I’m supposed to be reading our next challenge book, but instead I’m reading The Dry by Jane Harper for Book Beginnings on Fridays.
Book Beginnings is a fun meme hosted by Rose City Reader blog. To participate, share the first sentence or so of a novel you are reading and your thoughts about it. When you are finished, add your URL to the Book Beginnings page linked above. Hope to see you there!
The Dry by Jane Harper
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Summary: Aaron Falk returns to his former home town for the funeral of his best friend from childhood. He intends to drive back to Melbourne and his job as a Federal Agent immediately afterwards, largely because the bad feelings that caused his family to leave are still lurking under the surface. His plans change, however, as he learns more about his friend’s death and discovers it may have been murder. What really happened and is it all linked to the secrets of the past?
This is Jane Harper’s debut novel. The paperback just came out last month.
First Sentence of the Prologue:
It wasn’t as though the farm hadn’t seen death before, and the blowflies didn’t discriminate. To them there was little difference between a carcass and a corpse.
Discussion:
I’ve never seen a prologue written from the point of view of blowflies before.
What I’ve read so far is well written and quite gripping. Although the main character is on leave and is a federal agent who investigates financial crimes rather than murder, the novel still falls in the police procedural category, which I enjoy.
It is set in Australia in an area that is experiencing a severe drought. The drought itself adds another layer of tension to the story.
Have you read The Dry? Do you think you’d like to read it?
This one has been tempting me! It sounds interesting and I’ve heard great things about it. I hope you’re enjoying it!
I am enjoying it (even though I’m supposed to be reading something else.)
The Dry sounds like one I would enjoy. I’ll have to give it a try. This week I am spotlighting Close to the Edge by Dawn Ryder. Happy reading!
I enjoyed this book…and recently downloaded her book Force of Nature. Thanks for sharing…and for visiting my blog.
I have been eyeing this book and have heard lots of good things about it. Enjoy!
That does sound interesting–Australian police procedural. And I like the opening. It definitely sets the tone.
I keep seeing this book.
You made it even more appealing.
Thanks for sharing.
I’ve been thinking of trying Harper myself. 🙂
Thanks for sharing.
I will definitely read this one. My book beginning and page 56 this week is from her “Nature of Force” which I really loved! The Dry is a must after the 2nd book. She writes very well and keeps the story and the crime hidden with clues, but still, at least for the 2nd book, it is still a surprise how it ends. Also for characters and love objects, I thought it was well and realistically written.
I just picked up Force of Nature at our local used bookstore. Thank you for the recommendation.