Dark Desert Road (Tim Ayliffe, Echo)

Tim Ayliffe’s Dark Desert Road follows identical twins Kit and Billie, who grew up under the violent rule of their father – a man scarred by trauma from serving in Afghanistan. As adults, their paths diverge: Kit becomes a police officer determined to protect children from the abuse she endured; Billie remains trapped in a cycle of violence, controlled by her sovereign-citizen husband and his criminal world. Kit’s world is upended when she receives a desperate voicemail from Billie, pleading for Kit to help save her and her 3-year-old son. Kit embarks on a dangerous search through Sydney and outback NSW to uncover whom Billie has become entangled with. Taut and unflinching, this gritty thriller confronts domestic violence, the dangers of religious and ideological extremism, and the unbreakable bond between sisters. Ayliffe delivers tense, cinematic pacing and a clear moral core: despite their differences, both women are united in their instinct to protect those they love. Billie will do anything to protect her child, while Kit will stop at nothing to save her sister, even after years of silence. Ayliffe’s first standalone novel since his John Bailey series, Dark Desert Road retains Ayliffe’s signature focus on global politics and societal issues while shifting toward something more intimate. Beneath the brutality lies a haunting portrait of love, loyalty and the ties that survive even the darkest deserts. Perfect for fans of Chris Hammer and Garry Disher.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Aurelia Orr is a freelance reviewer and bookseller at Readings Kids. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

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