Customer Reviews

Stiff (Murray Whelan Thrillers)

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The mystery part of this novel isn't the greatest. But the sideshow is a real whopper. The story is told by Murray Whelan, gofer and fixer for Charlene Wills. Charlene and her colostomy bag are Minister for Industry of the reigning Labor Party. Her advisor, Angelo Agnelli, is Murray's boss who sends him to the Pacific Pastoral meat works to check out possible political implications in the freezing death of foreman Ekrem Bayraktar. Things spiral downwards from there with the entry of an industrial super mogul, the questionable shop steward Herb Gardiner, not to mention Ayisha Celik, that Turkish honey pot.

The author not only has a way with words. He also has an incredible sense of humor. He takes the Australian political scene apart in a roaring satire without letup or ending. His description of the Italian and Turkish minorities is memorable.

This book makes you laugh all the way to the end.

Murray Whelan is a low ranking political go-fer for the Australian Labor Party who can create chaos from the simplest chore. He redeems himself with a self-effacing humor that both entertains and endears. If you do not cry tears of laughter at his description of insulating his attic, something is seriously wrong with your funny bone.

Murray is asked to investigate the death by freezing of a Turkish immigrant meat packing plant worker. Everyone agrees it was an unfortunate industrial accident. Murray's investigation is for the sole purpose of determining if there is any potential for political fallout on the issue of worker safety.

Soon someone is trying to kill him. Is it right wing Turkish militants? Is it industrialists in high places? Is it the janitor at the plant? Is it the mis-tattooed constituent who wants redress from the government?

Reading Shane Maloney's take on Australia in the late'80's will satisfy your yen for mystery (the whodunnit is subtle), double you over with laughter and (especially for "Yanks" like me)create an unforgettable image of Australian society!

Being the political minder for Charlene Wills, Australian Minister for Industry, is the only job that Murray Whelan wants. His personal life consists of raising his son by himself while his spouse Wendy goes all over the place turning into a big shot and lusting after waitress Ayisha Celik.

So when Agnelli informs him that he must investigate the frozen corpse of an ethnic Turk named Batraktar found in a freezer, he thinks his compatriot is acting crazy. Still, if the opposition has a plan to stir up the unions over this death as Agnelli claims, Murray figures he better be prepared. Reluctantly, Murray begins to look into the death of the STIFF, starting at the locale of the accident. When he started his inquiries, Murray never intended to be a target, but soon he finds himself in danger as his world turns upside down.

Anyone who enjoys an off the wall, jocular amateur sleuth tale should try the works of Shane Maloney. As in his previous Murray Whelan novel, BRUSH-OFF, the story line is weird and rips into any and everything involving modern urban Australia. Murray retains the freshness of a street punk attitude buried inside a political hack and the secondary players add local flavoring to the fast-paced lunacy. Fans of outrageous who-done-its will not believe they were STIFFed after reading this satirical look at politics and amateur sleuths.

Harriet Klausner

Murray Whelan is supposed to be a garden variety electoral officer. In reality, he does a lot more troubleshooting than paperwork and answering complaint letters.

A deputy minister asks him to look into the death of a Turkish meat packer at a factory.

Amusing antics follow as much dodgy brothers business is discovered.

Maloney's 'hero' Murray Whelan is a superb addition to the landscape of political satire in this country. His stories are also well-written with none of the clunky contrivances that less-skilled authors display.

Highly recommended.