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When the Deep, Dark Bush Swallows You Whole
‘She wasn’t the first and she wouldn’t be the last; swallowed into the deep, dark recesses of the King Country bush, never to be seen again.’
It’s January 1983. During his university summer break, Ryan Bradley returns to the remote town of Nashville in New Zealand’s rugged King Country.
It’s a bittersweet he’s working long, punishing hours as a woolpresser, he needs to sell his late mother’s house, and he’s increasingly feeling like an outcast in his childhood town.
But mostly he’s haunted by memories of Sanna Sovernen, a Finnish backpacker and his secret lover, who worked with him in the shearing shed the summer before - then vanished without trace.
Now Sanna’s sister Emilia has arrived from Finland, determined to get answers - and as he’s the workmate who reported Sanna missing, she wants Ryan’s help. Because Emilia knows her sister was not the first female traveller in the area to disappear . . .
'The stunning King Country landscape and scenery imbue the story with a real atmospheric sense of place. Fans of Chris Hammer, J P Pomare and Alan Carter will enjoy this gripping debut.' Books + Publishing
‘A deftly wrought novel, compelling and complex. I loved it.’ MARGARET HICKEY
'A gripping murder mystery set in 1980s small-town New Zealand, capturing the stifling atmosphere of a commun
ity steeped in secrets. With relentless suspense and a rich cast of characters, this impressive debut keeps the reader guessing to the very end.' ROSE CARLYLE
It’s January 1983. During his university summer break, Ryan Bradley returns to the remote town of Nashville in New Zealand’s rugged King Country.
It’s a bittersweet he’s working long, punishing hours as a woolpresser, he needs to sell his late mother’s house, and he’s increasingly feeling like an outcast in his childhood town.
But mostly he’s haunted by memories of Sanna Sovernen, a Finnish backpacker and his secret lover, who worked with him in the shearing shed the summer before - then vanished without trace.
Now Sanna’s sister Emilia has arrived from Finland, determined to get answers - and as he’s the workmate who reported Sanna missing, she wants Ryan’s help. Because Emilia knows her sister was not the first female traveller in the area to disappear . . .
'The stunning King Country landscape and scenery imbue the story with a real atmospheric sense of place. Fans of Chris Hammer, J P Pomare and Alan Carter will enjoy this gripping debut.' Books + Publishing
‘A deftly wrought novel, compelling and complex. I loved it.’ MARGARET HICKEY
'A gripping murder mystery set in 1980s small-town New Zealand, capturing the stifling atmosphere of a commun
ity steeped in secrets. With relentless suspense and a rich cast of characters, this impressive debut keeps the reader guessing to the very end.' ROSE CARLYLE
398 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 4, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
June 6, 2025
EXCERPT: Emilia suffered the detective and his watery, lukewarm tea out of necessity. Courtesy too; he was, after all, polite and clearly not a buffoon. He was just as her father had described him, after his trip to Nashville in the days immediately after Sanna's disappearance.
Emilia felt shame for not having travelled to New Zealand with her father. He'd insisted that she remain home and try to focus on her business clients. With her mother's aversion to air travel, and the hysterical state she was in, it felt like a sound decision to stay and keep watch. As it turned out, Emilia was all over the place at work; emotional. unproductive and testy. She should have been with her father.
But that was then. A year later, she was determined to do everything she could, either find out what happened, or to help the police find out. Then she'd be able to return home, face her parents, and tell them honestly that everything that could have been done for Sanna, they had done.
There was a detachment and smugness to Detective Harten that didn't sit well. She sensed his casual indifference to incoming matters and the glacial pace at which the wheels of justice turned. If he was the man leading the investigation into Sanna's disappearance, it was no surprise that they were no closer to finding her today than they were a year ago.
No closer? Who was she kidding; at least back then they were looking for her. Now, it was: 'Show me a body and then I'll try harder to find who did it.' This was her sister they were talking about. Bright, sparkling, precious Sanna. Who deserved so much more than a missing persons file in some country police station, in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of a country on the other side of the world.
ABOUT 'WHEN THE DEEP DARK BUSH SWALLOWS YOU WHOLE': ‘She wasn’t the first and she wouldn’t be the last; swallowed into the deep, dark recesses of the King Country bush, never to be seen again.’
It’s January 1983. During his university summer break, Ryan Bradley returns to the remote town of Nashville in New Zealand’s rugged King Country.
