Wow, what a debut from Angie Faye Martin!

I love a crime/mystery book and to have one based in Australia, makes it even more special.
This is the kind of book that after only a chapter or two, I knew I would be racing to finish - and I was right.

Centred around Constable Renee Taylor, who returns to the fictional small town of Goorungah, where she grew up, to look after her sick mum - but is thrown right into the deep end when a woman's body is discovered besides a nearby creek.

There hasn't been a case like this since the disappearance of two Indigenous women back in the 60s, and things get weirder as Renee finds evidence that ties the two cases together. As she goes further down the rabbit hole, she learns that this small town is full of secrets and that the true murderer is a lot closer by than she thought.

At first I wasn't sure about the back and forth between Caroline's POV and Renee's current day, but as I learnt more and more about Caroline, it added more intrigue into what really happened to her. The second half had me reeled all the way in and although I picked up on some reveals, the final one had me gasping!

I really, really enjoyed this one and can't wait to see what's next from the author.

Thank you so much to Harlequin AU and Netgalley for the eARC!

I loved this book.
This was a gripping and engaging thriller.
The author's skillful storytelling tackles some of the painful realities experienced by Indigenous Australians, weaving them into a narrative that's both engaging and thought provoking.
I appreciated the opportunity to read this book and look forward to exploring more of Angie's work.
Thanking NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for the opportunity to read and review this book.

EXCERPT: Light was breaking on the horizon as she ran along the dirt driveway, trying not to trip or stumble in the potholes. She reached the wire gate panting and paused to look in both directions. She could see an endless straight bitumen road with fields of wheat on either side, canopied by a vast universe of different stars. It wouldn't take him long to notice she had escaped, to find her again in this dry, flat landscape.

Hurry up. Choose.

ABOUT 'MELALEUCA': A country town, a brutal murder, a shameful past, a reckoning to come... The injustices of the past and dangers of the present envelop Aboriginal policewoman Renee Taylor, when her unwilling return to the small outback town of her childhood plunges her into the investigation of a brutal murder.

Renee Taylor is planning to stay the minimum amount of time in her remote hometown - only as long as her mum needs her, then she is fleeing back to her real life in Brisbane.

Seconded to the town's sleepy police station, Renee is pretty sure work will hold nothing more exciting than delivering speeding tickets. Then a murdered woman is found down by the creek on the outskirts of town.

Leading the investigation, Renee uncovers a perplexing connection to the disappearance of two young women thirty years earlier. As she delves deeper and the mystery unfurls, intergenerational cruelties, endemic racism, and deep corruption show themselves, even as dark and bitter truths about the town and its inhabitants' past rise up and threaten to overwhelm the present...

MY THOUGHTS: Angie Faye Martin has written an impassioned and thought-provoking Aussie outback crime novel that is long overdue. Set over two timelines, the mid-1960s and in 2000, Martin's novel highlights that in many ways the more things change, the more they stay the same.

The 1960s storyline focuses on Caroline, a young Aboriginal woman who lives in the yumba (an Aboriginal camp on the outskirts of town) and who, along with her friend Bessie, goes missing.

The 2000 storyline is that of Renee, an Aboriginal detective on secondment from Brisbane to enable her to look after her ailing mother. The discovery of a young woman's unidentified body on the outskirts of town leads Renee to uncover the case of the two missing Aboriginal girls from years earlier and the lack of investigation into their whereabouts.

Martin explores many acts of blatant bigotry and prejudice in her novel, but balances these with acts of kindness and generosity on the part of some non-Indigenous Australians. This is all seamlessly blended into the determined investigation into the identity of the dead woman, the search for a killer and the determination of the fate of the two young missing women from decades ago. This is a story of generations of secrets that had me frantically turning the pages, totally immersed in the mystery and suspense.

My suspicions shifted from one character to another, to another and onwards, never settling anywhere for long. The ending took me by complete surprise and was immensely satisfying.

I hope this isn't the last we see of Detective Renee Taylor or author Angie Faye Martin. Both have a bright future ahead of them.

Please ensure you read the author's notes at the end of the book. Questions for discussion are also included.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

#Melaleuca #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR: Angie Faye Martin is a writer and editor of Kooma, Kamilaroi and European heritage. With a Bachelor of Public Health from the Queensland University of Technology and a Masters of Anthropology from the Australian National University, Angie spent many years working in policy roles in state and federal government before launching Versed Writings in 2019. Her work has been published in Meanjin, Garland, The Saltbush Review and The Rocks Remain. She is a member of the First Nations Australia Writers Network and accredited with the Institute of Professional Editors. Melaleuca is her debut novel.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harlequin Australia, HQ & MIRA, via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of Melaleuca by Angie Faye Martin for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

This dual timeline crime fiction packs a punch right from the first page. Set in the current timeline of 2000, where an Aboriginal woman is found dead. No one knows the identity of the woman. Renee an Aboriginal policewoman back in the small country town to care for her Mum - is set the task of finding the murderer. Renee stumbles across some information about two missing Aboriginal women (Caroline and Bessie) from 1966 -and the more she digs the more she thinks there is a link. We are also thrown back into the 1966 timeline, from Caroline's point of view, building up to the day the girls went missing. There are twists along the way and we get an insider-view of life for Indigenous people, both back in 1966, and in the current times. It's sad to see things haven't changed enough over the years. I was invested in the story and appreciated the way it was told.

