The breaktaking new thriller from the author of Hades, winner of the Ned Kelly award for Best Debut Crime Novel. 'I fool myself that Eden has a heart – that she would at least have trouble killing me...'
Most police duos run on trust, loyalty, and the desire to see killers in court. But Detective Frank Bennett's partner, the enigmatic Eden Archer, has nothing to offer him but darkness and danger. She doesn't mind catching killers – but it's not the courthouse where her justice is served.
And now Eden is about to head undercover to find three missing girls. The only link between the victims is a remote farm where the desperate go to hide and blood falls more often than rain. For Frank, the priority is to keep his partner monitored 24/7 while she's there – but is it for Eden's protection, or to protect their suspects from her?
Across the city at the Utulla Tip, someone is watching Hades Archer, a man whose criminal reputation is the stuff of legend. Unmasking the stalker for him might be just what Frank needs to stay out of trouble while Eden's away.
But it's going to take a trip into Hades's past to discover the answers - and what Frank uncovers may well put everyone in danger . .
a real page-turner
Eden is the second novel by Australian author, Candice Fox. It is the sequel to her first novel, Hades, and, perversely, it reveals the history of Heinrich “Hades†Archer in a narrative interspersed with an account of events since the deaths of Eric Archer, serial killer, Jason Beck and the woman who escaped his cage, Martina Ducote. It is, therefore, essential to read Hades first.
Detective Frank Bennett is barely existing since the death of his lover, but Eden Archer is determined he will resume his role as her partner. There are three case of young women gone missing, and they have thug Jackie Rye’s farm in common. If Eden is going to go undercover, she need’s Frank’s backup. But Hades is demanding Frank’s time too: it seems he has a stalker at Utillo tip, and he wants to know why. However, Frank has to complete his sessions with police psychologist, Imogen Stone, before he can join Eden on the case, and facing his demons is something he resists at every turn.
This sequel has two main plotlines: one involving a cold case disappearance, the other set in the present day. Both plots have clues and red herrings, and clever twists at the end. The narrative dealing with young Hades will answer some questions raised by the first novel. The action is non-stop, and Eden proves again that she can look after herself very well. This gripping novel is a very satisfying sequel, and readers will wonder if there is more to come of Archer and Bennett. At least as good as Hades, if not better, this is a real page-turner.
Marianne, 22/04/2015
