The Dream

‘an incredible page-turner. Everybody has secrets, nobody is untainted by corruption, and even the ‘good guys’ are bad. Perfect for fans of Garry Disher, Adrian McKinty and Peter Temple’ –Books + Publishing

In a city gripped by recession and shattered by violent bank robberies, three lives collide in a web of corruption, ambition, and revenge.

Detective Bruno Karras, haunted by past secrets, receives mysterious photos of a bloodstained house. Amy Owens, a reluctant investigator entangled with the underworld, digs into the dark dealings of a wealthy businessman. Mike Nichols, a backroom player with big dreams, finds himself caught in the crossfire.

As the glittering façade of the Gold Coast crumbles during the 1982 Commonwealth Games, Bruno, Amy and Mike uncover a sinister plot that threatens to consume them all. In a world where power and deception reign supreme, they must confront their own demons while navigating a labyrinth of danger and betrayal.

PRAISE FOR THE DREAM

‘Refracting the grim spirit of noir through 1980s Queensland is a natural move, and Ryan launches into building a glitzy, violent and meretricious underworld with flair.’ –Sydney Morning Herald

‘This is as hard-boiled as Australian crime fiction gets, and it's very good.’ –Sydney Morning Herald

‘a cracking crime thriller’ –The Australian

'tense and compelling' – Garry Disher, author of Bitter Wash Road and Consolation

'The Strip is an eye-popping, nightmarish miasma that sets a new bar for Australian crime. A total triumph in every respect.' – Chris Flynn, author of Mammoth and Here Be Leviathans

'Fast paced, gritty, sharply observed noir that goes hard into the sleaze and corruption of the moonlight state.' – Andrew Nette, author of Orphan Road and Gunshine State

'The Strip is bingeworthy reading - a gritty crime thriller reeking of corruption, murder and sex. If you like your heroines flawed and kick-ass and your cops dirty as hell, you’ll love Iain Ryan’s gripping foray into the underworld of the Gold Coast. Hardly took a breath from first page to last.' – Kate Mildenhall, author of The Mother Fault and The Hummingbird Effect

'Page-turning from the start, this book ratchets up the tension tenfold as the pieces fall into place and the novel reaches its thrilling pinnacle.' – Books + Publishing

'The real-life history of vice and corruption on the Gold Coast in the 1970s and 80s has inspired this pacy, tense work of crime fiction' – The West Australian