Black River cover art

Black River

Rose Riley, Book 1

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About this listen

The elite neighborhoods of Sydney are becoming a serial killer’s hunting ground. But for a city—and a detective—on the edge, not everything is as it seems in a twisting novel of suspense.

During a stifling summer in Sydney, the body of a chaplain’s daughter is found wrapped in black plastic on the deserted grounds of an elite boarding school. Is it the work of the killer who’s been stalking the privileged neighborhoods along the Parramatta River? Gut instinct tells Detective Sergeant Rose Riley something even more devious might be at play.

Eager to find the so-called Blue Moon Killer before he strikes again, Riley forms an uneasy alliance with Adam Bowman, a journalist with a valuable, and unsettling, link to the school’s history. As Riley’s investigation takes her deep into the secret lives of Sydney’s prominent citizens, Bowman delves into the darkest places of his own childhood for answers. When their paths converge, Riley must use every bit of her cunning to stop another murder.

Excavating Bowman’s past might just be the key to unlocking the case. Or it could prove to be Riley’s undoing. Because clue by clue she’s being pulled into the sights of a killer.

©2022, 2023 Matthew Spencer (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved Crime Crime Thrillers Detective Fiction Mystery Police Procedural Thriller Thriller & Suspense Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Murder Suspense

Critic reviews

“Spencer’s fiction debut…features a straightforward detective plot that’s enriched and deepened by touching on issues of class, race, and gender. An engaging police procedural with a little something extra.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Dark, gritty, tense, atmospheric. I loved Black River.”—Candice Fox, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Sharply plotted and relentlessly paced, it kept me guessing until the last page.”—Michael Robotham, New York Times bestselling author of When You Are Mine
All stars
Most relevant
Great story and characters. Excellent plot - kept me guessing until the very end.
Fab narrator.
I hope there are more to come.
Would make a good TV series.
Highly recommended.

Very, very good

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Once I slowed the narrator down to. 85, I really enjoyed this story. It's a pacey police procedural and the narrator rattles along too fast. I nearly returned it, but I'm really glad I didn't. Once I got into it, I wanted to listen without a break, which is a very good sign 👍

Slow narration down a tad

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