# The Broken River by Chris Hammer (Paperback)

**BURIED GOLD, OLD BONES.**  
**WHAT SECRETS LURK IN THE DEPTHS?**  
  
**A masterclass of small-town mystery and jaw-dropping twists from Chris Hammer, the international bestselling author of _Scrublands_, _The_ _Times_ Crime Book of the Year 2023** **_Dead Man's Creek_** **and Crime Book of the Month for January 2024,** **_Cover the Bones_****.**  
  
A body has been discovered on the riverbanks of The Valley, a remote community in the hills of New South Wales. The gold mine at the heart of The Valley was once the lifeblood of this region, but it has been flooded for decades. Over the years, many have tried and failed to bring it back to life. Now, most believe the mine is barren.  
  
The victim is Wolfgang Burnside, deputy mayor - a champion of change or local schemer, depending on who you ask. He had been working on plans to take the Valley off-grid with hydro-power using the lake surrounding the abandoned mine. Until he was poisoned, his body dumped in the river for all to see.  
  
Detectives Nell Buchanan and Ivan Lucic are dispatched to investigate. The warning is clear - there are secrets lurking in the depths of this Valley, secrets worth more than their weight in gold. What price will this town have to pay to ensure that they never see the light of day?  
  
**An epic, atmospheric mystery spanning generations set against a luscious backdrop and the twisting veins of gold that lurk beneath.**  
**  
Praise for Chris Hammer:**  
  
**'A masterful, stunning thriller. A twisting mystery epic in scale yet intricate in detail. Irresistible.'** Chris Whitaker  
  
**'Epic.** **Shakespearean in depth and range'** _The Times_  
  
**'Fierce, gripping and spine-chilling.'** _Daily Mail_  
  
**'My favourite Australian detective is Nell Buchanan.'** - Ann Cleeves  
  
**'Hammer is a great writer - a leader in Australian noir'** Michael Connelly  
  
**'Shimmers . . . A tortured tale of blood and loss'** Val McDermid  
  
**'Stunning - a page-turner which stays long in the memory'** _Sunday Times_

## Details

- **Price:** 8.99 GBP
- **Vendor:** Headline Publishing Group
- **Tags:** All Books, Thrillers

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 8.99 GBP | In stock |

## Images

- The Broken River by Chris Hammer book cover

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> Source: [Somiibooks](https://somiibooks.com/products/the-broken-river-chris-hammer-9781035410798)
> Updated: 2026-09-13