Shortlisted for the Emerging Writer Award, WA Premier's Literary Awards 2025 Longlisted for Best Designed Commercial Fiction Cover, Australian Book Design Awards 2025 WA 2025 Literary Coasters Featured Living Author
Alice Montgomery goes missing in 2015.
Seven years later, her best friend Hannah is bouncing from job to job, city to city, forever feeling the need to outrun something, but unsure what. With the niggling need to move nipping at her heels, Hannah decides to return home - a small coastal town in Western Australia - for the first time since she left, to help her mum after surgery and confront their fractured relationship.
When Hannah hears that Marnie Montgomery, Alice's mum, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, she is seized by terror that she will never know the truth of her friend's disappearance; whether she ran away, or met a different, darker fate. Hannah begins to ask questions, starting with Marnie, an addict and recluse, who has long been dogged by rumours that she was in some way responsible.
Insisting she had nothing to do with it, Marnie instead points the finger at a local teacher, Rachel Olney, haunted by broken dreams and the consequences of a single bad decision she made many years ago.
What unfolds is a tale of three women - Hannah, Marnie, Rachel - and a reflection on grief left unchecked; what it means to be a mother, a daughter; and all the terrible ways in which we can hurt one another. As the mystery of Alice dances on the periphery, it becomes ever clearer that this is a story centred not on a potential crime, but on those left behind by tragedy, desperately seeking closure that might not exist.
A suspenseful story about three women left behind after the mysterious disappearance of Alice Montgomery. Featuring the complexities of ambiguous loss, guilt, grief and the tenuous nature of human connection.
This is a fantastic debut novel and I am keen to read more from Australian author Shaeden Berry.
Mystery books are not my jam, but Australian author Shaeden Berry writes Down The Rabbit Hole with a mix of strain and sincerity.
Me, out of all people, discovering this book was a weird one. I mostly get my book recommendations, especially when it comes to Australian authors, off The Age or The Weekend Australian Review, so admittedly I wouldn't have discovered Shaeden Berry if it wasn't for a customer at my dad's shop who left this book behind (and I opened it to find it was an advanced copy!) How did he/she get to read this book before anyone else?! (Mysteries unfold before the actual mystery).
I likely won't read this book again, but I thank the customer who left behind a copy of this book pre-publication behind at my dad's book so I could leave an early review.
I knew I was going to like this book before I read it. As it’s written by someone I know personally, who I share and A LOT in common with, I was struggling to see a world in which I wouldn’t enjoy the content she would put out. What I didn’t expect was to love it as much as I did.
Shaeden Berry’s “Down the Rabbit Hole” was absolutely captivating. It examines how our pasts, choices and relationships shape our present selves. This book demands emotional investment, and the payoff is well worth the journey.
Set against the backdrop of a small coastal town south of Perth, it tells the story of Hannah, and her pursuit to solve the disappearance of her high school best friend Alice, who vanished without a trace 7 years earlier. She explores who Alice was, what secrets she was hiding in the leadup to her disappearance and examines the people around her and how they may have shaped this tragic event – including herself.
The characters all have very distinct personalities and are hashed out so well, each very much had their own “voice”. The change in narrator gave me whiplash every time, as they all had their own unique sound. They’re not one dimensional beings there just to sell a narrative. This was a story that very much revolved around the characters – who they are and the influences that define them. Hannah, our protagonist is a deeply flawed character. She is often abrasive, detached and sometimes cruel. Rather than face the deep emotional pain of her loss (be that of her best friend or of her father), she sabotages relationships, destroys her own peace and distances herself from the possibility of healing. Instead of confronting her past, she chooses to run from it, concealing herself behind a façade of avoidance and self-deception. Ultimately, Hannah finds that being honest with herself – no matter how painful – is essential to moving forward.
Down the Rabbit Hole is a cathartic read that feels deeply personal, and yet, regret is universally relatable. Berry offers a beautifully written, thought-provoking novel that is unflinching in its vulnerability. Unfortunately, no matter how many answers Hannah seeks, the truth about Alice’s disappearance remains elusive. The conclusion offers little in terms of closure – instead, it underscores the uncomfortable truth that not all loss is followed by neat answers or resolutions. There are no tidy explanations or magical moments of epiphany. It invites the reader to sit with uncertainty and discomfort and reminds us that closure is often an illusion. Hauntingly beautiful, a tale soaked in ambiguity, I feel like I will sit with these feelings for some time to come. Shaeden exceeds expectations with her first novel, I cannot wait to see what she delivers next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Unsure on how to feel about this one. Writing was strong and yet it felt tiresome and repetitive at bits. I like how it didn’t fall down into a cliche trope, however I couldn’t help but feel like I was missing more which I suppose is the point!
The book is misleading. Based on the intro, you expect a sharp, well-written detective story – digging into the past while gradually uncovering the main characters’ personalities. Naturally, you keep reading, expecting to find out what really happened to Alice. But – spoiler – you never do. It leaves a sense of disappointment, which isn’t typical for stories of this kind.
At the same time, the personal stories of the main characters hit unexpectedly hard. You go through their struggles, acceptance, and resilience with them. I didn’t expect to feel this way, but the depth and emotional resonance of these women’s paths really struck me. So, while the big question stays unanswered, the journey there still pulls you in.
- - - There’s nothing I love more than discovering a brilliant debut from an Australian author and Down The Rabbit Hole is just that! Huge thanks to Echo Publishing for sending me a copy - Shaeden Berry has absolutely nailed her first novel.
The writing was incredibly easy to sink into, and I especially loved the multiple character viewpoints woven into the narrative. Shaeden brilliantly took on the role of each individual character - from their unique mannerisms to their varied vocabulary
The storyline followed investigating the disappearance of a young girl and it had me hooked but ultimately, it was the main characters journey of self-discovery that was the key to the plot.
This book dives deep into themes like how our past and our actions shape us and haunt us. I really enjoyed every turn the book took with a unique twist on the traditional mystery thriller.
While I was hoping for a complete resolution (you’ll know what I mean when you read it), the ending provided a different kind of closure that took me by surprise and felt just as important overall.
I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on Shaeden Berry - she’s officially on my author must-buy list!
You can grab your own copy of this compelling debut when it hits shelves in November.
I wanted to read this book as quickly as possible to find out what happened. I love the Australian mystery genre and I enjoyed the writing, and how the author put the topic of grief, friendship and hardship on the table.
Down The Rabbit Hole by Australian author Shaeden Berry is her debut fiction novel. There is, mystery, tragedy, grief, sadness, and secrets…. lots of secrets.
Hannah Shean is packing her suitcase with the few possessions she owns and is returning to her small hometown in coastal WA to help her mum, Jamie with rehab after her surgery. She has not been home since her best friend Alice Montgomery went missing without a trace in 2015.
When she returns, Hannah is determined to uncover the truth about Alice. She hears Marnie Montgomery, Alice's mum, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and fins this as an opportunity to ask questions before it is too late. Marnie insists she knows nothing of her daughter’s disappearance and blames Rachel Olney, Alice’s high-school teacher.
The more Hannah delves she realises how much three women’s lives have been affected by the tragedy. There is pain caused by deep disappointment, fruitless longing, and unavailing remorse. Will fractured relationships be healed and will Alice’s disappearance be revealed?
From the first page I was fully invested in this well-crafted mystery. The depiction of the small-town community provides authenticity, unveiling a canvas of interconnected lives, secrets, and human relationships with multiple character viewpoints woven in.
The plot moves at a smooth pace with fantastic dialogue exchanges and vivid scenes. You think you have it all figured out with its trail of clues, but then it shifts in a new direction with just enough intrigue to keep the pages turning.
This story is filled with well-drawn and sophisticated characters. The author writes about family dynamics in a powerful way, using emotions and feelings to enrich the characters and creating situations that enable readers to appreciate the humanity of them.
The main characters each get the chance to speak their point of view. I found myself rooting for Hannah, she desperately wanted to discover what happened to her best friend, full of frustration she had guts and determination to find the answers. Marnie may come across as an unlikeable character to readers, but I liked her bluntness and her take it or leave it attitude. Rachel was not my most favourite character, she has no self-awareness and I found it hard to relate to her.
The cover has a beautiful colour palette, and the picture so whimsical you are immediately drawn to it. The large type combined with the colours makes this so effective.
Shaeden Berry is a great storyteller, this tale will bring tears to the eyes of readers, touch their hearts, and have them reflecting on themes of love, family, and commitment. I look forward to reading future novels.
I highly recommend to fans who enjoy suspense, mystery, and coming-of-age subgenres.
Thank you, Beauty & Lace and Echo Publishing, for the opportunity to read and review
Book Review 📚 Down the Rabbit Hole by Shaeden Berry ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
In 2015 Alice Montgomery goes missing without a trace. And the trauma of her sudden disappearance is then carried by the women in her life.
This debut novel is written so skillfully, I was totally engrossed in the story, the mystery of Alice's disappearance and the beautifully complicated characters. By the time I was a quarter of the way through this book, I couldn't put it down! (I finished it in 2 days!)
This book follows Hannah, who returns to her small home town in coastal WA, and retraces Alice's steps and her own memories in a quest to find answers to her best friends'disappearance.
I loved how as the story unravels, we learn more and more about the three female main characters, their backgrounds, the fights they have been through and their weaknesses.
Hannah's teenage diary punctuated the story, the entries filled with teenage angst and self-centred reflections, leading Hannah to question her teenage experiences and assumptions about her friends life.
As Hannah faces her memories of Alice and the women who were meant to protect her, the book reminds us that unprocessed trauma can become a weapon which we then wield in our own families, friendships and lives.
A literary fiction tale, Down The Rabbit Hole (2024) by Shaeden Berry is a heartfelt tale of a young woman set in a small coastal town in Western Australia. Hannah is living a somewhat feckless life in the city and decides to return to her home, where her mother is undergoing hip replacement. Her return stirs up memories of her missing teenage friend seven years earlier, and her indifferent relationship with her mother. As Hannah tries to discover the truth of what happened to Alice, her own frailties and self esteem are revealed. This is a powerful portrayal of a young woman’s journey of self-discovery, amidst the nuance of human foibles and the impact of grief and tragedy. An enchanting tale of psychological insight and amiable narrative that has a must read five star rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement.
As a Western Australian I’m always keen to read local authors. This was set in a WA coastal town where a young woman Hannah returns after seven years away in the city. She has a fractious relationship with her mother who has hip surgery and also has unfinished business around a friend Alice who went missing seven years earlier. Hannah confronts Alice's mother and a former teacher but doesn’t get very far. Hannah also has her demons as her own father had committed suicide when she was young. She’s looking for answers but clashes with most people. It's a somewhat unsatisfying read and I feel aimed at young adults. Not my favourite book so far this year but I would read whatever this author writes in future as she really gets into relationships and how they play out.
was hard to get used to and interested in.. it got really interesting into half the book. It still kept me interested. I feel sorry for her loosing her dad the way she did. She never fully healed and neither did her mother. I believe her mother had to do what she could do to move on. It takes us on a journey of a friendship of the past. It also starts a friendship of random friends she did not expect to meet. With Cassie and the others she goes on a journey to figure out what happened to Alice. even though we never learn what happened to Alice it was still good that Hannah and her mom got better and that Marnie finally found peace.
An easy-to-read mystery novel that also explores themes of self-discovery. I picked this up on a whim in a small bookshop in a country town, drawn in by the blurb and with no real expectations. What surprised me most, and what I found most emotionally engaging, were the chapters that delved into the characters’ backstories. That felt like where the author’s attention truly shined.
Outside of that, the story leaned on familiar tropes, and the ending didn’t quite land for me. Still, I appreciated its exploration of what it means to be family.
A good read overall, though not one I feel the need to revisit.
I wanted to rate this higher as I love Australian stories. Initially I could feel the pull into an immersive story. However at some point I realised that I wasn’t connecting with the characters - the main character especially felt so distant to me. As the story moved closer to the end I got a glimpse of her and it made sense why I felt that way. Overall, I think there was just something a little bit off about this one, I think I was expecting a certain twist that didn’t happen, I dunno. Just something…
An enjoyable story of grief, regret, loss and redemption mixed in with a dose of mystery. Hannah is living in Melbourne, trying to survive as a perpetual student. She decides to travel back to country Western Australia, ostensibly to look after her post-op mum but in reality to investigate the disappearance of her friend Alice.
The author gives the reader a real sense of place and time and plenty to think about. The complexities of relationships are laid bare and in particular, in this novel, the relationships between women, both familial and otherwise.
I really enjoyed this story of Hannah, the perpetual liar who decides to go back to her hometown 7 years after her so called best friend, Alice, went missing there. Berry's characterisations really stood out and she painted pictures of those she interrogated about Alice's disappearance with reality and grit. I also feel like I learned something about small town living in Australia and will definitely look out for more of Berry's books in the future
Down the Rabbit Hole was a captivating story about a girl confronting the ghosts of her past. While I typically prefer stories where every loose end is neatly tied up, this book offered a refreshing perspective. It beautifully conveyed the reality that in life, we don’t always get the answers we seek. Sometimes, we must learn to walk away without fully understanding why things unfolded as they did and find peace in that.
3.5 stars - An easy, pacy read with multiple POV to switch things up. Would I recommend this book? Probably not (if you’re looking for a typical mystery novel). But did this book have me hooked that I read it in one sitting? Yes.
I believe Shaeden has a good future ahead as a story teller. This was an engaging novel covering the very difficult subject of grief and loss ,whilst weaving it through a story that is wreathed in mystery.
I felt like this book was interesting, but it kept dragging on and had no resolution. I get that perhaps that was the point, but it seemed liked nothing really happened? The MC comes home, chats to a few people, has some minor character development, then the story ends.
DNF…read the first half but wasn’t holding my interest so skimmed to find out what happened. Wasn’t a bad book, but potentially just wrong time for me to read it.