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Clementine Jones #1
Lapse
All it took was a lapse…a momentary lapse…to bring Clementine Jones’ world crashing down. Now she’s living like a hermit in small-town Katinga, coaching the local footy club. She’s supposed to be lying low, but here she is, with her team on the cusp of their first premiership in fifty years—and the whole bloody town counting on her, cheering her on.
So why the hell would her star player quit on the eve of the finals?
It’s a question she wishes she’d left alone. Others are starting to ask questions too—questions about her. Clem’s not the only one with a secret, and as tension builds, the dark violence just below the town’s surface threatens to erupt. Pretty soon there’ll be nowhere left for Clem to hide.
291 pages, Paperback
First published August 6, 2019
21 people are currently reading
393 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Thornton
2 books27 followersSarah cast off the lines to her law career not long after being awarded Australian Corporate Lawyer of the Year in 2016. She now lives with her husband aboard a 43-foot sailing catamaran, exploring this most magnificent blue planet and chasing an endless summer. She took up writing novels as a way to liberate her imagination after twenty years in the structured confines of legal and corporate life. Her debut novel, Lapse, is the first of a series featuring former corporate lawyer Clementine Jones.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
October 4, 2019
This is an excellent debut novel from ex-corporate lawyer Sarah Thornton. Set in a small rural Australian town where jobs are scarce and speculation about the weekly local football game is the focus of speculation at the local pub. This year the team is looking good with a new coach, Clementine Jones, and a chance at the finals for the first time in over fifty years. Clementine Jones, ex corporate lawyer, was running away from her past when she happened upon a small cottage outside the town that she fell in love with and decided it was time to stop running. No one knows her history and she wants to keep it that way. However, she can't stop herself playing amateur sleuth when her best player, Clancy, loses his job after being framed for theft and is warned to quit the team or else something bad might happen to him or his family. Although Clementine is also warned off, she soon finds herself uncovering some dark secrets and upsetting some very dangerous people.
Clementine is a great character, very gutsy and not afraid to ask questions, particularly in defending her favourite football players but she's like a kangaroo caught in the headlights, waiting to run as soon as someone unearths her past. The local town has a very authentic Australian feel as do the characters who run the town or play on the football team. The racial tension between the Aboriginal population, which Clancy belongs to, and the white population is realistically and sensitively depicted. The plot is fast and well written with a growing tension as Clementine's sense of justice gets her into trouble. I'm so glad this is the first in a series featuring Clementine and look forward to hearing more about her new life and football coaching career.
With many thanks to Text Publishing for a copy of the book to read
Clementine is a great character, very gutsy and not afraid to ask questions, particularly in defending her favourite football players but she's like a kangaroo caught in the headlights, waiting to run as soon as someone unearths her past. The local town has a very authentic Australian feel as do the characters who run the town or play on the football team. The racial tension between the Aboriginal population, which Clancy belongs to, and the white population is realistically and sensitively depicted. The plot is fast and well written with a growing tension as Clementine's sense of justice gets her into trouble. I'm so glad this is the first in a series featuring Clementine and look forward to hearing more about her new life and football coaching career.
With many thanks to Text Publishing for a copy of the book to read
August 1, 2019
Clementine Jones was keeping a low profile after her flight from Sydney. The small town of Katinga in Victoria was her refuge – until it no longer was – and when she began coaching the local football club, she’d had no idea how deeply involved with the players she would become. The team hadn’t won a grand final in fifty-three years; she was determined to give them the courage and respect in themselves that it took to improve.
But when their top player, young Clancy, pulled out of the team a couple of weeks before the finals, Clem was shocked. And when she confronted him, she knew deep down there was much more to his excuses than he was saying. But could she – or anyone else – do anything about it?
Questions, secrets, lies and violence – Clem had no idea what she’d become involved in. But she was determined to help Clancy and uncover the truth. Could she do that without revealing her own secrets though?
Lapse is the debut crime novel and 1st in the Clementine Jones series by Aussie author Sarah Thornton, and it was excellent. Fast paced, intense, set in small town rural country where most townsfolk were struggling to survive; the local Aboriginals beleaguered by some of the racist whites – Australian Rules Football (AFL) bringing them all together. A very impressive debut; a new Aussie crime writer – Lapse is one I highly recommend and I’m looking forward to #2 already 😊
With thanks to Text Publishing for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
But when their top player, young Clancy, pulled out of the team a couple of weeks before the finals, Clem was shocked. And when she confronted him, she knew deep down there was much more to his excuses than he was saying. But could she – or anyone else – do anything about it?
