A Simple Death (novel)

A Simple Death is a 2001 crime novel by the Australian author Carolyn Morwood.
It is the second novel in the author's "Marlo Shaw Crime Thriller" series following An Uncertain Death which was published in 1999.
It was the winner of the Davitt Award for Best Adult Novel in 2002.

Synopsis

After Marlo Shaw and her friend Harold Underhill find a tramp beaten to death in a Melbourne park, Marlo's friend falls under suspicion of the murder. Marlo is reluctantly drawn into the investigation as a result.

Critical reception

Writing in The Canberra Times Jeff Popple found a lot to like about the novel: "Marlo is one of the few credible amateur detectives around and her investigation eschews the usual unlikely heroics and implausible encounters with the police. The characters ring true and Morwood plants sufficient false clues to keep you guessing. In all, another good mystery by an author who is yet to achieve the level of recognition she deserves in Australian crime-writing circles."