Now this was definitely a compulsive read and hard to put down! Sabine has been on the run for years, considered guilty of the Far Peaks caravan fires where her mother and little sister, a policeman and other neighbours died. She’s been living on the river in a houseboat with help from her boyfriend, and her Pop who lives in a small house by the river. Pop’s neighbour Rachel, lives in a huge modern house on her own after her divorce. She’s a journalist and interested in the story and wants an interview with Sabine. One of the best characters is Sabine’s dog Blue. The novel goes back and forth between Rachel and Sabine’s point of view and eventually what happened back in 2007 is revealed.
I was drawn into the story from the start and it’s even harder to put down while reading the last chapters

A Fire, a River, and a Town Full of Lies

In this razor-sharp thriller, Vikki Wakefield proves she's not just another voice in Australian fiction – she's a force to be reckoned with. The story follows seventeen-year-old Sabine Kelly, whose world implodes when a fire tears through a trailer park, killing nine people, including her mother and sister. But in small towns, nothing is quite what it seems.

The real star here isn't just the mystery (though it's a doozy). It's Wakefield's writing. She turns rural Australia into a character itself – all red cliffs and sweeping willows at Shallow Bend, where secrets run as deep as the river that cuts through town. And man, can she write a sentence that cuts like a knife.

This book is set apart because it tackles big issues without getting preachy. Class divides, family reputations, small-town prejudices – they're all woven so naturally into the story that you hardly notice you're reading social commentary. The Kelly family's status as "trouble" feels less like a plot point and more like a gut punch.

Sabine is the kind of character who keeps you guessing. When you think you've figured her out, she'll do something that makes you question everything you thought you knew. The rest of the cast is just as complex – there are no cardboard cutouts here, just messy, complicated people making messy, complicated choices.

Sure, you might need to pay attention to keep all the threads straight. But that's the point. The truth is never simple, especially in a town where everyone has something to hide.

Bottom line: 'The Backwater' isn't just a crime novel – it's a masterclass in storytelling. Wakefield, who jumped from banking and journalism to writing, brings the kind of real-world insight that makes every revelation feel earned and every character feel lived-in.

3/5 stars

Perfect for: Anyone who likes their thrillers with a side of substance and doesn't mind staying up way too late to read 'just one more chapter.'

While this was a little slower paced than I usually like, I couldn't help but become captivated with the story. The main character, Sabine, is accused of setting a fire at age 17 that killed nine people. She ends up fleeing from the scene and has been in hiding. Until journalist, Rachel Weidermann, moves to the area and becomes determined to write a story on what really happened. I couldn't help but find Sabine somewhat naive and innocent and found myself rooting for her the entire story. The backstory of her childhood really creates a sense of empathy towards her character. The Backwater is a great addition to the crime fiction/thriller scene.

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a captivating read! I felt so drawn to Sabine and her plight. I couldn’t help but root for her and at the same time wonder about her guilt. After being on the run for a substantial amount of time she decides to tell her story to a reporter dealing with her own struggles. This story was a mystery, a drama, and very relatable.

Thank you to Netgalley for this arc. I really enjoyed this story. It felt like I was in a movie. A fire kills 17 people and two of them being Sabine's mother and sister. She confesses to the murders and if arrested, but escapes custody and flees. Rachel is a journalist and everything in her life is falling apart, but she decides to get to the bottom of this story to reclaim her purpose back.

Sabine is about to turn 30 years old and has remained hidden roaming the river near her grandfather’s run down shack. That is until she comes into contact with Rachel. Rachel is her grandfather’s recently divorced neighbor and a laid off journalist with a passion for getting to the truth behind the story. For the past several years, Rachel has been fascinated and quite possibly obsessed with the story of the death of Sabine’s sister and mother in a fiery tragedy that claimed the lives of several people. Once Rachel really gets a look at Sabine, she knows for sure this is the suspected murderer who has been on the run. Rachel convinces Sabine that she wants to tell her story. As they get to know each other, bits and pieces of Sabine’s horrific childhood come together like the pieces of a puzzle. The story is equal parts gripping and disturbing. You can’t help but wonder what Sabine’s life may have been like if any part of her childhood had happened differently. This thriller is not only packed with action, but the story is so intricately woven, you aren’t able to guess what will happen next. The story comes full circle and ends exactly as it should. A great read!

