So, I have finished another novel. This one I did completely through audiobook because I couldn’t find a physical copy of the book. I have mixed feelings about this one. Let me tell you about The Dry.
Summary of The Dry
The Dry is an Australian small town thriller written by Jane Harper. It’s also a murder mystery. Our main character, Aaron Falk, is called back to the small town he left in his teenage years when he and his father moved. The reason for his return is his childhood best friend, Luke, and his family have been killed. As it happens in small towns, rumours spread like wildfire. The town has been hit with a massive drought and people start talking about how the pressure must have got to Luke and he killed his wife and son, left his baby daughter, and killed himself. One of the cops and Aaron don’t quite buy that and begin investigating. Things get all the more complicated when Aaron’s past with the town interferes with the investigation and the line between past and present becomes blurred. And small towns always have secrets.
What I Liked
The mystery aspect was really good. When I got to the end I was surprised at the conclusion. And the way it was written made sense that it happened that way. The way Jane Harper wrote the raw emotion of it all really stood out. It was a fun story to listen to.
What I Disliked About The Dry
I have learned something new about myself. When it comes to small town “hive mind” tropes – I hate them. The whole small town, one person forms an opinion and without facts everyone gets on board with it, is annoying. It’s not something I enjoy reading, and that was a great deal of this book. There was one character who was greatly disliked, but no one would stand up to him so he got away with doing a lot of things.
Final Thoughts and Rating
The Dry wasn’t a bad book. There were things that drove me crazy, characters that I wanted to see get put into place, but the story as a whole was good. As much as the conclusion to the deaths was really well written, there was a story line that was left unresolved and it was sad, but realistic. So, overall I gave this book a 4 star rating. I may have to rethink my star rating expectations, because a 4 star feels like a stretch. Maybe closer to a 3.5 but GoodReads doesn’t let you do half star ratings.
After The Dry
Well, I’m currently reading two different books. As per usual. I think I know which one I will finish first, but I may change tactics as the one that I’m not flying through is a library book. And I want to make sure I finish it before I have to return it. There’s a second library book that I have not started and it’s due at the same time. I have one more renew left on both books, but I would like to finish one of them. The one I have not started is the start of a fantasy series that I am really hoping I will enjoy. It seems like every fantasy series I try to get into just lets me down. I have high hopes for this one. No clue why, but I do.
Exciting News
It’s finally happening people!!! My friend and I set up some filming dates to start YouTube! The times are not set in stone, as she needs to confirm what works for her family. But, we are ready to start filming next week and I couldn’t be more excited. The goal is to film once a week for around 2 hours so that I can put out 2 videos a week of body doubling. These videos will also mean that I will get more reading and writing done. Beneficial all around. I may play with the idea of doing book content as well, but that would only happen next year. I’ll start simple for now. Let’s see if I can get some subscribers this year. After all, anything can happen if I try.
