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The Chasm
Atmospheric, thrilling and twisty - a white-knuckled mystery set among Victoria's most rugged mountains from an exciting new voice in Australian noir. Perfect for fans of Wake and Exiles .
Every town needs somewhere to hide their secrets. Andy King knew she should never return to Stonefield. Ten years ago, her boyfriend Will Hoffman disappeared without a trace and most people in the town thought she was to blame. But a decade is a long time to be homesick, and she isn't technically going back there. Only to Taplin, a small town in the neighbouring valley, far enough away from Stonefield she can stay under the radar, but close enough to the mountains that she can feel their pulse and breathe their special brand of oxygen. And it's only for four weeks, after all. But Andy didn't bargain on running into those who are still looking for Will, the ones who have the most to lose if he is ever found. Andy will go to her grave before she reveals what had happened back then, but when she realises that those same people have other secrets hidden in the mountains, it's clear she's once again in their way. And this time sending her to her grave is exactly their intention.
Every town needs somewhere to hide their secrets. Andy King knew she should never return to Stonefield. Ten years ago, her boyfriend Will Hoffman disappeared without a trace and most people in the town thought she was to blame. But a decade is a long time to be homesick, and she isn't technically going back there. Only to Taplin, a small town in the neighbouring valley, far enough away from Stonefield she can stay under the radar, but close enough to the mountains that she can feel their pulse and breathe their special brand of oxygen. And it's only for four weeks, after all. But Andy didn't bargain on running into those who are still looking for Will, the ones who have the most to lose if he is ever found. Andy will go to her grave before she reveals what had happened back then, but when she realises that those same people have other secrets hidden in the mountains, it's clear she's once again in their way. And this time sending her to her grave is exactly their intention.
Unknown Binding
First published August 2, 2023
17 people are currently reading
397 people want to read
About the author
Bronwyn Hall
2 books36 followersBronwyn Hall never intended on being a writer. Her career has been spent working in health and community services, spanning aged care, disability and mental health. She has a bachelor's degree in English Literature (and Psychology-for the day job) and she comes from a family of passionate readers.
Born and bred in Australia, Bronwyn has a love for new cultures and environments, having lived for several years in both Papua New Guinea and Brazil. She is deeply intrigued by the extraordinary breadth of qualities that make up the complex creatures called humans - not least, their quiet conquering of adversity.
Bronwyn lives and writes on Wurundjeri land in Melbourne, Australia.
Born and bred in Australia, Bronwyn has a love for new cultures and environments, having lived for several years in both Papua New Guinea and Brazil. She is deeply intrigued by the extraordinary breadth of qualities that make up the complex creatures called humans - not least, their quiet conquering of adversity.
Bronwyn lives and writes on Wurundjeri land in Melbourne, Australia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
August 9, 2023
Andy King arrived in Taplin, only a short distance from her home town of Stonefield, with trepidation in her heart. She was to be the locum vet for four weeks, helping out Matt, the local vet who had injured himself. She knew it was ten years since she and her father had left Stonefield for Melbourne, but the people involved had long memories.
Helping old Jim put his beloved dog to sleep; stitching up a bull mauled by dogs; fixing mastitis in a cow - all part of the job she loved. But meeting Ethan on his parents farm, where his sister Holly was ill, plus meeting Angel, Holly's care-dog, Andy felt her emotions from the friendliness of strangers bring her home. But not all were friendly. The neighbours to Ethan's farm wanted the property, and it seemed they would stop at nothing in their ways of intimidation. Andy was scared, but determined not to show it. But when they went too far, Andy decided not to take it any more. The last ten years had been bad - they weren't going to add to the secrets she'd hidden for all that time...
The Chasm is a brilliant second novel from Aussie author Bronwyn Hall. I loved her debut - Gone to Ground - and this one, although completely different, was the same, with the gritty, heart stopping, breathtaking moments, meaning I couldn't stop reading until the book was finished! Set in the rugged Victorian bushland, and with exceptional characters - especially Big Jack - The Chasm is another I recommend highly.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Helping old Jim put his beloved dog to sleep; stitching up a bull mauled by dogs; fixing mastitis in a cow - all part of the job she loved. But meeting Ethan on his parents farm, where his sister Holly was ill, plus meeting Angel, Holly's care-dog, Andy felt her emotions from the friendliness of strangers bring her home. But not all were friendly. The neighbours to Ethan's farm wanted the property, and it seemed they would stop at nothing in their ways of intimidation. Andy was scared, but determined not to show it. But when they went too far, Andy decided not to take it any more. The last ten years had been bad - they weren't going to add to the secrets she'd hidden for all that time...
The Chasm is a brilliant second novel from Aussie author Bronwyn Hall. I loved her debut - Gone to Ground - and this one, although completely different, was the same, with the gritty, heart stopping, breathtaking moments, meaning I couldn't stop reading until the book was finished! Set in the rugged Victorian bushland, and with exceptional characters - especially Big Jack - The Chasm is another I recommend highly.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
August 17, 2023
I loved Bronwyn Hall’s debut, Gone to Ground and was really excited about her new book and can I say WOW again, what a fabulous action packed story this one is, from start to finish it kept me engrossed and on the edge of my seat at times, this one has some twists and turns, it is a must read come along and meet Andy, you are going to love her.
Andy King moved away from her home town of Stonefield ten years ago in a cloud of mystery, she went off to university and is now a vet doing locum work around Victoria and loving it, when she is asked by her friend Matt to do four weeks at Taplin which is very close to Stonefield, surely after ten years no one will remember her if she meets up with some of the locals.
Meeting some of the wonderful farmers and their families in Taplin is a pleasure for Andy, especially Ethan and his family, his sister Holly is not well and she has a beautiful support dog Angel and a horse Big Jack, and Ethan’s mother remembers Andy from her riding days years ago and soon Andy is riding Big Jack and it feels good to back in the saddle. But while she is out one evening with Ethan she meets up with someone from her past, someone dangerous, and he wants answers about her missing boyfriend Will Hoffman from ten years ago but Andy will never, never tell anyone what happened all those years ago.
When Andy discovers information about the people from her past and sees that they are also now threatening Ethan and his family things are now getting very dangerous, threats are coming thick and fast and Andy and Ethan find themselves in an extremely dangerous situation, will they be able to get out of it or will the past be repeating itself?
I loved this one from start to finish, I could not put this one down and had a very late night last night, the strength and courage Andy shows is awesome, she and Ethan with the help of Big Jack are doing everything to stay alive, but will they make it? Will the past secrets come out?
You must read this one, if you love a gripping, riveting stories that will keep you up late then read this one, I do highly recommend it, come along and see how everything turns out. A fabulous story one not to be missed.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
Andy King moved away from her home town of Stonefield ten years ago in a cloud of mystery, she went off to university and is now a vet doing locum work around Victoria and loving it, when she is asked by her friend Matt to do four weeks at Taplin which is very close to Stonefield, surely after ten years no one will remember her if she meets up with some of the locals.
Meeting some of the wonderful farmers and their families in Taplin is a pleasure for Andy, especially Ethan and his family, his sister Holly is not well and she has a beautiful support dog Angel and a horse Big Jack, and Ethan’s mother remembers Andy from her riding days years ago and soon Andy is riding Big Jack and it feels good to back in the saddle. But while she is out one evening with Ethan she meets up with someone from her past, someone dangerous, and he wants answers about her missing boyfriend Will Hoffman from ten years ago but Andy will never, never tell anyone what happened all those years ago.