Questions, secrets, lies and violence – Clem had no idea what she’d become involved in. But she was determined to help Clancy and uncover the truth. Could she do that without revealing her own secrets though?
Lapse is the debut crime novel and 1st in the Clementine Jones series by Aussie author Sarah Thornton, and it was excellent. Fast paced, intense, set in small town rural country where most townsfolk were struggling to survive; the local Aboriginals beleaguered by some of the racist whites – Australian Rules Football (AFL) bringing them all together. A very impressive debut; a new Aussie crime writer – Lapse is one I highly recommend and I’m looking forward to #2 already 😊
With thanks to Text Publishing for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
January 9, 2022
Clementine Jones is on the run from her past. Hiding out in a small rural Victorian town, this is a far cry from the high profile corporate life she has fled. She is coaching the local football team which has not played in the finals for more than 50 years. Under Clem's guidance the team is now achieving success and she is finding herself in an unwanted spotlight.
With finals fast approaching, Clancy, the team's star player suddenly quits leaving Clementine bewildered. As she starts to investigate why Clancy is quitting she soon finds out she is digging around in something much bigger and more sinister than she imagined.
This was a real nail biter in parts. The characters, dialogue and plot were all completely plausible and I really enjoyed this book.
Thank you Text publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC, it was a cracker!
With finals fast approaching, Clancy, the team's star player suddenly quits leaving Clementine bewildered. As she starts to investigate why Clancy is quitting she soon finds out she is digging around in something much bigger and more sinister than she imagined.
This was a real nail biter in parts. The characters, dialogue and plot were all completely plausible and I really enjoyed this book.
Thank you Text publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC, it was a cracker!
April 22, 2020
It’s Friday Night Lights, but set in the hinterlands of Australia where it’s not American Football they are playing. A female coach, Clementine, is leading a team of unknowns to their first championship in forty years and the whole town is rooting for them or so it seems.
But, Clementine has a shady past that she hopes was left behind with her legal career in tatters after a drunken night takes a life. And, she becomes a junior Sam Spade through no fault of her own when her star player is forced to quit the team and uncovers a hell of town secrets, dirty coverups, and lingering racism against the indigenous people.
This is a debut novel, but don’t let that throw you. It’s fast paced and absorbing. You may cringe when Clem plays at being a detective, but the writing is so crisp that you feel her emotions and understand her reasoning as she throws caution to the wind and tries to do the right thing.
Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.
But, Clementine has a shady past that she hopes was left behind with her legal career in tatters after a drunken night takes a life. And, she becomes a junior Sam Spade through no fault of her own when her star player is forced to quit the team and uncovers a hell of town secrets, dirty coverups, and lingering racism against the indigenous people.
This is a debut novel, but don’t let that throw you. It’s fast paced and absorbing. You may cringe when Clem plays at being a detective, but the writing is so crisp that you feel her emotions and understand her reasoning as she throws caution to the wind and tries to do the right thing.
Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.
June 14, 2020
4.5★s
Lapse is the first book in the Clementine Jones series by Australian author and former lawyer, Sarah Thornton. Why would Sydney corporate lawyer, Clementine Jones be coaching a football team in small town Victoria? Whatever the reason, she’s doing something right because, for the first time in fifty-three years, it looks like the Katinga Cats may just win the premiership. Until, that is, their star player, Clancy Kennedy quits, citing an excuse that just doesn’t ring true.
The whole town is depending on Clem to help the team finally gain that elusive title, so she’s determined to find out why Clancy has really abandoned the team. Even though Clem seriously intends to keep a low profile, she finds herself reverting to lawyer mode to learn the truth, something not everyone appreciates. But are they just warning her to respect privacy, or is it a threat?
Clem can’t let it go, and when she learns that Clancy has also been dismissed from the town’s biggest employer, her discrimination radar begins to ping. As Clancy is an indigenous player, is it racism, or is there more going on? And if she digs deeper, will she be exposed too?
While Clem may not be entirely surprised to be coaching football (she has always loved it), by the time the grand final is over, she will have been involved in a number of activities that she could never have imagined, probably the least of which is paying a fortune for a phone, but extending to unlawful entry and theft, covert surveillance, vandalising a car, ringing Crimestoppers with a tip, being kidnapped and holding a loaded gun on someone.
Thornton gives the reader a twisty plot with plenty of action. She easily evokes the Australian small town and its residents, her characters have a familiar feel and their dialogue is credible, although Clem’s tendency to make dubious decisions and act alone does get a little irritating.
It isn’t necessary to be a football fan to enjoy this novel as this is not a story swamped in sport. The issues that feature (racism, unemployment and drugs} are very real ones in those communities. This is an impressive debut, and it will be interesting to see what Clementine Jones gets up to next.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Text Publishing.
