Cold cases, murder, lies, and an unimaginable truth. Sydney Detective August Shaw has spent the last decade of work solving cold cases. Since the death of his boyfriend eight years ago, August works alone, lives alone, is alone–and that’s exactly how he likes it. His work is his entire life, and he’s convinced a string of unsolved cold-case suicides are linked to what could be Australia’s worst … Australia’s worst ever serial killer. Problem is, no one believes him.
Senior Constable Jacob Porter loves his life in the small town of Tallowwood in the middle of the rainforests in northern New South Wales. He runs summer camps for the local Indigenous kids, plays rugby with his mates, has a close family, and he’s the local LGBTQIA+ Liaison and the Indigenous Liaison Officer.
When human remains are found in the camping grounds at Tallowwood Reserve, Jake’s new case turns out to be linked to August’s cold cases, and Jake agrees they’re not suicides at all. With Jacob now firmly in August’s corner, they face one hurdle after another. Even when more remains are found, they can’t seem to gain ground.
But when the body of a fellow police officer turns up under the same MO, it can’t be ignored anymore. August and Jake must trace the untraceable before the killer takes his next victim or before he stops one of them, permanently.
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I’ve been putting off writing this review because I just wasn’t sure what to say about this book, other than I loved it. It’s definitely going to be in my top favorites of the year.
I love how Ms. Walker is able to write such diverse stories- you never get the same thing twice from her, and that’s why she’s become one of my very favorite authors.
Tallowwood is such a unique story- so heartwrenching, yet completely enthralling. The fact that some of it is based off a true story makes it all the more captivating. I loved the characters- August really grabbed my heart. He’s carried such a heavy weight for so long, I was hurting right along with him. Jake was a much needed lightness in his life.
The premise of the book was really intriguing, and even though I had an idea of the “who”, the “why” was still a mystery until the very end. And talk about that ending- 13% left and I was on pins and needles and my heart was racing!
This is definitely a romantic suspense, heavier on the suspense, and I did not mind that at all. I thought August and Jake were so sweet together, and I loved seeing their relationship grow. But I really enjoyed the suspense and mystery of Tallowwood, and I’m so glad Ms. Walker took a chance on a different type of story, and I hope she does so again!
I enjoyed the book, even though the plot line did not make a lot of sense, for the most part
This was absolutely fantastic! A must read! The story is simply riveting, the plot twists are numerous and unexpected, the characters are complex and real, the feelings the story evokes are intense. Told from dual POV it’s full of angst and raw pain, mildly steamy and with detailed investigative work that shows both characters as consummate professionals and decent human beings. This is a story of healing, letting go and taking a chance.
August Shaw, cold case detective from Sydney, and Jacob Porter, senior constable from Tallowwood, couldn’t be any more different. August is closed off, gruff and a loner while Jacob is friendly, open hearted and genuinely happy with his life. These men are on different life paths, but an accidental discovery of human remains merges their paths into one and gives them an opportunity of a lifetime – to catch a killer who has gone undetected for decades, to bring closure to families who have suffered long enough, to heal broken hearts and to find love again. The slow building relationship tells both men’s stories. The case and immediate proximity brings August and Jacob close, gives them a chance to develop feelings as well as delve deep into the case that gets stranger by the second.
I loved their work together. The procedural elements were so well researched and made this book simply outstanding. I loved the intense deep emotions both men felt regarding each other, the past and the case that would haunt them for the rest of their lives. This is not a fluffy steamy romance, but the profound bond that August and Jacob form within the short time period is more intimate and thrilling than any sexual intercourse. The support and understanding they show each other coupled with brilliant investigative skills makes this story unforgettable. I loved this so much. One of the best books of 2019 for me! I highly recommend it!
Wow! Couldn’t put it down! A gritty murder mystery, possible serial killer, beautiful men, and a couple of kookie kookaburras… Written by a fantastic author… What’s not to love… Edge of your seat terrific read!
Tallowwood is one of those rare books that completely sucked me in! Once I started this book I could not stop! Like most of NR Walker’s stories, you never really know what you are getting into.
After the loss of his boyfriend, August has shut himself off from the rest of the world. He immerses himself in solving cold cases. Jake, on the other hand is almost the complete opposite. Jake and August come together to try to prove a string of suicides are actually murders. The slowly unfolding case matches the pace of the budding relationship between Jake and August. Both men end up learning a lot from each other.
The mystery part of this story was fantastic. After reading hundreds of mysteries, I can usually figure out the “bad guy” before the big reveal but this one had me guessing until the end.
This was an intense story full of mystery, life, death and romance. I recommend this to everyone!!!
I have read almost everything NR Walker has released and one thing I absolutely love about her stories is you never know exactly what you are going to get. Each story is so individual from others it keeps you on your toes and Talllowwood did exactly that.
Detective August Shaw works the cold cases that everyone else seems to forget about, he does it with strength, conviction, dedication and heart, since he knows first hand how the families of these forgotten victims feel.
Senior Constable Jacob Porter lives in a one horse town where everyone knows everyone business, but when a body or two pop up that brings Shaw to Porter’s doorstep, things change.
This tiny little town holds a dark secret and it will take 2 dedicated police officers to find out who the killer is before they become victims themselves.
This book had some amazing plot twists that I never saw coming, and I sincerely hope the characters keep talking to the author as I would really love to see more stories with them