"This was the kind of racism she had grown up with. In the city, people made an effort to hide their prejudice, but out here in good ol' Goorungah they let it all hang out." What a refreshing character police officer, Renee Taylor, was to read in Angie Faye Martin's debut novel, Melaleuca. She's Indigenous, female, and back in her home town to look after her mum, when an Indigenous young woman's body is found. Nobody claims her, and through her investigations, Renee's investigations link it to two Indigenous young women going missing thirty-five years earlier. At the same time, the town erupts into protest, putting Renee in a difficult position. Exactly which side of the fence does a female, Indigenous (Murri) police officer (gunji) sit in racist Australia?

I really enjoyed this book. It raises difficult issues about the violence experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, largely at the hands of white men. It covers domestic servitude, racial segregation, intergenerational trauma, grinding poverty, and the role of police in all of these oppressions. It's well written, and while I found the crime a bit of a stretch because of the length of time it went on for, who am I, particularly as a white woman with the privilege that goes along with that, to say that it's implausible. The made-up Queensland country town is well-described too: "Renee woke at the break of dawn to the sound of birds competing for lyrical supremacy; the cockatoos winning – of course – with their brash screeching, the blanket undertone of the playful lorikeets, a crow's call here and there."

𝕄𝕪 ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘: 4.5/5 ☆

Police officer Renee Taylor is seconded to her small rural hometown to work while she cares for her ill mother . While there the body of young Aboriginal woman is found. Renee heads up the case and while investigating finds links to two Aboriginal women who went missing over 30 years ago.

Melaleuca follows Renee as she investigates in the present day and also follows Caroline 30 years earlier in the lead up to her disappearance. I loved the dual timeline especially the flashbacks to Bessie and her perspective as a young Aboriginal woman working for white people and living in a camp outside of town. I also loved the relationship between Renee and her Mum, a few of their interactions gave me a good laugh.

This was a fantastic Aussie crime debut that I highly recommend. The story easily kept me turning the pages.

This book was truly devastating to read. I think it touched on so many important topics that don’t get discussed often enough. Whilst it was thrilling and intriguing, it was also incredibly moving. Such a phenomenal book that will stick with me forever.

Seconded to the police station of her country home town, Renee Taylor expects a quiet policing life while helping her mother get care for her chronic painful condition.
But on her second day a young indigenous woman is found dead at the creek but no one comes forward to claim her. Being of mixed indigenous race herself Renee has never quite fit into the community while growing up, so when she discovers a connection between two young indigenous women who went missing in the 1960’s, the road blocks suddenly come up.
Told in two time lines between the young women in the 1960’s and present day with Renee, it was an interesting insight to the small town community. With corruption and blackmail at the fore in both periods, it came to a twisty ending that I didn’t see coming.
I enjoyed this book but felt a dark undertone all the way through and for me, it felt a bit slow in some places but that may have been due to the switching of timelines, it certainly ramped up towards the end. I liked Renee’s character her gradual acceptance by the community, so if this was a continuing series I’d have no hesitation to read more.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.

“How do you ever really know someone?” … this is a question and theme that runs through much of this book and is one I keep coming back to now that I have finished reading. It is this question, along with the references to the Melaleuca blossom and tree and all it represents with so many different layers and possibilities, that seemed to shape for me the dual narrative that unfolds the story of both Caroline and Renee and the town of Goorungah.

This is the debut novel for Angie Faye Martin and yet she writes with such depth and skill that I was quickly drawn in and felt part of the tragic events unfolding, along with the fear, uncertainty and constant surprises that kept occurring. The writing is hauntingly beautiful and evocative even while describing horrific events including the devastating racist history of the town with respect to the Aboriginal community.

I’m still processing all I just read and already hoping we get to see more of both Renee, and of Angie Faye Martin’s writing … her debut is easily a 5/5 for me and is a book I enjoyed greatly.

Many thanks to Harlequin Australia and Netgalley for letting me read an advanced copy in exchange for a review. Due to be published 30/05/2025

What an absolutely sensational debut novel. This is a story that was written with so much heart and emotion.

Set in the fictitious town of Goorungah, a young indigenous woman is found dead on the banks of the river, and Detective Renee Taylor is set the task of finding her killer.

Renee is back in her home town looking after her elderly mother and wonders how she will cope with small town policing after having been based in Brisbane since joining the force.

When she discovers a possible link between this current case and two missing indigenous girls from 1966, Renee feels she is being held back from investigating too much. She wonders what happened back then and if it is related.

With parts of her own past rushing up to meet her, Renee is pulled in all directions, but with an extremely strong moral compass and the desire to solve both of these cases, she struggles on.

