I found this book to be just an ok read for me. Unfortunately it was the slow pace that lost me along the way. Just not the book for me.

I’ve mixed feelings about this one, but the positives win over. It’s an interesting premise which is hard to discuss without spoilers. Justin an Ophthalmologist not Optometrist and budding Politician and Lucy, Astronomer not Astrologer are in the process of separating and they’re yet to tell daughter, Gabby. Justin is in denial about the split and buries himself in running in the upcoming election. It becomes evident his motives are not as noble as serving the community and his ambitions cloud his judgement and parenting, and chaos ensues. The characters are well-developed, the story intriguing if a bit unbelievable. I was not a fan of the long descriptive passages or the overly scientific descriptions of dark matter and astronomy and skimmed these parts. The regular clarification of the couples' roles, Ophthalmologist not Optometrist and Astronomer not Astrologer became tedious and felt they were as much for the reader as for the characters, and a little patronising. Despite these blips I was intrigued to see how the family’s story unfolded. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity read and review. #netgalley #mapofnight #panterapress #kimberleystarr

I'm not sure how to review this book, it's a strange one. It doesn't really fit in a genre. Literary fiction?

Based in a fictional version of my home, Bowness in the Yarra Valley, there is a Mechanics Institute and a restored observatory (Mt Burnett is that you?).

Featuring a couple of reprehensible characters, one whom is irredeemable, it's about an election campaign and about parenting while separating and rural life and balancing working life with motherhood - or sacrificing your career for others.

Featuring a fairly surreal accident and outcome, I am lost as to whether I enjoyed this or not.

Lucy is preparing to leave her marriage of 20 years. Her husband Justin is running for parliament and the election is one week away. Once that is out the way, they can talk to their daughter Lucy. But sometimes Gabby hears more than she should and their not sure she has heard their discussions. One day Lucy takes there dog for a walk and doesn’t return.
Told in the voices of Lucy, Gabby and a little of Justin this is a book that really did not draw me in. I like to feel connected to the characters and in this instance, for me it wasn’t there. Sure, it was an easy read but I never felt invested in the storyline. I often have an issue with a younger narrator and perhaps this contributed to it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read

What a great book ... well written and a brilliant storyline about a family in turmoil. The story is about a mother wanting to move interstate to further her career as an astronomer, the father doing everything he can to win a seat in parliament, and the young daughter trying to understand the world and her family. A very hard novel to put down - filled with twists and turns, tears and laughter, excitement and tension. A gripping story that is well worth five (5) stars and I will now read all of Kimberley Starr's novels.