The Drowning

A work of rattling and serpentine suspense ... gripping and sinuous and so, so good. Trent Dalton

The Drowning has all the hallmarks of great Aussie crime writing ... Brown's punchy prose makes this novel absolutely devourable, and all will be revealed in due time. The Drowning is highly recommended holiday reading. Better Reading

The body of a local teenage boy is found on the beach of a sleepy northern New South Wales town. David went for an evening swim and got into trouble . . . at least, that's what it looks like.

Three weeks before, Leila, a young backpacker, didn't turn up for her shift at the local café. Benny, the owner, isn't worried. It happens - backpackers are always on the move. There'll be another one.

One of the locals, Adrian, has been a help to Benny. He's found him a nice little sideline. Not exactly legal. Is that all Adrian is arranging on the coast? He once was a cop but has he gone bad?

And in the backblocks outside town, a bikie gang is gearing up for a large consignment from South America.

Murder, drugs, liaisons and lies are stirring up this small coastal town.

With Bryan Brown's characteristic laconic storytelling - humorous, tough and suspenseful - the secrets of this seemingly idyllic town slowly come to the surface.

Praise for The Drowning:

Actor Bryan Brown's impressive debut novel weaves an intriguing tapestry of sub-plots to create a roller-coaster and chilling Aussie thriller. Australian Women's Weekly

Dark and dirty but compulsive all at once. The Daily Telegraph

Unique, disruptive and yet recognisably Australian, The Drowning is a page-turning, multi-layered Australian crime thriller that will intrigue and satisfy fans of Chris Hammer, Dave Warner and Jock Serong. Books + Publishing

A thriller with cinematic sensibilities ... come for the name; stay for the writing. Good Reading

Absolutely mesmerising ... a cracking story. The Weekend Australian

Gripping, realistic, and made for compulsive reading. Theresa Smith Writes