People didn’t get murdered in Kiama. Least of all people like Lily Williams. That is until Marlowe, an intern with the local paper, is taking photos of the local show, and finds her best friend’s body in the horse stables.

Seven strange symbols have been carved into the small of Lily’s back around a flayed patch of skin. Marlowe’s father is the police chief and when she takes him to the body, he makes her promise not to tell anybody about the symbols. The importance of her silence is drilled into her by his ferocity. She promises but neglects to tell him about the photos she took of the symbols.

Marlowe is determined to write about Lily’s murder, but when she broaches the subject with her editor, she is rebuffed and eventually fired.

In no time, journalists from around the country circle the sleepy, soporific town like vultures, in search of the story.

When Marlowe finds an enigmatic message on her phone, it tells her that Lily knew she was going to die, and for Marlowe to be at the lighthouse at midnight. Upon meeting the stranger, she grasps the significance of the symbols, and that the murder is covering up a far more sinister secret that involves the town and a cult.

When Jarrah, an old school friend, tells her about a strange fox hunting ritual in which Lily is the fox. Marlowe has dreams of the same ritual. Dreams or memories?

What follows is a psychological thrill ride with multiple twists and back flips.

An impressive debut.

Reviewed by Neale Lucas