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oliven's review against another edition
1.0
the positive things I can say about this book: I read it the whole thing to completion, mostly to find out the conclusion to the mystery and I also found the pacing of the book fairly even. the negative: I found the characters stereotypical and unbelievable, the plot far fetched, convoluted and at times ridiculous and the writing average at best and distractingly poor at worse. if you told me the author simply never was a teenager I'd believe you.
kbeswick's review against another edition
5.0
Never have I enjoyed a sick day as much as today. Finally was able to pick up a copy in the local bookstore on Saturday and haven’t been able to put it down. So well written, in familiar yet unfamiliar landscapes, and so easy to consume!
The downside? I finished too quickly and will struggle to wait for the next Kyle Perry book!
The downside? I finished too quickly and will struggle to wait for the next Kyle Perry book!
rachhenderson's review against another edition
3.0
A group of teenage girls go missing while on school camp in Tasmania's remote wilderness after their teacher is knocked out.
I didn't love this. The characters were almost caricatures. There was the father who is also the town's drug dealer and permanently losing his temper. There's the supposedly highly skilled cop suffering from PTSD who let the drug dealing father tag along for the whole investigation (which didn't actually involve a lot of investigating). A whole bunch of crazy school teachers all sleeping with people they shouldn't have been. And every teenage girl in the area was into self-harm.
There was potential but it was all a bit too silly.
2.5 stars rounded up.
I didn't love this. The characters were almost caricatures. There was the father who is also the town's drug dealer and permanently losing his temper. There's the supposedly highly skilled cop suffering from PTSD who let the drug dealing father tag along for the whole investigation (which didn't actually involve a lot of investigating). A whole bunch of crazy school teachers all sleeping with people they shouldn't have been. And every teenage girl in the area was into self-harm.
There was potential but it was all a bit too silly.
2.5 stars rounded up.
lou_robertson's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Enjoyable Aussie read set in the wilderness of Tasmania. A bit unbelievable in places, but apart from this the storyline is fast paced, with so many twists and turns at the end it’s hard to keep track.
Enjoyable Aussie read set in the wilderness of Tasmania. A bit unbelievable in places, but apart from this the storyline is fast paced, with so many twists and turns at the end it’s hard to keep track.
fureverlove's review against another edition
3.0
I’ve waited to write this review as my mind worked through this book and considered the writing, the plot and the characters.
In terms of writing style, this book is beautifully written. The descriptions of the Tasmanian wilderness are so real and vivid that you really feel as if you’re there. The chapters were short, making you want to keep reading and making it very easy to devour over a number of hours, not days. I found I couldn’t put it down, I really enjoyed the writing and give the writing itself 5 stars.
However, the plot is a different story. When I finished reading I felt like I’d enjoyed it as I really was gripped by “whodunnit”, but now that I’ve had time to sit in it, I think I’m more confused than anything. I had hoped the 1985 disappearances may also get solved whilst this mystery got solved and if it had, I think it would have added so much depth to the story. The story added in so many sub points with different voodoo aspects, Aboriginal culture and on top of that, YouTube celebrity. Quite a mish-mash which in the end did not come out in the wash. I’m left with more questions than answers and really would have liked a tidier wrap up.
I can’t wait to see what else Perry does as I really do love his writing and had such high hopes for this, but I think he perhaps tried to add too much in and it could have been stripped back to a more consolidated, solid story
In terms of writing style, this book is beautifully written. The descriptions of the Tasmanian wilderness are so real and vivid that you really feel as if you’re there. The chapters were short, making you want to keep reading and making it very easy to devour over a number of hours, not days. I found I couldn’t put it down, I really enjoyed the writing and give the writing itself 5 stars.
However, the plot is a different story. When I finished reading I felt like I’d enjoyed it as I really was gripped by “whodunnit”, but now that I’ve had time to sit in it, I think I’m more confused than anything. I had hoped the 1985 disappearances may also get solved whilst this mystery got solved and if it had, I think it would have added so much depth to the story. The story added in so many sub points with different voodoo aspects, Aboriginal culture and on top of that, YouTube celebrity. Quite a mish-mash which in the end did not come out in the wash. I’m left with more questions than answers and really would have liked a tidier wrap up.
