An incredible piece of writing. I've read The Dry and loved it, but I have to say, I think this is Jane's best book yet.
The writing is, as usual, exquisite. The author draws you into the pages of the book and transports you to the scorching harsh world of the outback and what a fascinating place that is. So alien to me but brought to life so vividly because of the descriptive writing, that I really felt I was there.
'The headstone threw a small shadow. It was the only shade in sight and its blackness was slippery, swelling and shrinking as it ticked around like a sundial. The man had crawled, then dragged himself around as it moved. He had squeezed into that shade, contorting his body into desperate shapes, kicking and scuffing the ground as fear and thirst took hold.
He had a brief respite as night fell, before the sun rose and the terrible rotation started again. It didn’t last as long on the second day, as the sun moved higher in the sky. The man tried though. He chased the shade until he couldn’t anymore.
The circle in the dust fell just short of one full revolution. Just short of twenty-four hours. And then, at last, the stockman finally had company, as the earth turned and the shadow moved on alone, and the man lay still in the centre of a dusty grave under a monstrous sky.'
How beautiful is that? And the book is chock full of descriptions that make you stop, re-read them and close your eyes, and you're in the Australian outback, you can feel that sun beating down.
In the story, we have three brothers and their extended family. Just enough characters to keep it interesting and for everyone to come to life. It is the elder brother Nathan, that tells the story, through his eyes, and what a wonderful, soulful, lonely character he is. I wanted to jump into the book just to hug him.
The plot is full of intrigue and mystery and the addition of the Stockman's Grave just gave the whole book an extra edge of ghostly suspense. The plot is very believable with the lies and secrets that surround this family and this is one of the things I really loved about the story, it is totally believable. Nathan tries to unravel the mystery of his brother's death and the reader follows him, also trying to make sense of what happened.
This is a captivating, emotional, amazing book and I hope they make this one into a film. The best book I've read this year so far, I loved it.

THE SIXTH WICKED CHILD BY J.D. BARKER

This is the last in the 4MK trilogy and I am oh so sad to be saying goodbye to the brilliant cast of characters, especially Porter but mainly Ansom Bishop.
I tried to read this slowly, not wanting it to end, knowing that the author leaves clues scattered around that are so easily missed, but once I started I couldn't stop. A number of nights I had to keep reading into the wee hours and I didn't sleep well after reading this book.
The good news is, I can go back and re-read them all, this time with a different perspective because I know that unpredictable, amazing ending that I could never have guessed. I can try and find all the hidden clues and basically, I'm not ready to say goodbye so I'm not going to.
You must start these books in order, start with The Fourth Monkey and end with The Sixth Wicked Child. I won't talk about the brilliant plot with all its incredible twists and turns, I'm afraid I might give something away. Start this knowing nothing, you'll be blown away. The author's writing is special too, this is not just a plot-driven book, it has deep, believable characters and beautiful writing.
I will add that sprinkled throughout the books are excerpts from Bishops diary's and these, I believe, are a touch of genius. They add an extra depth to an already outstanding novel.
These books are complex, scary, thrilling and totally absorbing. A must-read, I can't stress that enough.
And I cried at the end and not just because I'd finished the book.

A serial killer who burns people alive! He leaves no clues for the police and draws Washinton Poe into the investigation by carving his name on a victims chest.
I loved Poe who has a dark side and a great sense of humour with an instinct to fight for injustice. This is how he befriends the enigmatic genius that is Tilly Bradshaw. Tilly is on the autistic spectrum, making her childlike innocence an easy target for bullies, but she also has a gritty determination. You can't help but love her.
The murders are full of grisly detail but when the motive for them becomes clear, it is also very emotional and moving.
A great cast of characters, well written and a great plot that keeps you guessing. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

I haven't read Adrian Mckinty before, but after enjoying this so much I'm going to read his Sean Duffy series next and I can't wait.
This was a great concept well executed. Normal people are manipulated and drawn into a dark, criminal world which is frightening and violent and they never really get to leave because someone knows what they do and where they are. For parents everywhere it is utterly compelling. Just how far would you go to protect your child. Pay a ransom when the child is kidnapped? - Yes, but then kidnap someone else's child and keep them hidden until that family has completed their part of the chain? Could you? Really?
I loved all the characters, especially Rachael and Pete, loaded with problems and flaws that just added to the suspense and conflict. Then the villans, OMG terrifyingly good.
I could not put this book down, it will make a brilliant film that I will also go and see. Would definitely recommend.

Oh I did love this. I wanted to watch the tv show, but I haven't seen it yet, so I consoled myself with Book 1, and I'm glad I did because it's brilliant.
Dexter has a unique, funny voice for a serial killer. His childhood trauma is hinted at throughout the book and revealed at the end. It has left him with a hunger to kill and a strange relationship with blood. Despite this, or because of it, he becomes a blood splatter analyst for the Miami police, helping to find killers. But Dexter has his own way of dealing with those who he believes have committed serious crimes.
He was adpoted as a child and his father Harry, knew exactly what his son was and tried to steer him away from killing the innocent and only killing the guilty. Like a vigilante, Dexter uses Harry's code as his conscience, otherwise he'd kill just for the hell of it.
Dexter often says he has no feelings, and yet he doesn't want to disappoint Harry, who is now dead, and he loves children. Probably because he has a child like quality himself. He know's he's not normal and has taught himself to blend in. Most humans are fooled by his mimickery of normal, but dogs can sniff him out instantly!
In this book, another serial killer gets his attention. He is supposed to help the police and his sister Deb, a cop, catch this serial killer, but Dexter secretly admires his work and when he is given coded messages by the suspect, he loves the challenge and is not convinced he wants to catch the killer.
I loved the writing style and the plot and the characters, especially the crazy, funny monster that I should at least fear but I can't help wanting him to win.
I can''t wait to read book 2.

I had to wipe away my tears reading this book because Wendy is so amazing. Her struggle with early onset Alzheimers is emotional and hard, the very essence who she has always been is disappearing. However, she has learnt to live a different life, to adapt her way of living so she can live with the disease and not be defeated by it. She has a constant battle to hold onto the skills she once had. Part of her journey has been to educate others, including healthcare professionals, about what it means to live with Alzheimers. It has been an eye-opener for me and I have a much better understanding now of how this affects people. For anyone who knows someone battling with this then this book is an essential read but it makes for an inspirational read for anyone. Very highly recommend this.

Tom and his young son Jake, move into a sleepy village in search of a new start after the death of Tom's wife. But Tom moves into a place called Featherbank and he moves there because his son picked out a strange house from the internet. Featherbank has a dark past where, fifteen years ago, a serial killer abducted and murdered five young boys. The killer was finally caught and put behind bars. He is known locally as The Whisper Man.
Soon after Tom and Jake move into Featherbank, another boy goes missing and the whispers start again.
I loved this plot, it had me hooked with the tension and the twists and turns, I couldn't put it down until I knew everything.
It is written in the third person point of view, except for Tom who tells the story from first person.  I guess because he drives the story forward and it works this way.
Little Jake, however, stole the show for me. This is a brilliant piece of writing from a child's perspective.
I also loved DI Pete Willis who caught the original killer at a huge emotional cost to himself.
This book is not just a scary, creepy story, it also explores the themes of father-son relationships, grief, and loss.
A great compelling plot with plenty of cliff hangers and twists and turns.
A great read and will make a brilliant film.