zoediane's review against another edition
4.0
A big fan of Jane Harper's books and this does not disappoint! Even without the detective in the drivers seat, this book is a interesting and fast-paced read. Twists and turns at every corner. The ending will both surprise you and yet leave you with a sigh of relieve. What happens in the desert, stays in the desert.
mel_s_bookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, and Murder
Moderate: Violence, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Abortion
jenna_cross's review against another edition
5.0
I was so lucky to win an ARC of this novel. This story sucked me in from the very first page. I would have finished in one sitting if life allowed such luxuries. I love how Jane Harper writes with such vivid imagery and makes the landscape a character all its own. The details of each persons past gets revealed layer by layer and it never feels forced. The characters are so true to life and believable. Excellent family drama with a mysterious twist.
magistratrium's review against another edition
4.0
A great suspense book. Jane Harper draws you into the family dynamics as she unwraps the story, piece by piece. Her ability make the Australian setting into an extra character is great. I couldn't put it down.
ifpoetshadmerch's review against another edition
4.0
The second Jane Harper book I’ve read this year, and she’s really cementing herself as a must-read for me! (I am literally still recommending The Survivors to anybody and everybody who will listen.)
This was another slow-burn thriller, and a great heatwave/pool read. Set in the Australian outback, Cameron Bright’s body is found in the desert, and his car abandoned miles away. He leaves behind a wife and two kids, a grieving mother, a close family friend, and two brothers—Nathan and Bub—who could all stand to gain something from Cam’s property… But as they bury Cam, long ago secrets become unburied. Um, yes! I’m so here for this.
Harper continued to tick off a lot of boxes for me in terms of what I want to read in a book: setting as character, emotional moments, unpacking toxic masculinity, etc. I do think the overall plot structure has a lot of similarities with The Survivors so the story didn’t feel quite as fresh to me, but Harper does this type of storyline so well that I really can’t complain.
This was another slow-burn thriller, and a great heatwave/pool read. Set in the Australian outback, Cameron Bright’s body is found in the desert, and his car abandoned miles away. He leaves behind a wife and two kids, a grieving mother, a close family friend, and two brothers—Nathan and Bub—who could all stand to gain something from Cam’s property… But as they bury Cam, long ago secrets become unburied. Um, yes! I’m so here for this.
Harper continued to tick off a lot of boxes for me in terms of what I want to read in a book: setting as character, emotional moments, unpacking toxic masculinity, etc. I do think the overall plot structure has a lot of similarities with The Survivors so the story didn’t feel quite as fresh to me, but Harper does this type of storyline so well that I really can’t complain.
bheadley's review against another edition
4.0
Brutal, but very well written. Somehow I went through a month picking books randomly and this was the second husband beater in a row. Time for some lighter reading!
morethanmylupus's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I was excited about this book because I enjoyed the Aaron Falk series. Unfortunately, this book wasn't engaging for me. Despite the audiobook narrator's Australian accent, the story dragged. All the viewpoints in this one are male and they all felt sort of the same. The mystery was interesting but the book just didn't work for me.
angharadmair's review against another edition
4.0
while i did guess the twist, i absolutely loved this :-)
lomas's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
This is Jane Harper's third book... I've liked every one of them enormously. She is definitely on my list of read whatever they publish authors.
This one is set in the huge expanse of the Australian out back,yet despite that the story felt claustaphobic to me.
A small cast,a lot of tension and an unexplained death.
The story is revealed layer by layer,so for me,by the end it wasn't a surprise to find out what exactly had happened,in fact it almost felt like there couldn't be any other outcome.
The whole book had some great characters,from the three main siblings,all so very different,the anxious son and the bullying father... each perfect for the role they played.
Another fantastic read from Harper.... can't wait to see what she brings us next.
This is Jane Harper's third book... I've liked every one of them enormously. She is definitely on my list of read whatever they publish authors.
This one is set in the huge expanse of the Australian out back,yet despite that the story felt claustaphobic to me.
A small cast,a lot of tension and an unexplained death.
The story is revealed layer by layer,so for me,by the end it wasn't a surprise to find out what exactly had happened,in fact it almost felt like there couldn't be any other outcome.
The whole book had some great characters,from the three main siblings,all so very different,the anxious son and the bullying father... each perfect for the role they played.
Another fantastic read from Harper.... can't wait to see what she brings us next.