From USA Today Bestselling authors Sally J. Smith and Jean Steffens comes Kangaroo Dreaming, A Digby Sloan Mystery, the first offering in a humorous, irreverent new mystery series. Digby Sloan, a good-natured Aussie private eye already on probation with his Sydney firm, is sent to England to watch over a much treasured ancient Aboriginal artifact on loan to a London museum. But once they’ve … they’ve landed in London, there’s hardly even time to say “Tie Me Kangaroo Down” before the piece is stolen and bodies start dropping faster than eucalyptus leaves in a drought. Digby’s a good sort who loves his mum and is loyal as a Queensland Heeler, but where work is concerned, he tends to fly by the seat of his pants. And on this case if the detective doesn’t mind his Ps and Qs and stay out of the way of the killer, he won’t have to worry about having a job to go home to. In fact, he might not even live to return to the Land of Oz. Kangaroo Dreaming is a light-hearted mystery with a hero whose list of what he takes seriously is bloody brief. Fortunately for us, Digby himself isn’t even on that list.
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I read this book when it first released and has since changed cover a few time. Fortunately the content remain the same. This is a rather–unusual story–written in a witty voice. The best kind of book in my opinion. Regardless of what the latest cover may look like, read the book. It’s worth it.
“Kangaroo Dreaming” earns 5/5 Ancient Aboriginal Totems!
I really enjoyed this ‘cozy’ romp from authors Sally J. Smith and Jean Steffens. The mystery was clever and the characters were fun…I really like “Sharkfella.” The writing was loads of fun with more than a few moments of ‘giggles’ courtesy of Digby’s dry sense of humor, and the ‘sparks’ in the cottage in the woods? Whew, a wild fire! Much like Christie herself, Smith and Steffens provides an endearing, yet flawed detective team who by their wits sort through the clues, and a mystery not short on twists and turns. I highly recommend this book…a cozy with a bit of an edge!
With an opening line of “I was handcuffed to a kangaroo”, you know this will be a good book. I love the writing team of Sally Smith and Jean Steffens. I don’t know how 2 people can write a story together but they work together like one great mind !! This story was so fun to read because of the Aussie slang. Digby Sloan is a detective paid to watch a statue called “Kangaroo Dreaming” while on exhibit in London. He has a sixth sense that he calls “the little gremilin” When Digby realizes someone is watching him, the gremlin whispers in his ear to be on the lookout for danger.. Sometimes , it even yells it in his ear lol. As the story moves on, he meets the stranger whom he calls “Sharkfella” and is an aboriganie from the tribe who owns the statue, and was also sent to watch over the statue. As I read this story in my mind, I can picture “Mic Dundee”as Digby..same description and voice and this makes the book even better !! There are a few suspects as soon as the statue is stolen. The duo begin to figure out who stole it and why. Even though this is a mystery, there are parts that make you laugh. 2 of my favorites are a conversation in a cab, with Digby, Sharkfella and the cab driver. It projects an image I my mind as a professional comic routine. You have to read this book and you will agree. The next one has to do with a scene where a butler tells them “to walk this way please” and you can just imagine what happens there !!! Such fun.,but all in all a very well written story with a great fast of characters and mystery.
An Aussie private eye, Digby Sloan is in London to watch over a treasured ancient Aboriginal artifact on loan to a London museum. Within hours of delivering the art piece to the museum, the piece is stolen, and the museum curator is murdered. If Digby doesn’t mind his Ps and Qs and stays out of the way of the killer, he might not live to talk about it.
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Series: A Digby Sloan Mystery – Book 1
Author: Sally J. Smith & Jean Steffens
Genre: Mystery/Cozy
Publisher: Smith & Steffens
Kangaroo Dreaming is a wonderful adventure filled with twists and turns. Ms. Smith and Ms. Steffens have crafted a well written, entertaining and creative story. Everything from the London setting where Digby gets lost, to the museum where the murder takes place, are exceptionally detailed without bogging down the story. The characters who find themselves in numerous awkward situations are well rounded with a plethora of human flaws and concerns.
Digby is an easygoing type of guy, he enjoys his job, loves his home country and finds himself following his inner gremlin’s advice more often than not. Which may or may not be a good idea. He can’t mess up this new assignment, or he may find himself out of a job. He is kind, occasionally sarcastic and oftentimes puts more heart into his work than he should, ignoring the rules and flying by the seat of his pants. This leads him into trouble nine times out of ten, but it is also what makes him likable.
All the characters are interesting, and complete opposites of each other. Many of them have secrets and a history they would rather not have exposed. Sharkfella is an intriguing character. He is never rude, or in the way, and like many others, he is more than he seems. His very presence inspires trust, and his eyes hold more than a hint of intelligence. He is quiet, thoughtful and ready to jump in and lend a hand when needed. He is the perfect Ying to Digby’s Yang.
The murder itself is rather gruesome and original. Solving this case will take time, effort and a lot of ingenuity. The reader can easily follow the clues and arrive at the who, what and why of a typical mystery. However, this is not necessarily a fast read, and the clues can be missed if the reader skims over parts. All in all, readers will enjoy Kangaroo Dreaming and want to read more about Digby and his exploits. This book is highly recommended.