Exiles by Jane Harper

EXILES is the latest mystery set in Australia by Jane Harper (The Dry, Force of Nature, and more). Aaron Falk, a police investigator of financial misdeeds, departs Melbourne for a weekend in a small town where he is to become godfather to a colleague’s son. It is a close-knit community and the story centers around the Raco family (brothers Ben, Charlie and Greg) and their long-time friends (like Shane, Naomi, Rohan, Dean, and Kim). Falk actually encounters two unsolved deaths: Dean was killed in a hit-and-run accident near the reservoir about six years ago and Kim, new mother to baby Zoe and to teenage Zara, disappeared in the same area exactly a year ago. In her classic style, Harper lays out the evidence and pose many questions. At one point, Falk says, “I really like that moment when you’ve been untangling something for ages … but then suddenly one thing changes … Everything fits together and it’s so clear. I love that bit.” Harper provides the same sensation for her readers, offering more than one surprising twist in this complicated mystery. She also focuses on relationships, introducing potential romance for Falk and hinting at future stories. EXILES received starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly; it is a LibraryReads Hall of Fame selection for January 2023.