Before It Breaks

Detective Daniel Clement leaves his position with Perth's homicide squad to return to his hometown of Broome, trading high-stakes investigations for routine police work while staying close to his daughter after a marital separation. The discovery of a body with an axe wound near Jasper's Creek pulls Clement back into murder investigation territory, followed by a second victim with identical wounds that suggests a pattern of intentional violence. Set against the stark backdrop of Western Australia, this police procedural tracks Clement and the local force as they work to uncover connections between the victims and identify the person responsible before another death occurs. The novel explores themes of homecoming, personal redemption, and how past events in small communities can resurface with devastating consequences.

Readers found this police procedural crime novel to be a solid mystery with vivid Perth, Australia locations. Most readers appreciated the complex protagonist Dan Clement and the authentic portrayal of police work based on Warner's research. Liked: - Local landmarks and atmosphere of Western Australia - Realistic police procedures and investigations - Complex character relationships and backstories - Buildup of tension in final chapters Disliked: - Slow pacing in first third of book - Some underdeveloped secondary characters - Occasional confusion from multiple plotlines Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (156 ratings) Amazon AU: 4.2/5 (28 reviews) Notable Reader Comments: "Captures the isolation and unique culture of WA's north perfectly" - Goodreads reviewer "Police work feels authentic rather than TV-drama style" - Amazon AU review "Takes a while to get going but pays off in the end" - Goodreads reviewer

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🔍 Dave Warner is not only a crime novelist but also a successful musician, known as "Australia's King of Suburban Rock" and frontman of Dave Warner's from the Suburbs. 🌅 Broome, where the novel is set, is famous for its 22-kilometer Cable Beach and the natural phenomenon of the "Staircase to the Moon," visible during certain full moons. 🏆 Before It Breaks won the 2016 Ned Kelly Award for Best Crime Fiction, one of Australia's most prestigious literary awards for crime writing. 👮 The author conducted extensive research with Western Australian police forces to ensure authentic procedural details, drawing from real investigative techniques used in remote locations. 🎭 Warner's background as a playwright influenced his storytelling style, particularly in crafting dialogue and scene transitions, skills he developed while writing for theater productions in Perth.