Once again, Harper uses the structure of a thriller (intriguing mystery, whodunnit, whydunnit, etc etc) as a scaffold for bigger and, I believe, better things. The mysterious death of Cameron Bright, which we see channelled through the perspective of his unhappy, outcast brother Nathan, is merely a jumping off point for a thoughtful, subtle examination of the lives and choices made by the whole Bright family and those in their orbit: marrying the wrong person; marrying in haste, repenting at leisure; "choosing" to live in an environment where your nearest neighbour is a three hour drive away, and so hostile that the smallest mistake in your daily routine can quickly become a matter of life and death. (Although Harper vividly illustrates that such choices can be based on an accumulation of "micro-choices" so subtle that you don't even notice what you've done ... until you're trapped.)
Particularly wrenching to read as wildfires wreak havoc on parts of Australia -- Harper can really capture the stark beauty of the landscape, and the reasons why anyone would want to live there, in spite of the cost. What a beautiful and rewarding life it could be, if done in the right spirit -- and with the right people.
A book that is well worth reading, by an author who is well worth following, especially if you want a mystery that resists the usual formulae
Particularly wrenching to read as wildfires wreak havoc on parts of Australia -- Harper can really capture the stark beauty of the landscape, and the reasons why anyone would want to live there, in spite of the cost. What a beautiful and rewarding life it could be, if done in the right spirit -- and with the right people.
A book that is well worth reading, by an author who is well worth following, especially if you want a mystery that resists the usual formulae