Lapse is the first book in the Clementine Jones series by Australian author and former lawyer, Sarah Thornton. Why would Sydney corporate lawyer, Clementine Jones be coaching a football team in small town Victoria? Whatever the reason, she’s doing something right because, for the first time in fifty-three years, it looks like the Katinga Cats may just win the premiership. Until, that is, their star player, Clancy Kennedy quits, citing an excuse that just doesn’t ring true.
The whole town is depending on Clem to help the team finally gain that elusive title, so she’s determined to find out why Clancy has really abandoned the team. Even though Clem seriously intends to keep a low profile, she finds herself reverting to lawyer mode to learn the truth, something not everyone appreciates. But are they just warning her to respect privacy, or is it a threat?
Clem can’t let it go, and when she learns that Clancy has also been dismissed from the town’s biggest employer, her discrimination radar begins to ping. As Clancy is an indigenous player, is it racism, or is there more going on? And if she digs deeper, will she be exposed too?
While Clem may not be entirely surprised to be coaching football (she has always loved it), by the time the grand final is over, she will have been involved in a number of activities that she could never have imagined, probably the least of which is paying a fortune for a phone, but extending to unlawful entry and theft, covert surveillance, vandalising a car, ringing Crimestoppers with a tip, being kidnapped and holding a loaded gun on someone.
Thornton gives the reader a twisty plot with plenty of action. She easily evokes the Australian small town and its residents, her characters have a familiar feel and their dialogue is credible, although Clem’s tendency to make dubious decisions and act alone does get a little irritating.
It isn’t necessary to be a football fan to enjoy this novel as this is not a story swamped in sport. The issues that feature (racism, unemployment and drugs} are very real ones in those communities. This is an impressive debut, and it will be interesting to see what Clementine Jones gets up to next.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Text Publishing.
April 22, 2020
It s April and usually our weekends in April are filled with AFL. My family and ai are Sydney Swans members and we are starting to wonder if we will get to use our 2020 memberships. So to fill a small void I decided to pick up Lapse by Sarah Thornton.
Lapse is an Aussie crime thriller set in rural Victoria. It tells the story of Clementine Jones, an ex corporate lawyer who moves to Katinga to escape her past. She becomes the coach of the local AFL coach and the team has gone from the wooden spoon to a chance of wine ING the premiership. So why then has the star player Clancy suddenly quit, just before the finals. Her investigative background gets the better of it and she gets caught up in the dark side of the town. There is racial tension, gang crime, drugs and very dangerous people.
I throughly enjoyed this book and look forward to learning more about Clem. And I got my AFL fix in the process. Great Aussie author to look out for more.
Lapse is an Aussie crime thriller set in rural Victoria. It tells the story of Clementine Jones, an ex corporate lawyer who moves to Katinga to escape her past. She becomes the coach of the local AFL coach and the team has gone from the wooden spoon to a chance of wine ING the premiership. So why then has the star player Clancy suddenly quit, just before the finals. Her investigative background gets the better of it and she gets caught up in the dark side of the town. There is racial tension, gang crime, drugs and very dangerous people.
I throughly enjoyed this book and look forward to learning more about Clem. And I got my AFL fix in the process. Great Aussie author to look out for more.
July 29, 2019
It’s always exciting to discover another new Australian crime writer, especially when that writer subverts the usual tropes and gives us a plot that goes beyond the police procedural, along with characters that are unexpected and different. In Lapse (Text Publishing 2019), corporate lawyer turned debut author Sarah Thornton presents a fast-paced and tense narrative set in rural Australia and featuring Clementine Jones – an endearing accidental crime solver. Thornton obviously has plans for this book to be the first in a series – Clem’s backstory is hinted at throughout the novel, but largely remains a mystery until the final pages, and even then we only have the sketchiest idea of what has led her to seek escape in the small country town of Katinga. For escape is what she has done – she has sought refuge in a tiny cottage in the small town and mostly succeeded in keeping to herself. From the beginning of the story, we know she is running away from something or someone in her past, but while the author cleverly gives hints throughout the narrative, even by the closing chapter we feel we are only just beginning to understand Clem’s story. But whatever has happened in her past, Lapse is all about her current circumstances, when she unwittingly gets caught up in a criminal investigation and is forced into helping to solve a crime.
Although Clem mostly hides away with her dog Pocket, she does reluctantly agree to coach the local footy team. She enjoys it and she’s good at it, and the time training the young men keeps her sane while the rest of her life is so hermit-like. The local team, the Cats, haven’t come close to a grand final win for 50 years, so it is surprising when under her guidance, the motley crew of ragtag players actually begins to coalesce and form a tight and ambitious united team. The local footy supporters begin to take notice, and soon Clem is in the spotlight more than she planned or wanted.
