See How They Fall (Rachel Paris, Hachette)

Rachel Paris’s debut novel, See How They Fall, is an artfully plotted thriller that masterfully delivers unexpected twists to keep readers hooked until its satisfying conclusion. Set in the privileged world of the Turner dynasty, the novel follows the tragic aftermath of a tense and eventful dinner at the family’s secluded compound, Yallambee. A murder and poisoning send shockwaves through the family, leaving the brothers scrambling to mitigate a PR disaster while burying their secrets deeper than anyone could ever uncover. The story alternates between two protagonists — Skye Turner and Detective Senior Sergeant Mei O’Connor — as they race to uncover the truth behind Nina Turner’s murder and the poisoning of Skye’s daughter, Tilly. As conspiracies and cover-ups come to light, the gilded façade of the Turner family’s privileged world begins to crumble, and both women must do everything in their power to save the people they love. Paris avoids clichés, tropes, and stereotypes, and deftly crafts well-developed characters who leap from the page. Beautiful descriptions of urban and rural landscapes add a literary richness to this page-turning thriller, establishing Paris as an author to watch in the world of domestic noir literature. See How They Fall will appeal to fans of Liane Moriarty, Sally Hepworth and Stephanie Bishop.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Kate Frawley is a former bookseller and a librarian in training. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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