When Andy discovers information about the people from her past and sees that they are also now threatening Ethan and his family things are now getting very dangerous, threats are coming thick and fast and Andy and Ethan find themselves in an extremely dangerous situation, will they be able to get out of it or will the past be repeating itself?
I loved this one from start to finish, I could not put this one down and had a very late night last night, the strength and courage Andy shows is awesome, she and Ethan with the help of Big Jack are doing everything to stay alive, but will they make it? Will the past secrets come out?
You must read this one, if you love a gripping, riveting stories that will keep you up late then read this one, I do highly recommend it, come along and see how everything turns out. A fabulous story one not to be missed.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
July 17, 2024
This book takes a little while to get going and then boom! You can't put it down.
Andy is a locum vet sent to a small country practice to help out while the local vet is injured. He is a friend and she feels she owes him, despite the fact that she has a long and dark history with the neighbouring town. Determined not to like the place or to get close to anyone, Andy does her best to keep everyone at arms length and avoid as much as possible people who knew her as a teenager.
However, as you may guess, despite her efforts the past does catch up with her, and as Andy earns the trust of the local farmers, her identification as a 'murder suspect' could bring this undone in a second.
This book is a great read, and really gets the balance of suspense and intrigue just right to be believable. I recommend this to those who enjoy a good thriller.
Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Australia HQ for the opportunity to read this digital ARC.
Andy is a locum vet sent to a small country practice to help out while the local vet is injured. He is a friend and she feels she owes him, despite the fact that she has a long and dark history with the neighbouring town. Determined not to like the place or to get close to anyone, Andy does her best to keep everyone at arms length and avoid as much as possible people who knew her as a teenager.
However, as you may guess, despite her efforts the past does catch up with her, and as Andy earns the trust of the local farmers, her identification as a 'murder suspect' could bring this undone in a second.
This book is a great read, and really gets the balance of suspense and intrigue just right to be believable. I recommend this to those who enjoy a good thriller.
Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Australia HQ for the opportunity to read this digital ARC.
January 1, 2026
I thought this one was average; not great, not bad. It was an easy enough read with a fair amount of action. It's hard to explain without doing any spoilers, so I'll just say that I felt that the full explanation around certain events that happened was a tad dramatic. There were a few really small things that weren't fleshed out enough for me as well; for example, there was a specific mention of Andy being fast at vet duties in the surgery and multiple people being surprised... why were they surprised? I'm not sure.
As most of the reviews on Goodreads are quite positive, I clearly am in the minority with my opinion so if the synopsis interests you then definitely give it a go.
As most of the reviews on Goodreads are quite positive, I clearly am in the minority with my opinion so if the synopsis interests you then definitely give it a go.
September 19, 2023
The Chasm by Bronwyn Hall
Synopsis /
Every town needs somewhere to hide their secrets. Andy King knew she should never return to Stonefield. Ten years ago, her boyfriend Will Hoffman disappeared without a trace and most people in the town thought she was to blame. But a decade is a long time to be homesick, and she isn't technically going back there. Only to Taplin, a small town in the neighbouring valley, far enough away from Stonefield she can stay under the radar, but close enough to the mountains that she can feel their pulse and breathe their special brand of oxygen. And it's only for four weeks, after all. But Andy didn't bargain on running into those who are still looking for Will, the ones who have the most to lose if he is ever found. Andy will go to her grave before she reveals what had happened back then, but when she realises that those same people have other secrets hidden in the mountains, it's clear she's once again in their way. And this time sending her to her grave is exactly their intention.
My Thoughts /
3.5 rounded up to 4 ⭐
I absolutely adored Hall's debut novel, Gone to Ground. A fast-paced novel with a military theme, full of suspense and danger, military tactics and drama, with just a 'smidge' of romance - all set deep in the jungle of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I can remember it like yesterday.
To say I had high expectations going into her second novel, well, you wouldn't be wrong, and that's where it all fell apart.
The Chasm is a slooooow burn, so if you don't mind being trickle fed, then the pace of this novel won't be an issue. The first half seems to be dedicated to 'setting the scene'. Hall introduces us to Andy King. Andy works as a locum vet taking short term appointments to cover for things like annual leave, maternity leave, and illness. We meet Andy after she arrives to fill a locum position in Taplin - a small country town nestled in the Victorian mountains. Her duties are all fairly routine jobs for a country vet and included travelling out to properties to provide general veterinary services. One of the callouts was to Ethan Landers property - here Andy was tasked to check all their cows to determine if they were pregnant. And yes, Andy and Ethan become attracted to one another. But that's where the story became a little lost for me.
We learn that this is not Andy's first-time visiting Taplin. Andy grew up in the town of Stonefield, which is next door to Taplin, but she left over ten years ago under a cloud. Andy's best friend Will Hoffman had disappeared, believed murdered, and, despite there being no body or evidence to suggest this, rumour was that Andy, and her father were both involved.
Hall trickle feeds us clues and snippets about the disappearance while continuing with the thread in the present day. And it's here that I became confused as to whether this was a 'romance' novel or a 'mystery crime thriller'. It seemed to me that Hall was devoting equal time to both and for me, the romance element was an irritating distraction.
Despite this criticism, there were moments of ingenuity which reminded me of why I enjoyed Hall's previous novel. Most of the characters were endearing, the plot was plausible and easily read. I'm just not sure that the two stories were suited to the one book.
I finished reading this about nine days ago now and have been sitting on my thoughts before putting fingers to the keyboard.
My review will sit somewhere in outlier land, but that's okay; and I'm looking forward to what Hall will serve us up next.
Synopsis /
Every town needs somewhere to hide their secrets. Andy King knew she should never return to Stonefield. Ten years ago, her boyfriend Will Hoffman disappeared without a trace and most people in the town thought she was to blame. But a decade is a long time to be homesick, and she isn't technically going back there. Only to Taplin, a small town in the neighbouring valley, far enough away from Stonefield she can stay under the radar, but close enough to the mountains that she can feel their pulse and breathe their special brand of oxygen. And it's only for four weeks, after all. But Andy didn't bargain on running into those who are still looking for Will, the ones who have the most to lose if he is ever found. Andy will go to her grave before she reveals what had happened back then, but when she realises that those same people have other secrets hidden in the mountains, it's clear she's once again in their way. And this time sending her to her grave is exactly their intention.
My Thoughts /
3.5 rounded up to 4 ⭐
I absolutely adored Hall's debut novel, Gone to Ground. A fast-paced novel with a military theme, full of suspense and danger, military tactics and drama, with just a 'smidge' of romance - all set deep in the jungle of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I can remember it like yesterday.
To say I had high expectations going into her second novel, well, you wouldn't be wrong, and that's where it all fell apart.
