on the rise!
*Thanks extended to Allen & Unwin for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
June 25, 2022
It took me a little while to warm up to the central characters in this book but as I did I grew more and more invested in the story.
Set in an exclusive boy's school in Sydney, a dead girl is found wrapped in black plastic within the school grounds. The murder has some similarities to a couple of recent killings, but the differences are also significant and police are unsure if they are dealing with a copycat.
Andy Bowman is a middle aged journalist whose father taught at the school. The editor sensing an advantage sends Bowman in to get some insider knowledge. However, to the police Bowman appears to be to close to the matter to not be a suspect himself.
There are quite a few twists and exposures in this story. I am happy to recommend.
Thank you Allen & Unwin for my paperback ARC that I won.
Set in an exclusive boy's school in Sydney, a dead girl is found wrapped in black plastic within the school grounds. The murder has some similarities to a couple of recent killings, but the differences are also significant and police are unsure if they are dealing with a copycat.
Andy Bowman is a middle aged journalist whose father taught at the school. The editor sensing an advantage sends Bowman in to get some insider knowledge. However, to the police Bowman appears to be to close to the matter to not be a suspect himself.
There are quite a few twists and exposures in this story. I am happy to recommend.
Thank you Allen & Unwin for my paperback ARC that I won.
August 6, 2022
⭐️4 Stars⭐️
We are so spoilt for Aussie crime thrillers and Matthew Spencer is another new talent to watch out for! Black River is the debut novel for Matthew Spencer who incidentally was born in Parramatta and spent long summers living on the 320-acre grounds of a boy’s boarding school with his parents and sister which inspired this book!
This is very much a police procedural and it’s set in Sydney. A serial killer tagged the ‘Blue Moon Killer’ is preying on women near and around the Parramatta River.
It’s a hot summer and journalist Adam Bowman could be the key to uncover a murder at an elite boarding school.
Meanwhile Detective Sergeant Rose Riley is on the task force to find the killer. I found the journalist and police relationship really intriguing in the way they used each other.
With a cast of memorable characters and an interesting mystery this was a compelling read!
Publication Date 31 May 2022
Publisher Allen & Unwin Australia
A big thanks to Allen & Unwin Australia for sending me a copy to read.
We are so spoilt for Aussie crime thrillers and Matthew Spencer is another new talent to watch out for! Black River is the debut novel for Matthew Spencer who incidentally was born in Parramatta and spent long summers living on the 320-acre grounds of a boy’s boarding school with his parents and sister which inspired this book!
This is very much a police procedural and it’s set in Sydney. A serial killer tagged the ‘Blue Moon Killer’ is preying on women near and around the Parramatta River.
It’s a hot summer and journalist Adam Bowman could be the key to uncover a murder at an elite boarding school.
Meanwhile Detective Sergeant Rose Riley is on the task force to find the killer. I found the journalist and police relationship really intriguing in the way they used each other.
With a cast of memorable characters and an interesting mystery this was a compelling read!
Publication Date 31 May 2022
Publisher Allen & Unwin Australia
A big thanks to Allen & Unwin Australia for sending me a copy to read.
July 6, 2023
An intriguing police procedural set in Sydney, Australia and a beginning series about Detective Riley. Great characterization, fast moving plot and am interesting mystery. I definitely want to read the next book.
Goodreads review published 27/06/23
Goodreads review published 27/06/23
August 8, 2023
Black River is the first book in the Rose Riley series by Australian journalist and author, Matthew Spencer. When the body of a young woman is found in the grounds of an exclusive private school in Parramatta, everyone thinks she’s the Blue Moon Killer’s third victim. He’s already taken two young women from their riverfront homes, done nasty things to them, wrapped them in plastic and put them in the river.
But soon enough, DS Rose Riley and her boss, DCI Steve O’Neil, part of Task Force Satyr, have their doubts. Marguerite Dunlop looks like part of the case, but only those aspects of the murders that have been released to the media fit here, and the police psychiatrist isn’t convinced: it this a copycat?
