Last One Out by Jane Harper

 

I can always count on Jane Harper for an atmospheric, beautifully written story. This book is no exception. I will be friends with Ro, Griff, and the inhabitants of Carralon Ridge for the foreseeable future. This was a sad book, however, with the main theme being death: the death of a town, a marriage, and a son who disappeared five years ago and is presumed dead. There are very few uplifting moments in the book, but it's worth reading if only for the elegant writing.

Ro has returned to Carralon Ridge, New South Wales, a once-bustling town slowly being consumed by a coal-mining company. It is the fifth anniversary of her son Sam's disappearance, and she, her family, and the remaining inhabitants are gathering for a memorial. The grief over their son's disappearance drove a spike through their marriage, but she, her husband, Griff, and their daughter, Della, still come together each year to try to piece together what happened to Sam; this year is no different. 

Sam was working on an oral history of the town when he disappeared on his twenty-first birthday. All that remained in his abandoned rental car were the notes of his interviews. Ro has pored over the notes searching for a clue, but like the police, she has found nothing. Whatever secret Sam may have uncovered has disappeared with him.

This novel explores what keeps some residents of Carralon Ridge there, even though they know they will eventually have to leave. The overarching theme of death drags the story down at times, but there is also hope. Hope for a marriage, hope for finding Sam, and hope for new lives for the remaining residents. It is a slowly developing story that, at times, I wish would move along more quickly, but it's well worth the wait. The characters' desperation and the town's impending doom create palpable tension, making this a memorable read. 

4/5 stars.

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