I'd heard much hype about this one - Kyle Perry's debut novel - and was keen to read it. Being a fledgling Tasmania author myself, I love to read what other Tasmanian's are writing.

I have a strong interest in Tasmanian wilderness and landscape, and yes, I'm aware of some of the myths and folklore surrounding the place. And more importantly, I've been there.

It was refreshing to read a book set in Tasmania, written by a Tasmanian with such a keen sense of place, the people, and recent history. Compared to some of the 'outsider' attempts at 'Tasmanian' novels I've read recently, this one shone brightly.

This book has two prominent strengths. Firstly, the characters are as strong as ever. Wonderfully created and described, and true to themselves right through the story. Some of the characters I thought I could almost recognise, and most of the others I got to know quite well. There were a few deviations where it felt character arcs were being overdone, and a few red herrings that went nowhere, but I think every book has these to some degree.

The second strength is the description and sense of place. It's obvious Perry knows this area well, and his feel for the rocks, the fauna, and particularly the flora is clear and nicely delivered.

The story was intriguing and certainly drew me in. There were enough rabbit-holes, diversions and surprises to keep me guessing. I was reading more quickly as I neared the ending - which is a sign of a good thriller.

I felt the story was a touch overdone and overly complex in places, though. There are many characters, roles, and sub-plots to keep track of and this was a struggle sometimes. I found a few angles only marginally believable. The Madison character would have been pulled into line and disarmed much earlier in a real police operation. The idea of her roaming free with her videos and socials and causing more mayhem days into the drama just would not happen. And being allowed to keep her YouTube channel afterwards and use it for 'good', um ... nah. The pre-ending, the whole Jasmine for a year thing, was a bit hard to swallow as well.

The actual ending, though, was well crafted. You're left hanging on a loose end, but not disappointingly so. I would have been ticked-off if everything had been tidied up to the point where you knew the legend about the bluffs was either true, or not.

There are those who say they've had experiences of spiritual things in Tasmania's wild heart. The place certainly has a sense all its own ... it is utterly unique. But it's not an indigenous thing, although the indigenous people would have their own angles on all this I'm sure. No, it's far more ancient and more base than human civilisation. You can feel it there in the rocks and the trees. Some Tasmanians I've talked to reckon they've experienced more than simply 'feeling' it. Maybe they have, maybe they haven't. I don't know. But you get a sense, reading The Bluffs, that Kyle Perry may be one of those who have.

Or was that just the Bush Bud talking? :) ( )

Limestone Creek, a small town, exists on the very edge of the Tasmanian wilderness, so close that it is a short walk from the local high school to the mountains, rumoured to be inhabited by The Hungry Man. If you see him or hear him, you die. Is that what happened to 5 school girls 3 decades ago? And now, 4 girls go missing.

And Limestone Creek is put on the map by social media. People flood into the town from other places in Tasmania, a police investigator with a history sweeps in from Hobart, and a local teenager floods YouTube with pre-prepared videos. And then a body is found.

The author uses several voices to explore relationships at the school, between adults and the teenagers, and among the teenagers themselves. The father of one of the girls is the local drug grower and dealer. Some of the adults prey on the school girls, betraying their duty of care.

This is a novel that crosses boundaries. I'm not sure that the final resolution is particularly credible, but the author certainly achieved his aim of keeping me reading. ( )

When a teacher is attacked and four teenage girls go missing in the dense wilderness of Tasmania’s Great Western Tiers during a school excursion, the residents of Limestone Creek, angry and frightened, are quick to assign blame. Some suspect a local drug dealer is responsible, others speculate one of the girls has a guilty lover, while it suits the sister of a missing girl to reanimate the legend of ‘The Hungry Man’, a killer said to stalk the Tiers.

Unfolding largely from the perspectives of three characters, teacher Eliza Ellis, the father of a missing girl, Jordan Murphy, and the investigating detective, Con Badenhorst, the fast paced narrative builds tension and intrigue from the very first, hinting at deception, betrayal, corruption, and explosive secrets.

The insinuation of the supernatural plays perfectly against the contemporary elements, with recognisable inspiration drawn from Picnic at Hanging Rock, the legend of Slenderman, and the case of Michelle Carter, tied in with Aboriginal legend.

Perry effortlessly evokes a visceral response to the dense bushland of the bluffs in which the girls go missing, and the small town it shadows. The area’s erratic weather reflects the mood of the insular community, and the development of the investigation.

Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. A stunning debut from Kyle Perry, The Bluffs is an atmospheric, and compelling tale with twists and turns that will keep you wondering about the fate of the girls to the very last pages. ( )