But before we know of this, the novel opens with a taut prologue of a young man being threatened by some thugs behind a pub; he is roughed up, burnt with a cigarette and threats are made against his unborn child. It’s a great opening and takes us straight into the action. From there, the novel is told from Clem’s point of view. The end of the season is approaching when Clem’s star player, a young Aboriginal man called Clancy, announces he is quitting the team. He has also been fired from his job, and nobody seems to understand what is going on for him, especially his partner Melissa who is almost ready to give birth to their first child.
As Clem digs into Clancy’s situation, she uncovers secrets that some locals would rather were left unsaid. And her questions lead to others asking questions about her – something she desperately wants to avoid.
The narrative pace of this novel is well controlled as the mystery deepens, the footy finals draw closer, and as Clem unwittingly and unwillingly is pulled into an ever-stickier web of deceit and violence. There’s a bit of everything: financial skulduggery; nepotism; cat and mouse games; covert ops; legal wrangling and of course lots of footy references (you don’t need to know anything about football to enjoy the book, but the details will no doubt thrill the fans; the book certainly conveys the importance of teamwork and how a disparate group of young blokes can be brought together through sport). Thornton produces authentic Aussie dialogue effortlessly and has really got a handle on the idiosyncrasies of small outback towns. Her deft handling of the issue of race is also executed with a sensitive touch. She pulls no punches when depicting the prejudice shown against the Aboriginal people of ‘the Plains’, and the casual racism is uncomfortably familiar.
I’m sure we haven’t heard the last of Clementine Jones and I’m keen to see how her personal story develops in future books.
Although Clem mostly hides away with her dog Pocket, she does reluctantly agree to coach the local footy team. She enjoys it and she’s good at it, and the time training the young men keeps her sane while the rest of her life is so hermit-like. The local team, the Cats, haven’t come close to a grand final win for 50 years, so it is surprising when under her guidance, the motley crew of ragtag players actually begins to coalesce and form a tight and ambitious united team. The local footy supporters begin to take notice, and soon Clem is in the spotlight more than she planned or wanted.
But before we know of this, the novel opens with a taut prologue of a young man being threatened by some thugs behind a pub; he is roughed up, burnt with a cigarette and threats are made against his unborn child. It’s a great opening and takes us straight into the action. From there, the novel is told from Clem’s point of view. The end of the season is approaching when Clem’s star player, a young Aboriginal man called Clancy, announces he is quitting the team. He has also been fired from his job, and nobody seems to understand what is going on for him, especially his partner Melissa who is almost ready to give birth to their first child.
As Clem digs into Clancy’s situation, she uncovers secrets that some locals would rather were left unsaid. And her questions lead to others asking questions about her – something she desperately wants to avoid.
The narrative pace of this novel is well controlled as the mystery deepens, the footy finals draw closer, and as Clem unwittingly and unwillingly is pulled into an ever-stickier web of deceit and violence. There’s a bit of everything: financial skulduggery; nepotism; cat and mouse games; covert ops; legal wrangling and of course lots of footy references (you don’t need to know anything about football to enjoy the book, but the details will no doubt thrill the fans; the book certainly conveys the importance of teamwork and how a disparate group of young blokes can be brought together through sport). Thornton produces authentic Aussie dialogue effortlessly and has really got a handle on the idiosyncrasies of small outback towns. Her deft handling of the issue of race is also executed with a sensitive touch. She pulls no punches when depicting the prejudice shown against the Aboriginal people of ‘the Plains’, and the casual racism is uncomfortably familiar.
I’m sure we haven’t heard the last of Clementine Jones and I’m keen to see how her personal story develops in future books.
Read
August 16, 2019‘Clementine Jones is a heroine for our times: fierce, feisty and fallible.’
Candice Fox
‘Lapse is a quintessentially Australian story of small town conspiracies, dark secrets and footy finals. Part-time coach and accidental sleuth Clementine Jones is a welcome and refreshing addition to the ranks of Australian crime fiction detectives.’
Emma Viskic
‘[A] tense thriller that holds the reader captive until the very end…fans of Jane Harper and Garry Disher will enjoy this book.'
ReadPlus Reviews
‘[An] enjoyable addition to the steadily growing catalogue of Australian rural crime fiction and a very accomplished debut.’
Robert Goodman
‘Lapse is paced like a suspenseful footy match, scoring goals right up to the final siren. Unexpected twists and turns will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the end. Fans of rural crime, the likes of Jane Harper and Sarah Bailey, will enjoy this book.’
