Intensely Riveting and Unputdownable: Read Our Review of Crows Nest by Nikki Mottram

Fleeing problems in her own marriage, child protection worker Dana Gibson leaves Sydney for a job in the Queensland town of Toowoomba. Her first house call is to nearby Crows Nest to assess the children of Sandra Kirby, which results in her getting both her new boss and a local detective offside. Dana soon learns that, in the country, city rules do not apply.

When Sandra and her best friend are found shot dead, Dana is drawn into an investigation that will force her to strip away the friendly veneer of small-town life, while grappling with ghosts of her own. As buried secrets, bitter tensions and corruption come to light, how far will locals go to stop her uncovering the truth of what happened?

Nikki Mottram has a psychology degree and an extensive background in child protection, positions protecting and promoting the welfare of children at risk of harm. Her real-world experience lead Mottram to writing Crows Nest, her debut novel; it’s gripping, suspenseful and offers a unique perspective in the crime fiction genre. From the very first page, Mottram sets the tone with an eerie atmosphere, immersing readers in Dana Gibson’s messy and complicated, yet important, world.

Dana Gibson works an intense, all-consuming job as a child protection worker. While most people in this profession would use their personal life to switch off from the intensities and harsh realities of work, Dana uses her job as a portal to escape her personal life and problems. She finds solace in the sad but sometimes hopeful cases that come her way, and that says a lot about her flawed but very real character.

Dana has fled Sydney to escape her failing marriage, leading her to Toowoomba, QLD. There, she’s drawn into the country town’s residents and their way of life – where typical rules don’t apply. And it’s not what Dana is used to.

At the forefront of Crows Nest is the investigation into the deaths of Sandra and her best friend, but there are more ghosts. Ghosts from Dana’s past, ghosts in this town. Under its friendly façade, Toowoomba has buried secrets that its residents don’t want uncovered – and they’ll stop at nothing to make sure they don’t come to light. But Dana is determined to find out the truth, which puts her in some heart-racing situations.

This book is no slow burn. Dana is a fantastic character – she’s tough and has immense strength but she’s also fragile and sensitive. These are traits that balance each other and allow her to shine where needed both personally and professionally. The social-worker protagonist offers a unique perspective for a crime novel and a meaningful focus on the impacts of violence towards children. Mottram doesn’t shy away from tough topics in this novel, but they’re vital and necessary.

Crows Nest is intensely riveting, completely captivating and unputdownable. UQP is offering a money-back guarantee on this great read, but I predict the Dana Gibson mysteries will be the next big thing in crime fiction. The epilogue of Crows Nest leaves plenty of room for more, perfect for the release of Killarney, the next book, coming out in 2024. I can’t wait to see where Dana’s profession leads her next.

Buy a copy of Crows Nest here.