Appeal Denied

I have to admit that I always enjoy a Peter Corris novel about his crusty down to earth hero, Cliff Hardy. "Appeal Denied" was no exception. Corris writes about Sydney, where the novels are based, with a comfortable familiarity. Sydney is presented as a wonderful sometimes sleazy location. It provides an excellent backdrop to the world of private eyes, crime and a criminal underworld. "Appeal Denied" is the latest in a list of some two dozen Cliff Hardy novels. This time, Cliff is facing the end of the road. His appeal against being denied a PI licence is denied. His immediate prospects look bleak. Even more so when his lover is murdered and he is drawn into a web of intrigue and police doublecrossing and corruption. Cliff must use all his wits to keep his head above water. I once had an American friend who described the Cliff Hardy series as the quintessential Sydney novel. He was right. The novels eek Sydney through their pores. One can almost smell the saltiness of the harbour, the grime of its streets and the sweat of its inhabitants. Peter Corris has reproduced Sydney as a novel. I won't spoil the plot for any readers of the review. Suffice to say that Cliff meets danger consistently and, by and large, triumphs. However, the book ends in such away that it's not clear whether there will be a further book. I, for one, can only hope that Cliff Hardy still has more challenges to meet.

I have to admit that I always enjoy a Peter Corris novel about his crusty down to earth hero, Cliff Hardy. "Appeal Denied" was no exception. Corris writes about Sydney, where the novels are based, with a comfortable familiarity. Sydney is presented as a wonderful sometimes sleazy location. It provides an excellent backdrop to the world of private eyes, crime and a criminal underworld. "Appeal Denied" is the latest in a list of some two dozen Cliff Hardy novels. This time, Cliff is facing the end of the road. His appeal against being denied a PI licence is denied. His immediate prospects look bleak. Even more so when his lover is murdered and he is drawn into a web of intrigue and police doublecrossing and corruption. Cliff must use all his wits to keep his head above water. I once had an America friend who described the Cliff Hardy series as the quintessential Sydney novel. He was right. The novels eek Sydney through their pores. One can almost smell the saltiness of the harbour, the grime of its streets and the sweat of its inhabitants. Peter Corris has reproduced Sydney as a novel. I won't spoil the plot for any readers of the review. Suffice to say that Cliff meets danger consistently and, by and large, triumphs. However, the book ends in such away that it's not clear whether there will be a further book. I, for one, can only hope that Cliff Hardy still has more challenges to meet.