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leavesnpages's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A great debut crime novel based in Toowoomba, Queensland, shining a light on child protection workers.
Nikki did a great job at creating suspense and a sense of mystery throughout the novel.
I didn't find any of the characters particularly loveable. I actually really didn't like the main character - I found her rude and obsessive with a pretty shocking work ethic, I understand she had been through some traumatic things, but these weren't explored enough to invoke sympathy for her and I just didn't like her. My favourite character would have to be Angus, the little boy next door. He was intriguing and refreshing.
Nikki did a great job at creating suspense and a sense of mystery throughout the novel.
I didn't find any of the characters particularly loveable. I actually really didn't like the main character - I found her rude and obsessive with a pretty shocking work ethic, I understand she had been through some traumatic things, but these weren't explored enough to invoke sympathy for her and I just didn't like her. My favourite character would have to be Angus, the little boy next door. He was intriguing and refreshing.
olivialarney's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
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
2.5
sweet_ness's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-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
1.75
tiffy22's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I liked this book but it was very predictable and didn't keep me wanting to keep reading for long. Great writing but some things just didn't add up and there wasn't enough suspense for me for a crime thriller.
trich_86's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
kcfromaustcrime's review
5.0
This latest offering of Australian rural noir contrasts urban and small-town sensibilities from the perspective of a child protection officer. Full review at Newtown Review of Books.
jesslives's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
henrymarlene's review
3.0
If you’re looking for a mystery with some solid Australian characters, grab a copy of ‘Crows Nest’ by Nikki Mottram. Dana Gibson flees Sydney for a job in Queensland town. Immediately upon arrival after a very sketchy start, she is thrust into her first assessment where she puts local police and her boss offside, which is quite comical. of Toowoomba. Her first house call turs into the scene for two murdered women in a small town called Cros Nest where lots of secrets remain unspoken, and the newcomer in Dana possibly getting in way over her head.
You get a feel of the life Nikki has lived in Toowoomba in Queensland throughout this book. It is that realness that creates such an interesting story, especially how awful it is when children slip through the cracks on an overburdened community services system. Foster care, the work of welfare agencies and the conflicting relationship between police and social workers is quite apparent in Crows Nest. This is quite a unique perspective, as many books with similar plot lines are more from the point of view of police officers than child protection and social welfare.
Dana seemed devoid of emotion, and I think the loss of her own son and marriage on the rocks may have contributed to the steel edged apathy she had, and the drive to find one outcome among the many others that slip buy in her line of work. Many conversations seemed tired, almost rehearsed or delivered from a template; a sign of the welfare system in chaos? I didn’t have a lot of empathy for Dana, and I think that was part of setting up the anguish around the type of work she was in, the characteristics of the small town and the push to not uncover the truth.
You get a feel of the life Nikki has lived in Toowoomba in Queensland throughout this book. It is that realness that creates such an interesting story, especially how awful it is when children slip through the cracks on an overburdened community services system. Foster care, the work of welfare agencies and the conflicting relationship between police and social workers is quite apparent in Crows Nest. This is quite a unique perspective, as many books with similar plot lines are more from the point of view of police officers than child protection and social welfare.
Dana seemed devoid of emotion, and I think the loss of her own son and marriage on the rocks may have contributed to the steel edged apathy she had, and the drive to find one outcome among the many others that slip buy in her line of work. Many conversations seemed tired, almost rehearsed or delivered from a template; a sign of the welfare system in chaos? I didn’t have a lot of empathy for Dana, and I think that was part of setting up the anguish around the type of work she was in, the characteristics of the small town and the push to not uncover the truth.
willowtrost's review
2.0
As a child protection worker myself I found the story very far fetched and to be a very negative representation of families and individuals involved with children’s services. Dana just seemed like she was trying to assert her dominance and intelligence throughout the book in a super negative way and it just really didn’t read well. I feel like the story came to such an abrupt end there was no reward for finishing the book
vickydaddo's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5