libreinform's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
carmenpk's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
tracyd223's review
4.25
Mina McCreery's life has been defined by the intense public interest in her sister's case--which is still a hot topic in true-crime chat rooms and on social media. Now an anxious and reclusive adult, Mina lives alone on her family's sunbaked destocked sheep farm.
Enter Lane Holland, a young private investigator who dropped out of the police academy to earn a living cracking cold cases. Before she died, Mina's mother funded a million-dollar reward for anyone who could explain how Evelyn vanished from her bed in the family's farmhouse. The lure of cash has only increased public obsession with Evelyn and Mina--but yielded no answers.
This was a fast paced mystery set in the tiny outback town in Australia. I loved learning more about Mina and her long missing sister. Then, when Lane comes along wanting to help solve the mystery, you start to wonder more about his true motives. The author did an amazing job of weaving these 2 storylines together, and brought it all to an exciting ending. I really enjoyed this one a lot and look forward to more from her!
Enter Lane Holland, a young private investigator who dropped out of the police academy to earn a living cracking cold cases. Before she died, Mina's mother funded a million-dollar reward for anyone who could explain how Evelyn vanished from her bed in the family's farmhouse. The lure of cash has only increased public obsession with Evelyn and Mina--but yielded no answers.
This was a fast paced mystery set in the tiny outback town in Australia. I loved learning more about Mina and her long missing sister. Then, when Lane comes along wanting to help solve the mystery, you start to wonder more about his true motives. The author did an amazing job of weaving these 2 storylines together, and brought it all to an exciting ending. I really enjoyed this one a lot and look forward to more from her!
cassies_books_reviews's review against another edition
4.0
Nineteen years ago nine year old Evelyn McCreery disappeared from her bedroom that she shared with her twin sister Mina and was never seen again. The family was thrown into the spotlight, many people speculated that a family member killed here, since the family lived out of town and in the Australian vast wilderness. Nina is now living alone on the family property and her mother has passed away, she’s a recluse and has just one friend Alanna.
Lane Holland is a private investigator and has has solve a few cold cases of missing young girls, there is a big reward if someone is able to discover of what happened to Evelyn that night she disappeared, Lane decides that he wants to try to solve this infamous case, soon you begin to wonder is it just the reward he wants or is there more to his wanting to solve the case could he have a personal connection? We follow along with Mina and Lane as they follow the twists and turns of the cold case, I loved getting both sides POV, it really added to the depth of the story!
Lane Holland is a private investigator and has has solve a few cold cases of missing young girls, there is a big reward if someone is able to discover of what happened to Evelyn that night she disappeared, Lane decides that he wants to try to solve this infamous case, soon you begin to wonder is it just the reward he wants or is there more to his wanting to solve the case could he have a personal connection? We follow along with Mina and Lane as they follow the twists and turns of the cold case, I loved getting both sides POV, it really added to the depth of the story!
sophiapeony's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.75
vickimarie2002's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I think cold cases are very interesting and thought it was great that Lane wanted to solve them, even if that means he gets to collect the award money. But, there it is more personal to Lane than just the money. I can't imagine being Mina or Alana and being a part of a family that has a missing child. Lane helps unravel a lot in the small town of Nannine. I haven't read many books based in Australia, but I love when I do!
kirstenmcl's review against another edition
dark
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
3.75
lattemommyreads's review against another edition
5.0
What is it about Australian crime fiction that makes it so good?!? This is a slow-burn literary mystery that unfolds beautifully, revealing itself to the reader bit by bit, right to the last sentence. The characters are complicated and nuanced, and you can sympathize with their choices, even if you don’t always agree with them. Wake is a fantastic debut, and I can’t wait to see what the author writes next.
fieberali's review against another edition
4.0
Synopsis: Almost 2 decades ago, Wilhelmina “Mina” McCreery's 9 year old twin sister, Evelyn, disappeared from their remote farm. As an adult, Mina became socially isolated, living alone on the family farm and occasionally making the long drive to the library to see her only friend, Alanna. Like Mina, Alanna also lost her sister, Christa, though Christa’s disappearance did not get nearly the same level of publicity as Evelyn’s. In fact, 20 years later, people still exchange theories as to what happened to Evelyn, despite the case going cold. This attracts private investigator, Lane Holland, who works to earn Mina’s trust in order to look into Evelyn’s case using unconventional methods. Lane has his own motivations for exploring this case, and he will face great risks in order to reveal the truth.
Thoughts: I read this book in one sitting— it felt both like a slow burn and a page turner at the same time. I continued to be curious as to the outcome, though there was one aspect of the ending that I didn’t care for. Fans of true crime and suspenseful reads should definitely check this one out. It is the perfect book to cosy up with as we begin fall.
Thoughts: I read this book in one sitting— it felt both like a slow burn and a page turner at the same time. I continued to be curious as to the outcome, though there was one aspect of the ending that I didn’t care for. Fans of true crime and suspenseful reads should definitely check this one out. It is the perfect book to cosy up with as we begin fall.