- Title: The Tilt
- Author: Chris Hammer
- Genre: Crime/Mystery (with a good dose of atmospheric outback noir)
- Date Published: 2022
- Length: 470 pages
- Where I read it: In bed … mostly.
In this The Tilt review, we dive into the multi-layered, atmospheric mystery from Australian author Chris Hammer. Set in the steamy, eerie bushland of the NSW–Victoria border, The Tilt unfolds across three timelines. It weaves together past crimes, buried family secrets, and a present-day investigation led by homicide detective Nell Buchanan.
What starts as a straightforward case quickly spirals into something far deeper – a haunting exploration of guilt, loyalty, and the shadows families pass down like heirlooms.
Why I picked it up
My mum recommended it (she actually gave me three of the books) and I was in the mood for something gritty and Australian. I’m an absolute sucker for crime stories with emotional depth, layered characters and evocative locations, and Chris Hammer delivers that in spades.
What I loved
Let’s get into the good stuff – here’s what stood out to me in The Tilt:
- The setting is spectacular: The landscape feels alive, and not always in a friendly way. It practically hums with tension.
- Three timelines, no confusion: Hammer pulls off a tricky narrative structure without turning it into a mess. Respect.
- Nell Buchanan is a standout: She’s smart, capable, and emotionally real. She’s also quietly dealing with grief and identity – themes that mirror the book’s deeper emotional beats.
- It’s more than just a murder mystery: This is a story about legacy, choices, and what gets passed down when we’re not paying attention.
- There is a map! I’m a sucker for a visual clue!
What I didn’t love
No The Tilt review is complete without a few tiny nitpicks:
- The pacing is slow to start: Bear with it because it will find its rhythm, it’s just a slow burn to set the scene.
- Lots (I mean LOTS) of characters: Between timelines and family trees, I felt like I needed a corkboard and red string at times.
- The ending was solid, but not a gut punch: I wanted a little more emotional payoff – it wraps up neatly, but not explosively.
Midlife lens?
Here’s where I bring my “Midlife Woman with Opinions™” perspective to the table.
- There’s something deeply relatable about unearthing past trauma – not just in a murder-investigation kind of way, but emotionally.
- It asks: What do we carry that isn’t ours? And what happens when we finally lay it down?
- It’s a thoughtful reminder that the past doesn’t stay buried – in families or in small towns.
The Tilt scratches that existential itch many of us are quietly trying not to Google at 2am.
Would I recommend it?
Hell yes. It’s perfect for those craving something gritty but thoughtful, and for anyone who enjoys their mysteries with emotional weight and a splash of national identity.
Avoid if you need quick gratification – this one asks for patience and attention. But it rewards both.
Final thoughts
The Tilt is a moody, intricate crime novel that rewards patience. It’s smart, grounded, and rich with that particular tension only Aussie bushland and buried truths can deliver. It won’t grab you by the collar – but it will settle into your bones.
Over to you
Read it? Loved it? DNF’d at chapter four? Drop your thoughts below – I want your brutally honest, spoiler-free opinions. (Bonus points if you have a family secret you’d like to dramatically reveal in the comments.)
Keen to buy the book?
You can find it at Amazon. Happy reading!
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