What do you think?
Rate this book
The Brotherhood
One dead cop, one small island, and an impact that will last a lifetime When Sergeant John White, mentor, savior, and all-round good guy, is murdered during a routine call-out, the tight-knit world of Tasmania Police is rocked to the core. An already difficult investigation into the death of one of their own becomes steeped in political complexities when the main suspect is identified as Aboriginal, and the case, courtesy of the ever-hostile local media, looks set to make Palm Island resemble a Sunday afternoon picnic in comparison. And as the investigation unfolds through the eyes of the sergeant's colleagues, friends, family, enemies, and the suspect himself, it becomes clear that there was a great deal more to John White—and the squeaky-clean reputation of the nation's smallest police service—than ever met the eye. The Brotherhood is a novel about violence, preconceptions, loyalties, corruption, betrayal, and the question a copper should never need to just who can you trust?
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
1 person is currently reading
74 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 7, 2012
I was really looking forward to reading this debut novel by Australian author, YA Erskine. I am terribly disappointed as it is nothing like I expected! I read a lot of police procedures/crime/mystery novels, and I guess I was expecting something along the lines of those.
But after reading the first few chapters, I couldn’t get beyond the fact that Erskine seemed to need to use foul language on a continual basis, and to extreme excess, to try to get her point across. I found I wasn’t thinking about the story, which does seem to be a good one, but the distaste I was feeling about what I was reading. (And I am not a prude!)
After Sergeant John White was murdered on the job, while attending a burglary in progress with a young constable, Lucy Howard, who was also badly injured apprehending a suspect, the investigation centres around White’s colleagues, his wife Charlotte, and numerous others. They know who murdered White, but can they prove it?
The chapters are each told from the perspective of the different people involved, from his good mate, Inspector Richard Moore, through to reporter Tim, who would do ANYTHING to land a good story, and lawyer for the suspects, Andy, who was hated by the police as he had a habit of getting the bad guys off.
The twist at the end of the story is a surprising one, and as I said, the plot is a good one. But I’m afraid I didn’t enjoy it as I should have, and for that I’m very disappointed. The potential is there, but it’s yet to be realized.
But after reading the first few chapters, I couldn’t get beyond the fact that Erskine seemed to need to use foul language on a continual basis, and to extreme excess, to try to get her point across. I found I wasn’t thinking about the story, which does seem to be a good one, but the distaste I was feeling about what I was reading. (And I am not a prude!)
After Sergeant John White was murdered on the job, while attending a burglary in progress with a young constable, Lucy Howard, who was also badly injured apprehending a suspect, the investigation centres around White’s colleagues, his wife Charlotte, and numerous others. They know who murdered White, but can they prove it?
The chapters are each told from the perspective of the different people involved, from his good mate, Inspector Richard Moore, through to reporter Tim, who would do ANYTHING to land a good story, and lawyer for the suspects, Andy, who was hated by the police as he had a habit of getting the bad guys off.
The twist at the end of the story is a surprising one, and as I said, the plot is a good one. But I’m afraid I didn’t enjoy it as I should have, and for that I’m very disappointed. The potential is there, but it’s yet to be realized.
September 1, 2011
I remember reading the first book in what is now one of my favourite series quite a few years ago, I really really hoped that the author felt better about life once they'd finished. I think the same sort of reaction to THE BROTHERHOOD bodes well for what I hope is going to be an ongoing series.
Mind you, you can't help but wonder if Yvette Erskine's going to be able to get back into Tasmania for research purposes if a few of the upper echelon characters in THE BROTHERHOOD are recognisable real people!
THE BROTHERHOOD is a debut book which promises quite a bit. The front cover even telegraphs some expectations with the lines "one dead cop", "one small island" "an impact that will last a lifetime...". Kind of makes you sit up and pay attention. But to be honest, at the beginning, I was feeling a little leery. There's a prologue which is obviously telegraphing something that is coming up in the book, and prologues of this nature are a device that's been done to death. We've got our dead cop pretty quickly, then we're into the action and slowly the investigation into the cop's murder starts to build some momentum. Then we start wandering down some byways and lane-ways with some nicely expressive, but distracting rants and what felt a bit like point scoring. On their own sort of interesting - or perhaps telling is a better description, but this reader was getting impatient to get back to the main thread. Which isn't a bad sign really - there was something interesting going on here. Something that kind of snuck up on me. There was a plot building, slowly worming it's way into a fascinating story.
There are some issues touched on here that are uncomfortable. The main suspect in the cop's murder is a boy with an Aboriginal background, and there's some quite confrontational writing about the politics and tensions between the Law and Aboriginal identity. It's almost a given that this aspect of the book is going to be a "talking point". But this is not the only searing and uncomfortable portrayal, there's more than a big swipe at Police Culture and the hierarchy to say nothing of the politics and corruption within the Police Force itself.
