The Valley by Chris Hammer – book review

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If you recall my last book review, you’ll know that The Valley is the third Chris Hammer book I’ve read. But it’s the fourth in its series. Which means I’ve now officially read: Book 2 (The Tilt), then Book 3 (The Seven), then Book 4 (The Valley).

Because my mother, Wendy – bless her – handed me The Tilt and said, “Start here.”

She made no mention of the first book, Treasure & Dirt. No mention of, you know, reading things in order.

And look, I’ve surrendered to the chaos. I’m embracing it. This is Wendy’s Bookshelf. We don’t do order. We do vibes.

So, what’s The Valley about?

Once again, we’re riding shotgun with detectives Ivan Lucic and Nell Buchanan. This time, they’re in the hidden valleys of the Great Dividing Range, investigating the brutal murder of a local entrepreneur. What unfolds is a slow, gritty descent into generational trauma, fractured loyalties, and small-town silence that screams louder than words.

Expect:

• Isolated communities with buried secrets
• A brutal crime that fractures more than just one family
• A landscape so vividly described you can feel the dirt under your fingernails
• Tension that doesn’t let up – not even for a second
• The return of that quietly devastating Hammer-style emotional punch

Can you read it as a standalone?

Technically? Yes. Emotionally? Not ideal.

Again, you can keep up, but there’s real depth in watching Lucic and Buchanan evolve over time. Their dynamic is so nuanced by this point – subtle shifts in trust, instinct, fatigue – and if you’ve read The Seven or The Tilt, you’ll pick up on all those little threads. 

That said, The Valley delivers a satisfying read on its own. Just maybe prepare yourself for the spoilers if you’re still planning to go back to Treasure & Dirt (as I definitely still intend to do … eventually … probably).

Final thoughts on The Valley (no spoilers)

This one felt heavier. Not in a bad way – in a “we’re going deeper now” kind of way. The violence is more visceral, the themes more personal, and the stakes feel sky-high. It’s still unmistakably Chris Hammer: atmospheric, quietly devastating, and unapologetically Australian. But this one gets under your skin.

Would I recommend it?

Absolutely … but with a caveat. The Valley isn’t for someone chasing a fast-paced, wham-bam thriller with neatly tied bows. This is crime fiction for people who like their stories layered and morally murky, where the setting is almost a character and the answers aren’t clean or comforting.

It’s gritty and deliberate, with emotional undercurrents that sneak up on you. If you loved The Dry or Scrublands, or if you like your murder mysteries wrapped in emotional complexity and atmospheric writing, then The Valley will be very much your jam.

If you’ve read the earlier books in the Lucic & Buchanan series, this one hits differently — heavier, more intimate, more emotionally raw. And if you haven’t read the others? You’ll still get a killer read … but you may find yourself scrambling to go back and pick up the rest.

Will I read Book 1 now?

Not right now, but maybe in the future. When Wendy sorts her life out.

I will say this though: call me a tease, but her next offering is an absolute cracker of a book. I am half-way through and already I can’t wait to tell you all about it next month! But be prepared … it’s a dark one.

Want more bookish chaos?

Catch up on The Seven and The Tilt – my previous reviews are floating around somewhere on this site.

Probably out of order. 😉

Em x