Chris Hammer Books in Order

For the journalist-hero thrillers: Scrublands → Silver → Trust

For the detective procedurals: Opal Country (aka Treasure & Dirt) → The Tilt → The Seven

Chris Hammer is widely recognized as one of the leading voices in modern Australian crime fiction. He has built a reputation for writing immersive, atmospheric novels that are often described as "outback noir." His stories don’t just offer complex mysteries; they transport readers deep into the heart of Australia, capturing the heat, the dust, and the secrets hidden in the country’s vast, rugged landscapes.

Before he became a bestselling novelist, Hammer spent more than thirty years working as a high-profile journalist. This career gave him a front-row seat to some of the world's most dramatic events and honed his skills in investigation and observation. He served as a roving foreign correspondent for SBS TV's flagship current affairs program, Dateline. In this role, he traveled extensively, reporting from more than thirty countries across six continents. Whether covering major international conflicts or human interest stories, he learned how to find the narrative in chaotic situations. Back in Australia, he was equally active in the political sphere, working as a senior writer for The Age and as the chief political correspondent for The Bulletin.

Hammer’s path to fiction began with narrative non-fiction. His first book, The River, was a critically acclaimed account of his journey through Australia's Murray-Darling Basin. Written during a time of devastating drought, the book explored the environmental and human toll on the region. It won the ACT Book of the Year Award and was shortlisted for the Walkley Book Award. This deep, research-heavy engagement with the Australian bush would become a defining feature of his later novels, where the setting often feels as alive and unpredictable as the characters themselves.

In 2018, Hammer made the shift to fiction with his debut novel, Scrublands. The book was an instant sensation, introducing readers to the troubled but brilliant journalist Martin Scarsden. Set in a fictional country town withered by drought, the novel combined a gripping murder mystery with a visceral depiction of regional isolation. It won the prestigious CWA John Creasey New Blood Dagger in the UK and topped bestseller lists at home. The success of Scrublands launched the Martin Scarsden series, which continued with the sequels Silver and Trust.

Hammer didn't stop there. He has continued to expand his fictional universe with a new series featuring homicide detectives Ivan Lucic and Nell Buchanan. This series includes titles like Treasure & Dirt, The Tilt, The Seven, and The Valley. In these books, he continues to explore the "harsh beauty" of Australia, moving from opal mines to river forests, weaving intricate plots that keep readers guessing until the final page.

Readers are drawn to Hammer’s work not just for the suspense, but for the authenticity he brings to his settings. His background in journalism lends a sharp realism to his procedural details, while his prose captures the unique sensory experience of the Australian outback.

Today, Chris Hammer writes fiction full-time. He lives in Canberra, the nation’s capital, where he continues to craft standalone thrillers and series intertwined with the history and landscape of regional Australia.