The Chasm is a slooooow burn, so if you don't mind being trickle fed, then the pace of this novel won't be an issue. The first half seems to be dedicated to 'setting the scene'. Hall introduces us to Andy King. Andy works as a locum vet taking short term appointments to cover for things like annual leave, maternity leave, and illness. We meet Andy after she arrives to fill a locum position in Taplin - a small country town nestled in the Victorian mountains. Her duties are all fairly routine jobs for a country vet and included travelling out to properties to provide general veterinary services. One of the callouts was to Ethan Landers property - here Andy was tasked to check all their cows to determine if they were pregnant. And yes, Andy and Ethan become attracted to one another. But that's where the story became a little lost for me.
We learn that this is not Andy's first-time visiting Taplin. Andy grew up in the town of Stonefield, which is next door to Taplin, but she left over ten years ago under a cloud. Andy's best friend Will Hoffman had disappeared, believed murdered, and, despite there being no body or evidence to suggest this, rumour was that Andy, and her father were both involved.
Hall trickle feeds us clues and snippets about the disappearance while continuing with the thread in the present day. And it's here that I became confused as to whether this was a 'romance' novel or a 'mystery crime thriller'. It seemed to me that Hall was devoting equal time to both and for me, the romance element was an irritating distraction.
Despite this criticism, there were moments of ingenuity which reminded me of why I enjoyed Hall's previous novel. Most of the characters were endearing, the plot was plausible and easily read. I'm just not sure that the two stories were suited to the one book.
I finished reading this about nine days ago now and have been sitting on my thoughts before putting fingers to the keyboard.
My review will sit somewhere in outlier land, but that's okay; and I'm looking forward to what Hall will serve us up next.
August 1, 2023
Andy King is a vet working as a locum in a small town nestled in the Victorian mountains. She has returned to the region in which she grew up and is fearful of the fact that there will be people who remember the events that took place immediately before she left the town of Stonefield. But she made a promise to her friend Matt that she would take over his practice while he took a break.
All seems to be tracking nicely as Andy performs the routine tasks required of a vet in a country practice. Checking for pregnant cows, desexing goats and removing grass seeds from dog’s ears are all standard jobs and Andy is adept at each. She stays comfortably removed from the locals, getting in, doing her job and getting out again, all part of the plan to remain under the radar. But that changes while she’s on the Landers property where she meets young Ethan Landers, his sick sister and her support dog Angel and their horse Big Jack.
It’s while she’s on the Landers property that the first sign of trouble starts in the form of a drone that sweeps slowly over the land. She learns that the reason it’s doing this is because a large corporate neighbour wants to build an access road through one of their paddocks. It’s an intimidatory tactic that’s been going on for some time trying to get Ethan to sign away part of the farm.
Just when it appears we’re getting a Victorian-set James Herriott type of story, things take a turn for the dangerous as intimidation turns into abduction and the pace of the story abruptly changes. The easy country life becomes a full-on drama and Andy is thrust squarely in the centre of it in a classic life or death struggle.
This is a strong thriller that divides into two distinctly different halves that serve the purpose of setting the scene before unleashing the action. The first half of the book establishes the promise of what could be a pleasant lifestyle in an idyllic setting. There’s a hint of a possible romance and perhaps a solid long-term job opportunity. But it also hints at a hidden past and a dangerous man who’s part of that past. It’s a rather careful build up to establish a rapport with Andy as well as an understanding of her strengths and weaknesses.
In contrast, the second half is far more explosive as the vaguely threatening overtones are realised in a violent invasion. Suddenly, the story of a vet doing her rounds becomes a desperate chase to evade killers while also trying to figure out how to save someone who has been abducted.
There are some great moments of ingenuity and good use of modern technology throughout as the idyllic landscape is the vital scene for the hunter and the hunted to play. Difficulties such as the steep mountain slopes, the thick bushland and the chasm for which the title takes its name all play crucial roles.
The Chasm turns out to be a frantic thriller stacked with moments of close calls and danger. It benefits from a thoughtful backstory to provide added depth to the main characters and to further establish the threat from the bad guys. It’s another quality small-town Aussie thriller that I found completely absorbing.
Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Australia HQ for the opportunity to read and enjoy this digital ARC.
All seems to be tracking nicely as Andy performs the routine tasks required of a vet in a country practice. Checking for pregnant cows, desexing goats and removing grass seeds from dog’s ears are all standard jobs and Andy is adept at each. She stays comfortably removed from the locals, getting in, doing her job and getting out again, all part of the plan to remain under the radar. But that changes while she’s on the Landers property where she meets young Ethan Landers, his sick sister and her support dog Angel and their horse Big Jack.
It’s while she’s on the Landers property that the first sign of trouble starts in the form of a drone that sweeps slowly over the land. She learns that the reason it’s doing this is because a large corporate neighbour wants to build an access road through one of their paddocks. It’s an intimidatory tactic that’s been going on for some time trying to get Ethan to sign away part of the farm.
Just when it appears we’re getting a Victorian-set James Herriott type of story, things take a turn for the dangerous as intimidation turns into abduction and the pace of the story abruptly changes. The easy country life becomes a full-on drama and Andy is thrust squarely in the centre of it in a classic life or death struggle.
This is a strong thriller that divides into two distinctly different halves that serve the purpose of setting the scene before unleashing the action. The first half of the book establishes the promise of what could be a pleasant lifestyle in an idyllic setting. There’s a hint of a possible romance and perhaps a solid long-term job opportunity. But it also hints at a hidden past and a dangerous man who’s part of that past. It’s a rather careful build up to establish a rapport with Andy as well as an understanding of her strengths and weaknesses.
In contrast, the second half is far more explosive as the vaguely threatening overtones are realised in a violent invasion. Suddenly, the story of a vet doing her rounds becomes a desperate chase to evade killers while also trying to figure out how to save someone who has been abducted.
There are some great moments of ingenuity and good use of modern technology throughout as the idyllic landscape is the vital scene for the hunter and the hunted to play. Difficulties such as the steep mountain slopes, the thick bushland and the chasm for which the title takes its name all play crucial roles.
The Chasm turns out to be a frantic thriller stacked with moments of close calls and danger. It benefits from a thoughtful backstory to provide added depth to the main characters and to further establish the threat from the bad guys. It’s another quality small-town Aussie thriller that I found completely absorbing.
Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Australia HQ for the opportunity to read and enjoy this digital ARC.
July 23, 2024
3.5★
I'm being contrary here, compared to other reviewers, but I preferred the mystery part of this story, and got bored when it ramped up into action/thriller.
Andy King is a locum vet doing her old classmate a favour by taking over the heavy work at his practice for a few weeks, in rural northern Victoria. The town where she's based, Taplin, is on the other side of the mountain from the town where she grew up, Stonefield. Andy and her Dad left Stonefield under a shroud of controversy when she was a teenager, and she has no desire to stir up the scandal by showing her face there again. But so far, so good. Some of the Taplin locals remember her from back then, but they seem to be more interested in her veterinary skills and reminiscing about her old equestrian accomplishments. That is until she agrees to go out for a drink with Ethan Landers, and the two of them are sprung by Springfield local, Connor Reilly.
It was inevitable that Reilly would run into Andy, because he was intent on finding Ethan to discuss a business proposition. Full of regrets for letting down her guard, Andy resolves to lie low for the remaining time on her contract, then leave as quickly as she can. But of course, that's never gonna happen.
What I really liked about this book were the veterinary life details, and also the fact that the author disclosed one of Andy's secrets quite early in the story. The thing that didn't work so well for me was mainly the whole deal with the villains - who they were, what they were up to, how they acted (especially that scene in the police station) - but also the extended chase, which had me reading just a couple of pages at a time before getting distracted by other things.
