Scan barcode
ninafroms's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
emilysareader's review against another edition
3.0
Love a good ole Aussie based mystery & found it easy to visualise the town/locals. I will say though that Sarahs storyline was wayyyy to information heavy regarding her personal life & any time you flashed back to thinking of her ex I rolled my eyes plus she low key came off like a perv. The best povs were definitely the kids as I found them the most interesting, overall decent book
retiredlibrarylady's review
2.0
Too many unknown Australian terms. Too much back and forth in time (for me!). Too much unnecessary information about the detective's private life, which had NO bearing on the mystery of Esther's disappearance and death.
joannalouise's review
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault and Injury/Injury detail
lisahall's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
hknox's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I didn’t realize the author was Australian until a few chapters in, which then made more sense considering the vocabulary used.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Rape, Domestic abuse, and Child abuse
romarie4's review against another edition
2.0
It was just ok
I had a real hard time connecting to and caring about the characters
The last 15% I speed read just to get it over with
I had a real hard time connecting to and caring about the characters
The last 15% I speed read just to get it over with
rhondafuller's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
marilynw's review
3.0
Dirt Creek by Hayley Scrivenor
Ronnie and Ester, twelve year old girls, are best friends. They are also good friends with Lewis, who has been ostracized by their schoolmates. When Ester goes missing, Ronnie doesn't understand why Lewis doesn't tell the police what he saw. But, as we will find out, everybody in the little down of Durton aka Dirt Town has secrets, even the kids.
Detective Sergeant Sarah Michaels and her partner are sent to the town to investigate Ester's disappearance. It's obvious people are hiding something, telling lies, blaming others. But, Ronnie isn't going to let her best friend stay missing, she's going to make sure she is found.
There is a Greek chorus of kids that seems creepy and sinister to me. But then this entire town and it's inhabitants seem creepy and/or repulsive. The story and the story telling is good, but I'm not the right reader for the story. There is animal abuse that is too much for me but luckily I was told where at least one event occurs so I could avoid it. Still, animal abuse (and a slew of other abuses) is a part of this story, and it shut down my enjoyment of the book. Not all stories are right for all folks and this one wasn't right for me.
I read this story with DeAnn, Jayme, Susan, and Mary Beth and I really appreciate getting to discuss the story with them. We had a wide variety of thoughts and opinions and the story led to some really good conversation.
Published August 2nd 2022
Thank you to Macmillan Publishers, Flatiron Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
Ronnie and Ester, twelve year old girls, are best friends. They are also good friends with Lewis, who has been ostracized by their schoolmates. When Ester goes missing, Ronnie doesn't understand why Lewis doesn't tell the police what he saw. But, as we will find out, everybody in the little down of Durton aka Dirt Town has secrets, even the kids.
Detective Sergeant Sarah Michaels and her partner are sent to the town to investigate Ester's disappearance. It's obvious people are hiding something, telling lies, blaming others. But, Ronnie isn't going to let her best friend stay missing, she's going to make sure she is found.
There is a Greek chorus of kids that seems creepy and sinister to me. But then this entire town and it's inhabitants seem creepy and/or repulsive. The story and the story telling is good, but I'm not the right reader for the story. There is animal abuse that is too much for me but luckily I was told where at least one event occurs so I could avoid it. Still, animal abuse (and a slew of other abuses) is a part of this story, and it shut down my enjoyment of the book. Not all stories are right for all folks and this one wasn't right for me.
I read this story with DeAnn, Jayme, Susan, and Mary Beth and I really appreciate getting to discuss the story with them. We had a wide variety of thoughts and opinions and the story led to some really good conversation.
Published August 2nd 2022
Thank you to Macmillan Publishers, Flatiron Books and NetGalley for this ARC.