The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
cheesehead_reader's review against another edition
5.0
Jane Harper at her best. I loved The Dry, liked Force of Nature but LOVED The Lost Man. I almost didn't read this one right away because I was disappointed that it did not continue the Aaron Falk storyline (although a reference is made to The Dry and Aaron Falk). I didn't know if I had the interest to get invested in a new storyline. OMG! I'm so happy I decided to give it a try. This book about family captivated me. The mystery of a brother's death was well done and I did not see the ending coming. Such a good good read!
sabainie's review against another edition
2.5
This was not thrilling whatsoever unfortunately. I listened to the audiobook and although the narrator had a nice voice I could not stick with the story. The beginning was very long winded and I got bored. Only at the end some things were happening but it was never thrilling in my opinion. The little "hints" towards possible suspects were never really explored to the fullest. I felt there was also literlly no police investigation? Besides that there were too many side stories not really contributing to the plot or the development of the characters. Sad, because I had high hopes for this one!
pbair90's review against another edition
4.0
When The Dry was released, to rave reviews, a couple years ago, I picked it up. Jane Harper's debut was an excellent read, with its intentionally well developed characters and steady pacing. I have continued to enjoy her writing style, consistent with her two subsequent works, including The Lost Man.
The Lost Man, even more than her previous books, is steadily paced, perhaps even slow by some peoples standards, but works as it completely immerses you into the blazing summer heat of the Australian outback. The way Harper continually weaves her prose to introduce and develop the character of Nathan and others allows to understand that we are all a bit flawed and broken and that circumstances continue to mold us into who we are today. Isolation and limited choices can make even the strongest among us a bit desperate.
“They lived in a land of extremes in more ways than one. People were either completely fine, or very not.”
"Dead men didn't talk. Nathan must have thought that a hundred times over the years, but as he drove past the grave, the idea slipped slightly, taking on a strange and unfamiliar form. It was uncomfortable as it lodged itself in the darkest corner of his mind."
The Lost Man, even more than her previous books, is steadily paced, perhaps even slow by some peoples standards, but works as it completely immerses you into the blazing summer heat of the Australian outback. The way Harper continually weaves her prose to introduce and develop the character of Nathan and others allows to understand that we are all a bit flawed and broken and that circumstances continue to mold us into who we are today. Isolation and limited choices can make even the strongest among us a bit desperate.
“They lived in a land of extremes in more ways than one. People were either completely fine, or very not.”
"Dead men didn't talk. Nathan must have thought that a hundred times over the years, but as he drove past the grave, the idea slipped slightly, taking on a strange and unfamiliar form. It was uncomfortable as it lodged itself in the darkest corner of his mind."
morgannnreads's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
justjoel's review against another edition
4.0
My first book from Jane Harper, but not the last.
There was a lot of slow build with this book. If you need a ton of action, this probably won't be a good read for you.
But if you like immersive stories that unfold over time, exploring the past and how it affects the present, the intertwined intricacies of families, love, grudges, forgiveness, and a setting (in this case, the Australian outback) that is as alive as any character, you'll want to give this one a look.
4 out of 5 stars.
There was a lot of slow build with this book. If you need a ton of action, this probably won't be a good read for you.
But if you like immersive stories that unfold over time, exploring the past and how it affects the present, the intertwined intricacies of families, love, grudges, forgiveness, and a setting (in this case, the Australian outback) that is as alive as any character, you'll want to give this one a look.
4 out of 5 stars.
michaelajay's review against another edition
5.0
Another great one from Jane Harper, she writes the outback Australian mysteries like no other! I love how it transports you to a new world and you can feel and picture it all.
escragg92's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
dhall65's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
tayylorsbooks's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 ⭐️
As usual I enjoyed the landscapes and the imagery Harper creates, as well as the characters. I felt a lot of sympathy for Nathan. I just can’t help comparing it to the Survivors and none of the others compare
As usual I enjoyed the landscapes and the imagery Harper creates, as well as the characters. I felt a lot of sympathy for Nathan. I just can’t help comparing it to the Survivors and none of the others compare
ibeforem's review against another edition
4.0
This is the story of a family that lives deep in the outback of Australia, and what happens when one of them dies under mysterious circumstances. Harper does a great job of slowly revealing the details of what's happened in the past without dumping everything on you all at once, and because of that you get a deeper understanding of the characters. The atmosphere is as oppressive as the heat.