Resurrection Bay

Caleb Zelic, a profoundly deaf private investigator in Melbourne, discovers his childhood friend murdered and launches an investigation to find the killer. Working alongside his partner Frankie Reynolds, a former police officer, Caleb navigates a complex web of relationships and hidden motives. The investigation forces Caleb to return to his hometown of Resurrection Bay, where he must confront both his past and his present limitations. His deafness, while presenting daily challenges, gives him unique investigative abilities through his heightened observation of human behavior and body language. The novel moves through Melbourne's urban landscape and the coastal town of Resurrection Bay, creating a stark Australian setting for this noir crime story. The narrative integrates the realities of deaf culture and communication while maintaining the pace of a thriller. This first installment in the Caleb Zelic series examines themes of isolation, trust, and the complexity of human connection through the lens of a character who straddles multiple worlds.

Readers highlight the unique perspective of a deaf protagonist and the authentic portrayal of deaf culture. The mystery plot and Melbourne setting earned praise for their gritty realism. Many noted the fast pace and tight writing style. Liked: - Complex character development of Caleb Zelic - Accurate representation of lip reading and communication challenges - Strong sense of Australian location and culture - Sharp dialogue and intense action sequences Disliked: - Some found the plot hard to follow at times - A few readers wanted more background on supporting characters - Several mentioned difficulty adjusting to Australian terminology Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (450+ ratings) BookDepository: 4/5 (200+ ratings) "The authenticity of Caleb's experiences as a deaf investigator sets this apart," wrote one Goodreads reviewer. Another noted: "The writing drops you right into Melbourne's underbelly without hand-holding through Aussie culture and slang."

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🔍 The novel won multiple awards including the prestigious Ned Kelly Award for Best First Fiction and was shortlisted for the UK's CWA John Creasey Dagger. 📚 Author Emma Viskic learned Auslan (Australian Sign Language) and spent time with the deaf community while researching for the character of Caleb Zelic. 🏃‍♂️ Resurrection Bay is the first book in the Caleb Zelic series, which now includes four novels following the deaf investigator's cases. 🌏 The book's setting, Resurrection Bay, is inspired by the real coastal town of Port Phillip Bay in Victoria, Australia, known for its rugged beauty and historical significance. 🎭 Viskic's background as a classical clarinetist influenced her writing, particularly in how she portrays Caleb's heightened awareness of visual cues and body language to compensate for his deafness.