I’ve been looking forward to reading this book for a while and it did not disappoint. Especially for a debut novel, it’s a very well put together story. I’m a bit retroactively disappointed that it didn’t win the Goodreads choice awards, but I suppose that’s to be expected.
Aaron Falk is a Federal Agent working for Australia’s government, ferreting out financial criminals. He doesn’t live the most exciting life, but he’s comfortable and good at his job. When he gets called back to his hometown by old family friends, he’s plunged back into the world of his teenage years. Back then, it was their tight knit group of four: Aaron, the nerdy one; Luke, the handsome center of attention; Ellie, the sweet one with a terrible home life; and Gretchen, the popular one. They’re happy for the most part, but then Ellie goes missing and everything turns to shit. The town pins it on Aaron and his dad despite Luke providing an alibi and they essentially get run out of town.
When Aaron goes back, it’s to attend Luke’s funeral. And Luke’s wife’s funeral. And Luke’s son’s funeral.
They’re saying Luke killed them both, left his daughter alive, and then killed himself, but Luke’s parents have doubts. They get Aaron to look into it by telling him that they know Aaron didn’t really have an alibi for Ellie’s death, that Luke made it up. What follows is an exploration of the many questions on the table. Who really killed Ellie? Did Luke provide an alibi to cover for Aaron or to cover for himself? Why would Luke kill most of his family but not all?
Very excited to read Harper’s new book in the series! If she did this with a debut, I’m sure her second book will be even better and I am so here for it.
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