It was a fascinating mystery & thriller that keeps me turning the pages. The story was great and I really enjoyed my first book of the author.

Thank you NetGalley and the to publisher Allen & Unwin for another amazing book (ARC).

According to the author's notes at the end of the novel LYREBIRD, the idea for this story came on a walk in the bush one day, when Caro crossed paths with a lyrebird. Having previously lived in an area where the sounds heard never quite seemed to match what was going on around us, it's not that difficult to picture the scenario where a lyrebird is filmed mimicking the sounds of a woman screaming in terror, begging for her life. It's also very easy to image the shock that would be for anybody, let along a young, hung over PHD student, out in the bush studying birds. All on her own, having earlier heard unidentifiable noises nearby, the shock, surprise and fright would be astounding. The sounds of that call would go on to haunt Jessica Weston for years to come.

It was mostly confusing for the young, new to the job detective, Megan Blaxland who was assigned to the potential case. Quite how or what you'd be investigating with the call of a territorial bird and therefore at least an area of impenetrable rainforest to look into your only clues. No missing persons reports, no obvious victim, no obvious attack site. The case goes cold quickly.

Until 20 years later and a body appears as a result of a landslide. By that stage Weston's a biology professor, Blaxland a retired, widowed detective, and a cold case in the middle of a dangerous, threatening bushfire season suddenly becomes an active investigation. Called back from retirement as a consultant because it was her case all those years ago, Blaxland is teamed up with her original partner, and a small team of eager young cops, who find more than they bargained for in that dense forest - more bodies, and their only clue to identity, a home made shoelace.

There's lots of personal dynamics at play in this novel, Blaxland dealing with the grief of loss, Weston with the difficulties of a divorce and a teenage daughter right slap bang in the middle of the rebellious years. There's a bit of guilt from the old partner of Blaxland's as well - he poo-pooed the evidence of the call back in the day, and now he's part of a serial killer investigation. A man with enough personal problems of his own, Blaxland finds their working relationship is all over the place after her year or so away from the job.

It should be noted that this is a story which revolves around human trafficking and sexual abuse, so the subject matter can be quite confrontational and the circumstances that the women who ultimately ended up in graves in the bush like that difficult to process. There's also some aspects of the portrayal of their lives and that of a transgender witness from back in the day that some readers may find challenging. Also challenging is the way that the case story builds alongside the bushfire threat, culminating in a major firestorm and some very risky actions on the part of Blaxland's team. The way that the author has conveyed the reality of trying to function in a huge bushfire was pretty accurate - the lack of hearing (from the roar of the fire and wind), the lack of visibility from smoke, the heat, and the way they combine to affect your breathing, and your thinking, all of that felt very realistic (worth again checking the author's notes, she had some very experienced advice in all aspects of this novel).

It's also a novel that fires some shots across the bows on climate change, lack of resourcing for agencies responsible for managing natural areas, problems in funding educational institutions, and the never-ending misery and viciousness of people trafficking and enforced sex work. All barrows that I think anybody who knows even a smidgen about Caro's background and interests could expect to have included in a crime fiction novel by her. None of which came across as from the pulpit, all of the elements woven in the story fairly seamlessly.



I was slow out of the blocks in starting this novel, but once that initial setup, and that calling lyrebird, and the impact it had on a younger Jessica were revealed it became a couple of sittings read. Another good example of crime fiction that takes a long, hard look at real issues in society, and whilst the serial killer aspect is there, it's not the point. The point is the victims, the survivors and the greyness around the edges.

Jane Caro follows up her debut crime novel The Mother with a cold case procedural Lyrebird. Lyrebird opens with a clever hook. While researching in the Barrington Tops, Jessica Weston hears a woman screaming for her life in what sounds like Spanish. But the screaming is actually that of a lyrebird, a bird that has the ability to mimic any sound that it hears. Unfortunately at the time, the police do not believe that this is evidence that a crime has been committed and no one had been reported missing. It is not until twenty years later that a body is discovered in the area and the police realise that Jessica may actually have been on to something.
Detective Megan Blaxland is brought out of retirement to run the very cold case. And soon, evidence found on the body opens up into tale of people trafficking and illegal sex work. Jessica, who has remained friends with Megan since the originally non-investigation, now has a daughter of her own who is getting involved in climate protests. And it is the climate that creates the ticking clock in this book, as bushfires threaten the crime scene and the investigation.
The recording of the lyrebird which opens the book is a great hook and provides some colour but in the end, once the body is found, really has very little to do with the solving of the case. There is no real synergy between this case and the historical crimes that it uncovers and the climate change aspects of the book except that it is hard to set a book in present day Australia, particularly rural and regional crime without considering the impacts of climate.
That said, the bushfire as plot device that threatens evidence and puts characters in peril and puts suspects on the fireline is becoming a bit of a go-to in Australian crime fiction (see also books like Adrian Hyland’s Canticle Creek, Into the Flames by James Delargy, Jane Harper’s The Dry and Chris Hammer’s Scrublands). In this case it is also built around a kidnapping that makes little sense except as a way of keeping various characters in play and creating some additional tension.
Caro uses the crime and the people around it to deal with some fairly dark issues. Blaxland and her investigative team are well drawn as are many of the side characters. Taken together with a well realised sense of place – the Newcastle area and nearby Barrington Tops National Park - make Lyrebird a fairly down the line but engaging cold-case procedural.

