Exiles by Jane Harper (Book Review by Stacey Lorenson)

Book Rating: 3.5

Jane Harper is one of my favorite authors. I have read all her books, except for The Survivors, and I saw the movie adaptation of The Dry with Eric Bana. So, when I had the opportunity to review Exiles, I jumped at the chance! Harper is an international best-selling, regional, psychological-thriller, mystery writer. Her novels are typically set in small towns in Australia featuring family and friends of protagonist, Aaron Falk, an Australian Federal Police officer.

Exiles takes place in the South Australian wine country where Falk has been invited by long-time friends, Charlie, and Rita, for their new babies christening. While staying with his friends, he is swept up in an ongoing investigation of an unsolved disappearance of Kim Gillespie. Kim, a married mother of two, vanished during an annual festival event one year ago. Falk, along with Kim’s teenage daughter Zara and various friends and relatives, reexamine crime scene evidence and try to gain a better understanding of what happened and who would want to harm Kim.

Harper focuses on connections that contribute to the concept of family as well as what it takes to maintain those relationships. Exiles consider consequences when family ties disintegrate between family and friends while secrets and transgressions disrupt trust and security. One of Harper’s talents, lies in her ability to invite readers into the arid Australian landscape, describing in vivid detail, sweeping scenes of small towns or countryside that transport readers to places less traveled.

Exiles slowly unravels the mystery surrounding Kim’s disappearance while diving deeper into Falk’s life and the people he loves. Harper has created another stunning read and has further developed Aaron Falk’s character as his life takes another dramatic turn.