Treasure and Dirt by Chris Hammer

 

Murder in an opal mine in the New South Wales outback. Treasure and Dirt is, simply, a superb Australian crime novel. Chris Hammer’s vivid descriptive prose brings to life the harsh, dry landscape of the outback, dotted with pockets of green and occasional boggy patches left behind from rare and recent rain; the searing heat and the endless-seeming straight roads leading into and out of the town of Finnigan’s Gap and the mining claims around the outskirts of the town. There is a terrific little map at the start of the book showing the situation of the small town and the surrounding mines which sets the scene beautifully.

Ivan Lucic, a Sydney detective sergeant, is sent to Finnigan’s Gap to investigate the bizarre discovery of an opal miner’s body. Detective constable Nell Buchanan has been despatched from Bourke to assist Ivan in his inquiries and they carry out their investigation from the small Finnigan’s Gap police station.

This is a story of intrigue and hidden meanings, involving murder, long standing family problems, feuding billionaires and a secretive, quasi-religious cult. The atmosphere of the outback is constantly kept alive by the contrasts between the unbearable outdoor heat, the cool air conditioning in the town’s buildings and the interiors of cars and the oppressive but not quite as deadly heat inside tents, and various buildings relying on ceiling fans for relief.

The characterisations are well imagined and easily recognisable:  Ivan and Nell, Trevor Topsoil, Bullshit Bob Inglis to name a few. I haven’t read Chris Hammer before but I think Ivan Lucic has featured in previous stories. I am now definitely inspired to read them and find out for myself!

I highly recommend Treasure and Dirt. It really is crime writing at its best and I rate it 5 out of 5.

Published by Allen & Unwin