This is the second book in the series for child protection worker, Dana Gibson. A missing boy, a hit-and-run, and a flood disaster soon have Dana questioning her judgement and will test a valued friendship.
Dana has settled into her new life in rural Queensland and is enjoying the slower pace of country life, its bonds and closeness of community, but soon these bonds are tested when a well-known teenage boy goes missing. It takes time for the local police to step in as the hit-and-run case has taken priority. Dana believes them to be connected but no-one is listening. Eventually police do take an interest, as the hit-and-run case has stalled.
Within days they have a person of interest in relation to the missing boy. Gossip ensues and the community is wild with accusations that soon lead to devastating consequences.
In this second instalment, we get to know Dana and her struggles a little better. She is a person who is all in no matter the cost, if children are involved there is no stopping her. This leads to her gaining a good reputation as a thorough social worker but also she gains some enemies along the way.
The prose is in Killarney is easy but paced where it needs to be. South East Queensland, its people, its beauty and its harshness are well drawn. The plot had me guessing right to the end with a satisfactory conclusion. With crime novels these days having their too many plot lines and little story, Nikki Mottram is a welcome relief. Can’t wait for the next ‘Dana Gibson’ mystery!
Reviewed by Teresa Lewis
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nikki Mottram is the author of Crows Nest. She has a psychology degree from The University of Queensland and has worked in London and Australia protecting and promoting the welfare of children at risk of harm. She uses her background in child protection in her crime fiction.
She has been shortlisted for the Fish Short Story Prize and the Hal Porter Short Story Competition and was a recipient of the Katharine Susannah Pritchard Writer’s Centre Fellowship.
She grew up and resides in Toowoomba and brings to her work an understanding of rural communities.
0 Comments