Author : Jane Harper
Narrators : Stephen Shanahan
Genre : Thriller
Publisher : Macmillan Audio
Listening Length : 9 hours 59 minutes
Rating : 4.3/5
Narrator Rating : 4.3/5
Federal Agent Aaron Falk has returned home to Kiewarra after any years, for friend Luke Hadler’s funeral. Luke has shot his wife and son and then himself. The only survivor is his baby daughter Charlotte. Falk is at the funeral because of Luke’s father’s threat-like request, hinting at buried past secrets. Falk himself features in them, since he left Kiewarra amid suspicion of having drowned a local girl, and he has no wish to suffer the taunts and insults of a town that believes him guilty.
The rumors were fed well…and grew fat and solid. They sprouted legs and heads, and they never died.
When Luke’s sorrow-stricken mother asks Aaron to investigate the suspicious deaths – she does not believe Luke would have killed himself, much less gunned down his family – Aaron cannot refuse and begins to assist local cop Raco. As he pokes around he finds underlying tensions fueled by the poverty of the region – the land is dry and droughty and the farmers of Kiewarra are getting the brunt of it. Raco and Falk dig into the alibis of the potential suspects, and Jane Harper goes in several different directions opening up possibilities – a jealous ex-girlfriend, financial troubles, a violent temper – to account for Luke’s death.
Bloody tragic.’ The farmer at Falk’s side spoke out of nowhere. His arms were crossed, fists wedged tightly under his armpits. ‘It is,’ Falk said. ‘You knew ’em well?’ ‘Not really. Only Luke, the –’ For a dizzy moment Falk couldn’t think of a word to describe the man in the largest coffin.
I recently read Jane Harper’s “The Lost Man” and that was very good. The Dry is just as suspenseful and thrilling. A hair-raising set-up, dubious suspects, plentiful red herrings and a compelling protagonist make this book a must read/listen. Narrator Shanahan is excellent although he has a strong Australian accent. I have heard Australian narrators before, like Caroline Lee narrating The Husband’s Secret, but I haven’t ever had to concentrate so hard :). I got used to it after some time though, so it was all good.
