90 pages • 3 hours read
Jane HarperThe Dry
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2016A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In The Dry by Jane Harper, federal agent Aaron Falk returns to his drought-stricken hometown of Kiewarra for his friend Luke Hadler's funeral, only to be drawn into an unofficial investigation with local police into the apparent murder-suicide of Luke's family. As they uncover secrets and tensions within the community, Falk faces memories of his own troubled past and a long-buried mystery. Themes of violence, suicide, and abuse are present.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Jane Harper's The Dry is widely praised for its gripping narrative, atmospheric setting, and well-developed characters. Reviewers commend Harper's skillful unveiling of secrets in a drought-stricken Australian town. Some critics, however, note a predictable conclusion and pacing issues in the middle sections. Still, it remains a compelling debut mystery.
Who Should Read The Dry?
A reader who enjoys The Dry by Jane Harper likely appreciates taut, atmospheric thrillers set in isolated communities. Fans of Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl or Tana French's In the Woods may find similar satisfaction in Harper’s intricate plotting, vivid sense of place, and exploration of complex, small-town dynamics.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsBook Details
Mystery / Crime Fiction
Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt