Georgie Harvey and John Franklin Collection: The Complete Series
Book summary
Experience the captivating 'Georgie Harvey And John Franklin' rural crime fiction series by Sandi Wallace, now available in one volume! In "Tell Me Why," Melbourne writer Georgie Harvey searches for a missing farmer, uncovering an unsolved mystery, and sparks fly between her and maverick police officer John Franklin. In "Dead Again," a tragic anniversary and a spree of crimes intertwine Georgie and Franklin's paths, leading them to a dangerous secret. "Into The Fog" finds them on the hunt for missing children, racing against time to catch a criminal. In "Black Cloud," a fatal explosion rocks a rural community, testing Franklin and Georgie as they seek answers in their most challenging case yet. Follow their thrilling journeys as they tackle mysteries and confront danger head-on.
Praise
“Suspenseful, exciting, atmospheric rural crime”
“An Australian author to watch out for”
“Unputdownable”
Reviews from Goodreads
“Easy to read, got into it right from the start. Loved it”
“Grabs you from the first paragraph”
“A gripping story”
Excerpt from Georgie Harvey and John Franklin Collection
Hannah’s heart beat hard and fast in her chest. She checked the time so often it was driving her crazy, but she couldn’t help it. The back of her hoodie was still wet from before – which was annoying because it reminded her how close she’d been and how lame she was. For forgetting her jacket. For letting him stop her, and ending up back inside the dumb summerhouse.
She looked at the clock on the wall above Riles and Coops. Not even a minute had passed. She was going to explode. What if it all went wrong? She’d be totally devo, that’s for sure – there might not be another chance.
She checked the time and took a breath that hiccupped: 4.07pm. It could already be too late.
*
On the outskirts of Ballarat, a vibration against Senior Constable John Franklin’s hip signalled a text message. He hooked his mobile and eased it out of his pocket, while his eyes never left the house across the road.
‘Bull’ Jenkins would have his balls on a plate if he fucked up the surveillance job, which wouldn’t be a good start to his detective training, especially if he ended up posted here full time after DTS.
Another tremor through the phone meant he’d received a second message. Just then, the detective beside him pulled out his own mobile and took a call in a low voice. Franklin used the opportunity to check his messages.
The first was short, typical of his daughter Kat. ‘All gd. L8er. K xx’
The second was longer, just as typical of Sam Tesorino, the constable under his wing. ‘Kids settled. Weather awful but all going well. Place is posh! Wish you were here – not fair after all our planning. Speak later, Sam.’
He slid the phone away, relieved that the camp had kicked off well. Still, the acid wash in his stomach marked his disappointment that Tim Lunny, his sergeant at Daylesford, had to step into his place.
*
In Mount Dandenong, about 200 kilometres from Ballarat, the door of the summerhouse opened, letting in another blast of cold air. Georgie Harvey shrugged deeper into her leather jacket as Kat Franklin and Josh Curtis entered. She watched the response to the teenagers from the four families of younger kids spread around the room. Several visibly sparked up and little Cooper sang out, ‘Josh!’ That was exactly why they’d been included – the teens bridged the gap between the kids and other camp supervisors.
Josh waved to the boy, while he flicked rainwater from his cropped hair. He turned to fire Kat a grin, and Georgie’s antennae picked up interesting vibes, especially when Kat ducked her chin and Josh rubbed the tattoo trailing his neck.
Georgie realised that by occupational hazard she’d slipped into journalist mode, standing back to note the conversations, dynamics, body language and other nuances happening around her. Unlike the Camp Silvan instructor, Seb, who hunkered down to talk with two sisters, his manner easy even though the girls stayed subdued. They were lucky to have him too, being over-complement on the supervisor-to-child ratio after the last-minute dropout of three kids.
