Monday 19 August 2019

Book Review: Undara by Annie Seaton (Contemporary/Suspense)

Title: Undara
Author: Annie Seaton
Publisher:
Harlequin Australia

Publication Date: 22 July 2019
Pages:
400
Format:
Paperback
Genre:
Contemporary/Suspense
Source:
ARC from Publisher

 


Within the treacherous caves of Undara, a betrayal will test the bonds of friendship and family. A page-turning new eco-adventure for readers who love Di Morrissey.

When entomologist Emlyn Rees arrives at Hidden Valley she wants nothing more than to escape her marriage breakdown by burying herself in the research team's hunt for new species of insects in the depths of the dramatic Undara lava tubes. However, little does she suspect she will be the key to solving a mystery that's more than one hundred years old.

Travis Carlyle is initially resistant to letting some city folks tramp over his cattle station, but soon the researchers' findings and a growing friendship with Emlyn bring opportunities to turn around his struggling farm. With a broken marriage behind him and children to care for, Travis needs to plan for the future and this could be his family's best chance.

But when things start going wrong for the farm and around the dig site, Emlyn and Travis are at a loss as to understand why. Are they cursed with bad luck, or is there a more sinister force at play? Are the tall tales of enigmatic stockman Bluey turning true? As the unseen saboteur grows bolder, Emlyn and Travis are caught in a race against time to save the station ... and their lives.


I received a review copy of Undara out of the blue. It's not something I would naturally gravitate towards, but I decided to give it a go, and mostly I found it enjoyable. The prose was well written and easy reading, and the story had an interesting premise. I found some of the emotional side of things a tad overblown, but the story had a decent amount of tension and a pleasing ending and I am sure it will appeal to fans of this genre as it ticks all the boxes/tropes. For me, this was a 3.5-star read. While I wouldn't seek out her work, if I did come across other stories by Seaton, I would be willing to give them a try.

I received this book as a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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