A review by westonculture
Force of Nature by Jane Harper

4.0

3.5 Gosh. How does Jane Harper follow up her page-turning debut crime novel, The Dry? Quite well actually. Federal Agent Aaron Falk returns to investigate financial fiddlings in Force of Nature but this is less about his story and more about the dynamics between women and workmates. This time the setting is the Australian bush as a group of women go on corporate retreat and lose one of their workmates – or do they? Harper keeps you guessing to the end as to the guilty party and the true nature of the crime that has been committed. None of the characters are particularly likeable – and I did come away with an “all women are bitches” feeling which made me question its value. But there is a bit of depth to the characters which helps give the overall story more substance than your average crime procedural. An easy, engaging holiday read – as long as you’re not bush walking.