Georgie’s mind jumped back to her role on camp. She wasn’t here to research a story. The hope was that she’d help these kids express themselves through words instead of internalising their troubles, though she realised they’d probably rather play outside. Her eyes grew. If the weather didn’t let up, outdoor activities would be off and she’d be up for more than she’d imagined.
Josh side-tracked her with, ‘Who wants popcorn? It’s ready in the kitchen. Or Twister in the library?’ He leapt aside to let everyone past, landing on the balls of his feet, the physicality of the teenage boxing coach reminding Georgie of a panther.
*
Sprinting from the summerhouse to the main building, Sam Tesorino yelled, ‘Who’s going to get there first?’ She and Sarge Lunny led the race but pretended they couldn’t keep up, and soon let most of the group overtake them.
Sam half-turned when Cooper and Riley circled back. But drizzle blurred her sight. She knew Kat and Josh were to follow at the rear and would look after them, so she continued to jog across the waterlogged lawn as a curtain of fog rolled in.
The next minutes were bedlam as they all kicked off their shoes and dried themselves with extra-large towels that they dropped in a mound in the laundry before splitting in different directions.
Sam headed for the kitchen, stepping back as Noah and Tom whizzed around the island bar, giggling. Technically, they weren’t running and the owner of Upalong House, Mr Belfrage, had left with a case and suit bag shortly after they’d arrived, so she grinned.
What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.
She watched Tom, thinking she’d rarely seen him smiling, let alone gurgling excitedly. The little guy suddenly stopped and gazed at her. Sadness swelled in her chest. He’d managed to let go for a few minutes but shrivelled back into himself in front of her eyes.
She wanted to tell him I’m not your poor mum. I’m not going to tell you to be quiet or to shy away from your happiness, lost in my grief. It wasn’t her place though. She had to reach him in a different way.
A burst of high-pitched laughter came from the mezzanine library and broke into Sam’s thoughts. The dramatic voice of the sarge resounded in another direction and she swallowed a wave of nostalgia for Tesorino clan gatherings – people, laughter and food everywhere. Yet in her family there would be at least twenty-five, not the eight kids and six supervisors in their group. Although, anyone who walked through the door here would think there was heaps more than that based on the volume level.
Sam felt another tug of homesickness before her mind turned to the hush of possible snow in the frigid air outside. Their scheduled trek up the 1000 Steps in the National Park at nearby Upper Ferntree Gully postponed from earlier today seemed just as unlikely for tomorrow.
So, not an ideal start, but overall Sam thought the camp was going really well.
*
The housekeeper, Elke, waddled into the kitchen saying, ‘Dark for this time of day.’
She was as laconic as her husband and their accents reminded Georgie of a Dutch couple she’d recently interviewed for a fluff piece for Champagne Musings, her regular magazine gig.
As the woman lowered the blinds at each end of the room, Georgie saw her shiver and clutch her belly.
‘Are you okay?’
Elke rotated clumsily but didn’t meet Georgie’s eyes. ‘Yes, thank you. Someone walked over my grave.’
Georgie hiked her brows while the housekeeper shuffled away. Elke wasn’t as aloof as her husband, but she was definitely strange. Hopefully the woman’s oddness wasn’t a sign that she’d pop out her baby over their five-day camp – judging by her size, she must be due soon.
A boom of thunder shook the ground. One of the girls squealed and glassware tinkled in the cupboards.
Tim Lunny whistled in the family room. ‘That was a beauty!’
Josh said, ‘Reckon a tree came down?’
No one answered him and a moment later, Nicole commented in a voice too sage for her eleven years, ‘I think storms are louder the closer to the sky you are.’
Sam said, ‘You could be right.’
The lights flickered and Seb went ‘Wooooooooooo’ then laughed.
‘Can’t see anything out there now,’ Noah yelled. ‘It’s black like the middle of the night, except when lightning comes.’
‘Must be bedtime then.’
Georgie hid a smile, waiting for the kids’ reaction to Sam’s suggestion. It didn’t take long: they yelled over the top of each other.
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