The insights into life for Aboriginal people in the late 60's was at times shocking, but also showed hope that society would change and treat everyone the same. There was a definite schism in Australian society at the time as many people continued with deep seated racism and outdated beliefs, yet there were many that saw Aboriginal people as just that, people, and showed kindness and tried to change things.

There was a sinister undercurrent that I was feeling in this story and I didn't quite grasp where it was leading, so the revelation towards the end was jaw dropping. I was not expecting that at all and realising what had occurred was frightening.

I really enjoyed the way this story was told and I think we have another author to watch out for. What a gorgeous cover on this book and I was very excited to see there was also a map 🗺️, and I loved the stunning detail at the beginning of each chapter.

Melaleuca publishes on 30 May 2025.

Many thanks to #netgalley and HQ Fiction for an eARC before publication for an honest review

Renee Taylor returns home to Goorungah in country Queensland to help her mum Val who's suffering from arthritis and work at the local police station until she can return to her job as a detective in Brisbane. Renee is second in charge, she assumes it will be a low pressure and mainly issuing speeding tickets and then one morning a young woman is found dead down by the creek on the outskirts of town.

Renee's in charge of the investigation, despite growing up in Goorungah she had no idea two young Aboriginal women went missing thirty years ago and she discovers the odd occurrence wasn’t taken seriously and the police thought they moved to the city, and in that case why haven’t their families heard from them since?

The dual timeline story looks at what it was like to be a young Indigenous women in the 1960’s and 2000’s and told from the main characters points of view, Caroline, Bessie and Renee.

I received a copy of Melaleuca by Angie Faye Martin from NetGalley and Harlequin Australian in exchange for an honest review. I can’t believe this is the author’s debut novel, it's so much more than a murder mystery and gives a voice to the voiceless.

The narrative explores intergenerational racism and preconceived attitudes towards our First Nations people in Australia, violence against indigenous women, and the rates of domestic abuse and homicide are much higher, and covers the loss of their land, language, culture and children. A story full of suspense and secrets, cover ups and corruption, danger and injustice and one detective’s determination to solve both cases and I didn’t see the ending coming at all in this unputdownable book and five stars from me and I highly recommend.

What a fantastic debut novel. I absolutely loved it. I will certainly be keeping my eyes open for future books by Angie.

This book had me hooked from the start. The characters are so very well defined, are relatable and have to deal with everyday issues just like everyone else.

Renee, on secondment at the police station in her hometown to help her mother manage with her severe arthritis until a carer can be arranged, trying to fit in with her colleagues and the locals.
Add in an early morning murder, then a cold case involving 2 missing girls over 30 years ago and things really get interesting!

There's an unexpected twist at the end and I love the epilogue.

The Author's Notes provide interesting insights too.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

Melaleuca completely took me by surprise—in the best way. It's the kind of book that doesn’t just pull you into the story; it yanks you into the dust, heat, and tension of a small outback Australian town and doesn’t let go.

The story centers on Renee Taylor, an Aboriginal police officer who comes back to her hometown to care for her mother. She’s not planning to stay long, but that quickly changes when a murder rocks the community. From there, what looks like a straightforward crime story turns into something much deeper—layered with buried secrets, systemic racism, and the raw scars of generational trauma.

One of the standout things for me was the setting. You can feel the red dirt, the oppressive heat, and the weight of silence in the town. Angie Faye Martin writes with such texture that the environment feels like a character in its own right. It’s atmospheric without being overdone, and it really elevates the emotional intensity of the story.

Renee is a powerful lead. She’s tough but vulnerable, navigating the tension between her professional role and personal history with grace and grit. Watching her confront her past, and the deeply rooted injustices around her, was gripping and honestly pretty emotional.

This isn’t just a crime novel—it’s a story about identity, community, and truth-telling. It challenges the reader to think about what justice really looks like, especially in places where the systems aren’t built for everyone.

If you're into gritty, smart crime fiction with heart—and you want a story that sticks with you after the last page—Melaleuca is absolutely worth your time. I can’t wait to see what Angie Faye Martin writes next.

This was a fantastic police procedural that has a plot twist you will not see coming. If you love Australian literature you don’t want to miss this!

At the surface Melaleuca is a gripping murder mystery that threatens to engulf a small town that’s inadequately prepared to deal with a homicide case.

At its core it’s a story that encapsulates Australian culture, racial injustices and the history of the Indigenous peoples. I would be surprised if Australian Literature courses in the future do not include Angie Faye Martin in their syllabus.

I was throughly engrossed in this story, most of which came with a familiarity of having grown up in a rural Australian town where I was one of the kids who painted the local rest and revive station. The nostalgia of small town living and quality of writing made this unputdownable. I am usually great at picking where a story is going but this blew me away.

I appreciated the throw back chapters that really helped set the scene and assert an emotional attachment to the missing girls which helped Renee break apart the case. Never underestimate the tenacity of a female in male dominated fields. Renee was a great character and her mindset really showed her determination after years of being dismissed as a mixed woman in the force. I enjoyed her full circle moment in the epilogue and if more books are written from her character view I definitely be picking them up.

Thank you to HQ Australia and NetGalley for giving me access to an eARC of this book. This is my honest review.