In the long, hot summer of 1989, Ben and Fab are best friends.
Growing up in a small country town, they spend their days playing cricket, yabbying in local dams, wanting a pair of Nike Air Maxes and not talking about how Fab's dad hits him or how the sudden death of Ben's next-door neighbour unsettled him. Almost teenagers, they already know some things are better left unsaid.
Then a newcomer arrived in the Wimmera. Fab reckoned he was a secret agent and he and Ben staked him out. Up close, the man's shoulders were wide and the veins in his arms stuck out, blue and green. His hands were enormous, red and knotty. He looked strong. Maybe even stronger than Fab's dad. Neither realised the shadow this man would cast over both their lives.
Twenty years later, Fab is still stuck in town, going nowhere but hoping for somewhere better. Then a body is found in the river, and Fab can't ignore the past any more.
WIMMERA is the 2016 Winner of the Crime Writers' Association Debut Dagger (UK).
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For fans of The Dry by Jane Harper..
Whilst the crux of the story makes you not want to enjoy it you cant help but be drawn into the lives of Fab & Ben.
The story starts with a wheely bin found in a river and then takes you on a 30 year journey with Fab,Ben and their families from the 80's to current day where the significance of the bin will be revealed.
This story is filled with 80's pop culture references,small town secrets and at times makes you shudder but Mark Brandis debut novel is a winner in my eyes and was definately not one i could put down,reading it in one 5 hour sitting..
- Melissa (QBD)
Guest, 28/07/2017
