RATING; 5 out of 5 Stars
THE LOST MAN by Jane Harper is a slow burn, atmospheric murder mystery set in the unforgiving and remote Australian Outback.
The apparent suicide of Cameron Bright seems to be just another tragedy in this family’s story. A well liked family man, no one can understand why he would leave his well-stocked vehicle and walk to the Stockman’s Grave in the deadly heat of the Outback summer to die.
When Nathan Bright meets his youngest brother Bub at the fence-line between his and the family’s properties at the Stockman’s Grave to recover his brother’s body, Nathan has more questions than answers. The local police believe it is a suicide, but Nathan has trouble believing. He returns to the family homestead to help, but the past returns to haunt him as well as the secrets his brother was hiding.
As the family grieves, Nathan’s suspicion grows that there may be a murderer among them.
This is one of those books you start and just fall into the intrigue of the location and mystery. Ms. Harper’s description of the heat and dry in the Outback in the summer pulls you in and makes you believe you can feel the isolation and danger of the location for the families that live there. My opinion of the point-of-view main character, Nathan changes continually with each new family revelation Ms. Harper weaves into the story. The secondary characters are all hiding their own secrets and add to the feeling of surprise and dread with each revelation. The resolution of the mystery was a surprise I did not see coming which makes this a truly memorable read.
I highly recommend this book and author!
I like this book also. The setting and slow introduction of clues is very well done. 🙂
I agree, Barb. Ms. Harper is definitely turning into an author to follow.