by Anna Downes
“People do not just vanish. There is no ‘thin air,’ no ‘without a trace.’ Everyone leaves traces; you just have to find them. And if you can’t, it’s because you’re not looking in the right place.”
Anna Downes’ Red River Road is an ideal summer thriller that masterfully combines the allure of a road trip with the tension of a mystery. Set against the stunning backdrop of Australia’s western coast, the novel follows a gripping quest sparked by the disappearance of a young woman.
Phoebe, the protagonist, embraces the ‘vanlife’ lifestyle, embarking on a solo adventure along Australia’s rugged coastline. She shares her journey through social media, connecting with followers and offering insights into solo travel for women. However, when Phoebe suddenly vanishes, her sister Katy is compelled to follow in her footsteps, hoping to uncover the truth and find her missing sibling. Along the way, Beth enters the narrative, infiltrating the road trip while fleeing from her own peril. The dynamic between Katy and Beth adds layers of complexity as they find solace in each other, yet harbor secrets that threaten to unravel their fragile alliance. The central question looms: Who can be trusted, and what secrets are being concealed?
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Downes employs multiple points of view, including Phoebe’s social media posts, Katy, Beth, and a character named Wyatt. This narrative structure intricately weaves together various perspectives, each contributing a piece to the overarching puzzle. While this approach enriches the storytelling, it can occasionally make the connections between plotlines feel elusive, leading readers to question the reliability of the narrators. The enigmatic events that unfold during the road trip heighten the sense of suspense and anxiety, keeping readers engaged and eager to piece together the mystery.
Each character is distinctly voiced, making it easy to develop favorites among them. The use of unreliable narrators adds a layer of intrigue, as readers are constantly reassessing their assumptions about each character’s truthfulness. Despite anticipating a significant twist, the journey to its revelation remains captivating, showcasing Downes’ skill in intertwining individual storylines into a cohesive and satisfying conclusion. The novel’s pacing is strong from the outset, although the middle section may feel somewhat slow. Nevertheless, it maintains enough momentum to keep readers invested until the dramatic twist ignites the final act, delivering an exhilarating crescendo that sustains the tension to the very end.
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Red River Road not only delivers a compelling thriller but also delves into themes of female independence and the underlying violence faced by women. The Australian setting is vividly portrayed, adding depth and authenticity to the narrative. Anna Downes crafts a solid and engaging story, enriched with plausible twists and interconnected plotlines that avoid being overly convoluted. While the middle portion may drag slightly, the strong beginnings and conclusions ensure a rewarding reading experience. Overall, Red River Road is a thrilling summer read that successfully combines suspense, character development, and evocative settings.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (3.75/5)