On the Coral Coast of Western Australia, solo traveller Katy is on a mission to find her free-spirited sister, Phoebe, who disappeared along the same route a year ago. But as she drives her campervan further into the wild north, Katy realises she’s not as alone as she’d first believed. Soon she is pulled into a complicated web of secrets, lies, myths and stories that force her to question everything she thought she knew about her sister.
In this nerve-shredding outback thriller, our obsessions with freedom and beauty collide with our fear of what lies in the wilderness, and the truth behind Phoebe’s disappearance proves stranger and darker than Katy could ever have guessed…
Anna Downes blazed onto the publishing scene in 2021 with her thrilling debut, The Safe Place. She followed that up with the equally gripping The Shadow House, ensuring her place in the Aussie thriller scene. Now, with book number three, she ups the ante and delivers a novel that cements her status, but is also possibly the best thriller of the year so far. It’s a read-at-your-own-risk experience, and a sensational outback noir.
Red River Road unfolds against Western Australia’s rugged Coral Coast. Katy is driving her campervan, searching for her sister Phoebe, who has gone missing. It’s an evocative location for the book to be set in, adding to the tension.
Downes explores themes of violence against women with great care, including single female van life, and both empowerment and vulnerability. In the author notes, Downes writes that she’d been feeling restless and wanting her own van life experience, when her husband suggested she write a novel about it. This coincided with the high-profile case of van-lifer Gabi Petito, whose murder made global headlines; cue the inspiration for a novel.
Downes has hit her stride as an author here. She takes a great premise, perfect location, and adds truly compelling characters in sisters Katy and Phoebe who have the right to adventure, and life experiences, but their gender puts them at risk. Could this be timelier? But there’s also a great deal of compassion, as she writes about violence and trauma. And ultimately, this is entertainment, and Downes ensures you’re tearing through the pages at lightning speed.
I made the mistake of reading this while I was on an isolated bush retreat. I barely slept, as this story gripped my imagination after dark. If you like being terrified, save it for a road trip. Otherwise, read Red River Road in the safety of your own home. Either way, it’s brilliant.
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