Peter Corris

Peter Corris (1942-2018) was an Australian crime fiction author best known for creating the Cliff Hardy private investigator series, which earned him recognition as "the Godfather of contemporary Australian crime-writing." His career spanned multiple decades and produced over 40 novels in the Hardy series, along with numerous other works of crime and historical fiction. Before turning to writing full-time, Corris established himself as an academic and journalist, holding a PhD in history from the Australian National University where he specialized in South Seas Islander slave trade. His background in historical research informed many of his later works, lending authenticity to his fiction. The Cliff Hardy series, beginning with "The Dying Trade" (1980), revolutionized Australian crime fiction by introducing a distinctly Australian voice to the genre. Set primarily in Sydney, the series featured a tough private investigator navigating the city's criminal underworld, establishing a new template for Australian noir fiction. Beyond his crime writing, Corris authored works of historical fiction and non-fiction, including a memoir about living with type-1 diabetes. He remained active in the Australian literary scene until his death in 2018, having significantly influenced the development of Australian crime fiction.

Readers consistently highlight Corris's authentic portrayal of Sydney and its gritty underworld. Many note his sharp, lean writing style that moves plots forward without unnecessary prose. Liked: - Strong sense of place and local Australian culture - Realistic dialogue and character interactions - Fast-paced narratives - Complex but followable plots - Cliff Hardy's flawed but relatable character development Disliked: - Some readers find earlier books in the series dated - Occasional repetitive plot elements across the series - Later books seen as less energetic than early works - Some international readers struggle with Australian slang Ratings: Goodreads: Average 3.8/5 across series Amazon: 4.2/5 average Most reviewed: "The Dying Trade" (3.7/5 on Goodreads) Notable reader comment: "Corris captures Sydney's underbelly with documentary precision while keeping the action moving" - Amazon reviewer The series maintains consistent ratings throughout, with slight preference for books published in the 1980s and early 1990s.

The Dying Trade Private investigator Cliff Hardy takes on his first chronicled case in 1980s Sydney, investigating a wealthy family's complex web of blackmail and murder.

The Empty Beach Hardy searches for a missing businessman in Bondi Beach, uncovering corruption and violence beneath the sunny facade of Sydney's famous coastline.

Deep Water A seemingly routine investigation into insurance fraud leads Hardy into dangerous waters involving organized crime and political conspiracy in Sydney's harbor area.

Raymond Chandler wrote hard-boiled detective fiction featuring private investigator Philip Marlowe in Los Angeles from the 1930s-1950s. His writing style and characterization established many conventions of noir detective fiction that Corris later adapted for Australian settings.

Ross Macdonald created the Lew Archer detective series set in California, focusing on psychological depth and family secrets. His work represents the same tradition of literary detective fiction as Corris, with complex plots and strong sense of place.

Shane Maloney writes the Murray Whelan series set in Melbourne, featuring a political advisor who investigates crimes. His books share Corris's Australian setting and mix of crime with political intrigue.

Garry Disher produces crime fiction set in Australia, including the Wyatt series about a professional thief. His work depicts the Australian criminal underworld with the same attention to local detail as Corris's novels.

Jon Cleary wrote the Scobie Malone detective series set in Sydney from 1966-2004. His portrayal of Sydney's crime landscape and Australian police procedures parallels Corris's examination of the same territory through a private investigator's lens.