Riveting, atmospheric and unforgettably original, HERMIT is perfect for fans of acclaimed crime authors like Jane Harper, Chris Hammer, Tana French and Susie Steiner.
HE DISAPPEARED FOR 15 YEARS… SHE HAS 12 HOURS TO FIND OUT WHY.
After a puzzling death in the wild bushlands of Australia, detective Dana Russo has just hours to interrogate the prime suspect – a silent, inscrutable man found at the scene of the crime, who disappeared without trace 15 years earlier.
But where has he been? Why won’t he talk? And exactly how dangerous is he? Without conclusive evidence to prove his guilt, Dana faces a desperate race against time to persuade him to speak. But as each interview spirals with fevered intensity, Dana must reckon with her own traumatic past to reveal the shocking truth . . .
Read our Preview reviewer thoughts here:
Hermit by S.R. White is an amazing, mind-twisting ride for people who like a book that keeps you hooked then gasp at the end. Set mostly at the Carlton police station, it is the story of a murdered store owner and who did it. With the suspect, Nathan Whittler, near the victim with his blood on him it’s an open and shut case. However, as Dana Russo interviews Nathan, not all is what it seems. Nathan has been missing for 15 years, so why return and why kill a man for no apparent reason. Hermit will keep you guessing until the end, and the ending will make you truly think about your life and the path we all take. – Terry, NSW, 5 Stars
This book had me invested in Dana Russo from the first page. The author seemed to have a great grasp on the power of human interactions. It took me on a journey of what sometimes lies beneath the veneer of everyday life and the stories behind that veneer. I thoroughly enjoyed the ebbs and flows in the story, with the characters being robust and descriptive adding another layer to the storyline. At times I felt like I was a fellow officer in the police station, thinking about the how’s and why’s of the crime and how it was all connected. The small-town setting in rural Australia was well depicted and realistic as was the terminology used between characters. The dialogue between Dana and Mr Whittler, was entrancing, a slow dance of words and emotions. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone that likes a great crime novel in the same calibre as Jane Harper, Dervla McTiernan and Chris Hammer, with its Australian setting and a plot that kept you guessing right up to the end. An original idea that just seemed to grow steadily to a great finale. – Gillian, QLD, 5 Stars
S.R. White’s Hermit is a fabulous debut novel that grabs you and draws you in right from the first page. Dana, a flawed detective with her own issues threatening to boil over, is tasked with solving a baffling crime. The prime suspect, a mysterious man not seen for 15 years, has seemingly no motive. With the pressure on and the clock ticking, the stories of both Dana and the inscrutable Nathan Whittler are gradually revealed. The parallels and similarities are unexpected and intriguing but ultimately allow their connection to be forged. Fabulous character development and strong suspenseful writing make this a captivating and enthralling read. Personally, I can’t wait for the follow-up! – Jason, VIC, 5 Stars
The suspect, Nathan Whittler, disappeared without a trace fifteen years ago and was found standing over the body in Jensen’s Store. He became the prime suspect in the murder of Lou Cassavette, the store owner. Nathan is taken into custody and questioned by Detective Dana Russo. Nathan is reluctant to give anything away and needs to be handled carefully and patiently in a timely manner. As Dana starts trying to piece together where Nathan has been and why he left originally, and the connection to the victim, a story slowly unravels of what was endured over his life. His brother Jeb is questioned by police and a search of the old Whittler farm helps reveal more pieces to Nathan’s past. As facts are corroborated during the investigation, Dana’s life is running parallel to Nathan’s with the anniversary of her own family secrets which occurred on this very day. This storyline feels like it is written in reverse, but that doesn’t mean that the climax is at the start by any means. An intriguing page-turner that reminds me of a jigsaw puzzle, as the truth comes together piece-by-piece to reveal the reason why the crime happened. – Vicki, VIC, 5 Stars