But on the whole I thought it was an entertaining read, and I will continue to look out for this author.
I'm being contrary here, compared to other reviewers, but I preferred the mystery part of this story, and got bored when it ramped up into action/thriller.
Andy King is a locum vet doing her old classmate a favour by taking over the heavy work at his practice for a few weeks, in rural northern Victoria. The town where she's based, Taplin, is on the other side of the mountain from the town where she grew up, Stonefield. Andy and her Dad left Stonefield under a shroud of controversy when she was a teenager, and she has no desire to stir up the scandal by showing her face there again. But so far, so good. Some of the Taplin locals remember her from back then, but they seem to be more interested in her veterinary skills and reminiscing about her old equestrian accomplishments. That is until she agrees to go out for a drink with Ethan Landers, and the two of them are sprung by Springfield local, Connor Reilly.
It was inevitable that Reilly would run into Andy, because he was intent on finding Ethan to discuss a business proposition. Full of regrets for letting down her guard, Andy resolves to lie low for the remaining time on her contract, then leave as quickly as she can. But of course, that's never gonna happen.
What I really liked about this book were the veterinary life details, and also the fact that the author disclosed one of Andy's secrets quite early in the story. The thing that didn't work so well for me was mainly the whole deal with the villains - who they were, what they were up to, how they acted (especially that scene in the police station) - but also the extended chase, which had me reading just a couple of pages at a time before getting distracted by other things.
But on the whole I thought it was an entertaining read, and I will continue to look out for this author.
November 10, 2023
Aussie author Bronwyn Hall sure knows how to entertain her readers. This book is why I enjoy thrillers, mysteries and crime novels so much. Not only is this an unputdownable and a page-turner, but the intensity throughout will have you on the edge of your seat waiting to see how this will end.
This book is well worth five stars and I can’t wait to see what this author writes next. Highly recommended.
This book is well worth five stars and I can’t wait to see what this author writes next. Highly recommended.
July 30, 2023
This was so good!
Last year I read Bronwyn Hall's debut novel Gone to Ground a non-stop, action-packed thriller/romance that I couldn't put down so I had high expectations for her second novel The Chasm and it did not disappoint.
This started off a bit slower than I was expecting as we meet the characters, and start to get some hints about why Andy left town 10 years before, what happened to her friend Will and why there were accusations that Andy herself killed Will despite there being no body or evidence to suggest this at the time. Once things started happening, this book didn't slow down and I was taken for a wild ride with Andy and Ethan as things become dire for the both of them and the past catches up with Andy.
Bronwyn Hall did a great job of making me feel like I have been to the Victorian Mountains and spent time there, breathed the air and felt the peace they could bring, and part of me understood why Andy had returned to help out her friend in his vet practice, because the mountains were where she felt a deep connection (like myself and the ocean), but the other part was yelling at her to just leave after her first run-in with Connor, a dangerous guy from the past.
We are trickle-fed hints, clues and snippets of the past as we learn about the reason for Andy and Will's disappearance and Andy starts to realise she's made a mistake in returning. But it is not only Andy who has drawn the attention of Connor and his friends. Ethan is also in their sights because they want to buy his farm and he refuses to sell. As Ethan and Andy start to get close, they also learn how dangerous Connor and his mates can be if you cross them, they just don't know exactly why.
Once the action starts I couldn't breathe as Andy and Ethan's lives are at risk and the criminals are not going to stop until they are dead. The hero of the story is a horse called Big Jack who plays a big role in saving the day.
I can't wait to see what Bronwyn Hall brings us next.
Last year I read Bronwyn Hall's debut novel Gone to Ground a non-stop, action-packed thriller/romance that I couldn't put down so I had high expectations for her second novel The Chasm and it did not disappoint.
This started off a bit slower than I was expecting as we meet the characters, and start to get some hints about why Andy left town 10 years before, what happened to her friend Will and why there were accusations that Andy herself killed Will despite there being no body or evidence to suggest this at the time. Once things started happening, this book didn't slow down and I was taken for a wild ride with Andy and Ethan as things become dire for the both of them and the past catches up with Andy.
Bronwyn Hall did a great job of making me feel like I have been to the Victorian Mountains and spent time there, breathed the air and felt the peace they could bring, and part of me understood why Andy had returned to help out her friend in his vet practice, because the mountains were where she felt a deep connection (like myself and the ocean), but the other part was yelling at her to just leave after her first run-in with Connor, a dangerous guy from the past.
We are trickle-fed hints, clues and snippets of the past as we learn about the reason for Andy and Will's disappearance and Andy starts to realise she's made a mistake in returning. But it is not only Andy who has drawn the attention of Connor and his friends. Ethan is also in their sights because they want to buy his farm and he refuses to sell. As Ethan and Andy start to get close, they also learn how dangerous Connor and his mates can be if you cross them, they just don't know exactly why.
Once the action starts I couldn't breathe as Andy and Ethan's lives are at risk and the criminals are not going to stop until they are dead. The hero of the story is a horse called Big Jack who plays a big role in saving the day.
I can't wait to see what Bronwyn Hall brings us next.
September 21, 2023
This was an alright story, but took far too long to get going (page 170ish). I guess I just expected something more. Essentially, this is more of a small-town drama thing when I was expecting a larger crime story. There are a lot of good parts, but I found it hard to care about how the plot came together.
August 5, 2023
Thank you Harlequin for sending us a copy to read and review.
A combination of a rural setting, a past mystery and a current criminal element work together well in this tense and gripping story.
A vet who has returned to her local area with trepidation confronts the past and dodges danger in the present.
Andy is in back in her old hometown region filling in as a local vet.
A place she escaped when her boyfriend disappeared ten years ago.
Blame was cast upon her then and she soon discovers people have long memories.
Drones are suspiciously flying overhead creating tension and suspicion.
Something is going on in the pine plantation.
Danger is lurking as the atmosphere darkens.
A quick paced rural crime suspense that creates an adrenaline rush as good meets bad.
The spark between Andy and Ethan builds simultaneously and the reader has to race to the finish to satisfy curiosity.
A well rounded cast and high dose of suspense enhance the sense of community and some tender moments.
Some standout furry friends are at the forefront and some that are trained to attack highlight animal diversity and add layers of emotion to the plot.
A combination of a rural setting, a past mystery and a current criminal element work together well in this tense and gripping story.
A vet who has returned to her local area with trepidation confronts the past and dodges danger in the present.
Andy is in back in her old hometown region filling in as a local vet.
A place she escaped when her boyfriend disappeared ten years ago.
Blame was cast upon her then and she soon discovers people have long memories.
Drones are suspiciously flying overhead creating tension and suspicion.
Something is going on in the pine plantation.
Danger is lurking as the atmosphere darkens.
A quick paced rural crime suspense that creates an adrenaline rush as good meets bad.
The spark between Andy and Ethan builds simultaneously and the reader has to race to the finish to satisfy curiosity.
A well rounded cast and high dose of suspense enhance the sense of community and some tender moments.
Some standout furry friends are at the forefront and some that are trained to attack highlight animal diversity and add layers of emotion to the plot.
