"Outback Noir for cosy fans?" - review of WHISKY VALLEY

WHISKY VALLEY by Joan Sauers (Allen & Unwin, 2025)

Reviewed by Craig Sisterson

From the intriguing Echo Lake, Rose McHugh, curious historian-turned-detective, returns to solve her next compelling mystery in the moody Southern Highlands.

After nearly being murdered last year, Rose battles anxiety as she uses her investigative skills to find her son's best friend, a famous violinist who is missing along with his priceless violin.

As floodwaters rise, Rose uncovers secrets and lies among the missing man's fellow musicians, as well as their patron and her enigmatic psychologist husband.

But when a body is found, can Rose shield her son from suspicion?

Without starting a debate on the meaning or parameters of ‘cosy crime’ - which can seem a little amorphous at times, conflated with ‘classic mysteries’, or defined differently on opposite sides of the Atlantic – “Outback Noir for cosy fans” could be a pithy and apt distillation for screenwriter Joan Sauers’ intriguing series starring historian and amateur sleuth Rose McHugh, set among the scenic Southern Highlands of New South Wales in Australia. A countryside area of small townships, nature, wineries, fascinating history and other delights, about 70 miles outside of the Sydney metropolis.

In this second instalment, Rose is still recovering from events in debut ECHO LAKE; battling anxiety, seeing a therapist, struggling to go on her beloved bush walks. But she’s excited for her sister Kim and son Sam visiting from the city, sparked by a performance by noted violinist Billy Mah at a local music festival. Sam and Billy were great friends growing up, many years before. But when Billy vanishes, along with his priceless violin, and floodwaters begin to rise, Rose must uncover the truth from a web of secrets and lies, before police zero in on her son as a prime suspect.

WHISKY VALLEY is an engaging Aussie crime tale in a richly evoked setting; while it’s solid more than spectacular on the mystery front, and doesn’t reach the genre-leading heights of some compatriots, there’s a lot to enjoy here. And with Rose, an intriguing sleuth with shades of Marple, lovely touches of local history, and a fascinating wider cast, there’s plenty to lure readers – particularly those who enjoy their mysteries a little lighter -- to follow what will hopefully be an ongoing series. 

[This review was first published in the Summer 2025 issue of Deadly Pleasures magazine in the USA]

Craig Sisterson is a lawyer turned writer, editor, podcast host, awards judge, and event chair. He's the founder of the Ngaio Marsh Awards, co-founder of Rotorua Noir, author of Macavity and HRF Keating Award-shortlisted non-fiction work SOUTHERN CROSS CRIME, editor of the DARK DEEDS DOWN UNDER anthology series, and writes about books for magazines and newspapers in several countries.