Late shift reporter for The National, Adam Bowman is sent to Prince Albert by his editor because he has a history with the school, having attended three decades earlier when his father taught there. And indeed, his inside knowledge gets him some photos and a story the rest of the media pack is missing out on.
With his background, Riley and O’Neil decide they can use Bowman’s reporting to their advantage even as his own movements are verified. They feed him information to try to taunt their murderer into making a rash choice that might reveal more about himself.
While O’Neil and Riley continue to debate about including this murder in the Satyr investigation, they thoroughly check out several potential perpetrators present at the mostly deserted (due to the long Christmas vacation) school. As alibis are verified and new evidence points to other suspects, the reader is kept guessing with virtually no suspension of disbelief required.
Spencer’s first novel has a plot with plenty of action and enough red herrings and distractions to keep the pages turning. He easily evokes his era and setting, and readers familiar with western Sydney will delight in the many local mentions. His main protagonist is smart and gutsy, and members of her support crew have depth and appeal: more of this cast are most definitely welcome. A very impressive debut.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer.
But soon enough, DS Rose Riley and her boss, DCI Steve O’Neil, part of Task Force Satyr, have their doubts. Marguerite Dunlop looks like part of the case, but only those aspects of the murders that have been released to the media fit here, and the police psychiatrist isn’t convinced: it this a copycat?
Late shift reporter for The National, Adam Bowman is sent to Prince Albert by his editor because he has a history with the school, having attended three decades earlier when his father taught there. And indeed, his inside knowledge gets him some photos and a story the rest of the media pack is missing out on.
With his background, Riley and O’Neil decide they can use Bowman’s reporting to their advantage even as his own movements are verified. They feed him information to try to taunt their murderer into making a rash choice that might reveal more about himself.
While O’Neil and Riley continue to debate about including this murder in the Satyr investigation, they thoroughly check out several potential perpetrators present at the mostly deserted (due to the long Christmas vacation) school. As alibis are verified and new evidence points to other suspects, the reader is kept guessing with virtually no suspension of disbelief required.
Spencer’s first novel has a plot with plenty of action and enough red herrings and distractions to keep the pages turning. He easily evokes his era and setting, and readers familiar with western Sydney will delight in the many local mentions. His main protagonist is smart and gutsy, and members of her support crew have depth and appeal: more of this cast are most definitely welcome. A very impressive debut.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer.
July 29, 2022
A thoroughly immersive read!
The blurb mentions this as (Rose Riley #1) which suggests that there will be more to come with these characters…I sure hope so as I really enjoyed their chemistry and would definitely look out for future books.
It also says that “Black River is the most compelling thriller you'll read this year.”…..that’s high praise, but I certainly think it will be up there.
Set in the inner west of Sydney city, it was easy to get pulled into this gripping, suspense filled crime thriller.
For a debut novel this one really grabbed me, from the very start I knew it was going to be a good, gripping story…and it is!
It felt a little bit different for me at first and I couldn’t put my finger on why, though this didn’t detract from the story in any way and once I got used to the style I was fully invested. I’ve read a lot of female authors recently and thought it might have been that slightly different perspective, or possibly because it was coming from a journalistic approach…a journalist writing about a journalist covering a big story?
Either way it worked for me, and I was totally immersed in it from very early on…in fact, such was my involvement that I kept having to put it down just to make it last longer.
Adam Bowman is a broadsheet newspaper journalist battling to stay solvent in an industry that is collapsing under the weight of the advancing technological age, where news is already out there almost before it happens.
Never one for being known as a hard hitting journalist covering all the top stories, he just scrapes by these days with whatever his editor throws his way.
It’s only when the murdered body of a young woman is discovered in the grounds of an elite Sydney boarding school that Adam is called to cover it, because, as it turns out, it is the school that Adam Bowman grew up in, his father being a teacher there at the time.
The school has been closed for the Christmas holidays with only a skeleton staff and residents remaining within the gated grounds.
Police immediately block all entry and exit points, keeping journalists at bay outside the gates.
Adam Bowman however, knows a few other ways in and out of the grounds that the pupils used to avoid surveillance cameras and other detection when playing truant.
