Dead Men Don’t Order Flake is the second book in the Cass Tuplin murder mystery series by Australian science and travel writer, chartered accountant, marine biologist and author, Sue Williams. It is set some sixteen months after Murder With The Lot, but there is enough recap of essential facts that it can easily be read as a stand-alone. Of course, the pleasure of reading this sequel is enhanced by the familiarity with the regular characters that reading the first book in the series affords.

Cass Tuplin, proprietor of the now rebuilt Rusty Bore Takeaway, has somehow gained a reputation amongst Rusty Bore’s 147 inhabitants as a private investigator (unlicensed), and her participation in any investigation is heavily frowned upon by her eldest son, Senior Constable Dean Tuplin. But when Gary Kellett asks her to look into his only daughter’s death, she cannot refuse. The police (Dean) may have ruled it an unfortunate accident due to speeding at a notorious traffic black spot, but Gary is convinced that Natalie, a journalist with the Muddy Soak Cultivator, was murdered.

Cass is only slightly distracted from this task by the reappearance, after twenty years, of the mistakenly presumed-dead, but still gorgeous Leo Stone. Cass has a history with Leo, but just what has he been doing in the Congo for the last twenty years, and with whom? And when Brad, the younger son Cass is hoping will finally be able to find employment, returns from Uni unexpectedly, the reason only adds to her worries.

As Cass does her best to discover the truth about Natalie’s death, much to Dean’s annoyance, it begins to look like Gary’s daughter was not the only victim. But as the evidence mounts, so too does the list of possible suspects, who seem bent on protecting reputations or acquiring wealth, power or prestige. Theft, assault, dangerous driving and a decapitated dog are intended to deter this tenacious woman from her goal.

Once again, there is plenty of humour: character descriptions, place names (Hustle, Muddy Soak, Sheep Dip), eating establishments (Slick Café, The Broken Nail) and the quirky townspeople are all sources. Climate change, solar power, helium gas, sausage rolls, a parade of Freddy Mercurys, an underground room and vanilla slices all feature, and Williams deftly includes a reference to marine biology and Aussie crime fiction: this time Kerry Greenwood’s Death At Victoria Dock gets a mention.

Williams captures small town Victoria with ease and her plot has enough twists and red herrings to keep it interesting. Fans of Murder With The Lot will not be disappointed, and no doubt will be hoping for more of Cass Tuplin. An excellent sequel!