September 6, 2023
Bronwyn Hall successfully combats Second Album Syndrome with this slow burn then white knuckle ride (literally) set in a Victorian mountain rural setting. Andy has returned to the town she grew up in, although this time as locum vet, and it doesn’t take too long before the voices of the past come calling. However, this time, through the eyes of an adult, things are much, much worse than she could’ve imagined before. People don’t forget, much less forgive, in some towns, and soon it becomes a race for her life.
After reading the author debut Gone To Ground, I was keen to get my hands on a copy, and it didn’t disappoint. The descriptions of the highlands, and the small towns are spot on, and throw in a bit of a love interest, then this is a book to keep the reader engaged, and enraged with the turns of events.
After reading the author debut Gone To Ground, I was keen to get my hands on a copy, and it didn’t disappoint. The descriptions of the highlands, and the small towns are spot on, and throw in a bit of a love interest, then this is a book to keep the reader engaged, and enraged with the turns of events.
May 7, 2023
Excellent holiday, by the pool read. Kept me out of the water because I couldn’t put it down!
April 13, 2024
The Chasm, a riveting narrative, unravels the enigma of a secluded town harbouring a secret protected by two mysterious individuals penned by Bronwyn Hall. Vet Andy King is unexpectedly lured back to her hometown when a college companion solicits her aid in the nearby town of Taplin. In her perception, Taplin seemed a world apart from her hometown, where she had vanished a decade ago. However, the harsh reality shatters her illusions. As readers immerse themselves in The Chasm, they will be enthralled by Andy's relentless pursuit to unearth the truth.
I enjoy reading The Chasm. It's a crimping book, and I engage with the story from the first page and continue to engage to the end. Bronwyn Hall did an excellent job of incorporating her fur characters and how they interacted with this book's human characters. I love Bronwyn Hall's portrayal of her characters and their interaction with each other throughout this book. The Chasm is well-written and researched by Bronwyn Hall. I like Bronwyn Hall's description of The Chasm's settings, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of The Chasm will learn the devastation for children who are transgender when no one supports them. Also, The Chasm's readers will learn about Kufs Disease and how assistance dogs can help the person with the disease.
I recommend this book.
I enjoy reading The Chasm. It's a crimping book, and I engage with the story from the first page and continue to engage to the end. Bronwyn Hall did an excellent job of incorporating her fur characters and how they interacted with this book's human characters. I love Bronwyn Hall's portrayal of her characters and their interaction with each other throughout this book. The Chasm is well-written and researched by Bronwyn Hall. I like Bronwyn Hall's description of The Chasm's settings, which allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of The Chasm will learn the devastation for children who are transgender when no one supports them. Also, The Chasm's readers will learn about Kufs Disease and how assistance dogs can help the person with the disease.
I recommend this book.
September 19, 2023
Located in the wild and untameable Victorian mountains, this Australian crime novel completely matches its setting. One thing I find so engrossing about an outback thriller is how the environment is almost alike a character, one moment nature feels calm and romantic, the next it is dark, as if it is possessed.
The Chasm, like many other great Aussie crime novels, hooks you with its mysterious and intriguing background, before throwing you face first into the storm.
However The Chasm offers so much more.
Engrossed with its uniquely twisty story and characters you’re desperate to learn more about, I definitely didn’t expect to be treated with a sneaky romance and a completely moving and heartfelt family rescue story. Our main character; Andy, is a woman you will find easy to love. Working as a rural vet she travels and helps the community with their farm animals, and it is clear to see she just oozes with passion for her job.
The first half of this novel was a bit of a slow burn, as we got to know the individual characters in this rural community (and many animals thanks to vet Andy) and we are led slowly towards the secret capturing chasm. The second half of this book was like being on a fast roller coaster, even though you could feel what was coming next, the ride was completely thrilling, with a few bumpy corners and unexpected turns.
The Chasm is definitely quite suspenseful, even while the story is slowly developing we are dropped subtle hints at the exhilarating ride that is to come, making this book quite the page turner. I highly recommend sitting down and immersing yourself in this fantastic Aussie crime novel, I know I will be looking for this authors other work in the future.
The Chasm, like many other great Aussie crime novels, hooks you with its mysterious and intriguing background, before throwing you face first into the storm.
However The Chasm offers so much more.
Engrossed with its uniquely twisty story and characters you’re desperate to learn more about, I definitely didn’t expect to be treated with a sneaky romance and a completely moving and heartfelt family rescue story. Our main character; Andy, is a woman you will find easy to love. Working as a rural vet she travels and helps the community with their farm animals, and it is clear to see she just oozes with passion for her job.
The first half of this novel was a bit of a slow burn, as we got to know the individual characters in this rural community (and many animals thanks to vet Andy) and we are led slowly towards the secret capturing chasm. The second half of this book was like being on a fast roller coaster, even though you could feel what was coming next, the ride was completely thrilling, with a few bumpy corners and unexpected turns.
The Chasm is definitely quite suspenseful, even while the story is slowly developing we are dropped subtle hints at the exhilarating ride that is to come, making this book quite the page turner. I highly recommend sitting down and immersing yourself in this fantastic Aussie crime novel, I know I will be looking for this authors other work in the future.
November 13, 2023
The Chasm by Bronwyn Hall is a thoroughly enjoyable Aussie crime read woven with an enticing romance that by the end had me on the edge of my seat.
Locum vet Andy King arrives in the small town of Taplin in Victoria’s rugged mountain country to help a friend in his vet practice. She’s familiar with the area as she grew up in a neighbouring town, Stonefield, but had to flee 10 years ago when her boyfriend, Will, went missing and she was suspected by most townspeople of being involved. All is going well until word gets out, she’s back and long held secrets of the past come back to haunt her.
While this starts out at a meandering pace, I enjoyed getting to know the character of Andy particularly through her work as a vet which highlighted her caring nature with her interactions with both the 4 legged and 2 legged residents. And then second half of the book, turns into a full-blown action thriller that had me hooked. I was also really invested in the charming romance thread between Andy and local lad Ethan which I think added an extra layer of emotional depth to the heart pumping thrills.
All in all, I highly recommend The Chasm to any Aussie crime fans out there and look forward to reading more from this author.
Locum vet Andy King arrives in the small town of Taplin in Victoria’s rugged mountain country to help a friend in his vet practice. She’s familiar with the area as she grew up in a neighbouring town, Stonefield, but had to flee 10 years ago when her boyfriend, Will, went missing and she was suspected by most townspeople of being involved. All is going well until word gets out, she’s back and long held secrets of the past come back to haunt her.
While this starts out at a meandering pace, I enjoyed getting to know the character of Andy particularly through her work as a vet which highlighted her caring nature with her interactions with both the 4 legged and 2 legged residents. And then second half of the book, turns into a full-blown action thriller that had me hooked. I was also really invested in the charming romance thread between Andy and local lad Ethan which I think added an extra layer of emotional depth to the heart pumping thrills.
All in all, I highly recommend The Chasm to any Aussie crime fans out there and look forward to reading more from this author.
February 8, 2024
Excellent read. Fast moving with a hint of romance. I was immediately invested in the main characters. I went on their journey with them
May 13, 2024
Surprising - a fresh twist on the classic bush mystery.
