OFF SEASON is the first book in author Clive Fleury’s Australian-set police detective series, the "Detective Ryan Mysteries," and I couldn’t be happier about having gotten the opportunity to read this book. Detective Inspector Ramesh Ryan of the Organized Crime Unit in Sydney, Australia, watches in shock as the defendant in his well-prepared, long-investigated case against a local drug kingpin is dismissed after a poor showing by an incompetent prosecuting attorney, and while the defense attorney is still gloating about his win on the news, Ramesh finds himself immediately and indefinitely reassigned to Barton, a small beach town to the north. But rather than a sleepy, off-season, and quiet village, Ramesh walks into an unexpected spike in crime, including deadly drug overdoses and a long-forgotten disappearance.
What an absorbing and satisfying introduction to this unique mystery series! The son of an Indian mother and an Australian father, the main character, Ramesh Ryan, is proudly Australian but struggles with attitudes from supervisors, coworkers, and the public that he is an outsider. I loved his relationship with his mother so much, her desire for him to remember his Indian culture, and her surprise cooking. He is such an engaging character, and I enjoyed his ability to see what others overlooked and his amazing recall. I rooted for this man every step of the way as he wove his way through witnesses with precision and method, and navigated the uneasy situation and relationships at his new posting in Barton.
The plot is complex, with several storylines unfolding at the same time, and I enjoyed how the author revealed all the elements through the eyes of the multiple individuals involved. The action hits the ground, or water, running, and really never lets up as the story switches to another piece of the story and back again. There are a plethora of characters introduced, but the author developed the main actors so distinctly that it was easy to keep everyone straight. I really enjoyed so many of the characters, good guys and bad! I was completely taken by surprise at how quickly the time flew while I was reading, and I will be talking this book up with mystery-loving friends and family.
I recommend OFF SEASON to readers of mysteries, crime fiction, and thrillers.
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Print List Price: EUR 18.73 
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