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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Another amazing story from N R Walker. This is a contemporary mm story set in NSW Australia. Main characters are August a cold case detective and Jake a country cop. Full of suspense and a very gripping read. Very sad cold cases investigated. This author never fails to engage me with her writing. Such diverse books but all excellent.
I really enjoyed Tallowwood, which my first N R Walker book, and there was plenty to enjoy:
– well drawn, interesting main characters with depth
– a good balance between the crime story and the unfolding romance
– the right level of heat for both the main characters and the story
– slow burn, allowing the who these men were to evolve
– the unusual setting, shifting between Sydney and the rain forest
I’m very glad I found Tallowwood, and would recommend if you like your MM built on crime/mystery.
A great story. Loved it
Highly recommended – I couldn’t put this book down. N.R. Walker
This book proved action/mystery/thriller can be also be a sweet love story with the right characters. Highly recommended.
A chilling Murder Mystery with a sweet romance.
A cold case detective and a constable have to work together when a string of unsolved cold-case suicides are linked to what could be Australia’s worst ever serial killer.
An incredibly suspenseful murder mystery with well-developed characters and a slow-burn romance. This book was written wonderfully, the pacing was great, and the romance felt so natural (loved the age gap). August and Jake’s attraction was undeniable from the beginning of the book. I loved how the story was build up, and the epilogue made me sob.
Yayyyy for the indigenous/aboriginal rep
Fantastic book. Well written fast paced page turner. I thoroughly enjoyed the roller coasters ride.
I had 3 suspects by about a third of the way in. Gave up on one. At any rate I was correct. No I’m not telling who did it. Read the book and find out for yourself. 🙂
A mysterious read!
They must trace the untraceable before the killer takes his next victim…
Or before he stops one of them, permanently…
This book has it all: murder, mystery, romance and danger. It completely hooks you then proceeds to blow your mind.
I already know this book will stay with me for a long time to come. It’s engraved in my heart and brain. It’sso heart breaking, heart shattering and that what makes it a brilliant read – the emotions that it brings out in you.
Full of romance, cold cases, murder, lies, and an unimaginable truth.
Perfect for readers of murder mystery romances.
Well written. Not the usual frustrating “just talk to each other,” but genuine, intelligent characters.
While this one started off a little slow for me with the police procedural aspect, once I got through to the other side, the story came together perfectly.
August and Jake had a wonderful slow burn build to their relationship and I loved how they handled everything as adults should. It made this story and these characters very believable. Some twists took me by surprise and it’s not very often an author can catch me off guard these days.
This was my first book by this author and I will certainly be checking out her backlist! I recommend you check this one out!
Great Writing
An emotive read with a well-developed plot and strong, likeable characters—Jake especially captured my heart. The slow burn romance was sweet and beautifully timed. It was refreshing to see a couple grow naturally and journey with them, especially in an Australian setting.
Oh how much i loved the character Jake, bossy, chatty and sweet. The boy next door but a boss in the bedroom. Just what August needs after whats happened to him. A great plot and guessing who the killer is. Well written.
This book is both an atmospheric and twisty murder mystery and an emotional male/male romance. In a nutshell: small-town cop teams up with a big city investigator (who has a tragic past) to track down a serial killer. The small-town cop and the big city investigator are complete opposites, and yet they work so well together. It was a joy to see Shaw open himself up to happiness again. I also deeply appreciated that one of the main characters isn’t white. A great read!
As always, Ms. Walker has delivered another winner. Jacob and August were amazing together professionally and as they developed their personal relationship. I cried and laughed and cried some more and at the end, my heart was full.
Tallowwood – N R Walker.
Once again N R Walker writes such an enthralling book that you cannot put down.
Crime come in different forms , Sydney Detective August Shaw has been working on Cold Cases .
Senior Constable Jacob Porter lives in the middle of the rain forest in northern
New South Wales.
Both men join together to solve an unsolved crime..
Beautifully written , always exemplary research makes a beautiful wonderful book.
Read through Kindle Unlimited.
Wow! How have I not read this author before?
Tallowwood is a well written procedural mystery romance that sucked me in from the very first page.
August and Jake are interesting and likable characters, even during their worst times. Their relationship and HEA are believable and satisfying.
The underlying story is well thought out and moves along at a steady pace and kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering who the bad guy could be and what would make him into the serial killer that ends up in this book. The secondary characters are supportive of the storyline and add even more mystery to this mystery.
I will read more by this author.
This is an extremely well crafted Murder, conspiracy, corruption mystery romance. Spanning decades, although the romance and the action takes place now. Involving August who thinks he’s “broken” and Jake who’s sure he’s not. We have a police procedural, more murders, a great cast of good and bad guys, in a wide geographical area. There’s a good bit of heartache and some laugh out loud moments too. With an exciting conclusion and a great epilogue. This book ticks all the boxes.
NR Walker always writes good work, she has definitely tucked Murder Mystery under her genre belt
This book kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I love romantic suspense stories and this is one of the best. This book is about grief and healing. About hope. A lot of sadness, there were times I cried a lot. The suspense is top notch and I don’t want to say much about the cases because I’m afraid I might spoil it.
Jake and August are perfect together. August is adorable, I love how Jake made him blush so easily.
Jake’s family and friends are amazing and those scenes always made me smile. Jake and August are opposites but fit together like a puzzle. The romance and mystery are equally important.
I love everything about this book, especially the kookaburras.
The epilogue was wonderful, it made me so happy.
It’s been a while since I sat and read a book in one sitting, I just couldn’t put this book down. For NR Walker’s first murder mystery she totally knocked it out the park. Saying that, in no way did the romance take a backseat, it was a perfect mix of romance and suspense. Definitely recommend.
I read it for the mystery and because the author is one of my favorites.
I figured out early who was doing the killings but I still enjoyed the book.
Good on mystery but don’t go in thinking it’s going to be a heavy in the sack romance.