This is a slow burn crime read featuring Aaron Falk, from Jane Harper's previous novels. I love Aaron! I have enjoyed all of his stories. This is a multi-layered story. Falk has gone to the christening of Greg and Rita's son, Henry. There happens to be a missing persons case still drawing attention in the wine country of Maralee County. Kim Gillespie went missing last year, leaving her baby girl all alone at the Annual Food and Wine Festival. The assumption is that she committed suicide after suffering from depression. But not everyone believes this. Some think Kim would never abandon her baby. Falk is- of course- at the heart of this novel and finds himself at a personal crossroads. He's drawn into the drama and solving the mystery.
I was not as immersed in the story as usual. I would have preferred to read it, but I listened to the audiobook. It was a bit hard to keep track of characters at first, but once I was settled in, I was a fan.
3.5 stars.

Superb book…… it takes you to Australia even though you haven’t ever been there!
It takes you in and quite honestly it’s the best book that I have read for a long time. Yes, it’s a crime story but for me, it was so much more. You finish and it’s as if you are leaving friends but you would love to be with them!!

thank you Natali for the advanced copy of this book and exchange for an honest review. I found this book to be a generally good mystery with adequate character development and storyline However, it doesn’t stand out for me in this very popular genre.

“Exiles” is a missing person story, with Harper’s investigator Aaron Falk at the helm even though he isn’t really there in a professional capacity. When his friend Raco’s brother’s ex Kim goes missing, and stays missing for a year, Falk finds himself being pulled into the question of what happened to Kim, who may have seen her the night she disappeared during a small town festival and left her baby alone in a carriage in a sea of people, and who may know something that isn’t being said. I liked that Falk was more drawn into this final mystery not because of his profession, but because of his loyalty to Raco, and the connection he has to a family that hasn’t gotten a lot of answers. I also liked Aaron slowly getting to know a family friend named Gwen, and starting to realize that perhaps he wants a more quiet life with people that he cares about surrounding him. It’s funny because it’s not like Falk is a character that I am absolutely obsessed with, and I feel like he is a bit of a conduit to tell other broader stories, but I liked his journey in this one and how it ultimately shakes out for him.

The mystery itself it fairly straight forward, and while I kind of had a good gut feeling as to what had happened, I liked the slow and steady pace Harper took with it. Her mysteries always feel in complete control, and never feel like they tread towards melodrama or the like. I enjoyed seeing Falk have to piece together not only the mystery of what happened to Kim the night she disappeared, but also what other circumstances and moments in her life may have played a part in her ultimate disappearance. But I also liked the additional, potential connection to another unsolved crime in the community, in which a man was the victim of a hit and run (and it just so happens that Gwen is that man’s widow). Harper is deliberate and very quiet in her mystery weaving, but it all comes together very well.

And finally, I just like the way that Harper writes the people in this story. I got a good sense for everyone, whether it’s old familiar characters or brand new ones. They all feel like well rounded people, and while some may be hiding things or may be serving as narrative misdirections they all fit in well and aren’t completely obvious as to how they all fit into the broader mystery at hand. She just knows how to create a believable community and cast.

I've enjoyed reading the series, particularly via audiobooks. I love diving into the Australian outback landscape and hearing an Australian narrator really helps bring it to life. This was probably my favourite installment of the Aaron Falk series as the story was very engaging and the characters well developed. Sometimes slow burn mysteries can be dry and boring, but this slow burn totally paid off as we finally discovered what happened to Kim and why. This had certainly reignited my interest in the series and I will look for the next one!

EXILES
Jane Harper

Unfortunately, this installment in Jane Harper’s series was a miss for me. There are a lot of things to like about excerpts from the book, but overall, it lacked momentum and direction, which left me bored and wanting more.

I appreciate how Harper casually creates these inspiring atmospheric books. Although I appreciated parts of the writing, I was bored with the mystery and found it to be lacking momentum.

When I pictured the characters, they were always stationary, talking, mulling over scenarios, like the whole book is set around a dining room table. There is more speculation about the event than action after the event. Which had the weird effect of making the entire mystery boring.

I felt coming into EXILES that we might get a more personal book, getting to know Falk better or more, but this book offered neither. I felt even more distant from him than I had before. Considering this book features Falk’s family and a woman of interest, I was surprised at this lack of connection.

Maybe next time with Harper and maybe the end for Falk and me. I gave EXILES three stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy!