3.5⭐️
I enjoyed this book and its premise but I think the story got lost for me with so many different character POVs. I would still recommend this book to those who love an Aussie crime novel

As you know I love books set in Australia and I can safely say I enjoyed this one thoroughly.

Jessica Weston an ornithology student was filming the Lyrebird when it mimicked a woman screaming for her life in the remote Barrington Tops. Jessica took the video to the police and the case went cold. Fast forward to twenty years - Megan Blaxland gets a visit from the police, her cold case is now back open and they want her back on the job. A body has been found in the same place Jessica said it would be.

This was such a unique book. I loved that the Lyrebird was a big part of the storyline as the bird witnessed a murder. Lyrebirds can mimick things, other birds, animals, and even human-made noises like chainsaws.

It was fast paced. I loved the protagonists in Jessica and Megan and the two different timelines. I flipped through the pages of my kindle wanting to know how everything ended.

Thank you Allen and Unwin and Netgalley for sending me a gifted copy for my honest book review.

Lyrebird, by Jane Caro, covers the death of a woman twenty years ago that was uncovered by an ornithology student, Jessica Weston, when she recorded a lyrebird mating ritual. Well the blood-curdling screams were uncovered, the body lagged two decades behind. Lyrebird is set in the boonies of the lower Barrington Tops, near Gresford.

Unfortunately, considering what actually happened in this state with the decriminalisation of sex work in 1995 largely removing sex trafficking, the story didn't quite gel. But facts never get in the way of a journalist who wants to write about sex trafficking using harmful stereotypes: "Sex workers often kept their eyes down, especially when their pimps were nearby. She'd hated it then and she hated it now. It made the women look beaten." As you can see, for readers from marginalised groups, including people who use drugs, sex workers (particularly those from migrant backgrounds), and trans and gender diverse people, this book may grate as it simply repeats harmful stereotypes.

Despite the disappointing commentary about marginalised groups, there is a lot of politics packed into this book, from climate change to domestic violence and the situation of women, as you'd expect from Caro. For example, "We get called out for domestics more than any other crime. Women screaming is the soundtrack of our lives". Yet this felt a bit flippant at times, with the characters lecturing the reader rather than showing us through their actions, their reality: "Do you think he mistreats her? People with disabilities are disproportionately victims of abuse." Often the 'facts' the characters present are just stigmatising rubbish: "'There are plenty of white Aussie sex workers.' 'I know, but they're often drug addicts or state wards, homeless ex-foster kids, that kind of thing.'"

With the two lead protagonists, Jessica and Megan Blaxland, now a retired senior sergeant, both being older women, there's a hint at who the expected market for this book might be. Despite being the intended reader, I found the writing functional, lacking in artistry and flair: "She liked this Phil much better than the sad sack from a few moments ago." As a crime thriller, it lacked tension. As Aussie noir, while the landscape was present, it wasn't built into a character for me: "The wilderness lay like a shaggy green carpet flung out haphazardly."

A cold case that got left behind because only one person believed the young Ph Student Jessica Watson, who had filmed a Lyrebird mimicking a woman screaming in terror. That person was new detective Megan Blaxland and now 20 yrs later she is invited to come out of retirement to head the investigation when a landslide uncovers human remains, exactly where Jessica filmed the Lyrebird.
I must admit when I started this book, I felt I was reading a standard police procedural, which really put me off as it’s something that doesn’t appeal to me. But as the novel went on, it started to get a little bit twisty, with a dark subject of illegal immigrants and sexual trafficking and unreliable witnesses. Set against a current backdrop of climate change with bushfires raging in places they never would have in the past, I enjoyed the fast paced aspect the book eventually took on.
Satisfying in the end, I’m glad I persisted.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.

I've been eagerly awaiting a new Jane Caro book since absolutely loving The Mother (2022), and Lyrebird did not disappoint!

Lyrebirds are expert mimics, so when an ornithology student hears one deep in the bush echoing a woman’s screams for help, she immediately reports it. But with no evidence—only a bird as the witness—her claims are dismissed. Twenty years later, a body is found in the same area, reuniting the now-retired detective who always believed her and the professor who never forgot what she heard. Together, they set out to uncover the truth, leading them down an unpredictable path.

I loved the unique premise and found the cold-case angle especially compelling. The story weaves past and present seamlessly, keeping the suspense high. The two female leads bring different strengths to the investigation, making them a team I'd love to read more about.
The book also explores the timely themes of climate change and environmental issues, adding depth to the story. Given the devastating weather events affecting Australians in recent years, this felt particularly relevant.

