The Drowning

Bryan Brown

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Paperback

Forthcoming
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English

Allen & Unwin
30 September 2025

Crime & Mystery

'A work of rattling and serpentine suspense ... gripping and sinuous and so, so good.' Trent Dalton

'The Drowning has all the hallmarks of great Aussie crime writing ... Brown's punchy prose makes this novel absolutely devourable, and all will be revealed in due time. The Drowning is highly recommended holiday reading.' Better Reading

The body of a local teenage boy is found on the beach of a sleepy northern New South Wales town. David went for an evening swim and got into trouble . . . at least, that's what it looks like.

Three weeks before, Leila, a young backpacker, didn't turn up for her shift at the local cafe. Benny, the owner, isn't worried. It happens - backpackers are always on the move. There'll be another one.

One of the locals, Adrian, has been a help to Benny. He's found him a nice little sideline. Not exactly legal. Is that all Adrian is arranging on the coast? He once was a cop but has he gone bad?

And in the backblocks outside town, a bikie gang is gearing up for a large consignment from South America.

Murder, drugs, liaisons and lies are stirring up this small coastal town.

With Bryan Brown's characteristic laconic storytelling - humorous, tough and suspenseful - the secrets of this seemingly idyllic town slowly come to the surface.

Praise for The Drowning:

'Actor Bryan Brown's impressive debut novel weaves an intriguing tapestry of sub-plots to create a roller-coaster and chilling Aussie thriller.' Australian Women's Weekly

'Dark and dirty but compulsive all at once.' The Daily Telegraph

'Unique, disruptive and yet recognisably Australian, The Drowning is a page-turning, multi-layered Australian crime thriller that will intrigue and satisfy fans of Chris Hammer, Dave Warner and Jock Serong.' Books + Publishing

'A thriller with cinematic sensibilities...come for the name; stay for the writing.' Good Reading

'Absolutely mesmerising...a cracking story.' The Weekend Australian

'Gripping, realistic, and made for compulsive reading.' Theresa Smith Writes

By: Bryan Brown
Imprint: Allen & Unwin
Country of Publication: Australia
Dimensions: Height: 198mm, Width: 128mm,
ISBN: 9781761473364
ISBN 10: 1761473360
Pages: 304
Publication Date: 30 September 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Bryan Brown is known as an actor, having appeared in over eighty film and television shows. He has worked in some twenty countries including his home country of Australia and the United States. Sweet Jimmy, consisting of seven short stories on crime, was released in 2021. The Drowning is his second book.