Ro is returning to her old home to mark the 5 year anniversary of the disappearance of her son, a mystery which has never been solved, alongside her ex husband and daughter. The town is slowly dying as a large mine nearby encroaches on them, the company buying up homes and land and overshadowing everything with its noisy presence. The pressure of the situation is affecting all the relationships in the town, causing mistrust and arguments between neighbours as some take the deal and others want to fight to keep the town alive.

I’ve read and enjoyed all of Jane Harper’s books but this is my favourite yet. The central story is a good mystery, well told, emotional and believable and all the characters are sympathetic and likeable, but the real stand out is the atmosphere. The depiction of the town with the noise of the mine forever in the background, the sense of the town slowly being deserted and the mistrust that is brewing everywhere is beautifully portrayed with a real sense of menace and despair. You can hear the noise, feel the heat, understand everyone’s motives, it’s all so perfectly pitched. Harper is a superb writer, everything flows and transports you and keeps you utterly gripped, and she just seems to keep on getting better. An amazing book.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and author for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

Jane Harper never disappoints and this heartbreaking book about loss and grief is no exception.
Ros returns to her small, decaying town every year on her son's Sam's birthday - and the anniversary of his disappearance. Once a thriving, almost idyllic community Carralon has declined to just a few stubborn or stuck souls. the medical centre has closed, one shop barely holds on, the pub opens just a few days a month. The mine on the outskirts of town has gradually bought or driven out the people that live there, starving the town of investment even as it coats it in grit. Ros's ex husband, Griff, is one of the few inhabitants stubbornly clinging on, unable to leave the place where his son was last seen and where his family were last whole and happy, just as Ros can't live with the perpetual reminder of all she has lost. But this year, as they remember their son and once again, examine every detail of his last day, new information comes to light. Will they be able to solve the mystery of what happened five years ago at last or will they always be stuck not knowing and unable to move on?
Harper cleverly weaves the pain over the loss of community alongside the devastation of Sam's disappearance in this haunting, elegant thriller. Highly recommended.

Last one out is another fantastic read from Jane Harper. Her books are always engaging with the reader becoming completely invested in the characters and storyline. Ro returns to the small outback town she lived in for many years from her new home in Sydney. It will be 5 years since her son went missing on his 21st birthday. The memorial will be held at the place he was last seen and will be attended by the few locals who still live in this dying town. The story moves at a slow pace but informs the reader about the various relationships between these people and the impact a local mine has had on them and their home. Ro is separated from her husband as the stress of losing their son was a burden they struggled to support each other with. Their daughter also comes back to town and between them, they start to uncover a few kernels of unknown facts that lead to a dramatic discovery.
I would highly recommend any Jane Harper books and found the ending of this novel to be surprising and incredibly emotional.

Slow burn study of a failing town soon to be overtaken by large mining operation centred around the fifth anniversary of a missing young man. Secrets, family strife, financial motivations, suicide, possible murder…

Harper’s novel builds slowly - I was wondering when we were going to get going and then found myself utterly absorbed into the “investigation” that Ro, the mother of missing Sam, is leading. Excellent mystery with a real emotional payoff.

I finished this book in less than 24 hours and I am still thinking about it. It was THAT good! I was on the edge of my seat as I was reading, and that feeling didn’t stop until the final page! An absolute thrill of a ride.

I literally could not put this book down. I found myself holding my breath, peeking through my closed eyes at what I was about to read next… a phenomenal thriller! Three words to describe this book is thrilling, addictive and heart pounding.

I loved every single page and I was beyond shocked by the ending, I had to pick my jaw up off the ground! One of the BEST books I have EVER read!