Reviewed by Rod McLary
The Valley is Chris Hammer’s seventh book and, like his previous six, it is firmly placed in the Australian landscape with an intricate plot and engaging characters. And also like the previous books, it is an immensely satisfying read.
Detective Sergeant Ivan Lucic and Detective Senior Constable Nell Buchanan are assigned to investigate the murder of an entrepreneur in a remote mountain valley. Simply called The Valley, the location is a self-contained village populated by eccentric, left-of-centre and sometimes dangerous locals. DS Lucic has mellowed since his last appearance. Readers of Chris Hammer would know that Ivan’s father has died – relieving him of a considerable emotional burden – and he is in a new relationship. But his detective skills have only sharpened – and are matched by DSC Buchanan’s.
The story begins simply enough. Nell and Ivan are driving to The Valley to commence their investigation, but it is not long before they become aware of other factors. They have been told not to trust any of the local police – a matter which of course alienates the locals immediately. And even more surprising, there is a possible family connection between Nell and the victim. Even this connection is not enough to persuade Detective Superintendent Derek ‘Plodder’ Packenham – Head of Homicide and their boss – to reassign the case. Why? One might ask. The answer is revealed through the narrative arc as the story progresses.
There are two narratives – the first is the investigation by Ivan and Nell; and the second goes back to 1988. The first line of the Prologue [dated 1988] says all that needs to be known – ‘Guy and Raz are the last to arrive, stolen car, stolen licence plates, driving at night, taking the back roads’ [1]. The excitement of Guy and Raz is palpable; but the relevance of this earlier story to the investigation of the murder only becomes clear later in the narrative.
As always with Chris Hammer, the novel’s plot is intricate and it takes some concentration to keep all the intricacies clear. But it is worth it. The narrative tension never flags and over time, Ivan and Nell are able to peel back the lies and obfuscations and arrive at the truth. Their journey to that point is not helped by manipulative and dishonest lawyers and those residents whose interests would not be served by the truth being uncovered. But they get there.
As well as assisting in the investigation, Nell embarks on her own journey of discovery as she moves closer to the truth of her parentage. Her journey is sensitively set out by the author and the reader can feel only empathy for Nell as she finally finds out who she really is.
The Valley is a novel which engages the reader from the first line [as quoted above] and its intricate plot, engaging lead protagonists and a range of local colourful characters add depth to the narrative which will ensure its success.
Chris Hammer’s first book Scrublands won the prestigious UK Crime Writers Association John Creasey Award for a debut novel; and has been shortlisted for other awards. Before becoming a crime writer, Chris Hammer was a journalist for more than thirty years covering Australian federal politics and international affairs.
The Valley
[2024]
by Chris Hammer
Allen and Unwin
ISBN 978 1 76147 088 2
$34.99; 448pp