I loved the scene of this novel, similar to Outer Banks or Where the Crawdads Sing. I am thrilled to report NOTHING HAPPENS TO THE DOG. You can proceed safely. It was a well wound, well told plot.

This book was a pleasant surprise.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, as it was a quick read and a good time.

What is a backwater? A PIECE OF WATER OFF TO THE SIDE OF A RIVER/LAKE –Sabine (17) was accused of starting a fire in a trailer park killing 9 people including her sister and mother. She confesses to the crime, was taken custody and somehow escaped and disappears into the backwaters of her childhood refuge.
Along comes Rachel who is trying to get back into finding out the story of Sabine and get her story about the Trailer Park Murders and enhance her career. But many things happen in that process.
I felt sorry for Sabine – no one knew the whole story (well someone knew but they weren’t talking) and what all happened that night of the fires. When you hear the whole story, you will understand exactly what happened that night but you have to listen to the whole story. Enjoy this great read. I look forward to Ms Wakefield's next book.

The Backwater by Vikki Wakefield is a beautifully written, poignant exploration of life in a small town and the complexities of growing up. Through the lens of her relatable and multi-dimensional characters, Wakefield paints an evocative portrait of isolation, self-discovery, and the tension between escape and belonging.

The novel centers on Sabine, a teenager caught between the stifling environment of her hometown and the pull of the larger world outside. Wakefield’s prose is atmospheric, capturing the quiet struggles and unspoken emotions that simmer beneath the surface of rural life. What stands out the most is Wakefield’s ability to create tension, not just through the plot, but through the sense of place—The Backwater is as much a character in itself as the people who inhabit it.

The narrative is at once a deep dive into the internal landscapes of its characters and a broader commentary on the issues that often define rural communities: the pressure to conform, the search for identity, and the elusive desire for more. The pace is steady, but not without moments of emotional upheaval that keep the reader invested.

What I Loved:
- The layered, realistic characters who feel authentic and raw.
- The quiet, atmospheric setting that feels like a character in itself.
- The emotional depth and nuanced exploration of small-town life.

What Could Be Improved:
- Some readers may find the slower pacing at times a bit too deliberate.
- A few secondary characters could’ve had more development to enrich the storyline.

Overall, The Backwater is a captivating read for anyone who enjoys reflective narratives and complex coming-of-age stories. It’s a book that lingers with you long after the last page.

Excellent crime thriller. I didn't know what to expect but this was amazing. Not usually into crime thriller but this one was good.

So many emotions. What a story this was. Years ago a fire in a trailer park community kills 9 people, including Sabine’s mom and sister. Sabine confesses at the site of the fire but escapes custody and goes on the run. 12 years later a recently divorced out of work journalist spots Sabine and they (kind of) work together to learn what really happened that day. This was an emotional story that was told really well. I absolutely loved the ending. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

The Backwater is an excellent crime mystery. The book partially takes place in present day and back at the time of the crime. Years ago, Sabina is accused of setting an explosion that killed multiple people including her mother and sister. Presently, Sabina is on the run and now trying to prove her innocence. Clues are slowly dropped giving lots of suspense that leads up to a satisfying conclusion.

I didn’t know what to expect going into this book, but it was good. This was a good mystery of who started the fires 12 years ago and the after math it caused..

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for this arc! Truly a fascinating thriller that made good use of dual pov in a small town concept!
I loved the character growth, the suspense and just everything on how the book flowed to its beautiful ending!

To the River is a strong psychological suspense novel that readers who love reading about strong characters who are prepared to fight for their truth to be heard will appreciate.

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and Vikki Wakefield for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley

The Backwater was hard to put down. I enjoyed the storyline, the characters were well crafted and the turns that progressed were believable, heartbreaking and unexpected.

I highly recommend this thriller and will definitely recommend to anyone.

Well written characters driven novel. Excellent use of dual POV. Oh, the things that happen in small towns....
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

What a great book! I absolutely loved how twisty and clever this one was! I was totally engrossed from beginning to end and would definitely read from this author again,

This book is slow moving and deep, like the river that runs throughout the book. A woman, on the run, hiding out for the last 12 years decides to tell her story to a freelance reporter, who is looking for purpose in her life. She has been accused of setting a fire that killed nine people including her mother and sister. Strong characters, believable growth in their relationship and a lot of truths about life, about justice and love.