I was delighted to receive an advance copy of The Lost Man, and even more delighted to report that I loved it. Jane Harper describes the harshness and cruelty of the Australian outback so vividly I feel I am actually there. Her characters are flawed, so realistic. I hoped I had guessed the outcome, I was delighted to be right. But I was gutted to be finished.
Already looking forward to Ms Harper’s next installment!

I loved Harper’s first novel The Dry and enjoyed the sequel so for the first few sentences of this I was slightly disappointed that it wasn’t another one in the series. Then I was totally mesmerised by the plot, the characters and the vivid descriptions of the harsh realities of life in the extreme heat of Australia where your nearest neighbour is 3 hours drive away and you never turn your back on someone in need when you’re driving even if you’re half dead or on fire yourself. It opens with the discovery of middle brother Cameron’s body next to a memorial for a mysterious man buried in the middle of nowhere. The description of the marks in the sand as he clawed his way round the memorial trying to use the shadow to protect himself from the sun as he died from the heat tell you everything you need to know about the dangers posed by the climate. The only policeman for an area the size of a European country is busy with incidents far away, so it’s left to Nathan the eldest brother and social outcast who hasn’t had any real contact with his brother for months to piece together what happened and gradually reveal the secrets from the past that have led to this point. If I’d been able to I’d have read this in one sitting bit I’m glad I spread it over 2 days and was able to savour the mystery. I can’t wait to read her next one now!

I have loved both Jane Harper novels so far and this, the third is right up there.

She is the Queen of the remote, raw and visceral Australian setting. You’re plunged into the dry, the heat and the lack of human contact here. Driving along a road without supplies could result in death. Your body might never be found - there’s a severe lack of passing cars.

But in the middle of this landscape, amongst the cattle farms and single houses, there’s a grave where the legendary stockman is buried. Used to frighten the children and people of this town. Now, a local man has been found lying in the grave...but why did he venture out here? and leave his car?

The story flits back to build up a shocking web of deceit, family breakdown and secrets which go way back. These are people from a unique place, where life is very different to anywhere else. The Queensland outback is not your friend it would seem and conditions are harsh and life dependent on landscape and weather.

The cast of characters is strong as are the relationships between them. I’ve never been to the area in the book, but then this is not a place for tourists. You have to have lived and breathed this land to fully understand and respect it. The secrets once revealed were both disturbing and sad.

The way the community, the land, the people and the past all wove together despite the gritty sandstorm of the plot is testament to Jane’s skill as a writer. Very cinematic and a thump to the chest ending.

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown for the ARC of this book.
I've really enjoyed Jane Harper's two previous books, but I think this is my favourite book by her so far. Unlike her other books, this is a standalone self-contained story of a family and the mystery surrounding the death of one of three brothers. It's an easy, quick, engrossing read with a satisfying, if a little neat, conclusion.


In common with her previous books, this book does a wonderful job of evoking the huge landscapes and isolation of the Australian outback. I'm not sure I've read another author who is so good at bringing to life the landscape of a place without resorting to long, boring, florid descriptions which take you out of the story. It is such a skill to bring the landscape to life so well while always writing in service of the narrative. I love reading her books.


I really warmed to Nathan, the main character in this book, who is able to acknowledge his flaws and bad choices while still seeming somehow noble and trustworthy. His son Xander is also a really sweet and likeable character. It is really intriguing following the two of them trying to unravel the mystery of the reason behind Nathan's brother Cameron's death and uncovering secrets at the heart of their family.
I'd highly recommend this and Harper's other books.

The prologue is a perfect opener, a lone headstone stands alone in the vast open outback, the inscription faded by the elements. It stands where over a century ago a stockman became victim to the harsh environment and its now the scene for another death. The present day victim, Cameron Bright seeking out the small amount of shelter it provided from the harsh sun in his last hours as he met his inevitable end.

As the two brothers of the dead man arrive at the location and later join the rest of the family at his homestead the backgrounds, relationships and memories all flood back and layer by layer the lives of the Bright family are revealed, all the time keeping the reader guessing and wondering how Cameron Bright came to be at the location and why his vehicle with crucial supplies and water was found so far from his body.

The scene setting is well depicted with the Queensland outback setting the scene for this the third book by Jane Harper. A harsh location where neighbours are hours apart and roads are more dust than tarmac the red dust coating everything that moves in the vast open spaces.

With great characterisation from the outset the family and minimal staff at the homestead are all well written, and can be related to. Some of the residents in the local town of Balamara play crucial parts and the smalltown existence where family history is passed from generation to generation and grudges never forgotten is well portrayed

Having read and loved both 'The Dry' and 'Force of Nature' I started this one wondering if it would live up to the previous ones. No worries there! It exceeded my expectations, an incredible read! I loved it and I'm almost envious of those who haven't started it yet. Enjoy!

4.5 stars

This is Jane Harper's third book... I've liked every one of them enormously. She is definitely on my list of read whatever they publish authors.

This one is set in the huge expanse of the Australian out back,yet despite that the story felt claustaphobic to me.
A small cast,a lot of tension and an unexplained death.

The story is revealed layer by layer,so for me,by the end it wasn't a surprise to find out what exactly had happened,in fact it almost felt like there couldn't be any other outcome.
The whole book had some great characters,from the three main siblings,all so very different,the anxious son and the bullying father... each perfect for the role they played.

Another fantastic read from Harper.... can't wait to see what she brings us next