mschley's review
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Pantera Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review
This series is for fans of C.J. Box and Paul Doiron. The natural setting and Mother Nature are characters just as much as Park Ranger Taylor Bridges in this intricately woven mystery. When three bodies turn up at an archaeological dig, the case seems to be a cold one. And yet, it quickly heats up as Taylor works with a newly minted DS to try and figure out what a mysterious drawing means while racing against a severe weather pattern that cuts them off from precious resources.
Radburn truly brought the landscape alive and its ominous beauty was a significant part of this story. Not only was there the tension of multiple murders, but the added stress and drama of an impending storm cutting an already isolated town off even more from the modern world and all of its relatively safety. Secrets, storms, murder, and revenge all combine into a maelstrom of tensions and mystery that works very well and crafts a good read.
This series is for fans of C.J. Box and Paul Doiron. The natural setting and Mother Nature are characters just as much as Park Ranger Taylor Bridges in this intricately woven mystery. When three bodies turn up at an archaeological dig, the case seems to be a cold one. And yet, it quickly heats up as Taylor works with a newly minted DS to try and figure out what a mysterious drawing means while racing against a severe weather pattern that cuts them off from precious resources.
Radburn truly brought the landscape alive and its ominous beauty was a significant part of this story. Not only was there the tension of multiple murders, but the added stress and drama of an impending storm cutting an already isolated town off even more from the modern world and all of its relatively safety. Secrets, storms, murder, and revenge all combine into a maelstrom of tensions and mystery that works very well and crafts a good read.
thesassybookworm's review
5.0
4.5 Stars
I don't read too many books set in Australia. Not really sure why, but after finishing this one, it's definitely on my list to do more often!
This was a fantastic read. Well written. Action packed. Gripping. Dark and atmospheric. It had me riveted and turning the pages. That said, I will admit I figured out part of the "who is doing it" very early on. The cast of characters is quite small, and I think that made it easier to pick out the most likely suspect. Having said that, the author had a few twists up his sleeve that took me by surprise!
This is also the third book in what I assume is an ongoing series. However, if you haven't read the first two, don't let that stop you from reading this one. I haven't read the other books and had no issues. It works very well as a standalone story.
I don't really have much more to say about it. I enjoyed it tremendously, and it gets two very solid thumbs up from yours truly.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
I don't read too many books set in Australia. Not really sure why, but after finishing this one, it's definitely on my list to do more often!
This was a fantastic read. Well written. Action packed. Gripping. Dark and atmospheric. It had me riveted and turning the pages. That said, I will admit I figured out part of the "who is doing it" very early on. The cast of characters is quite small, and I think that made it easier to pick out the most likely suspect. Having said that, the author had a few twists up his sleeve that took me by surprise!
This is also the third book in what I assume is an ongoing series. However, if you haven't read the first two, don't let that stop you from reading this one. I haven't read the other books and had no issues. It works very well as a standalone story.
I don't really have much more to say about it. I enjoyed it tremendously, and it gets two very solid thumbs up from yours truly.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
caitlinsbookcase's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
3.25
earth2erika's review
4.0
The Reach is a slow, atmospheric mystery set in a remote town in Australia. As opposed to the outback which I think is often shown as the sort of stereotypical, rural, Australian setting this book takes place in the wetlands with a massive storm brewing and the ever present danger that comes with that. The weather and nature in general play a large role in setting the scene here and really add to the tense feelings that the characters are experiencing. The stakes felt high with this book as bodies piled up and time continued to fly and I really appreciated that.
This is the third book in a series and it simultaneously feels like a sequel and doesn't. It can absolutely be read as a stand alone without any previous knowledge of the series/character. This is also a split POV with a new character introduced so it feels like we as readers spent less time getting to know Taylor Bridges because the assumption is that you already kind of know him from previous books. It wasn't enough for me to be lost or confused by any means but I did personally feel like I was missing out on things. I would be curious to go back and read the first two books in the series and see more of Taylor's character and past be developed but I also really enjoyed the detective character in this book and I liked that there was a sort of duel focus here.
I also really liked the secondary characters and the town as a whole. Most of them were thoroughly unlikable but I think the author did an excellent job really painting the picture of what life was like here. Even though unbelievable things were happening you could also see /how/ it had gotten to this point and I found myself feeling for characters that I didn't actually like but still enjoyed if that makes sense?
I think The Reach will be perfect for any reader who appreciates a slow build mystery. Things seem to be constantly happening but then it also sneaks up you and takes you by surprise. I would give have given it a 3.5 myself but the last bit of the book completely sold me and I felt it earned a 4 star overall.
This is a book that I honestly wasn't sure how I felt about until the end. There were times where it felt quite slow and I was hoping for excitement but there were others where I was on the edge of my seat and couldn't wait to read the next page. Ultimately, the ending (which I thought was quite brilliant) sold me and I will definitely be picking up the next book to see where it all goes.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Pantera Press for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
This is the third book in a series and it simultaneously feels like a sequel and doesn't. It can absolutely be read as a stand alone without any previous knowledge of the series/character. This is also a split POV with a new character introduced so it feels like we as readers spent less time getting to know Taylor Bridges because the assumption is that you already kind of know him from previous books. It wasn't enough for me to be lost or confused by any means but I did personally feel like I was missing out on things. I would be curious to go back and read the first two books in the series and see more of Taylor's character and past be developed but I also really enjoyed the detective character in this book and I liked that there was a sort of duel focus here.
I also really liked the secondary characters and the town as a whole. Most of them were thoroughly unlikable but I think the author did an excellent job really painting the picture of what life was like here. Even though unbelievable things were happening you could also see /how/ it had gotten to this point and I found myself feeling for characters that I didn't actually like but still enjoyed if that makes sense?
I think The Reach will be perfect for any reader who appreciates a slow build mystery. Things seem to be constantly happening but then it also sneaks up you and takes you by surprise. I would give have given it a 3.5 myself but the last bit of the book completely sold me and I felt it earned a 4 star overall.
This is a book that I honestly wasn't sure how I felt about until the end. There were times where it felt quite slow and I was hoping for excitement but there were others where I was on the edge of my seat and couldn't wait to read the next page. Ultimately, the ending (which I thought was quite brilliant) sold me and I will definitely be picking up the next book to see where it all goes.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Pantera Press for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
bubblybookreviewer's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual assault
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