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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Having recently read [b:Exiles|60784359|Exiles (Aaron Falk, #3)|Jane Harper|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1652627981l/60784359._SY75_.jpg|95262444], it felt a little like kismet that I'd managed to pick up another Australian mystery novel set somewhat in the countryside. However, in terms of topic and tone, Homecoming definitely feels like worlds apart from Exiles and it's certainly a lot lengthier. So settle down with a nice cup of tea and get ready to venture into the mystery that Kate Morton has crafted.
The book begins in 1959, from Isabel's perspective on New Year's Day:
The novel then jumps to the end of the same year, where the small town of Tambilla discovers that a horrific incident has happened - an unimaginable kind of horror that will leave the town scrambling to uncover the truth behind the mystery.
Meanwhile, in present-day, Jess has received bad news about her beloved grandmother, who is unwell. Jess has lived abroad in London as a journalist for years now but her career has hit a stalemate recently, having failed to sell any good stories. Moreover, her personal life is also in shambles after the end of her prior relationship. The news about Nora sends her scrambling to return home:
When Jess returns home, she learns of an unexpected familial connection between Nora and the terrible tragedy that had befallen Tambilla all those years ago. Isabel had been Nora's sister-in-law and the big family that Nora had always yearned for had existed - only to be have wiped out years ago. Jess becomes engrossed in the mystery and slowly begins to put the pieces together...
There were aspects of Homecoming that felt a little predictable, as there were certain puzzle pieces that felt easier to put together.
However, the parts that were shocking twists far outweighed these predictable aspects and I really do appreciate how tightly plotted these parts were.The mystery was excellent and the writing was compelling. Kate Morton has been a surprise find and I can certainly understand the popularity of this book.
The book begins in 1959, from Isabel's perspective on New Year's Day:
As he reached the nearest bend of the driveway, Isabel knew she would have to let go of the string if she were to scramble down the ladder in time. She vacillated for a moment and then called out, "Hello!" and waved. "I'm over here."
He looked up, surprised, and as another gust of wind made her grip the ladder tight, Isabel saw she'd been mistaken. For although he carried a parcel, the stranger on the driveway was not the postman at all.
The novel then jumps to the end of the same year, where the small town of Tambilla discovers that a horrific incident has happened - an unimaginable kind of horror that will leave the town scrambling to uncover the truth behind the mystery.
Spoiler
And it is indeed a terror - Isabel and her young children are all found dead, almost like they were sleeping. And the baby of the family has gone missing from the scene, nowhere to be found.Meanwhile, in present-day, Jess has received bad news about her beloved grandmother, who is unwell. Jess has lived abroad in London as a journalist for years now but her career has hit a stalemate recently, having failed to sell any good stories. Moreover, her personal life is also in shambles after the end of her prior relationship. The news about Nora sends her scrambling to return home:
Perhaps her grandmother sensed by the tightness of the hug that Jess's excitement was balanced on a knife's edge, liable to tilt at any moment into trepidation, because she took both of Jess's hands and held them firmly between her own. "Someone I used to know a long time ago told me once that fear is the doorway to opportunity. And I can assure you, my love, that every good thing that's happened to me since has come through acting despite my fears." She wrapped Jess in a firm embrace. "Just remember," she said softly, "no matter what happens, I'll be here, and you can always, always come home."
When Jess returns home, she learns of an unexpected familial connection between Nora and the terrible tragedy that had befallen Tambilla all those years ago. Isabel had been Nora's sister-in-law and the big family that Nora had always yearned for had existed - only to be have wiped out years ago. Jess becomes engrossed in the mystery and slowly begins to put the pieces together...
There were aspects of Homecoming that felt a little predictable, as there were certain puzzle pieces that felt easier to put together.
Spoiler
About midway through the book, it became pretty clear to me that Jess's estranged mother, Polly, was probably the baby that had been missing from the scene. However, I was unsure about how she came to be with Nora, especially since nobody had reported her reappearance.However, the parts that were shocking twists far outweighed these predictable aspects and I really do appreciate how tightly plotted these parts were.
