Seven Mile Beach

April 6, 2009
Australian author Gilling (The Adventures of Miles and Isabel
) explores the perils of remaking oneself in this beguiling, darkly humorous tale. Nick Carmody’s status as a scholarship student and Danny Grogan’s wealthy background bonded them as “an alliance of outsiders” at boarding school. Nick’s now a journalist on a Sydney tabloid; Danny’s a drug-addicted nightclub owner. When Danny wrecks his sports car, Nick accepts a hefty sum from Danny’s father to claim he was the driver. But this was no ordinary accident—a man who may have been Danny’s drug dealer was killed. Rather than face jail, Nick flees, assuming the identity of a stranger. His new life has a good start, complete with a dog and a girlfriend, until he learns that other men who share his new name are ending up dead. Coincidence? Or is Nick being hunted by the drug dealer’s pals or Danny’s father? Gilling delivers a taut, suspenseful reflection on identity that never pauses for a breath.

May 15, 2009
The latest work from Australian author Gilling ("The Sooterkin") is a deftly constructed psychological thriller that succeeds both as literature and as entertaining escapist reading. From the moment tabloid reporter Nick Carmody stands up in court and tells a seemingly trivial lie to protect a friend, his life spins out of control. Realizing that he can no longer trust his friend's father, who bribed him into testifying, Nick adopts a new identity at an opportune moment and flees Sydney. Although he slips easily into another man's life, Nick faces difficult questions as he confronts the fluid nature of identity and trust, particularly in a new relationship with lover Alison. In his unassuming style, Gilling creates a pitch-perfect slice of urban Australian life and compelling, multifaceted characters whose experiences raise as many questions as they answer. An interesting choice for book clubs, this novel will appeal to readers of both popular and literary fiction.Kelsy Peterson, Johnson Cty. Community Coll., Overland Park, KS

Copyright 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2009
Persuaded by the rich and powerful father of an old school friend, newspaper reporter Nick lies in court, claiming to be the driver caught on a speed camera. After the trial, but before Nick can cash in any of the payoff money, he learns that the same car was involved in a fatal hit and run a short time before it was caught on the camera. Afraid for his life, Nick leaves behind his few friends and, taking only his dog, vanishes completely off the radar of the Sydney police. Once on the run, Nick takes over the identity of another man when he finds an abandoned car, beginning his new life as Kevin Chambers. But who was Kevin Chambers? And has Nick really shrugged free of his former life? Highly suspenseful, with several intriguing twists, Seven Mile Beach is an excellent Australian thriller, one that will leave readers wondering right to the end.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)