Lyrebird is a gripping, twist-filled page-turner that I highly recommend to Aussie crime lovers!

Thank you to Netgalley and Allen and Unwin for providing me with an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Jane Caro, Lyrebird, Allen & Unwin, April 2025.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.

A lyrebird’s cry in a lonely bush site echoes a desperate woman’s cry for help. It is overheard by a student, who aware of its possible significance, takes her recording to the police. With no body, and no respect for Jessica Weston’s theory, the case remains unresolved. Twenty years later a body is found at the site and Jessica, now Associate Professor, and retired Megan Blaxland brought back for the new inquiry, together are determined to solve the case.

Caro makes superb use of features of the Australian bush - the loneliness, silence, foliage and undergrowth, and its beauty which hides a heinous crime. Her commitment to caring for the environment is made through engaging characters, the exposition becoming an integral part of the social commentary which provides a thoughtful background to solving the crime.

Characterisation is a strong feature of this novel, Megan Blaxland becoming a figure who would make excellent returning character. However, she is not alone in being a well-developed personality. Caro achieves complexity in her characters by weaving their flaws together with positive characteristics. At the same time, a sense of chill surrounds even the friendliest of interactions. This is a crime that, despite the possibility of wider ramifications has a small town, claustrophobic feel about it, the bush and the lyre bird’s lonely song playing a sinister part in achieving this.

This is the first of Jane Caro’s novels that I have read, although I follow her shorter contributions in the media. I found Caro’s combination of good story telling, social commentary, and a complex crime to be solved very inviting and look forward to reading her past and future work.

I enjoyed the story of body found 20 years ago and nothing was found till now and only thing they have video of the lyrebird it was easy to read ad the characters were ok would like more detailed description of various character to know them more on a deeper emotional level

A fascinating and compelling thriller story, that offered a unique premise and plenty of twists to hold my attention right to the end.

Lyrebirds are brilliant mimics, so when a lyrebird is recorded mimicking a woman screaming in terror and begging for her life, how will a young PhD ornithologist and a new detective convince anyone that a native Australian bird could have been a witness to a murder, particularly when there is no body?

Twenty years later, when a body is unearthed, Associate Professor Jessica Weston and recently retired detective Megan Blaxland are determined to uncover the truth, about this unusual cold case.

I enjoyed the varying perspectives offered throughout this story, and the light police procedural elements.

Jane Caro is a skilled writer and social commentator, and this story is no exception. Many complex topics have been mentioned in this book and have been portrayed with nuance and respect. The acknowledgements section also highlights the high level of research undertaken in the writing of this story.

With special thanks to Allen & Unwin, Jane Caro and NetGalley for this e-ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

The dedication is also timely and relevant – ‘This book is dedicated to everyone who is doing what they can to combat climate change. It is written in the hope that more of us will join this existential fight”.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5 stars)
📖 Lyrebird by Jane Caro
📅 Published 1 April 2025
📚 Thank you to NetGalley and Allen & Unwin for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

What if the only witness to a murder was a bird?

Deep in the wild heart of the Barrington Tops, a young ornithology student hears something chilling—a woman screaming for her life. But when Jessica Weston tracks the sound, she discovers its source: a lyrebird. And lyrebirds don’t invent—they mimic.

Haunted by what she’s heard, Jessica takes her recording to the police, but with no body and no missing person, her claims are dismissed. Only one person believes her—rookie detective Megan Blaxland.

Fast forward twenty years. Jessica is now an associate professor, Megan a retired cop. And a body has just been unearthed, exactly where Jessica once insisted it would be.

Determined to find the truth, the two women reunite to solve a murder that should never have been forgotten. But as they uncover long-buried secrets, they realise they’re not just chasing a killer. Someone is watching them. And this time, the lyrebird may not be the only one echoing the past.

✨ Lyrebird is mesmerising—an atmospheric thriller where the Australian bush is as vivid and untamed as the mystery itself. Jane Caro’s writing is evocative and immersive, making every rustle of leaves and shadow between trees feel alive with possibility—and danger.

🦜 Jessica and Megan are exceptional protagonists: strong, smart, and relentless in their pursuit of justice. Their dynamic crackles with intelligence and drive, and I adored watching them piece together a case that once slipped through the cracks.

🔥 Twisty, fast-paced, and utterly gripping, Lyrebird kept me hooked from start to finish. Original, compelling, and impossible to put down—this is Australian crime fiction at its best.

#Lyrebird #JaneCaro #CrimeFiction #ThrillerReads #AustralianFiction #BookReview #MysteryThriller #NetGalley #Bookstagram

A great read, from story set in NSW, Australia. In depth characters and lots of twists and turns. Enjoyable read. Thank you to the author. Thank you to # netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.