Red River Road is the third book by author Anna Downes and it’s a psychological thriller that will have you hooked from the very first chapter. Anna’s previous two novels, The Safe Place (2020) and The Shadow House (2021) gained international success and this latest book is destined to be just as well received.
Set along the beautiful Coral Coast of Western Australia the book follows the journey of the main character, Katy, as she travels solo in a camper van while desperately searching for her sister who has disappeared without a trace along the very same route.
The story is told through three narrators: the grief stricken Katy who is on a mission to find her missing sister Phoebe; a solo traveller Beth who befriends Katy while escaping an abusive relationship with an accomplished travelling thief, Lucas Cleary; and Lucus’ younger brother, Wyatt, who lives in the small coastal town of Ningaloo and whose mother has also disappeared.
I confess it did take me a while to get used to the constant switching between narrators but it wasn’t off putting enough to stop me reading as each character’s story and perspective was totally riveting.
Having multiple narrators also works to create layers of intrigue with their sketchy lives (and even sketchier backstories) and it’s fair to say that nothing is as it seems and no one is as they appear. Nothing and no one in this book is irrelevant as even the most seemingly inconsequential side-characters that we encounter along the way provide breadcrumbs of clues as the plot progresses and builds. Cleverly, and grippingly frustrating, there are never enough clues to reveal what really happened to Katy’s missing sister.
While the story moves at a fast pace and the chapters are short, I didn’t find this a fast-to-read book as every character and every line is integral to the plot. I’ll also tell you that every chapter will leave you with an uneasy feeling of what is going on and the countless cliff hangers will keep you constantly guessing and wanting more.
By the middle of the book you may get the impression that you’ve unravelled the plot and solved the mystery but chances are you’re wrong as the twist at the end left me stunned and gobsmacked.
Red River Road really is a highly Australian, contemporary and edgy novel and its references to instagram and other social media platforms as well as the references to lesser known WA musicians and the social habit of taking ‘selfies’, anchor this novel in a particular time and place.
The book could also be considered as a travelogue as readers are presented with highly accurate descriptions of the stunning scenery, landmarks and towns found along the Coral Coast. Hence it was no surprise to later learn that the author had made the exact journey herself while researching for the book.
The depth of research on all levels is mind boggling, not just about vanlife and the locations, but of the field of psychology. Anyone interested in the human psyche, personality disorders and the effects of trauma will also find this a fascinating read.
It’s important to add that there are many descriptions to physical violence, domestic violence and sexual abuse so take care reading this book if these things are likely to upset you.
Red River Road is also a cautionary tale about solo travel and the book could be considered as a safety guide (if not an unsettling one) as it includes a plethora of tips and advice about things to be wary of if you’re a female thinking of going travelling alone.
I highly recommend Red River Road to anyone who’s a fan of crime fiction, mysteries and thrillers with a touch of horror thrown in. I definitely, definitely give this book ten out of ten!
Author: Anna Downes
Publisher: Affirm Press
ISBN: 9 781922 863751
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This book review is supported by the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund.