June 20, 2024
The Chasm is the second book I've read by this author, and again Bronwyn delivered an exceptional story about Andie, a vet returning for a four-week locum to an area in regional Victoria where she grew up and had a history she has been out running since she was 18 years old. Her friend Jules worries about the danger Andie might face should she be recognised. The local renewable pine forest company is anxious to buy one of her customer's farms; however, Ethan, the owner, refuses to sell. This decision sets in motion a series of events, and Andie is no longer able to avoid the past and finally accept the needs to make a stand and deal with the past and right wicked and sad crimes.
This story is a thriller with romantic elements, and it's an absolute page-turner. Ms Hall has the happy knack of making every word count and keeping the reader completely absorbed.
Trust me you will not regret buying and reading this book.
This story is a thriller with romantic elements, and it's an absolute page-turner. Ms Hall has the happy knack of making every word count and keeping the reader completely absorbed.
Trust me you will not regret buying and reading this book.
July 28, 2023
What a ride that book was and I’m off to find Bronwyn Hall’s previous novel!
Andy King has accepted a locum vet position in a town close to where she spent her high school years but it was a town she wanted to escape. All those years ago her boyfriend disappeared and it was thought that she was to blame, little did people know the real story.
Settling into her locum vet job, Taplin is a far cry from the town of Stonyfield but befriending some local property owners makes her aware that they are being bullied by the local plantation owners who want their land. And that in its self becomes a deadly game.
This book had everything I love, great characters, small towns, people caring about each other, suspense and a touch of romance that didn’t take over the storyline.
Second half of book read in one sitting, loved it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.
Andy King has accepted a locum vet position in a town close to where she spent her high school years but it was a town she wanted to escape. All those years ago her boyfriend disappeared and it was thought that she was to blame, little did people know the real story.
Settling into her locum vet job, Taplin is a far cry from the town of Stonyfield but befriending some local property owners makes her aware that they are being bullied by the local plantation owners who want their land. And that in its self becomes a deadly game.
This book had everything I love, great characters, small towns, people caring about each other, suspense and a touch of romance that didn’t take over the storyline.
Second half of book read in one sitting, loved it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.
June 18, 2024
There are SEVERAL dog related cruelties in this book - if anyone is bothered I'd skip this; not at all related to the plot and definitely not worth battling through it for the mystery. Said 'mystery' was so beyond unentertaining; quite literally your average plot. I was skipping entire chunks just to finish the book which is never a good sign. It wasn't poorly written, just tedious. I think being boring is a worse sin than bad writing.
December 1, 2023
When Andy left her hometown many years ago, she did so after the murder of one school friend and the disappearance of another and vowed to never return. However, her work as a Vet Locum brings her back and she starts to realise the troubles that have haunted her for years are still a threat. A great read with lots of twists and turns and an amzaing horse!
August 4, 2023
“The Chasm” is another powerful thriller from Bronwyn Hall, where strong relationships and a tense situation combine to keep the reader breathless.
Andrina “Andy” King has come to Taplin as a locum vet, reluctantly coming at the request of a good friend from vet school. She grew up in this part of the country, and loves it, but she doesn’t feel safe. It’s all too close to the actual town that she grew up in – a town where most people still think she murdered a fellow teen, Will Hoffman.
So Andy has no intention of staying longer than her friend needs her. And when she feels a pull of attraction to local Ethan Landers, she knows she can’t get involved. Even if he seems unconcerned by her past.
And it soon becomes clear that the past won’t stay the past. Andy is in danger here, and not just from gossip. Some very dangerous people are up to something bad, and they’d like to be very sure Andy can’t interfere with their plans.
This is a great thriller. It’s well written, it’s plausible, and the action doesn’t let up for a moment. The last third of the novel, particularly, is hard to put down because it’s one great big rush of action and suspense.
I found all of the characters believable, and most were well rounded. (The bad guys don’t get a lot of character development.) Even the more minor characters are sketched in a way that makes them feel real and interesting.
The setting, too, is believable. Both small towns and the Australian bush are presented in a way that’s vivid and realistic. You can understand why Andy enjoys it despite the risks.
There is one minor glitch in the novel, and that’s that Andy talks as though people drove her out of Stonefield, and as though she had to deal every day with the gossip and accusations. But in fact she’d already moved to Melbourne before Will Hoffman disappeared, and although she’d have been aware of what was said, she wouldn’t have had to face it head on.
Andy has good reasons to be afraid, and that’s portrayed convincingly. However, the way she talks about the gossip didn’t quite ring true.
But that’s a very small problem in what was otherwise a great thriller. I really enjoyed this. It’s well written, well plotted, and well characterized. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable read for crime or thriller fans.
You may also be interested in my review of Bronwyn Hall’s debut novel:
https://otherdreamsotherlives.home.bl...
If you enjoyed this review, please visit www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog to read more.
Andrina “Andy” King has come to Taplin as a locum vet, reluctantly coming at the request of a good friend from vet school. She grew up in this part of the country, and loves it, but she doesn’t feel safe. It’s all too close to the actual town that she grew up in – a town where most people still think she murdered a fellow teen, Will Hoffman.
So Andy has no intention of staying longer than her friend needs her. And when she feels a pull of attraction to local Ethan Landers, she knows she can’t get involved. Even if he seems unconcerned by her past.
And it soon becomes clear that the past won’t stay the past. Andy is in danger here, and not just from gossip. Some very dangerous people are up to something bad, and they’d like to be very sure Andy can’t interfere with their plans.
This is a great thriller. It’s well written, it’s plausible, and the action doesn’t let up for a moment. The last third of the novel, particularly, is hard to put down because it’s one great big rush of action and suspense.
I found all of the characters believable, and most were well rounded. (The bad guys don’t get a lot of character development.) Even the more minor characters are sketched in a way that makes them feel real and interesting.
The setting, too, is believable. Both small towns and the Australian bush are presented in a way that’s vivid and realistic. You can understand why Andy enjoys it despite the risks.
There is one minor glitch in the novel, and that’s that Andy talks as though people drove her out of Stonefield, and as though she had to deal every day with the gossip and accusations. But in fact she’d already moved to Melbourne before Will Hoffman disappeared, and although she’d have been aware of what was said, she wouldn’t have had to face it head on.
Andy has good reasons to be afraid, and that’s portrayed convincingly. However, the way she talks about the gossip didn’t quite ring true.
But that’s a very small problem in what was otherwise a great thriller. I really enjoyed this. It’s well written, well plotted, and well characterized. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable read for crime or thriller fans.
You may also be interested in my review of Bronwyn Hall’s debut novel:
https://otherdreamsotherlives.home.bl...
If you enjoyed this review, please visit www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog to read more.
July 11, 2023
Vet Andy King is working as a locum for her friend Matt in the small town of Taplin in the Victorian mountains. She knows the area well because she grew up in Stonefield in the next valley, but left after her best friend Will Hoffman disappeared ten years ago. Everyone believed Andy and her father, who was Will’s teacher, had something to do with his disappearance and in the end they both left Taplin to escape the constant finger pointing. Although Andy knows the truth about what happened to Will on the day he disappeared at Chasm falls, she refuses to talk about it, as she has secrets she needs to keep hidden.
