Still

Darwin in 1963, a rough and ready town at that time in the far north of Australia, is the setting for this novel, Still, by Matt Nable. Darwin at this time could be a dangerous place. This gripping, often dark, crime novel is another welcome addition to the ever expanding Aussie Noir genre.

Senior Constable Ned Potter discovers the body of a man when he is out patrolling countryside near the town. Several days later he discovers a shallow grave containing the bodies of two more men. All have been beaten or stabbed and also shot twice. Meanwhile Charlotte Clark discovers a badly injured Michael Roberts who asks for help but won't tell her what happened. There is obviously a connection between these events and Ned Potter realises that other police are involved, at least in the cover-up of these crimes.

This is a story of murder, corruption, violence, abuse, racism, isolation, alcoholism and of course crocodiles cruising the neighbouring rivers. The two stories from the perspectives of Ned and Charlotte provide the accounts of horrific events plus dangers faced by those trying to solve the crime and bring the perpetrators to account.

A major feature of this novel, however, is the setting - the town and the surrounding landscape and also the weather. Darwin is always hot and there are two seasons - wet and dry. The humidity in the wet season is extreme. The title of the book refers to the stillness that occurs as a storm approaches - the calm before the storm.