I feel like I definitely should have read this series in order because I feel like I might have been missing a lot.

When a baby was found at a festival, the mom nowhere to be found, Aaron Falk is one the case. He seems to know what eh's doing but there were a lot of past references I didn't understand and there was a lot fo "talking about the case" rather than actual "doing things to solve the case"

I always find her books very atmospheric and she is so good at putting you in a mood that fits the story - but I feel like everyone was pretty blah, nothing really exciting happened and it was a struggle for me to get through the audio. Sooooo slow. And that combined with so many characters and backstories and connected families was a chore to wade through when I kind of didn't really care all that much about any of them unfortunately.

Great writing and narration of the audio - I just think I was missing out having not read the first two books and it was a just a bit too much of a slow burn for me.

I rarely jump into reading a series out of order, and I hesitated to do so with this one. I'd heard great things about The Dry, and it's been on my TBR list forever, but somehow something shiny always drew my attention elsewhere. I had read one of Harper's standalone books, The Survivors, and really liked it, and I've seen the movie version of The Dry (I know, I know!). Happily, this was an instance where jumping in at book 3 worked out for me. I really enjoyed listening to this book - there was overlap of characters and the movie did, in fact, help with that. The story is compelling - the one-year anniversary of the disappearance of a wife and mother in a town that Aaron Falk is visiting becomes the central mystery, with a hit & run accident several years prior becoming a secondary one. It took a bit to get characters cemented in my mind, but the characters were interesting and Harper's writing is descriptive and atmospheric without being overly wordy. The narration of the audiobook by Stephen Shanahan was excellent. Overall it was very enjoyable - and definitely moved The Dry and Force of Nature up on my TBR list.
Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

While this is a book in a series, I didn't read the pervious books and still enjoyed this one. I definitely feel like it can be read as a standalone. This is a slow burn thriller with a few twists along the way. It is very well written, and I found the character to be well fleshed out. Although a slow burn there was enough happening to keep me engaged throughout. I will check out the other books in this series.
3.5 stars

I’ve enjoyed this series so much, and this is the third book in the Aaron Falk series.

It was so fun to be transported to the Australian wine country, which I would love to see one day. Not only was this a mystery, but I loved that it also featured potential romance.

The audiobook was great, and I highly recommend.

*many thanks to Flatiron and Macmillan Audio/Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

I find Jane Harper to be a skilled author and "Exiles" is filled with suspense and twists and turns, I do recommend you read other books of hers first to understand the plot better,

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
The story covers the investigation of a missing woman. The way it played out felt a bit slow which made things boring at times. I have not read the previous books in the series, so I have no connection to the main character, which I think would have made the story more interesting. I thought that the mystery could have been better, but it was not bad.

♥ Thoughts ♥
I haven’t read the other books in this series but I do not think you need to in order to understand the plot. All the characters were well developed and the plot had me intrigued! This is a slow burn thriller that really focuses on the atmospheric setting (which I am a fan of). The action really happens in the last 30% and it is worth the wait.

The narration of the conclusion to this trilogy is excellent. The ups, downs, and sinister moments are mirrored by Shanahan’s pace and volume. Harper weaves not one or two, but three mysteries into the finale. The bounds of relationships established and “those to be” are explored. Romance for Faulk is a close second to the crimes. This installment can be read/listened to by those new to the series, as it gives readers background into his career and upbringing.

5/5 narration
3.75/5 story

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC.

My ratings and reviews are my own.

This was an excellent thriller but there was more to the story than just the two crimes/disappearances that are trying to be solved. The character development was excellent and the town so charmingly described it made me envision it perfectly. I’ve read and enjoyed other Harper books and this is my favorite so far. Definitely a fan and will keep reading her for sure!

Another fantastic book from Jane Harper. I don't usually enjoy slow burns, but her writing is so fantastic. Harper really gets your invested in the characters and does a great job setting the scene.

