Consolation

Winner of the 2021 Ned Kelly Award for Best Crime Fiction

In Consolation, Tiverton’s only police officer Constable Paul Hirschhausen is dealing with a snowdropper. Someone is stealing women’s underwear, and Hirsch knows how that kind of crime can escalate. Then two calls come in: a teacher who thinks a child may be in danger at home. A father on the rampage over at the primary school.

Hirsch knows how things like that can escalate, too. Families under pressure. Financial problems. But it’s always a surprise when the killing starts.

‘Disher is the gold standard for rural noir.’ Chris Hammer

‘Peter Temple and Garry Disher will be identified as the crime writers who redefined Australian crime fiction in terms of its form, content and style.’ Sydney Morning Herald

‘Well written and very entertaining, Consolation cements Disher’s place as the master of outback noir.’ Canberra Weekly

‘This is a book that cannot be praised enough… Read it.’ Herald Sun