Books+Publishing (starred review)
‘A true page-turner and a surefire hit.’
Michael Collins
‘Tackling Clem’s guilt and shame with sympathetic and honest clarity, Thornton’s debut is a small-town, high-stakes, mid-season tale that you don’t need to love footy to enjoy.’
Readings
Candice Fox
‘Lapse is a quintessentially Australian story of small town conspiracies, dark secrets and footy finals. Part-time coach and accidental sleuth Clementine Jones is a welcome and refreshing addition to the ranks of Australian crime fiction detectives.’
Emma Viskic
‘[A] tense thriller that holds the reader captive until the very end…fans of Jane Harper and Garry Disher will enjoy this book.'
ReadPlus Reviews
‘[An] enjoyable addition to the steadily growing catalogue of Australian rural crime fiction and a very accomplished debut.’
Robert Goodman
‘Lapse is paced like a suspenseful footy match, scoring goals right up to the final siren. Unexpected twists and turns will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the end. Fans of rural crime, the likes of Jane Harper and Sarah Bailey, will enjoy this book.’
Books+Publishing (starred review)
‘A true page-turner and a surefire hit.’
Michael Collins
‘Tackling Clem’s guilt and shame with sympathetic and honest clarity, Thornton’s debut is a small-town, high-stakes, mid-season tale that you don’t need to love footy to enjoy.’
Readings
August 30, 2019
What a rip-snorter of a novel. It’s a blinder. And for those who don’t speak Australian, that means it’s remarkably good. It cracks open at a fast pace, introducing a palette of well-painted, colourful characters, and our mysterious and gutsy heroine, Clementine Jones, who grew on me more and more as the novel went on. In fact I found her an inspiration. What surprised me about this book was not the laugh out loud tableaux like the scene in the tattoo parlour, nor the authentic dialogue and deployment of Antipodean vernacular. What surprised me was the emotional reactions I had, ranging from visceral fear, to gulp em back tears; and the intricate, well-crafted plot, with it’s layers of humanity and social consciousness, which you could dwell on or not according to your appetite for it. What I loved the most, was the book’s enveloping air of Australiania, that through language and landscape speaks so representatively of rural culture, and small town, agricultural Australia. A gob-smackingly fine debut novel, I am frothing for Sarah Thornton’s next one.
February 26, 2021
4.5★s
Lapse is the first book in the Clementine Jones series by Australian author and former lawyer, Sarah Thornton. The audio version is read by Blazey Best. Why would Sydney corporate lawyer, Clementine Jones be coaching a football team in small town Victoria? Whatever the reason, she’s doing something right because, for the first time in fifty-three years, it looks like the Katinga Cats may just win the premiership. Until, that is, their star player, Clancy Kennedy quits, citing an excuse that just doesn’t ring true.
The whole town is depending on Clem to help the team finally gain that elusive title, so she’s determined to find out why Clancy has really abandoned the team. Even though Clem seriously intends to keep a low profile, she finds herself reverting to lawyer mode to learn the truth, something not everyone appreciates. But are they just warning her to respect privacy, or is it a threat?
Clem can’t let it go, and when she learns that Clancy has also been dismissed from the town’s biggest employer, her discrimination radar begins to ping. As Clancy is an indigenous player, is it racism, or is there more going on? And if she digs deeper, will she be exposed too?
While Clem may not be entirely surprised to be coaching football (she has always loved it), by the time the grand final is over, she will have been involved in a number of activities that she could never have imagined, probably the least of which is paying a fortune for a phone, but extending to unlawful entry and theft, covert surveillance, vandalising a car, ringing Crimestoppers with a tip, being kidnapped and holding a loaded gun on someone.
Thornton gives the reader a twisty plot with plenty of action. She easily evokes the Australian small town and its residents, her characters have a familiar feel and their dialogue is credible, although Clem’s tendency to make dubious decisions and act alone does get a little irritating.
It isn’t necessary to be a football fan to enjoy this novel as this is not a story swamped in sport. The issues that feature (racism, unemployment and drugs} are very real ones in those communities. This is an impressive debut, and it will be interesting to see what Clementine Jones gets up to next.
Lapse is the first book in the Clementine Jones series by Australian author and former lawyer, Sarah Thornton. The audio version is read by Blazey Best. Why would Sydney corporate lawyer, Clementine Jones be coaching a football team in small town Victoria? Whatever the reason, she’s doing something right because, for the first time in fifty-three years, it looks like the Katinga Cats may just win the premiership. Until, that is, their star player, Clancy Kennedy quits, citing an excuse that just doesn’t ring true.
