From magician's assistant to crime novelist, it's all about mastering the art of subterfuge for Loraine Peck, whose love of crime fiction propelled her to write the kind of book she loves to read.
The Second Son, Loraine's debut novel, won the 2021 Ned Kelly Award for Best Debut Crime Fiction from the Australian Crime Writers Association. It was shortlisted for two Davitt Awards by Sisters in Crime and for a Danger Award by BAD Crime Sydney.
The Double Bind, the sequel to The Second Son, will be out in April 2023.
Loraine and her husband spend their time between Sydney and the Gold Coast.
'At first glance, The Second Son is a modern-day
Godfather that paints a brutal, bullet-ridden picture of
gang warfare in Sydney's western suburbs. Look again, and it's a
compelling exploration of inherited trauma and the endless cycle of
violence. Get right up close and it's a tender story of fear, love
and-ultimately-hope. A sharp and striking debut.' * Anna Downes
*
'Dark, gritty, and full of deliciously complex characters.' *
Candice Fox, author of The Chase *
'Tight and tense, The Second Son is a wonderfully
sharp-toothed crime thriller.' * Christian White *
'A tense, sinuous, fast-moving debut where hard answers are given
to questions of honour and justice.' * Garry Disher *
'Impressive...Loraine Peck gives us a fast-paced gangland
thriller...[T]he women are the real strength here.' * Sydney
Morning Herald *
'[A]n engaging read...Peck writes well on all narrative levels: the
background, the action, and the personal relationships, which are
tender and convincing.' * Australian *
'Don't start this book late at night. You will not be able to put
it down. Fast-paced, great characters, evil plot and a shocking
twist right at the end-what more could a crime fan want?' * Herald
Sun *
'Have you ever read a book and imagined it as a gripping,
10-episode Australian crime drama? The Second Son is like
that: action-packed, full of surprises, and with enough family
tension to keep you hooked with every chapter.' * Readings *
'Outstanding...a gripping whodunnit. Original and straight from the
heart.' * Kate London, author of Gallowstree Lane *
'Compelling and gritty, at its heart this crime thriller is also
the He says/She says tale of a marriage disintegrating under a
Molotov cocktail of toxic masculinity and family honour. Hi-octane,
brutal, raw and emotional, this is one striking crime debut.' *
Greg Woodland, author of The Night Whistler. *
'Loraine Peck's debut novel is as relentless as headlights
following you at night, full of spark, simmering violence and
outright gang bloodshed.' * Books+Publishing *
'The novel snaps along at a cracking pace, [and] is filled with
sharply drawn and complex characters...Disturbing, fresh, and
thoroughly entertaining.' * Meredith Jaffe *
'A brilliant action-packed crime debut.' * Avenue Bookstore *
'This is a cracking read and I was reeled in from the first
chapter. The characters are strong and pitch perfect, as the story
is revealed in alternating chapters between Johnny and Amy. The
plot is action-packed and compelling, and I struggled to put it
down, bargaining with myself for 'one more page'. With overtones of
The Godfather, these of family dynamics, conflict and
expectations are explored with insight and nuance...exciting new
voice on the Australian crime writing landscape.' * Good Reading
*
'[A] fast-paced thriller...a cross between The Godfather and
Underbelly.' * Weekend West *
'The judges praised the strong character-driven plot and the
realistic setting in multicultural Sydney. The intercutting of
family dynamics and organised crime action brings a heightened
level of both engagement and tension to The Second Son.' *
Judges of the Ned Kelly Award *
'Loraine Peck has written a warm, funny, robust and highly
suspenseful story about warring crime families, a fresh take on the
organised crime story. What lingers afterwards is the family and
their warm, fully imagined and relatable personalities. The focus
on the women characters gives this gangster story an edge on other
gritty tales about the men who live and die by mobsters' law. This
is pacy, with tension increasing on every page and each exquisite
twist is completely believable. I thoroughly enjoyed this gem of a
novel.' * Poppy Gee, author Bay of Fires *
'A gritty crime novel set in the seedy streets of Sydney's west.
With twists and turns I didn't see coming, it's got a terrific
hook-the son of a drug boss pressured to choose between his wife
and child and avenge his brother's murder. I'm not surprised it won
the Ned Kelly Award for Best Debut crime novel. Another Aussie
writer to watch.' * Tim Ayliffe, author of The Enemy Within *
'Intense. The world building is so detailed and the characters! I
am looking forward to the sequel already.' * R.W.R. McDonald,
author of The Nancys *
'Thanks for the high blood pressure Loraine Peck, and for making me
fall in love with thugs and crims. Can't wait for the next one. A
definite 10/10.' * Julie Kay, author of Not My Father *
'An impressive, thrilling crime fiction debut that explores the
themes of family, heritage, loyalty, revenge, and trauma. Peck's
writing is confident and engaging, capturing a different aspect of
Australian urban life. The Second Son is an entertaining,
tense and gritty crime novel, and I'm looking forward to the next
instalment.' * Shelley Rae, blogger, Booked-Out *
'Perfect for lovers of action-packed crime brimming with heart.' *
Lyn Yeowart, author of The Silent Listener *
'Gritty and entertaining, an exciting new voice on the Australian
crime fiction landscape.' * Andy Muir author of Something for
Nothing *
'Amy is a lioness of a mother while Johnny ensures the action never
ceases. There's humour here too amongst the violence. A brilliant,
edge-of-the-seat story.' * Charlie Tyler author of The Cry of the
Lake *
'Everything I want in a crime novel-action-packed plot, compelling
characters, heart-stopping twists and suspense that kept me reading
well into the night. Peck skilfully pits loyalty against love in
this brilliant, fresh and entertaining take on the world of warring
crime families. Can't wait for the next instalment!' * Rae Cairns,
author of The Good Mother *
'Peck plunges the reader into Sydney's underworld. This vividly
told, fast-paced story is as beautiful as it is brutal.' * Allie
Reynolds author of Shiver and The Bay. *
'This book blew my mind, broke my heart and scared the hell out of
me. After I had finished it, I felt bereaved, like my world had
dissolved. And, as dangerous as it was, I wanted to go back. I
loved it and I hope to see it on Netflix one day. I can't wait to
read the sequel.' * Pip Drysdale, author of The Strangers We Know *
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