What do you think?
Rate this book
Twisted River
It’s not only the guilty who have something to hide.
When charity worker Cate and website designer Rory, a married couple in their thirties, return from their European holiday, they make a nightmare discovery. Their credit cards have been cancelled, their bank account has been emptied, and their phones and internet have been cut off. Their home in the New South Wales coastal town of Kiama has been rented out as a holiday let, and their dog and pet-sitter have disappeared. Meanwhile, Cate's work colleagues have received copies of her handwritten resignation letter, posted from Paris, filled with insults and lurid allegations.
The pain isn't over yet, not by a long shot. Someone has set out to destroy Cate and Rory Porter's lives—and their anonymous enemy's motivations are a mystery.
As the harassment ramps up, some likely suspects emerge. Is it the anti-vax campaigners who have already targeted them over Rory's website for dog owners? Or maybe a pro-Russian activist who objects to Cate's work with Ukrainian refugees?
To make matters worse, the local police seem suspicious of their allegations. Cate and Rory quickly realise the only way to reclaim their lives—and their beloved poodle cross, Iris—is to find their tormentor themselves. And it isn't long before things turn dangerous. Deadly dangerous.
Full of sinister twists and turns, dark humour and a fascinating cast of supporting characters from society's shadowy fringes, Twisted River will grip you until the final cliffhanger ending.
'A premise that's all too real. Twisted River will have you hooked from start to finish ... but you may never go on holiday again.' MICHAEL BRISSENDEN
When charity worker Cate and website designer Rory, a married couple in their thirties, return from their European holiday, they make a nightmare discovery. Their credit cards have been cancelled, their bank account has been emptied, and their phones and internet have been cut off. Their home in the New South Wales coastal town of Kiama has been rented out as a holiday let, and their dog and pet-sitter have disappeared. Meanwhile, Cate's work colleagues have received copies of her handwritten resignation letter, posted from Paris, filled with insults and lurid allegations.
The pain isn't over yet, not by a long shot. Someone has set out to destroy Cate and Rory Porter's lives—and their anonymous enemy's motivations are a mystery.
As the harassment ramps up, some likely suspects emerge. Is it the anti-vax campaigners who have already targeted them over Rory's website for dog owners? Or maybe a pro-Russian activist who objects to Cate's work with Ukrainian refugees?
To make matters worse, the local police seem suspicious of their allegations. Cate and Rory quickly realise the only way to reclaim their lives—and their beloved poodle cross, Iris—is to find their tormentor themselves. And it isn't long before things turn dangerous. Deadly dangerous.
Full of sinister twists and turns, dark humour and a fascinating cast of supporting characters from society's shadowy fringes, Twisted River will grip you until the final cliffhanger ending.
'A premise that's all too real. Twisted River will have you hooked from start to finish ... but you may never go on holiday again.' MICHAEL BRISSENDEN
Audible Audio
Published December 11, 2025
16 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 7, 2025
EXCERPT: Going with the flow of disembarking passengers at Sydney International Airport, Rory Porter feels sick. It's not the airline breakfast, which is never great, regardless of which carrier you fly with. It's not the bumpier than usual descent; he's endured worse and suffered no ill-effects. No, this deepening unease was first felt back in Paris when their emails stopped working and their computer log-ins didn't log in. Since then, this feeling, not exactly panic, more a low burn anxiety, has been gnawing at Rory's gut. It has a name: dread. And it's not a feeling you want to combine with international travel. Would he look nervous passing through all the check-in and security scans? Would the tension in his neck and jaw mark him out for special attention? Rory has known this combination of fear and experience before, although it's been so long, it hits him like an angry word from an old friend.
Maybe he's overreacting. He'll soon know; certainty awaits at the end of the long walk from the plane, down the airbridge, into the bleakly clean, endless corridors of the terminal.
