Title: TO THE RIVER
Author: Vikki Wakefield
ISBN: 978 1915 7983 12
Publisher: No Exit Press
Pages: 352
Source: Review copy from the Publisher
Blog Tour Organised by Random Things Tours
The Kelly family has always been trouble. When a fire in a remote caravan community kills nine people, including 17-year-old Sabine Kelly’s mother and sister, Sabine confesses to the murders. Shortly after, she escapes custody and disappears. Recently made redundant from marriage, motherhood and her career, journalist Rachel Weirdermann has long suspected Sabine made her way back to the river-now, twelve years after the ‘Caravan Murders’, she has the time and the tenacity to corner a fugitive and land the story of the year.
Rachel’s ambition lights the fuse leading to a brutal chain of events, and the web Sabine weaves will force Rachel to question everything she believes. Vikki Wakefield’s compelling story is about class, corruption, love, loyalty, and the vindication of truth and justice. And a brave dog called Blue.
Official Summary
22 March 2024
This book is a riveting exploration of the tangled web that binds the Kelly family and the repercussions of a tragic fire that claimed nine lives in a remote caravan community. The story starts with a bang as 17-year-old Sabine Kelly confesses to the murders, setting off a chain of events that will keep you hooked until the final page.
The narrative takes a unique turn as journalist Rachel Weirdermann, recently facing redundancy in marriage, motherhood and career embarks on a quest to capture the elusive Sabine, suspected to have returned to the river where the Caravan Murders occurred twelve years ago. The author neatly navigates the complexities of class, corruption, love and loyalty, infusing the story with layers that add depth and resonance. This story’s strength lies in the well-rounded characters, each struggling with their demons. Rachel’s ambition to land the story of the year acts as the catalyst for a suspenseful and brutal series of events. The author weaves a narrative that not only explores the vindication of truth and justice but also forces Rachel to confront her own beliefs and convictions.
The inclusion of a brave dog named Blue adds a touch of heartwarming loyalty and serves as s symbolic anchor in the face of the darkness surrounding the caravan Murders. The writing style is evocative, drawing you into the atmospheric setting and the emotional turmoil of the characters. While the plot unfolds with a well-managed pace, there were instances where the story’s predictability slightly diminished the element of surprise. Additionally, some characters’ motivations could have been explored in greater detail. However, these minor points do not detract significantly from the overall impact of the novel.
“To The River” is a compelling and emotionally charged read that digs into the intricacies of family, societal issues and the pursuit of justice, The author’s storytelling and conceptual richness earn this novel a solid four stars, making it a worthwhile addition to your TBR if you enjoy suspense.
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Also by Vikki Wakefield
Friday Brown
I am Friday Brown. I buried my mother. My grandfather buried a swimming pool. A boy who can’t speak has adopted me. A girl kissed me. I broke and entered. Now I’m fantasizing about a guy who’s a victim of crime and I am the criminal. I’m going nowhere and every minute I’m not moving, I’m being tail-gated by a curse that may or may not be real. They call me Friday. It has been foretold that on a Saturday I will drown…
Friday, 17, flees memories of her mother, granddad, and the family curse. She joins Silence in a street gang led by the beautiful charismatic Arden and escapes to a ghost town in the outback. In Murungal Creek, the town of never leaving, Friday faces the ghosts of her past. Sometimes you have to stay to finish what you started, and before you can find out who you are, you have to become someone you never meant to be.
About The Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Vikki Wakefield writes fiction for adults and young adults. Her novels have been shortlisted for numerous awards. After You Were Gone, a psychological thriller, was her first novel for adults, and was published in 2022, to much acclaim. To The River is her second psychological thriller for adults. Vikki lives in Adelaide, South Australia.
Thank you to Anne Cater, from Random Things Tours, for including me on this blog tour. I am new to this author and found myself completely engrossed in this story. I hope you enjoy this one as well and look forward to hearing what you think of this one. Until next time…Happy Reading!
Thanks for the blog tour support x