And fire came down

And Fire Came Down is the second Caleb Zelic thriller by award-winning Australian author, Emma Viskic. Out for a run in the Melbourne dusk, Caleb Zelic is accosted by a dubious type who, knowing his name and address, manages to draw him to a dark alley where a jittery young woman waits. It seems she wants his help, but a sudden attack by a tattooed tough has her fleeing before he can find out why. Caleb follows, but watches in horror as her flight takes her into the path of a van. Her dying words are cryptic, moreso because Caleb isn't wearing his aids and lip-reading is never an exact skill.

Who sent this anonymous young woman to him? And why? She used some basic sign language, but neither his estranged wife nor his brother know. One small clue sends him back to Resurrection Bay for answers. His intentions to stay with Ant and his girl, Etty, in their childhood home need revision when his investigations seem to provoke a violent response from an unknown quarter. But Caleb is determined to find out the who and the why of it. The reappearance of his ex-business partner, Frankie Reynolds adds to his confusion.

As Resurrection Bay simmers through a blistering summer, bushfires are not the only things flaring up. Race-directed violence is on the rise, and the once-dry aboriginal mission, Bellville is plagued by an ice epidemic. Caleb is convinced that the Copperhead bikie gang is controlling the drug trade, but is it smart to go blundering in? Is it wise to be courting danger, especially now that his wife, Kat has indicated there may be a chance for their failing marriage?

Once again, Viskic gives the reader a fast-paced thriller that is topical and relevant. Her protagonist is an appealing character for all his flaws, and with his deafness, presents an interesting perspective. There is plenty of humour, some of it quite dark: the dry wit that makes up the interactions between the brothers is an absolute delight, and Tedesco's attempts at signing are very amusing. Caleb gets distracted by a school of red herrings, and the revelations of the last pages will leave the reader gasping.

While this novel could be read as a stand-alone, it contains many spoilers for the first book, Resurrection Bay, so reading the series in order is recommended. Once again, there are several loose ends, ensuring plenty of material for a third book, and fans will be hoping Viskic does not leave them waiting too long. A dazzling sequel from a talented author.

With thanks to Echo Publishing for this copy to read and review.