Nowadays Australian crime fiction covers a variety of styles and settings, from capital cities to outback towns and even international locations.

Stephen Brown's debut novel is set mainly in Hobart and is an enjoyable, easy flowing tale that falls somewhere between being a murder mystery and a police procedural. The story follows the investigation by Detective Inspector John Mahoney into the murder of a local football star, whose death raises uncomfortable issues about corruption, political influence and the nature of sport in Australia.

Brown writes and plots well, and uses his locations to good effect. He has also created an interesting and complex character in Mahoney, whose foreshadowed appearance in future books should be warmly welcomed.

DETECTIVE WORK
By John Dale. Xoum. $29.99

John Dale first appeared on the crime fiction scene in 1995 with his award-winning debut effort, Dark Angel. Detective Work is his fourth novel and is an impressive and well-constructed story about old crimes and corruption.

Dimitri Telegonus is pleased when he is promoted to the Serious Unsolved Crime Unit, but his happiness is soon dampened when his investigation into the disappearance of a beautiful blonde escort some 20 years ago becomes caught up in New South Wales police politics. Alternatively helped and hindered by his apparently corrupt new partner, Telegonus finds his career under threat and the investigation stagnating.

This is an evocative and thoughtful novel that builds to a sadly realistic conclusion.

INTO THE LION'S DEN
By Martin Chimes. Harlequin. $29.99

Sydney writer Martin Chimes has followed in the successful steps of fellow Australian thriller writer Tony Park and set his first novel in the crime plagued streets and bushland of southern Africa.

Australian businessman and South African expatriate Ben Novak left his homeland after a series of violent events and a bloody spell as a soldier. When his adult son goes missing while visiting Johannesburg, Ben heads back to Africa to track him down and finds himself caught up in a web of violence and betrayal.

This is a solid, entertaining thriller that moves at a good pace. The African locations are well evoked and the book moves to a tough, bloody climax.