Book Review: The Dry by Jane Harper (Aaron Falk #1)

My Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐

An apparent murder-suicide draws Melbourne-based Federal Police Investigator Aaron Falk back to his hometown of Kiewarra. Twenty years ago Aaron and his father left town after fingers pointed to teenage Aaron’s involvement in the death of his friend Ellie Deacon. Luke Hadler, a friend of both Ellie and Aaron, had helped Aaron when suspicions had been directed at him all those years ago. In the present day Luke, a farmer facing financial hardship on account of persistent drought, allegedly shot his wife and young son before turning the gun on himself. The only survivor of that tragedy is Luke’s thirteen-month-old daughter who was unharmed and is now with Luke’s parents. Luke’s father does not believe his son was capable of such a heinous act and asks Aaron to help find the truth. Aaron’s return to Kiewarra isn’t a pleasant one. Besides grieving for his friend, he faces much adversity from people who remember Ellie and the rumors surrounding her death all those years ago. Helping Aaron is local law enforcement officer, Sergeant Greg Raco who is relatively new to the area. Working together they do a deep dive into the lives of Luke and his family, friends and associates- both past and present- to identify probable suspects and follow any lead that could shed a light on what truly happened to Luke Hadler and his family.

Did Luke really kill himself and his family? Does Luke’s death have any connection to the cold case from years ago? Who could have had a personal grudge against Luke in his present life and why?

I know I’m late to the party but better late than never! The Dry by Jane Harper is a solid, atmospheric whodunit, with excellent characterizations and consistent (medium) pacing. The vivid descriptions of the heat-scorched arid terrain and the small-town dynamics of a struggling community add to the intensity of the plot. The fluid narrative is skillfully constructed as it moves between the present-day mystery and the cold case from twenty years ago. As for the ending, I did not see that one coming! I love it when my theories are proved wrong (it does have to be convincing though)! Aaron Falk is an interesting character and I’m glad that the author has developed a series around him. I can’t wait to read the remaining books in this series.