It’s a bittersweet he’s working long, punishing hours as a woolpresser, he needs to sell his late mother’s house, and he’s increasingly feeling like an outcast in his childhood town.
But mostly he’s haunted by memories of Sanna Sovernen, a Finnish backpacker and his secret lover, who worked with him in the shearing shed the summer before - then vanished without trace.
Now Sanna’s sister Emilia has arrived from Finland, determined to get answers - and as he’s the workmate who reported Sanna missing, she wants Ryan’s help. Because Emilia knows her sister was not the first female traveller in the area to disappear . . .
MY THOUGHTS: Set in the 1980s in a small rural town in the central North Island of New Zealand, When the Deep Dark Bush Swallows You Whole by Geoff Parkes is both atmospheric and suspenseful. Parkes has deftly captured the insular setting and the prevalent attitudes of the era in which the novel is set.
I found myself totally immersed in the lives of the multiple characters around whom the story is set and told via their points of view over two timelines - 1981 when Sanna goes missing, and 1983 when her sister Emilia arrives.
Parkes characterisation is superb. He has captured the people of rural New Zealand, the police, the farmers, the contractors, the business people, the workers, and pinned them to the paper. He has picked up on the distance and resentment that going away to university and having a life outside the town creates between old friends and used it to great advantage. Parkes knows his people.
He has created an absorbing mystery that had me looking closely first at one character, then another, with suspicion. No one escaped my scrutiny.
The bite-sized chapters make for easy and quick reading and the story flows seamlessly between the timelines. Most of the characters aren't at all likeable - be prepared for that and the misogynistic attitudes from the men. Standard fare for that era in that setting.
This was a brilliant debut effort from an author I'll be watching closely in future.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#WhentheDeepDarkBushSwallowsYouWhole @WaitomoDistrictLibrary
MEET THE AUTHOR: Born and raised in rural New Zealand, I now call Melbourne home. I'd always considered school to be little more than a place to eat lunch and play sport, but recalling those rare moments of focus in the classroom, I remain indebted to an English teacher who encouraged me to write and write often.
Now, in a working life which has encompassed the full gamut, from the shearing shed to an abattoir floor, in small business, to executive management at a global Fortune 500 company, and being at the ground floor of an exciting dental tech start-up, I am fortunate enough to be able to pursue a writing career. (Source geoffparkes.com)
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Emilia felt shame for not having travelled to New Zealand with her father. He'd insisted that she remain home and try to focus on her business clients. With her mother's aversion to air travel, and the hysterical state she was in, it felt like a sound decision to stay and keep watch. As it turned out, Emilia was all over the place at work; emotional. unproductive and testy. She should have been with her father.
But that was then. A year later, she was determined to do everything she could, either find out what happened, or to help the police find out. Then she'd be able to return home, face her parents, and tell them honestly that everything that could have been done for Sanna, they had done.
There was a detachment and smugness to Detective Harten that didn't sit well. She sensed his casual indifference to incoming matters and the glacial pace at which the wheels of justice turned. If he was the man leading the investigation into Sanna's disappearance, it was no surprise that they were no closer to finding her today than they were a year ago.
No closer? Who was she kidding; at least back then they were looking for her. Now, it was: 'Show me a body and then I'll try harder to find who did it.' This was her sister they were talking about. Bright, sparkling, precious Sanna. Who deserved so much more than a missing persons file in some country police station, in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of a country on the other side of the world.
ABOUT 'WHEN THE DEEP DARK BUSH SWALLOWS YOU WHOLE': ‘She wasn’t the first and she wouldn’t be the last; swallowed into the deep, dark recesses of the King Country bush, never to be seen again.’
It’s January 1983. During his university summer break, Ryan Bradley returns to the remote town of Nashville in New Zealand’s rugged King Country.
It’s a bittersweet he’s working long, punishing hours as a woolpresser, he needs to sell his late mother’s house, and he’s increasingly feeling like an outcast in his childhood town.
But mostly he’s haunted by memories of Sanna Sovernen, a Finnish backpacker and his secret lover, who worked with him in the shearing shed the summer before - then vanished without trace.
Now Sanna’s sister Emilia has arrived from Finland, determined to get answers - and as he’s the workmate who reported Sanna missing, she wants Ryan’s help. Because Emilia knows her sister was not the first female traveller in the area to disappear . . .