THE BROTHERHOOD is a debut novel, and as anyone who has ever noticed any of my reviews before will know, I'm inclined more towards a bit of leeway for a debut that seems, on the face of it, to be tackling a lot of stuff up front. The book I alluded to in the opening of this review had the distinct feeling of part getting everything off the author's chest, part this could be my only run at this so I'm going to give it a red-hot go. THE BROTHERHOOD did engender many of the same feelings. And that's got to be a good thing. If a book can make me want it to become part of a much loved new series, then all power to it.
Compared to other countries, it's always seemed that there's a shortage of contemporary, informed, realistic, dark and confrontational Australian Police Procedural crime fiction being written. At the very least there's room for a lot more and THE BROTHERHOOD is an uncomfortable, interesting, enlightening and clever debut entry in that classification.
Mind you, you can't help but wonder if Yvette Erskine's going to be able to get back into Tasmania for research purposes if a few of the upper echelon characters in THE BROTHERHOOD are recognisable real people!
THE BROTHERHOOD is a debut book which promises quite a bit. The front cover even telegraphs some expectations with the lines "one dead cop", "one small island" "an impact that will last a lifetime...". Kind of makes you sit up and pay attention. But to be honest, at the beginning, I was feeling a little leery. There's a prologue which is obviously telegraphing something that is coming up in the book, and prologues of this nature are a device that's been done to death. We've got our dead cop pretty quickly, then we're into the action and slowly the investigation into the cop's murder starts to build some momentum. Then we start wandering down some byways and lane-ways with some nicely expressive, but distracting rants and what felt a bit like point scoring. On their own sort of interesting - or perhaps telling is a better description, but this reader was getting impatient to get back to the main thread. Which isn't a bad sign really - there was something interesting going on here. Something that kind of snuck up on me. There was a plot building, slowly worming it's way into a fascinating story.
There are some issues touched on here that are uncomfortable. The main suspect in the cop's murder is a boy with an Aboriginal background, and there's some quite confrontational writing about the politics and tensions between the Law and Aboriginal identity. It's almost a given that this aspect of the book is going to be a "talking point". But this is not the only searing and uncomfortable portrayal, there's more than a big swipe at Police Culture and the hierarchy to say nothing of the politics and corruption within the Police Force itself.
THE BROTHERHOOD is a debut novel, and as anyone who has ever noticed any of my reviews before will know, I'm inclined more towards a bit of leeway for a debut that seems, on the face of it, to be tackling a lot of stuff up front. The book I alluded to in the opening of this review had the distinct feeling of part getting everything off the author's chest, part this could be my only run at this so I'm going to give it a red-hot go. THE BROTHERHOOD did engender many of the same feelings. And that's got to be a good thing. If a book can make me want it to become part of a much loved new series, then all power to it.
Compared to other countries, it's always seemed that there's a shortage of contemporary, informed, realistic, dark and confrontational Australian Police Procedural crime fiction being written. At the very least there's room for a lot more and THE BROTHERHOOD is an uncomfortable, interesting, enlightening and clever debut entry in that classification.
August 27, 2011
I picked up this book because a crime novel set in Hobart is something I can't resist, and it doesn't disappoint. I may have gotten an extra kick out of recognising places etc, but I think despite my added enjoyment it still stands out as a well told story that doesn't run along the lines of standard crime. The ending did leave me wanting to know what happened next as it seemed like there's a whole other story in that, that wasn't told.
May 4, 2012
The Brotherhood is a gritty police drama by debut author YA (Yvette) Erskine. It was on the recommendation of Bernadette (http://ReactionstoReading.com) that I picked this up at my local library for the AWW Challenge, delighted to discover another Australian crime novelist.
The Brotherhood begins with the shooting of an experienced and well liked police officer during a routine break and enter investigation in suburban Tasmania. His murder however, is almost incidental to the story in that the how, who and why are quickly deduced. Instead the death serves as a catalyst to explore the issues of crime and justice.
Given Erskine's eleven years on the force it seems that she could be walking a fine line between fact and fiction with The Brotherhood. She doesn't hesitate in exposing the contradictions of a law and order which operates under political, financial and social pressures. Hampered by petty politics and woefully under resourced, Erskine reveals a police force where corruption and sexism is rife. Officers struggle to maintain their integrity in an environment where they are increasingly undervalued and at risk. The author highlights the challenges and frustrations of modern policing with unflinching honesty.
Erskine also exposes a justice system that fails to uphold the principle that 'all should be treated equal under the law'. In this instance the perpetrator's identity as an Australian Aboriginal complicates the open and shut case. Justice is swayed by the suspect's cultural heritage, his socioeconomic status, his background and the very real tensions between the indigenous community and police.
There is a brutal sense of authenticity about The Brotherhood, enhanced by the uncensored language and spare style of writing. The story unfolds from several points of view, beginning with the probationary constable who was present at the scene, and then continuing through a diverse cast related to the case including the Police Commissioner, the suspect and a local journalist. It's an unique approach that allows the story to move forward but with shifting perspective. Surprisingly it doesn't feel disjointed but instead adds a depth that wouldn't have been possible with a more traditional narrative. Each character has a different relationship with the murdered officer and the crime, and as they join the story, they help build a more complete picture of the situation, and the victim, even as the issues become murkier.
