4+

I think this skims into my books of the year,having read it in the last few days of December.
It perfectly sums up the claustrophobic atmosphere of a small town where everybody knows you and/or is related to you.
Behind that,there are secrets, both the real sort,and the look the other way and pretend you didn't see sort.
The descriptions of childhood from Ronnie's narration were pitch perfect and had me all nostalgic,even though I've never been to Australia.
All I all,its a book that can pull at quite a few emotions,and packs a few surprises.
I raced through it in one sitting .

In small town Australia, a child disappears and the rumour mill starts running. A familiar enough scenario, but here it has added impact with its superbly painted settings and close knit community of family, friends and a few enemies too. It’s easy enough for these familiar themes to become a bit repetitive in novels, , but that doesn’t happen here, with the story told from several different perspectives by several different people and groups. This is a device that works really well in the setting, and turns this book from what could be a rather ordinary mystery into a real atmospheric page turner. Other reviewers have compared Hayley Scrivenor with Jane Harper, but I think that does her something of a disservice - hers is an original voice which deserves to be heard without preconceptions.

I blitzed through this book over the weekend as I just could not get enough. I enjoyed every second. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I had flashbacks to The Dry and the Lovely Bones with this book. It's a great addition to the Australian fiction shelf and this is a gripping and immersive thriller. I would recommend this to everyone who wants a really good read that has twists and turns and plenty of red herrings plus a keen insight into the way a small community hides from itself and from each other.

Wow. Be warned. This is not the sort of book you can put down and pick up again and read in bits and pieces. It will have you addicted from the first sentence and you won't stop till you get to the final page.....

A young girl goes missing in a small, struggling Australian country town and the story of what happened is told from various perspectives including the children. Lots of very clever twists, wonderful language and imagery, and a look behind the masks we all wear every day.

Think a cross between The Dry, Jasper Jones and The Lovely Bones.

Just brilliant!