Award-winning Australian Author Matthew Spencer
Matthew is a former journalist and editor for The Australian newspaper. Black River, his debut novel, was the winner of the 2023 Inaugural Danger Award for Debut Crime Fiction.
His latest book, Broke Road, is out now.
'As soon as I'd finished Black River, Spencer's award-winning debut, I was greedy for the next one.
Spencer is a dab hand at the humorous throwaway remark or comparison: there are several laugh out loud--read again--and laugh again moments.
A trail of flame burned these pages as I tore through them. Spencer has a few writerly super powers but one of his strongest is his meticulous police procedural.
When you open a Spencer book, you are not only in safe hands, you are watching a meticulous craftsman at work. I'm happy to call it now. There will be awards.
You are in for a fast intelligent ride on Broke Road. Best buckle up!'
'Spencer is a master of the craft; Broke Road satisfies on every level.'
'Black River showed Spencer's expertise in building a world with familiar surfaces and dark undercurrents. Broke Road is another taut, compelling crime thriller set in a community in transition: wineries in the sunshine, struggling mining towns in the shadows. The suspense builds in each scene as Riley and Bowman try to unlock the secrets behind a brutal slaying.'
— MALCOLM KNOX - AUTHOR
'A great read.'
'Place, pace and brilliantly detailed police procedure. Matthew’s Broke Road has everything you'd want from a crime thriller. Well drawn characters driving an intricate sophisticated plot.'
'A tightly plotted, fast moving, beautifully written whodunnit.'
'Broke Road is a real page-turner. I even stayed up late to finish it … and that never happens!'
— JANE CARO - AUTHOR
'Enthralling. Matthew nails it.'
'If you like a good police procedural, you'll love this.'
‘The book is skilfully written and cleverly structured with a cast of characters sufficient to keep the crime fiction habitué well served for suspects and with a fluid pace that makes it highly readable.
Black River is a complex work; like all our best crime fiction it insists that we look closely at contemporary society.’
‘Wholly absorbing suspense, intricate plotting, and terrific characters makes BLACK RIVER fiercely readable.
BLACK RIVER gets a maximum unputdownability rating.’
— RICHARD COTTER - SYDNEY ARTS GUIDE
‘Impressive entry unto Australia’s crime writing ranks. Spencer maintains the momentum and the interest at a high level as the story builds to a gripping finale.
It is a very enjoyable read.’
‘Spencer has created characters who are very real, with flaws in their makeup which adds a dose of realism to the story, giving the story an edginess that draws you in and refuses to let go until the killer is caught.’
‘A sign of a good read is its freshness when read a second time and Black River achieves this. I would certainly recommend it to murder/ mystery fans for its engaging, well-paced story and range of interesting characters.’
‘Spencer hits a sweet spot of character, place, and plot – delivering a page-turning thriller that along the way also has a few things to say about present-day Australia and its institutions.’
‘Black River reads like a Sydney-based Ed McBain 87th Precinct novel, with all the mechanics down pat.
Spencer masterfully builds his plot … ratcheting tension superbly until its nail-biting climax … his prose seemingly honed at the school of Elmore Leonard who knew better than anyone to leave out what readers skip. There’s a lot left unsaid … plenty to explore in sequels I can’t wait to read.’
‘Black River lives up to the hype. It's a compelling read.’ ’Can't wait for the sequel which he's working on now.’
‘A new book so professionally crafted and fluently written I’d defy readers to pick it as the author’s first novel.
Brisk, slangy dialogue and aphoristic one-liners propel Spencer’s narrative towards its violent climax. Hands up for a sequel.’
'A debut like few others, this tale feels vibrant and real for an array of reasons . . . The plotting is masterful and the setting faithful to the rugged Australian landscape. Spencer has made a statement in this outstanding debut. Black River has the potential to be one of the best police procedural novels of 2022.’
'This definitely kept me guessing the whole way through. I definitely will be reading Matthew’s next book!'
'Black River is a fine read, breathing new life into the urban police procedural and the predictability of the serial killer thriller while offering trenchant observations about people and place that ring infallibly true. Such is the power of good crime fiction.'
'I loved BLACK RIVER. Dark, gritty, tense, atmospheric. Dash of humour. Give this Aussie crime writing newbie a hearty welcome.'
'Sharply plotted and relentlessly paced, it kept me guessing until the last page.'
'Black River hooked me and wouldn’t let me go.
You’re going to want to read this one with all the lights on.'