"When We Fall whisked me off to claustrophobic small-town Australia with its atmospheric writing, strong cast of characters and excellent scene setting. A fabulous choice for crime fiction fans."
When We Fall whisked me off to claustrophobic small-town Australia – filled with local gossipmongers, long-held prejudices, sinister secrets ... and unsolved murders. For me, this was very much a character-led crime novel, focusing on the fragile relationships between the strong cast (especially female protagonist Alex and her mother who has early-onset dementia) and the complexity of human nature. The natural world was also at the heart of this slow-burning whodunnit, from windswept beaches and desolate outback to lush forests, all described with an underlying sense of unease against a backdrop of climate change. Contemporary themes (no spoilers) are woven seamlessly into the plot as the body count rises, providing a multi-layered story filled with reveals, twists, turns and red herrings. The writing is atmospheric too, with excellent scene setting and tense moments. A fabulous choice for crime fiction fans, especially those who are partial to small-town mysteries and outback noir.
'It isn't strangers you need to worry about here. Blood lines run deep and in unexpected places. Every victim, every accused, we'll know. The past runs alongside us all the time. Some days it spills into the open.'
In the wild, coastal town of Merritt, Alex Tillerson and her mother make a shocking find on the beach. The police claim it's an accidental death but there are whispers of murder and that it is not the first.
Bella Greggs was found dead at the bottom of a ravine but drowned in salt water. Maxine McFarlane was pulled from the ocean but with no water in her lungs. Black feathers were found with both bodies but what do they mean?
As Alex fights for answers to honour the dead, and to discover why her mother fled town as a teenager, good people keep looking the other way, memories become unreliable and secrets threaten to reveal the past.
Alex discovers the truth never dies but it can kill…
Praise for When We Fall:
'A vivid, twisting story that keeps you guessing to the end. This is top-shelf Australian crime.' - Mark Brandi, author of Wimmera and The Others
'Atmospheric and absorbing, When We Fall is an absolute page-turner.' - Sara Foster, author of The Hush
'A suspenseful, rattling thriller with an ending that will have you gnawing your fingernails to the bone.' - Fiona Hardy, Readings
'A wonderful storyteller. The combination of art, death and small town secrets makes for a sinister, complex tale that I could not put down. I've loved all of Aoife's books but I think this is the best yet.' - Sarah Bailey, author of The Housemate
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