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Death In The Red Dirt: Uncover the Truth Before the Outback Buries It
A man is dead. His psychiatrist is in jail. Trainee Maya Donaldson is sent to debrief the remaining participants in the hot remote mental health retreat, in North/Western Australia.
Maya believes the death was an accident when experimental psychedelic treatment went wrong. But local police sergeant, Jack Stevenson thinks it’s murder. They pair up to uncover the truth. Is there a killer among them? And if so, who will survive?
This gripping murder mystery combines sharp insights, complex characters and unexpected twists to deliver a satisfying conclusion.
Maya believes the death was an accident when experimental psychedelic treatment went wrong. But local police sergeant, Jack Stevenson thinks it’s murder. They pair up to uncover the truth. Is there a killer among them? And if so, who will survive?
This gripping murder mystery combines sharp insights, complex characters and unexpected twists to deliver a satisfying conclusion.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2024
213 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 9, 2024
I was given an early copy of this book to read and provide a review on.
The setting of this novel is a place that has special meaning to me, and Alice has done a great job of bringing it to life in all it's beautiful (and sometimes horrendous) glory.
I only really read this genre while I am in 'holiday mode'. What I want from this type of book is interesting characters, a world I can escape into and that satisfaction of coming to the 'aha' moment before the detective. Alice delivers on all of these things. The mystery side of things is well written, there are clues enough to lead you to the real killer so it feels rewarding when you get there and the twist doesn't come completely out of nowhere. The main characters are great and I think have real depth to them and I found myself really connecting to Maya while reading. The supporting characters, while perhaps a little bit obvious in their depiction and sticking to their 'boxes', don't actually feel flat or completely unrealistic. There was a touch of romance.
For me, a story must pass the put down test to be a success. That test is simply 'when I have to put this book down to do something else do I want to come back to it?" and this book passed with flying colours.
This book isn't perfect, there are a few moments that took me out of the world of the story, but I know I a a special type of reader and I still managed to enjoy it regardless of the few minor blips so I stand by my fie star rating and do not hesitate to recommend you read this story.
TL;DR Good book, worth reading and spending your money on.
*** MINOR SPOILER (warning) TO FOLLOW***
I'm not the sort of person to take a star off of a book because it challenges me emotionally so I won't... but while I appreciate and understand an authors use the use of building emotion to engage with the story - I'm not really fond of a dog having to die for me to achieve that (tongue decidedly in cheek here - the moment hurt but it wasn't out of context of the novel).
The setting of this novel is a place that has special meaning to me, and Alice has done a great job of bringing it to life in all it's beautiful (and sometimes horrendous) glory.
I only really read this genre while I am in 'holiday mode'. What I want from this type of book is interesting characters, a world I can escape into and that satisfaction of coming to the 'aha' moment before the detective. Alice delivers on all of these things. The mystery side of things is well written, there are clues enough to lead you to the real killer so it feels rewarding when you get there and the twist doesn't come completely out of nowhere. The main characters are great and I think have real depth to them and I found myself really connecting to Maya while reading. The supporting characters, while perhaps a little bit obvious in their depiction and sticking to their 'boxes', don't actually feel flat or completely unrealistic. There was a touch of romance.
For me, a story must pass the put down test to be a success. That test is simply 'when I have to put this book down to do something else do I want to come back to it?" and this book passed with flying colours.
This book isn't perfect, there are a few moments that took me out of the world of the story, but I know I a a special type of reader and I still managed to enjoy it regardless of the few minor blips so I stand by my fie star rating and do not hesitate to recommend you read this story.
TL;DR Good book, worth reading and spending your money on.
*** MINOR SPOILER (warning) TO FOLLOW***
I'm not the sort of person to take a star off of a book because it challenges me emotionally so I won't... but while I appreciate and understand an authors use the use of building emotion to engage with the story - I'm not really fond of a dog having to die for me to achieve that (tongue decidedly in cheek here - the moment hurt but it wasn't out of context of the novel).
November 13, 2024
Love, psychedelics, murder, friendship, and isolation. 'Death in the Red Dirt' has it all! I thoroughly enjoyed this book from cover to cover. It was hard to put down, especially during the last few chapters. The characters were complex yet still relatable and I enjoyed Cadd's description of the harsh Australian climate and terrain.
All in all an engaging read and I highly recommend it for those seeking an interesting and thought-provoking book. Looking forward to more from Alice Cadd!
All in all an engaging read and I highly recommend it for those seeking an interesting and thought-provoking book. Looking forward to more from Alice Cadd!
July 4, 2024
I loved this book, it had me guessing from beginning to end. The plot twists had me on the edge of my seat. I loved Maya and all the other chargers each with their own secrets. The unexpected ending left me shocked. I recommend this book to anyone craving a thrill and I look forward to more books by Alice Cadd.
August 6, 2024
An engaging psychological murder mystery that keeps you guessing. The characters come alive through the book, and the setting paints the heat and red dirt of the outback in vivid realness. I loved the questioning of alternative psychiatric methods through the use of psilocybin mushrooms. A real page turner!
July 3, 2024
I loved this book! It is a faced paced, exciting read that will have you guessing until the end! Set in the Australian outback this story twists and turns, with characters you really care about. I highly recommend you read it - you won’t be able to put it down!
July 21, 2025
Very enjoyable read
Certainly had me laughing out loud. The characters were very typical and relatable. Loved the detailed descriptions of the Australian outback, from the smell of the trees, the wildlife and the red dust that turned in to thick squelching mud under the rain.
Certainly had me laughing out loud. The characters were very typical and relatable. Loved the detailed descriptions of the Australian outback, from the smell of the trees, the wildlife and the red dust that turned in to thick squelching mud under the rain.
July 4, 2024
Great book, love the ending!
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July 19, 2024A highly engaging murder mystery which keeps you guessing until the end. I also appreciated the beautiful descriptions of life and nature in outback Western Australia. Have a read - you'll love it!
July 25, 2024
This is a great, fun read from a new author. characters and settings are richley developed and the book will keep you guessing till the end.
October 14, 2024
A very average rambling story with tenuously tired story lines.
November 5, 2024
So much, yet so little happened in this book
April 19, 2025
good story
Loved the storyline,but lots of hyphenated words which don’t need to be and spelling mistakes were off putting. Would still recommend despite that.
Loved the storyline,but lots of hyphenated words which don’t need to be and spelling mistakes were off putting. Would still recommend despite that.
October 1, 2024
DEATH IN THR RED DIRT
By Alice Cadd
5/5⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Release date: June 29, 2024
Synopsis:
A man is dead. His psychiatrist is in jail. Trainee Maya Donaldson is sent to debrief the remaining participants in the hot remote mental health retreat, in North/Western Australia. Maya believes the death was an accident when experimental psychedelic treatment went wrong. But local police sergeant, Jack Stevenson thinks it’s murder. They pair up to uncover the truth. Is there a killer among them? And if so, who will survive?
Review:
I found this book to be quite captivating. Numerous twists that will make you question everything you thought you knew; I did not predict the ending. Also, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers.
By Alice Cadd
5/5⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Release date: June 29, 2024
Synopsis:
A man is dead. His psychiatrist is in jail. Trainee Maya Donaldson is sent to debrief the remaining participants in the hot remote mental health retreat, in North/Western Australia. Maya believes the death was an accident when experimental psychedelic treatment went wrong. But local police sergeant, Jack Stevenson thinks it’s murder. They pair up to uncover the truth. Is there a killer among them? And if so, who will survive?
Review:
I found this book to be quite captivating. Numerous twists that will make you question everything you thought you knew; I did not predict the ending. Also, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys psychological thrillers.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews