HE DISAPPEARED FOR 15 YEARS…UNTIL THE DAY OF THE MURDER. *** THE INTERNATIONAL TOP TEN BESTSELLER***‘’Taut, beautifully observed…with an explosive finish.’’ PETER MAY‘’Original, compelling and highly recommended. S. R. White is the real deal.’’ CHRIS HAMMER‘’A fascinating case’’SUNDAY TIMES CRIME CLUB PICKAfter a puzzling death in the wild bushlands of Australia, detective Dana Russo has just … PICK
After a puzzling death in the wild bushlands of Australia, detective Dana Russo has just 12 hours to interrogate the prime suspect – a silent, inscrutable man found at the scene of the crime, who disappeared without trace 15 years earlier.
But where has he been? Why won’‘t he talk? And exactly how dangerous is he? Without conclusive evidence to prove his guilt, Dana faces a desperate race against time to persuade him to speak. But as each interview spirals with fevered intensity, Dana must reckon with her own traumatic past to reveal the shocking truth . . .
Compulsive, atmospheric and stunningly accomplished, HERMIT introduces a thrilling new voice in Australian crime fiction, perfect for fans of Jane Harper’’s THE DRY and Chris Hammer’’s SCRUBLANDS.
‘’It draws you in – and rewards with a truly powerful ending.’’ HEAT (Read of the week)
‘’This slow-burn novel catches light’’ THE SUN
‘’A dark and compulsive read’’ WOMAN & HOME
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Loved the author’s style of writing, but wish the ending had solved all the mysteries.
This was a good mystery,could be a true to life story about a hermit and the his involvement in a murder which brings him out of seclusion and brings him having to reveal his true reason s for his hidden yeard
This book had a lot of possibilities, but it was weighed down by the ponderous writing, and the fact that the lead character had loads of back story affecting her, and it was just waved away at the end. Not sure if I’d read another from this author, but I might.
Hard to believe this book followed the protagonist mind for 24 hours and still find it interesting.
Interesting and challenging and very different.l
The ending was weak
“Hermit” drew me in from the first chapter, in one huge literary swirl of intrigue, curiosity and atmospheric detail.
Detective Dana Russo has just twelve hours to question a prime suspect in the bewildering death of a shopkeeper. However, the silent and introvert Nathan Whittler, who was found leaning over the body at the scene of the crime, vanished fifteen years ago and has lived his later life as a reclusive hermit. Why did he disappear? Just how dangerous is he and can Dana, during some intense and emotional interviews get Nathan to confess and open up as to where he’s been? Dana is already struggling with the ‘Day’, an anniversary of an event that causes her to confront the past. Will she make it through the day herself or will she succumb to the contemplations of suicide she has every year?
Although this story runs at quiet a slow pace, almost feeling like you’re reading it in real-time, it was packed with precise atmospheric detail, character development and intense emotions. I liked Dana and her sensitivity towards Nathan, recognising his unique and subtle nuances so that she could communicate with him and gently coax him into opening up. Nathan himself was a constant enigma, who I was rooting for from his first introduction into the story. I found his actions and emotions to be a realistic example of someone escaping his demons and living a life in seclusion for fifteen years.
The other supporting characters, who all were well defined and portrayed, made up an excellent cast, with Dana’s colleague Mike who was equally sympathetic, Lucy a hardworking and valuable administrative assistant and Bill, Dana’s senior officer who understands Dana and her current status of emotions.
Although this is probably a much slower paced read than most crime readers like, I loved how it developed with the intense reactions from Nathan, being heart wrenching and emotive. The practicality’s of the crime were discussed sensibly between the detectives and made a lot of sense to the reader, trying to work out why Nathan came to be at the store and how the crime possibly happened. The story behind Dana wasn’t revealed until quite late on and I personally would have liked a little more insight into her issues throughout the book but it kept the intrigue and interest in her flowing and by the time most of her past was revealed, my empathy for her increased.
As a new and potentially exciting voice in Australian crime fiction -if you’re a fan of Jane Harper or just enjoy reading crime novels set outside of the UK – this is a definite recommendation from me. It is unhurried but packed with detail and I hope to read more by S.R.White in the future.
4 stars