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A blistering, deep and provocative novel containing moments of heartbreaking emotion and poignant humour. Fran leaves the city and returns to her childhood home in Australia to take care of her Dad. Memories rush back in, but then a devastating bush fire takes hold. The plot and location are as different as different can be when compared to her previous book Worst Case Scenario (a LoveReading Star Book), however I could still feel the distinctive style of Helen FitzGerald. She could plonk her next story on Mars and I would be desperate to read it, this is a writer that as a reader, I would follow anywhere. I just want to mention the stunning cover while I’m here, you’ll find out about it after you’ve finished reading the book, just take a good look before you start. The first chapter hits hard, straight into the middle of chaos, the impact was huge. Set over ten days, we travel with Fran as she returns to Ash Mountain, then back and forwards in time, dropping into her memories before marching on towards the fire. The intimacy of Fran’s life and searing shock of the fire made me shiver and flinch. This is 211 pages of truly fabulous writing, and an all-consuming read. Ash Mountain buffeted my thoughts and smashed my emotions, but oh my, it will be a book I will never forget. Chosen as a Liz Robinson Pick of the Month and a LoveReading Star Book, I really can’t praise it highly enough.
Single-mother Fran returns to her sleepy hometown to care for her dying father when a devastating bush fire breaks out. A devastating, disaster-noir thriller from the author of The Cry.
Fran hates Ash Mountain, and she thought she'd escaped. But her father is ill, and needs care. Her relationship is over, and she hates her dead-end job in the city, anyway.
She returns to her hometown to nurse her dying father, her distant teenage daughter in tow for the weekends. There, in the sleepy town of Ash Mountain, childhood memories prick at her fragile self-esteem, she falls in love for the first time, and her demanding dad tests her patience, all in the unbearable heat of an Australian summer.
As old friendships and rivalries are renewed, and new ones forged, Fran's tumultuous home life is the least of her worries, when old crimes rear their heads and a devastating bushfire ravages the town and all of its inhabitants...
Simultaneously a warm, darkly funny portrait of small-town life - and a woman and a land in crisis - and a shocking and truly distressing account of a catastrophic event that changes things forever, Ash Mountain is a heart-breaking slice of domestic noir, and a disturbing disaster thriller that you will never forget...
Closing date: 01/04/2021
In addition to our Lovereading expert opinion some of our Reader Review Panel were also lucky enough to read and review this title. You can click here to read the full reviews.
A darkly acerbic portrayal of small-town life and secrets and a searing portrayal of a natural disaster than changes everything... Full review
Helen Fitzgerald’s distinctive writing style, shockingly dark humour and feisty characters are back and I absolutely love it! Full review
A powerful, no-holds-barred piece of writing covering many complex family issues head-on. Full review
The ending was severe, hard-hitting and had me holding my breath, truly, truly well written and a denouement to a story like no other I’ve ever read. Full review
ISBN: 9781913193287
Publication date: 20/08/2020
Publisher: Orenda Books
Format: Paperback
| ISBN: | 9781913193287 |
| Publication date: | 20th August 2020 |
| Author: | Helen FitzGerald |
| Publisher: | Orenda Books |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 276 pages |
| Genres: | Action Adventure / Spy, Reader Reviewed Books, Family Drama, Liz Robinson's Picks of the Month, Modern and Contemporary Fiction, Shorter Reads, Star Books, Thriller / Suspense, |
| Collections: | 30 Novels Featuring The Lands Down Under, Our Favourite Books of 2020, |
| Categories: | Thriller / suspense, Adventure, Crime & mystery, |
Helen FitzGerald is one of thirteen children and grew up in Victoria, Australia. She now lives in Glasgow with her husband and two children. Helen has worked as a social worker for over ten years. She has published four other novels with Faber: Dead Lovely, My Last Confession, The Donor and most recently The Cry, which was longlisted for the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. Author photo © Anna Casci
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