Andrew Smith's Reviews > The Rush

In South Australia’s Outback, Quinn is making her way to her job at the only pub/hotel for miles and miles. However, she’s stopped in her tracks when she comes across a body, seemingly dumped by the side of the road. Meanwhile, her employers are preparing for what’s expected to be huge rainfall after what’s been a lengthy drought. Also, making their way towards the same area are a group of motorcyclists on their way to a funeral, and four young people are setting out to drive from Adelaide to Darwen on the Stuart Highway.

With the storm pending, tensions are running high. Quinn’s issue is obvious, but at the pub they’re desperately rushing around preparing for the impacts of the coming storm. The motorcyclists are a pushy, boozy crowd and appear to have at least one bad actor in their midst. The group of four are a squabbling, mismatched group, seemingly unable to agree on anything. Paths will eventually cross, and as a result, a number of these people will be put at risk.

The story is told from the point of view of various characters, which works pretty well in sustaining a degree of unpredictability throughout. The problem for me is that I didn’t find any of these people particularly engaging, and as a result, I didn't become truly invested in their fate. For the most part, I also found it pretty slow going, even if towards the end, a sense of suspense was eventually created. But then it suddenly ended - unexpectedly, abruptly. The remainder of the book is an over-elaborate walkthrough of the aftermath.

I listened to an audio version, narrated by actor Jodie Harris. For the most part, she does a good job, though I did find her portrayal of one character (a Dutchman) strangely irritating. It’s a book that will, I’m sure, find an audience that will appreciate the tale to a greater degree than I did. In truth, I found it to be rather disappointing, and certainly not on a par with books written by my favourite Aussie mystery and suspense writers, such as Chris Hammer and Jane Harper.

My thanks to Dreamscape Media for providing a copy of this audiobook via NetGalley in return for an honest review.