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.

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.

Exciting slice of period Australian life

This book caught me by surprise as I knew nothing about it or the author. The story kicks off quickly and the mystery isn't one of the convoluted ones that populate the majority of today's books. the characters are endearing and the time and places well described.

The narration us clear and concise and the reader does a good job with the accents and pacing - a few of the books I've listened to recently have been read with such slowness that it's been jarring to listen to them at times, which isn't the case with this book.

Interesting story

Would you listen to The Diggers Rest Hotel again? Why?

i would listen to this again, even though I already know how it ends.

What did you like best about this story?

the different twists in the story line kept me guessing almost all the way to the end.

What does Peter Byrne bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

the different tone in his voice added to the story, I get tired of hearing myself talk. It's nice to hear someone else.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

bandits in a small town, where will they hit next.

best book I've heard for a while.

Any additional comments?

It was a good mystery, a great historical and a fine read. I felt like the author did a ton of research but didn't shovel it down our throats--only let the it shine through with the details, making the book's world vivid (and grim). I'm going to find the rest in the series. The only criticism I have is that dialogue uses names too often as in "Hello, DC Berlin" and that's not how people talk.
Some pronunciations were odd, and I wonder if it's Australian vs US (and British)

Australia post World War 2- Murder mystery

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes- very entertaining. Learning experience about rural North Australia

What other book might you compare The Diggers Rest Hotel to and why?

The other Charlie Berlin books

Have you listened to any of Peter Byrne’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

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

Possible

Any additional comments?

Entertaining murder mystery

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.

Historical and interesting

I find it's hard for the historical novels to keep my full attention because I'm waiting for the story; however, this book had a great balance between history and story.

I would recommend.