Reviews

Force of Nature by Jane Harper

amyapple's review against another edition

2.0

Harper writes well and her story this time gripped me at the start, just like The Dry.

I was immersed in this creepy eerie atmosphere and I really wanted to know where Alice was and then… the “twist” happened and all my interest dissipated and I felt robbed. Like really!?!

westonculture's review against another edition

4.0

3.5 Gosh. How does Jane Harper follow up her page-turning debut crime novel, The Dry? Quite well actually. Federal Agent Aaron Falk returns to investigate financial fiddlings in Force of Nature but this is less about his story and more about the dynamics between women and workmates. This time the setting is the Australian bush as a group of women go on corporate retreat and lose one of their workmates – or do they? Harper keeps you guessing to the end as to the guilty party and the true nature of the crime that has been committed. None of the characters are particularly likeable – and I did come away with an “all women are bitches” feeling which made me question its value. But there is a bit of depth to the characters which helps give the overall story more substance than your average crime procedural. An easy, engaging holiday read – as long as you’re not bush walking.

pretentiousbreadcrumbs's review against another edition

3.0

The Dry was always going to be a tough act to follow, and Force of Nature indeed falls short in my view. Don't get me wrong, this book is a decent crime story that is fast-paced and doesn't try hard at pretending to be anything else. I respect that.

Force of Nature is set in the bushland rather than the Outback, and we learn quickly that someone has gone missing there during a corporate retreat. It turns out this bushland has a dark history, and colleagues on the retreat are hiding things themselves. That's all I can say without risking spoilers.

Force of Nature is great for someone who's taken a hiatus from reading as it's easy to pick up and knock a few chapters back. Crime fans (of which there are plenty) should also add this to their collection.

I personally found the characters quite cliché and uninteresting. The subplots with the detectives and families also failed to engage me. Again, this book is good for what it is, and I'm sure this series will go on for several more books.

cathi77's review against another edition

2.5

It was an enjoyable story and well written.  I loved the mixture of now and what happened on the fateful weekend which kept the story moving forward at a good pace.
Not a fan of many of the characters but didn't expect that ending.

jmchivers's review against another edition

4.0

I think I have a new favorite mystery author! A simple yet elegantly told story that, try as I might, I couldn't figure out the ending. It didn't end how I wanted it to, but it was a wild ride getting there. Jane Harper's writing took me straight into the depths of the Australian bush lands. I thoroughly enjoyed the character and story development and, although that was mainly the first 75% of the book, she successfully kept me engaged with sprinkles of clues and a fine dusting of unending suspense. I don't typically read mystery, but I would recommend this book.

cheryldptr's review against another edition

Didn't know it was second in a series and didn't care for the woman who was missing based on how other characters talked about her 

marysues's review against another edition

mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

charnyreads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

3.75

carlyjaymetcalfe's review against another edition

2.0

2.5 stars. This was such a disappointing follow up to ‘The Dry’ which was full of vitality and original writing. Formulaic, with none of the clever writing Harper deployed in her first book, as well as a rushed ending. I hope her next novel is as refreshing as her powerful debut.

clojha2's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-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

3.25