Book Review: Broke Road, by Matthew Spencer

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A how-dunnit in the depths of the Hunter Valley with a familiar feel but lacking the depth of its predecessor.

It’s been two years since the events — and the release — of Matthew Spencer’s debut novel, Black River. Journalist Adam Bowman is now freelance, following the success of his book on the events of that time, maintaining a friendship with lead Detective Rose Riley. So, when Riley receives a late-night phone call about a murder in the Hunter Valley, she entices Bowman to join her, to see what he might be able to uncover.

As the investigation delves deeper, with no sign of forced entry or struggle and a cavalcade of suspects but no leads, there are signs that this is not the first killing of this kind. As Riley and her investigative partner, Priya Patel, look outside the Hunter Valley, they are drawn to similar cases in Adelaide and Canberra.

Back in the Hunter Valley, the investigation twists and turns, pointing in multiple directions at different people and revealing a litany of secrets, lies, and dirty dealings that could sour the grapes of even the most resilient wine maker.

Broke Road follows a similar formula to Black River – a murder, links to prior events (this time discovered after the fact), and the key investigations undertaken by Bowman and Riley. This time, though, the pair are working together without duress.

With Black River, Spencer provided a fast-paced how-dunnit bolstered by the deep personal connection of Adam Bowman to the location, which allowed him to infiltrate the crime scene and provide an emotional drawstring, enhanced by interactions with the senior investigator and a criminal psychologist.

While Broke Road reunites the reader with a key trio of his previous novel – Bowman, Riley and Patel – and tries to tie in a personal connection for Riley to the location, like Bowman had in Black River, it doesn’t work. There is a lack of depth in the emotional connection for Riley, and it feels like a weak hook. There are also superficial links to other characters from the previous novel, which feel like unsatisfying cameos. There is also a feeling that the climax and capture of the perpetrator is rushed, like a corner taken too quickly.

Should Spencer return for a third Bowman-Riley-Patel offering, let’s hope it’s more aligned with the original.