Helpful Score: 1
Excellently crafted, many-layered mystery. Third in the Aaron Falk series. As usual (so annoying) I know I've read the previous two but I don't remember the plots. I think I can say with confidence that a new reader could start here. You'll catch the references to previous events, but it won't make a difference to the story. The pacing is steady and deliberate, with Falk and his friend Greg Raco just revisiting the records and adding small bits of detail to the cold case. Harper gives the reader the same clues so I was able to guess what happened with Kim before Falk came to his conclusion, although there is a secondary mystery where my guess was completely off. Good believable characters. The novel is set in Australia's wine country, and you get a good feel for being in a small town in a fairly rural area. To an American reader, it doesn't scream "Australia" but there is no reason it should. I very much enjoyed it.
Helpful Score: 1
Jane Harper is among my favorite authors. Her first book THE DRY is still my favorite but I have enjoyed all of her books. I was happy to see the return of Aaron Falk and I look forward to reading more of him (I hope?). This was a compelling mystery from the start (it actually became 2 mysteries-the disappearance of a mother with a 6 week old baby and a 6 year old unsolved hit and run). These center around the annual Food and Wine festival of a lovely small town. The characters are endearing, the atmosphere was a joy to experience. The mysteries kept me guessing and there were surprises in the end. Good reading!
