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The Resolution
Jonathan Little, an ex-criminal lawyer, suggests to his cellmate, Daniel Rodriguez, that they should hatch a plan to “get rid” of their wives – who they hate more than anything – for good. Their plan is fool-proof and would be perfect if not for the tenacity of Daniel’s wife – the beautiful, courageous, life-embracing Janet Rodriguez. What starts out as a vengeful plot turns into a story of misplaced love and recompense as both men face the women who absorbed most of their lives. Uniquely Australian, this satire of love gone wrong is an elaborate thriller that begs the question: at what point is there no turning back?
--- “ I felt I was in the hands of a storyteller who knew what he was doing and wasn’t going to waste my time. I was hooked by Lachlan’s characters, story, and way with words. ” Mark Lamprell – Screenwriter of Babe: Pig in the City “ Pirie channels Quentin Tarantino with a decidedly Australian dialect and cheeky humor…“The Resolution” is a wild romp through the land down .” Seth Sjostrom – Author of Blood in the Snow
--- “ I felt I was in the hands of a storyteller who knew what he was doing and wasn’t going to waste my time. I was hooked by Lachlan’s characters, story, and way with words. ” Mark Lamprell – Screenwriter of Babe: Pig in the City “ Pirie channels Quentin Tarantino with a decidedly Australian dialect and cheeky humor…“The Resolution” is a wild romp through the land down .” Seth Sjostrom – Author of Blood in the Snow
366 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2022
9 people want to read
About the author
Lachlan Pirie
1 book3 followersI'm an Australian author and screenwriter. I've written a number of teleplays and screenplays that have placed in the PAGE Screenwriting Contest, the LA International and the ScreenCraft Competition (https://writers.coverfly.com/profile/...). Whenever I'm not writing, I'm either studying, working or enjoying the life God's given me. I work as a land surveyor on the Gold Coast and hold a Bachelor of Spatial Science (Hons) and am studying my Masters in GIS and Remote Sensing (https://au.linkedin.com/in/lachlan-pi...). I also love being apart of the book community and supporting other writers. I run an author interviewing channel on YouTube titled Author on Author Interviews (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZm4...).
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 5, 2023
A debut author and Indigenous Australian, Lachlan Pirie’s The Resolution is enjoyable crime fiction. Its synopsis is fascinating, with two men in jail agreeing to kill the other wife so they can be free of them. Daniel Rodriguez is released on parole and gets a good opportunity to do his side of the bargain. He then takes off, having removed his attached tracker and flees to Queensland. Then Jonathan Little, a former ex-criminal lawyer is released but his pursuit of Daniel’s wife gets more complicated. Initially, the narrative was slow-moving, with pages of characters’ monologues before the final third of the novel got interesting. A subtle tale of criminal behaviour and mental health, using journal entries to give insight into the main protagonist. A promising tale, with a bewitching conclusion that won’t result in a sequel but is a three stars read rating. With thanks to Ocean Reeve Publishing and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given.
April 28, 2023
Another very interesting read.
The Resolution tells the story mainly of Daniel Rodriguez through the eyes of his other personality, Tinkler. Daniel is of Aboriginal descent and has lived an extraordinarily hard life from the time he was born. He is estranged from his tribe and lives a lonely existence except for his constant companion, Tinkler, who speaks to Daniel through a small doll that Daniel takes everywhere.
The story centres on his agreement made with another inmate, Jonathan Little, for Daniel to kill Little's wife and for Jonathan to kill Janet, Daniel's wife.
I'm afraid to admit this but I felt far more sympathy for Daniel than I did for Janet even though their highly volatile, violent and dysfunctional relationship was both of their faults. We have certainly all met that couple who are so badly wrong for each other yet cannot keep away. Thankfully most split up before the devastation that Daniel and Janet wreak upon each other happens.
I thought using Daniel's alter ego, Tinkler (who is the voice of reason) was a clever device. There is, of course, an inevitability about the story in that it can only ever get worse. But there's nothing catastrophic about the telling its not over the top, it simply states what happens which, in itself, is quite disturbing.
Some people won't like the end but I did. I think I was hoping for it to end the way it did.
Lachlan Pirie is definitely a voice to look out for in the future. I hope he writes more from his unique point of view.
The Resolution tells the story mainly of Daniel Rodriguez through the eyes of his other personality, Tinkler. Daniel is of Aboriginal descent and has lived an extraordinarily hard life from the time he was born. He is estranged from his tribe and lives a lonely existence except for his constant companion, Tinkler, who speaks to Daniel through a small doll that Daniel takes everywhere.
