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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
If you enjoy Robert Parker, Sue Grafton, James Lee Burke, or early Michael Connolly, you will love Jane Harper. Well written, active pace, engaging characters, and set in Australia. The perfect mystery. I can’t wait to read the rest of her novels,
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I don't know much about Australia and its terrain but this book put me firmly in the midst of the worst drought Kiewarra had experienced in a long time. I could feel the unrelenting sun and the parched air as I read this book - the harsh Australian setting is a major character in the story, which seems to be a trademark of Harper's.
When Falk returns to his hometown decades later for the death of his childhood friend, as well as his wife and son, the case seems to be pretty straightforward. Luke is the obvious perpetrator, but there are a few odd pieces that don't quite add up. The last thing Falk wants to do is stay in a town where he is not welcome, a hometown where he is suspected of a crime many years ago. But he decides to stay and help the local law enforcement figure out what exactly happened.
Harper expertly reveals information about that fateful day that three members of the Hadley family died. The reader is also privy to various flashback scenes, which fill in the blanks and provide meaningful context to the events that occurred in the past and the present. The storyline is well-plotted, and the pacing is done expertly. I was hooked from the very first page and the intensity did not waver throughout. The ending is satisfying and clever, and I eagerly look forward to continuing this series.
When Falk returns to his hometown decades later for the death of his childhood friend, as well as his wife and son, the case seems to be pretty straightforward. Luke is the obvious perpetrator, but there are a few odd pieces that don't quite add up. The last thing Falk wants to do is stay in a town where he is not welcome, a hometown where he is suspected of a crime many years ago. But he decides to stay and help the local law enforcement figure out what exactly happened.
Harper expertly reveals information about that fateful day that three members of the Hadley family died. The reader is also privy to various flashback scenes, which fill in the blanks and provide meaningful context to the events that occurred in the past and the present. The storyline is well-plotted, and the pacing is done expertly. I was hooked from the very first page and the intensity did not waver throughout. The ending is satisfying and clever, and I eagerly look forward to continuing this series.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This totally engaged me in the story and struggles of the community. Very fun following along as things were revealed.
4ish stars.
Perhaps I have been reading too many mysteries this past year, but I had suspicions regarding the possible killer fairly early on, and ended up being correct. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the mysteries and red herrings thrown at us. The main character is more on the dull side, but I don't think I really mind that. In these cases, at least for me, it is more about the mystery itself rather than the characterisation.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this - it was the perfect story to pass the time on long flights. After reading the prologue and first chapter of the next book in the series, I reckon I would picking up that as well.
Perhaps I have been reading too many mysteries this past year, but I had suspicions regarding the possible killer fairly early on, and ended up being correct. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the mysteries and red herrings thrown at us. The main character is more on the dull side, but I don't think I really mind that. In these cases, at least for me, it is more about the mystery itself rather than the characterisation.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this - it was the perfect story to pass the time on long flights. After reading the prologue and first chapter of the next book in the series, I reckon I would picking up that as well.
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes