Great book! A simple decision that ends up changing the lives of family and friends and a search for the truth. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Net Galley and General Fiction for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I found this a slow and laborious read. The characters are strong, but I didn’t connect with them. The story flips between past and present rather randomly. There is a lot of strong racism against the Viietnamese which is difficult to read, and it overshadows the main story.
Denny a young teenage boy has been murdered while out to dinner with his parents in an Asian restaurant.
His sister Ky, a young journalist is trying to find out the truth about what happened to him. Their parents are Vietnamese, poor and don’t speak any English and struggle to fit in to life in Australia.
Ky is interviewing people who were in the restaurant the night her brother was murdered, no one recalls seeing anything the police are also of little help, she keeps digging though and eventually finds out what happened.
This book was not one I enjoyed, it’s definitely not just a murder mystery.
2.5 stars.

Set in a Vietnamese immigrant community in Australia, it tells us of the problems and heartbreak of fitting into a new country.
I found it very sad, and rather slow and hard going at times. I also was disappointed at the confusing ending, I would’ve wanted to find out more about the outcome of the main characters.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book for review.

My thanks to NetGalley and HQ publishing for the opportunity to review this ARC.
Enjoyed this debut novel that gave an insight on the plight of refugees and the difficulties of fitting in and having worth.
It shows how easy it is to be indoctrinated into the wrong crowd, and the devastating outcome.
I would have liked a tidier end just to know what happened to one of the main characters.
Generally a good read.

An unusual theme which had lots of promise. The storyline is based around an immigrant community in Australia. Ky had left home but returns to investigate the death of her you brother I a community and family who fail to accept drugs and crime which are rife. She is determined to get th the bottom of why he died. The book was a little repetitive at times but well written and a great debut.

“ALL THAT’S LEFT UNSAID” is a deeply moving and unflinching debut novel by Tracey Lein, following a young Vietnamese-Australian woman who returns home to her family in the wake of her brother’s shocking murder, determined to discover what happened.

Set in the real life town of Cabramatta, New South Wales which did actually experience a heroin epidemic during the 90’s, this is an unusual mystery as the crime committed does take a backseat to the powerful theme of Vietnamese migrants. (So if you’re a die hard thriller reader this may not be for you) However, as a debut fiction novel, this is really well written and tremendously researched and therefore is genuinely a thought provoking read.

This is a slow burn story but it is worth the time invested in reading it for the satisfying ending. The emotional journey the Vietnam refugees endured settling in another country, so unlike what they were used to, was quite eye opening. Something I’ve never took notice of before or was even aware of.

Very emotive and moving, this dramatic exploration of the intricate bonds and obligations of friendship, family and community, is definitely worth reading. I learned a lot about the struggles of settling in a new country, both emotionally and physically and found the rituals after death in the Buddhism religion interesting and informative.

Tracey Lein grew up in Cabramatta herself but based this book on fictional characters. She currently lives in New York and has been a reporter for the Los Angeles Times. “All That’s Left Unsaid” is Tracey’s first novel.

#AllThatsLeftUnsaid - 3.5 stars

A very sad and emotional story that really got to me and I did shed some tears reading it. Tracey Lien writes a great story that can start some in depth discussions about the run down area of Cabramatta, how the Vietnamese feel they are treated, police indifference etc.
I enjoyed this story and I think you will too.
Many thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC book for an honest review.
#Netgalley, #hqstories, #hellotraceylien.

A multilayered and in depth look at loss & grief, as well as the backdrop of immigration & identity in a community and family

All that’s Left Unsaid Tracey Lien

5 stars
What a heart-breaking story

This is an amazing debut for the author. She lived in Carbamate and although this is fiction she is obviously writing from the heart. I found this book profoundly moving and it also opened my eyes to how refugees from the Vietnam War had to learn to live in a strange land, adapt to their circumstances whilst still trying to remember their roots.

KY has moved away to Melbourne and is working as a journalist, she is trying to make a new life for herself in an effort to break away from her straitlaced upbringing. When her brother Denny is brutally murdered in a local café after celebrating his graduation no-one has seen anything despite the café being full. KY cannot understand why her brother has been killed and why no-one is prepared to be a witness. She decides that she is going to use her journalistic experience to talk to everyone involved with both her brother and the people who were present at the time of the murder.

The story alternates between KY’s investigation and details of her and her family’s life in Carbamate. This is where I found this story so moving, I had no idea of the racial tensions between Asian refugees and the Australians and how cruel people could be. Both KY and her brother had spent their whole lives trying to be good and do the right thing whereas KY’s best friend Minnie had kicked against the traces and became involved in the thriving drug gangs. Why then was Denny the one to be killed and why will no-one come forward?

Although KY eventually discovers the truth I feel the main purpose of this book was to give the reader an insight into how hard life was and quite possibly still is for a foreigner moving into another country. I found this book compelling and hope Ms Lien will write another book as soon as possible for me to read.

Karen Deborah
Reviewer for Net galley

All That's Left Unsaid
By Tracey Lein

Ky (pronounced kee, not kai) is a young Vietnamese-Australian woman who has returned home to the notorious Cabramatta suburb of Sydney because her brother has been brutally murdered, however nobody can answer any of the questions she has about Denny's killing. Her parents didn't authorise an autopsy, the police didn't provide a report and nobody seems to know anything, or do they?

Ky, now a journalist, launches her own investigation. You might think this is a murder mystery, but actually it is far from it. The details of Denny's death unfold throughout the story, but actually this is the story of Ky's relationship with her estranged friend Minnie. It is also an examination of the Asian immigrant experience in Australia, especially those that sought refuge.

