Trust

Trust centers on journalist Martin Scarsden and his partner Mandalay Blonde as they investigate financial misconduct in Sydney's banking world. After a source's suspicious death, they work to expose corruption at corporate and regulatory levels. The story shifts between Sydney's financial district and a small coastal town, where Martin and Mandalay confront escalating threats while pursuing leads. Their investigation connects modern banking crimes to historical misdeeds that still influence the present. The novel combines investigative journalism with elements of crime fiction, following multiple threads of corporate malfeasance, personal vendettas, and hidden connections. Key figures from Australia's banking elite, religious institutions, and media organizations become entangled in the expanding case. The narrative explores themes of power, accountability, and the complex nature of trust in institutions and relationships. It raises questions about the true cost of financial misconduct and the challenge of exposing systemic corruption in a world where truth itself can be bought and sold.

Readers found Trust to be slower-paced than Chris Hammer's previous books, with many noting it took until the 30% mark to gain momentum. Readers liked: - The complex financial crime storyline - Character development of Martin and Mandy - Sydney setting details and real estate market insights - Resolution of plotlines from earlier books Readers disliked: - Slow start and pacing issues - Too much technical banking/finance detail - Multiple timeline shifts causing confusion - Less action compared to Hammer's other works One reader said "The story gets bogged down in financial minutiae that could have been streamlined." Another noted "The payoff in the final third makes the slower buildup worthwhile." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (850+ ratings) Book Depository: 4.1/5 (200+ ratings) Several reviewers mention it works better for readers already familiar with the series characters rather than as a standalone.

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🔍 "Trust" is Chris Hammer's fourth crime novel, following his successful Martin Scarsden trilogy. 📚 The book's intricate plot weaves together two timelines: one in contemporary Sydney and another in the 1980s banking world. 🏦 The author drew from his 30-year career as a journalist, including his experience covering financial and banking stories, to create authentic details about Sydney's financial sector. 🌏 While Hammer's previous novels were set in rural Australia, "Trust" marks his first major work centered in urban Sydney. 🏆 The novel was longlisted for the 2021 Ned Kelly Award for Best Crime Fiction, one of Australia's most prestigious literary crime awards.