ABOUT 'TWISTED RIVER': When charity worker Cate and website designer Rory, a married couple in their thirties, return from their European holiday, they make a nightmare discovery. Their credit cards have been cancelled, their bank account has been emptied, and their phones and internet have been cut off. Their home in the New South Wales coastal town of Kiama has been rented out as a holiday let, and their dog and pet-sitter have disappeared. Meanwhile, Cate's work colleagues have received copies of her handwritten resignation letter, posted from Paris, filled with insults and lurid allegations.
The pain isn't over yet, not by a long shot. Someone has set out to destroy Cate and Rory Porter's lives - and their anonymous enemy's motivations are a mystery.
As the harassment ramps up, some likely suspects emerge. Is it the anti-vax campaigners who have already targeted them over Rory's website for dog owners? Or maybe a pro-Russian activist who objects to Cate's work with Ukrainian refugees?
To make matters worse, the local police seem suspicious of their allegations. Cate and Rory quickly realise the only way to reclaim their lives - and their beloved poodle cross, Iris - is to find their tormentor themselves. And it isn't long before things turn dangerous. Deadly dangerous.
MY THOUGHTS: James Dunbar instantly drew me into the narrative and didn't let go until he spat me out again at the other end.
Dark and sinister, Dunbar preys on every traveler's worst nightmare - identity theft - and takes it to a whole new level. Every time Cate and Rory seem to be getting somewhere with their investigation, they discover something more. Their frustration simply oozes off the page as they run around in ever decreasing circles trying to prove their identity and get their lives back. Neither their phones nor their credit cards work, and they have no computer access. Just stop for a moment and think about your two-step authentications. Designed to prevent such unauthorised access to your accounts, they also make it very difficult for you to access your accounts and to prove who you are if you are hacked . . .
The characters are superbly depicted. Rory has anger management issues and secrets in his past that not even Cate knows about. Cate doesn't know how fragile she is until her life is ripped to shreds, and the blows just keep coming. The police are less than helpful and seem to have it in for Rory . . .
With numerous twists and turns, palpable tension, and cleverly dark humor, Dunbar has written a winner for sure.
'You mean a hit? . . . You'd go that far?'
'That's very old school. . . . These days we call it involuntary assisted dying.'
Twisted River would have received the full five stars, but I found the sections narrated by Iris the dog downright annoying.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.7
#TwistedRiver #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: JAMES DUNBAR is a journalist, television scriptwriter, travel writer, university lecturer and website editor. Published as Jimmy Thomson, he is also the author of two crime ‘caper’ novels and two true-crime memoirs, as well as several books about Australian army engineers (sappers) during the Vietnam War. (Source: ecchopublishing.com.au - abridged)
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Echo Publishing via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of Twisted River by James Dunbar for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Maybe he's overreacting. He'll soon know; certainty awaits at the end of the long walk from the plane, down the airbridge, into the bleakly clean, endless corridors of the terminal.
ABOUT 'TWISTED RIVER': When charity worker Cate and website designer Rory, a married couple in their thirties, return from their European holiday, they make a nightmare discovery. Their credit cards have been cancelled, their bank account has been emptied, and their phones and internet have been cut off. Their home in the New South Wales coastal town of Kiama has been rented out as a holiday let, and their dog and pet-sitter have disappeared. Meanwhile, Cate's work colleagues have received copies of her handwritten resignation letter, posted from Paris, filled with insults and lurid allegations.
The pain isn't over yet, not by a long shot. Someone has set out to destroy Cate and Rory Porter's lives - and their anonymous enemy's motivations are a mystery.
As the harassment ramps up, some likely suspects emerge. Is it the anti-vax campaigners who have already targeted them over Rory's website for dog owners? Or maybe a pro-Russian activist who objects to Cate's work with Ukrainian refugees?
To make matters worse, the local police seem suspicious of their allegations. Cate and Rory quickly realise the only way to reclaim their lives - and their beloved poodle cross, Iris - is to find their tormentor themselves. And it isn't long before things turn dangerous. Deadly dangerous.
MY THOUGHTS: James Dunbar instantly drew me into the narrative and didn't let go until he spat me out again at the other end.
