Reviews

The Dry, by Jane Harper

kjboldon's review against another edition

4.0

Super solid mystery. Reminds me of Kate Atkinson and Tana French. Not as literary as the former or psychologically complex as the latter, but better plotted than both. Good setting, great pacing, compulsively readable plot, handful of red herrings. The omniscient flashbacks were satisfying to know, but felt a little too on the nose. Also, too many people chewing on their thumbnails!

kacarella's review against another edition

4.0

Good mystery/police case book. I think I had this recommended by WSIRN podcast as a “strong sense of summer,” which I agree with. I could almost feel the oppressive heat and dryness.

I enjoyed the two mysteries (the one in the past and present day) and was surprised for the most part.

jess_segraves's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 stars. Really enjoyed this mystery and the twist was certainly unexpected.

mimi_reads_romance's review against another edition

mysterious tense

4.0

stuck_in_a_leabhar's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

vikstah's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Child abuse, Injury/injury detail, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Grief, and Violence

kaceychilvers's review against another edition

4.0

I love crime novels but they do have a tendency to be by the book and offer nothing more than a shocking reveal of whodunnit. If a writer relies on this and you work it out ahead of time then the novel can fall short. Something that Jane Harper does to stand out from the crowd is setting up multiple antagonists. There is the present day murder that needs solving, an unsolved murder and the landscape itself. The small Australian town in the middle of nowhere can feel just as hostile as some of the characters. Its relentless heat and unforgiving temperature add another element to The Dry that you don't see a lot of in the genre. Can't wait to see what Harper writes next.

erincharp's review against another edition

4.0

This was a pretty easy, entertaining read. Aaron Falk fled from his little Australian town 20 years ago. Since then, he's made a life for himself as a federal officer who investigates financial fraud. He returns only when his childhood friend Luke seemingly kills his wife, son, and then himself, leaving behind his very young daughter. Aaron arrives home to find the town depressed and angry, many having no problem believing that Luke committed the crime. As a farming town, the two years long drought has left many without money and hope, so it seems easy to believe that Luke would choose to end the suffering of his family.

Still, neither Falk nor the local detective believe that it is as simple as a murder-suicide. As they dig deeper into the investigation, old hurt and anger rise up and Aaron becomes a target. I enjoyed this book. I felt the ending was a little rushed, but overall, I enjoyed the murder mystery part of the book, as well as how the author pretty seamlessly brought in Aaron Falk's past connection to the town and its people.

boosterfan2021's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

shayahc's review against another edition

4.0

I don’t think I read the synopsis on this before I started. It was not what I was expecting, and much darker than I would have normally chosen right now, but it was intriguing enough I had to know how it ended.