The story centres on his agreement made with another inmate, Jonathan Little, for Daniel to kill Little's wife and for Jonathan to kill Janet, Daniel's wife.
I'm afraid to admit this but I felt far more sympathy for Daniel than I did for Janet even though their highly volatile, violent and dysfunctional relationship was both of their faults. We have certainly all met that couple who are so badly wrong for each other yet cannot keep away. Thankfully most split up before the devastation that Daniel and Janet wreak upon each other happens.
I thought using Daniel's alter ego, Tinkler (who is the voice of reason) was a clever device. There is, of course, an inevitability about the story in that it can only ever get worse. But there's nothing catastrophic about the telling its not over the top, it simply states what happens which, in itself, is quite disturbing.
Some people won't like the end but I did. I think I was hoping for it to end the way it did.
Lachlan Pirie is definitely a voice to look out for in the future. I hope he writes more from his unique point of view.
July 19, 2023
This book was not for me, even though I liked the different story elements debut author Lachlan Pirie incorporated into his story. With its nod to Patricia Highsmith's "Strangers on a Train", he sets in motion a story full of violence, populated by damaged and unstable people.
Two men meet in their jail cell, one an indigenous man who has spent most of his life on and off in prison, and is disconnected from his culture, the other a lawyer incarcerated for his white collar crime.
As the story progresses, we discover more about both men's pasts. Daniel has had a passionate but also deeply troubling and violent relationship with Janet; both have lied about and assaulted the other, with neither demonstrating any desire to change. In fact, Janet's anger, and tendency to lash out violently has landed Daniel in jail multiple times. Jonathan dislikes women in general, and grew to undeservedly loathe his wife. He decided to take out a series of loans against his wife's name, then abscond, which didn't work out well for him.
Jonathan proposes that both men knock off each other's wives, as the men perceive that the women have been the architects of the men's misery and incarceration.
Author Pirie takes us back and forth in time to give us the background on the relationships, then progresses the plot to when the men begin their plans against the two women.
I appreciated the characterizations: Daniel has a small doll he stole from an indigenous elder; Daniel named the doll Tinkler, which is his alter ego, and Janet is an incredible mess. The two are a volatile, chaotic mistake together, which is an intriguing part of the story. And Jonathan is basically awful, but pretty good at reading people.
I found, however, that the book was somewhat tough going. It felt almost overwritten, with some chunks of text that felt more telling than showing, even though they provided more context and background. I did like the open ended ending, which left things in a disturbing place.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Ocean Reeve Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Two men meet in their jail cell, one an indigenous man who has spent most of his life on and off in prison, and is disconnected from his culture, the other a lawyer incarcerated for his white collar crime.
As the story progresses, we discover more about both men's pasts. Daniel has had a passionate but also deeply troubling and violent relationship with Janet; both have lied about and assaulted the other, with neither demonstrating any desire to change. In fact, Janet's anger, and tendency to lash out violently has landed Daniel in jail multiple times. Jonathan dislikes women in general, and grew to undeservedly loathe his wife. He decided to take out a series of loans against his wife's name, then abscond, which didn't work out well for him.
Jonathan proposes that both men knock off each other's wives, as the men perceive that the women have been the architects of the men's misery and incarceration.
Author Pirie takes us back and forth in time to give us the background on the relationships, then progresses the plot to when the men begin their plans against the two women.
I appreciated the characterizations: Daniel has a small doll he stole from an indigenous elder; Daniel named the doll Tinkler, which is his alter ego, and Janet is an incredible mess. The two are a volatile, chaotic mistake together, which is an intriguing part of the story. And Jonathan is basically awful, but pretty good at reading people.
I found, however, that the book was somewhat tough going. It felt almost overwritten, with some chunks of text that felt more telling than showing, even though they provided more context and background. I did like the open ended ending, which left things in a disturbing place.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Ocean Reeve Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my review.
April 18, 2023
The premise of this book really enticed me but I thought the execution of the overall story was lacking. The way the book was written was overly complicated to me. The book lost me and was therefore, unfortunately, a miss.
April 2, 2023
The Resolution is a fictional psychological thriller, an exciting debut novel from Australian author Lachlan Pirie, a skilful storyteller.
A prison cell and the bonding of two inmates are the ingredients for the concoction of a simple plan to eliminate their wives.
