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abbyhoovs's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this mystery/crime novel. It's been a while since I've read one that hasn't been too predictable for me. I truly didn't figure out the twists until Aaron did! Sad story but a lot of unique elements woven in that kept me rapt.
timmytunter's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death and Fire/Fire injury
the_reader_mommy's review against another edition
4.0
The place is desolate. There are acres of dry land waiting for rain. The farmers are desperate and on the edge.
Does this sound like a dystopian setting?
Unfortunately, no. This is Kiewarra, a rural area just some ways away from the blissfully unaware Melbourne, where TV weathermen are happily predicting rain next year, maybe.
Aaron Falk is a former resident of Kiewarra. He has lived here in much happier times. Now he works as a policeman in Melbourne. Now he has returned for the funeral of his friend, Luke Hadler and his wife and son.
Falk suddenly finds himself a reluctant participant in a murder investigation.
The story is good - well-written and gripping. It is tight and kept me turning the pages to see what the next page revealed.
But the biggest character of the book is Kiewarra itself. The desolate landscape with so much emptiness that you "could drown in it" is so well described that I felt parched. The heat was unbearable, the climate inhospitable. There are fire hazard signs everywhere. I couldn't imagine anyone living in such a place and not getting touched in the head.
If this is Jane Harper's debut novel, I'd love to read her next ones because what a book! 10 stars for atmosphere alone!
4 stars and a hope for rain.
Does this sound like a dystopian setting?
Unfortunately, no. This is Kiewarra, a rural area just some ways away from the blissfully unaware Melbourne, where TV weathermen are happily predicting rain next year, maybe.
Aaron Falk is a former resident of Kiewarra. He has lived here in much happier times. Now he works as a policeman in Melbourne. Now he has returned for the funeral of his friend, Luke Hadler and his wife and son.
Falk suddenly finds himself a reluctant participant in a murder investigation.
The story is good - well-written and gripping. It is tight and kept me turning the pages to see what the next page revealed.
But the biggest character of the book is Kiewarra itself. The desolate landscape with so much emptiness that you "could drown in it" is so well described that I felt parched. The heat was unbearable, the climate inhospitable. There are fire hazard signs everywhere. I couldn't imagine anyone living in such a place and not getting touched in the head.
If this is Jane Harper's debut novel, I'd love to read her next ones because what a book! 10 stars for atmosphere alone!
4 stars and a hope for rain.
rachaelsexton's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Dementia, Death of parent, and Murder
jsoakes's review against another edition
3.0
Definitely a tinderbox. There's a lot going here regarding misconceptions and assumptions. It's an interesting character study, but it does make you assume the worst of everyone. Unpredictable (mostly because all the information isn't available), and exciting, but I did get a bit annoyed with the "suspense" at some points. It's also just a pretty awful premise overall. (Child murder is just rough)
midnightmischief's review against another edition
3.0
While I really enjoyed this book, I don't think it lived up to the hype. I liked the Australian but it still felt like any other murder mystery book. There was a lot of waffle that didn't feel necessary and it took till the last 1/4 of the book for anything to really click into place. Solid read but nothing that shines above the rest.
maghar's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
bookgardendc's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0