Homecoming - Kate Morton

I’m a big fan of Kate Morton’s writing. I’ve been eagerly awaiting her newest book Homecoming. It’s another fabulous book from a gifted author. Before you turn that first page, stop and look at the cover. Isn’t it just gorgeous? 

Morton tells her story in a now and then narrative, which is one of my favorite ways to tell a story. The opening chapter of Homecoming starts with a crime on Christmas Eve in 1959. We then flip to 2018. Nora is the commonality between the past and present. She was there, in the small town of Tambilla, South Australia, when the unsolved crime was committed. In 2018 her granddaughter Jess returns to Sydney as Nora is not well. She’s staying in Nora’s home and comes across a true crime book detailing the Turner Tragedy of 1959. Jess has never heard her grandmother speak of it – until now.

Morton's writing is so rich and atmospheric, with a bit of a gothic feel. Two houses are an integral part of the book. One beloved and one with a horrible history, and I could easily picture them.

The characters are so wonderfully drawn - both leading characters and supporting characters. It’s not just their actions. It’s their mindsets, the questioning of what’s going on, and the reasons behind those actions. Nora, in particular, was an especially intricate character. My thoughts and feelings about her changed as the book progressed. I liked Jess as well, but again, my feelings for her changed number of times as well. And there is more than one character who had me close to tears. 

The story builds slowly and deliciously, with layer upon layer peeled away, as secrets are revealed over the course of 560 pages. (And I loved every last page). 

The crime itself? I was so sure that I had figured out whodunit long before the final pages. I had figured out a little bit of the why, but was happily proven wrong by the final reveal. I truly didn’t see it coming.

Morton’s writing is very easy to get lost in and should be savored. Such as this thought one of the characters has...

"This was the magic of books, the curious alchemy hat allowed a human mind to turn black ink on white pages into a whole other world." 

I think that's an apt description of any and all of Kate Morton's books. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Homecoming. An easy five stars for this reader. 

Wake - Shelley Burr

Wake is Shelley Burr's debut novel - one I quite enjoyed! 

Nannine is a tiny outback town in the center of Australia. Years ago it was a thriving community. Now it's known as the place where young Evelyn McCreery disappeared nineteen years ago. The case is still unsolved and draws many amateur sleuths to the area, all hoping to cash in the reward offer. Mina McCreery is Evelyn's sister. The loss has affected Mina's life greatly - she has become a recluse on her property, refusing to be interviewed or to speak about her sister. Until Lane, a private investigator arrives in Nannine. He has his own reasons for trying to solve the case. And he won't give in.

Burr has written a wonderful debut, successfully combining the mystery itself with the lives, thoughts and actions of the two wounded lead characters. Wake is a slow burn, perfecting suiting the plot. I liked the slow unfurling of clues, with plenty of time to decide if I was right in my guesses for the final whodunit. (I was and I wasn't) I had envisioned another ending, but the one Burr has written absolutely fits what came before.

Burr's own background adds lots of detail and authenticity to both her plot and the setting. I could feel the heat baking the ground, the vast open spaces, the isolation and the loneliness.

I chose to listen to Wake. The reader was Jacquie Brennan and she did a great job. Her Aussie accent is clear and pleasant to listen to. She speaks a good pace and is easy to understand. But I think the best thing was the tone of her voice. It's low, somewhat sultry and has a wonderful gravelly undertone. She never rushes and the pauses and tenor of her performance matches the meatal images and actions of the characters. A great performance of a great debut novel. I would absolutely pick up another by this author. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt of Wake.