Kala

📖 FROM THE COVER

In the seaside town of Kinlough, on Ireland's west coast, three old friends are thrown together for the first time in years. They - Helen, Joe and Mush - were part of an original group of six inseparable teenagers in the summer of 2003, with motherless, reckless Kala Lanann as their group's white-hot centre. Soon after that summer's peak, Kala disappeared without a trace.
Now it's fifteen years later: Helen has reluctantly returned to Ireland for her father's wedding; Joe is a world-famous musician, newly back in town; and Mush has never left, too scared to venture beyond the counter of his mother's café. But human remains have been discovered in the woods. Two more girls have gone missing. And as past and present begin to collide, the estranged friends are forced to confront their own complicity in the events that led to Kala's disappearance, and to try to stop Kinlough's violent patterns repeating themselves once again...
Against the backdrop of a town suffocating on its own secrets, in a story that builds from a smoulder to a stunning climax, Kala brilliantly examines the sometimes brutal costs of belonging, as well as the battle in the human heart between vengeance and forgiveness, despair and redemption.

REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is a one hell of a debut.

From the get go the story had me intrigued. So interesting and smart at the intersection of literature and crime.
Everything about this book was there for me, there was a character lead feel, a mystery , strangely some dark humour set among what was a brilliant and unique story with classic themes and messages…outstanding. It is gripping, moving, compelling and insightful.



We are taken back and forth though time with flashbacks from the POV of Mush and Helen in the first person POV and the 3rd person POV with Joe. The flashbacks are seamless and flow brilliant the narrative is fragmented, with events and timelines being regularly interweaved. It is very well written as this worked brilliantly it wasn’t hard to follow at all but the writing was complex. Within the present day parts they really set up a sense of mystery as well giving us a true understanding of why the characters are the way they are now. It really questions what happens to us in life, does it make us different than we should have been, are we all just playing cards in someone else’s game and how do our choices shape us( great insightful point from the book)

I loved the flashbacks as I was the same
age as the characters at the time, I could identify with the feelings and thoughts. I liked how there was a touch of the young love first love between Joe and Kala the writer got the tone perfect with this. And extra stars for the Dawson Creek, music and make up/style references within these sections.

I found the change in style with Joe very interesting and clever as the story concluded, it left me with questions. There was a real “who knew what when?” Aftermath which made an already a deeply dark, deep multi layered plot all the more interesting and long lasting after reading. I think this book would make a great book club read as well as a great tv series…water cooler discussion a plenty here.

The characters are well developed and beautifully flawed making them see real and also likeable. I really found the contrast from the then and now very well written as previously stated made you really think.

Mush was without doubt my favourite character he was lovely, seemed a real good guy .I loved the twins and his relationship it added a touch humour to what was a dark book. This with the Mammies chat and some of the more colourful Irish language give off slight Derry Girls vibes.


This is the book Sally Rooney wishes she could write it’s got all the self doubt and worries that her books contain but the issues these characters face are real and true not like her books full of spoilt brats looking for issues. This insightful study of human nature is backed up with amazing plot that reminds me of Tana French .

The sign I really love a book is when I search for the audio version so I can continue the story while am going about my business. With Kala I requested the audiobook after reading the first chapter of the ebook I couldn’t put it down or off.

With the audiobook the narrators create added tension to the mystery setting a good pace and style. The tone of all three narrators was pitch perfect and the accents were great.

Both the print and audio versions were equally as good…which is to say five star

This is one of my top books of 2023. I will be looking out for more of the authors writing.

Thanks again for what was a truly brilliant ARC

I absolutely LOVED the audio of Kala. I started reading this via my kindle, and instantly fell in love with the Irish voices jumping off the page, so when I saw I could request the audio, I jumped at the chance.
Hearing the 3 main characters and their individual voices, really brought the drama and characters to life.
I cannot praise the narrators enough. Their tone/delivery really conveyed their emotions. You laughed along with them as well as cried, felt sad and scared. I will be checking out other audiobooks by these narrators.

Please see below my complete review for the book.

What a beautifully sad story told in a stunning and evocative way.
I adore the writing style and language used. From the very beginning I could hear the Irish accent. As I wrote in my notes “Love the honest Irish voice. Real. Authentic.”

The story itself had me enthralled. It’s such a phenomenal thriller. It played with my emotions and that innate desire to figure the mystery out.
I love that the story is told via multiple POVs.
The 3 characters have very unique and distinct personalities which help add to the complexities of this gut wrenching story.

I went through an overflow of emotions, emotions I wasn’t expecting to feel. From laughter and joy to sadness, shock, horror and even fear! So many emotions. And the end? Oh, my heart! 💔 There are no words.

I love the eclectic array of characters including bad ones (it wouldn’t be a thriller without them! 😊) but I completely fell in love with Mush. Oh, Mush! 🥰 And, If you don’t love him as much as I do, I don’t think we can be friends. Just saying! 😂

Sublime! Colin Walsh is an instant buy author for me now. Whatever he writes in the future, I will preorder asap!

Thank you so much, Atlantic Books, for inviting me to read an advanced copy of this stunning thriller. I cannot wait for it to be released. I will be getting a copy. ♥️

P.S I’m extremely torn! I LOVE the UK cover, but, after reading the novel, the US cover just has something extra. 🥰

P.p.s. I swear my friend had the same shirt with the Chinese writing & dragon on it.😂

This thriller practically breaks its binding with the personality it packs. I listened to the audio, which, with a range of narrators for each of the three POVs, was completely immersive.
The story unfolds against the backdrop of a group of teenagers, now grown, who reconvene in their childhood town for a family wedding. One has never left, one is a global superstar, one a struggling writer. Two of their number are missing; one committed suicide, the other, Kala, disappeared and has never been found.
As they rediscover their friendship they each relive their memories of events that led up to Kala’s disappearance, facing battles not only with their internal demons, but also with the dark forces that simmer beneath the fragile veneer that their home town presents to the world.
The narrators carry you into the heart of this Irish town, and deep into the hearts and minds of the three protagonists. The tension is palpable throughout the story, with a nagging thread pulling at you to unravel the mystery, even though you know the truth of this tale will be an ugly one.
I loved it.
Thank you to NetGalley and W F Howes Ltd for the opportunity to read an ARC.

What an amazing listen! The narrators and the script are amazing and completely absorbing. A tale of family, friends and an ever intertwining mystery surrounding the disappearance of Kala. A wonderful piece of literature that had me hooked from the first page.