Review: Devil's Lair

Title: Devil's Lair

Author: Sarah Barrie

Publisher: 17th June 2019 by Harlequin Australia, HQ (Fiction, Non Fiction, YA) & MIRA

Pages: 448 pages

How I Read It: ARC book

Genre: mystery, thriller

My Rating: 4.5 cups

Synopsis:

For readers of The Dark Lake and The Dry, comes this taut psychological suspense set in a dramatic Tasmanian landscape from bestselling author Sarah Barrie.

A lonely widow, a sinister act, a remote mansion with a dark past...

After the violent death of her husband, Callie Jones retreats to a cottage in the grounds of an old mansion in Tasmania. The relative remoteness of the place and the wild beauty of the Tasmanian landscape are a balm to her shattered nerves and the locals seem friendly, particularly horseman Connor Atherton and his siblings at the nearby property, Calico Lodge.

But all is not well: the old mansion has a sinister past, one associated with witchcraft and murder. As Callie is threatened by odd events in the night and strange dreams overtake her sleep, she begins to doubt her own sanity. What's really going on beneath the surface of this apparently peaceful town? Are her friends and neighbours really who they seem? As events escalate, Callie starts to realise that the mansion may hold the key to unlocking the mystery, but the truth might have as much power to destroy as it does to save.

My Thoughts

Devil’s Lair is a wonderful psychological thriller by Aussie author Sarah Barrie. A well crafted story set against the backdrop of the Tasmania wilderness, where murders are taking place and you will be kept guessing until the very end as to why everyone is so frightened and what is the motivation behind it all. 

It is easy to lose yourself in this murder mystery tale where elements of the supernatural combine nicely against a balance of new beginnings and a little romance. Although you might ascertain early on the who, it will be the why that will keep you turning pages with impactful revelations right to the very end. 

Sarah brings to life the magnificence of the Tasmania wilderness which provides the perfect remote backdrop for this thriller. The flora and fauna play a significant role in creating a suspenseful atmosphere. There are a range of well fleshed out characters, all with something to offer. The interactions, particularly between the Atherton family members, make it all appear so normal and relatable. There is Indy and Logan from Sarah’s previous book, however, this is most definitely a standalone read. There are characters you will love and some that will frighten and repulse you ... all comprising the necessities of a good murder mystery. 

With a little gothic flavour added to a murder mystery, Devil’s Lair is sure to please and keep you in suspense. If psychological thrillers are your thing, I have no doubt Sarah’s latest read will be sure to please. 

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.