Dark and sinister, Dunbar preys on every traveler's worst nightmare - identity theft - and takes it to a whole new level. Every time Cate and Rory seem to be getting somewhere with their investigation, they discover something more. Their frustration simply oozes off the page as they run around in ever decreasing circles trying to prove their identity and get their lives back. Neither their phones nor their credit cards work, and they have no computer access. Just stop for a moment and think about your two-step authentications. Designed to prevent such unauthorised access to your accounts, they also make it very difficult for you to access your accounts and to prove who you are if you are hacked . . .
The characters are superbly depicted. Rory has anger management issues and secrets in his past that not even Cate knows about. Cate doesn't know how fragile she is until her life is ripped to shreds, and the blows just keep coming. The police are less than helpful and seem to have it in for Rory . . .
With numerous twists and turns, palpable tension, and cleverly dark humor, Dunbar has written a winner for sure.
'You mean a hit? . . . You'd go that far?'
'That's very old school. . . . These days we call it involuntary assisted dying.'
Twisted River would have received the full five stars, but I found the sections narrated by Iris the dog downright annoying.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.7
#TwistedRiver #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: JAMES DUNBAR is a journalist, television scriptwriter, travel writer, university lecturer and website editor. Published as Jimmy Thomson, he is also the author of two crime ‘caper’ novels and two true-crime memoirs, as well as several books about Australian army engineers (sappers) during the Vietnam War. (Source: ecchopublishing.com.au - abridged)
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Echo Publishing via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of Twisted River by James Dunbar for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
February 5, 2026
A real page-turner. I read it in a day.
I really enjoyed Mole Creek by James Dunbar and Twisted River is even more compelling!
With Twisted River James Dunbar had me riveted to my seat until I'd finished the book.
I love a book that can grab me from the prologue and hold my attention all the way through.
James Dunbar does a superb job of getting the reader to like his main characters before dropping some revealing information about them.
There are twists galore in this edge of your seat thriller.
While I found myself holding my breath at times there are also some laugh-out-loud moments rich in dark humour. I also loved getting the dog Iris's point of view. Such fun!
Twisted River is a tense, edge of your seat thriller that will have you second guessing having a stranger house-sit for you.
I really enjoyed Mole Creek by James Dunbar and Twisted River is even more compelling!
With Twisted River James Dunbar had me riveted to my seat until I'd finished the book.
I love a book that can grab me from the prologue and hold my attention all the way through.
James Dunbar does a superb job of getting the reader to like his main characters before dropping some revealing information about them.
There are twists galore in this edge of your seat thriller.
While I found myself holding my breath at times there are also some laugh-out-loud moments rich in dark humour. I also loved getting the dog Iris's point of view. Such fun!
Twisted River is a tense, edge of your seat thriller that will have you second guessing having a stranger house-sit for you.
October 2, 2025
This was a really enjoyable read. Well written, and an easy to follow story. The story taking place in Kiama and other South Coast locations was fun - being a local was able to visualise many of the places described in the story. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 15, 2026
Easy read also had a dog, so we love
January 13, 2026
Libby Audiobook
January 15, 2026
this was fast paced thriller and I did enjoy however it was predictable and the ending felt abrupt
September 7, 2025
Twisted River by James Dunbar had me in its grip from the very first page. The suspense never let up, and while I’d call this more of a suspenseful thriller than a super twisty one, there were still enough turns to keep me hooked until the end.
What really elevated this read for me was the setting. As a South Coast local, I could picture every detail of Roy and Cate’s life in Kiama — the dramatic ocean views, the lush bushland, the winding coastline. The imagery felt so vivid that it was almost like the landscape itself became another character in the story. I immediately requested this ARC when I saw Kiama mentioned in the blurb, and when Echo Publishing approved me, I was elated.
As a dog lover, I adored the inclusion of their dog, Iris. Her little anecdotes and perspective added such warmth in contrast to the story’s darker tension. Iris’s storyline was actually the one I found myself chasing most desperately, and it had me constantly imagining what I’d do if someone ever took my own dog. I was relieved with her happy resolution — though one thing’s certain, I’ll never look for a local dog sitter again unless it’s family or friends!
