The satisfying new Chris Hammer novel, Full Circle

5 stars

Nothing gets my pulse racing quite like a new Chris Hammer book. As a reader I can always count on a quality murder (or two), a thorough investigation into said murder, a dense web of intelligent obfuscation created by a multi-layered plotlines with characters I respect. A successful recipe which never fails to delight but made even more impactful being set in Australia. I am drawn to Aussie crime fiction and these novels are the cherry on top.

Full Circle is a great place to dive in if you have not read Hammer's previous works. We have a new cast of characters (the start of a series, I reckon) with cameos from names we know well. It's not essential to have previous knowledge of our cameos but makes a nice 'hey, you!' moment for those with history. If you've had the pleasure before, you will enjoy this as much as the novels that came before.

We are breaking new ground here delving into the world of corporate finance with the ultra wealthy. The art of market manipulation, shorting and making loads of dosh would not normally attract me but it is all explained well enough to make me comfortable and absorbed by it. Travis Somerland is a our main man and he is a busy boy having a number of different roles which lands him smack in the middle of this story. Getting to know him, his past and understanding his choices and the ramifications took time but it is well worth it for story development. So much happens in this book but it passed swiftly leaving no dull moments distracting us from the full enjoyment of the set piece. Perfectly executed, as ever, the right genre at the right time. A complex story that takes the reader on a thrill ride of corporate espionage and beyond.