Deep Water

Deep Water finds Sydney private investigator Cliff Hardy returning to work after open-heart surgery. His first case back involves tracking down a missing person who disappeared from a wealthy harborside suburb. The investigation pulls Hardy through Sydney's social strata, from waterfront mansions to working-class neighborhoods. His path crosses with real estate developers, environmental activists, and figures from his past as he works to uncover the truth. Hardy must balance his still-recovering health with the physical and mental demands of the case, navigating threats and deception while dealing with his own limitations. The novel explores themes of greed, environmental exploitation, and personal resilience, painting a complex portrait of Sydney's shifting urban landscape and the human cost of development.

Readers found this Cliff Hardy detective novel straightforward and fast-paced. Many point to it as a solid entry in the series, with Hardy's investigative work in Sydney's sordid underground lending authenticity to the story. Positives: - Sharp dialogue and dry humor throughout - Vivid descriptions of Sydney locations and culture - Complex but followable mystery plot - Hardy remains a relatable protagonist Negatives: - Some found the ending rushed and unsatisfying - Side characters lack depth according to multiple reviews - Few readers note it feels formulaic compared to other Hardy books Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (62 ratings) Amazon AU: 4.1/5 (8 reviews) "A dependable Hardy mystery that hits the usual marks without breaking new ground," wrote one Goodreads reviewer. Another noted: "The Sydney setting remains the real star - Corris knows every back alley and shady corner of the city."

The Broken Shore by Peter Temple A Melbourne detective investigates a murder in a coastal town while recovering from injuries, revealing corruption across social classes and real estate development schemes.

Dragon Man by Garry Disher A police procedural set on Australia's Mornington Peninsula tracks a detective through waterfront communities as he hunts a killer amid property disputes.

Trust Me by Michael Robotham A Sydney psychologist becomes entangled in a missing persons case that leads through harbor suburbs and exposes connections between wealth and crime.

Shooting Star by Peter Temple A Melbourne PI searches for a missing heir to a fortune, moving between mansions and working-class neighborhoods while uncovering family secrets.

The Coast by Chris Hammer An investigation into a death on Sydney's northern beaches reveals environmental conflicts and development schemes across harbor communities.

🔍 Peter Corris wrote 42 Cliff Hardy novels over 37 years, making it Australia's longest-running crime fiction series 📚 The author was known as the "Godfather of Australian Crime Fiction" and helped establish the modern Australian crime novel genre ❤️ The protagonist's heart surgery in "Deep Water" mirrored the author's own experience with cardiac issues 🏆 The Ned Kelly Awards, which honored this book, are Australia's premier crime writing prizes, established in 1995 🌇 The series' portrayal of Sydney's underworld and urban landscape has been praised for its authenticity, with Corris drawing from his experience as a journalist in the city