Trust

Trust, the new novel by Chris Hammer is definitey a novel that is difficult to put down. Fortunately I borrowed a copy from the library on Friday so was able to spend the weekend reading. Trust is the third book in a series about journalist and author, Martin Scarsdale and Mandy Blonde. Scrublands and Silver were set in rural Australia but the city of Sydney is the setting for Trust. A map at the front of the book allows the reader to follow where the action is taking place. 

The novel begins with Martin playing on the beach with Mandy's son, Liam when he receives a voicemail message from Mandy - a scream. Rushing back to their house Martin discovers that Mandy has disappeared and there is a man lying on the floor.

The plot of the novel contains two main stories that as investigations proceed emerge into one. Martin soon realises that there is a large part of Mandy's former life that she has not revealed to him and the past has now come to confront her. Meanwhile Martin's former editor, Max, has asked him to help investigate and write a potentially explosive story but will not reveal any details until they meet. Martin heads to Sydney to find and support Mandy but also agrees to meet Max. When he discovers that Max has been murdered he knows that he must continue to investigate the story that has cost Max his life.

This is a story of large scale corruption in many spheres, a police undercover investigation, duplicity, nepotism, surveillance, computer fraud, kidnapping and, of course, murder. As well as investigating what has and is currently occurring, Martin has to write the story and get it out to the public before authorities prevent him from making it public or the opposition publish first. 

Mandy also has to decide to come to terms with what has happened in the past and to move on with her life. She also has to learn to trust again. 

This book is another great read in the Aussie noir genre.