MY THOUGHTS: Set in the 1980s in a small rural town in the central North Island of New Zealand, When the Deep Dark Bush Swallows You Whole by Geoff Parkes is both atmospheric and suspenseful. Parkes has deftly captured the insular setting and the prevalent attitudes of the era in which the novel is set.
I found myself totally immersed in the lives of the multiple characters around whom the story is set and told via their points of view over two timelines - 1981 when Sanna goes missing, and 1983 when her sister Emilia arrives.
Parkes characterisation is superb. He has captured the people of rural New Zealand, the police, the farmers, the contractors, the business people, the workers, and pinned them to the paper. He has picked up on the distance and resentment that going away to university and having a life outside the town creates between old friends and used it to great advantage. Parkes knows his people.
He has created an absorbing mystery that had me looking closely first at one character, then another, with suspicion. No one escaped my scrutiny.
The bite-sized chapters make for easy and quick reading and the story flows seamlessly between the timelines. Most of the characters aren't at all likeable - be prepared for that and the misogynistic attitudes from the men. Standard fare for that era in that setting.
This was a brilliant debut effort from an author I'll be watching closely in future.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#WhentheDeepDarkBushSwallowsYouWhole @WaitomoDistrictLibrary
MEET THE AUTHOR: Born and raised in rural New Zealand, I now call Melbourne home. I'd always considered school to be little more than a place to eat lunch and play sport, but recalling those rare moments of focus in the classroom, I remain indebted to an English teacher who encouraged me to write and write often.
Now, in a working life which has encompassed the full gamut, from the shearing shed to an abattoir floor, in small business, to executive management at a global Fortune 500 company, and being at the ground floor of an exciting dental tech start-up, I am fortunate enough to be able to pursue a writing career. (Source geoffparkes.com)
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
February 27, 2025
I was interested in this book as I don’t think I’ve ever read a thriller that was set in New Zealand and the descriptions were so detailed that the setting was very vivid, but sadly I agree with another reviewer that called this ‘a blokey read’. Unfortunately,, the male characters in this book were mostly abusers and vile misogynists, and I just couldn’t connect with any of the characters. It was hectic to juggle so many points of view as well. For me, it’s tough to really enjoy a book when I don’t like anyone in it. 3 stars.
March 29, 2025
3.5 stars
A tense and thrilling mystery, set in a small sheep shearing community in the North Island of New Zealand, during the 1980's.
There is plenty to learn about shearing, bailing wool and the dynamics within a shearing gang through this story. The dual-timeline offers plenty of possible suspects, which kept me guessing right to the end.
The accent of the narrator, Michael Whalley adds to the authenticity of the characters and the storyline.
Most of the male characters have no redeeming qualities, and do not treat women well. While this might be indicative of the attitudes towards women at the time, it makes for difficult reading at times.
I enjoyed the New Zealand setting and the interesting storyline, including the unexpected twists.
Format: Audiobook, thanks to Libby
Audio time: 9hours, 44 minutes
A tense and thrilling mystery, set in a small sheep shearing community in the North Island of New Zealand, during the 1980's.
There is plenty to learn about shearing, bailing wool and the dynamics within a shearing gang through this story. The dual-timeline offers plenty of possible suspects, which kept me guessing right to the end.
The accent of the narrator, Michael Whalley adds to the authenticity of the characters and the storyline.
Most of the male characters have no redeeming qualities, and do not treat women well. While this might be indicative of the attitudes towards women at the time, it makes for difficult reading at times.
I enjoyed the New Zealand setting and the interesting storyline, including the unexpected twists.
Format: Audiobook, thanks to Libby
Audio time: 9hours, 44 minutes
January 14, 2025
horrendously mediocre. The plot was extremely slow and many chapters felt like a whole lot of nothing. I'm not sure it's ever so serious that it's necessary to have a TWELVE perspective book. Sure, not all of those POVs were regularly rotating, and some only appeared a few times, but what the hell, lol.
Having multiple POVs also requires that each character is distinct and has a different voice but the problem with this book is almost every character is exactly the same. There are three women pov's, two of which (the sisters) could be the same person - the rest are men who at worst are disgusting perverts who assault women and at best raging misogynists. The men all being disgusting creeps felt like an attempt at red herrings but it was honestly just uncomfortable and never really muddied the waters because the killer was the only one with an actual motive.
