I wish to thank Laura Jean McKay, Scribe UK and NetGalley for the advanced copy of The Animals in That Country in exchange for an honest review.

This is a fantastic debut, I really looked forward to reading this when I found it on NetGalley, I wasn’t disappointed. Initially set in a wildlife park in the Northern Territory of Australia, Jean the protagonist is a tour guide and child carer for her daughter in laws daughter Kimberley. Jean has a devoted relationship with her charge and the animals in the park. Jean is a gritty big drinker, often in conflict with her daughter in law who manages the park. A viral pandemic throws the country and park into pandemonium as those infected become capable of communicating with animals, first mammals, then birds, reptiles and insects. Jean and a dingo kelpie dog named Sue embark on a road trip across Australia to find Kimberley. Sue is tremendously insightful as she guides Jean on their journey.

Incredibly unique, definitely topical, wildly quirky, wonderful characters; I’m talking to everyone I know who reads about this book.