Well, I really enjoyed this mystery set in the Australian wine country. I didn't even know Australia had a wine country until I read this book. This was the first Aaron Falk novel I read and I really liked his character. He is an unassuming MC and was really good at judging human character and catching little nuances to help him bring the murderer to justice. I also think the narration was spot on. I want to thank the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for giving me a copy of this audiobook, in return for an honest review.

This third Aaron Falk novel takes the reader to South Australian wine country. It also sets Aaron in the midst of characters he knows and has history with, like in The Dry, which I loved. Marralee is a small town in the heart of the South Australian wine country. A small, pretty town, where everyone knows everyone else, including Kim Gillespie, who wandered off during a festival one year earlier, leaving her infant in her pram in the parking lot. Kim has not been seen since. Aaron is in town to attend the christening of his friend, Greg Raco's son. Aaron has been asked to be the godfather. Kim used to be married to Greg's brother Charlie, and her older daughter doesn't believe she would just walk away. Greg has asked Aaron to help, to look at the case and see if he can see anything different, as the case has gone cold. Will Aaron help them to get closure in this case? Is Kim still alive out there somewhere?

I really enjoyed this third Aaron Falk police procedural. Aaron is back amidst old friends and it is nice to see those relationships rekindled. The characters were well developed and I could see how they were all friends. This story rings true, especially with the partying and drinking by the young people, and the annual celebrations no one wanted to miss. I found myself wondering if these past revelations were the cause of Kim's disappearance, or character building. This was another slow building mystery, that had me second guessing myself several times. The descriptive writing of the setting, the characters and events is beautiful and allows the reader to picture what is happening. There are some interesting relationships that build and develop that add much to the story and have me looking forward to another Aaron Falk story, please, Jane Harper. The mystery is well plotted and developed and secondary storylines merge to give this one a wonderful conclusion. I love how Aaron's mind works to be able to put together all the pieces. I highly recommend Exiles and the rest of this series. Once again, I listened to the audiobook, wonderfully narrated by Stephen Shanahan. If you enjoy listening to audiobooks, I highly recommend the audiobooks, but if not, make sure you pick this one up to read.

I loved the narrator! I have been looking forward to listening to this and it did not disappoint. Set in the Australian outback the entire setting and mood made me feel like part of the book. It had a great story line and likeable characters.

All of Jane Harper's books are must reads for me and Exiles did not disappoint. In fact, the one disappointment from Exiles is knowing this is the last book in the Aaron Falk series! In Exile's Aaron starts digging into the disappearance of Kim Gillespie from the local wine festival a year earlier, a festival Aaron attended because it was the eve of his godson's christening. As the story develops we learn more and more about Kim's close knit circle of friends, many of whom have known each other since they were teens, and how the things that happened then have continued to shape their lives now. We also get to see how this shapes the next generation growing up in their homes, including Kim's teenage daughter who is determined to prove her mother did not kill herself. As always, Jane Harper's mysteries are not just "who did it" but deeply explores the personal and societal factors that lead to it all.
Jane Harper weaves together another perfect mystery, leaving you guessing up until the very satisfying ending.
Audio book is an excellent way to experience a Jane Harper story, and Exiles is no exception. You are instantly transported to Australia's wine country, and the narrator helps bring alive the setting that is so vivid it is almost another character in the story.

3.5 stars if I could! I enjoyed listening to Exiles by Jane Harper. It's my first by her and even though Exiles is in a series with a recurring character, you can definitely read it as a stand alone. Although now I want to go back and read the first two, The Dry and Force of Nature!
The Exiles is set around an Australian wine festival and a mother that has disappeared. There are several storylines going on within this novel, and I enjoyed them all. Aaron Falk is in town a year later to celebrate a Christening and help solve the mystery.
I liked listening to the audiobook since I am American, it helped having a accent not in my head. I found this story enjoyable and the characters likeable so I will check out more by Jane Harper!

This is my first book by this author. I really enjoyed the festival setting that was the background. I look forward to going back and checking out Aaron Falk in the other two books he stars in. Thanks to NetGalley for the audio eArc.

