As Peter Corris has admitted, he’s addicted to writing. That’s a blessing for those addicted to reading him.
It was only February last year that Allen and Unwin published his 40th Cliff Hardy book. And now the 41st, THAT EMPTY FEELING, has been published, and proves that too much Cliff Hardy is never enough.
THAT EMPTY FEELING is a reminiscence story, where the reading of a death notice conjures an old case, not exactly a cold case, but a case that never had closure.
“Barry Bartlett was what the media called ‘ a colourful Sydney identity’, which means that he was a crook who had stayed out of jail for more than twenty-five years.”
Barry Bartlett’s obituary reminds Hardy of the time Bartlett hired him to investigate a young man who claimed to be his long lost son.
Cliff recounts the case to his pregnant daughter, Megan.
Hardy’s relationship with Bartlett burgeoned from their love of the glove – boxing.
From pugilism to paternity and onto petro dollars, this one time ten pound pom and prosperous property developer pulls Hardy into a case that has him pounding the pavement along with female Federal Police officer, Bronwen Marr.
On the streets and between the sheets, Hardy and Marr form a precarious partnership as his client has a stroke and the target of the investigation is kidnapped.
Cue the murder of a business associate of Bartlett and the stakes of the investigation move into a stratosphere of personal vendetta and international policing.
A sinister Singapore spiderwoman, a strong arm South African security specialist, and a rogue FBI agent on secondment to the Australian Federal Police, and a home grown sworn adversary of Hardy’s are all part of the explosive and volatile mix of sex, violence, hubris and greed.
THAT EMPTY FEELING like most reminiscence is a bitter-sweet experience and is true to its title in its blunt denouement. Still, this book is a strong contender for prescribed beach or bedside reading over the summer period.
Noticing a new series based on the Jack Irish books is scheduled for screening on ABC TV, it’s perplexing to think why Cliff Hardy hasn’t been taken up by by television – perhaps a vehicle for someone like William McInnes, methinks!
THAT EMPTY FEELING by Peter Corris is published by Allen & Unwin