I struggled getting through the middle section and wanted to put it down. But the good ratings kept me reading and it was a beautifully written ending, and I am glad I read until the end.

Some GR reviewers have written about Kate Mortin's prose about the fictional (but realistic town) of Tambilla in Southern Australia. In hindsight, the length of the story did help flesh out the characters in ways that were important to their motivation(s) to what they did (or) didn't do when the reveals start being exposed.

I felt like I was there and involved in the community, as someone on a bench watching the characters go mosey down the main thoroughfare. Long time to sit on the bench though gawking at people.

I did think of which character I like reading about the most, and I surprised myself when I picked Polly. I won't go into detail here, but suffice to say she suffered the most, and I was keen on seeing how she reacted and handled the situations that arose. This isn't a spoiler as you learn early in the first chapter or so.

My first-time reading Kate Morton. I'm sure I will read some of her past work soon.