His boss immediately gives Adam the job to cover this breaking story…it will be a major coup for both if he can get into the school grounds to get pictures and/or interviews, as no other tabloid has been able to get anything as yet.
Adam has to battle some of his childhood inner demons if he is to make this work out favourably. He knows a breaking story like this could be the bolster his career and lifestyle needs and he needs to get onto it before his rival colleague beats him to it.
Detective Sergeant Rose Riley is heading a task-force put together to investigate the murder as it has all the hallmarks of a potential serial killer they have been investigating, could this be his third victim?
The tension is palpable as they determine to leave no stone unturned and ensure that there are absolutely no leaks to the press that would compromise their discoveries.
Unbeknownst to DS Riley, Adam Bowman has the advantage of inside knowledge on the school grounds and its layouts, but if he gets caught inside the boundaries it will not look good for him.
With the discovery only hours old, and his hasty arrival to the scene of the crime, Adam is putting himself at great risk of becoming a suspect.
I can highly recommend this book…If you enjoy police procedurals then this book will tick all the boxes with something happening on every page, never straying too far from the tension.
5⭐️s
With many thanks to Allen & Unwin and the author for my copy to read and review.
The blurb mentions this as (Rose Riley #1) which suggests that there will be more to come with these characters…I sure hope so as I really enjoyed their chemistry and would definitely look out for future books.
It also says that “Black River is the most compelling thriller you'll read this year.”…..that’s high praise, but I certainly think it will be up there.
Set in the inner west of Sydney city, it was easy to get pulled into this gripping, suspense filled crime thriller.
For a debut novel this one really grabbed me, from the very start I knew it was going to be a good, gripping story…and it is!
It felt a little bit different for me at first and I couldn’t put my finger on why, though this didn’t detract from the story in any way and once I got used to the style I was fully invested. I’ve read a lot of female authors recently and thought it might have been that slightly different perspective, or possibly because it was coming from a journalistic approach…a journalist writing about a journalist covering a big story?
Either way it worked for me, and I was totally immersed in it from very early on…in fact, such was my involvement that I kept having to put it down just to make it last longer.
Adam Bowman is a broadsheet newspaper journalist battling to stay solvent in an industry that is collapsing under the weight of the advancing technological age, where news is already out there almost before it happens.
Never one for being known as a hard hitting journalist covering all the top stories, he just scrapes by these days with whatever his editor throws his way.
It’s only when the murdered body of a young woman is discovered in the grounds of an elite Sydney boarding school that Adam is called to cover it, because, as it turns out, it is the school that Adam Bowman grew up in, his father being a teacher there at the time.
The school has been closed for the Christmas holidays with only a skeleton staff and residents remaining within the gated grounds.
Police immediately block all entry and exit points, keeping journalists at bay outside the gates.
Adam Bowman however, knows a few other ways in and out of the grounds that the pupils used to avoid surveillance cameras and other detection when playing truant.
His boss immediately gives Adam the job to cover this breaking story…it will be a major coup for both if he can get into the school grounds to get pictures and/or interviews, as no other tabloid has been able to get anything as yet.
Adam has to battle some of his childhood inner demons if he is to make this work out favourably. He knows a breaking story like this could be the bolster his career and lifestyle needs and he needs to get onto it before his rival colleague beats him to it.
Detective Sergeant Rose Riley is heading a task-force put together to investigate the murder as it has all the hallmarks of a potential serial killer they have been investigating, could this be his third victim?
The tension is palpable as they determine to leave no stone unturned and ensure that there are absolutely no leaks to the press that would compromise their discoveries.
Unbeknownst to DS Riley, Adam Bowman has the advantage of inside knowledge on the school grounds and its layouts, but if he gets caught inside the boundaries it will not look good for him.
With the discovery only hours old, and his hasty arrival to the scene of the crime, Adam is putting himself at great risk of becoming a suspect.
I can highly recommend this book…If you enjoy police procedurals then this book will tick all the boxes with something happening on every page, never straying too far from the tension.
5⭐️s
With many thanks to Allen & Unwin and the author for my copy to read and review.