Hermit, by S. R. White, is an Australian outback crime thriller that has the reader hooked from the very first chapter. Dana Russo is a damaged and intriguing lead detective who needs to unravel a baffling crime. To add to Dana’s difficult task of uncovering the truth that surrounds a new crime scene is the fact that she is dealing with some sort of horrid anniversary that triggers intense raw emotions; the reader learning quickly that she is flawed and struggling with her own issues. The potential key to unlocking the entire mystery is a silent mysterious man, Nathan Whittler, who disappeared from society fifteen years ago only to reappear at the very scene of the crime. S. R. White creates an engaging pace throughout the novel, providing compelling details to keep the reader intrigued and turning the pages. The characters are believable and thought-provoking, especially the unusual affiliation that slowly forms between Detective Dana and Nathan, the Hermit. S. R. White leaves the reader wanting to understand the world of these characters and creates questions surrounding our own personal views on what it means to be part of modern-day society. – Genene, SA, 5 Stars,
This book is really captivating. It throws you at points and then it all comes together at the end. This is a really good read. – Jarree, TAS, 4 Stars
My crime reads are usually more on the thriller side but this one really impressed me. A quick start, then a slow psychological burn with a great lead detective and great supporting characters. Loved the rapport between the detectives and their colleagues. The relationship between detective and suspect is like nothing I’ve read before. Definitely a slow burn, but it worked for me. – Hanadi, NSW, 5 Stars
Hermit pulls you in from the first page. It is an engrossing story from the very beginning. The main characters Dana and Nathan, are both flawed, fragile but also quite strong. Their stories run quite parallel so you are drawn in by wanting to know how they ended up the way they are. It was the sort of story that kept me thinking after I put it down making me want to continue reading. It also left some room at the end for a follow up of the same main character which I look forward to. I feel there is unfinished business with Dana and her colleagues. I would highly recommend this book. – Kim, VIC, 5 Stars
I thought I would sit down and have a quick read, which turned into anything but. Hermit had me enthralled. The characters were likely and relatable. I could visualise the town in question, the police station and the corner shop which soon became a focal point. It quickly became apparent that the main character Dana was troubled, she was a brilliant detective, well-liked by her peers, but had an underlying problem. This became more so when she had to interview a suspect called Nathan. The book went into great depth, it became a mind game between the two of them. He opened more to her as the story went along, he somehow felt more comfortable around her. When a new character was introduced, it did not stray from the storyline. I could easily distinguish between who they were, what had happened to them and how they overall relate to the story. As I got more into the book, I had a few scenarios on how it would all end, it was not what I had expected. – Cheryl, VIC, 5 Stars
Hermit is a psychological thriller that I found hard to put down. Straight away the reader is drawn in by the two main characters, Detective Dana Russo and the suspect, Nathan Whittler, the Hermit. They are both complex characters, with many hidden layers that are slowly revealed throughout the course of the day, which is the timeframe the book is set in. The descriptions are so vivid that I felt like I was actually in the interview room with them, feeling their anxiety, the stress of the situation and uncertainty of how things were going to play out. I am so invested in these characters now that I hope to see a sequel, to find out how things end up for both of them. Hopefully, they both can overcome their personal demons. – Maree, QLD, 5 Stars
A fantastic debut novel from S.R. White. I was sceptical about the story being set over 24 hours, but it works well. There are some loose ends to keep you thinking, so may not be for those who like a neat finish. Reminiscent of Jane Harper. – Anusha, VIC, 4 Stars
The blurb tells us: ‘He disappeared for 15 years… she has 12 hours to find out why.’ A suspect is found at the scene of a murder in rural Australia. They discover he has not been seen or heard of for fifteen years but where has he been, how has he been living? Why has he refused to talk? Detective Russo has to interview him, as she is found to have a rapport with the prisoner, but she only has 12 hours to do so. This is a story full of mystery, secrets and intrigue… I was hooked. Unfortunately, I was still waiting to discover some of the answers even after I had finished the last page. It’s an original approach to storytelling. Not a difficult read. There is so much police procedure that it is in danger of becoming bogged down but manages to avoid that. I found it compelling and didn’t see that end coming. That’s always good! Definitely recommended. – Russell, NSW, 4 Stars
Hermit is a gripping debut crime fiction novel from an ex-UK cop, now Aussie resident, S.R. White. I read it over two days and found it original and gripping. It combines a troubled cop with a troubled suspect, in fact, it is difficult to tell which of the two is the most troubled. There are also a few interesting and likeable secondary characters. Basically, Detective Russo is given just twelve hours to interview and get a statement from a suspect found at the scene of a murder but who refuses to speak. They cannot hold him longer and so need to charge him or close the case. Set in rural Australia, most of the action takes place within a police interrogation room. There are a number of tense exchanges between the two, who develop a fragile rapport. I like psychological thrillers and I also like crime novels. This is a good mix. I was intrigued by that fact that the entire novel is set in one day. However, I do want to ask the author why there are loose ends left unresolved. Perhaps he has set it up for a series of Detective Russo books or at the very least a sequel. – Liesl, NSW, 4 Stars
Not your typical whodunnit! Hermit by S.R White is an Australian crime/ physiological thriller story that revolves around two main characters, Detective Dana Russo who is called in to investigate the murder and Nathan Whittler the prime suspect, a man who disappeared 15 years ago. Both Detective Russo and Whittler are complicated characters with demons of there own. Through the interaction of these two characters White explorers a number of emotions and complex themes while building both tension and intrigue. What appears to be a clear cut case is not and we are left guessing right to the end. White said, “when you get a good book, it’s like someone gifted you a piece of their imagination”, and that’s exactly how I feel after reading Hermit. With its original and intriguing plot, I was captivated to the end. Can’t wait to see if there is more of Detective Russo and her colleagues from White in the future. – Samantha, WA, 4 Stars
If twisty slow-burn whydunnits are your thing, you’ll love Hermit. A police detective struggling with a dark past must piece together a baffling murder mystery. The key suspect is a complex character who refuses to talk. I found the middle of the story sagged a bit, but once the rounds of cat and mouse sped up the story charged towards the ending. This is a character-driven book about the psychological nuances of police work and putting your past to rest. – Inessa, NSW, 4 Stars
Firstly, thank you so much for the chance to read Hermit by S.R. White. After the murder of a shop owner in his store, detective Dana Russo has hours to investigate the crime. The main suspect is Nathan Whittler, who disappeared 15 years ago. But why did he do it? Why was he at the store? How did he know the murdered store owner and where has he been? I found some of the story a little slow in some chapters. I felt it took a long time to get to the point. In saying that I still enjoyed the story. Even though it seems like Nathan is the obvious suspect, Dana Russo gradually pieces the events that led Nathan to be in the shop. This keeps you doubting if maybe he is not the main suspect. The story also manages to weave through why sometimes we need to disappear from drowning from our past. And hopefully, by doing so we can remain floating in our future. I also enjoyed all the characters working with Dana to solve the case. Hopefully, they will be in future books to explore their stories further. Overall a great story that I recommend. – Jonathon, NSW, 4 Stars
Whilst this looks like a crime novel, it really is a psychological thriller. The murder looks clear cut and there really seems to only be one prime suspect. But the beauty of the story is in the relationship between the lead detective (Dana) and the main suspect (Nathan). To add to the tension, Dana needs to get Nathan to talk within twelve hours. The process of them building rapport is exquisitely rendered. In fact, you absolutely feel for Nathan who is the most unlikely murder suspect. He is so fragile and the way he has managed to survive completely alone is compelling and believable. Dana is an interesting character too and has a traumatic past that threatens to overwhelm her. Be prepared to go on a journey as this book’s power is in its characters and the relationships between them. In fact, the actual crime takes on a supporting role. I loved the way that two such unlikely characters form a bond in the most unlikely circumstances. This is not your typical Australian crime thriller but will make you think about what makes us human and how relationships can both harm you and heal you. – Kecia, NSW, 4 Stars
I found this book a little difficult to “get into”. To me, it was slow starting but I did not give up and overall enjoyed reading it. The style of writing made it easy to follow the theme throughout the book. It was sufficiently intriguing to keep my interest for the whole book and I spent quite a bit of time thinking about the intertwining of the Whittler family. I was a little overawed with all the gruesome facts of the family abuse, in particular the use of insulin. I am guessing there may be a sequel to this book as the author did not divulge much of Dana’s history and background – I would have liked to have known more about her very complex personality. – Lyn, VIC, 3 Stars
