*The Backwater* is a moody and compelling mystery that grips you with its quiet intensity. Vikki Wakefield masterfully builds suspense through a slow-burning plot, set against the eerie, isolated backdrop of a rural town where secrets run deep. The characters are complex and flawed, making their motivations feel believable and their choices impactful. While the pacing is deliberately measured, the mystery at the heart of the story keeps you turning pages. Atmospheric, emotionally charged, and full of quiet tension—this is a mystery that sticks with you.

This one was interesting and I loved the characters and setting. I did find the middle to get into a slump with the pacing but powering through, it was still an enjoyable read if you like more crime fiction than thrillers.

The blurb doesn't do this one justice. Well written, compelling characters, and a twist filled mystery will have you reading late into the night. I found myself so immersed that hours passed before I knew it.

This was so, so good. A story about those who are left behind, that society forgets about as if they don't matter. Told in alternating timelines, Sabine is in hiding accused of a crime that took her family many years ago. In present day, Rachel, a journalist works to uncover what really happened in an effort to bring purpose to her own lift. In the process Rachel and Sabine uncover the dark truth about this small town and learn a lot about themselves along the way.

The storytelling was so rich, the supporting characters superb, down to Sabine's dog. I got Where the Crawdads Sing vibes and I hope that this book finds the same success.

This book was very reminiscent of Sadie by Courtney Summers, but a bit grittier. If you were a fan of that, I highly recommend this! It's cleverly plotted and perfectly paced.

Small town thriller. This is a longer book that takes its time telling a great, interesting story. Full of intrigue, suspense, and mystery. Sabine is a wonderfully written character. I hope that this becomes a series.

If you enjoyed “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens this book is for you. It’s a beautifully written story. “The Backwater’s” setting was inspired by the Murraylands and Riverland regions of South Australia. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Now this was definitely a compulsive read and hard to put down! Sabine has been on the run for years, considered guilty of the Far Peaks caravan fires where her mother and little sister, a policeman and other neighbours died. She’s been living on the river in a houseboat with help from her boyfriend, and her Pop who lives in a small house by the river. Pop’s neighbour Rachel, lives in a huge modern house on her own after her divorce. She’s a journalist and interested in the story and wants an interview with Sabine. One of the best characters is Sabine’s dog Blue. The novel goes back and forth between Rachel and Sabine’s point of view and eventually what happened back in 2007 is revealed.
I was drawn into the story from the start and it’s even harder to put down while reading the last chapters

A Fire, a River, and a Town Full of Lies

In this razor-sharp thriller, Vikki Wakefield proves she's not just another voice in Australian fiction – she's a force to be reckoned with. The story follows seventeen-year-old Sabine Kelly, whose world implodes when a fire tears through a trailer park, killing nine people, including her mother and sister. But in small towns, nothing is quite what it seems.

The real star here isn't just the mystery (though it's a doozy). It's Wakefield's writing. She turns rural Australia into a character itself – all red cliffs and sweeping willows at Shallow Bend, where secrets run as deep as the river that cuts through town. And man, can she write a sentence that cuts like a knife.

This book is set apart because it tackles big issues without getting preachy. Class divides, family reputations, small-town prejudices – they're all woven so naturally into the story that you hardly notice you're reading social commentary. The Kelly family's status as "trouble" feels less like a plot point and more like a gut punch.

Sabine is the kind of character who keeps you guessing. When you think you've figured her out, she'll do something that makes you question everything you thought you knew. The rest of the cast is just as complex – there are no cardboard cutouts here, just messy, complicated people making messy, complicated choices.

Sure, you might need to pay attention to keep all the threads straight. But that's the point. The truth is never simple, especially in a town where everyone has something to hide.

Bottom line: 'The Backwater' isn't just a crime novel – it's a masterclass in storytelling. Wakefield, who jumped from banking and journalism to writing, brings the kind of real-world insight that makes every revelation feel earned and every character feel lived-in.

3/5 stars

Perfect for: Anyone who likes their thrillers with a side of substance and doesn't mind staying up way too late to read 'just one more chapter.'

While this was a little slower paced than I usually like, I couldn't help but become captivated with the story. The main character, Sabine, is accused of setting a fire at age 17 that killed nine people. She ends up fleeing from the scene and has been in hiding. Until journalist, Rachel Weidermann, moves to the area and becomes determined to write a story on what really happened. I couldn't help but find Sabine somewhat naive and innocent and found myself rooting for her the entire story. The backstory of her childhood really creates a sense of empathy towards her character. The Backwater is a great addition to the crime fiction/thriller scene.

Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a captivating read! I felt so drawn to Sabine and her plight. I couldn’t help but root for her and at the same time wonder about her guilt. After being on the run for a substantial amount of time she decides to tell her story to a reporter dealing with her own struggles. This story was a mystery, a drama, and very relatable.

Thank you to Netgalley for this arc. I really enjoyed this story. It felt like I was in a movie. A fire kills 17 people and two of them being Sabine's mother and sister. She confesses to the murders and if arrested, but escapes custody and flees. Rachel is a journalist and everything in her life is falling apart, but she decides to get to the bottom of this story to reclaim her purpose back.

Sabine is about to turn 30 years old and has remained hidden roaming the river near her grandfather’s run down shack. That is until she comes into contact with Rachel. Rachel is her grandfather’s recently divorced neighbor and a laid off journalist with a passion for getting to the truth behind the story. For the past several years, Rachel has been fascinated and quite possibly obsessed with the story of the death of Sabine’s sister and mother in a fiery tragedy that claimed the lives of several people. Once Rachel really gets a look at Sabine, she knows for sure this is the suspected murderer who has been on the run. Rachel convinces Sabine that she wants to tell her story. As they get to know each other, bits and pieces of Sabine’s horrific childhood come together like the pieces of a puzzle. The story is equal parts gripping and disturbing. You can’t help but wonder what Sabine’s life may have been like if any part of her childhood had happened differently. This thriller is not only packed with action, but the story is so intricately woven, you aren’t able to guess what will happen next. The story comes full circle and ends exactly as it should. A great read!

I loved the scene of this novel, similar to Outer Banks or Where the Crawdads Sing. I am thrilled to report NOTHING HAPPENS TO THE DOG. You can proceed safely. It was a well wound, well told plot.

This book was a pleasant surprise.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, as it was a quick read and a good time.

What is a backwater? A PIECE OF WATER OFF TO THE SIDE OF A RIVER/LAKE –Sabine (17) was accused of starting a fire in a trailer park killing 9 people including her sister and mother. She confesses to the crime, was taken custody and somehow escaped and disappears into the backwaters of her childhood refuge.
Along comes Rachel who is trying to get back into finding out the story of Sabine and get her story about the Trailer Park Murders and enhance her career. But many things happen in that process.
I felt sorry for Sabine – no one knew the whole story (well someone knew but they weren’t talking) and what all happened that night of the fires. When you hear the whole story, you will understand exactly what happened that night but you have to listen to the whole story. Enjoy this great read. I look forward to Ms Wakefield's next book.

The Backwater by Vikki Wakefield is a beautifully written, poignant exploration of life in a small town and the complexities of growing up. Through the lens of her relatable and multi-dimensional characters, Wakefield paints an evocative portrait of isolation, self-discovery, and the tension between escape and belonging.

The novel centers on Sabine, a teenager caught between the stifling environment of her hometown and the pull of the larger world outside. Wakefield’s prose is atmospheric, capturing the quiet struggles and unspoken emotions that simmer beneath the surface of rural life. What stands out the most is Wakefield’s ability to create tension, not just through the plot, but through the sense of place—The Backwater is as much a character in itself as the people who inhabit it.

The narrative is at once a deep dive into the internal landscapes of its characters and a broader commentary on the issues that often define rural communities: the pressure to conform, the search for identity, and the elusive desire for more. The pace is steady, but not without moments of emotional upheaval that keep the reader invested.

What I Loved:
- The layered, realistic characters who feel authentic and raw.
- The quiet, atmospheric setting that feels like a character in itself.
- The emotional depth and nuanced exploration of small-town life.

What Could Be Improved:
- Some readers may find the slower pacing at times a bit too deliberate.
- A few secondary characters could’ve had more development to enrich the storyline.

Overall, The Backwater is a captivating read for anyone who enjoys reflective narratives and complex coming-of-age stories. It’s a book that lingers with you long after the last page.

Excellent crime thriller. I didn't know what to expect but this was amazing. Not usually into crime thriller but this one was good.

So many emotions. What a story this was. Years ago a fire in a trailer park community kills 9 people, including Sabine’s mom and sister. Sabine confesses at the site of the fire but escapes custody and goes on the run. 12 years later a recently divorced out of work journalist spots Sabine and they (kind of) work together to learn what really happened that day. This was an emotional story that was told really well. I absolutely loved the ending. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

The Backwater is an excellent crime mystery. The book partially takes place in present day and back at the time of the crime. Years ago, Sabina is accused of setting an explosion that killed multiple people including her mother and sister. Presently, Sabina is on the run and now trying to prove her innocence. Clues are slowly dropped giving lots of suspense that leads up to a satisfying conclusion.