The Brotherhood is a confronting yet compelling novel that combines police procedural with crime drama. I really enjoyed the way in which Erskine confronts the grey areas of law and order that are too often reduced to headlines manipulated for controversy or ignored in favour of political expediency. I am eagerly awaiting the publication of Erskine's next novel, The Betrayal.
The Brotherhood begins with the shooting of an experienced and well liked police officer during a routine break and enter investigation in suburban Tasmania. His murder however, is almost incidental to the story in that the how, who and why are quickly deduced. Instead the death serves as a catalyst to explore the issues of crime and justice.
Given Erskine's eleven years on the force it seems that she could be walking a fine line between fact and fiction with The Brotherhood. She doesn't hesitate in exposing the contradictions of a law and order which operates under political, financial and social pressures. Hampered by petty politics and woefully under resourced, Erskine reveals a police force where corruption and sexism is rife. Officers struggle to maintain their integrity in an environment where they are increasingly undervalued and at risk. The author highlights the challenges and frustrations of modern policing with unflinching honesty.
Erskine also exposes a justice system that fails to uphold the principle that 'all should be treated equal under the law'. In this instance the perpetrator's identity as an Australian Aboriginal complicates the open and shut case. Justice is swayed by the suspect's cultural heritage, his socioeconomic status, his background and the very real tensions between the indigenous community and police.
There is a brutal sense of authenticity about The Brotherhood, enhanced by the uncensored language and spare style of writing. The story unfolds from several points of view, beginning with the probationary constable who was present at the scene, and then continuing through a diverse cast related to the case including the Police Commissioner, the suspect and a local journalist. It's an unique approach that allows the story to move forward but with shifting perspective. Surprisingly it doesn't feel disjointed but instead adds a depth that wouldn't have been possible with a more traditional narrative. Each character has a different relationship with the murdered officer and the crime, and as they join the story, they help build a more complete picture of the situation, and the victim, even as the issues become murkier.
The Brotherhood is a confronting yet compelling novel that combines police procedural with crime drama. I really enjoyed the way in which Erskine confronts the grey areas of law and order that are too often reduced to headlines manipulated for controversy or ignored in favour of political expediency. I am eagerly awaiting the publication of Erskine's next novel, The Betrayal.
April 30, 2012
Review: Y A Erskine – The Brotherhood
April 30, 2012 by Sarah | Edit
Tasmania is a region I know little about but which conjures up images of beautiful scenery in a temperate climate. The Brotherhood written by Y A Erskine, a former Tasmanian police officer, provides an alternative view of the island. In this excellent book, racial tensions and stresses of police work combine to provide a snapshot of the realities of law enforcement on the island.
The plot opens with the murder of Sergeant John White, a policeman in the city of Hobart, who has a reputation for honesty and integrity. His killing takes place during a burglary in which he is being accompanied by a rookie cop whose narrative sets out the context of the killing. A suspect is soon identified which opens up a political nightmare for the police hierarchy. He is a boy from an Aboriginal family who are ‘known to the police’. Tensions clearly run high between the law enforcers and the Aborigine community and the narrative moves to the Commissioner of Police who clearly fears that the situation could escalate existing stresses. The chapters then tell the story from the perspective of various people involved in the investigation and those who were close to the dead man, including a local journalist, a lawyer called in to defend the suspect and Sergeant White’s wife and ex-girlfriend.
Gradually the personality of the policeman is revealed and his squeaky clean reputation comes under scrutiny along with the cynical manipulation of laws introduced to protect the Aborigine population. This cynicism is reflected in the style of the writing which is honest and brutal with strong expletives meted out by police and criminals alike. The shifting narrative worked very well I thought and brought out the humanity not only of suspect and victim but also of people on the periphery of the investigation. This wasn’t so much a whodunnit but a “whydunnit” and I thought it a very accomplished debut novel.
April 30, 2012 by Sarah | Edit
Tasmania is a region I know little about but which conjures up images of beautiful scenery in a temperate climate. The Brotherhood written by Y A Erskine, a former Tasmanian police officer, provides an alternative view of the island. In this excellent book, racial tensions and stresses of police work combine to provide a snapshot of the realities of law enforcement on the island.
The plot opens with the murder of Sergeant John White, a policeman in the city of Hobart, who has a reputation for honesty and integrity. His killing takes place during a burglary in which he is being accompanied by a rookie cop whose narrative sets out the context of the killing. A suspect is soon identified which opens up a political nightmare for the police hierarchy. He is a boy from an Aboriginal family who are ‘known to the police’. Tensions clearly run high between the law enforcers and the Aborigine community and the narrative moves to the Commissioner of Police who clearly fears that the situation could escalate existing stresses. The chapters then tell the story from the perspective of various people involved in the investigation and those who were close to the dead man, including a local journalist, a lawyer called in to defend the suspect and Sergeant White’s wife and ex-girlfriend.