Andy finds herself enjoying being back in the area she knows and loves so well, especially after she meets Ethan, a handsome and talented musician, currently back to help his parents on the family farm. She also discovers how much she’s missed horse riding when Ethan’s mother asks her to ride Jack, Ethan’s sister’s beautiful horse, who she can longer ride.
Although Andy was hoping she wouldn’t run into anyone from Stonefield, she unfortunately, catches the attention of Connor Reilly, the last person she wanted to see. She remembers well as a bully and a thug and now he is trying to bully Ethan’s family into selling their land to the neighbouring pine plantation he manages.
Bronwyn Hall’s second novel is two suspenseful mysteries packed into one. First there is the mystery of Will Hoffman’s disappearance and why Andy dares not talk to anyone about it. The reader gets some hints early on of what happened to Will, but it’s not until the end of the book that the whole story unfolds. The second is why Connor is so desperate to get Ethan’s family to sell their farm, to the point that he doesn’t care who he has to hurt. The atmosphere and rugged beauty of the Victorian mountains is perfectly captured in this action packed thriller and particularly in the nail biting climax. 4.5★
With thanks to Harlequin via Netgalley for a copy to read
Andy finds herself enjoying being back in the area she knows and loves so well, especially after she meets Ethan, a handsome and talented musician, currently back to help his parents on the family farm. She also discovers how much she’s missed horse riding when Ethan’s mother asks her to ride Jack, Ethan’s sister’s beautiful horse, who she can longer ride.
Although Andy was hoping she wouldn’t run into anyone from Stonefield, she unfortunately, catches the attention of Connor Reilly, the last person she wanted to see. She remembers well as a bully and a thug and now he is trying to bully Ethan’s family into selling their land to the neighbouring pine plantation he manages.
Bronwyn Hall’s second novel is two suspenseful mysteries packed into one. First there is the mystery of Will Hoffman’s disappearance and why Andy dares not talk to anyone about it. The reader gets some hints early on of what happened to Will, but it’s not until the end of the book that the whole story unfolds. The second is why Connor is so desperate to get Ethan’s family to sell their farm, to the point that he doesn’t care who he has to hurt. The atmosphere and rugged beauty of the Victorian mountains is perfectly captured in this action packed thriller and particularly in the nail biting climax. 4.5★
With thanks to Harlequin via Netgalley for a copy to read
July 22, 2023
Revisiting the past can be dangerous …
Andy King grew up in the Victorian mountains but left after her boyfriend Will Hoffman disappeared without a trace. Some of the residents of Stonefield believe that Andy and her father were responsible for Will’s disappearance, and they have not forgotten. Nor has Andy, and she has no intention of returning. But Andy’s friend Matt, a fellow veterinarian who lives in Taplin in the adjacent valley, needs a locum. Andy agrees, as it is only for four weeks, and she should be far enough from Stonefield.
Andy meets Ethan, a talented musician currently helping on his family’s property in Taplin. Connor, who is someone unpleasant from Andy’s past wants to buy Ethan’s family farm and is applying heaps of pressure. While she’s attracted to Ethan, Andy is determined not to form any attachment. But Ethan’s sister is unwell, and she has a horse who needs exercise. Andy agrees, which means that she sees more of Ethan and spends more time in the mountains closer to Stonefield.
As Andy soon discovers, some people are still looking for Will, and they think that she has the answers. Yes, Andy does know what happened to Will, but she is sworn to secrecy. Those who are looking for Will have their own secrets to protect and will stop at nothing to defend them. Andy’s life is at risk, as are others. There are two mysteries to solve: Will’s disappearance is the first; why Connor want Ethan’s family farm is the second. There are plenty of twists in this story: I anticipated some, missed some and enjoyed them all.
Highly recommended.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Andy King grew up in the Victorian mountains but left after her boyfriend Will Hoffman disappeared without a trace. Some of the residents of Stonefield believe that Andy and her father were responsible for Will’s disappearance, and they have not forgotten. Nor has Andy, and she has no intention of returning. But Andy’s friend Matt, a fellow veterinarian who lives in Taplin in the adjacent valley, needs a locum. Andy agrees, as it is only for four weeks, and she should be far enough from Stonefield.
Andy meets Ethan, a talented musician currently helping on his family’s property in Taplin. Connor, who is someone unpleasant from Andy’s past wants to buy Ethan’s family farm and is applying heaps of pressure. While she’s attracted to Ethan, Andy is determined not to form any attachment. But Ethan’s sister is unwell, and she has a horse who needs exercise. Andy agrees, which means that she sees more of Ethan and spends more time in the mountains closer to Stonefield.
As Andy soon discovers, some people are still looking for Will, and they think that she has the answers. Yes, Andy does know what happened to Will, but she is sworn to secrecy. Those who are looking for Will have their own secrets to protect and will stop at nothing to defend them. Andy’s life is at risk, as are others. There are two mysteries to solve: Will’s disappearance is the first; why Connor want Ethan’s family farm is the second. There are plenty of twists in this story: I anticipated some, missed some and enjoyed them all.
Highly recommended.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
September 10, 2023
4.5/5
Fleur MacDonald meets Jane Harper in this new banger from Bronwyn Hall that once again laughs in the face of the concept of genre.
If Gone to Ground was a wild jungle adventure turned romance, The Chasm is a rural vet romance turned nail biting thriller.
A little slower paced in the first half as the story establishes itself, it then takes off at a gallop halfway through and I dare you to put it down from the midpoint to the end!
The romance was lovely and I enjoyed the rural Aussie setting too. The combination of warm and fleshed out romance with action/thriller elements is a combo I didn't know I needed in my life but Hall does it fantastically and I want more more more! Too many crime books have soulless relationships where everyone's alcoholic and miserable. It's refreshing to have a lovely, swoony romance but also the excitement of adventure and mystery.
The story does feature a trans character who is pretty core to the plot. From my admittedly limited perspective, this seems to be pretty well done without milking her identity for shock factor. The character does have trauma in her past but everything that happens on page is identity affirming. The acknowledgements do give thanks for input to someone specifically in relation to this character so it seems to me the author has done her due diligence there.
Trigger warning also for a fair few instances of harm coming to animals, as well as suicide, murder, drugs, terminal illness, mental illness, and deadnaming.
I think I enjoyed Hall's debut Gone to Ground just a little bit more, but I still found this a fantastic read and would recommend to anyone who enjoys both romance and action.
Fleur MacDonald meets Jane Harper in this new banger from Bronwyn Hall that once again laughs in the face of the concept of genre.
If Gone to Ground was a wild jungle adventure turned romance, The Chasm is a rural vet romance turned nail biting thriller.
A little slower paced in the first half as the story establishes itself, it then takes off at a gallop halfway through and I dare you to put it down from the midpoint to the end!
The romance was lovely and I enjoyed the rural Aussie setting too. The combination of warm and fleshed out romance with action/thriller elements is a combo I didn't know I needed in my life but Hall does it fantastically and I want more more more! Too many crime books have soulless relationships where everyone's alcoholic and miserable. It's refreshing to have a lovely, swoony romance but also the excitement of adventure and mystery.
The story does feature a trans character who is pretty core to the plot. From my admittedly limited perspective, this seems to be pretty well done without milking her identity for shock factor. The character does have trauma in her past but everything that happens on page is identity affirming. The acknowledgements do give thanks for input to someone specifically in relation to this character so it seems to me the author has done her due diligence there.
