The Outback
by Sara Ochs
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Pub Date 19 Jun 2025 | Archive Date 26 Jun 2025
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Description
It was supposed to be paradise.
For one group of friends, it’s a study abroad program like no other: a month-long adventure filled with sunshine, whirlwind romances, and all-night parties. But it isn’t long before their trip of a lifetime unravels into betrayal, heartbreak, and one missing girl.
Until one of them didn’t come home.
Ten years later, the girl’s remains are found, and it’s time for the group to return to Australia. All of them have secrets, but only one knows what really happened the night the girl went missing.
And they’ll do anything to keep the truth buried…
***Praise for Sara Ochs***
'A deadly, dangerous, beautiful nightmare… will leave you breathless yet gasping for more.'
- CHRIS WHITAKER
'An escapist, up-all-night thriller that holds you under and doesn't let you surface for air until the very final page. Utterly compelling!'
- LUCY CLARKE
'A pacy and accomplished murder mystery, its deep, sinister and intriguing plot draws you into a flawed paradise where everyone has a tale to tell... and one they keep to themselves.'
-JANICE HALLETT
'Compelling and accomplished...perfect for fans of Ruth Ware and Lucy Foley.'
-STEVE CAVANAGH
'Amongst the diverse cast of characters, there is no one you can trust and everyone has a secret to hide. I was captivated by Sara's writing and can't wait to see what she does next.'
-AMY MCCULLOCH
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9781804991749 |
PRICE | £8.99 (GBP) |
PAGES | 432 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews

This is the best book I have read in quite some time! In the first few chapters, I got that tingle I get when I know that I'm going to absolutely love a book, and I wasn't wrong. The writing style was really enjoyable to read, and the cast of characters felt well-developed, distinct and believable.
The plot really kept me interested - both timelines had me hooked and I equally enjoyed Claire's and Phoebe's POV. The book was well paced and I loved the mini reveals throughout the book and there were lots of clever clues, without being too obvious.
I think it may divide people, but I loved the epilogue, and thought it was a perfect way to end the book. A massive 5 stars from me, and I would recommend it to everyone.

A bunch of high school kids go on a month long adventure to Australia. They are strangers but quickly become friends or enemies. Phoebe is trying to put her bad past behind her and wants people to admire her. Claire, is very plain and only went because her mother insisted. These two are roommates and quickly become friends….or do they? We also have Kyan who has Phoebe and Adrien fighting over him. Claire finds her first boyfriend in Declan. There is Thomas, Josh, and Ellery, who are both focused on as much. Two of these people end up dead. But why? And now ten years later they all go back when Phoebe’s body is found. What happened to her? And who is out to get them all? Good book!

A disparate group of young people meet on student trip abroad to Australia for 2 months, organised by an Australian University that plans to show them around the country/continent during that time.
When one of their number disappears, the others are less than concerned about Phoebe, because she has for so long been a destructive element within the group. But Phoebe has her own reasons for being the way that she is...
When human remains are discovered at a remote Outback town a decade later, the friends are requested to return for interviews with the Australian Police. None of them want to - and they all have good reasons for that - but in the end, they all show up. And then, an ill-advised decision to return to the scene of the crime leads to a spectacular denouement.
This is a fantastic read that takes a familiar trope and gives it unique characters and so many new twists that the reader is kept continuously on the edge of their seat.