It felt like such a missed opportunity with the other missing women not being a bigger part of the story, I mean I understand the point that police are quick to dismiss stuff and assign it to a mysterious boogie man from out of town but it would have been more interesting.
Ryan's sudden change of heart to actually tell the truth was pretty abrupt and I sort of hated that Emila didn't freak the fuck at him and run to the cops to tell them he admitted he had lied.
Having multiple POVs also requires that each character is distinct and has a different voice but the problem with this book is almost every character is exactly the same. There are three women pov's, two of which (the sisters) could be the same person - the rest are men who at worst are disgusting perverts who assault women and at best raging misogynists. The men all being disgusting creeps felt like an attempt at red herrings but it was honestly just uncomfortable and never really muddied the waters because the killer was the only one with an actual motive.
It felt like such a missed opportunity with the other missing women not being a bigger part of the story, I mean I understand the point that police are quick to dismiss stuff and assign it to a mysterious boogie man from out of town but it would have been more interesting.
Ryan's sudden change of heart to actually tell the truth was pretty abrupt and I sort of hated that Emila didn't freak the fuck at him and run to the cops to tell them he admitted he had lied.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
When the Deep Dark Bush Swallows You Whole is a lyrical, multi-layered novel set in 1980s New Zealand, weaving together 12 distinct points of view. Geoff Parkes captures the raw beauty and isolation of the bush with poetic prose, offering a haunting look at identity, place, and memory. While the shifting perspectives create an interesting and ambitious structure, the frequent jumps can be disorienting and make it harder to emotionally invest in each character. Still, the storyline is compelling and the sense of atmosphere lingers long after the final page.
When the Deep Dark Bush Swallows You Whole is a lyrical, multi-layered novel set in 1980s New Zealand, weaving together 12 distinct points of view. Geoff Parkes captures the raw beauty and isolation of the bush with poetic prose, offering a haunting look at identity, place, and memory. While the shifting perspectives create an interesting and ambitious structure, the frequent jumps can be disorienting and make it harder to emotionally invest in each character. Still, the storyline is compelling and the sense of atmosphere lingers long after the final page.
February 13, 2025
Once it got to solving the murder I enjoyed it but up until then it was a lot of awful people mistreating women and abusing power and getting away with it.
The characters are varied and well written. The setting is probably accurate but it was uncomfortable even for a crime novel.
The characters are varied and well written. The setting is probably accurate but it was uncomfortable even for a crime novel.
May 2, 2025
sound thriller
May 14, 2025
this was such a good read based in New Zealand around a small shearing town .. the whole done it kept guessing and all the little surprises along the way great read finished like there maybe a book 2
March 30, 2025
Listened to this on audiobook and loved the narrator. The setting is atmospheric and moody. It was a great read and a page turner (or audio turner if that works) and I wasn’t sure who did what until late into the book. Definitely recommended.
February 4, 2025
Former New Zealander (now Australian) Geoff Parks’ debut crime novel When the Deep Dark Bush Swallows You Whole takes readers back to small town New Zealand in 1983. Like much recent historical rural crime fiction, it takes many of its cues from the attitudes and culture of the day, which only forty years later, feel like another world.
Emilia Sovernen comes from Finland to the small New Zealand town of Nashville to try and find out what happened to her sister Sanna. Sanna had been in town helping with the shearing and had gone missing the year before. The police never found Sanna and suspect that her disappearance may be connected to a long string of similar disappearances over a number of years across rural New Zealand. Emilia is not so sure and believes that the police did not look closely enough at the townsfolk and tries to get Ryan Bradley, one of the shearers who knew Sanna, to help her. As Emilia’s investigation progresses, Parks takes readers back to the year before and the lead up to Sanna’s disappearance, on the way potentially implicating a wide range of locals who were either obsessed with or annoyed with the beautiful but brash traveller.
When the Deep Dark Bush Swallows You Whole is essentially an exploration of all of the different types of toxic and abusive masculinity at play in rural New Zealand in the 1980s. Pretty much every male character is a suspect as they all are… well, suspect. Neville, who rents out his shed to the shearers, and Carl, the head of the shearing gang, both spy on Sanna. Bull, one of the shearers, is both dangerous and hypocritically religious. Ryan’s estranged friend Phillip and his even weirder friend Slurps try to hit on her. Meanwhile Phillip’s father Jack is trying to control his life and is keeping secrets of his own. Even Ryan, who had a legitimate, mutual relationship with Sanna, keeps that information from Emilia.
