Tony Cavanaugh on Blood River

Aussie crime fiction is more than having a moment, and Blood River cements Tony Cavanaugh as one of our finest crime authors. If you loved the atmosphere of Scrublands (Chris Hammer) and the storytelling mastery of The Broken Shore (Peter Temple), you'll love Blood River. Join Tony as he discusses this gripping new crime thriller with BAD19 Crime Writers' Festival co-organiser Catherine du Peloux Menagé.

This is a free event but RSVPs are essential. Reserve your place now!

About the Book

Brisbane 1999. It’s hot. Stormy. Dangerous. The waters of the Brisbane River are rising. The rains won't stop. People’s nerves are on edge. And then . . . A body is found. And then another. And another. A string of seemingly ritualised but gruesome murders. All the victims are men. Affluent. Guys with nice houses, wives and kids at private schools. All have had their throats cut.

Homicide Detective Constable Lara Ocean is facing her, and Brisbane’s, first serial killer investigation. She knows the theory, she’s read about Bundy, Hindley and the BTK killer. Chasing down a murderer without a motive means leaving the rules behind. And her partner knows how to do that. The pressure is on. Politicians, the media and the terrified community just want a conviction. But could a seventeen-year-old girl really be guilty? Get it right, you’re a hero and the city is a safer place. Get it wrong and you destroy a young life. And a killer will remain free.

Brisbane 2019. The city is drought stricken, waiting for a storm to break. After twenty years, a prisoner is finally ready to admit their guilt. And a murderer has the chance to kill again. Soon, everyone will know the truth.

Praise for Tony Cavanaugh

“Chilling and memorable; top-notch Aussie Noir” – Weekend Australian on Promise

"Compulsive reading, Promise itself is more menacing, more disturbing and much more confronting than any other crime thriller on the shelves. It is brutal. It is terrifying. It is a brilliant book.” - Rob Minshell, ABC Radio on Promise

About the Author

Tony Cavanaugh is an Australian crime novelist, screenwriter and film and television producer. He has over thirty years experience in the film industry, has lectured at several universities and has been a regular guest on radio commenting on the film and television industry. Tony was nominated for the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for the screenplay Father and the Queensland Premier’s Literary Award for the screenplay Through My Eyes. His Darian Richards novels which include Promise, Dead Girl Sing, The Train Rider and Kingdom of the Strong have been highly praised both here, in Germany and in France.