About the Book
Blurb from Goodreads
When twelve-year-old Esther disappears on the way home from school in a small town in rural Australia, the community is thrown into a maelstrom of suspicion and grief. As Detective Sergeant Sarah Michaels arrives in town during the hottest spring in decades and begins her investigation, Esther’s tenacious best friend, Ronnie, is determined to find Esther and bring her home.
When schoolfriend Lewis tells Ronnie that he saw Esther with a strange man at the creek the afternoon she went missing, Ronnie feels she is one step closer to finding her. But why is Lewis refusing to speak to the police? And who else is lying about how much they know about what has happened to Esther?
Punctuated by a Greek chorus, which gives voice to the remaining children of the small, dying town, this novel explores the ties that bind, what we try and leave behind us, and what we can never outrun, while never losing sight of the question of what happened to Esther, and what her loss does to a whole town.
My Thoughts
Set in a small town in rural Australia, this very much reminded me of my childhood, growing up in small towns in the Northern Cape and Namibia (then still called South West Africa). The way the author writes about the interaction and reaction of the residents, the socio-economic structures, and the small-town mindset (both the positive and negative) really resonated with me.
The story gets told from mainly four different perspectives. Esther’s closest friends – Ronnie and Lewis, Esther’s Mom Constance, and the “big city” Missing Persons Specialist police officer Detective Sergeant Sarah Michaels who is investigating the case. I found this way of storytelling (including the “Greek chorus” – representing “WE” who are the rest of the children in the town – who adds a different dimension to the story), quite refreshing. It becomes clear that there are a lot of secrets in this little town, that not all as it seems.
The impact of this crime on the community, especially the children, is beautifully presented. It deals with the innocence of childhood and how children see and experience things so differently that what we may expect.
The intricate slow-burn plot and compelling characters elevate this atmospheric debut novel to a solid five-star read for me. To tell a heart-breaking story with so much respect and grace is a true talent. This is beautifully written!
• Riveting read
• Character driven
• Atmospheric mystery/drama
• Interesting narration
• Rural noir
In some territories (like the USA), this book is titled “Dirt Creek”.
Be sure to check the trigger warnings beforehand as well!
Except: https://www.criminalelement.com/dirt-creek-by-hayley-scrivenor-featured-excerpt/
Thank you to Pan MacMillan SA for the opportunity to read this book.
RRR (Roelia Reads Rating) 5/5
