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A review by laurenwise24
The Dry by Jane Harper
5.0
Oh my goodness, I love this book. I LOVE THIS BOOK. Everyone read it, right now.
I’ve found a new love from crime/thriller novels in the past year, and this tops them all. Jane Harper’s debut novel, The Dry is an incredible piece of writing.
Based in the fictional small-farming town of Kiewarra in Australia, the community is struggling with the consequences of an ongoing drought. But nothing can prepare them for when a small-town family winds up dead, leaving a newborn baby orphaned. The blame is pointed at the deceased patriarch of the family, Luke Hadler, in what appears to be a murder-suicide. Then comes Aaron Falk, Luke Hadler’s childhood friend, who left the town years ago after an incident involving their friend, Ellie. Returning as a friend, but also working as a federal agent, Aaron gets wrapped up in the Hadler’s case, as it becomes apparent all is not as it seems.
This book weaves from present to past, addressing current issues and the history of these two men. The setting created is just *amazing*. I found that while it wasn’t the most fast paced - and I usually only like to read fast paced books - the characters and setting created just makes you want to stay and read on. There wasn’t a point in this book that I felt bored, or the urge to put it down - hence why I finished it in just over a day.
I keep saying this book is amazing, but it honestly is. Although a debut novel, you would feel as if Harper has been writing forever, because she has such an amazing skill to create a storyline, characters, and an impeccable setting.
I’ve found a new love from crime/thriller novels in the past year, and this tops them all. Jane Harper’s debut novel, The Dry is an incredible piece of writing.
Based in the fictional small-farming town of Kiewarra in Australia, the community is struggling with the consequences of an ongoing drought. But nothing can prepare them for when a small-town family winds up dead, leaving a newborn baby orphaned. The blame is pointed at the deceased patriarch of the family, Luke Hadler, in what appears to be a murder-suicide. Then comes Aaron Falk, Luke Hadler’s childhood friend, who left the town years ago after an incident involving their friend, Ellie. Returning as a friend, but also working as a federal agent, Aaron gets wrapped up in the Hadler’s case, as it becomes apparent all is not as it seems.
This book weaves from present to past, addressing current issues and the history of these two men. The setting created is just *amazing*. I found that while it wasn’t the most fast paced - and I usually only like to read fast paced books - the characters and setting created just makes you want to stay and read on. There wasn’t a point in this book that I felt bored, or the urge to put it down - hence why I finished it in just over a day.
I keep saying this book is amazing, but it honestly is. Although a debut novel, you would feel as if Harper has been writing forever, because she has such an amazing skill to create a storyline, characters, and an impeccable setting.