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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed this but got a bit lost at the end. I finished this on night shift so that could also be the reason
Largely enjoyable especially at the start. Newspaper journalist Martin Scarsden is sent to parched Riversend to do a story on how the small country town is coping in the wake of a horrific crime committed by the popular local priest a year ago. The descriptions of the dying township, its eccentric characters and especially the unbearable heat were really well done. But…at 480 pages the book is too long. It began as an intriguing page-turner but, as it went on, there were too many improbable events and simply too much packed into the plot. As Martin delves into events of the past he encounters not only the puzzle of a mass shooting but a drought-ravaged country town on its knees, Afghanistan vets, historic sexual assault, bushfire, a romance, suicide, ASIO, road fatality, assumed identities, domestic violence, murders, illegal drug operation, water theft, arson, forgery, infidelity, disinheritance, criminal bikie gang and kidnapping. Really? All in a no-pub town in the Australian bush.
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked the characters and the story. I did feel like it went on for a long time. Perhaps too many sub plots / twists. I think at one point the narrator even mentions having so many loose ends tied together.
It wasn’t a significant ah ha! Moment but I still enjoyed it.
I’ll definitely read the next and am excited to see how this author progresses in his career
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-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:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Cracking holiday read! Great page-turner. Loved trying to solve the mystery with Martin Scarsden, the tough journalist protagonist.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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:
Complicated
Being generous and giving 3 stars, probably closer to 2 - 2.5. Too many elements, sub storylines, romance element was off - Mandalay was needy and whiney, Martin was just all over the place (hot and heavy, then ready to walk away, then all over her again). A positive, the descriptions of the bush and small town Australia were evocative.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated