original_jen's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
skeptic_hecate's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book is haunting. The main character is complex and fully fleshed out, the setting is amazing, both beautiful and frightening, and the story is gripping. I found myself getting into the story more and more with each chapter.
This book details the sadness and toll of isolation in a bautifully sad way. I found myself feeling deeply moved by the main character, even though he was not perfect. He was not without faults, but the punishmet he received far exceeds his crime. Human isolation is a main theme on this book, and it is devastating, the smallest gesture of human affection for someone starved of it for a decade is so filled with joy and dispair at the same time. The family relationships were put in a very intimate and realistic way. And there is a sense of foreboding, up until the last revelation.
The final twist was surprising, although mostly for me because it became second to Nathan's feelings and thoughts. I couldn't help but to feel a kindness towards him. At the end, even peripheral characters have more layers and complexity than what I initially thought. I definitely recommend this book and will eagerly read more from the author.
This book details the sadness and toll of isolation in a bautifully sad way. I found myself feeling deeply moved by the main character, even though he was not perfect. He was not without faults, but the punishmet he received far exceeds his crime. Human isolation is a main theme on this book, and it is devastating, the smallest gesture of human affection for someone starved of it for a decade is so filled with joy and dispair at the same time. The family relationships were put in a very intimate and realistic way. And there is a sense of foreboding, up until the last revelation.
The final twist was surprising, although mostly for me because it became second to Nathan's feelings and thoughts. I couldn't help but to feel a kindness towards him. At the end, even peripheral characters have more layers and complexity than what I initially thought. I definitely recommend this book and will eagerly read more from the author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Infidelity, Rape, and Domestic abuse
_verona_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Rape, Pregnancy, Grief, Death, Physical abuse, and Infidelity
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, Murder, and Physical abuse
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, and Mental illness
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Minor: Abortion
taliatalksbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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? N/A
3.0
Jane Harper’s The Lost Man was slow from the start, and never really picked up for me. While the concept seemed interesting, I can’t say it panned out the way I was hoping. The characters attempted to be interesting, but the lack of surroundings and repetition of stories prevented them from having any real depth. Also, this story makes it hard, extremely hard, to like or feel bad for any of the characters, including those who have died. Yes, everyone has baggage, but this book focused more on unraveling the images of characters than it really did on solving the mystery surrounding Cam’s death. For me, this book was longer than it needed to be for a place where nothing happens, and the characters weren’t interesting enough to save the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Rape
bookstorian's review against another edition
4.0
I'm a keen enthusiast of a mystery read and needed something quick and thrilling to finish off the month - while I didn't find this book entirely thrilling, there were many mysteries that slowly unravelled as I read.
The Bright family have been part of the Balmarra landscape for over a hundred years when one of the three brothers is found laying dead at the infamous Stockman's grave. Although his death if quickly written off as suicide, Nathan, the eldest brother can't seem to shake the feeling that there is more to the story.
There were many classic Jane Harper elements to this story that I loved including the establishment of place - it was so vivid and real, you could sense the isolation and heat of the land as well as the character's relationship with it. The character's were also well fleshed out, most of them had a backstory that not only gave them colour, but also motive. The infusion of outback myth/ghost stories as well as some of the moral decisions made by the characters was awesome as well as the exploration of family and the cyclical nature of abuse.
Whilst the story took a little while to unfurl, I liked that it allowed me to make my own hypothesis about how Cameron died.
I'm glad I can finally tick another Jane Harper novel off my TBR!
Similar to 'The Dry' by Jane Harper and 'The Wrong Woman' by JP Pomare.
The Bright family have been part of the Balmarra landscape for over a hundred years when one of the three brothers is found laying dead at the infamous Stockman's grave. Although his death if quickly written off as suicide, Nathan, the eldest brother can't seem to shake the feeling that there is more to the story.
There were many classic Jane Harper elements to this story that I loved including the establishment of place - it was so vivid and real, you could sense the isolation and heat of the land as well as the character's relationship with it. The character's were also well fleshed out, most of them had a backstory that not only gave them colour, but also motive. The infusion of outback myth/ghost stories as well as some of the moral decisions made by the characters was awesome as well as the exploration of family and the cyclical nature of abuse.
Whilst the story took a little while to unfurl, I liked that it allowed me to make my own hypothesis about how Cameron died.
I'm glad I can finally tick another Jane Harper novel off my TBR!
Similar to 'The Dry' by Jane Harper and 'The Wrong Woman' by JP Pomare.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Rape
jhbandcats's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
Wow, Jane Harper writes Such Great Books! This one brought the Outback to life in all its sere isolation. It’s made abundantly clear from the first page that this is a deadly environment and if you’re not prepared for the harshness of the land, it will kill you. Harper writes so well that I felt enveloped by her story - it was so vivid.
The Lost Man is an in-depth look at a family wracked by violence down through the generations. The three adult sons have each dealt with their childhood in different ways, with alcoholism and mental illness ongoing despite all the years that have passed. The death of the middle son has the eldest, Nathan, examining the past with new insight and empathy.
The redemption at the end felt so good. I really recommend all Harper’s books and am really eager for her next Aaron Falk (The Dry, Force of Nature) book, available in the US in Jan 2023.
The Lost Man is an in-depth look at a family wracked by violence down through the generations. The three adult sons have each dealt with their childhood in different ways, with alcoholism and mental illness ongoing despite all the years that have passed. The death of the middle son has the eldest, Nathan, examining the past with new insight and empathy.
The redemption at the end felt so good. I really recommend all Harper’s books and am really eager for her next Aaron Falk (The Dry, Force of Nature) book, available in the US in Jan 2023.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Grief, Sexual assault, Car accident, Child abuse, Mental illness, Murder, Domestic abuse, and Rape
kponturo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Domestic abuse, Animal death, Rape, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Death, and Death of parent
j_squaredd's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault
readsipsnuggle's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Jane Harper is the absolute best there is these days when it comes to Australian mystery novels, set in towns that feel so authentic. Shanahan makes for the perfect narrator for her audiobooks as well, with each character so distinctly unique. Highly recommend if you want to read or listen to something you can't step away from.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Death, Domestic abuse, Bullying, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Sexual assault
Minor: Alcohol, Cancer, Car accident, Mental illness, Pregnancy, and Infidelity