My favourite Chris Hammer novel to date

5 stars

Reading this new Chris Hammer novel, featuring Martin Scarsden, made me realise just how much I've missed our intrepid journo. The last few books have centered mainly on Ivan and Nell so it's great to have the return of Martin. And what better way to welcome him back into the fray than this cracking yarn!?

Martin's new book launch does not go to plan setting this novel off with a bang. It truly feels the band is back together as Martin is joined briefly by Ivan and Nell signalling something is seriously amiss. The appearance of Jack Goffing, agent from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, confirms Martin is in life threatening danger so off he flees, to get lost in the outback, to Port Paroo with hoped for anonymity. 

In typical Chris Hammer fashion, what starts out as one mystery spawns a fair few more with time spent in a sleepy New South Wales town, close to the border with Queensland. Whilst keeping his head down the seeds of a new investigation drop him in the middle of an old family feud but he is not the only one sniffing for a good story. Ecco is also living beneath the radar, hiding from her past, but a new find in old family journals sets her writer's heart pumping as she follows the clues laid before her.

I have been a keen reader of Chris Hammer novels for years, loving the intricately crafted, complex crime fiction at the core of each book. But, something about Legacy struck a chord with me. It may very well be my favourite to date. The quality of writing, the multifaceted crime to solve wrapped around a historic mystery draws me in like catnip. Feeling foolish I didn't drag it out longer but hopeful another cracking read with be headed our way soonest. Brilliant stuff. Not to be missed.