Grave The Second Grave: 2

(Paperback)

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Dan Calder is back! In The Second Grave we see Dan at home in New Zealand looking a little more optimistically towards the future, when suddenly he is propelled into another dangerous scenario. A call from Nick Hetherington, his best friend and ex-partner necessitates an unscheduled and early return to his old patch. A prostitute is dead; Nick's daughter Amber is the only suspect and Calder's own brand of investigation is required to unravel the ungodly mess where almost unbelievably the Police now seem to be the enemy. Dan makes the trip back to the homeland to help his old mate but that means facing his darkest moment again as old acquaintances and old enemies set his cupboard full of skeletons rattling once more. New foes, including a local gangster, are prepared to do anything to prevent the truth being revealed. Left at home Calder's girlfriend, Tara, senses he also sees it as an opportunity to settle some unforgotten scores. Their relationship began and developed amid cruel circumstances and it is still fragile at times. For good or bad she already knows him very well and is all too aware he has revenge on his mind. Time and the odds are against Dan. Incredibly so too are the upholders of law itself, his beloved police force. Rushing headlong towards the past - whoever coined the phrase you couldn't even make this stuff up was very wrong - The Second Grave has Calder facing the battle of his life to fulfil a solemn promise to his dearest friend. Dan's unerring ability to attract tragedy strikes when someone is savagely beaten to death leaving him devastated and wondering if he should continue and risk causing even more misery. Just when it seems all is lost a lifeline appears from the most outrageous corner imaginable and all their destinies take a shocking turn. The odds are against him, time is against him and even the law is against him this time. Calder is in trouble.... so what's new!

Reviews

The suspense of The Agency lies in how Calder will net his prey and in the tantalizing loose ends left by Austin, who with this novel begins a trilogy that promises to answer the intriguing question of what prompted the end of Calder's police career in the UK. Auckland crime fiction is home to a few good men; add Dan Calder to their ranks; Stephanie Jones, Crime Watch, KiwiCrimeBlog

Author Bio

Ian Austin was born in 1963 in Southampton, England; his very un-remarkable school life ended at 16. Drifting into and out of several jobs including hotel porter and photocopier salesman he eventually found his salvation in the Hampshire Police. A career first as a constable and then detective in the UK followed. He also served as a tactical firearms officer, covert surveillance operative and became the youngest ever in terms of service National Crime Squad trainer. Ian suffered a serious injury in 1991 while on duty, his recovery included bouts of severe depression and a lengthy rehabilitation and he realised he needed a change. When the NZ Police launched a recruitment drive to get UK officers to relocate to New Zealand in the early 2000s he took the opportunity and transferred to the New Zealand Police. Having visited several times before he had fallen in love with the country and the Kiwi way of life so it was an easy decision. In 2006 he left the Police and now runs his own training and consultancy business. He self-published his first novel The Ideas Man in 2011 selling in New Zealand, Australia, America and the UK. Ian says: "I never thought I would find something which gives me the job satisfaction I got in the Police but writing does. I'm now writing books based on all my experiences and police training and I am determined to make writing a new career." The Agency, was published in 2016 to great success, and continues to sell well. Ian's writing style is very descriptive, formed over many years of reports, statements and interviews for the Courts and juries requiring detailed reports that paint a picture. His ability to communicate with his audience and allow them to see, hear, feel touch and taste what is happening on the page is as uncommon as it is satisfying. Ian now lives in Auckland with his partner Sallie. Collectively they have five grownup children who are spread over New Zealand, Australia and southern England.