A moving and suspenseful story of family dynamics, obsession and the power of true friendship from Australia’s master storyteller, Fiona McCallum.
Beneath the facade, not everything is as it seems…
On the surface, Natasha and Mitchell live an idyllic life in the Adelaide Hills with their two daughters and kelpie cross. While both have busy careers, they ensure time is spent with family and friends.
Natasha, an aspiring interior designer, has started her own homewares shop and is excited to develop her business further. Mitchell, on the other hand, is becoming more withdrawn. Is he pressured by work, having a mid-life crisis or hiding something from his family?
Jesse, a charismatic new locksmith in town, offers to help Natasha with client leads. She welcomes the assistance and distraction. But is Jesse all he makes out to be?
Who ultimately is looking out for whom, and who is hiding from the truth?
Fiona McCallum has been a constant in our reading rotation ever since her bestselling debut, Paycheque, was released in 2011. With over 15 novels now to her name, she’s proven to be as reliable as she is prolific – you know you’re in for a treat whenever you pick up the latest McCallum.
Fans love the way McCallum shifts effortlessly from the relatable to the aspirational, from everyday domestic scenes to those big, life-altering moments we all experience. Looking Out is no exception, covering themes of addiction and mental health in the context of a seemingly happy marriage, all with heart and sensitivity.
Part of McCallum’s charm is the way she treats her readers with such care, providing just the right balance of page-turning intrigue, escapism and down-to-earth relatability. She gently encourages us to look at our own lives with fresh eyes, even while we’re disappearing into the alternative world she’s created for us. Looking Out explores the things that distract us from what matters most, and what it takes to find our way back to the things that really make life worth living after drifting off course. Ultimately, it all comes down to our relationships.
For those who love escaping into McCallum’s beautifully sketched rural settings, the Adelaide Hills backdrop in this novel is a real treat – complete with an adorable (and ever-wise) kelpie cross to match the quintessentially South Australian landscape.
McCallum’s fans will love her latest offering, which showcases her at the top of her writing game. If you’re yet to dive into McCallum’s work, and you devour relatable reads about Aussie communities and domestic dramas, what are you waiting for? This is the perfect way to spend a weekend.
Leave a Reply