The two men are from different ends of the social scale, and they bond on the common ground of failed marriages. Daniel Rodriguez is serving time for violence against his wife Janet, and Jonathon Little, an ex-lawyer, for grand larceny. His wife, Kay is bored and distant. Janet has served time for violence against her husband Daniel, and there is more to her than meets the eye. They are a dysfunctional couple, masochists, drawn together by their tragic love for each other and their hunger for pain. They are both psychopaths, and the pages burn with dark humour.
The simple plot becomes complicated with the introduction of a schizophrenic. Yes! We almost forgot about Tinkler and ‘the doll’. With three personalities working overtime in a two-man cell, even the best of plans can go astray. The story gathers pace when the duo is released from prison, and there are doubts about their loyalty to the pledge of murder. There is conflict, and suspense, and when Tinkler and ‘the doll’ interact nothing is certain. Psychopath Janet Rodriguez prevails over the final pages and the end comes quickly, leaving the reader and ‘the doll’ begging for a sequel.
The prison environment is fictional and imaginary, the characters are well developed and memorable. With line such as, ‘The sun was a blinding angry stone in a cloudless sky,’ and – ‘Death was attracting her with its flawless insistence’, Pirie shows a natural flair for expressive literature.
The Resolution is an enjoyable read. Pirie’s writes fluently and the narrative moves the story forward effortlessly with enough hold-back to ensure the reader keeps the pages turning. The dialogues and analysis of the psychopathic persona is outstanding. Lachlan Pirie’s style is modern with a hint of magical realism, and The Resolution could comfortably sit alongside Chris Hammer and Janet Harper in the realm of Australian noir.
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy psychological thrillers.
A prison cell and the bonding of two inmates are the ingredients for the concoction of a simple plan to eliminate their wives.
The two men are from different ends of the social scale, and they bond on the common ground of failed marriages. Daniel Rodriguez is serving time for violence against his wife Janet, and Jonathon Little, an ex-lawyer, for grand larceny. His wife, Kay is bored and distant. Janet has served time for violence against her husband Daniel, and there is more to her than meets the eye. They are a dysfunctional couple, masochists, drawn together by their tragic love for each other and their hunger for pain. They are both psychopaths, and the pages burn with dark humour.
The simple plot becomes complicated with the introduction of a schizophrenic. Yes! We almost forgot about Tinkler and ‘the doll’. With three personalities working overtime in a two-man cell, even the best of plans can go astray. The story gathers pace when the duo is released from prison, and there are doubts about their loyalty to the pledge of murder. There is conflict, and suspense, and when Tinkler and ‘the doll’ interact nothing is certain. Psychopath Janet Rodriguez prevails over the final pages and the end comes quickly, leaving the reader and ‘the doll’ begging for a sequel.
The prison environment is fictional and imaginary, the characters are well developed and memorable. With line such as, ‘The sun was a blinding angry stone in a cloudless sky,’ and – ‘Death was attracting her with its flawless insistence’, Pirie shows a natural flair for expressive literature.
The Resolution is an enjoyable read. Pirie’s writes fluently and the narrative moves the story forward effortlessly with enough hold-back to ensure the reader keeps the pages turning. The dialogues and analysis of the psychopathic persona is outstanding. Lachlan Pirie’s style is modern with a hint of magical realism, and The Resolution could comfortably sit alongside Chris Hammer and Janet Harper in the realm of Australian noir.
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy psychological thrillers.
April 2, 2023
Lachlan Pirie composes a compelling mystery and a disturbing story by confronting the disturbing insight the minds of men who suffer from mental illness with a drive for criminal conviction. The Resolution is promising and hopeful at times with the storyline, and very descriptive as we are brought into the indigenous Aboriginal Australia through the mind of Daniel Rodriguez.
His ex-wife, Janet continues to visit him in prison and it leaves you questioning whether she is still in love with him and hopeful or rather if she herself has fallen prey to innerworkings of Daniel’s criminally twisted mind and beliefs. As each new person is introduce, you are drawn in deeper to the complexity of the thriller. This books is so very well written and unlike any that I’ve read in this genre.
The Resolution is a very powerful psychological thriller that will leave you with questions and a twist of an ending! Lachlan Pirie does not disappoint in the debut novel, and I look forward to more great works to come.
Thank you to Net Galley and Ocean Reeve Publishing for providing me with this ARC read and the opportunity to provide an honest and unbiased review.
His ex-wife, Janet continues to visit him in prison and it leaves you questioning whether she is still in love with him and hopeful or rather if she herself has fallen prey to innerworkings of Daniel’s criminally twisted mind and beliefs. As each new person is introduce, you are drawn in deeper to the complexity of the thriller. This books is so very well written and unlike any that I’ve read in this genre.