Gradually the personality of the policeman is revealed and his squeaky clean reputation comes under scrutiny along with the cynical manipulation of laws introduced to protect the Aborigine population. This cynicism is reflected in the style of the writing which is honest and brutal with strong expletives meted out by police and criminals alike. The shifting narrative worked very well I thought and brought out the humanity not only of suspect and victim but also of people on the periphery of the investigation. This wasn’t so much a whodunnit but a “whydunnit” and I thought it a very accomplished debut novel.
September 19, 2012
I found this a frustrating book. I enjoyed the writing on a line-by-line basis, and also the Tasmanian setting - I live in Tassie and a lot of it rang true. But after a while I started to get the sense that I was treading water, that there wasn't really a story happening. Partly a problem of expectations, perhaps - the book started with the killing of a cop, so I thought the story would follow the investigation. Instead, what we got was a whole lot of flashbacks from different points of view, showing what had led up to this moment. Except it wasn't really that, either. It was just filling in the background. I think the tapestry idea could have worked if that background had somehow lead inexorably to the killing, but it didn't. It was more a series of stories about the people involved.
I was also frustrated by the sense that the death of the cop didn't really change anything. The corruption continued, the awful lives of some of the characters continued, there were a few ironies, a few people hid the truth from either themselves or others. I know real life is like this, but it didn't suit me in a book. It'll be interesting to see what Erskine does next - I'm happy to try another of her books, but hope she'll go for a more complex story and some genuine character development.
I was also frustrated by the sense that the death of the cop didn't really change anything. The corruption continued, the awful lives of some of the characters continued, there were a few ironies, a few people hid the truth from either themselves or others. I know real life is like this, but it didn't suit me in a book. It'll be interesting to see what Erskine does next - I'm happy to try another of her books, but hope she'll go for a more complex story and some genuine character development.
April 25, 2012
Compelling reading. A study of relations among various people associated with the Hobart police force. Told from a series of viewpoints, it builds a compelling portrait a small-city community wracked by corruption, fraught Black-white relations, political correctness, professional jealousies and peccadillos.
Don't be put off by the bad language and the occasional repeated phrases. Erskine spent 10 years with the police force and knows the lingo. It's confronting but - in my opinion - not gratuitous. My only major beef with the book is that I found the male characters more convincing than the female ones. Hopefully, this shortcoming will be redressed with Erskine's second book, The Betrayal, which has already gone into a second printing before release.
Don't be put off by the bad language and the occasional repeated phrases. Erskine spent 10 years with the police force and knows the lingo. It's confronting but - in my opinion - not gratuitous. My only major beef with the book is that I found the male characters more convincing than the female ones. Hopefully, this shortcoming will be redressed with Erskine's second book, The Betrayal, which has already gone into a second printing before release.
May 18, 2012
An absorbing Australian police procedural set in Tasmania and written by debut author and former Tasmanian policewoman YA Erskine. I read this over a couple of days and literally could not put it down. Perhaps the use of language was a bit gratuitous in parts, but I thoroughly enjoyed the idea of looking at a significant event and the lead-up individually through the eyes of each of the main characters. No suspense or intrigue as such, but an honest and enjoyable police drama.
January 26, 2012
Good, but not great. A lot of the "rude" language I found to be unnecessary. Predictable storyline, anti-climatic ending. Maybe I'm a little numbed to the story because both my parents are/were in the Tasmanian Police force, so I'm at the point where I've "heard it all". Still a good read, just don't expect it to be a showstopper.
July 11, 2011
Incredibly clever! All of the elements in the early chapters that I thought were going to make me hate this book were what made the book so damn clever. Unique in it's storytelling,it is engrossing.
Full review to come soon.
Full review to come soon.
March 2, 2024
Continuing my exploration of Tasmanian crime fiction, and this novel was came recommended as authentic.
What to Expect
The human drama surrounding the murder of a Hobart police officer. Even though it's the capital, it's still a relatively small town in Australia's smallest state. Lives intersect, and it's this and the backstories that lead to the crime that make up much of the novel.
What I liked
I liked the characters and the tone of the book (decidedly gritty at times), and loved the setting in Hobart. Each chapter is from the view point of a different character (not repeating), which slowly unfolds the lives affected by the murder as well as the circumstances that led to it. It makes for an engaging read, portraying the tensions in Australian society in general and around modern police work in particular.
What to be aware of
The crime is almost coincidental, a lynchpin to explore the lives of front-line police officers and the people around them. There isn't much in terms of determining the guilty party or proving it, the novel is more concerned with the inter-relationships of the police and their external relationships with the world. It's the people with their history, motivations, and reactions that matter, not the 'solving' of a crime.
Felix's Review
Felix has enjoyed the deep-dive into the people that make the Hobart society, both police and criminals. That said, as a professional detective, he did find the lack of ambiguity about the crime a bit bland.
