Into the Night in Aussie Readers

Jan 21, 2020 Kate Forsyth rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: crime, aww2019, australian-author

I really enjoyed Sarah Bailey’s first crime novel, the atmospheric and brilliantly clever Dark Lake. So I was really looking forward to seeing what Sarah Bailey would come up with next.

Detective Sergeant Gemma Woodstock has moved to Melbourne to pursue her career, leaving her son Ben with her ex-partner in the small Victorian town where she grew up. She is lonely, but determined. Being a homicide cop is what she’s good at, and she’s determined to make a go of it.

Then a homeless man is brutally ...more

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Oct 10, 2018 Jyv rated it did not like it

Shelves: fiction, whodunnit

Ultimately, I found this a boring read. Most of it is taken up with inane conversations and the self-pitying monologue of the main character, who seems immature, selfish, and a pretty shit detective. The writing is rather pedestrian, with bizarre and irrelevant descriptive details: "The curious eyes of the stars peer down from their endless dome."; "A ping announces our arrival" (from the lift); "... eyes slide into mine and he brings his head back to my level" (what?); "... cracks her gum loudl ...more

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Nov 20, 2018 Kathy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4.5 stars.

Into the Night by Sarah Bailey is a riveting police procedural that takes place in Melbourne, AU. This second installment in the Gemma Woodstock series easily stands on its own, but I HIGHLY recommend the first book in the series, The Dark Lake.

Having recently relocated to Melbourne from her small hometown, Detective Sergeant Gemma Woodstoock has yet to become completely comfortable with her new partner Detective Sergeant Nick Fleet. However, she puts her misgivings aside as they work 4.5 stars.

Into the Night by Sarah Bailey is a riveting police procedural that takes place in Melbourne, AU. This second installment in the Gemma Woodstock series easily stands on its own, but I HIGHLY recommend the first book in the series, The Dark Lake.

Having recently relocated to Melbourne from her small hometown, Detective Sergeant Gemma Woodstoock has yet to become completely comfortable with her new partner Detective Sergeant Nick Fleet. However, she puts her misgivings aside as they work together to find homeless man Walt Miller's killer. Having barely scratched the surface on the case, Gemma and Fleet are quickly reassigned to the stunning murder of actor Sterling Wade. Sterling's death is all the more shocking since it was caught on tape during filming of a zombie movie. Nick and Gemma are overwhelmed by the sheer number of witnesses, a lack of motive and their frustrations dealing with the people in Sterling's orbit. After Gemma makes a startling discovery, will she and Fleet unmask the murderer?

Gemma has physically moved but she has not moved on from the issues that plagued her in Smithson. She has no regrets about relocating and she enjoys the hustle, bustle and anonymity of city life. She desperately misses her young son, Ben, yet she is relieved not to have to deal with the everyday minutiae of parenting. While she knows she is being unreasonable, Gemma is also dismayed about the unexpected changes in her father's life. She is struggling with her new boss Chief Inspector Toby Isaacs' management style and she is less than thrilled with being partnered with Fleet. Feeling restless and a bit unmoored, Gemma's coping mechanisms are extremely unhealthy and rather risky.

The investigation is even-paced as Gemma, Nick and the rest of the team sift through the vast amount of witness statements, CCTV footage and delve into Sterling's personal life. His girlfriend at the time of his murder, actress Lizzie Short and Wade's parents are ravaged with grief. His best mate Brodie Kent's stunning revelation provides another avenue for Gemma and Fleet to explore. Rumors swirl around Wade's relationship with leading lady Ava James and her accusation against director Riley Cartwright adds another complication to the complex murder investigation. Gemma's unexpected finding throws the inquiry into turmoil as they must try to determine how this information fits into Sterling's murder.

With a sympathetic yet prickly lead protagonist, Into the Night is a multi-layered mystery that is well-written and engaging. Both Gemma and Nick are quite flawed and extremely close-mouthed about their personal lives. Despite making very questionable choices outside of work, they are excellent detectives who are dedicated to finding Sterling's killer. With a vast pool of suspects and a few well-placed red herrings, Sarah Bailey keeps the murderer's identity and motive tightly under wraps until the investigation's exciting dénouement. The novel ends on a positive note as Gemma begins to get a handle on her personal demons. I greatly enjoyed this latest outing in the Gemma Woodstock series and I can't wait to see what the future holds for Gemma. ...more

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May 19, 2022 Catsalive rated it liked it

Shelves: aww, 2022

3.5*
I really cannot like Gemma Woodstock, she's unlikeable, flaky & a hypocrite, who acts more like a teenager than a mature, experienced police officer. You'd be worried if she were the one in charge of your case, she could implode any moment. Given that, she's a good police detective, but I don't think she's "brilliant" as the blurb would have it. Fleet has done her a huge favour, making her look clever instead of pathetic, but she's too wrapped up in herself to see it. No, not a likeable prot ...more

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Dec 27, 2019 Tracey rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, crime, australian, mystery, 2019

The second book in the series has Detective Gemma Woodstock relocating to Melbourne as she seeks to find some personal balance. Her marriage is over and while everyone is moving forward Gemma finds herself caught in cycle of one night stands and alcohol abuse. She is also struggling to find her way in a new team when a major case lands in her lap. An up and rising celebrity is murdered in broad day daylight in the middle of film shoot. It is a complicated case and Gemma needs all her wits to sol ...more

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Dec 28, 2022 Averil rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2022

Sarah Bailey's second book really establishes her detective Gemma Woodstock as strong character who generates in the reader a mixture of woman-power pride and tired melancholy. I'll happily read anything Bailey writes - this is my third of hers and I'm still ready for more.
Gemma has moved from country NSW to Melbourne and is struggling with both personal and professional problems when she gets called to the murder of a homeless man. Suddenly she is moved to another case, but can't shake her mind ...more

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Mar 23, 2019 Karen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

A stunning and suspenseful crime novel, featuring the troubled, but brilliant, Detective Gemma Woodstock. Gemma has transferred to a new city, she is lost and alone, and having trouble getting to know her new partner. Then a movie star is killed on the set of a major film shoot, and Gemma and her partner investigate this brazen crime. A gripping read all the way to the end!

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