When the Deep Dark Bush Swallows You Whole effectively evokes small town New Zealand in the 1980s. But it is also a little over-written. Parks relies on too many different points-of-view which dilutes the story-telling and somewhat undermines the resolution of the mystery. As a result, while it is a promising debut, When the Deep Dark Bush Swallows You Whole does not do quite enough to stand out from the growing sub-sub-genre of southern cross historical rural crime fiction.
Emilia Sovernen comes from Finland to the small New Zealand town of Nashville to try and find out what happened to her sister Sanna. Sanna had been in town helping with the shearing and had gone missing the year before. The police never found Sanna and suspect that her disappearance may be connected to a long string of similar disappearances over a number of years across rural New Zealand. Emilia is not so sure and believes that the police did not look closely enough at the townsfolk and tries to get Ryan Bradley, one of the shearers who knew Sanna, to help her. As Emilia’s investigation progresses, Parks takes readers back to the year before and the lead up to Sanna’s disappearance, on the way potentially implicating a wide range of locals who were either obsessed with or annoyed with the beautiful but brash traveller.
When the Deep Dark Bush Swallows You Whole is essentially an exploration of all of the different types of toxic and abusive masculinity at play in rural New Zealand in the 1980s. Pretty much every male character is a suspect as they all are… well, suspect. Neville, who rents out his shed to the shearers, and Carl, the head of the shearing gang, both spy on Sanna. Bull, one of the shearers, is both dangerous and hypocritically religious. Ryan’s estranged friend Phillip and his even weirder friend Slurps try to hit on her. Meanwhile Phillip’s father Jack is trying to control his life and is keeping secrets of his own. Even Ryan, who had a legitimate, mutual relationship with Sanna, keeps that information from Emilia.
When the Deep Dark Bush Swallows You Whole effectively evokes small town New Zealand in the 1980s. But it is also a little over-written. Parks relies on too many different points-of-view which dilutes the story-telling and somewhat undermines the resolution of the mystery. As a result, while it is a promising debut, When the Deep Dark Bush Swallows You Whole does not do quite enough to stand out from the growing sub-sub-genre of southern cross historical rural crime fiction.
March 30, 2025
Some truly loathsome characters, who have deep seeded hatred at heart, and the brunt of their frustration taken out on pure innocence...
Well written; I believe the author hit the mark for me. I hate the male roles, hate their excuses for their behavior, hate that women & children altimetry pay the price, all too real... (*#$*)
Well written; I believe the author hit the mark for me. I hate the male roles, hate their excuses for their behavior, hate that women & children altimetry pay the price, all too real... (*#$*)
September 15, 2025
Good thriller. Loved the rural NZ setting and multiple POV’s.
June 1, 2025
2.5 ⭐️
June 24, 2025
I loved this book! Couldn't put it down. Loved all the small town context. Thanks for the recommendation Cherie!
February 16, 2025
This is a blokey read, a whodunit set in a small town in the heart of the King Country in the the North Island of NZ. Despite this it doesn't have a strong sense of place except for a few references to Mt Ruapehu and the density of the bush.
Most of the women are supports or victims with a focus on the relationships between the male protagonists and their inner conflicts and resentments. The 1980s setting allows for dated attitudes to women and a much bonding over pints of beer at the pub.
"Her... thick-set shoulders and a cavernous cleavage... Ryan was sure he would be able to park the wheels of his bike. "
Most of the women are supports or victims with a focus on the relationships between the male protagonists and their inner conflicts and resentments. The 1980s setting allows for dated attitudes to women and a much bonding over pints of beer at the pub.
"Her... thick-set shoulders and a cavernous cleavage... Ryan was sure he would be able to park the wheels of his bike. "
March 1, 2025
Oh my gaaaawwwwwd this book was painfully long and boring. No exciting parts whatsoever.
This book annoyed me. I usually take a day or two to read a novel, but this book took me 6 days because I spent more time avoiding it than actually spending the time to read it. I won’t be reading any more of Geoff Parkes books.
This book was such a struggle. This book was book of the month at my local book store, staring front and centre where customers could see it, so I thought why not give it a go.
Was absolutely a waste of my time.
Only thing it was good for was putting me to sleep at night.
This book annoyed me. I usually take a day or two to read a novel, but this book took me 6 days because I spent more time avoiding it than actually spending the time to read it. I won’t be reading any more of Geoff Parkes books.
