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Legacy

Martin Scarsden returns in the brand new crime novel from the million copy international bestseller

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About this listen

 Martin Scarsden returns in the jaw-dropping and unmissable new blockbuster crime novel from Chris Hammer, the award-winning, million copy bestselling author of SCRUBLANDS.

'A beguiling read' - THE SUNDAY TIMES
'Savage and unpredictable' - THE SUN
'Exciting, touching and even heart-breaking' - LITERARY REVIEW

MARTIN SCARSDEN IS ON THE RUN. WILL THE DESERT SAVE HIM - OR BURY HIM?

A bomb at his book launch. Gunfire in his hometown. Someone wants journalist Martin Scarsden dead.

Fleeing for his life into the outback, he learns that nowhere is safe. The killers are closing in, and it's all he can do to survive. But who wants to kill him - and why?

With nowhere left to run, Martin finds his fate in the hands of some surprising individuals: a disgraced ex-wife of a footballer, a fugitive wanted for a decades-old murder and two nineteenth century explorers from a legendary expedition, whose fate may hold the key to his own.

With his life on the line, one thing is for sure: in the scorching heart of Australia, Martin Scarsden's most dangerous assignment isn't just a story - it's survival.

Praise for LEGACY:

'Another winner' - CRIME TIME
'A beguiling read' - THE SUNDAY TIMES
'Savage and unpredictable' - THE SUN
'An engrossing thriller' - IRISH MAIL ON SUNDAY
'A story that starts with a bang' - CRIME FICTION LOVER
'Exciting, touching and even heart-breaking' - LITERARY REVIEW
'Hammer is up there with the best Australian novelists' - ASPECTS OF CRIME
'Another epic Outback mystery [from] Australia's most exciting crime writer' - DAILY EXPRESS

Praise for Chris Hammer:

'A masterful, stunning thriller. A twisting mystery epic in scale yet intricate in detail. Irresistible.' CHRIS WHITAKER
'My favourite Australian author' ANN CLEEVES
'Epic. Shakespearean in depth and range' THE TIMES
'Fierce, gripping and spine-chilling' DAILY MAIL
'Shimmers . . . A tortured tale of blood and loss' VAL McDERMID
'Stunning - a page-turner which stays long in the memory' SUNDAY TIMES
'A leader in Australian noir' MICHAEL CONNELLY©2025 Chris Hammer Crime Thrillers Suspense Thriller & Suspense Crime Survival

Critic reviews

Vivid descriptions of landscape and an intricate plot make this a beguiling read.
Exciting, touching and even heart-breaking, this is a story of desperation, greed, love and resentment.
Hammer is up there with the best Australian novelists Garry Disher, Jane Harper and Peter Temple. Big issues and sharply drawn local relationships are explored. Redolent with claustrophobic tension this slow burn novel with dark simmering tones is gripping.
Hammer [is] now established at the top of the Australian posse of top class authors. Strikingly atmospheric and evocative, Hammer's plots and characters are unrelenting and sprawling, insidiously getting under your skin as they meander in staccato mode towards explosive conclusions. Another winner.
A story that starts with a bang.
An engrossing thriller and fascinating portrait of one of the world's harshest landscapes.
Standout among the intriguing characters is the Outback itself - a stunning wilderness of blue sky, red dust and ferocious heat. Savage and unpredictable, like the story.
Aussie noir at its finest. Hammer shows once again why he's Australia's most exciting crime writer.
A murder and plot that reveals itself in flashback like a parched wilderness coming to life.
A propulsive, landscape-rich thriller that drags you into the dust, the danger and the strange beauty of the Outback. This fourth thriller featuring Martin Scarsden stands alone for new readers, yet rewards long-time fans with familiar faces and deepened character arcs.
An absorbing epic about land, love and revenge, this story of innocents caught up in the clash of dynasties may be Hammer's best yet.
Hammer's knack for atmospheric suspense and noir is at its very best.
All stars
Most relevant
Excellent story enjoyable read spoilt by narrator
Persevered purely based on story line
Personal opinion obviously

Disliked narrator

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Chris Hammer is brilliant, and this one was utterly gripping throughout. Characters are convincing, setting strikingly evocative, plotting intricate and thoughtful. Wonderful stuff.

Best yet

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Another outstanding book by Chris Hammer, great characters , sublime anticipation throughout, waiting eagerly for the next book

Excellent book, a real page turner

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Chris Hammer’s books just keep getting better and better. There are two main story threads in this one and I preferred one (the cold-case murder) over the other (the hit squads) but the whole thing is beautifully put together with full-blooded characters and some beautiful writing. The narration is superb.

One of the best

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Lockie Chapman does a great job reading this complicated story of rivalry and murder in the outback. It becomes a little hard to follow at times, especially towards the end. But like all Chris Hammer’s books, beautifully written and well worth the listen.

Clever intertwining stories in Chris Hammer’s great Aussie outback.

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