Trigger warning also for a fair few instances of harm coming to animals, as well as suicide, murder, drugs, terminal illness, mental illness, and deadnaming.
I think I enjoyed Hall's debut Gone to Ground just a little bit more, but I still found this a fantastic read and would recommend to anyone who enjoys both romance and action.
October 28, 2023
I’m not usually a great fan of romantic suspense, but THE CHASM had so much adrenaline-fuelled action to offset the romance that it worked well for me here!
The theme is not new: Andy King, a young veterinarian, accepts a locum position in her old hometown to help out a friend. Andy had good reason to flee the area as a teenager after her best friend disappeared and she was briefly a main suspect in his murder. No body has ever been found, and yet Andy has been unable to clear her name for reasons she can’t disclose. It doesn’t take long for the past to catch up with her, and once again she is up against some very ruthless people who would go to any length to keep her silent.
Another thing that made this book so gripping is Andy’s character – I liked her immensely. She is intelligent and plucky and willing to risk her own life for the people she loves. The story required a little bit of suspension of disbelief but for the sake of an adrenaline-fuelled cat and mouse game through a scenic landscape I was happy to oblige.
All in all, THE CHASM was a fast and enjoyable read that kept me up at night and I am very keen to read Hall’s earlier book.
The theme is not new: Andy King, a young veterinarian, accepts a locum position in her old hometown to help out a friend. Andy had good reason to flee the area as a teenager after her best friend disappeared and she was briefly a main suspect in his murder. No body has ever been found, and yet Andy has been unable to clear her name for reasons she can’t disclose. It doesn’t take long for the past to catch up with her, and once again she is up against some very ruthless people who would go to any length to keep her silent.
Another thing that made this book so gripping is Andy’s character – I liked her immensely. She is intelligent and plucky and willing to risk her own life for the people she loves. The story required a little bit of suspension of disbelief but for the sake of an adrenaline-fuelled cat and mouse game through a scenic landscape I was happy to oblige.
All in all, THE CHASM was a fast and enjoyable read that kept me up at night and I am very keen to read Hall’s earlier book.
December 20, 2023
3.5 Rounded Up
.....📚 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 📚.....
DEC - The Chasm by Australian author Bronwyn Hall is an atmospheric and slow building thriller set in country Victoria.
According to the blurb, this is a book about Andy King, a country vet who has returned to her hometown 10 years after being accused of killing her boyfriend Will Hoffman after he mysteriously disappeared. Staying in a neighbouring valley, Andy runs into those still looking for Will, and whose secrets threaten to be revealed. Andy again finds herself in their way, and this time, they're determined to make her disappear.
That was the story I was expecting, but quickly felt like I was reading a different book. Initially I felt like there were too many distinct storylines and that I wasn't sure it was working but about 3/4 through the author pulled it all together so well I really enjoyed how it finished up. This one is hard to review without giving anything away, but it was a solid read, and I'm going to look into other books by this Australian author. I'd recommend this one to thriller fans and am going with a very respectable ⭐️⭐️⭐️🌠 (3.5/5).
.....📚 𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 📚.....
DEC - The Chasm by Australian author Bronwyn Hall is an atmospheric and slow building thriller set in country Victoria.
According to the blurb, this is a book about Andy King, a country vet who has returned to her hometown 10 years after being accused of killing her boyfriend Will Hoffman after he mysteriously disappeared. Staying in a neighbouring valley, Andy runs into those still looking for Will, and whose secrets threaten to be revealed. Andy again finds herself in their way, and this time, they're determined to make her disappear.
That was the story I was expecting, but quickly felt like I was reading a different book. Initially I felt like there were too many distinct storylines and that I wasn't sure it was working but about 3/4 through the author pulled it all together so well I really enjoyed how it finished up. This one is hard to review without giving anything away, but it was a solid read, and I'm going to look into other books by this Australian author. I'd recommend this one to thriller fans and am going with a very respectable ⭐️⭐️⭐️🌠 (3.5/5).
January 23, 2024
This did not go where I thought it would……
Andy, locum vet, arrives in a small town called Taplin, near where she has a past, and what a big past it is.
The Chasm is a story that doesn’t necessarily follow conventional paths, but it is enhanced by this and makes the tale or the more intriguing. Not often you find out a major plot twist by page 21. Bronwyn has crafted a beautiful backdrop, stunning locations, big personalities including the loveable animals (well mostly 😬), and a captivating thriller that will have edge of your seat. Good luck putting this book down.
We are introduced to a small rural community in Australia, with its friendliness, acceptance, warmth and welcoming attitude, where strangers soon become friends, and Andy starts to feel safe but it’s not long before things start to go wrong and you see the other side, the darker side of the mountains.
There isn’t a lot I can say about the story without giving away too many details that you are best left to find out for yourself, but I will say that I loved Andy, loved the farmers as they reminded me so much of the faming friends we had when I was a kid, loved a large majority of the animals, Big Jack definitely found a place in my heart, and absolutely loved the story.
This book is a great Australian crime thriller with a rural setting, a romantic feel and entertaining from the front cover to the last page. Grab a copy and see for yourself.
My copy was generously gifted to me by @booksontherail and @harpercollinsaustralia from a recent competition.
#thechasm
#bronwynhall
#bigjacklove
#harlequinaus
#harpercollinsbooksaustralia
Andy, locum vet, arrives in a small town called Taplin, near where she has a past, and what a big past it is.
The Chasm is a story that doesn’t necessarily follow conventional paths, but it is enhanced by this and makes the tale or the more intriguing. Not often you find out a major plot twist by page 21. Bronwyn has crafted a beautiful backdrop, stunning locations, big personalities including the loveable animals (well mostly 😬), and a captivating thriller that will have edge of your seat. Good luck putting this book down.
We are introduced to a small rural community in Australia, with its friendliness, acceptance, warmth and welcoming attitude, where strangers soon become friends, and Andy starts to feel safe but it’s not long before things start to go wrong and you see the other side, the darker side of the mountains.
There isn’t a lot I can say about the story without giving away too many details that you are best left to find out for yourself, but I will say that I loved Andy, loved the farmers as they reminded me so much of the faming friends we had when I was a kid, loved a large majority of the animals, Big Jack definitely found a place in my heart, and absolutely loved the story.
This book is a great Australian crime thriller with a rural setting, a romantic feel and entertaining from the front cover to the last page. Grab a copy and see for yourself.
My copy was generously gifted to me by @booksontherail and @harpercollinsaustralia from a recent competition.
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October 12, 2023
The latest crime mystery novel from Aussie author Bronwyn Hall, The Chasm (2023) is a thriller set in Northeastern Victorian. Andy King is a locum veterinarian who has returned after a decade away from Stonefield to nearby Taplin Valley. She left there at eighteen years of age, after her boyfriend disappeared and locals blamed her, suspecting her of murder. Whilst Andy is there for a month, locals welcome her, except for those who knew her previously and are hostile towards her. As some tense confrontations ensue, the neighbouring pine plantation hassles a farm owner in order to acquire the land. With increasingly dangerous encounters, Andy discovers her past and present colliding, placing lives in danger and an action finale with a surprising twist. A truly enjoyable thriller with a four stars read rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without inducement.
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