I’m so pleased to help kick off the tour for this awesome book!
About the Book
Title: Detectives Without Guns
Author: Claire Harrison
Series: Unarmed and Unofficial, Book 1
Genre: Cosy crime | Mystery
Pages: 346
Publisher: Next Chapter
Format: eBook (Also Available: Paperback, Hardcover)
Blurb
When two women are murdered in eerily familiar fashion, Mel Cooke is forced to confront a past she thought was long buried.
The killings mirror the unsolved murder of her mother, Peggy. Soon, Mel comes to the shocking realization that the killer was always there, and may now have her daughter in his sights.
Desperate to protect her family, Mel reluctantly joins forces with journalist Dave Ferguson.
Together, they uncover disturbing clues that link the new victims to a long-forgotten night and a man no one can quite place… but whose identity could change everything.
As long-buried secrets surface, Mel realizes that the truth she seeks may come at a devastating price.
Witty yet suspenseful, Claire Harrison’s DETECTIVES WITHOUT GUNS is a gripping mystery about the past’s hold on the present, and how far one mother will go to seek justice.
My Thoughts
This is a fun, but dark, read. The main trio of ladies, plus the supporting characters, make it hard to pick a favorite. For once, I actually like the main character a great deal, which those familiar with my reviews know is unusual. I’m a big lover of sidekicks. I can’t explain this phenomenon, but this author has bucked the trend and written a main character I really enjoyed. Which isn’t to say I agreed with all of her choices, but that’s another thing altogether.
This is a cozy mystery set in Australia, but it is darker than your average cozy. And, I don’t know if it’s universally true, but every book I’ve read set in Australia (which isn’t many) seemed darker on average. I’d need an Australian or lover of Australian literature/culture to weigh in on this one. I’m an Anglophile, so all my knowledge is based in the UK. I’ve branched out quite a bit in the past few years, but I still haven’t read enough to know if this is a common thing or a fluke I’ve stumbled on.
Either way, if you’re looking for a light, fluffy cozy, this is NOT one of those. It has many elements of the genre: women who aren’t professional detectives paired up with a more seasoned investigator; amazingly quirky supporting characters; real-life issues still going on around the main character; danger threatening the main characters or loved ones; and more. But the themes, crimes, and more are just darker.
If you can handle the darker cozies, though, this is a fab one. I was hooked from the beginning and needed to know what was going on. Turning the pages, rooting for the characters, and worried about everyone from the start! So, if you’re looking for a good cozy thriller crossover, pick this one up next!
I’m so pleased that the author and LBT picked me to participate in this book tour, and I can’t wait to see what this author writes next. One way to help expand my Australian reading base.
Content Warnings: This is a non-exhaustive list of topics included in this book that readers may distress some readers, including, but not limited to, Murder, Descriptons of Gore/Mutilation, Discussions of Pregnancy, Discussions of Child Abandonment/Neglect, Alcoholism, Discussion of Severe Medical Needs and Disabilities, Violence, Homophobia/Transphobia, Death of a Spouse/Parent, Grief, Sexual Assault, including Rape, Partner Stalking, Religious Bigotry, Adult Content, and Adult Language.
About the Author
Claire Harrison is an author whose debut novel, Detectives without Guns, was released in September 2025. It is the first of three in the series “Unarmed and Unofficial.” Drawing on the relationships around her, Claire creates stories that connect and entertain. Her debut novel weaves a tale of friendship and camaraderie as it works to solve a crime that spans 27 years and brings the past into the present. Her next book in the series, “Researcher with Guns”, unites the characters in a new and equally gripping story. Claire loves works that thrill, chill, and keep you guessing… and a little humour doesn’t hurt. By day, she is a public servant with interests in travel, food, and theatre. She is a yoga instructor and creator of delicious sweet treats. Claire is a mother of two, a young grandmother to one, and lives in Brisbane with her husband.
Links
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Detectives-without-Guns-Unarmed-Unofficial-ebook/dp/B0FQN2ZL3Y/
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Detectives-without-Guns-Unarmed-Unofficial-ebook/dp/B0FQN2ZL3Y/
Bookshop US: https://bookshop.org/a/25511/9784824148131
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/241475361-detectives-without-guns
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