June 19, 2022
NSW Police Task Force Satyr need results: the Blue Moon Killer has already sadistically taken 2 victims a month apart, their raped and ritualistically marked bodies found wrapped in black plastic at Gladesville on the Parramatta River. Their recently purchased family homes, non-descript from the street, have glass frontages with gardens sweeping down to the river – had the killer watched them, scoping from a boat, or been a real estate agent, tradesman, removalist, even a meter reader? He’d been forensically sophisticated and left no trace.
And then a 3rd body is discovered in the grounds of the exclusive Prince Albert school: Marguerite, daughter of the evangelical school’s chaplain.
Adam Bowman is dispatched by his editor to sneak into the police-sealed premises, closed for the school holidays, to get exclusive pictures of the crime scene for ‘The National’ newspaper. Adam knows all the ways around and into the vast institution, having grown up at the school while his father was employed as a teacher. Caught by Detective Rose Riley, they come to an arrangement whereby he is allowed to report strategically released information in exchange for his intel on the school staff. When someone takes great pains to undermine his reporting, the police realise they’ve got the killer nervous.
There’s anthrax-laden sheep manure, a Griffith mafia connection, a Federal Cabinet Minister outraged that he’s a person of interest. Confiscated drone footage, fetish burglaries, a missing Irish gardener with a criminal history and a pompous sexual opportunist headmaster.
There are many forensic similarities, but glaring differences – perhaps it’s not the same killer or he’s changing his MO? Do the police need to rely on logic or geography to solve the case?
‘Black River’ is tense and palpably urgent. Nothing is extraneous: with limited backstory provided for the Task Force members and meaningful details only about the suspects, the river and the setting the author delivers a tantalising investigation-driven plot.
Thanks to Allen & Unwin for an advanced reading copy.
And then a 3rd body is discovered in the grounds of the exclusive Prince Albert school: Marguerite, daughter of the evangelical school’s chaplain.
Adam Bowman is dispatched by his editor to sneak into the police-sealed premises, closed for the school holidays, to get exclusive pictures of the crime scene for ‘The National’ newspaper. Adam knows all the ways around and into the vast institution, having grown up at the school while his father was employed as a teacher. Caught by Detective Rose Riley, they come to an arrangement whereby he is allowed to report strategically released information in exchange for his intel on the school staff. When someone takes great pains to undermine his reporting, the police realise they’ve got the killer nervous.
There’s anthrax-laden sheep manure, a Griffith mafia connection, a Federal Cabinet Minister outraged that he’s a person of interest. Confiscated drone footage, fetish burglaries, a missing Irish gardener with a criminal history and a pompous sexual opportunist headmaster.
There are many forensic similarities, but glaring differences – perhaps it’s not the same killer or he’s changing his MO? Do the police need to rely on logic or geography to solve the case?
‘Black River’ is tense and palpably urgent. Nothing is extraneous: with limited backstory provided for the Task Force members and meaningful details only about the suspects, the river and the setting the author delivers a tantalising investigation-driven plot.
Thanks to Allen & Unwin for an advanced reading copy.
July 3, 2022
‘Wrapped in black plastic.’
Summer school holidays in Sydney. The body of a young woman is found murdered in the grounds of Prince Albert College, an elite boarding school. Is she a victim of a serial killer working along the banks of the Parramatta River?
Adam Bowman, a struggling journalist, is familiar with Prince Albert College. He grew up there: his father was a history teacher. His employer wants to use Bowman’s knowledge of the college to get ahead of the other media reporting on the story. Could this be the break Bowman has been waiting for?
Detective Sergeant Rose Riley is a member of the taskforce trying to find the so-called ‘Blue Moon Killer’. DS Riley is suspicious of Bowman, when she first finds him on the grounds of the school but comes to think he may have useful information. And, perhaps, Bowman can help the police manage the flow of information to the public and to the killer. High stakes, high risks.
There is plenty of history at Prince Albert College, and tragedy as well. Just how relevant are past events to the current investigation? The taskforce is under considerable pressure politically to move away from aspects of the investigation. DS Riley’s determination to find answers leads her (and others) into danger.
A fast-moving crime novel, with some unexpected developments, well developed characters and several possible killers.
