Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsAstonshing book
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2018
I think this is Jane Harper's best book to date. Her dry, slow-reveal story is absolutely compelling and I simply didn't want to put it down. It begins with the horrific discovery of Cameron Bright, son, brother, husband, father, being found dead at an old unknown stockman's grave on the family property. Normally he, like everyone in the harsh, remote Queensland outback, has water, food and supplies to last a couple of days in his car. And yet Cam's car - in perfect working order - is found too far away for him to (1) walk to it, and (2) access the radio and the life-saving food and water. His death is an inexplicably horrible mystery, and it falls to Cam's brother Nathan to try and figure out what really happened. Nathan is riding his own demons, and we find out exactly what they are through the book. He lives on an impoverished property next door to the family spread, desperately scrabbling to eke out a living, a virtual outcast. The only person who visits is his teenage son (an excellent character, finely drawn), on leave from school, and the local policeman and health worker. Nathan's not that welcome in town, either, because past events have condemned him in their eyes. Working past all the stigma is not easy, but he has to step up to try and figure out Cam's death. The Australian outback is like an added character in this story. It is harsh, crucifyingly, relentlessly boiling hot, totally unforgiving, keeping its secrets. Nothing is easy. All kudos to Jane Harper for writing a brilliant story. I'm not going to give anything away, because the secrets of the story are all part of the onion-layer-peel reveal through the book - and the staggering shocks really do keep coming. Each new fact makes you think you know where the story's going to head - but it doesn't, it twisted and turned and lurched just where you didn't expect. I loved the way I had no idea about the end. An amazing read. Thanks to Beauty & Lace Bookclub and Pan McMillan for the review copy.
