ALC Review: Exiles by Jane Harper

Exiles by Jane Harper
Published by Flatiron Books on January 31, 2023
Genres: Fiction / Mystery & Detective / International Crime & Mystery, Fiction / Small Town & Rural, Fiction / Thrillers / Crime, Fiction / World Literature / Australia
Pages: 320
Format: Audiobook
Source: ARC

FROM NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AND AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR JANE HARPER COMES EXILES, A CAPTIVATING MYSTERY ABOUT A MISSING MOTHER

"I love Jane Harper's Australia-based mysteries." —Stephen King

“Once again Harper proves that she is peerless in creating an avalanche of suspense with intimate, character-driven set pieces...Harper’s legions of fans will exult in reading Exiles.”
—David Baldacci, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Federal Investigator Aaron Falk is on his way to a small town deep in Southern Australian wine country for the christening of an old friend's baby. But mystery follows him, even on vacation.

This weekend marks the one-year anniversary of Kim Gillespie's disappearance. One year ago, at a busy town festival on a warm spring night, Kim safely tucked her sleeping baby into her stroller, then vanished into the crowd. No one has seen her since. When Kim's older daughter makes a plea for anyone with information about her missing mom to come forward, Falk and his old buddy Raco can't leave the case alone.

As Falk soaks up life in the lush valley, he is welcomed into the tight-knit circle of Kim’s friends and loved ones. But the group may be more fractured than it seems. Between Falk’s closest friend, the missing mother, and a woman he’s drawn to, dark questions linger as long-ago truths begin to emerge. What would make a mother abandon her child? What happened to Kim Gillespie?

Harper is back! I was lucky enough to get a chance to listen to an advanced copy of Exiles narrated by Stephen Shanahan and I’m so glad I stuck with audio for my read. This is the third in the series and while you don’t have to read them in order, I recommend starting with The Dry for the best experience with Falk. Harper has expertly layered Aaron Falk’s character from the start and this book it really shines.

Exiles is an atmospheric, slow burn character-driven mystery. Jane Harper kept me hooked through rich descriptions of rural Australian wine country and the small communities that live and thrive in the landscape. I’ve never been to Australia, but Jane Harper’s writing make me feel like I have been there. While I haven’t had the urge to jet off to down under with her previous books, Exiles was something special!

Unlike the intense tension readers experienced with Force of Nature, Exiles teases mystery and a low thrum of tension from the community of through relationships and connections are teased out of the fabric of the community of Marralee. Falk isn’t there in a professional capacity but his keen sense of observation is always on. His time off eventually leads to unofficial investigations into the two mysteries that Harper presents to readers; Kim’s missing persons case and the hit and run death of a resident a few years earlier.

I can’t delve into the story much without giving spoilery hints, but just know that I adored this slow burn and the people that Falk surrounds himself with. Exiles was my first 5 star read of 2023 and I’m left with a bittersweet farewell to Aaron Falk and an intense yearning to go experience South Australian wine country for myself! I can’t wait to see what Harper comes up with next!

*I voluntarily read/listened and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.