The whole town is depending on Clem to help the team finally gain that elusive title, so she’s determined to find out why Clancy has really abandoned the team. Even though Clem seriously intends to keep a low profile, she finds herself reverting to lawyer mode to learn the truth, something not everyone appreciates. But are they just warning her to respect privacy, or is it a threat?
Clem can’t let it go, and when she learns that Clancy has also been dismissed from the town’s biggest employer, her discrimination radar begins to ping. As Clancy is an indigenous player, is it racism, or is there more going on? And if she digs deeper, will she be exposed too?
While Clem may not be entirely surprised to be coaching football (she has always loved it), by the time the grand final is over, she will have been involved in a number of activities that she could never have imagined, probably the least of which is paying a fortune for a phone, but extending to unlawful entry and theft, covert surveillance, vandalising a car, ringing Crimestoppers with a tip, being kidnapped and holding a loaded gun on someone.
Thornton gives the reader a twisty plot with plenty of action. She easily evokes the Australian small town and its residents, her characters have a familiar feel and their dialogue is credible, although Clem’s tendency to make dubious decisions and act alone does get a little irritating.
It isn’t necessary to be a football fan to enjoy this novel as this is not a story swamped in sport. The issues that feature (racism, unemployment and drugs} are very real ones in those communities. This is an impressive debut, and it will be interesting to see what Clementine Jones gets up to next.
October 27, 2019
‘What business you got here in Katinga?’
Clementine (Clem) Jones flees her life as a corporate lawyer in Sydney, looking to maintain a low profile in Katinga, a small rural Australian town. Clem has a job, as the coach of the local Australian Rules football team, and the team is doing well. They are about to make the finals for the first time in years and could go all the way to win their first premiership in half a century.
But then their star player, Clancy (a young Indigenous man) pulled out of the team. He says he can’t travel because his wife Melissa is about to have their first child, but Clem thinks there’s more to it, especially when she discovers that Clancy has lost his job. Clem starts investigating, and then wishes she hadn’t. Just under the surface of this small struggling town, Clem finds racism, secrets and violence. And as she digs further, Clem discovers that her own past is being investigated.
‘Nothing had changed but everything had changed.’
Why did Clem leave Sydney? Why has Clancy lost his job and left the football team? Just what is going on under the surface in Katinga? Can the football team win?
The novel moves at a rapid pace and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This is Ms Thornton’s debut novel. I understand that Ms Thornton plans a series around Clementine Jones, and I’m certainly looking forward to the next instalment.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Clementine (Clem) Jones flees her life as a corporate lawyer in Sydney, looking to maintain a low profile in Katinga, a small rural Australian town. Clem has a job, as the coach of the local Australian Rules football team, and the team is doing well. They are about to make the finals for the first time in years and could go all the way to win their first premiership in half a century.
But then their star player, Clancy (a young Indigenous man) pulled out of the team. He says he can’t travel because his wife Melissa is about to have their first child, but Clem thinks there’s more to it, especially when she discovers that Clancy has lost his job. Clem starts investigating, and then wishes she hadn’t. Just under the surface of this small struggling town, Clem finds racism, secrets and violence. And as she digs further, Clem discovers that her own past is being investigated.
‘Nothing had changed but everything had changed.’
Why did Clem leave Sydney? Why has Clancy lost his job and left the football team? Just what is going on under the surface in Katinga? Can the football team win?
The novel moves at a rapid pace and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This is Ms Thornton’s debut novel. I understand that Ms Thornton plans a series around Clementine Jones, and I’m certainly looking forward to the next instalment.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
August 6, 2019
This is a thrilling, great read, the story grips you in a way that you build a bond with the characters and go on a journey with Clementine, such are the bonds that you form with the characters ( and the Blue Healer Pocket) that you feel their pain, worries and success. The writing style is realistic and visual. I laughed, shouted out in disgust, cheered and wiped a few tears from my eyes.
August 10, 2019
A great read and a book that was hard to put down, so I didn’t. A story that kept you interested and wanting to read more. So well described I could imagine being there. Looking forward to Sarah Thornton’s next book.
August 11, 2019
a great read, authentic and fresh Australian crime thriller, Clementine Jones a great heroine and character. Compelling read enjoyed every bit. Great plot kept me guessing all the way. I highly recommend.
November 8, 2019
Lapse is an exciting debut novel set in rural Australia. Clem Jones is a fantastic character and I can't wait to read more about her. Thanks to Text Publishing for my paperback copy of Sarah Thornton's novel.
August 7, 2019
A gripping thriller, great characters and action. Can't wait for the next in the series.
August 11, 2019
Loved it! Great story that took me right in and kept me reading to the last word. Loved the characters and can’t wait to see what Clementine Jones does next!
