I have such mixed feelings about this book. There were lovely cultural insights and powerful geographical images. The main character, Cory, is a mixed-blood Australian who was raised in an Aboriginal community, but who grows up to gain advanced education and to form a successful urban law practice.

An atrocity in his home village draws him back to Alice Springs, then on a cross-continental hunt for the perpetrator. A persistent theme throughout the story is Cory’s dual identities and loyalties, which play out in his social dealings, his value system and even his navigation across the stark landscape. This same duality is a major conflict in the resolution of Cory’s odyssey.

The plot was strong and suspenseful, although the story felt dated. The male characters were believable, but – here’s where the mixed feelings come in – there was only one female character, and she was a caricature of outmoded female stereotypes. I lost count of how many times she was described as “sweet” and “loving.”

So – a mixed grade from me. Thanks to NetGalley for an advance readers copy.

There was intrigue in the story and a pace which kept me wanting to come back to it every night... Definitely recommend if you love Legal Thrillers..