Whispering Death: A Hal Challis Investigation    by Garry Disher Order:  USA  Can Soho, 2012 (2012) Hardcover, e-Book     Reviewed by Bob Walch The sixth installment of this Australian crime series featuring Inspector Hal Challis of the Mornington Peninsula Police is as carefully plotted and gripping as its predecessors. With the department dealing with budget cuts and being understaffed, the last thing Challis needs is a mini-crime wave. Of course, that's just what he is dealing with, in this novel. The most serious of the cases placed on the Inspector's plate is a situation involving a serial rapist who, dressed as a police officer, is terrorizing the peninsula. Then there's the elusive female cat burglar spreading angst as she helps herself to the valuables of the wealthier folks in the area. Finally, a band of hooligans stage a series of frightening home invasions, that are upsetting local citizens and creating more problems for the overworked authorities. With problems within the department as well as out on the streets, Challis is going to be hard pressed to calm the volatile situation and regain the confidence of the beleaguered citizens of Waterloo. If you enjoy mysteries with a foreign flavor, this award winning Australian author's crime series will not only provide plenty of entertainment but also offer a limited armchair tour of his native land. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews