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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
This was a quick read, with a trip down memory lane to 1989: Bolle sunglasses, walkmans and cassette tapes. While I think I enjoyed Christian White's The Wife and the Widow storyline more, this plotline moved along at a fair clip and the array of Aussie neighbourhood characters was fun - if not a bit stereotypical. The story tells of the disappearance of school girl Tracie, and is largely told from the perspective of Tom Witter, Tracie's teacher, who lives nearby and feels compelled to search out what has happened because he knew Tracie and because as a member of Neighbourhood Watch, he has his own children who play in Wild Place, the last place she was seen. The further he gets involved in tracking down Tracie's last known movements, the more he gets drawn into the 'unseen' lives of the children he thinks he knows, and the extent that people will go to, to protect those they love.
As per any Christian White novel, this one had lots of twists and turns and the ending is suitably climactic. I personally felt like I was watching a crash in slow motion: I thought I knew where it was going, and while I didn't want it to go there, I couldn't turn away and kept turning the pages as the ending was revealed. I am also glad of the epilogue- definitely needed to put the whole story to bed.
As per any Christian White novel, this one had lots of twists and turns and the ending is suitably climactic. I personally felt like I was watching a crash in slow motion: I thought I knew where it was going, and while I didn't want it to go there, I couldn't turn away and kept turning the pages as the ending was revealed. I am also glad of the epilogue- definitely needed to put the whole story to bed.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I love a Christian White page turner! This was a highly enjoyable, well paced Aussie crime novel. I loved the inclusion of Satanic Panic that gripped communities in the 80s and how that set the tone of prejudice throughout the book. Tom was a great protagonist and his character really added dimension to the plot. There are some classic Christian White plot twists to keep you guessing and although I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as his previous two novels it's still a goodun.
Thanks to affirmpress and net galley for my ARC
Thanks to affirmpress and net galley for my ARC
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a solid mystery thriller and I will continue to give Christian White points for keeping me hooked and rocketing the story a long. Unfortunately this one just felt a little uninspired. I could see the affair coming a mile off which was a shame and the murderer then seemed like a natural progression of things. Definitely better than a lot of the shitty thrillers I have read in my life. It was written well and the cast of characters felt believable but it just didn't get over the line for me in terms of resolution.
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
3.5 stars. Book club read! I don’t read a lot of thrillers/mysteries so they’re all pretty entertaining to me. I enjoy that this author’s books are set in Australia. The story was pretty good, definitely didn’t see the ending coming but was disappointed about some things.