Scan barcode
megan_scullion's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
kyra_c_c's review against another edition
5.0
Maybe not as tense as The Dry and not as emotional as Exiles but I still really enjoyed this 2nd Aaron Falk mystery. Very addictive, with believable, if unlikeable, characters and good twists and misdirection. The real horror is the corporate retreat, tbh. Very grateful not to work in a job where they make us camp in the deadly bushland.
aimeekimbo's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
taylasversion's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Not going to lie, I accidentally grabbed this while reaching for something else, not even realising until I got home, but decided to give it a go anyway. I didn’t even realise it was the sequel to The Dry and had been made into a movie this year. Luckily you don’t need to read the first to read this one. Literally as soon as I finished I went out and bought The Dry.
I had a great time with this. Right up my alley. Love a good mystery thriller, and even more so when it’s set in Australia. This book does a great job at the back and forth between what’s happened and what’s currently happening and how they relate, and how it all unravels. It’s just done really well. Compelling you on the edge of your seat. Very immersive with making you feel claustrophobic. I tried to guess the ending but I was way off!
jrmarr's review against another edition
4.0
Loved ‘The Dry’ and was really looking forward to this book. It didn’t disappoint. I haven’t read a decent page turner in ages and this really hit the spot. Chilling in parts and a nice use of shifting timelines to keep it interesting.
laurenjcarter28's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
maddyhunter_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
davidb71's review against another edition
4.5
I loved this. It's the third Jane Harper book I've read and I've loved them all. Following on from The Dry, this is a very different type of novel to its predecessor. The story is very different - centering around a missing woman in the Australian bushland - but again this is a beautifully written and superbly well-crafted mystery, with a rich, compelling and varied cast of characters. I love the intelligence and lightness of touch with which Jane Harper writes - there's a lot going on in this book, various plots, subplots, ever shifting group dynamics, complex personal histories, plus a healthy dose of misdirection and ever-so-subtle red herrings - and she always feels in complete control of what she's doing, every strand, every subtlety, every nuance of the story is clearly delineated. I always enjoy the feeling of being in the hands of a skillful writer, where I can just relax and enjoy the ride, and this is how I feel with Jane Harper.
I totally got drawn into this mystery. I loved the story. I found it tense and unpredictable, I never really knew where it was going. Like with The Survivor, I got the feeling that Harper was toying with the reader at times, in a way that felt very enjoyable to me. There is misdirection in the book, and it's done with a subtlety and a cleverness to it that I like. The only minor caveat I have - and it really is a very tiny one, and to be honest it barely features in the book - is regarding the hint of a romantic/sexual attraction between Falk and his partner Carmen - I could have done without this. It's just something that can feel a little cliched to me - a male and female cop partnership suddenly feeling attracted to each other. But in fairness, it's barely touched upon in the book - but I kinda just wish it wasn't there at all.
Overall, I thought this was terrific. An intelligent and well-crafted mystery that has heft and weight to it. I found it tense and gripping, and also quite moving - sometimes in quite surprising ways. I can't wait to read more by Jane Harper.
I totally got drawn into this mystery. I loved the story. I found it tense and unpredictable, I never really knew where it was going. Like with The Survivor, I got the feeling that Harper was toying with the reader at times, in a way that felt very enjoyable to me. There is misdirection in the book, and it's done with a subtlety and a cleverness to it that I like. The only minor caveat I have - and it really is a very tiny one, and to be honest it barely features in the book - is regarding the hint of a romantic/sexual attraction between Falk and his partner Carmen - I could have done without this. It's just something that can feel a little cliched to me - a male and female cop partnership suddenly feeling attracted to each other. But in fairness, it's barely touched upon in the book - but I kinda just wish it wasn't there at all.
Overall, I thought this was terrific. An intelligent and well-crafted mystery that has heft and weight to it. I found it tense and gripping, and also quite moving - sometimes in quite surprising ways. I can't wait to read more by Jane Harper.
gbwilliams's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0