EXILES…⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is my second book I have read from this author but its been years since I first read the first Aaron Faulk book so I forgot a lot. It felt like there was a lot going on in this book and sort of hard to follow on audio

I did not catch that this was an audio book when I requested. I tried listening to it, but did not enjoy someone reading to me as much as I read the book. The audio was nice and clear just not for me. I have since read the book and enjoyed very much.

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

Definitely more of a slow burn for this one. As things started unraveling at the end it made me wish I had been drawn in more and could have connected with the story line but as it was I found it difficult to focus on this one. I may have gotten a little bit more out of it had I read the previous books in this series but didn't feel like it was completely necessary to enjoy this one. I will try this again someday in a physical copy and see how I like it!

This was a major slow burn for me. I think because it took me months to finish that was why I felt so disconnected to the story. This was my first Jane Harper book, but I definitely still want to read more from her.

I honestly couldn't get into this book. The narrator was great but the book just did not hold my attention.

Title: Gripping Australian Thriller - 5/5 Stars

"Exiles" by Jane Harper is a masterpiece that once again showcases the author's unparalleled talent for crafting immersive Australian mysteries. Harper has proven herself as the Aussie queen of suspense, and this book further cements her reputation.

The protagonist, Faulk, is a standout character, multi-dimensional and relatable. His journey through the story is filled with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. You'll find yourself emotionally invested in his struggles and triumphs.

The plot is nothing short of extraordinary. Harper weaves a gripping narrative that had me questioning everything from start to finish. Her storytelling is impeccable, gradually unveiling the mysteries of the past and present in a way that keeps you guessing until the very end.

"Exiles" is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a suspenseful, character-driven thriller set against the backdrop of the Australian landscape. With its compelling characters and masterful storytelling, it's a solid 5/5 stars from me. Jane Harper has delivered another literary gem that will linger in your mind long after you've turned the final page.

I love Aaron Falk novels. I enjoyed this one, but it got a little slow for me in the middle. There were lots of details about the layout of the festival and the location of the accidents that got a bit tedious and hard to visualize. I enjoyed the small community setting and the progression of Aaron's storyline. It was fun to revisit a few old friends from previous books.

Just when I thought she could improve upon her last, Jane Harper blows it out of the water with Exiles! Seldom do I ever award dive stars, but with this on it was without reservation. Very few authors have Harper's ability to for both pacing and detail. It is a delicate dance. In Exiles, we get to explore yet another region of Australia, wine country. Atmospheric without defaulting to the myriad cliche adjectives, Exiles invites you to coexist with the characters. You share their memories as well as their loss.You struggle with their lack of closure as you join their search for answers. Exiles will certainly keep you guessing until the final satisfying page!

Jane Harper and her go-to narrator are a team that can't be beat. These books are always gripping, easy to listen to, and plot driven without feeling contrived. Another winner!

I am a fan of Jane Harper; however, this book was a disappointment. I didn't care much for the plot or characters, and the book seemed unnecessarily long. There is a mystery, but it doesn't seem compelling......neither does the outcome.

A year after Kim Gillespie's disappearance no one is closer to discovering the truth behind her disappearance. A year later the family is planning to return to the site of her disappearance for the annual festival in hopes of learning new information. Joining the family is Aaron Falk, long time friend and federal investigator. Falk is still haunted by her disappearance and dedicated to finding answers. What Falk learns during his visit is that secrets are deeply rooted in this group and not everything is as it seems. As truth's begin to reveal themselves they Falk starts to reveal the truth.

This is a great read with plenty of twists and turns. I listed to Exiles on Audiobook and absolutely loved the story and narration. Would definitely recommend.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to read.

I love this author's writings. While the story can be, at times. a slower pace, the development of character is top notch and the story moves along at a nice pace. I have enjoyed all of Ms. Harper's work and will continue to read anything she publishes.

Exiles is a slow burn at times. I have said it before that most thrillers can be. I listened to this but I think it might work better as a book. There are a lot of characters to keep track of and given how interrelated they are, I sometimes struggled to keep everything straight (especially since the story also goes back and forth between several time periods and there are multiple POVs. The narrator was really good. I would recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to this ARC for my honest opinion.

It was hard for me to put this one down, but unfortunately I fell asleep when I was almost done. Nevertheless, Harper delivered a satisfying ending to both mysteries and to Falk's love life!