A terrific debut novel.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Summer school holidays in Sydney. The body of a young woman is found murdered in the grounds of Prince Albert College, an elite boarding school. Is she a victim of a serial killer working along the banks of the Parramatta River?
Adam Bowman, a struggling journalist, is familiar with Prince Albert College. He grew up there: his father was a history teacher. His employer wants to use Bowman’s knowledge of the college to get ahead of the other media reporting on the story. Could this be the break Bowman has been waiting for?
Detective Sergeant Rose Riley is a member of the taskforce trying to find the so-called ‘Blue Moon Killer’. DS Riley is suspicious of Bowman, when she first finds him on the grounds of the school but comes to think he may have useful information. And, perhaps, Bowman can help the police manage the flow of information to the public and to the killer. High stakes, high risks.
There is plenty of history at Prince Albert College, and tragedy as well. Just how relevant are past events to the current investigation? The taskforce is under considerable pressure politically to move away from aspects of the investigation. DS Riley’s determination to find answers leads her (and others) into danger.
A fast-moving crime novel, with some unexpected developments, well developed characters and several possible killers.
A terrific debut novel.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
October 31, 2022
Black River by Aussie author Matthew Spencer is the first book in the Rose Riley series. A compelling read which I enjoyed. If you enjoy reading murder, crime or mystery, then I recommend you give this one a go. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
October 23, 2022
The Sydney setting, along the Parramatta River and a Riverview-like private school emptied out for the summer was a great feature of this police procedural mystery. There was lots of detail in profiling the serial killer and eliminating and closing in on suspects. The main characters of detective Rose Riley and jaded journo Bowman were good but it took me a while to figure out the dynamic between the two, I’m still not entirely sure. Riley is tough, drinks stubbies and eats junk food, I like that she’s no pushover and definitely not one to defer to the blokes or need saving herself. Likewise Patel, another female officer. Besides the women who were the obvious dead victims there were good, strong female characters in the story. I think this was quite a good debut novel, in a similar style to Chris Hammer and as this is subtitled Rose Riley #1 I would read number two when it comes along.
March 8, 2023
3.5⭐️ Another fantastic debut Australian crime novel to add to your shelves.
Adam Bowman a journalist and son of a former teacher at the prestigious Prince Albert College where a young woman has just been found murdered is sent out to capture the story.
Is this Murder another victim of the ‘Blue Moon Killer?’ Detective Sergeant Rose Riley and the task force are racing to find a link before he strikes again.
An unlikely alliance forms between the journalist and detective as she uses his past to help her find the killer but may instead end up putting themselves in danger.
Thank you to @netgalley and #thomasmercerpublishing for the eARC.
Adam Bowman a journalist and son of a former teacher at the prestigious Prince Albert College where a young woman has just been found murdered is sent out to capture the story.
Is this Murder another victim of the ‘Blue Moon Killer?’ Detective Sergeant Rose Riley and the task force are racing to find a link before he strikes again.
An unlikely alliance forms between the journalist and detective as she uses his past to help her find the killer but may instead end up putting themselves in danger.
Thank you to @netgalley and #thomasmercerpublishing for the eARC.
October 2, 2023
This one robbed me of sleep so I first marked it 3 stars, but must admit the book deserved higher marks. It succeeded in keeping me reading, staying with a frightening narrative through the night. I don't read many Aussie books so I don't have much to compare this one to. The hunt for a killer was detailed, intense and truly horrifying. I felt out of breath at the conclusion.
I bought this back in June (2023) and have a feeling I may have started and stopped reading, but I stuck with it this time. I suspect I am in need of a cozy after this frightening tale.
I bought this back in June (2023) and have a feeling I may have started and stopped reading, but I stuck with it this time. I suspect I am in need of a cozy after this frightening tale.
October 8, 2022
This book is alright but I just needed more. I purchased it based on a great review in The Australian but it wasn’t what I expected. There wasn’t enough description of the characters so I found it hard to picture them and even to remember who they were for the first part of the book. When we find out the killer of the Dunlop girl it’s an anticlimax… and I still wasn’t sure he was guilty until the book ended. It’s very heavy on snappy dialogue. The last part of the book I stayed up late to finish. By that time I had more of an understanding of the characters and was keen to find out the conclusion. It’s as though it’s been heavily edited and boring descriptions removed and assumes the reader is somehow in the know. I probably just needed a bit more detail because I’m not usually a crime reader.
