Summary
Set in a small farming community in the Australian outback of Kiewarra, a family of three is found murdered during one of the worst droughts the community has ever seen. The suspect is the family’s father, who appears to have committed suicide.
Federal Police Investigator Aaron Falk visits for the funeral of his childhood friend and the family’s father, Luke Hadler. During his visit, Falk reluctantly extends his stay to investigate the deaths of the Hadler family, which threatens to surface a secret he and Luke buried during their childhood years.
Review
If you’re looking for a quick recommendation, yes, I would definitely recommend this book!
This is one of my favorite mystery books I’ve ever read. The story isn’t just focused on finding the murderer, but also on the community, its members, and the setting. The drought isn’t just a talking point amongst the characters, it plays a huge role, especially at the end.
It’s nice to read a book that isn’t set in a large city, but rather a small town where everyone knows everyone, and no one can truly hide anything. The way the author writes about the setting transports me. I felt as though I was right there with Falk, sitting in the oven that is the Australian outback during the summer months.
The big reveal at the end is surprising, but in a good way. Obviously I don’t want to give it away, as I highly recommend you read it. But it was satisfying to find out who murdered the Hadler family. As a warning, the story does mention how two of the murdered family members are children. I read this before I had my son, but I feel like it would be more difficult to read that part now.
The story kept me turning the pages as quickly as I could. It was easy to get lost in the mystery because it wasn’t just about the Hadler family, but Falk’s past as well. How he and his father once lived in Kiewarra, but later shunned.
Overall, I would recommend this book to a busy mom. This book can get anyone out of a reading rut because it’s fast-paced and amazing. If you’re looking to be transported to a completely different place, look no further than The Dry.
Rating
Five out of five stars
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If you enjoyed my review of The Dry by Jane Harper, you might also like Final Girls by Riley Sager. Check out my review!
If you’re interested in purchasing The Dry, here are some quick links to buy the book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. And, if you’re interested to see what others think, here’s the link to the book on Goodreads.
