Recommended by Dunsborough Book Chat Club
A brilliant murder mystery book of intrigue and surprises.
The setting takes place on the east coast of Australia and begins with a young female environmental scientist, Jessica, in a hidden bush setting waiting to see and hear the famous lyrebird making its mating call, dancing on a mound of leaves he has created. Surprisingly, the lyrebird (and other native birds, i.e. magpie) can imitate other sounds perfectly.
It was a shocking surprise for Jessica to hear the bird mimicking the horrific screams of a terrified female begging for her life. Jessica manages to record these screams and takes the video to the police. Her account of the screaming lyrebird was viewed with some scepticism and ridicule among the police who thought it was wild imagination and hysteria. Subsequent police investigations and search enquiries for a missing person were not successful, and the case sat dormant for 20 years.
The story becomes very interesting when 20 years later, heavy rains cause a landslide in the vicinity of the screaming lyrebird, and the body of a young woman is exposed. However, no one had been reported missing from around that time. DNA and skeletal remains reveal malnutrition, and broken bones that had healed before death. The case is re-opened and police recall the detective who conducted the initial investigation. After a thorough search of the area, another body is found with skeletal remains revealing blunt force trauma injuries similar to the first young female recovered.
This book is fast moving and quite unpredictable, as it exposes a sex trafficking ring of young Filipino women brought to Australia under false pretences and used for prostitution. This book is very appropriate for this time when revelations of global sex trafficking are being exposed. Unpredictable finale, and nail-biting to the end. A great read. Highly recommend.
4/5 Stars