Crime and courtroom drama meet island humour and romance in this award-winning debut novel.
When Thea Dari-Jones takes the job as Officer in Charge of the Thursday Island police station in Torres Strait, she has no idea that her desire to start anew and return to her mother’s Islander roots will be the greatest challenge of her life. Arriving with visions of enjoying a relaxed, idyllic island lifestyle; what she finds instead is a close-knit community divided by a brutal crime and an unexpected relationship with an Islander fisherman Jonah that brings her closer to her own heritage.
As Thea investigates the murder, a series of surprising events lead her through the landscape and language of the locals, most of whom are convinced that maydh, or black magic, is the source of the unsolved mystery on the island.
From the winner of the 2012 Queensland Literary Awards – Best Emerging Author category, My Island Homicide combines crime, romance and island life into an irresistible tropical package.
‘Told with humour and pathos … [this is] a rare and affectionate portrait of a place that floats on the edge of mainland Australia’s consciousness.’ Judges’ report, 2012 Queensland Literary Awards
‘Catherine Titasey’s debut novel is a delightful cosy crime set in the tropical paradise of Thursday Island. [Her] writing is crisp and full of wry, often amusing, observations.’ The Hoopla Blog
‘[Catherine Titasey] writes with a genuine affection and respect for Islander people and their culture and captures the slower rhythms of their days in this very likeable yarn.’ Booktopia Buzz
‘My Island Homicide is a juicy mix of romance and murder … it has a freshness and a joie de vivre … that will attract a lot of readers.’ Sun Herald / Sunday Age
‘The lushness of the natural world and pleasures of fishing are wonderfully evoked, as are the traditional dancing and singing, and you'd struggle to find a book that gives you a more vivacious and accurate account of the Torres Strait Islanders of today.’ The Monthly
‘A crime story that combines local charm with cross-cultural humour and a strong sense of place.’ Courier-Mail / Sun-Herald / Sunday Times
‘My Island Homicide is a great slice of Torres Strait Life that I wanted to just keep on keeping on. I loved the minutiae in the book.’ No Awards Blog
‘A vivid, often droll and rather relaxing crime novel … written in an easy and seductive style that’s a pleasure to read.’ Sydney Morning Herald / Saturday Age ‘Pick-of-the-Week’ / Canberra Times
‘Titasey’s debut novel richly evokes a tropical lifestyle brimming with interesting characters and all the ingredients needed for a satisfying read.’ Launceston Examiner
‘Titasey's obvious love for her adopted tropical home – warts and all – shines through and won her an emerging writer award.’ Adelaide Advertiser
‘A whodunit in paradise with a small but colourful group of island suspects.’ The Big Book Club
‘… a fast-paced read which blends a crime story and romance … Catherine Titasey won the Queensland Literary Award – Best Emerging Author for the manuscript of this novel. When you read My Island Homicide, you will understand why.’ Port Macquarie News
‘A fresh new novel that leaves us hoping for another.’ ReadPlus Blog
‘A perfect summer read for the romantically inclined.’ Fair Dinkum Crime