I can’t wait to see what else Perry does as I really do love his writing and had such high hopes for this, but I think he perhaps tried to add too much in and it could have been stripped back to a more consolidated, solid story
henrymarlene's review against another edition
5.0
There is so much more to this story than a chilling and unsettling thriller and mystery in the rugged Tasmanian wilderness. The cold wet fog seemed to envelop emotions, crawling tighter into a ball, and awaken the senses to see more to this story than meets the eye. We are introduced to characters who are not what they seem to be, and we dangle within their stereotypes just enough to see it all unravel. It all seemed to real, like it can and has happened. What ‘The Bluffs’ does is plays on your mind. Can you can tell the difference between reality and pretend? The title of this book is also a wonderful theme running through the storylines and characteristics of those involved – Murphy and Con are candid and outspoken, Eliza and Madison are full of pretence and lies, Gabrielle is candid and wily. The surrounds are claustrophobic, eerie, sharp, an easy to get lost in. There is a sadness and uncomfortable pain in the memories of the past that surface: the memories of each character, the manipulation of Indigenous traditions by the locals who dirty what is sacred as an excuse for that they cannot explain, and the treatment of Aboriginal people in Tasmania’s history. A fantastic Australian book to read, what a way to start the year.
luckies_universe's review against another edition
2.0
This was super disappointing, especially because I loved The Deep. Unfortunately, this was just a typical thriller written by a man. Cowboy cops playing hero and helpless female characters. Also the entire plot could have been solved in half the time if the detective had followed proper police procedure istfg.
nina_reads_books's review against another edition
5.0
The Bluffs is hands down the best crime/mystery book I have read! This was a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ read for me and I could not put it down. I highly recommend.
Crime and mystery novels are not usually my favourites but there are a few Australian authors that are bringing their A game to this genre and I have enjoyed their books immensely. Authors such as Jane Harper, Chris Hammer and Christian White are auto buys for me as I love their clever plots, small town characters and the Australian settings that have coined the term bush or outback noir.
Kyle Perry’s debut novel The Bluffs gives us all this and more. The added supernatural elements pushes this book to the next level without becoming implausible or unrealistic. There was a real eerie Picnic at Hanging Rock vibe which I loved.
Set in Tasmania in the fictional town of Limestone Creek the novel is hugely atmospheric with the cold and unforgiving wilderness of the mountains an integral part of the storyline. A teacher is attacked and four girls go missing on a camping trip and tensions are immediately high. Three decades earlier, five girls had gone missing and the “Hungry Man” legend that surrounds those missing girls still persists in the town.
I loved the detailed descriptions and references to various birds, animals and trees that are spread throughout the book. This rich detail brings the landscape to life and was done in such a way to heighten the sense of foreboding and mystery surrounding the Hungry Man.
The Bluffs was cleverly plotted out with all the twists and turns coming unexpectedly. The suspense remained until the very last page. I read this within 24 hours over 2 days it was that gripping.
Crime and mystery novels are not usually my favourites but there are a few Australian authors that are bringing their A game to this genre and I have enjoyed their books immensely. Authors such as Jane Harper, Chris Hammer and Christian White are auto buys for me as I love their clever plots, small town characters and the Australian settings that have coined the term bush or outback noir.
Kyle Perry’s debut novel The Bluffs gives us all this and more. The added supernatural elements pushes this book to the next level without becoming implausible or unrealistic. There was a real eerie Picnic at Hanging Rock vibe which I loved.
Set in Tasmania in the fictional town of Limestone Creek the novel is hugely atmospheric with the cold and unforgiving wilderness of the mountains an integral part of the storyline. A teacher is attacked and four girls go missing on a camping trip and tensions are immediately high. Three decades earlier, five girls had gone missing and the “Hungry Man” legend that surrounds those missing girls still persists in the town.
I loved the detailed descriptions and references to various birds, animals and trees that are spread throughout the book. This rich detail brings the landscape to life and was done in such a way to heighten the sense of foreboding and mystery surrounding the Hungry Man.
The Bluffs was cleverly plotted out with all the twists and turns coming unexpectedly. The suspense remained until the very last page. I read this within 24 hours over 2 days it was that gripping.
madeleinekl's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 It's a pet peeve of mine how male writers often write teenage girls like they're about 25. The level of scheming and adult manipulation in this book - not to mention the idea that a bunch of 15 year olds in the Tasmanian northwest would all be model-hot, rich and youtube famous - is harder to believe than the supernatural elements. BUT otherwise the writing was tense, atmospheric and suspenseful and you couldn't fault the drama! Sometimes this book wants you to think it's much more serious than it is, but it's undoubtedly a fun and gripping read.