This book was such a struggle. This book was book of the month at my local book store, staring front and centre where customers could see it, so I thought why not give it a go.
Was absolutely a waste of my time.
Only thing it was good for was putting me to sleep at night.
February 5, 2025
WHEN THE DEEP DARK BUSH SWALLOWS YOU WHOLE by Geoff Parkes is published by Penguin Random House Australia in February 2025
Review by Lorraine Parker
It is January 1983 in Nashville, a town in ‘King Country’, New Zealand.
Emelia has just arrived from Finland to search for answers as to what really happened to her sister, Sanna. Approximately one year ago, Sanna mysteriously disappeared without trace after the last shearing session finished. Sanna’s visa had soon to expire. Sanna loved the challenge of work and the interaction of the shearing crew as well as appreciating the experience of life in the rugged country of New Zealand.
Ryan has returned to Nashville from his University Course (to become a lawyer) to join the shearing team, possibly rekindle friendships and to finally put his family home for sale. The disappearance of Sanna, after the previous shearing season had hit him hard. They had a very special liaison which they both chose to keep hidden. Sanna was not the first to go missing and disappear without trace. The bush ‘swallowing’ them?
Author, Parkes swaps from character to character, rather quickly at times. I personally found this disconcerting. However, the time frame from 1981 to 1983 kept me in an intriguing, spell binding, attentive state of mind. As I got to know, little by little the machinations of each personality I became more spell bound and engulfed. Parents, friends, sheep station owners, shearing crew, police, business owners and “leaders’ of standing in Nashville are all involved. Some exuding more suspicion than others.
An intricate story that my few words will hopefully inspire you to read.
Parkes prose is outstanding and the structure of the thrilling mystery exceptional.
‘When the Deep Dark Bush Swallows You Whole’ would make a great book for group discussion. I give it a rating of 5 out of 5. A must read. Almost living history, convincing and so knowledgeable as the author did live in King Country growing up.
Review by Lorraine Parker
It is January 1983 in Nashville, a town in ‘King Country’, New Zealand.
Emelia has just arrived from Finland to search for answers as to what really happened to her sister, Sanna. Approximately one year ago, Sanna mysteriously disappeared without trace after the last shearing session finished. Sanna’s visa had soon to expire. Sanna loved the challenge of work and the interaction of the shearing crew as well as appreciating the experience of life in the rugged country of New Zealand.
Ryan has returned to Nashville from his University Course (to become a lawyer) to join the shearing team, possibly rekindle friendships and to finally put his family home for sale. The disappearance of Sanna, after the previous shearing season had hit him hard. They had a very special liaison which they both chose to keep hidden. Sanna was not the first to go missing and disappear without trace. The bush ‘swallowing’ them?
Author, Parkes swaps from character to character, rather quickly at times. I personally found this disconcerting. However, the time frame from 1981 to 1983 kept me in an intriguing, spell binding, attentive state of mind. As I got to know, little by little the machinations of each personality I became more spell bound and engulfed. Parents, friends, sheep station owners, shearing crew, police, business owners and “leaders’ of standing in Nashville are all involved. Some exuding more suspicion than others.
An intricate story that my few words will hopefully inspire you to read.
Parkes prose is outstanding and the structure of the thrilling mystery exceptional.
‘When the Deep Dark Bush Swallows You Whole’ would make a great book for group discussion. I give it a rating of 5 out of 5. A must read. Almost living history, convincing and so knowledgeable as the author did live in King Country growing up.
May 31, 2025
Summer, 1982 in the small town of Nashville, King Country. A shearing gang is working its way through the local farms, working from dawn til dusk, then drinking the night away at the local pub. Sanna is a Finnish rousey, working to pay for her travels, and Ryan is a local boy back from studying law at uni for the summer. And to tidy up his mother's house after her death. When Sanna vanishes after a violent pub brawl at the end of the shearing season, the local cops put it down to another 'backpacker' murder, similar to the murder of a hitchhiker the summer before and the investigation goes nowhere.
A year later Sanna's sister Emilia has arrived from Finland to find out what happened to her sister. Emilia's arrival will disturb the dust that has settled over Nashville and dig out some dark secrets hidden there.
Parkes has crafted a tightly wound crime novel that captures rural New Zealand in the 1980s as well as a very believable crime. The entire shearing gang seem to be suspects - Bull the violent wannabe preacher, Carl, the gang boss, Neville the perv farmer determined to ditch his brain damaged wife for the a life in the Philippines. Then there's Ryan's old friend Phil, son of Jack Nash, town real estate agent and community leader who is determined to have his son follow in his footsteps no matter the cost. Even Ryan has his secrets. Combined with incompetent cops and vast swathes of wilderness, will Emilia ever learn the fate of her sister?
I enjoyed this page turning read and will definitely look out for more books from this author.
A year later Sanna's sister Emilia has arrived from Finland to find out what happened to her sister. Emilia's arrival will disturb the dust that has settled over Nashville and dig out some dark secrets hidden there.
Parkes has crafted a tightly wound crime novel that captures rural New Zealand in the 1980s as well as a very believable crime. The entire shearing gang seem to be suspects - Bull the violent wannabe preacher, Carl, the gang boss, Neville the perv farmer determined to ditch his brain damaged wife for the a life in the Philippines. Then there's Ryan's old friend Phil, son of Jack Nash, town real estate agent and community leader who is determined to have his son follow in his footsteps no matter the cost. Even Ryan has his secrets. Combined with incompetent cops and vast swathes of wilderness, will Emilia ever learn the fate of her sister?
I enjoyed this page turning read and will definitely look out for more books from this author.
March 9, 2025
A great story with recognisable characters. Ryan, the small-town boy who goes away to university and returns for summer work, Phillip, the small-town boy who doesn't leave and feeds an inferiority complex, and those who don't quite 'fit' into the community, but are tolerated - and how easy it is to wonder if they are the killer of young girls who have gone missing in the local area.
Ryan has a summer romance with a backpacker from Finland who is working with the shearing gang and one day, she goes missing. A year after, her sister turns up wanting answers and she turns to Ryan to help her. Small town life, the sport, the hunting, the importance of the local pub and the yearly arrival of shearing gangs of the 1980's -are the fabric around which the author has built a compelling and tense story.
I probably learned more than I may ever need to know about shearing and bailing wool, but the relevance of all that detail did become clear towards the end.
A great read
Ryan has a summer romance with a backpacker from Finland who is working with the shearing gang and one day, she goes missing. A year after, her sister turns up wanting answers and she turns to Ryan to help her. Small town life, the sport, the hunting, the importance of the local pub and the yearly arrival of shearing gangs of the 1980's -are the fabric around which the author has built a compelling and tense story.
I probably learned more than I may ever need to know about shearing and bailing wool, but the relevance of all that detail did become clear towards the end.
A great read
March 7, 2025
Excellent book. Well written in an easy to read style.Very descriptive Nashville a small town in the King country of NZ. Apart from Ryan the main character Most of the men are not nice. Theyvtreatcthe women in the story dreadfully. Set in the 1980s. And the work and area they live in were probably indicative of some men at the time.
A Shearing gang and what they call Rousies usually young women. they help sort out the wool and clean up after the shearers. A boycalled Ryan leaves town to study law in Otago but returns each summer break to work with the shearersas a wool presser. Like a lot of similar small towns gossip and envy. A couple of girls disappear. How did the local police handle the investigations. The author Geoff Parks brought up in Taumaranui, said to be the actual town in the book. now lives in Melborne.
A Shearing gang and what they call Rousies usually young women. they help sort out the wool and clean up after the shearers. A boycalled Ryan leaves town to study law in Otago but returns each summer break to work with the shearersas a wool presser. Like a lot of similar small towns gossip and envy. A couple of girls disappear. How did the local police handle the investigations. The author Geoff Parks brought up in Taumaranui, said to be the actual town in the book. now lives in Melborne.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2025
3.5 stars
Rural noir is extremely popular in crime fiction at the moment.
This one is set in small town New Zealand, in the early 1980’s – Nashville, population of a few thousand, and a sheep shearing community.
The story surrounds a Finnish backpacker who has disappeared, and we have two time lines – the time leading up to Sanna’s disappearance; and a year later when Sanna’s sister Emilia heads to Nashville to try and find the truth of what happened.
A small community yields a handful of suspects and Parkes does a good job of keeping them all in the mix of potential perpetrators till very late in the novel.
An entertaining debut.
Rural noir is extremely popular in crime fiction at the moment.
This one is set in small town New Zealand, in the early 1980’s – Nashville, population of a few thousand, and a sheep shearing community.
The story surrounds a Finnish backpacker who has disappeared, and we have two time lines – the time leading up to Sanna’s disappearance; and a year later when Sanna’s sister Emilia heads to Nashville to try and find the truth of what happened.
A small community yields a handful of suspects and Parkes does a good job of keeping them all in the mix of potential perpetrators till very late in the novel.
An entertaining debut.
April 8, 2025
A historical crime fiction tale, When The Deep Dark Bush Swallows You Whole (2025) by Geoff Parkes is a heartfelt portrait of life in 1980s rural New Zealand. It’s a dual timeline narrative that switches flawlessly between December 1981 and December 1983 to recount the disappearance of Sanna, a Finish backpacker and her sister’s Emilia’s visit to discover what happened to her. With rich characters and set against the background of King Country and the annual shearing season, Ryan Bradley’s summer sojourn to his hometown is the nucleus of this Kiwi noir, that is a charming four and a half star read rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given.
July 3, 2025
I really enjoyed this book - couldn’t put it down. I’ve seen other reviewers commenting on the nature of some of the characters in the book - but you have to remember it is set in the early 80’s in a very male dominated industry where there will always be some odd characters. The story was woven together so well - leading you on a journey and leaving you wondering who the culprit was. Lots of intrigue. It has some very ‘kiwi” language in it which I wonder if some readers will struggle with - but hopefully people will get the gist of the language. Highly recommend!
August 23, 2025
When the Deep Dark Bush Swallows You Whole was a pretty forgettable crime novel made memorable only by its New Zealand setting. Rated it higher because I met the author earlier in the year at a Penguin crime author talk, and he was a lovely guy. Predictable killer, too many characters, but the setting was beautiful and evocative. Also, I actually own this book, so I was proud to at least minimise my physical TBR by one, even if I’ve definitely bought/received way more than one physical book this year…Celebrate the small wins!
April 25, 2025
This novel successfully describes growing up in a rural New Zealand setting. Small Poppy Syndrome, small town gossip and the despairing feeling of never being able to move forward or escape are all nostalgic feelings I feel a-lot of kiwis can relate to reading this book.
A moody, slow burn read that introduces you to numerous characters. The book has a very misogynistic tone which probably shines light on the time the book is set in. 80s rural nz. Men are men and women are women.
A moody, slow burn read that introduces you to numerous characters. The book has a very misogynistic tone which probably shines light on the time the book is set in. 80s rural nz. Men are men and women are women.
March 2, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed this read. Being a kiwi who studied in Dunedin and spent summers working in the King Country there was so much familiar for me here and a very accurate portrayal of some of the characters you would meet in small town NZ at the time. As I got deeper into the book I found it harder to put down. A brilliant effort from the Author on his first fiction novel.
May 4, 2025
This was slow and hard to read at times - unlikeable characters and very detailed and complex POV changes. Even the final result itself had no real twist in it.
Have definitely read better.
Being based on NZ was interesting and the life of shearer’s and small town ideas did keep me somewhat engaged.
Have definitely read better.
Being based on NZ was interesting and the life of shearer’s and small town ideas did keep me somewhat engaged.
May 21, 2025
A thriller set in rural New Zealand. The story kept me guessing until the end. Explores relationships in small town New Zealand where everyone knows everyone else, or at least they think they do. The bush isnt the only place that hides secrets.
In terms of the writing, characters are a little two dimensional, but the story makes up for that, keeping you engaged throughout.
In terms of the writing, characters are a little two dimensional, but the story makes up for that, keeping you engaged throughout.
May 29, 2025
I enjoyed this book. I liked the bite sized chapters from each character’s POV. I also enjoyed the eclectic range of characters living in the town and their relationship with each other and how their lives were intertwined in some way. It kept you guessing because anyone could have done it.
There were awful, misogynistic men and victimised women but each were relevant to the story and indicative of a small insular farming town in that era.
There were awful, misogynistic men and victimised women but each were relevant to the story and indicative of a small insular farming town in that era.
May 28, 2025
Had lots of potential, but too many plot holes left unanswered. What happened to the first girl that went missing? What happened to Carl? To Bull? Etc etc. Rushed with a very predictable ending. The atmosphere and characters were well written.
Also, can we at least know for sure/in more detail what happened to Senna?
Also, can we at least know for sure/in more detail what happened to Senna?
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