Wreck by Fleur Ferris is a book about a girl who gets swept up in events beyond her control after finding a note washed ashore in a bottle. I thought really? A message in a bottle? But don't let that turn you off because it was actually quite good. The note that Tamara finds is apparently from a guy named Christian who went missing five years ago after the family yacht capsized. The rest of the family was recovered but Christian never was. And there have been other notes- the problem is the people who found them ended up dead.
The book starts off fast with Tamara coming home and being assaulted right off the bat, her assailant wanting to know where the note is. From there it takes off and the story is told through the POV of both Tamara and William, one of the survivors of the yacht. William believes there is a more sinister reason for why Christian was never recovered, but Tamara doesn't know any of the background and eventually their stories converge. The story is fast paced and while it doesn't break any new ground in terms of twists or surprises, I was hooked. Tamara herself is very realistic and I could relate with most of her decisions- she goes through several days of sheer terror and I thought her reactions, her grief when bad things happen, was done very well.
There's a bit of a romance but not much, and to be honest I wasn't super convinced by it, but mainly this is a chase book, a race to find the truth and I enjoyed it a lot. Tamara doesn't know who she can trust, and I love books like that. The suspense is top notch and I loved the setting. It's primarily set in Melbourne but also in Sydney and I actually ordered this one from Australia as I'm not sure this is available yet in the US.
How would the assailant even know she found a note?
ReplyDeleteSshhh... you're not supposed to ask that. :) Seriously though she's a reporter and reported it...
DeleteI'm always up for a good suspense novel, but I'm with Blodeuedd. How did she get found out? Inquiring minds need to know. (lol) Hugs...
ReplyDeleteSee above ha ha. She's actually a reporter and reports the story, so that's they know her. It's a pretty good story actually. THanks for stopping!
DeleteNow this sounds like my kind of "message in a bottle" story. I will have to look for this one to be released in the US.
ReplyDeleteI know? When's the last time I read a story like that? No idea!!!
DeleteAlways looking for a good suspense, this looks interesting. I can def do without the romance if it doesn't make sense.
ReplyDeleteThe romance is very low key, it's more about the chase and the mystery.
DeleteI was only feeling luke warm about this one but now I'm more interested because of your review.
ReplyDeleteYeah it's not a bad read!
DeleteNot one I would have picked up but now you have me interested. Great review.
ReplyDeleteThanks Suzanna! I wasn't sure either but I saw it somewhere and thought why not?
DeleteOoh haven't heard of this until now! I'm definitely adding this to my TBR! Thanks for the review Greg!
ReplyDeleteThanks Gennifer! Hope you like it if you get to it...
DeleteSold! I love, love, LOVE a good suspense story and a thrilling chase! I'm going to grab this one. Awesome review, Greg! Thanks so much for putting this one on my radar :)
ReplyDeleteHa ha cool! Hope you like it! It was a pretty good read!
DeleteHmmm this sounds quite interesting! I love that it's set in Australia. And the whole not knowing who she can trust thing sounds great too! And if the suspense is good, then that kind of makes up for the shoddy romance anyway. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying the books set in australia that I've read recently. Nice change of venue...
DeleteHmm it looks quite intriguing there and it looks a bit different too! I'm curious!
ReplyDeleteIt was pretty good!
DeleteIt feels like a long time, I've read a book which is fast paced and action packed, like you said I do love my books which are full of suspense and keep you hanging on for more. I have to admit you do have my hooked by your review Greg, so thank you for putting it on my radar! Another great review! :)
ReplyDeleteI do like a good suspenseful read. :) And thanks, I hope you get a chance to read this one!
DeleteOh this sounds really good! And I love that it's set in Australia!
ReplyDeleteFor What It's Worth
Me too, I enjoyed the setting a lot.
DeleteCould do with some zombies to liven things up a bit...
ReplyDeleteLOL...sometimes a story can be old but told with the right pacing and wrapping can feel fresh and compelling.
ReplyDeleteI love a good chase book and the message in a bottle premise has me intrigued - especially since you enjoyed it. I definitely want to know what happens next! Though I do wonder why they always feel the need to add a romance in suspense. I enjoy a good romance but not every book needs one!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a fun one. I enjoy a good chase. I am glad you ended up liking this one.
ReplyDeleteOooh! I love Aussie writers! I guess I shouldn't assume this is an Australian author just because its set in Australia, though. This sounds exactly like my kind of read, though, Greg! I'm going to hunt this down. Wonderful review! :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a super interesting premise for a book. And I love the cover.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I don't think I've ever read a message in a bottle book before. Good review!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an interesting story.
ReplyDeleteoh here is the review! I love suspense too! poo thing!
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting read but I don't know if it would be a great fit for me. I also hate when you have a suspense book with romance which doesn't quite hit the mark. I'd rather the romance not be included. I may check it out from the library and see what I think.
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