Maryrose Cuskelly's novel seems to have taken Arthur Conan Doyle’s maxim to heart: ‘When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.’ Full Review at: Newtown Review of Books

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This crime novel follows the stalled investigation into the disappearance of 16 year old Janet with precious little evidence to her fate, in the conservative cane growing region of Queensland of the late 60's/ early 70's. Into the rural Quala Kaliope district is thrown Brisbane detective Carmel Maitland who has to wade through the distrust, prejudices, gossip, histories and suspicions of the district to give Janet’s tortured parents answers before the delayed cane burn starts. The narration swaps between boyfriend, neighbours, friends, police, school staff and worried parents to come to a satisfying wrap up to the story.
I’m not a big crime fiction reader but this was a comfortable, believable read and a pacy ending that wasn’t a chore to pick up. A good holiday read. ( )