August 6, 2019
Read this in one sitting. Thoroughly engaging thriller with a blockbuster heroine, Clementine Jones, who sparkles and crackles on every page. Also fell in love with the sidekick, Torrens. Refreshingly different new addition to the crime genre. Can’t wait for book two in the series.
August 13, 2019
My best read for 2019 by a long way! I felt completely connected to the Aussie country and the characters. Thornton is brilliant at delivering doialogue between characters in a way that you feel present in the moment- a fly on the wall. Such a unique, credible, and satisfying story line, and with a pace so fast it left my eyes blistered! An affliction I can't wait to re-live with hopefully a second Clem' Jones adventure!
January 10, 2020
What a great debut novel.
Set in country Australia, with a background of the local footy (AFL) season, this is a taut, well plotted, well written and gripping mystery/thriller.
The characters are interesting and well developed, especially the lead Clementine Jones, who despite her past, is someone to be admired.
I loved this story, and hopefully there will be more to follow.
I was given a copy of this novel by the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
Set in country Australia, with a background of the local footy (AFL) season, this is a taut, well plotted, well written and gripping mystery/thriller.
The characters are interesting and well developed, especially the lead Clementine Jones, who despite her past, is someone to be admired.
I loved this story, and hopefully there will be more to follow.
I was given a copy of this novel by the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
August 12, 2019
Fabulous read - highly recommend
August 14, 2019
Loved this book - the Australain setting, characters and the plot. Couldn't put it down.
September 16, 2019
I didn’t love this one. Too unrealistic.
February 7, 2020
Exciting! Addictive! Thrilling! Suspenseful! Everything you could want in a debut crime drama from a promising new author. I'm now a confirmed fan!
#Lapse #NetGalley
#Lapse #NetGalley
August 19, 2019
I’ve never read a book about AFL footy before. Loved the racy description of the game at the end of the book. How did you do it, Sarah? Enjoyed the twists and the suspense. A great read with everything in it. Looking forward to the next one.
Read
May 5, 2020DNF. Just couldn't get into it.
November 11, 2020
In the small town of Katinga Clementine Jones is hiding out from something that happened in her recent past. We are fed little bits about this event through the novel, but it isn't until the end we find out the whole story. But we know that it's something pretty bad and that is why Clementine wants to stay under the radar.
Clem has taken on the job of coaching the local footy team, a team that has lost for years. Everyone has high hopes she can get them to the finals. While Clem is a hard taskmaster, the guys respect her and she seems to be able to get the best out of them, even affecting them in their personal lives. While I enjoyed this part, the decisions that Clem makes throughout while she's hunting for answers to why her lead player, Clancy has quit, seem to me to show that it's all surface-level involvement.
I really did get annoyed with her, many times, for the decisions she makes throughout. Ones that bring danger, not just to herself, but to others around her who haven't asked to be pulled into her one-woman, one mindset hunt for the truth.
Saying that, she was was persistent once she set her mind to things, no matter who she might upset or what danger might follow.
The corruption she uncovers goes deep and the things people will do to get what they want, make the mind boggle.
While Clem spends her time trying to uncover the truth, she tries to hold onto her own secrets.
Racism is rife in the town, I was saddened by this fact, and the way the indigenous people were treated, knowing this happens often in real-life makes it worse, when will it stop.
This was a fast-paced read where I questioned Clem's decisions but respected her tenacity to ultimately try to make things right for Clancy. There are some frantic moments where you will wonder, has she gone too far.
I'm currently reading book #2 White Throat, Clem is on the hunt once again to uncover a crime.
Thanks to NetGalley and Text Publishing for a digital copy of this novel in return for an honest review.
Clem has taken on the job of coaching the local footy team, a team that has lost for years. Everyone has high hopes she can get them to the finals. While Clem is a hard taskmaster, the guys respect her and she seems to be able to get the best out of them, even affecting them in their personal lives. While I enjoyed this part, the decisions that Clem makes throughout while she's hunting for answers to why her lead player, Clancy has quit, seem to me to show that it's all surface-level involvement.
I really did get annoyed with her, many times, for the decisions she makes throughout. Ones that bring danger, not just to herself, but to others around her who haven't asked to be pulled into her one-woman, one mindset hunt for the truth.
Saying that, she was was persistent once she set her mind to things, no matter who she might upset or what danger might follow.
The corruption she uncovers goes deep and the things people will do to get what they want, make the mind boggle.
While Clem spends her time trying to uncover the truth, she tries to hold onto her own secrets.
Racism is rife in the town, I was saddened by this fact, and the way the indigenous people were treated, knowing this happens often in real-life makes it worse, when will it stop.
This was a fast-paced read where I questioned Clem's decisions but respected her tenacity to ultimately try to make things right for Clancy. There are some frantic moments where you will wonder, has she gone too far.
I'm currently reading book #2 White Throat, Clem is on the hunt once again to uncover a crime.
Thanks to NetGalley and Text Publishing for a digital copy of this novel in return for an honest review.
February 2, 2020
A riveting debut novel with a gripping plot, wonderful characters and true to life dialogue. I can't wait for the next story.
Clementine Jones is a newbie in the small bush town of Katingal. In spite of her plan to hide away in solitude in her cottage outside of town she got bored and landed the job of football coach to the town Aussie Rules team. Now she is the town star as the team is winning for the first time in half a century and the whole town is counting on her to bring them home the Grand Final trophy. Just as they are about to hit the final series her Aboriginal star midfielder quits the team with a wholly unconvincing excuse.
Clementine just can't stop asking questions to try to get him back in the team and save her player and team. In the process she finds out more than she ever wanted to know about small town politics, racism and drugs. More than that she realises that she and others may be in increasing danger.
Clem's questions invite others to ask questions about her too and that's a big problem. Clem has a secret so big it has torn her away from her family and previous life completely. Can she stay alive, stand up for her team and keep her secret?
Clementine is a wonderful character and you will really enjoy the characters you meet in Katingal. If you've never lived in a small Australian town, you'll come away knowing how they work. If you have, you'll love how well Sarah Thornton paints a completely recognisable picture. She also injects some great humour: I laughed out loud on occasion and loved the tattoo shop scene.
I loved the way that this novel illustrated experiences of racism, the issues for women leaders, as well as the effects of drugs and crime on country communities without in any way preaching or making them the focus of the story. It's also a love story about footy as the great equaliser and it's ability to change the lives of those who love it.
Altogether this exceeded my expectations and I highly recommend it.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing a free copy of this book so that I could offer an independant review. #Lapse #NetGalley
Clementine Jones is a newbie in the small bush town of Katingal. In spite of her plan to hide away in solitude in her cottage outside of town she got bored and landed the job of football coach to the town Aussie Rules team. Now she is the town star as the team is winning for the first time in half a century and the whole town is counting on her to bring them home the Grand Final trophy. Just as they are about to hit the final series her Aboriginal star midfielder quits the team with a wholly unconvincing excuse.
Clementine just can't stop asking questions to try to get him back in the team and save her player and team. In the process she finds out more than she ever wanted to know about small town politics, racism and drugs. More than that she realises that she and others may be in increasing danger.
Clem's questions invite others to ask questions about her too and that's a big problem. Clem has a secret so big it has torn her away from her family and previous life completely. Can she stay alive, stand up for her team and keep her secret?
Clementine is a wonderful character and you will really enjoy the characters you meet in Katingal. If you've never lived in a small Australian town, you'll come away knowing how they work. If you have, you'll love how well Sarah Thornton paints a completely recognisable picture. She also injects some great humour: I laughed out loud on occasion and loved the tattoo shop scene.
I loved the way that this novel illustrated experiences of racism, the issues for women leaders, as well as the effects of drugs and crime on country communities without in any way preaching or making them the focus of the story. It's also a love story about footy as the great equaliser and it's ability to change the lives of those who love it.
Altogether this exceeded my expectations and I highly recommend it.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing a free copy of this book so that I could offer an independant review. #Lapse #NetGalley
May 8, 2021
Great read
November 17, 2019
This is a rare novel in Australian crime fiction: set in the Australian footy world (rural AFL) and resonating with elements footy followers are familiar with: among them an Aboriginal player who quits mid season.
Clem Jones lives on the outskirts of a small Victorian town and she has brought the local footy team from bottom last year to the brink of a premiership. Last year the team members were no-hopers and some of them still are, but she has raised their level of fitness and they walk tall in their town. Clem is very secretive about her background but the reader is given clues about where she has been.
Clancy is a vital part of her team and then he tells her he has to quit but he won't say why. At the same time he loses his job, and Clem takes it upon herself to find out why.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and look forward to the next in the series.
Clem Jones lives on the outskirts of a small Victorian town and she has brought the local footy team from bottom last year to the brink of a premiership. Last year the team members were no-hopers and some of them still are, but she has raised their level of fitness and they walk tall in their town. Clem is very secretive about her background but the reader is given clues about where she has been.
Clancy is a vital part of her team and then he tells her he has to quit but he won't say why. At the same time he loses his job, and Clem takes it upon herself to find out why.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and look forward to the next in the series.
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