Summary
It's a good read, heavy on the Tassie (and generally Aussie) police scene, with interesting characters. More literary fiction that police procedural drama, but excellently written and filled with engaging characters nonetheless.
Enjoying the reviews, but wondering who the heck is that Felix fellow? Glad you asked! He's the protagonist of the Togas, Daggers, and Magic series, an historical-fantasy blend of a paranormal detective on the background of ancient Rome.
Assaph Mehr, author of [[ASIN:B015TXPPG6 Murder In Absentia: Togas, Daggers, and Magic]] - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
What to Expect
The human drama surrounding the murder of a Hobart police officer. Even though it's the capital, it's still a relatively small town in Australia's smallest state. Lives intersect, and it's this and the backstories that lead to the crime that make up much of the novel.
What I liked
I liked the characters and the tone of the book (decidedly gritty at times), and loved the setting in Hobart. Each chapter is from the view point of a different character (not repeating), which slowly unfolds the lives affected by the murder as well as the circumstances that led to it. It makes for an engaging read, portraying the tensions in Australian society in general and around modern police work in particular.
What to be aware of
The crime is almost coincidental, a lynchpin to explore the lives of front-line police officers and the people around them. There isn't much in terms of determining the guilty party or proving it, the novel is more concerned with the inter-relationships of the police and their external relationships with the world. It's the people with their history, motivations, and reactions that matter, not the 'solving' of a crime.
Felix's Review
Felix has enjoyed the deep-dive into the people that make the Hobart society, both police and criminals. That said, as a professional detective, he did find the lack of ambiguity about the crime a bit bland.
Summary
It's a good read, heavy on the Tassie (and generally Aussie) police scene, with interesting characters. More literary fiction that police procedural drama, but excellently written and filled with engaging characters nonetheless.
--
Enjoying the reviews, but wondering who the heck is that Felix fellow? Glad you asked! He's the protagonist of the Togas, Daggers, and Magic series, an historical-fantasy blend of a paranormal detective on the background of ancient Rome.
Assaph Mehr, author of [[ASIN:B015TXPPG6 Murder In Absentia: Togas, Daggers, and Magic]] - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
May 14, 2012
It’s a routine call out for a rookie probationary constable and a sergeant - a reported break and enter in progress. But that routine call out turns tragic when Sergeant John White, all-round good guy and respected copper is murdered, fatally stabbed. One of the suspects is apprehended at the scene but the other escapes. And it proves to be a political hotpot when the suspects are revealed as a pair of brothers who identify as Aboriginal.
Although well known to police and having been in and out of trouble for most of their young lives, the two teenagers embraced heritage means that everything has to be done by the book, even more so than usual. And the local media looks set to do their part too, stirring up a controversy by painting the youthful offender as the victim, betrayed and spat out by a useless system and a cycle of abuse.
The Brotherhood is told from a myriad of perspectives: the probationary constable on the call out, the state Commissioner, the detective in charge of investigating the case, the journalist looking for the perfect angle that will get him out of here and off to the big smoke, the victim’s ex-lover, the suspect’s lawyer, the victim’s wife, a constable working the same shift as the victim, the suspect himself and a friend of the victim who is also a cop. It paints a grim picture of the policing system, the legal system and the so-called justice system where criminals get off on technicalities and crying racist or foul treatment, anyone has the potential to be corrupt and everyone has something to hide.
When I constructed a rough list of books I wanted to read for the Australian Women Writers Challenge this year, I realised that although I had intended to read as widely as possible, I lacked in crime fiction. Fortunately Bernadette, a fellow Australian blogger who focuses on just that, pitched in with several recommendations, one of which was this novel. She had highly enjoyed it and wrote a very positive review of it that had me immediately keen to read it, for many different reasons. Firstly, it helped add to a genre that I do enjoy but perhaps don’t own a lot of, secondly it was set in Tasmania which made a lovely refreshing change from procedurals set in either Sydney or Melbourne and lastly, because it touched on a very sensitive topic, that of Aboriginal offenders and the law. It took my library some time to have it available and I requested it as soon as it was added to the catalogue.
As mentioned above, the narrative takes turns and I thought that was a perfect way in which to construct this novel. There’s a large cast of characters and by giving them their own chapter/section where the focus is on them it perfectly establishes relationships for the reader without the confusing of characters wandering in and out and viewpoints changing. Each of the characters are starkly believable, incredibly well written from the young, green probationary constable that opens the book right through to the end. They are secretive, they have faults -glaring ones- and mostly, they’re all not very nice people. There are some exceptions but mostly this little cast of characters are not people you’d want to befriend. And with the power some of them wield in society, it’s a little alarming with the things some of them are up to.
There’s no denying that this book is gritty, harsh and raw. The author, Yvette Erskine spent 11 years in the Tasmanian police force according to her bio, in both front line and detective policing so there’s no doubt a lot of what occurs in this novel is grounded in realism. There’s a surety in the writing, an authenticity. It’s rough – if you’re offended by language or prefer it not to pepper your novels, don’t pick up this one. I read widely but I do think this one might just take the cake for language… I certainly can’t recall any other book I’ve read which is so free with ‘the worst’ word in society today! It did prove a little distracting at times as it littered every page repeatedly, but I could overlook it in the terms of reality because I do think that the sort of people populating this novel talk quite similarly to this. If I thought it was gratuitous for simply shock’s sake, it would have really bothered me.
This book does address a very hot issue, that of an Aboriginal offender playing the race card. Whilst the book plays on emotions vying against each other by portraying Sergeant White as an extremely good, kind and generous police officer, it also seeks to assert the fact that some people just don’t have much of a chance in life and that there are some flaws in the systems that should protect and encourage. But it doesn’t preach, or choose a side at all, it simply…is. And I really liked that. I felt it gave the freedom to form my own opinion and beliefs without feeling manipulated into it.
The Betrayal is a fantastic novel from a debut author, rich and complex with amazingly believable characters. I have to admit to finishing the book and feeling a bit “What? Is that it?!” but then I realised that Erskine’s second novel, entitled The Betrayal, published less than two weeks ago, seems to deal with the same characters, which pleased me a lot. Even though I didn’t like a lot of them, there’s a little unfinished business with several and I’m very much looking forward to revisiting this world and seeing what comes about next.
Although well known to police and having been in and out of trouble for most of their young lives, the two teenagers embraced heritage means that everything has to be done by the book, even more so than usual. And the local media looks set to do their part too, stirring up a controversy by painting the youthful offender as the victim, betrayed and spat out by a useless system and a cycle of abuse.
The Brotherhood is told from a myriad of perspectives: the probationary constable on the call out, the state Commissioner, the detective in charge of investigating the case, the journalist looking for the perfect angle that will get him out of here and off to the big smoke, the victim’s ex-lover, the suspect’s lawyer, the victim’s wife, a constable working the same shift as the victim, the suspect himself and a friend of the victim who is also a cop. It paints a grim picture of the policing system, the legal system and the so-called justice system where criminals get off on technicalities and crying racist or foul treatment, anyone has the potential to be corrupt and everyone has something to hide.
When I constructed a rough list of books I wanted to read for the Australian Women Writers Challenge this year, I realised that although I had intended to read as widely as possible, I lacked in crime fiction. Fortunately Bernadette, a fellow Australian blogger who focuses on just that, pitched in with several recommendations, one of which was this novel. She had highly enjoyed it and wrote a very positive review of it that had me immediately keen to read it, for many different reasons. Firstly, it helped add to a genre that I do enjoy but perhaps don’t own a lot of, secondly it was set in Tasmania which made a lovely refreshing change from procedurals set in either Sydney or Melbourne and lastly, because it touched on a very sensitive topic, that of Aboriginal offenders and the law. It took my library some time to have it available and I requested it as soon as it was added to the catalogue.
As mentioned above, the narrative takes turns and I thought that was a perfect way in which to construct this novel. There’s a large cast of characters and by giving them their own chapter/section where the focus is on them it perfectly establishes relationships for the reader without the confusing of characters wandering in and out and viewpoints changing. Each of the characters are starkly believable, incredibly well written from the young, green probationary constable that opens the book right through to the end. They are secretive, they have faults -glaring ones- and mostly, they’re all not very nice people. There are some exceptions but mostly this little cast of characters are not people you’d want to befriend. And with the power some of them wield in society, it’s a little alarming with the things some of them are up to.
There’s no denying that this book is gritty, harsh and raw. The author, Yvette Erskine spent 11 years in the Tasmanian police force according to her bio, in both front line and detective policing so there’s no doubt a lot of what occurs in this novel is grounded in realism. There’s a surety in the writing, an authenticity. It’s rough – if you’re offended by language or prefer it not to pepper your novels, don’t pick up this one. I read widely but I do think this one might just take the cake for language… I certainly can’t recall any other book I’ve read which is so free with ‘the worst’ word in society today! It did prove a little distracting at times as it littered every page repeatedly, but I could overlook it in the terms of reality because I do think that the sort of people populating this novel talk quite similarly to this. If I thought it was gratuitous for simply shock’s sake, it would have really bothered me.
This book does address a very hot issue, that of an Aboriginal offender playing the race card. Whilst the book plays on emotions vying against each other by portraying Sergeant White as an extremely good, kind and generous police officer, it also seeks to assert the fact that some people just don’t have much of a chance in life and that there are some flaws in the systems that should protect and encourage. But it doesn’t preach, or choose a side at all, it simply…is. And I really liked that. I felt it gave the freedom to form my own opinion and beliefs without feeling manipulated into it.
The Betrayal is a fantastic novel from a debut author, rich and complex with amazingly believable characters. I have to admit to finishing the book and feeling a bit “What? Is that it?!” but then I realised that Erskine’s second novel, entitled The Betrayal, published less than two weeks ago, seems to deal with the same characters, which pleased me a lot. Even though I didn’t like a lot of them, there’s a little unfinished business with several and I’m very much looking forward to revisiting this world and seeing what comes about next.
