Force of Nature was written by Sunday Times bestselling author Jane Harper and was published in 2017. It’s the second novel in the Aaron Falk crime series, after the huge success of the first book, The Dry.
I love Jane Harper books. They’re always full of twists and turns with a real sense of place. I loved the Dry and couldn’t wait to get reacquainted with Aaron Falk.
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Is Alice here? Did she make it? Is she safe? In the chaos, in the night, it was impossible to say which of the four had asked after Alice’s welfare. Later, when everything got worse, each would insist it had been them.
Five women reluctantly pick up their backpacks and start walking along the muddy track. Only four come out the other side.
The hike through the rugged landscape is meant to take the office colleagues out of their air-conditioned comfort zone and teach resilience and team building. At least that is what the corporate retreat website advertises.
Federal Police Agent Aaron Falk has a particularly keen interest in the whereabouts of the missing bushwalker. Alice Russell is the whistleblower in his latest case – and Alice knew secrets. About the company she worked for and the people she worked with.
Far from the hike encouraging teamwork, the women tell Falk a tale of suspicion, violence and disintegrating trust. And as he delves into the disappearance, it seems some dangers may run far deeper than anyone knew.
Force of Nature Book Review
Force of Nature is another Jane Harper book that grabs you and doesn’t let go. Harper’s vivid descriptions transport you to the rugged, untamed landscapes of South Australia, setting the stage for a grippingly tense story.
There are many different elements to the story and I was constantly trying to figure out how all these women were interconnected. Falk himself also had ties to Alice which added an extra dimension to the story.
I really like Aaron Falk as a central character. Not only is he smart and tenacious but he also possesses a sense of compassion and strong morals. His presence is a welcome contrast to some of the less likable female characters in the book.
Jane Harper masterfully builds a real sense of unease and foreboding as the story is told from different perspectives. It’s a clever narrative choice that delves into the characters’ minds, revealing their motivations and adding layers to the unfolding mystery.
The tension surrounding Alice’s disappearance is palpable from the start. The harsh terrain and immediate threat of danger create a compelling urgency. Harper keeps you hooked by skilfully revealing the events leading up to Alice’s vanishing, making you eager to piece together the puzzle.
What I appreciate most is that I couldn’t predict the outcome. Harper kept me guessing with unexpected twists and turns, maintaining the suspense until the very end.
What should I read after Force of Nature by Jane Harper?
