"Force of Nature" by Jane Harper revolves around a group of five women from a company who go on a corporate retreat in the Australian wilderness. However, only four women return, and the missing woman, Alice Russell, was assisting Federal Police Agent Aaron Falk with investigating financial irregularities within the company. As Falk and his partner Carmen delve into the disappearance, they uncover a web of personal and professional relationships among the hikers, leading to suspicions and betrayals. The story alternates between the present investigation and flashbacks to reveal the dynamics among the women and the events that transpired during the retreat. Despite being a mystery thriller, some readers found the book lacking in atmospheric tension and character development compared to the author's previous work.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of psychological tension, potential violence, and familial strife, along with references to past trauma.
From The Publisher:
Goodreads Choice Award Finalist (Mystery & Thriller, 2018)
BookBrowse Best Books of 2018
Winner of the Prix Polar Award for Best International Novel
BookRiot's 25 Best Suspense Books from 2018
Davitt Awards shortlist for Adult Crime Novel 2018
Dead Good Reads shortlist for Best Small Town Mystery 2018
"CRACKLES WITH SUSPENSE."-A. J. FINN, AUTHOR OF THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW
When five female office workers are forced to go on a corporate retreat in the wilderness, they reluctantly pick up their backpacks and start walking down the muddy path. After all, this retreat is all about taking them out of their comfort zone. It's supposed to be a bonding experience-one designed to build trust. But it doesn't work out that way. One of the women never comes out of the woods. And each of her colleagues tells a slightly different story about what happened.
Federal Police Agent Aaron Falk has a keen interest in the whereabouts of the missing hiker. Alice Russell is the whistleblower in his latest case-and, without her, there's no way he can win it. Now, in an investigation that takes him deep into isolated bushland, Falk discovers dark secrets lurking in the forest and a tangled web of loyalty, betrayal, and suspicion among the hikers. Still, a question remains: Is Falk on a search-and-rescue mission-or is this a case of murder?
"COMPELLING…INTENSE PLOTTING."-ASSOCIATED PRESS
"EXCEPTIONAL."-THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW
Ratings (18)
Loved It (8) | |
Liked It (7) | |
It Was OK (3) |
Reader Stats (41):
Read It (18) | |
Want To Read (15) | |
Not Interested (8) |
2 comment(s)
3.5 stars
****4.0***
Last year
The Dry by Jane Harper was one of my favorites, only because it kept me on the edge. This year I was excited to read her second book in the series and it was better than the first book.
Aaron Falk, along with his partner Carmen, is investigating a financial crime of money laundering in a company. This company is managed by a family, Baileys. Falk was in contact with Alice, who also worked in the same company and was assisting him in the investigation. Alice goes missing on a team building activity with her colleagues hiking a trail which was notorious in the past. As Alice is important in Falk's investigation, he and his partner digs a bit deep into the case, unofficially and tries to uncover the mystery.
Though this story doesn't have any major twists and turns or any gory killing, Harper has managed to keep the suspense between the lines and kept the pace too. I loved the setting, the plot, the characters and ofcourse Falk. If you like murder mysteries or one sitting books then this one is the best.
Happy Reading!!!
What can you read after
Force of Nature?
About the Author:
Jane Harper worked as a print journalist for 13 years before writing her first novel, The Dry, a #1 international bestseller. Originally from the UK, Jane lives in Melbourne. Force of Nature is her second novel.
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