October 31, 2019
A gritty police drama that revolves around the death of one of their number during a burglary that went wrong. Loved the format where each person connected with the deceased has a chapter to themselves and tells of their involvement and how it has already and will affect them in the future.
March 1, 2012
(Kylie) Where to begin? How about – wow! Y.A. Erskine totally blew me away with the clever concept and execution of this story. I hesitate to use the “debut author” tag, because The Brotherhood would have been equally brilliant if it were an author’s tenth book – the fact that it is her first, only makes it all the more impressive.
Erskine breaks out of the mould of typical of crime fiction with her original (and quite brave) approach to telling this story. Each chapter is told from the point-of-view of a different character: the young constable, the seasoned detective, the wife, the lover, the accused. Each of these characters have their own story to tell, their own agenda and each is developed beautifully, as though this were a collection of short stories or personal memoirs.
Except that it’s not. Each story weaves a rich tapestry that completes the full story. The tale unfolds like a torch relay; each character sharing their own memories and passing the baton on until finally – miraculously – they come full circle and the cauldron is lit with a fiery haze of arrows.
Erskine, herself an ex-police officer in Tasmania, doesn’t shy away from any issue; no subject is taboo. Each of her characters has failings, each face their own form of corruption, drugs, lust, greed or power. Issues of politics, media and race relations faced by the police force are confronted with finesse.
The Brotherhood surprised me. I honestly didn’t expect it to come together so perfectly – at one point I was wondering why I needed to hear so many mundane details of a character’s life. What about the murder? But I was wrong, those details were far from mundane, each of them critical to the telling of the whole story and all of them related to the events surrounding the crime.
I finished this book in the wee hours of morning and then couldn’t sleep – I so desperately wanted to share this book with someone. I sat in my bed, muttering to myself like a mad woman, “oh my God, oh wow!”
I cannot speak highly enough of this book or of its fantastic author – a new force in crime writing has emerged.
(This review was first published at: www.sistersincrime.org.au
You can also find my interview with the author on the same site.)
Erskine breaks out of the mould of typical of crime fiction with her original (and quite brave) approach to telling this story. Each chapter is told from the point-of-view of a different character: the young constable, the seasoned detective, the wife, the lover, the accused. Each of these characters have their own story to tell, their own agenda and each is developed beautifully, as though this were a collection of short stories or personal memoirs.
Except that it’s not. Each story weaves a rich tapestry that completes the full story. The tale unfolds like a torch relay; each character sharing their own memories and passing the baton on until finally – miraculously – they come full circle and the cauldron is lit with a fiery haze of arrows.
Erskine, herself an ex-police officer in Tasmania, doesn’t shy away from any issue; no subject is taboo. Each of her characters has failings, each face their own form of corruption, drugs, lust, greed or power. Issues of politics, media and race relations faced by the police force are confronted with finesse.
The Brotherhood surprised me. I honestly didn’t expect it to come together so perfectly – at one point I was wondering why I needed to hear so many mundane details of a character’s life. What about the murder? But I was wrong, those details were far from mundane, each of them critical to the telling of the whole story and all of them related to the events surrounding the crime.
I finished this book in the wee hours of morning and then couldn’t sleep – I so desperately wanted to share this book with someone. I sat in my bed, muttering to myself like a mad woman, “oh my God, oh wow!”
I cannot speak highly enough of this book or of its fantastic author – a new force in crime writing has emerged.
(This review was first published at: www.sistersincrime.org.au
You can also find my interview with the author on the same site.)
December 21, 2012
It's just another day in Hobart. A call out to a suspected burglary. A much respected sergeant and a rookie female police officer take the call.It ends in tragedy when the sergeant is fatally stabbed by one of the fleeing youths..
THE BROTHERHOOD is not a whodunit, or even a whydunit. THE BROTHERHOOD is an exploration of the effect that the death of the officer has on those around him. The rookie, colleagues, friends, the offenders, defence lawyer, journalist, the high ups in the police force. The ripples extend way beyond his immediate family.
The death also raises a few political issues. One of those apprehended is of aboriginal descent; A political hot potato which some in the media are all too willing to exploit.
THE BROTHERHOOD lifts the lid on the seemingly tranquil life of a small community and throws a bright spotlight on what goes on beneath the surface.
Y.A. Erskine is a former Tasmanian police officer and you can't help but wonder how much of what you're reading is fiction and how much is perhaps based on real characters and experiences. Whatever the case, it's not a comfortable read, but it is a fascinating one.
Don't read THE BROTHERHOOD, expecting some sort of neat resolution, because as is often the case in real life, there is none.
THE BROTHERHOOD is not a whodunit, or even a whydunit. THE BROTHERHOOD is an exploration of the effect that the death of the officer has on those around him. The rookie, colleagues, friends, the offenders, defence lawyer, journalist, the high ups in the police force. The ripples extend way beyond his immediate family.