And then there’s the line that sums up the undercurrent of it all: “Break the dam on that twisted river of technology and everything will start to flow.” It captures perfectly how small choices ripple outward in unexpected ways, both in life & in story.
This is an atmospheric and suspenseful thriller, rich in South Coast flavour, that I couldn’t put down.
What really elevated this read for me was the setting. As a South Coast local, I could picture every detail of Roy and Cate’s life in Kiama — the dramatic ocean views, the lush bushland, the winding coastline. The imagery felt so vivid that it was almost like the landscape itself became another character in the story. I immediately requested this ARC when I saw Kiama mentioned in the blurb, and when Echo Publishing approved me, I was elated.
As a dog lover, I adored the inclusion of their dog, Iris. Her little anecdotes and perspective added such warmth in contrast to the story’s darker tension. Iris’s storyline was actually the one I found myself chasing most desperately, and it had me constantly imagining what I’d do if someone ever took my own dog. I was relieved with her happy resolution — though one thing’s certain, I’ll never look for a local dog sitter again unless it’s family or friends!
And then there’s the line that sums up the undercurrent of it all: “Break the dam on that twisted river of technology and everything will start to flow.” It captures perfectly how small choices ripple outward in unexpected ways, both in life & in story.
This is an atmospheric and suspenseful thriller, rich in South Coast flavour, that I couldn’t put down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 30, 2025
Twisted River by James Dunbar kicks off in a muted but intriguing way with Cate and Rory, a married couple travelling overseas when they realise their credit cards have been cancelled and they're unable to access their emails. They figure they'll sort it out when they get home, but Rory - for reasons not yet clear - is a little unsettled by the events. Things get worse when they get home to discover their bank account has been drained, their dog-sitter disappeared (along with their dog Iris), locks changed and house being used as an AirBnB. When Cate discovers she's supposedly resigned from her job - going out with a bang and sharing confidential and malicious gossip with the whole company - Rory's worst fears are realised.
I enjoyed Rory unpicking the meagre clues and calling on old 'friends' to help solve the puzzle, made more complex when bodies start to appear and Rory himself (prone to angry outbursts) coming under suspicion before racing to a life-and-death conclusion.
3.5 stars
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
I enjoyed Rory unpicking the meagre clues and calling on old 'friends' to help solve the puzzle, made more complex when bodies start to appear and Rory himself (prone to angry outbursts) coming under suspicion before racing to a life-and-death conclusion.
3.5 stars
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
February 8, 2026
Twisted River had a strong premise and an engaging start, which is what kept me reading. The setting in Australia added atmosphere, and I enjoyed the writing style overall — especially the voice of the dog, Iris, which felt fresh and well done.
That said, I finished the book feeling fairly neutral. The themes felt more surface-level than I’d hoped, and while the pacing was fine, the story became a bit unbelievable at times — particularly the detective character, who didn’t quite convince me.
Nothing truly surprised or moved me, and although it wasn’t a bad read, it didn’t leave a lasting impression either. A solid idea that didn’t quite land for me.
That said, I finished the book feeling fairly neutral. The themes felt more surface-level than I’d hoped, and while the pacing was fine, the story became a bit unbelievable at times — particularly the detective character, who didn’t quite convince me.
Nothing truly surprised or moved me, and although it wasn’t a bad read, it didn’t leave a lasting impression either. A solid idea that didn’t quite land for me.
November 12, 2025
I enjoyed this one.
Easy to digest, genuine page turner.
Cate and Rory return from their European holiday. Things started to go weird at the back end of their holiday - their bank account emptied, credit cards cancelled and the like. Is it just error or are they under attack. When they return to their home in Kiama, south of Sydney, to find the locks changed and the house Ari BnB'd out, they know it's not just system errors.
When the police don't take significant action, it's up to Rory and Cate to do their own detective work.
Easy to digest, genuine page turner.
Cate and Rory return from their European holiday. Things started to go weird at the back end of their holiday - their bank account emptied, credit cards cancelled and the like. Is it just error or are they under attack. When they return to their home in Kiama, south of Sydney, to find the locks changed and the house Ari BnB'd out, they know it's not just system errors.
When the police don't take significant action, it's up to Rory and Cate to do their own detective work.
December 12, 2025
4.5 stars rounded down. But I almost rounded up. Read in a single day. Crime fiction out of the ordinary, revolving around identity theft, a secret past and some cyber-crime. And there’s a dog-napping as well. Set in Kiama too alongside Sydney. Very different and original, although just plausible enough. And as I said just kept reading to the end in a day. Maybe I should have rounded up to 5!
January 25, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It had me wanting to keep reading to find out what was happening! There were plenty of twists throughout the book.
It was written in an easy to digest manner which enabled me to get through it quite quickly.
It made you think about how something similar to this could happen in real life & the lengths a person could go to to make your life a nightmare!
It was written in an easy to digest manner which enabled me to get through it quite quickly.
It made you think about how something similar to this could happen in real life & the lengths a person could go to to make your life a nightmare!
Read
January 27, 2026Thoroughly enjoyable read. A good rollicking contemporary yarn - with all the possible challenges to all of us - should somebody takeover our identity. Being a local Sydneysider - its good to follow the story line and the locations. I can understand the thinking behind the plot - and am reading religiously to get to the conclusion.
November 19, 2025
The predictability impacted my enjoyment.
What is concerning is how damn easy it is easy for one's life to be 'stolen' and sadly how much we have come to rely on technology.
BRING BACK PEN & PAPER to the classrooms....
What is concerning is how damn easy it is easy for one's life to be 'stolen' and sadly how much we have come to rely on technology.
BRING BACK PEN & PAPER to the classrooms....
January 20, 2026
This was a well written page-turning thriller. The addition of Iris' POV was at times, entertaining, however, I found it slightly off-putting as well. Hence the subtraction of a star.
I'd recommend this as a quick, entertaining read.
I'd recommend this as a quick, entertaining read.
February 13, 2026
I loved the premise of this book but found it fell quite flat. I really disliked the characters and found the whole story really far fetched. Disappointed because I was excited for the potential, but maybe I’m just not quite the right reader for this one.
February 15, 2026
1.5 ⭐️
Reading from the perspective of a damn dog should’ve been my reason to DNF but here we are. Literally was just a little curious about why these people were being targeted but other than that this was so so boring. Literally nothing was shocking and I absolutely despised the writing style.
Reading from the perspective of a damn dog should’ve been my reason to DNF but here we are. Literally was just a little curious about why these people were being targeted but other than that this was so so boring. Literally nothing was shocking and I absolutely despised the writing style.
February 17, 2026
This one is a page turner as i couldnt put down the book as i was hooked to the story wanting to know more. This one had me second guessing about having an stranger house sit for you... it had me on the edge of my seat.
February 24, 2026
Whoever wrote this has a hatred for cops. First thriller I’ve read, I liked it. Epilogue could’ve been a bit longer/in depth. I found Iris’s POV to not be necessary but certainly reminded me of the dog’s existence throughout.
October 7, 2025
Gripping read.
Absolutely loved it. Each time I put it down I was left speculating what was going to happen next.
Absolutely loved it. Each time I put it down I was left speculating what was going to happen next.
November 10, 2025
4.5 What an excellent novel. I loved the Kiama and Illawarra setting. The best thing was this was a different plot and storyline to most novels Ive read, but totally believable.
December 17, 2025
A real page turner. It’s scary how easily one’s life can be manipulated and hacked. A clever plot and a nice twist at the end. Enjoyed the dog narrator too.
December 23, 2025
This book was brilliant a great storyline and very well written 5 stars 🌟
January 24, 2026
This was an excellent read. God bless Iris.
February 1, 2026
3.5⭐️
February 9, 2026
3.5 stars. The Dogs POV in the audiobook was hilariously bad... but still somehow added to the story!
February 22, 2026
It was very engaging at the start with a good premise and it’s an easy read. I did get a little bored towards the end and felt some parts dragged out.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews