Lee and Vic weren’t the only ones to love The Bluffs… Here is what the QBD crew thought:
As a native Tasmanian, Kyle Perry’s familiarity with the Apple Isle is evident in his debut novel ‘The Bluffs’. Peppered with rich descriptions of Australian flora and fauna, readers are instantly emersed in the abundant and atmospheric setting of the Great Western Tiers in northern Tasmania. This modern crime thriller begins with a school camping excursion that turns bad, leaving four teens missing and their surviving teacher left for dead with no recollection of what had transpired.
Reeling in readers with his relatable, authentic and well throughout characters, Perry neatly tucks in-depth forensic analysis alongside local folklore, causing tension in an unforgiving provincial community. As townsfolk quickly engage in gossip, finger-pointing and speculation, Perry leads readers to suspect that there is something unusual brewing under the covers and facade of Limestone Creek.
Shrouded by a sad history, traditional custodians of the land refer to the area the teens were last seen as the ‘Mountain of Spirits’. Furthermore, news of the disappearances sends chills down local residents’ spines as it conjures up memories of an unresolved 30-year-old case and introduces readers to the terrifying local legend of “The Hungry Man”.
The story is told via three viewpoints: the recovering detective, the father of a missing teen and the teacher who was last to see the girls. As each character divulges more of their perspective, readers quietly (and nervously) cobble together the pieces to unravel the mysteries of this gripping and intense case. A modern nod to ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’, the novel is dotted with notions of supernatural activity and will leave readers second-guessing their instincts.
The everyday situations and life events of the characters in Limestone Creek are easy to connect with, unlike their explosive secrets. It’s hard to know who to believe and even when you think you have this story stitched up, the last twist will have you floored. A haunting debut novel from a promising writer, ‘The Bluff’ is perfect to rug up with on a cold day. It’s a compelling tale with plenty of clues to keep readers in the game and hooked from the first page.
When you’re done reading, make sure you check out Montana Art Project in West End, Brisbane!
