Author: Jane Harper
Narrator: Stephen Shanahan
Playback: 10hrs 1m
Publisher: MacMillan Audio
Genre: Mystery, thriller, Crime
First Published: May 31, 2016
Book Description: A small town hides big secrets in this atmospheric, page-turning debut mystery by award-winning author Jane Harper.
In the grip of the worst drought in a century, the farming community of Kiewarra is facing life and death choices daily when three members of a local family are found brutally slain. Federal Police investigator Aaron Falk reluctantly returns to his hometown for the funeral of his childhood friend, loath to face the townsfolk who turned their backs on him twenty years earlier. But as questions mount, Falk is forced to probe deeper into the deaths of the Hadler family. Because Falk and Luke Hadler shared a secret. A secret Falk thought was long buried. A secret Luke's death now threatens to bring to the surface in this small Australian town, as old wounds bleed into new ones.
Review:
I recently finished reading a book that I really enjoyed. The writing was excellent and I found myself completely immersed in the story. The pacing was quick but not rushed, and the characters were fully fleshed out and felt very real to me. I was invested in their journeys and found myself rooting for them throughout the book. And the ending was satisfying without being too cut and dry. I was left with a sense of closure, but also with a desire to revisit the world and characters that had been created. Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read crime mystery story.
I was really impressed with the author's ability to create such interesting and fully-formed characters. The plot was very intriguing, and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. The way the story unfolded was very skillfully handled, with plenty of suspense and momentum. I loved how the author gave us a neat list of potential suspects and then directed our attention one way, then another. We have a nice combination you can have fun even if you figure out the who-done-it but even after that, you have the question of the why? It does hit you with a few plot twists but they feel logical.
Let's dive a bit into the plotline.
It's really disheartening to see how vicious people can be sometimes, especially the small towns where people have nothing else to do but mind other people's business. There are some folks in the community who seem to be particularly mean-spirited, and they're being led by a couple of troublemakers named Mel and Dow Deacon. Unfortunately, it seems like they're using some old rumors about Aaron's supposed involvement in Ellie's death to fuel a campaign against him. It's really not fair to Aaron, even years later he still faces the backlash of the crime. Granted he was never arrested or convicted; the police never even hinted at his guilty in any official capacity. But the fact that he was questioned and he was close to the girl was enough for the townspeople. They are determined to hound him out for a second time and are not above using underhand and dirty tactics to achieve their aim. Aaron joins forces with local cop, Sergeant Raco, who has his own doubts about Luke's guilt. Evidence soon accrues that suggests Luke is innocent of murdering his family. Aaron's memories of the past come to the fore and the mystery of Ellie's death runs as a concurrent thread. Aaron and Raco slowly begin to uncover the secrets, lies and fears that have been buried for years. The closer they come to the truth, the more they unsettle a killer willing to ignite a conflagration in a place ill-equipped to handle it. The truth behind Ellie's death also begins to become clear. But is the town ready to let go of the unfounded hate and come to terms with the truth?
The tension and suspense had me completely hooked from beginning to end. I couldn't put it down and I can't wait to see what she writes next!
This was used for the challenges:
#30DaysWild a Storygraph Challenge taking place all month in June. The Environment - Books about climate change, weather, pollution etc.
Around the world: Australia
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