Thursday, February 2, 2023

Audiobook Review: Exiles by Jane Harper

 

Exiles (Aaron Falk #3) by Jane Harper
Publication Date: January 31st 2023 by Macmillan Audio
Pages: 368
Audio Book Length: 12hrs 25min
Narrators: Stephen Shanahan
Source: Publisher 
Rating: ½
Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:
Aaron Falk is on vacation in the Marralee Valley to attend the christening of his godson, which was supposed to happen a year earlier but was put off when Kim Gillespie, the ex-sister-in-law of Aaron’s friend, went missing from a local festival. She supposedly abandoned her newborn in a stroller at the festival and just walked off, never to be seen again. Her teenage daughter, Zara, doesn’t buy that and really the whole family agrees that Kim’s actions were out of character. A year later they’re making an appeal at the same festival for information.

 His friend Sergeant Raco asks Aaron to look over the evidence he’s been compiling, even though the story as it goes suggests Kim took her own life. There’s another unsolved case, a hit and run, from five years earlier that Aaron ends up looking into, as well. Being in Aaron’s mind, getting his thought processes, really highlighted how gifted he was in working out what actually happened.

Jane Harper’s beautiful writing brought these characters to life, Aaron, and the cast, so that I cared about each one of them. Her descriptions of the Australian landscape, weaved seamlessly throughout, made it easy to picture and feel a part of. The Marralee Valley sounds like a beautiful idyllic place to live with its rolling hills of vineyards.  

I was so happy with the personal progress Aaron made in this installment! He loves his job but seeing the love and closeness between family and friends has him questioning his career and place in life. There’s also blossoming romance which factors heavily into his decision. Sergeant Raco, his family, and friends were a tightknit group, their relationships spanning years, a group that has welcomed Aaron with open arms. As for the two mysteries, they left a lasting impression. I’m still thinking about them.

Exiles wraps up, and while it is book three of the series, it’s excellent on its own! I look forward to (hopefully!) more of Aaron Falk in the future!

I listened to the audiobook version of this story, as I did with the previous two, and I thoroughly enjoyed Stephen Shanahan’s performance of all characters! His Australian accent is fantastic! Highly recommended! I listened at my usual 1.5x normal speed. 

4.5 Stars



Book Description:
Federal Investigator Aaron Falk is on his way to a small town deep in Southern Australian wine country for the christening of an old friend's baby. But mystery follows him, even on vacation.

This weekend marks the one-year anniversary of Kim Gillespie's disappearance. One year ago, at a busy town festival on a warm spring night, Kim safely tucked her sleeping baby into her stroller, then vanished into the crowd. No one has seen her since. When Kim's older daughter makes a plea for anyone with information about her missing mom to come forward, Falk and his old buddy Raco can't leave the case alone.

As Falk soaks up life in the lush valley, he is welcomed into the tight-knit circle of Kim’s friends and loved ones. But the group may be more fractured than it seems. Between Falk’s closest friend, the missing mother, and a woman he’s drawn to, dark questions linger as long-ago truths begin to emerge. What would make a mother abandon her child? What happened to Kim Gillespie?


 

27 comments:

  1. I still haven't read any of Harper's books...though I've been meaning to for awhile now. They all sound really good. Maybe someday soon? ;D

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  2. This is a series that I would really like to read. Good to know that it could work as a stand alone.

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  3. I've heard good things about this book! I'm glad you enjoyed it too

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  4. Even excellent on its own? Always good to hear

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    1. Yes, I don't think you need to read the previous to enjoy this one, but it's a great series so why not? :)

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  5. Need to give it a listen. Thank you. Happy Friday regine
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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  6. yes I really loved this too, the series. I wonder how he could still solve mysteries but he has his friends in the local police and they would trust him if he needed info to help I guess. Still I'd like to see him in a police role again if things continue but a policeman is not exactly a steady relaxed family man either.

    Anne - Books of My Heart

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    1. I think with that ending he would have the opportunity to go into law enforcement.

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  7. I don't tend to read mystery/thrillers, but I can admit that the setting and community you describe are very appealing to me.

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  8. I haven't read any of Harper's novels, but everyone I trust seems to really enjoy them. I'm just a bit hesitant to start another series.

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    1. It's not a very large series. This is only book three and you could read this as a standalone if you didn't want to commit to the whole series. It works well on its own and it doesn't spoil the previous stories.

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  9. Wonderful review, Rachel. I am listening to The Dry right now and will listen to the next two as well. I agree, the narrator is wonderful. I love that Aaron is changing as the books go on.

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    1. Thanks, Carla! I hope you enjoy all the books. He's great, right?!

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  10. I wasn't familiar with her work. But, the way you describe this one has me interesting in reading the series.

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  11. I read and enjoyed this one. I have trouble finding time to listen to audio though I have several books I've started and want to finish. Have a good week.

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  12. This book is pretty popular right now. Good to know you enjoyed the audiobook. I think I'll give it a try since it works fine as a stand-alone book.

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  13. Maybe I should give audiobooks a try again. I would pick a narrator with a Scottish or Australian accent. lol

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  14. I have the first two books in this series sitting on my shelf and really need to get busy on them. I might go the audio route for all of the books.

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