Returning to the small town where she grew up, she finds an injured young woman on the side of the road, but when she summons help, the girl disappears. A romantic tale with a mystery at its core and some fine gothic elements, it tells the story of Abby, a journalist, who is haunted by the abduction and murder of her childhood friend many years before. There is almost no sex (and certainly nothing graphic), implied violence, no foul language.Australian author Anna Romer is in fine form with her latest release Under the Midnight Sky. (One of the male voices was just too, too dastardly to believe, but I ignored it.) Her timing was impeccable, and I would listen to her other work readily. Her characterizations were unique and I had no trouble telling who was speaking or narrating. Characters were very well described, which is so vital for this kind of book.Įloise Oxer’s narration was excellent.

I didn’t think the supernatural bits were necessary, but they didn’t overpower the story. The plot is very good, and the mystery was drawn out well. I caught myself thinking, “ another bell bird?” and “ more gum trees?” The author is incredibly talented, but as an editor, I would have wrangled this tighter.

The problem is that these illustrations are overwhelming, creating pauses in the story that throw us off the trail. Romer uses the house and surrounding forest like paint, creating dazzling art full of scents, sounds, and sights for the reader. The description is absolutely stunning here. Flashbacks were done well and are appropriate to the plot. Audrey’s adopted family has had some major issues in the past, and she becomes obsessed with finding the answer to a decades-old murder. The book is a mystery with a little bit of romance thrown in.

Of course, there’s a hot guy nearby to liven up the atmosphere… Always a loner, Audrey must now deal with grief, life upheaval, and a family she doesn’t know. Young mother Audrey is surprised that the late father of her child and her once-lover, Tony, has left her a property in the country. Set in Queensland, Australia in both 20, this is a novel of amateur detection with a little woo-woo thrown in.

Thornwood house by anna romer