About this ebook
Claudia Valentine must play a deadly high-tech game with the menacing overlord of Sydney's cancerous network of crime and corruption in Marele Day's wryly humorous, witty and fast-paced mystery.
From the author of the bestselling Lambs of God.
Mark Bannister, writing 'the bestseller of the century' is found dead at his computer - the victim of a murder so perfect that Claudia Valentine smells a rat. and wants it caught.
The chase leads deep into the murky underworld of Sydney - a world where bright, tough Claudia must play a deadly high-tech game of cat and rat with the menacing overlord of the city's cancerous network of crime and corruption.
Witty, wryly humorous and fast-paced, The Life and Crimes of Harry Lavender is a mystery with a twist, which brilliantly exposes the seamy action below the surface of the city's glittering facade.
'Earns Day a place up there in the first league of female crime writers.' - Time Out
'Sam Spade in a frock. it's almost more than flesh and blood can bear! Claudia Valentine is smart, sassy and sexy, even when she's up to her eyeballs in mystery and intrigue.' - Christine Hogan
'A racy, rollercoaster hunt through Sydney.' - Melbourne Times
From the author of the bestselling Lambs of God.
Mark Bannister, writing 'the bestseller of the century' is found dead at his computer - the victim of a murder so perfect that Claudia Valentine smells a rat. and wants it caught.
The chase leads deep into the murky underworld of Sydney - a world where bright, tough Claudia must play a deadly high-tech game of cat and rat with the menacing overlord of the city's cancerous network of crime and corruption.
Witty, wryly humorous and fast-paced, The Life and Crimes of Harry Lavender is a mystery with a twist, which brilliantly exposes the seamy action below the surface of the city's glittering facade.
'Earns Day a place up there in the first league of female crime writers.' - Time Out
'Sam Spade in a frock. it's almost more than flesh and blood can bear! Claudia Valentine is smart, sassy and sexy, even when she's up to her eyeballs in mystery and intrigue.' - Christine Hogan
'A racy, rollercoaster hunt through Sydney.' - Melbourne Times
Ratings and reviews
2.0
1 review
Graham Pitcher
- Flag inappropriate
- Show review history
December 17, 2018
The Life and Crimes of Harry Lavender has gone to great lengths to establish a relatable setting. It shows strong characterisation, particularly in the duality of Claudia Valentine as both hard boiled detective and grieving daughter. Ultimately the book feels let down by the conflict. The omnipresent hidden agents of the antagonist, who provide impossible resistance to the heroine, and unsatisfying ending, make all the trials endured by Claudia seem utterly pointless.
About the author
Marele Day grew up in Sydney and graduated from Sydney University with BA (Hons). Her work experience ranges from fruit picking to academic teaching and she has travelled extensively, taking up temporary residence in Italy, France and Ireland.
The Life and Crimes of Harry Lavender (1988) was Marele Day's first thriller, followed by The Case of the Chinese Boxes (1990), The Last Tango of Delores Delgado (1992) which won the 1993 Shamus Crime Fiction Award, and The Disappearances of Madalena Grimaldi (1994). In 1996, Day was the general editor of and contributor to How to Write Crime. And in 1997, Day published her bestselling literary novel, Lambs of God, to acclaim in Australia and overseas.
The Life and Crimes of Harry Lavender (1988) was Marele Day's first thriller, followed by The Case of the Chinese Boxes (1990), The Last Tango of Delores Delgado (1992) which won the 1993 Shamus Crime Fiction Award, and The Disappearances of Madalena Grimaldi (1994). In 1996, Day was the general editor of and contributor to How to Write Crime. And in 1997, Day published her bestselling literary novel, Lambs of God, to acclaim in Australia and overseas.
Reading information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.