The Name of the Sister (Gail Jones, Text)

The latest novel from award-winning author Gail Jones, The Name of the Sister, is a literary whodunnit set in a small mining town. The book begins with a woman stumbling onto an outback road at night, desperately seeking help. Her story makes headlines nationwide, but her inability to speak means she’s labelled the ‘Unknown Woman’. Angie, a journalist adjusting to freelance life, becomes determined to solve the mystery, enlisting the help of her childhood best friend Bev, a police inspector. The pair have different investigative styles but are united in restoring a woman’s identity and protecting others from harm. Jones’s signature style shines clearly in The Name of the Sister – at times verbose, often eloquent, and always attuned to the inner world of her characters. Angie and Bev are a welcome duo: they’re smart, strong and introspective women working in male-dominated fields. In the end, it’s Angie’s literary and intellectual knowledge that saves the day – a resolution that feels a little elitist, particularly when she must simplify her insights for Bev, experienced police officer Merle and knowledgeable local Tezza. Despite this, the novel is sharp and intriguing. The Name of the Sister is a lyrical and introspective story that explores loss, identity, femicide and the Australian public’s attitude towards women. It’s for fans of Jones’s previous work and readers of Andrea Goldsmith and Alex Miller.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Danielle Bagnato is a book reviewer and marketing and communications professional. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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