The Old School by P.M. Newton

The Old School

by P.M. Newton

Two things you want to remember about the good old days, Ned. They weren't that good and they're not that old.' Detective Nhu 'Ned' Kelly is in way over her head. Not every member of the New South Wales police force has welcomed the young, half - Vietnamese woman into a job where the old school still makes the rules. When two bodies are discovered in the footings of an old Bankstown building, Ned catches the case. As she works to uncover the truth, she is drawn into Sydney's dirty past - and the murky history of her own family. Bit by bit she gains ground on the murderer, just as he's gaining ground on her. Familiar faces begin to look suspicious. How close to home will she have to look? It's time for Ned to decide who is on her side - and who wants her dead.

Reviewed by Michael @ Knowledge Lost on

2 of 5 stars

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The Old School is the debut novel by former Policewoman P.M. Newton; set in the south western Sydney suburb of Bankstown in 1992, this book follows Detective Nhu ‘Ned’ Kelly who’s current case leds her into the dark pasts of Sydney. This book is full of Race struggles, power moves and corruption. While this was a fantastic debut novel for P.M. Newton, I found my self a little bored and not interested in the characters. I remember the era as I grow up in Sydney but I don’t really remember the grittiness of that time (I was still in primary school).

It was worth a read and if you enjoy a good Police procedure style book then don’t let my review detir you, this book is really interesting and I think many people will enjoy it. I just struggled to connect with it. Ned is a strong powerful young woman tha has to go through many struggles to prove herself, I’m interested to see if there will be any more novels to continue on her story.

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  • Started reading
  • 24 September, 2011: Finished reading
  • 24 September, 2011: Reviewed