Thank you to @netgalley and @macmillanaudio for an advanced copy of the audiobook Exiles by Jane Harper. This is the third book in the Aaron Falk series and it might be my favorite so far.
The book starts with a baby found alone in its pram at a festival, its mother has gone missing. One year later, when Aaron Falk is visiting the town for his godson’s christening, he gets involved with solving the mystery. While the pacing is slow, the mystery, atmosphere and characters are very interesting. I learn a little bit more about Australia with every Jane Harper book I read.
The narrator, Steve Shanahan, and his Australian accent really being the story to life

EXILES by Jane Harper
Publication: 1/ 31/ 2023
by MACMILLAN AUDIO
12 Hrs 25 Min

This is the third and possibly last slow burn mystery involving Federal Financial investigator Aaron Falk. He arrives in the small town of Maralee Valley in Southern Australia, to attend the christening of his godson Henry… son of his best friends Greg and Rita Raco. Coinciding with his arrival is the annual Food and Wine Festival. A year ago the festival was marred by the disappearance of Kim Gillespie… while apparently abandoning her 6 week-old daughter in her stroller. She has been gone for a year … with the only trace being one of her sneaker’s found in a nearby reservoir. Her teenage daughter Zara, from a previous marriage refuses to believe her mother is dead and distributes flyers at this years festival, entreating someone to come forth with new details and information to shed light on Kim’s disappearance. Falk joins his friends at the festival and is drawn into the mystery. Soon Aaron and Greg are making inquiries and uncover a cold case with possible linkage. Six years ago, also at the beginning of the festival there was a hit-and-run accident by the reservoir… killing Dean the husband of Gemma Tozer, the current festival orgainizer. They suspect an unlikely coincidence. Questioning reveals unexpected secrets in this small tight knit community. Questions arise regarding Kim’s childhood and her two marriages. No one can actually believe a new mother would on her own , walk away and abandon her newborn. Was she kidnapped, murdered or was it a suicide? As the investigation is pursued, Aaron finds himself with growing attachment with Gemma… and begins to contemplate a possible long-term relationship in spite of his hard earned position in Melbourne.
Harper proves to be a masterful storyteller as she weave the two unsolved mysteries into an interconnecting slow-burn mystery, accented with rich characterizations and unique story settings. The narrative was made compelling and suspenseful with the wonderful narration of Stephen Shanahan. His accents and voice tones brought to life the multiple characters, and enriched the imagery in the theatre of my mind. Hopefully we have not seen the last of the shrews Aaron Falk. This novel can be enjoyed as a standalone , as Harper flawlessly supplies the necessary backstory.
Thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books and Macmillan Audio for supplying aa advanced audio version of this captivating tale.

I really love Jane Harper’s style. I was very appreciative to receive an advanced file of this audio book in exchange for my honest review. The narrator did a fantastic job and it was very well produced. Obviously the book was fantastic as always!

A year ago Kim Gillespie disappeared at a wine festival, leaving Zoe, her baby, alone in her stroller. No one saw her leave, and no one knows where she went, not even her teenage daughter nor her husband. While the investigation has stalled, her daughter Zara is desperate to know the truth. She has some help in the form of Aaron Falk, a federal investigator in town for a christening who is also a friend of the family’s, and he soon finds himself in the middle of this mystery. Did Kim leave intentionally, abandoning her family? Or did something sinister happen? All anyone knows is that no one saw Kim leave the festival.

I really struggled getting through this novel. It was such a slow build to get to the really juicy stuff, but once I got there it was much better. I liked that, even though this is the third novel in the series, I was able to follow the action without feeling lost. I also liked the secondary story found within the main narrative. Harper’s presentation of the climax/big reveal was great; I liked how the event was presented from two perspectives, uncovering the truth surrounding the disappearance of Kim.

To me, the narration was too monotone, which made it hard to get into the story. I did like that Shanahan didn’t try to use different voices for the female characters in an attempt to make them sound like women; I’ve never been a fan of overly female voices done by male narrators. I also enjoyed his accent, especially since the story is set in Australia. It added an authenticity to the presentation of the story and the events.