The structure is quite interesting. The narrative alternates between Ky and the witnesses she speaks to about Denny's final days. Through each of these perspectives we gain an insight into Ky's life, her straitlaced upbringing, her awareness of her own class among the immigrant community, her unbalanced friendship with Minnie, her gentle brother...how could he have become embroiled in the pervasive gang culture.

The tone is dark and reflective, I cried inwardly a lot and real tears at one point, and yet Ky's inner dialogue is quite funny and relevant. I really appreciate how much growth she achieves throughout the book. For a book that is so character driven, it is surprising how propulsive this is, because even thought it is not a mystery, I really wanted to know how it would end. We get redemption and understanding. A very thought provoking read.

Thanks to #netgalley #harpercollinsuk and #HQ for the egalley
Publication date: 15th September 2022

I enjoyed this very much, beautifully written, heartbreaking and about a subject I knew very little of, so it was interesting to read about the lives of Vietnamese refugees in Australia and how difficult life was for them.

An interesting and often heart breaking book, in many different ways, while portraying an area of Australia in the 1990’s. I felt it was beautifully written and well researched but I did feel at times that it didn’t always keep me compelled to pick up the book.

This is not just a murder mystery book, it contains family drama and a lot of social descriptions of various cultures in and around Cabramatta, Australia.

Ky needs answers about her brother Denny’s murder but won’t accept that he was involved with any drugs/gangs, so she sets out to find out the truth. Ky struggles to be the ‘perfect’ she felt her parents want her to be and maybe this is why she wants to find the truth out about her brother’s death, to prove he was the perfect they wanted.

This was a very complex and interesting read but unfortunately it just wasn't for me, but please do make up your own mind about it as it was well written and eye-opening on how things were.

At first glance, I didn't think there was anything in the book that would be relatable for me — and I like books that are relatable. It's about first and second generation Vietnamese immigrants and their lives in current day Australia. But just a few pages in and I was HOOKED. What a compelling portrayal not only of immigrant culture and its complexities but also families, friendships, grief, growing up as someone who's not always comfortable in their skin — and all the layers and layers that go with each of these elements in our lives. I highly recommend this book to everybody and look forward to seeing what Tracey Lien writes next.

I absolutely loved this beautifully written book about Ky Tran who returns home for her murdered brother Denny’s funeral and is determined to uncover the truth. Definitely an unforgettable debut novel from start to finish. It’s a heartbreaking and gripping story. I loved all the great characters and the relationships between Ky and Minnie, her childhood friend. I couldn’t put it down.
It’s a powerful, emotional thought provoking read. Highly recommend. I look forward to reading more from Tracey Lien.
Thanks to #NetGallery #HQ #TraceyLien for an arc of #AllThatsLeftUnsaid in exchange for an honest review.

Ky a young vietnamese news reporter comes back to her hometown when her brother is murdered at a graduation party. No-one seems to know anything, least of all the police. The book is a story of loss, cultural differences between generations and a feeling of never really fitting in. Though the story has a murder it was quite slow paced and although I enjoyed learning more about the Vietnamese in Australia I did find it all a bit repetitive. It was also a bit unconvincing that an ambitious journalist was so awkward around other people and reverted back to childhood.

Carefully researched, this book gives an opportunity to enter the closed circle of life in the Asian community in a poor suburb of Melbourne,, Australia. Originally from Vietnam, Ky's parents escaped with their young daughter to take refuge in Cambratta, a close knit Asian enclave which became victim to a heroin epidemic during Ky's teenage years. She and her younger brother Denny, who was born in Australia, Trying hard to be 'good' for the family, keeping up with the language and traditions of Vietnam while living in a country where they are clearly not part of the 'white' culture, Ky in particular carries a daily burden. Denny, quiet and intelligent, pride of his parents, not so much. Ky's girlhood friend, Minnie, rebellious and loud plays a big part in both of their lives, until she falls in with a 'naughty ' crowd and she drifts away from the friendship - until one shocking night and the event that brings Ky home, looking for Minnie and the answers she needs. A thought provoking book, giving glimpses of a culture and often resentments hidden from most white Australians

This is one of those books that make you realise how little you know about the world. Knowing next to nothing of the Vietnamese community is Australia, now or then, I assume it reflects the area authentically. This is quite a sad tale which illustrates the need for compassion, empathy and sometimes forgiveness.

I quite enjoyed the beginning of All That's Left Unsaid but by 25% through it had lost me. Thanks to NetGalley and HQ for the opportunity to read and review this book but it just wasn't for me this time.

This book follows the story of Ky Tran ,who along with her parents fled Vietnam, and now lives in Australia. Ky was only young at the time so has been able to embrace the Australian way of life, in the main, in a way that her parents haven't been able to do. They are still living in the past, and keep themselves to themselves.
Many years late, the murder of her younger brother, Danny brings Ky home for the first time in ages ,and she finds herself investigating his death, although her parents don't seem to want to know what happened.
The story also touches on life in Vietnam, and how it affects their new life in Australia. It gave me a little insight to the Vietnamese way of life, and their struggles after they fled the war.
I must admit that this book didn't grip me as I thought it might. I found it a little slow in places and it struggled to hold my attention. Although it did pick up for me in the latter chapters, and I am glad that I read it to the end.

A hard-hitting story about living as an immigrant in a white community, in this case Vietnamese in Australia. There are cultural and language difficulties that provoke different expectations of life and here a life is lost and the family has to battle to get answers. Ky is a great character who holds the book and her family together.