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The Broken Shore Audiobook
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(3.02) - 1,361 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Shaken by a scrape with death, big-city detective Joe Cashin is posted away from the homicide squad to the quiet town on the South Australian coast where he grew up. Carrying physical scars and not a little guilt, he spends his time playing the country cop, walking his dogs, and thinking about how it all was before. When a prominent local person is attacked and left for dead, Cashin is thrust into what becomes a murder investigation. The evidence points to three boys from the nearby aboriginal community, whom everyone seems to want to blame. But Cashin is unconvinced and soon begins to see the outlines of something far more terrible than a burglary gone wrong.
Winner of Australia’s major prize for crime fiction, The Broken Shore is a transfixing novel about a place, a family, politics, power, and the need to live decently in the world.
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"I still can't be sure I hadn't read this back in 2007 when it came out. I remembered the cover but the plot on the dust jacket didn't sound familiar. As I started it "again" some parts sounded familiar, others completely alien, but I had the thought that I loved this book even before I picked it up "again." And I was right. This book is one of those mysteries that transcends the genre and can be called literature. Vivid imagery of the place and emotional introspection are all over this work. The main character is a familiar one, the used up police officer. He's left the big city to go home to the country when a big murder occurs. He just wants to be left alone but duty calls. And so he begins not just a homicide investigation but a journey of self discovery too. It soon becomes apparent that the murder victim, the suspects, and the investigator are all "broken" souls on the broken shore. An Australian glossary is provided for all the slang. You'll need it. Like real life not everything is wrapped up at the end. Would love to see more of Detective Cachin in another book from Temple. Should be a movie."
— Chris (4 out of 5 stars)
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“A towering achievement that brings alive a ferocious landscape and a motley assortment of clashing characters…Indispensable.”
— Guardian (London) -
“Beautifully written…Byzantine plot twists and incisively drawn characters combine with stunning descriptions of the wild, lush, menacing Australian landscape to make this an unforgettable read.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“Hosking’s characters are instantly and subtly rendered, springing to life quickly in listeners’ minds. And his reading of Temple’s descriptions of the Australian countryside, ranging from lush to rough, is a virtual audio trip to the source.”
— Publishers Weekly (audio review) -
“Hosking’s performance…bring[s] a host of truthful characters to light. There can be little doubt that this is an Australian original—earthy, raw, and savage, yet as breathtaking and surprising as the country itself.”
— AudioFile -
“This deeply intelligent thriller starts slowly, builds inexorably, and ends unforgettably.”
— Booklist (starred review)
The Broken Shore Listener Reviews
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" An okay read. Was actually expecting more after reading the reviews. Easy to read with short chapters, {great for busy people}. Heaps of "colourful" language but it just had to be there to give a true interpretation of the story. "
— Melissa, 2/4/2014 -
" Possibly the best Australian book I have ever read! "
— Maria, 2/3/2014 -
" Love a good crime thriller, even better when it's an Aussie author!! "
— Chrissie, 1/26/2014 -
" Loved this. So noir. Temple's language is economical as hell, but still real evocative. Oozes Australia. Went in expecting a detective novel, only got it in the last half, but it's gripping all the way through. "
— Rich, 1/18/2014 -
" This is not a book you should read too fast, "chasing the story", because it is beautifully written. The story progresses very slowly until you near the end, when the level of violence becomes quite distressing (and I am not very sensitive), so be warned! "
— Annalie, 1/13/2014 -
" Yet another washed up ex-detective story? Yes but one that is so well written that I didn't want it to finish. A great plot and a raft of believable characters. A novel with a real sense of place and a great atmosphere. "
— Pete, 1/7/2014 -
" A good mystery. Lots of lingo to learn. Parts of it I liked a lot. Good concise writing. "
— Lnelson, 11/18/2013 -
" Another book I came across in an Oz airport bookstore (book shop, there). A complex takle of murder, mayhem, racial prejudice and corruption in the Victorian police force. Let's hope it's not accurate (but I fear it is). Beautiful writing, complex plot and characters make this a delicious read. "
— Marketingguy, 8/11/2013 -
" Killer story, main character - want to read more australian crime. "
— Poppy, 2/2/2013 -
" I loved this book. It isn't often I laugh out loud while reading. I thoroughly enjoyed the bone-dry humour of The Broken Shore. At the same time it is a good crime story. "
— Leanne, 1/11/2013 -
" Wonderful crime fiction - probably one of the most nuanced and engaging one I've ever read. Language is tight and characterization sharp. Great! "
— Kim, 5/3/2012 -
" A very well written crime novel. The plot and characters are formulaic, but the dialog is interesting and slightly obtuse, as if the reader is over hearing private conversations. "
— Shawn, 11/26/2011 -
" Got as far as page 90. Plot driven crime thriller. Was not doing it for me but liked the Oz setting. "
— chris, 11/16/2011 -
" Interesting protagonist. Some insight into Australian treatment of aboriginals. "
— Joan, 4/17/2011 -
" I'm from the US and I've been living in Australia for several years now. What I love about this writer is how he really captures the language of Oz. Confusing? Yes. Hard to follow sometimes? Yes. Poetic, playful, authentic? Emphatically yes. "
— Leighana, 4/5/2011 -
" Ok had to get use to the Austrian Slang. Long so solw parts the ending got exciting. "
— Gail, 3/2/2011 -
" Um policial de alta qualidade, de 1 a 10 dou um 11! ( Abismo de Sangue ) "
— Babete, 2/4/2011 -
" Good mystery novel. Takes place in Australia and contains lots of good deception, detective work, violence and darkness. "
— Jae, 2/1/2011 -
" This is not a book you should read too fast, "chasing the story", because it is beautifully written. The story progresses very slowly until you near the end, when the level of violence becomes quite distressing (and I am not very sensitive), so be warned! "
— Annalie, 1/6/2011 -
" An okay read. Was actually expecting more after reading the reviews. Easy to read with short chapters, {great for busy people}. Heaps of "colourful" language but it just had to be there to give a true interpretation of the story. "
— Melissa, 12/31/2010 -
" <br/>The best Australian crime writer going around? Probably. "
— Nicko, 12/29/2010 -
" I liked the smart detective with the sharp wit. Learned some Aussie words.Would like to read more from this author with the good sense of humor. "
— William, 12/10/2010 -
" Great stuff - a huge cut above most murder mysteries. Set in rural Australia -- very atmospheric. <br/> <br/>Made me want to take a vacation. "
— Frank, 11/27/2010
About Peter Temple
Peter Temple is the author of eight crime novels, five of which have won the Ned Kelly Award for crime fiction. He has worked as a journalist and editor for newspapers and magazines in several countries. He lives in Victoria, Australia.
About Peter Hosking
Peter Hosking is an actor and voice over artist, currently based in Prague, Czech Republic.