Scan barcode
A review by snugglesandpages
Red River Road by Anna Downes
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
Phoebe is solo travelling the Western Australia coast, documenting her adventures on social media when she suddenly disappears without a trace. A year later, Katy is fed up with the lack of interest in her sister's case, so armed with a camper of her own and Phoebe's Instagram to guide her, she sets off to follow her sister's itinerary in search of answers. When Katy comes across Beth, a woman left stranded and running from her own trauma, Katy can't help but see the parallels between Beth's circumstances and what she knows of her sister's case. Together the pair travel Phobe's route and combe through her Instagram looking for clues, and as they get closer to finding out the truth, their worlds collide in the most unlikely ways.
I am really liking the direction the crime and thriller genre is taking of late. Stepping away from the gore and tropes we have become accustomed to and delving into more complex characters and the ripple effect of trauma. This is something Anna has done well with Red River Road.
The novel is packed with atmospheric yet eerie settings, and as Katy and Beth journey along the vast WA coral coast, there are moments of spine-tingling tension. But how much of it is the reader's projection of fear? That's what makes this book so captivating.
I found it interesting the way Anna touches on the stigma attached to female solo travellers and how the narrative that has been built up by society and the media that all but demands we must be afraid for our lives.
The way the plot unfolds is incredibly clever, and even if you follow the breadcrumbs, you won't anticipate the direction it takes in the final chapters. It's both uncomfortable and confronting, but it leaves you with a sense of hope.
Red River Road is an addictive and pulse racing roadtrip thriller that you won't be able to put down. I highly recommend you read this one if you crave characters you will become invested in and plotlines that carry substance beyond the thrills.
I am really liking the direction the crime and thriller genre is taking of late. Stepping away from the gore and tropes we have become accustomed to and delving into more complex characters and the ripple effect of trauma. This is something Anna has done well with Red River Road.
The novel is packed with atmospheric yet eerie settings, and as Katy and Beth journey along the vast WA coral coast, there are moments of spine-tingling tension. But how much of it is the reader's projection of fear? That's what makes this book so captivating.
I found it interesting the way Anna touches on the stigma attached to female solo travellers and how the narrative that has been built up by society and the media that all but demands we must be afraid for our lives.
The way the plot unfolds is incredibly clever, and even if you follow the breadcrumbs, you won't anticipate the direction it takes in the final chapters. It's both uncomfortable and confronting, but it leaves you with a sense of hope.
Red River Road is an addictive and pulse racing roadtrip thriller that you won't be able to put down. I highly recommend you read this one if you crave characters you will become invested in and plotlines that carry substance beyond the thrills.