The Resolution is a very powerful psychological thriller that will leave you with questions and a twist of an ending! Lachlan Pirie does not disappoint in the debut novel, and I look forward to more great works to come.
Thank you to Net Galley and Ocean Reeve Publishing for providing me with this ARC read and the opportunity to provide an honest and unbiased review.
April 9, 2023
Thanks so much to Ocean Reeve Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of Lachlan Pirie's book "The Resolution" to read and review!
I was completely drawn in when I read the description of this book! I felt it was a nod to the 1950s Hitchcock movie "Strangers On A Train" based on a novel by Patricia Highsmith of the same name. This type of dark and twisty suspense is just my thing!!
At the beginning, I did get the film noir feel from the story that I was hoping for ... but it fell kinda flat pretty quickly for me. It started out with just the right amount of "creepy" and I really thought it was going places ... but I had a hard time following along. This is definitely not a quick read. It needs to be taken slow to absorb the plot.
I felt like there were things in the story-line and the time-line that didn't quite make sense and the ending left too many unanswered questions and was a little disappointing .... because I'm a girl who needs "all the things" wrapped up! But that's just me! Open sort of endings may not be so bothersome to others.
However, I did think the concept of this drama was a good one and I always enjoy reading an author's debut novel!
I was completely drawn in when I read the description of this book! I felt it was a nod to the 1950s Hitchcock movie "Strangers On A Train" based on a novel by Patricia Highsmith of the same name. This type of dark and twisty suspense is just my thing!!
At the beginning, I did get the film noir feel from the story that I was hoping for ... but it fell kinda flat pretty quickly for me. It started out with just the right amount of "creepy" and I really thought it was going places ... but I had a hard time following along. This is definitely not a quick read. It needs to be taken slow to absorb the plot.
I felt like there were things in the story-line and the time-line that didn't quite make sense and the ending left too many unanswered questions and was a little disappointing .... because I'm a girl who needs "all the things" wrapped up! But that's just me! Open sort of endings may not be so bothersome to others.
However, I did think the concept of this drama was a good one and I always enjoy reading an author's debut novel!
February 22, 2023
First, there’s the obvious parallels to Patricia Highsmith’s 1950 book (and Alfred Hitchcock’s 1951 film) “Strangers on a Train” where two barely connected people conspire to kill each other’s nemesis. And that one of the perpetrators has a split personality or is psychopathic. Second, the reader has no one to root for and only characters to root against, since no one really seems sympathetic. It’s hard to tell if the targeted women are sympathetic from the misogynistic male characters’ perspectives or not, when their own self narratives and others’ narratives give corroborating info. The reader is just left wondering, “Why did he/she decide to do that??”
There’s an interesting device used that one of the perpetrator’s journals is provided in the story as police evidence. Maybe I didn’t read it carefully enough to note how it ends up in police evidence at the very end of the narrative since the journal covers penultimate events.
There’s an interesting device used that one of the perpetrator’s journals is provided in the story as police evidence. Maybe I didn’t read it carefully enough to note how it ends up in police evidence at the very end of the narrative since the journal covers penultimate events.
February 28, 2023
Title: The Resolution
Author: Lachlan Pirie
Publisher: Ocean Reeve Publishing
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"The Resolution" by Lachlan Pirie
My Sentiments:
This author gave the reader quite a read in keeping up with what was going on with these characters. Be ready for many twists and turns, along with quite a suspenseful read in this 'dark humor and satire read.' Indeed Daniel and Jonathan were some strong characters, and let's not leave out Janet, which slightly offered some dark humor to the story. By the way, these characters had been in prison. Unfortunately, to get the whole story, you will have to put up this read...which is rather long to get the story that will keep you turning the pages to the end, especially if you like suspense.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Ocean Reeve Publishing.
Author: Lachlan Pirie
Publisher: Ocean Reeve Publishing
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
"The Resolution" by Lachlan Pirie
My Sentiments:
This author gave the reader quite a read in keeping up with what was going on with these characters. Be ready for many twists and turns, along with quite a suspenseful read in this 'dark humor and satire read.' Indeed Daniel and Jonathan were some strong characters, and let's not leave out Janet, which slightly offered some dark humor to the story. By the way, these characters had been in prison. Unfortunately, to get the whole story, you will have to put up this read...which is rather long to get the story that will keep you turning the pages to the end, especially if you like suspense.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Ocean Reeve Publishing.
March 9, 2023
⭐⭐⭐.5/5
I enjoyed reading this book. I particularly liked how a story was told within a story and the diary entries that were used within the book as evidence. This book is very engaging and I just wanted to read the whole book in one sitting just to see what happens. I loved all the characters as I felt they were very engaging, I originally did not like Johnathon or Janet but then I definitely grew to loving the characters further into the book. I understood the unfinished ending is part of the book but I personally did not like the unfinished ending but that's only because I enjoy knowing what happens. The writing is good but I feel it just needs a slight improvement with certain sentences but I recommend everyone to read this book as it's a great unique read in my opinion.
Thankyou to the author and to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book.
I enjoyed reading this book. I particularly liked how a story was told within a story and the diary entries that were used within the book as evidence. This book is very engaging and I just wanted to read the whole book in one sitting just to see what happens. I loved all the characters as I felt they were very engaging, I originally did not like Johnathon or Janet but then I definitely grew to loving the characters further into the book. I understood the unfinished ending is part of the book but I personally did not like the unfinished ending but that's only because I enjoy knowing what happens. The writing is good but I feel it just needs a slight improvement with certain sentences but I recommend everyone to read this book as it's a great unique read in my opinion.
Thankyou to the author and to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book.
March 12, 2023
Jonathan Little and Daniel Rodriguez meet in a jail cell and share their stories; both men blame their wives for the fact that they've ended up in prison, and their anger leads to a pact that each will murder the other's wife after they are released from prison. Neo-noir with a touch of mysticism and love-gone-wrong, the story is told in a relatively impersonal tone that, for me, made it hard to fully engage with the plot or the characters. I did enjoy the not-tidy ending, but if a reader who likes all loose ends tied up might be frustrated by it.
March 13, 2023
The resolution follows the release of two inmates who have crafted a plan to rid their lives of what they consider to be their biggest problems. The pacing is phenomenal, seamlessly switch between characters, to even having some diary excerpts dotted through it, showing you one of the characters alter ego, and what’s already ticking behind those dangerous eyes.
This is truly a unique take on the psychological crime/thriller genre. Not afraid to hold back when it gets brutal, touching on toxic and destructive relationships.
This debut book from Lachlan is bold, brave, and honest.
March 27, 2023
Lachlan has a very special skill and talent for portrayal of the criminal mind. I am blown away by his ability to capture the machinations of people who have strayed big time from acceptable social norms and behaviours. Not to mention how they enter and survive the vagaries of the criminal justice system and then come out at the other end, even more damaged and scarred than before they entered it. Domestic violence, both from the perspective of the victim and the perpetrator, receives a brilliant expose, and leaves the reader affected and for some of us, changed forever.
April 9, 2023
Such a great read. This author truly has an eye and hand for unique point of views and puzzling an interesting case together in a fantastic storytelling way. I cannot wait to see what he does next with his writing skill!
April 10, 2023
Thank you NetGalley for my review copy.
This story had an interesting premise, two men meet in jail and make a pact to kill each other's ex-wives. The story started out well but by the end so much had happened i wasn't really sure what was going on anymore. The end left me a little disappointed as well.
This story had an interesting premise, two men meet in jail and make a pact to kill each other's ex-wives. The story started out well but by the end so much had happened i wasn't really sure what was going on anymore. The end left me a little disappointed as well.
March 25, 2023
Lachlan Pirie weaves a compelling mystery in The Resolution. I found I was surprised time and again even when I thought I knew where the plot was headed. The cast of characters is complex and dynamic and kept me on my toes throughout. I appreciated that both Kay and Janet had interesting, complex characteristics and existed outside the role of wife to the main protagonist. There were brief moments, mainly in Tinkley's narration, where I felt the writing was attempting to be complicated just for the sake of it or perhaps to be overtly intelligent, but overall it did not detract from my enjoyment of the novel. A wonderful debut novel from an Indigenous author, and I can't wait to see more from them!
April 7, 2023
The Resolution by Lachlan Pirie is a disturbing story! I’m not sure whether I really enjoyed it as it was at times very confronting with unsettling insights into the minds of men but particularly those with a criminal conviction. Dark humour isn’t something that appeals to me and the statement by the author that there won’t be a sequel leaves the reader up in the air.
While I have reservation about the novel, I have to admire it because it was a very good debut novel that was able to create emotions that truly affected the reader. it was certainly well written and the characters were well developed even if not likeable.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from Ocean Reece Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#TheResoluation #NetGalley
While I have reservation about the novel, I have to admire it because it was a very good debut novel that was able to create emotions that truly affected the reader. it was certainly well written and the characters were well developed even if not likeable.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from Ocean Reece Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#TheResoluation #NetGalley
February 27, 2026
The ending leaves me torn.
Leading up to the climax it was a slow burn, but in an enjoyable way, the tension building. not a page turner, because you do have to dedicate yourself to keep going. Same experience you'll have when reading classics, and that's what Pirie's writing reminds me of, classics.
Spoilers going forward.
The ending. Oh, the ending. Johnathan getting with Janet was satisfying but simultaneously enraging. He set up his ex-wife's death, and Daniel succeeds in killing her, so Jonathan is guilty of hiring a hit, essentially. Then he attempts to kill Janet. She knows he had a gun, she called the police, and she woke up in the trunk (boot) of the Jonathan's Mercedes in the middle of the outback, after being hit by that very car. She clearly doesn't believe his story that the damage to the car is from a kangaroo.
But. Pirie wrote Johnathan in such a way, that as a reader I was cheering for him, and empathizing with him, despite his crimes. The best outcome for Janet would have been to get away from both Daniel and Johnathan, and if Johnathan were a mature man (the premise of him asking Daniel to off his wife wouldn't have happened) he would have warned her immediately of Daniel's hit on her, and warned Daniel's parole officer. But Johnathan is not mature, and he holds true to that character throughout the book.
I love the ending because there is hope for Johnathan to be redeemed, considering Janet forgave what he did to her. And she may find the future of happiness she wanted.
But, Pirie purposefully cut the story short, with no intent on a sequel. We are left to under if Johnathan and Janet stay together, he finds maturity and sanity, Janet finds peace and a life with the cell mate of her ex. And what about Daniel, he's in deep, considering he's bail jumping, and the death of Johnathan's wife is still being investigated.
And Daniel, considering Tinkler's diary entries are written from the perspective of being police evidence, it is clear that at some point Daniel, with written evidence of Johnathan's crimes, and Johnathan's correlation to his ex's death, means the book likely had a much darker ending, resulting in both men returning to prison (most likely life sentences), and Janet ending up stranded once more. Hence why Pirie may have cut the book a few chapters short to heave us with a sense of a happy ending.
It is definitely a book worth rereading, and studying. A master work in my opinion, even as this author's debut.
Leading up to the climax it was a slow burn, but in an enjoyable way, the tension building. not a page turner, because you do have to dedicate yourself to keep going. Same experience you'll have when reading classics, and that's what Pirie's writing reminds me of, classics.
Spoilers going forward.
The ending. Oh, the ending. Johnathan getting with Janet was satisfying but simultaneously enraging. He set up his ex-wife's death, and Daniel succeeds in killing her, so Jonathan is guilty of hiring a hit, essentially. Then he attempts to kill Janet. She knows he had a gun, she called the police, and she woke up in the trunk (boot) of the Jonathan's Mercedes in the middle of the outback, after being hit by that very car. She clearly doesn't believe his story that the damage to the car is from a kangaroo.
But. Pirie wrote Johnathan in such a way, that as a reader I was cheering for him, and empathizing with him, despite his crimes. The best outcome for Janet would have been to get away from both Daniel and Johnathan, and if Johnathan were a mature man (the premise of him asking Daniel to off his wife wouldn't have happened) he would have warned her immediately of Daniel's hit on her, and warned Daniel's parole officer. But Johnathan is not mature, and he holds true to that character throughout the book.
I love the ending because there is hope for Johnathan to be redeemed, considering Janet forgave what he did to her. And she may find the future of happiness she wanted.
But, Pirie purposefully cut the story short, with no intent on a sequel. We are left to under if Johnathan and Janet stay together, he finds maturity and sanity, Janet finds peace and a life with the cell mate of her ex. And what about Daniel, he's in deep, considering he's bail jumping, and the death of Johnathan's wife is still being investigated.
And Daniel, considering Tinkler's diary entries are written from the perspective of being police evidence, it is clear that at some point Daniel, with written evidence of Johnathan's crimes, and Johnathan's correlation to his ex's death, means the book likely had a much darker ending, resulting in both men returning to prison (most likely life sentences), and Janet ending up stranded once more. Hence why Pirie may have cut the book a few chapters short to heave us with a sense of a happy ending.
It is definitely a book worth rereading, and studying. A master work in my opinion, even as this author's debut.
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