I enjoyed this book, however it didn't totally grab me. I guess I'd have liked a bit more Falk, he seemed like a blank character to me. 
 The hot and dry atmosphere was expertly painted - I lived in rural Victoria during the the 2000's and certainly have a feel for drought! 
 One thing - if I were a local copper talking about a terrible, recent, local crime I wouldn't be having detailed case conversations in the local pub.