Book Review: Scrublands By Chris Hammer

Riversend is a hot, dry, godforsaken country town, home to Australia’s worst mass murder.

One year ago, a charming and well-loved priest mysteriously opened fire on his congregation, killing five people before being shot dead himself. Journalist Martin Scarsden is sent to write a feature on the town and how it is recovering. What he finds is a town mostly deserted, its remaining residents confused and drowning in the lies and stories being told. Upon hearing about Byron Swift, the charming, well-loved priest, Scarsden is compelled to dig into his past, to uncover the priest’s secrets and at the same time secure the story of the decade. And when the bodies of two German backpackers are discovered, tortured and murdered, the full force of the law comes down on Riversend, leaving everybody reeling, wondering who to trust. As Scarsden gets closer to the local residents, his ability to sensationalize for the papers diminishes, the demands of his career and his growing loyalty to the people of Riversend are at odds with each other. With an uncanny ability to get himself into precarious situations, journalist Martin Scarsden may just be the one to blow the whole mystery of Riversend wide open. Scrublands is an exciting, atmospheric slow burner, full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end.

Allen & Unwin $32.99