In Natalie Conyer’s latest crime novel, Finding the Bones, a cold case is thrust back into the spotlight when the remains of Belle Fitzgerald, a young heiress and housing activist, are discovered buried above another grave.
Told between the past and present, the story follows Belle’s final months in 1980s Kings Cross, which she spends protesting against property developers eager to demolish the dilapidated terrace houses of her street, and starting up a steamy affair with an undercover cop.
Meanwhile, in the present day, detective Jackie Rose is tasked with piecing together the who, what, and why of Belle’s demise. Complicating matters is Jackie’s father, Stanton Rose. He’s your classic hard-boiled archetype – an isolated, whisky-drinking retired cop who spent his heyday working undercover and running with Sydney’s most notorious organised crime figures. Stanton knows more about Belle’s life (and disappearance) than he’s willing to initially admit. As Jackie digs deeper, the clues start hitting closer to home, forcing her to choose between protecting her family or her reputation as a detective.
The book is loosely inspired by real events, notably the disappearance of journalist, activist, and heiress Juanita Nielsen in the 70s. Nielsen was last seen at meeting in a King’s Cross nightclub, and her body has never been found. Knowing this adds a chilling undertone to the story.
While Jackie appeared in Shadow City, Conyer’s Ned Kelly Award shortlisted novel, in Finding the Bones she takes centre stage. Alongside investigating the high-profile murder case, she’s navigating tense relationships with both her parents, while also trying to be a good mother to her own adult son. Throw in an on-again off-again relationship with her police partner, and it’s clear that Jackie has plenty on her plate to worry about.
Moving between the two timelines allows us to get to know Belle as a person, not just the version of her immortalised by the media. It’s an effective narrative device that brings colour and context to the mystery and gives the story a strong sense of place that I enjoyed. I’m sure that anyone who has lived in, or knows Sydney well, will enjoy it too.
At times, specific references felt a bit shoehorned in, especially unnatural commentary on which cafes had gone ‘trendy’, and I often found myself wishing we spent more time in the gritty Kings Cross of the 80s. Nevertheless, the city setting was a nice reprieve from the bush noir stories dominating Australian crime fiction as of late.
Some of the side characters speak and act in familiar crime tropes, which makes Jackie and Belle’s characterisation refreshing. While yes, Belle is very privileged, she also proves herself to be a steely, lion-hearted woman who isn’t afraid to stand up for her friends and defend her community. Likewise, Jackie’s internal conflict, and at times unethical policing choices, give her character nuance and depth.
It’s clear that Conyer is a sharp storyteller. Beyond the central mystery, she weaves in lots of unexpected twists successfully creating a sense of suspense throughout the book. The moral dilemmas Jackie faces in her personal life often bleed into her professional one – forcing her to decide who to protect and what to risk in order to tell the truth.
Despite this, not every storyline is given adequate attention. Jackie’s changing relationship with her son feels a little underdeveloped and at times disconnected from the main story. Given how well the novel examines the dynamic with both her parents, I would have liked to see her role as a mother explored in similar depth. Jackie’s reconnection with her mother after years of no contact is one of the books more compelling emotional threads.
Finding the Bones works as a standalone novel, even though it exists within the wider world of Conyer’s previous books. Readers familiar with Jackie’s earlier appearances will likely appreciate the additional context, but new readers won’t be lost.
Steeped in history, Finding the Bones is an engaging, character-driven mystery with a satisfying pay off. Fans of Australian crime fiction will certainly enjoy.
THREE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Finding The Bones by Natalie Conyer is available now from Echo Publishing. Grab yourself a copy from your local bookstore HERE.
