When A Date to Die For came to me for consideration for publication, I was surprised and delighted at the quality of the work and snapped it up for publication right away. The depth of characterisation sets this story apart from countless other who-done-it-style stories. The author skilfully teases out the clues, and yet, when the truth was revealed, I was as surprised at the perpetrator as the detectives investigating the case.
Description
Set in contemporary Australia, Joe, a NSW police detective with a suitcase full of emotional baggage, and his partner, Tess, a tart-tongued Italian beauty, investigate a baffling series of three killings with complex connections. In order to catch the killer before he strikes again, they must match their wits against an intelligent and highly organised serial killer, who uses a gay dating site to lure his victims – all young, attractive women – into his clutches. The only clues at each of the bloody murder scenes are a cryptic note and a white rose.
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Reviews for A Date To Die For
RECOMMENDED by the US Review
‘Set in contemporary Australia, this foray into the oft-examined world of serial killings manages to set itself apart from the majority of such thrillers. Corben is a skillful storyteller who intricately weaves police procedure, individual angst, and ongoing suspense into a compelling drama. The author’s dialogue is crisp and has the sound of real conversation. Her premeditated reveal of pertinent information doesn’t impede the tale’s pace. Rather, it motivates the reader to expand his or her list of potential suspects even as the principal characters are whittling theirs down. For a debut novel, Corben is off to a first-rate start.’
– Joe Kilgore, The US Review.
‘Gaylene B. Corben has created characters the reader can identify and empathize with, a tantalizing mystery with red herrings and false trails, and complex, three-dimensional antagonists. After building a logical case from the ground up, our heroes—and you, dear reader—are hit between the eyes with a surprise that will leave you breathless. Ms. Corben is a mystery writer to keep an eye on.’
– Charles Ray, author.
A well-written crime novel with a sparky relationship and dialogue between two protagonists Detectives Joe Paterson and Tessa Mariani. Young women are being murdered and Joe and Tessa are working against the clock to find a connection between them before the killer strikes again.
Both detectives have their own worries and secrets to contend with and these are well-drawn with the investigation set against them. Another detective, Paul Shipway, has problems of his own and must come to terms with a criminal he hoped to put away being found not guilty. The relationships – actual and potential – of Joe and Tessa also feature as a backdrop.
Add in numerous cultural references – songs, books, films etc – and this makes for a rich mix and a compelling read.
– Barbara Scott Emmett
About the Author Gaylene B. Corben
Gaylene B Corben is a compliance specialist living on the beautiful South Coast of NSW. She has a Biology degree, a post graduate Compliance degree, a Diploma of Education and has completed courses at the Australian Writers’ Centre. Gaylene has transitioned from teaching high school students, to writing policy documents and training guides in the financial services industry, to writing her debut novel.
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