The Diggers Rest Hotel

Charlie Berlin, Book 1

By: Geoffrey McGeachin

Narrated by: Peter Byrne

In 1947, two years after witnessing the death of a young Jewish woman in Poland, Charlie Berlin has rejoined the police force a different man. Sent to investigate a spate of robberies in rural Victoria, he soon discovers that World War II has changed even the most ordinary of places and people. When Berlin travels to Albury-Wodonga to track down the gang behind the robberies, he suspects he's a problem cop being set up to fail.

Taking a room at the Diggers Rest Hotel in Wodonga, he sets about solving a case that no one else can - with the help of feisty, ambitious journalist Rebecca Green and rookie constable Rob Roberts, the only cop in town he can trust. Then the decapitated body of a young girl turns up in a back alley, and Berlin's investigations lead him ever further through layers of small-town fears, secrets and despair.The first Charlie Berlin mystery takes us into a world of secret alliances and loyalties - and a society dealing with the effects of a war that changed men forever.

©2010 Geoffrey McGeachin (P)2010 Bolinda Publishing

Great story

McGeachin developed several interesting characters in a story line that kept my interest as well as entertained. The scenes were descriptive to the point of allowing the reader t see, smell and taste.

Very enjoyable

What made the experience of listening to The Diggers Rest Hotel the most enjoyable?

Back to the old days

Narrator does a good job with the story and it potrays life in country Victoria and the laid back Australian way

A few twists and turns along the way to the plot and the story itself makes for a great listen

Recommended

Who was your favorite character and why?

Charlie - down to earth, common sense and willing to take people as he sees them

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes - but with over 8 hours a good listen when commuting

A solid listen

This is the first book by Geofrey McGeachin my husband and I have listened to. He gives gives a real sense of time and place to the story. The beginning of the story takes a little while to get going because of it. In my opinion it is time well spent. Inspector Berlin becomes a real person we come to care about. The plot moves along with interesting characters filling out the roles. There is lots of dialog and we enjoyed the humorous exchanges. The reader did a great job setting just the right tone.

From WWII Bomber to Down Under Detective

Charlie Berlin, a courageous WWII fighter pilot returned to his native Australia following the war with a bad case of "battle fatigue" . . . today's PTSD. Hard drinking, blackouts and nightmares of the war and his internment in a Polish death camp haunt him . . . especially watching an SS officer murder a beautiful young Jewess. Back home he joins the police department, which seems the best fit with his military skills. I agree with other reviewers that there is a lot of swearing and some sex scenes in this book . . . but as a person who has been around the military my whole life, I can say that it would not be authentic without it. I love the scene of Charlie going into the church . . . soldiers . . . and policemen . . . are never far from God . . . problem is, sometimes they can't forgive themselves . . . so, I think it's hard for them to approach the throne of grace. The story is a good one . . . Charlie Berlin dealing with the ghosts of his past and seeking justice for the victims in his new job in the police department. I like the pace, too, a little slower, giving you time to contemplate and think . . . .

A good book - Australian location

I'm somewhat in love with Australia... the Red Center - the accent, history, natives, and animals are amazing! This book takes you to the Center and the reader is great! It's a good but forgettable story.