The death also raises a few political issues. One of those apprehended is of aboriginal descent; A political hot potato which some in the media are all too willing to exploit.
THE BROTHERHOOD lifts the lid on the seemingly tranquil life of a small community and throws a bright spotlight on what goes on beneath the surface.
Y.A. Erskine is a former Tasmanian police officer and you can't help but wonder how much of what you're reading is fiction and how much is perhaps based on real characters and experiences. Whatever the case, it's not a comfortable read, but it is a fascinating one.
Don't read THE BROTHERHOOD, expecting some sort of neat resolution, because as is often the case in real life, there is none.
August 11, 2016
This novel was not what I expected.
It starts, almost exactly as I expected, introducing an investigator, a victim and mysteriousness. What exactly happened? And why? The first, brief chapter is very good - lots of detail, no substantial information. And then we plunge in; the story progressing with a different narrator each chapter.
Had it not been for the many positive reviews of this book, coupled with the fact that I have listed it as one for the Australian Women Writers Reading Challenge 2012, I might have put it down. I like stories told from different perspectives, but I found myself wanting to edit things, sentences, phrases, cliches. But at somewhere along the way, there was a turning point. It helps to read this in one - or at least only a few - sittings.
This novel is about loyalty. Only the surface is a crime novel. Like all good books should, you think about long after you have finished reading it.
It starts, almost exactly as I expected, introducing an investigator, a victim and mysteriousness. What exactly happened? And why? The first, brief chapter is very good - lots of detail, no substantial information. And then we plunge in; the story progressing with a different narrator each chapter.
Had it not been for the many positive reviews of this book, coupled with the fact that I have listed it as one for the Australian Women Writers Reading Challenge 2012, I might have put it down. I like stories told from different perspectives, but I found myself wanting to edit things, sentences, phrases, cliches. But at somewhere along the way, there was a turning point. It helps to read this in one - or at least only a few - sittings.
This novel is about loyalty. Only the surface is a crime novel. Like all good books should, you think about long after you have finished reading it.
February 6, 2013
This novel is in equal parts interesting and unsatisfying. We navigate a nasty day in the Tasmanian police department through the eyes of a different character each chapter which is a unique way of doing things, but this also means that no character is fully fleshed out and many story threads are left hanging. There were some nice reveals but other moments seemed obvious or forced. Also, I really wanted more dedication to the Hobart/Tasmanian setting but it really was peripheral. A solid novel, but hardly memorable.
May 8, 2012
Really enjoyed this one when I read it a few months ago. The author, being an ex-cop, really knows how the Tassie police force works. She pulls no punches and is often very critical of the "system." The way she presents the situation from the pov of all concerned gives this novel depth. It's not just a procedural yarn but better than that, and I found it highly readable. As so often with Goodreads I wish I could give four and half stars because that's probably what it deserves.
Greg Barron http://www.gregbarron.com
Greg Barron http://www.gregbarron.com
January 7, 2012
I found this book one that I did not want to put down!! I thought the characters were interesting and believable. Storyline was great and gives the reader an insight into the camaraderie of the police. I believe that the way the Author has written this book it has allowed her the ability to write further novels featuring some of the same characters. I will be most definitely be watching out for the next Y A Erskine instalment of Aussie crime.
January 11, 2012
This novel weaved an incredible story that was hard to put down. The murder of a police officer in Tasmania is definitely not a storyline that comes up frequently. Great realistic characters. Erskine uses a little too much foul language and jargon for my liking, though I know this is the necessary evil of an Australian police force story. A great first novel by Erskine.
July 11, 2013
Well written and quite possibly very realistic but I finished this novel feeling frustrated by the characters and depressed by the picture it painted of criminal activity, law enforcement and perhaps of society in general. Whilst it certainly left me thinking, the ending felt unsatisfying and without much hope for any of the characters.
July 7, 2012
Growing up in Tassie and having knowledge of the Police environment, I can highly recommend this book. I was captivated from the first page and the author has accurately captured the state and the characters that make up this intriguing tale. I thoroughly enjoyed the alternative perspectives and story lines of each character and I am looking forward to reading more from Yvette Erskine!
August 11, 2016
When you consider that this is written by someone who was part of the police service, it’s interesting to see a curtain pulled back to reveal the very human faces behind, which we sometimes forget. The curtain gets pulled back more because of the setting in Hobart, and the streets that are so familiar. Extremely interesting.
April 1, 2016
Enjoyed this a lot, after I'd struggled through the first chapter. Each of the characters, while obviously of a "type", is deftly portrayed with a clear voice; and the web of interactions betweem, again, while somewhat contrived, is satisfyingly constructed. The local references were a bonus.
September 29, 2011
Enjoyed this one. Be warned: high level course language and sex references. Tells the story from a series of people's perspectives. Clever plotting.
April 6, 2016
In some of the early sections of the book, the "class" tone of the characters felt forced but in the end I admired the structure and range of the book and enjoyed the read.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews