Wild Place by Christian White

Wild Place is set at the end of 1989 in a typical Australian suburb with a green space popular with adventurous kids exploring the bush, dog walkers, and lovers. It’s typified by nice homes, green well-kept lawns, neighbours who know each other, and an active Neighbourhood Watch Committee. The green space in this story is Wild Place.

 

When 17-year-old Tracie Reed goes missing police believe she is just another runaway. Her parents, Donna and Owen, although in the midst of a divorce, agree. Tracie would not do that. Her former schoolteacher, Tom Witter also believes something more sinister has happened especially as Tracie had changed her appearance and felt she was being watched and followed.

 

Tom is on school holidays. He is supposed to be dealing with a list of jobs his wife has left for him but when Tracie’s disappearance is raised at a Neighbourhood Watch meeting Tom is asked to post photos of Tracie around town.

 

While the whole affair is another fascinating topic for town gossip, Tom’s involvement turns into an obsession to find out what really happened.

 

Believing some a satanic ritual has occurred in Wild Place he searches the reserve for clues. Tom tries to convince the police it is more than a missing person case, but they ignore his theory, so Owen and Tom take matters into their own hands. Her body is finally found in Wild Place.

 

Tom’s investigation puts several people on his suspect list but most pointedly, Sean, a former best friend of his eldest son. Sean has turned goth with a passion for heavy metal music. He has a pentagram tattoo with a similar design to the necklace Tracie wore. He also keeps a snake in his darkened bedroom. Tom and Owen take matters into their own hands.

 

It started slowly as a relaxed read, lulling the reader into a false sense of relaxation. About halfway through things got more intense as Tom and Owen’s investigation becomes the main storyline. There are many twists and turns, with secrets and lies slowly being revealed.

 

Although it is a murder mystery the focus is on Tom’s actions, not the police investigation.

 

It is an entertaining enough read but not one I call brilliant and after a while in the second half Tom started to annoy me. The ending certainly came as a shock but felt a bit rushed.

 

The characters are believable; some I am sure I have met while I lived in suburbia.

 

I must commend the author on his setting – middle class Australian suburbia. It brought back memories of 80s music (like it or hate it you can’t forget it), cars, cassettes, food (Vienetta!), fashion, and more.

My rating 3*

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