Hermit proved to be a struggle for me to become involved with the characters. The pace was very slow in developing the story but I did like the author’s use of language requiring me to look up some word meanings which is always fun. Dana and Nathan were both very damaged souls and as Nathan’s story evolved, the reader was left still floundering about Dana’s story. Even by the last page, the full story about Dana wasn’t clear. It left me wanting to know more about her. The opening text was enticing for a great read but the story was slow which lost the energy of this book. – Shelley, NSW, 3 Stars
Slow to start but then it builds and gets momentum. The reader becomes a part of the investigation and you see it all unfolding. How little pieces of information that the police unravels becomes important and integral to the case. It was quick to end and I feel there was unfinished business with a few of the characters and I was left hanging for more details. Also, feel there could have been some romance that wasn’t explored with some characters. Good read. – Yvette, NSW, 3 Stars
Set in contemporary Australia, police respond to an early morning silent alarm from a corner store in a rundown part of town and discover a body with the blood-covered assailant hovering. We follow the case, with the lead investigator and her team, over the day as the case unfolds. The usual twists and turns of crime fiction with no one revealing their whole story until cornered by the facts. The hermit of the books title and the lead investigator both have their own demons. The characters were believable, and I enjoyed the “Australian” carry on and sense of humour within the workings of the investigative team. I can usually piece together a novel’s ending but not in this one, a clever slant. I liked that the novel ended without tying up loose ends. The author has assumed we are smart enough to do that and do not have to be held by the hand and told every detail to close the story. If you liked The Greater Good, by Tim Ayliffe, this is similar but not as conspiratorial. – Steve, VIC, 3 Stars
Although this novel draws you in with a dramatic start, it quickly settles into a measured pace. White invites you to observe a psychological game of cat and mouse, set in a Police Interview context. With one character in hiding for 15 years and another with turmoil in her past, interview by interview their past becomes clear. This is one that will keep you reading but is a little slow in parts. – Alyssa, ACT, 3 Stars
I was excited about the opportunity to read Hermit when I saw it offered. I’ve recently read some great Australian thrillers by Chris Hammer and Jane Harper and this one sounded like it was cut from the same cloth. Well, it was definitely fast-paced given that all of the action happened within 24 hours. But I wonder why an English male writer chose a female protagonist and the backdrop of an Australia I barely recognised as such. Terms such as “college girls” and “schlepping” just don’t feature in our vernacular. And I had to google what a “rakali” was – it seemed a forced use of an Aboriginal name that has been changed since the Hermit went into hiding and it just didn’t ring true as being used in common language. The location could have been backwater US for all I knew, there was nothing that gave it an Australian flavour and for me, that was the most disappointing aspect. It did keep my interest in terms of the storyline and it left the possibility of a sequel open – I’m not sure I will be rushing out to read it though. – Yvonne, NSW, 3 Stars
Not really my cup of tea. A simple storyline, I was hoping it would improve or have a twist at the end. Just didn’t hit the spot. – Heidi, NSW, 2 Stars
‘Hermit’ by SR White is unlike any crime novel I have read before. Set in present-day Australia, it takes a premise that might initially seem completely unrealistic and makes it completely plausible. What follows is an absolutely absorbing read. The suspect, Nathan, is a man who made the decision to drop out of society 15 years ago and has lived rough and in complete solitude ever since. He is accused of murdering the owner of a shop who presumably interrupted him during a burglary. But we quickly learn nothing is quite as it seems. The scenes where Nathan is interviewed by Dana, the police officer protagonist who is dealing with her own past trauma, are riveting. As the story unfolds, the tension is heightened as we learn the truth behind Nathan’s life as a hermit. White is a master at capturing emotion and setting a mood which means as a reader you are never quite sure where you stand. And oh, what an ending! No neat package, loose ends left to unpick but so satisfying all the same. This was not a ‘can’t put down’ read for me, but that was a good thing – I needed time to absorb each part before continuing on. – Bonny, QLD, 1 Star
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