Having devoured Jane Harper's previous two books, 'The Dry' and 'Force of Nature', I was full of anticipation for this new book supplied to me ahead of publication as part of the #TheLostMan blog tour.

But I was bewildered by the opening chapters - when would Aaron Faulk appear?

Of course...he doesn't!

And, while this novel may have drawn me in more slowly, it ultimately proved just as gripping and all-consuming as Jane Harper's other novels.

So there may not be the police investigation, but there is it still the stifling backdrop of the Australian outback with its huge spaces and it's terrifying heat. And this time, these are very real contributory factors to the killing.

Two brothers meet at the remote border of their neighbouring cattle properties under the searing heat, isolated in the vast expanse of the outback. They've discovered the body of their middle brother, Cameron. He has perished, alone, beside this one landmark, the stockman's grave, seemingly seeking what little shelter is available before he finally succumbed.

What might have caused him to abandon his car with its shelter and supplies? Or was he brought here and left to die? Members of the family are wrought with grief and anguish as they are all forced to confront his terrible death, and what it means to their future together.

Little by little I was drawn deeper in to the lives of the central characters and was fascinated to learn more about their lives as individuals, as family members, as work colleagues and as members of the small community. It was beautifully done, peeling layer after layer to reveal the deepset emotions, the fears, the disappointments, the struggles. I was left pondering on the impact of a life. Brilliant!