May 29, 2023
A river flows gently past—murder sites!
Set on the Parramatta River north of Sydney near Gladesville. A series of particularly viscous sexual murders have spooked the community. The deaths began maybe a couple of years ago.
A huge investigative police strike force has been put together led by Detective Chief Inspector Steve O’Neil and Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. Its code name is Satyr.
Adam Bowman is a newspaper journalist who lives out that way, near the elite boarding school, Prince Albert, he’d attended. His father had been the school chaplain.
An attack has happened at the school. The current chaplain’s eighteen year old daughter Marguerite Dunlop, is found murdered.
Is it the work of Gladesville, the killer the police are combing through a zillion places for? Gladesville is dubbed the Blue Moon Killer by the press.
Bowman knows the place like the back of his hand and walks through tracks unknown to the police to take a look. He’s eventually spotted by O’Neil who decide to use him as a media conduit.
Bowman is convinced the river is the key. Riley saw that “the river was [the killer’s] highway, and Gladesville was a truck stop. By comparison O’Neil tends to chase several different leads before focusing on the one.
The river and its tributaries has a history, brooding and dark, from white invasion times.
The plot mixes Bowman’s story, the killing of Marguerite, and the other Gladesville deaths into a cauldron of intrigue and expectation, flavouring it with a rather narcissistic head master, the Griffith mafia and a high rolling politician. The search for the murderer is part diligence and intuition, solid investigative procedures and sometimes a stroke of luck.
A super atmospheric plot that draws you in.
A Thomas & Mercer ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
Set on the Parramatta River north of Sydney near Gladesville. A series of particularly viscous sexual murders have spooked the community. The deaths began maybe a couple of years ago.
A huge investigative police strike force has been put together led by Detective Chief Inspector Steve O’Neil and Detective Sergeant Rose Riley. Its code name is Satyr.
Adam Bowman is a newspaper journalist who lives out that way, near the elite boarding school, Prince Albert, he’d attended. His father had been the school chaplain.
An attack has happened at the school. The current chaplain’s eighteen year old daughter Marguerite Dunlop, is found murdered.
Is it the work of Gladesville, the killer the police are combing through a zillion places for? Gladesville is dubbed the Blue Moon Killer by the press.
Bowman knows the place like the back of his hand and walks through tracks unknown to the police to take a look. He’s eventually spotted by O’Neil who decide to use him as a media conduit.
Bowman is convinced the river is the key. Riley saw that “the river was [the killer’s] highway, and Gladesville was a truck stop. By comparison O’Neil tends to chase several different leads before focusing on the one.
The river and its tributaries has a history, brooding and dark, from white invasion times.
The plot mixes Bowman’s story, the killing of Marguerite, and the other Gladesville deaths into a cauldron of intrigue and expectation, flavouring it with a rather narcissistic head master, the Griffith mafia and a high rolling politician. The search for the murderer is part diligence and intuition, solid investigative procedures and sometimes a stroke of luck.
A super atmospheric plot that draws you in.
A Thomas & Mercer ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
March 1, 2023
4.5* A compelling police-procedural / thriller set around Sydney’s Parramatta river and inner western suburbs.
July 17, 2023
This debut book is based in Australia and is a police procedural, serial killer book. We have a large cast of characters, but I was mostly able to keep track of them. The setting is at an all boys school over Christmas break. A young woman is murdered on the campus grounds. The detectives aren’t sure if this killing is related to that of the BMK (Blue Moon Killer) who is still at large. While this book goes into great details, I think it is almost too much. I found it difficult to read at times. Clunky would be my best assessment. Even so, this writer shows real promise. There’s certainly a lot of meat to sink into. I must mention the TRIGGER WARNING about a dog. I really hate to hear about animals being harmed in books, and I’m not alone! With the writing not being as smooth as I like, coupled with the animal abuse, this is a solid 3 star read.
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