How far would you go to save someone you love? It's a thought provoking question. This dilemma lies at the heart of my gritty heist mystery, Double Take, where I also explore the question, “Does crime pay?”
Set in Brisbane in 1992, this era provides a rich backdrop for the story. Imagine a time without mobile phones or the internet—no Google to rely on. It was an era of Cheers, boom boxes, and Game Boys, when KFC was still known by it's full name Kentucky Fried Chicken, and car windows were cranked by hand.
That year, I worked at the National Australia Bank in Brisbane, which had a terrible layout, making it a prime target for robbers. Back then, safety measures were minimal; we lacked pop-up security screens and police-monitored alarms. The distress button under the counter alerted only the manager, who was in his office way at the back overlooking the river and far from any immediate threat. Thankfully, I never faced such a nightmare, but I know many who did.
The seed for Double Take was planted by a notorious robbery at that exact branch in 1996. A bank robber and prison escapee, who had a 26-year history of heists, executed an elaborate plan. However, fate had other ideas; he robbed the bank on Police Remembrance Day, and thousands of officers were marching just two streets away. His escape lasted only five minutes before he was apprehended in a public restroom, cash in hand. Take that!
This story had been brewing in my mind for 22 years, so when I finally sat down to write Double Take, the thrilling plot and desperate anti-hero came together in just eight weeks. The twists and turns will keep you guessing until the very end, and you’ll be surprised to discover who the real villain is.
One of the big scenes in Double Take is set in an old boat shed. This was inspired by an old boat shed (funny that) which was on the banks of Bulimba creek where I used to walk. I snuck inside one day to take the below photo. I don't even want to know what that red stain is on the floor.
So, back to the question: Would you rob a bank to save someone you love? This moral quandary serves as the premise for Double Take, inviting readers to ponder the lengths they would go for those they care about.
DOUBLE TAKE - a mystery heist thriller with unexpected twists.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This story is so well planned and well written, it was as if it had actually happened! I was riveted to my chair while reading the twists and turns. If I could give it 6 stars, I would.” Multi-Mystery fan.
A desperate thief. A detective with more clues than time.
And a double-cross no-one saw coming.
Jackson Rich will do anything for the money he needs to save his wife. Including robbing a bank. But to do it, he needs to call in a long overdue promise from his old gang. Trouble is, someone is watching every move he makes, and they are in it for the money and the thrill.
Gemma has spent her entire life doing the right thing. Now doing the wrong thing could be the best decision she’s ever made. But nothing could prepare her for the twisted events that follow.
When Detective Steel receives a tip-off about a bank robbery, the clues pile up. As do the suspects. But as the heist draws closer, Steel is drawn into a web of deceit that puts his stellar career on the line.
For all three of them, their lives are about to change for ever. But it’s no longer about the money. . . it’s about revenge.
Here's what readers are saying:
One of the best novels I have read. Many twists to keep you interested. I highly recommend this book to anyone that likes a crime mystery. I finished this in one day. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Kenneth Lingenfelter
"This is a well-written mystery with enough romance and titillation and to support a screwed-up bank robbery in Australia." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tarpon Joe
Download Double Take today, but be warned, the mystery heist thriller will have you reading well into the night as you try to guess ahead of all the twists and turns.
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