Danger Road

by A.L. Tait

Everyone’s talking about Corey Armstrong…

Twenty five years ago, on a dark winter’s night, teenager Corey Armstrong was left to die by a hit and run driver on Danger Road. Now Corey’s the subject of a podcast that’s putting his hometown on the map, but with the series almost over, the case remains unsolved.

When brothers Alex and Leo decide to try to find out what happened to Corey, they learn more about his world than they could have imagined. Everyone’s talking about the popular footballer, but the question remains: did anyone really know him?

As Alex and Leo sink deeper into the past, they uncover old secrets, ready to resurface, and realise that someone in town must know something which means someone they know might be the killer.

Will bringing up the past jeopardise the brothers’ own futures? And could bringing a cold case back to life prove fatal?

Genres: Young Adult, Crime, Mystery, Family, Friendship, Childrens, Thriller

266 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2025

About the author

Allison Tait

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine Tristan Bancks (author of ScarTown) and Amy Doak (author of Eleanor Jones can’t keep a secret) decided to create a mystery/whodunnit. It would look something like this!

Both of those books made the CBCA Notables, and I believe Danger Road by Allison Tait should make 2026’s CBCA Notables in March.

With the right mix of suspense, drama and mystery this is a hard book to put down.

As a primary school teacher librarian, I would recommend this book for students aged +10years old.

Living in a small country town, brothers Alex and Leo tell the unfolding story of a twenty-five year old unsolved murder being resurrected via a podcast series in alternating first person narrative (with their own fonts) chapters. Punchy, emotive and fast-paced, readers are in expert hands with A.L. Tait.

Comfortably straddling middle-grade and young-adult fiction this book will appeal to a wide reading audience.

As a middle-aged boy-mum myself, I appreciated the Hawkins’ family dynamic and values. Respect, Lydia Hawkins.

With a feisty female sidekick (Harry, short for Harriet), and brief mentions of female perspectives in traditional whodunnits, Tait nods to tropes both new and old.

Great book to share, gift or use in classrooms. Here’s hoping to see Danger Road on prize and shortlists in 2026🤞.

[Tan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good read. Realistic storyline and character interactions. Interesting cold case, with great pacing. I liked the sibling relationship too, that was nice.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

fantastic read for 12-15 year olds. I guessed what happened, but in a good way

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fab middle-grade cold case murder mystery, investigated by teen boys. We enjoyed puzzling our way through this one, although my boys were strictly instructed during our reading to never go off on their bikes in the middle of the night! I would have liked the motive to be clearer, but this was super enjoyable.

[Keira W · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Anna Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great early YA read; an exciting plot with well developed characters and strong themes of friendship and loyalty.

[Cherilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely amazing. I finished it in one sitting. The writing was high quality and engaging. The double pov (brothers) gave it something extra. The ending... I didn't see it coming!

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed trying to get my head around this cold case, which was well paced and which had engaging characters to get in behind.

Twenty-five year ago, Corey Armstrong, a popular and talented teen footy player is killed in a hit and run on a dark and dangerous road.

The mystery of his death has never been solved and the close knit town where it happened has never forgotten.

When a true crime podcast starts digging back into the mystery, and as old emotions resurface, brother Leo and Alex become involved in the drama.

Initially they aren't interested in becoming part of the story, but slowly but surely they are lured in and they find themselves in increasing amounts of danger as some townsfolk seem to want to keep history hidden.

Told by the brothers' alternating point of view, I also found myself lured in as I wanted to work out who had dunnit!

Highly recommended.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspenseful, mysterious and intriguing - this great tale buzzes with energy as Alex and his brother Leo seek to solve an historic crime. Tait nails the brothers dynamic as the two boys go from feeling irritation and annoyance at each other to cameraderie and support. It’s okay to be smart came through strongly in this warm and well told story that has an array of complex and likeable characters. An excellent story for ages 11+

[Julia Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid 4.5 stars for this great mystery. Authentic teen voices from the two brothers - I thoroughly enjoyed both their banter and relationship. I admired mum trying to do the right thing for her boys, and eagerly awaited Harry's contributions. Well-paced, strong storyline. Ideal for our Year 9 and 10s.

[Rachel Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a school librarian who read this out of pure curiosity - wanting to gauge how appropriate it is for kids.

I actually really enjoyed this. The plot was engaging, the story was realistic and I liked the dynamics and relationships between all the characters.

I really like how this felt like a true "whodunit", there was a bit of action and I enjoyed playing detective alongside Alex, Leo and Harry.

I am proud to say I guessed some clues correctly, as well as guessing the killer correctly and correctly guessed a possible future love-interest.

In terms of children reading this - I would recommend this for ages 12+

[Penny Waring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid cold case whodunnit with authentic subplots dealing with sibling dynamics, friendships and general teenage awkwardness. Impressive character voices via the alternating perspectives of brothers, Alex and Leo.

Suitable year 7+

[Taylor Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, I had a gut feeling it was the Mayor throughout the entire thing but it was his mother. I thought he may have been jealous of his wife's relationship with Corey but he still doesn't even know I don't think. Poor Corey being left to die on the side of the road like that.

[Cherie Corbett-Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic mystery novel for younger teens. The pacing is perfect, the characterisations leap off the page and all-in-all an engrossing well-written novel with an ending you don't see coming. Highly recommended.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good Australian YA mystery, about Corey who was killed on a road in a country town. Captured crime podcasts, impact of death on a country town and relationship of brothers Alex and Leo.
2026 pop sugar reading challenge- a book that features birding.

[Henry Pascoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book had me on the edge of my seat the whole time and the plot twist at the end. I loved the development of the relationship between the two brothers. There were a few points it the story were I thought that they would suffer the same fate as Corey. Amazing book highly recommended

[Jen Nishi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid read. Well paced and plotted. I really enjoyed the differences between the two brothers and their interactions. Loved Harry as a strong female character. All around an excellent mystery

[Kate Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this young adult book (even though I'm a adult)

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging mystery, authentic teen characters, lovely brotherly friendship.

[Mili · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this read, and found it easy to connect with each of the characters

[Matis · Rating 5 out of 5]

what an ending.😳😳😳😳

[Mei · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written book. I liked the perspective of both very different brothers.

I did wonder who the target audience was.

[Suzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable story of a cold case in a small town, investigated by two brothers

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

solid 3.5/5 ⭐️

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this was an interesting new YA mystery, it didn't fully captivate me. Great for those new to YA and mystery.

[Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable - yes. Fast-paced - no. As good as other books by the author - no. Glad I read it - yes.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

a roller coaster ride for a two brothers trying to solve a cold case in their home town. All the intensity, intrigue, ups and downs of teen and family relationships to keep the pages turning over.

[Myles · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty good murder mystery book

[Cass A · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing story that digs into a 25 year old mystery and involves many of the country town's current occupants. I liked the layers of relationships - siblings, parents, friends - and couldn't pick the ending.

[Vicki Munro · Rating 4 out of 5]

fabulous middle school crime novel. nothing offensive & enough to keep me turning the pages as an adult