Spoiler
There's nothing to goes to waste about the book. Percy, the man who finds Isabel and the children, initially feels like a side character that had stumbled upon the scene. But we later learn of his affair with Isabel - there were certainly plenty of hints about it, about his love for books and how Meg doesn't share the same interest; about how his reaction to finding Isabel and the children dead was far too emotional and intimate. And yet, I couldn't have put it all together until the end.Spoiler
Nora has a very different personality depending on whether you ask Jess (supportive, admirable and fiercely independent) or Polly (suffocating, overbearing and too judgmental) and it just goes to show how three-dimensional the characters are, such that their histories can depict Nora in such different perspectives.
4.5 - great writing and a beautiful picture of Australia, but dragged a bit in the middle.
I feel as if almost half of this book could have been edited by removing such unnecessary detail and would have been a much better read.
I knew as soon as it was Meg preparing the basket and waiting for other items to arrive she was who poisoned the family but enjoyed finding out the motive.
Nora is a trip that caused generational trauma through her lies and as someone who was so “loyal” really through her sister-in-law under the bus and let her be seen as a murderer.
I knew as soon as it was Meg preparing the basket and waiting for other items to arrive she was who poisoned the family but enjoyed finding out the motive.
Nora is a trip that caused generational trauma through her lies and as someone who was so “loyal” really through her sister-in-law under the bus and let her be seen as a murderer.
In a nutshell: A book you'd expect from Kate Morton including mystery, intrigue, and family secrets.
An enjoyable read all around! This story won't stick with me forever, but it was an enjoyable summer read for sure.
What happened on Christmas Eve in Adelaide Hills in 1959? When she returns home to Australia to care for her ailing grandmother, Jess is determined to find out. The Turner family tragedy of 1959 has her captivated and as she learns more, she discovers shocking revelations about her own family and the secrets that have been buried deep.
All things considered, I read this rather quickly and I'd say it was difficult to put down. but again, it's a story that I feel won't live with me for a prolonged time, which is why it's only 3 stars. It has nothing to do with the way the book is written (which is amazing). I think the fact the author can come up with this story is amazing and it makes me wonder how she maps it all out in the writing process. Does she create a family tree? Does she write out distinct descriptions of all the different characters so that she can describe each one's unique characteristics? I think that's what amazes me. There are so many characters and they are intertwined in very complex ways. So as a writer, do you map it out beforehand or do you just start writing and then something comes back to you?
An enjoyable read all around! This story won't stick with me forever, but it was an enjoyable summer read for sure.
What happened on Christmas Eve in Adelaide Hills in 1959? When she returns home to Australia to care for her ailing grandmother, Jess is determined to find out. The Turner family tragedy of 1959 has her captivated and as she learns more, she discovers shocking revelations about her own family and the secrets that have been buried deep.
All things considered, I read this rather quickly and I'd say it was difficult to put down. but again, it's a story that I feel won't live with me for a prolonged time, which is why it's only 3 stars. It has nothing to do with the way the book is written (which is amazing). I think the fact the author can come up with this story is amazing and it makes me wonder how she maps it all out in the writing process. Does she create a family tree? Does she write out distinct descriptions of all the different characters so that she can describe each one's unique characteristics? I think that's what amazes me. There are so many characters and they are intertwined in very complex ways. So as a writer, do you map it out beforehand or do you just start writing and then something comes back to you?
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Nothing moved. So much filler.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
This was much too long and not captivating as I had hoped. I wanted to sink my teeth into a tome and be immersed but this did not do it for me.
I knew some of the twists from the start, right after the prologue. Jess seemed so obtuse that it was hard for me to believe she was an investigative journalist. And the book within the book basically told us everything that happened that fateful morning but how could the author have known so much if everyone was dead? 2.5⭐️ because the ending was good but not a book I would ever recommend.
I knew some of the twists from the start, right after the prologue. Jess seemed so obtuse that it was hard for me to believe she was an investigative journalist. And the book within the book basically told us everything that happened that fateful morning but how could the author have known so much if everyone was dead? 2.5⭐️ because the ending was good but not a book I would ever recommend.