Kate Delaney has made the biggest mistake of her life. She picked the wrong guy to humiliate on a girls’ night out and now she is living every woman’s worst nightmare. Kate finds herself brutalised, bound and gagged in the back of a car being driven god knows where by a man whose name she doesn’t know, and she is petrified about what’s in store for her.
As a journalist who is haunted by the crimes she’s had to report over her career, Kate is terrifyingly familiar with the statistics about women who go missing—and the fear and trauma behind the headlines. She knows only too well how those stories usually end.
Kate can only hope the police will find her before it’s too late, but she’s aware a random crime is hardest to solve. As the clock ticks down, she tries to keep herself sane by thinking about her beloved boyfriend and friends, escaping into memories of love and happy times together. She knows she cannot give way to despair.
As the suspense escalates, Kate’s boyfriend Liam is left behind, struggling with his shock, fear and desperation as the police establish a major investigation. The detectives face their own feelings of anguish and futility as they reflect on the cases they didn’t solve in time and the victims they couldn’t save. They know Kate’s chances of survival diminish with every passing hour.
Acclaimed and award-winning writer and journalist Louise Milligan has written a stunning and surprising thriller with a gigantic heart: a gripping, propulsive and brilliantly original debut.
Buy a copy of Pheasants Nest here.
Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
An enthralling and gripping book that leaves you wondering how much is actually fact or fiction. As the author has used actual locations and certainly drawn from her own personal experiences from her years of journalism and aspects of her Irish upbringing. It will leave you questioning why criminals do such things and how efficient members of the police force are in solving such crimes and how much trauma affects them and if they are getting the help they need. An excellent novel that will have the reader eagerly awaiting for future books written by Louise Milligan. Sandra, NSW, 5 Stars
Pheasants Nest is author Louise Milligan’s debut novel. I really liked the way the chapters have titles. I found the characters relatable and could not put the book down until I found out what was going to happen to the main character, Kate Delaney. The storyline was so realistic and sent shivers down my spine that this type of crime happens, not just in fiction. I can’t wait to read Louise’s next novel. Trudy, SA, 5 Stars
Louise Milligan’s Pheasant’s Nest is a dark and gripping thriller with moments of humour and lighter entertainment interspersed. The premise and differing perspectives are interesting and adds depth to the story. I enjoyed the use of a rural location with a sinister past to enhance the eeriness of the story. Thanks to Better Reading and Allen & Unwin for the ARC! Imogen, VIC, 5 Stars
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to review Pheasants Nest by Louise Milligan for a first-time author she has done outstandingly well I thoroughly enjoyed this book and she made you feel part of the story by having so many relatable places and things that could happen just by saying something to someone and not realising the implications of its long term effects. Sue, NSW, 5 Stars
A young girl out for a good time with her friends decides to walk home, its only a short distance, what could possibly go wrong? Brutally sexually assaulted and abducted, she finds herself fighting for survival while law enforcement investigates her boyfriend as the prime suspect. It is up to her friends and a Police Officer suffering with his own particular set of demons to follow the clues and discover her whereabouts before it is too late. An emotionally charged book which may not be to everyone’s liking but generally well written. Personally, I initially found the numerous ‘flashbacks’ to be a deterrent to the storyline, however they were in fact necessary in the long run. Terry, SA, 5 Stars
What a fantastic debut! The writing was superb, chilling and realistic; perhaps so realistic because of the author’s non-fiction background. I found the story to be told in a unique manner and I really liked that. It was full of suspense and it honestly could have gone either way, right up until the very end. I was enthralled! I’m very interested to see what Louise Milligan comes up with next! Elle, NSW, 5 Stars
Pheasants Nest is unmissable. This is an outstanding debut. Louise Milligan weaves a captivating story, one that is hard to read at some points and also one you cannot put down. I read late into the night with this one, it was absultely fantastic. While many aspects of the book are amazing – the storytelling, language, change in perspectives and voice (just to name a few), one thing that really stood out and was incredibly impressive is that all characters, including those who feature fleetingly, have incredible depth and clear, individual personality. It is hard to describe how brilliantly Louise gives each character depth in such a short time. If you are looking for a gripping crime fiction, look no further – please put this on the top of your to be read pile. An amazing book, one I cannot recommend enough! Aleacia, NSW, 5 Stars
I loved this book and could not put it down. Louise Milligan is an accomplished journalist and obviously drew on her experiences investigating crimes to pen this page-turning thriller. In particular she had obvious insight into police procedures and burnout as well as the workings of the media. I loved that the main character Kate Delaney had some elements of her own life, including a horror of missing apostrophes and bad grammar (which I share). Milligan cleverly created a suspenseful abduction story that was also witty and even funny at times. I definitely recommend this book and will be looking for her future fiction. Thankyou so much @betterreading for an advance copy. Jane, VIC, 5 Stars
Another good preview read, thank you! I personally loved the fact that the author used real places (uncommon in Aussie crime) and that I can totally visualise Pheasant’s Nest – I’ve drive over it so many times. Well-written, occasional niggles about the entitlement of main characters and some city vs non-city stereotyping. Also one minor critique, the author used the term “catapulted into” three times to refer to memories (once within the space of 2-3 pages. I loved the fact the main characters were 40-somethings and totally enjoyed the book. Yvonne, NSW, 5 Stars
Black humour abounds in this gripping tale. The novel explores themes of the seemingly minor mistakes people make that can have disastrous consequences. It is also timely in its devastating themes of women not being able to go about their business without being afraid of attack. I also liked the discussion about police being stressed is part of their job as I don’t think this is something the average person thinks about – the stress and horrible things police have to witness and how it affects them as people in the long term. I did find one of the big coincidences of the novel a bit hard to swallow but I guess coincidences do happen. There are moments of humour amongst the stress and I think that is so true of how many people deal with their own stressful situations – keeping a sense of humour definitely helps, laughing about inappropriate things at inappropriate times. I liked that this was included in the novel. I could not put this book down once I started reading it. I also liked that it was set in Australia. Debra, NSW, 5 Stars
Pheasants Nest is a fast-paced crime thriller from investigative journalist, Louise Milligan. When journalist Kate goes missing after a night out, all eyes focus on her boyfriend, Liam. Liam is a caring lawyer. But it soon becomes clear that Kate may have been taken. As police desperately play catch up looking for clues, Kate is well aware what the headlines will be saying. She’s often written them. Can Kate be found in time? A sharp debut with well-written characters that will keep you reading long into the night. Michelle, QLD, 5 Stars
Pheasants Nest is a taut new crime thriller from investigative journalist, Louise Milligan. It tells the story of the vivacious journalist, Kate who picks the wrong man to insult. When she goes missing fingers first point to her partner, Liam. But Kate is hurt and far from home and she knows from experience what the headlines will be. This propulsive thriller will keep you up late as you navigate all the twists and turns in the search for Kate as time is running out. A wonderful debut from a terrific Australian writing voice. Michelle, QLD, 5 Stars
Gripping from the first page to the last, The Pheasants Nest was a fantastic read. You can feel Louise’s compassion woven through a traumatic story, which, at times was appropriately witty and funny like glimmers of hope. Highly recommend…what a brilliant fiction debut. Monica, QLD, 5 Stars
Wow. The Pheasants Nest grabbed me from the start and I couldn’t put it down. Although suspecting I knew what the ending would be, I was still keen to see how it all unravelled. The scenario was very believable but the kidnapper’s bungling ways and trail of evidence seemed a bit convenient at times. I was very interested in the true and accurate descriptions of tragic, real life events in the area of the bridge as I had not been aware of these. Thanks for the Advance Reading Copy. I loved it. Steph, NSW, 5 Stars
This was a really intense great read, so addictive to see what happens next. Kate fears the worst and relives her life’s choices while bound and gagged and knowing scenarios like hers don’t end well, keeps you intrigued from beginning to end, surviving is her biggest goal, quick gripping read. Julie, NSW, 5 Stars
Pheasants Nest, couldn’t put this book down, I read it in 2 days. The plot is very sadly ” today ” inspired, the characters slotting into events both real and very terrifying. I loved Kate (& her boyfriend even more ) Kate’s attitude and her strength, her loyal connection with her friends and her stalwart perseverance. The book brought to light the frightening times we are living in at the moment in Australia. I loved the trendy, character filled, extremely suspenseful premise the author has achieved. A must-read!! Dorothy, NSW, 5 Stars
Pheasant’s Nest was a nice read! The book details the pursuit of finding abducted Kate Delaney from multiple perspectives which I loved. It delved into the raw emotions of fear, anguish and hope in the face of such a traumatic experience. The story kept me engaged and guessing till the end; a lovely weekend read! Jayme, NSW, 4 Stars
Kate Delaney is an attractive, well-known journalist who fails to arrive home after a night out with girlfriends. This is her story. The story of her boyfriend Liam, her best friend Sylvia, and the story of her abductor… The Guy. I really enjoyed this book. The characters were authentic, you could feel their grief. I also thought it was great that the perpetrator of the abduction remained nameless! Pheasants Nest is a debut novel by Louise Milligan, an award winning investigative journalist both in print and on screen. This was a book that I certainly found hard to put down. Anne, ACT, 4 Stars
An exciting tale of kidnapping and the fears and drama of survival. While a lot of retrospective thoughts – did help to put everything in perspective. Lots of good police work and great everything worked out – after paramedics saved her. Dale, VIC, 4 Stars
Pheasants Nest was a really interesting read as told from the perspective of a woman as she experiences an assault and abduction by a stranger. It also flips between her thoughts and those of the man who has taken her and police and family searching. It’s very obvious that the author has a journalist background as the story is eerily reminiscent of a case a few years back where the outcome was not as positive. Some of the scenes could be quite triggering in my opinion but overall a good insight into what the families and victims go through. Lee, VIC, 4 Stars
Pheasants Nest is a compelling read with believable characters. The descriptive dialogue makes it easy for the reader to picture the settings which really come to life if you’re familiar with the Hume Highway. The book would make a good four part mini series. Rebecca, NSW, 4 Stars
Louise Milligan’s Pheasants Nest gripped me from the first impactful paragraph, with her use of the present tense and the descriptions of characters that were visually succinct. As each new character was introduced, the reader was left with the uncertainty of how knowing this helps in solving the disappearance of Kate Delaney. Milligan gave personal histories of supporting characters and no matter how incidental it had a way of wrapping the character up in a tight bundle of explanation. Using this writing technique gave morbid humour to an otherwise sinister plot. As a reader, we are present in knowing details about Kate Delaney’s kidnapping and Milligan builds tension and frustration when characters do not perform as expected. I was ‘pulling’ for the innocent, stressing over quick accusations and worried about the impact of social media. All of this felt very real. Reading this book was bewitching and provoking. Nina, VIC, 4 Stars
This story was hard to put down. I just had to know what was going to happen to Kate. It started off really strong and the atmosphere and tone was spot on. However, I did find that when the suspense should have been building towards a climatic end I found it a little lacking in the suspense department. Despite this though I really enjoyed the story and am looking forward to the next Louise Milligan thriller. Thank you to Better Reading for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Meg, SA, 4 Stars
Pheasants Nest is a well written, thrilling crime novel that kept me engaged to the end. It reads like a true crime book and you can tell that Louise Milligan excels in that area. Like a lot of true crime though, it often spends too much time on people and characters that don’t propel the plot forward. An example of this, we get about three pages dedicated to a creepy boss our main character once had, and yet his only involvement in the novel is that he sends a text to one of our main characters. When it focuses in on central plot, this book is fantastic and I would recommend it to anyway. Just keep in mind there are tangents. Riley, VIC, 4 Stars
One Chapter four pages long and it has you captivated and drawn into the story. Kate Delaney has a night out with her friends only to be kidnapped when she is walking home. Her boyfriend Liam is anxious she hadn’t returned and reported her missing the next day. The Police Investigation seems slow and drawn out and they rely on the public to help solve the case. Another crime/thriller that was well written, the places mentioned and described you could imagine as if you were there. A great debut novel by Louise Milligan. Annette, NSW, 4 Stars
I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of Pheasants Nest by Louise Milligan from Better Reads. As an avid reader of mystery, crime etc. I really enjoyed this novel. Kate Delaney, journalist is head over heels in love with her lawyer boyfriend Liam until there world is turned upside down, after a night out with the girls Kate does not return home and is missing. This is a very believable story and I highly recommend a read. Leigh, WA, 4 Stars
‘Pheasants Nest’ by Louise Milligan is a chilling and compelling read. The book is about a violent kidnapping. It is realistic. This is what makes the story so scary. It has all the elements of a nightmare – the not knowing, the sense of urgency, the police without any good leads and the horrific experiences of Kate. It is a hopeless situation. I had a pit in my stomach while I read ‘Pheasants Nest’. I was invested in the characters of Kate and Liam and their joyful, funny relationship. I wanted a good outcome for them. It was important for me to find out the ending, so I read the book quickly. The messages of the story have stayed with me. Sandra, NSW, 4 Stars
A great read to lose yourself in. Loved that it was set in such a familiar area to me. Not too many characters, so it was easy to read and follow. I would read another read from this author as I really like how it was written. Would love a follow up to see how the characters are going. Jen, NSW, 4 Stars
A night out with friends turns into a terrifying series of events for Kate, a well known journalist. When Kate makes a comment about a man’s appearance in response to a sexist remark made towards her, she is followed, abducted, assaulted and her life is put in serious danger. Meanwhile Kate’s boyfriend, Liam, has growing concerns for Kate’s safety when she doesn’t arrive home and is uncontactable. Together with Kate’s best friend, Sylvia, Liam heads to the last known location Kate was identified, to join in the hunt to locate the love of his life. The narration moves between many characters’ perspectives, highlighting different elements in the search for Kate. We hear about Kate’s ordeal and the strategies she uses to keep herself calm, Liam’s concerns and actions taken in his attempt to find Kate, Detective D’Ambrosio‘s search for Kate who has his own demons to deal with, and finally, the perpetrator’s thoughts and actions while committing these heinous crimes. This was a well paced, intense story which successfully twists elements of fiction with real life crime. There are so many layers to this novel, the events remain with you long after you’ve read the last page. Priscilla, ACT, 4 Stars
Kate, a journalist, made the biggest mistake of her life when she humiliated the wrong guy on a night out with friends and finds herself bound and in the backseat of the guy’s car- headed where??! I love how well this is written by Louise Milligan. The fly on the wall narration provides a unique perspective from many different characters, and provides interesting insight into the mind of the accused. It is a gripping page turner, and I would have read it in one sitting if I could! . This book covers some pretty heavy, confronting content, so please make sure you’re aware of that before reading. . Thank you Better Reading for this ARC in exchange for a honest review. Kathryn, VIC, 4 Stars
This is the sort of book that sends shivers down my spine. As a woman who likes to believe she is safe walking home after dark, this is a stark reminder to me that I may not always be. Louise Milligan crafts an all too believable story of how quickly and easily a woman can find herself in deep trouble. As the story continues, there are echoes of too many stories that play out as news headlines when someone disappears. In spite of how nerve wracking this book was, or perhaps because of it, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I found myself continuing to turn pages when I should have been sleeping. The main characters are believable, and likable, and it’s easy to become invested in their story. Well worth a read. Karen, VIC, 4 Stars
Kate Delaney is a journalist who has reported on devastating crimes throughout her career. One night she goes out celebrating and makes the biggest mistake of her life. She makes fun of the wrong guy to humiliate. He’s stalks her and bound and gags her. She just has to keep alive for her loved ones to find her. A gripping and suspenseful novel. Highly recommend. Noeleen, WA, 4 Stars
Pheasants Nest by Louise Milligan Pheasants Nest is a book that grabs you right from the first page. The story is told mainly from the main character, Kate’s point of view, allowing the reader to really understand her and what is happening in her life, both in the present and in relevant parts of her past. Each of the other main characters are relatable and you can easily get drawn into their lives. If you like action packed stories that drop multiple clues along the way, and at times have you screaming at the characters and then wanting to hug others, then you should enjoy this novel. Suzanne, VIC, 3 Stars
A difficult topic to write about and was written in a journalistic genre . Very descriptive about police procedure news outlets and relationships. The scenery played an important part of the story and it was easy to see the places if you are familiar with the Hume highway. The writing often revisited the past to give an insight into the characters in the book. Tonie, NSW, 3 Stars
In Louise Milligan’s “Pheasant’s Nest,” readers are plunged into a tense and emotionally charged narrative as Kate Delaney, the protagonist, is abducted by a mysterious assailant known only as “The Guy.” The novel unfolds through the lens of Delaney’s loved ones, who desperately search for her while grappling with their own memories and emotions. Milligan employs a dual narrative structure, weaving together Delaney’s harrowing ordeal with poignant reminiscences from her, her friends and family. Through these reflections, readers gain insights into the lives of the characters, each grappling with their own demons and regrets. Although I found this structure refreshing initially, towards the end, this style meant some tension for Kate’s plight was diluted. I did like most of the characters and the storyline. “Pheasant’s Nest” is a worthwhile read that will linger in the minds of readers. Milligan’s unique storytelling and exploration of human nature make this novel a good holiday read. Clare, NSW, 3 Stars
This book is not so much a story of Kate Delaney’s abduction as it is a recount of people’s memories. Although it is fast-paced, many lengthy descriptions of characters’ memories make this book a little difficult to get through. The plot itself was thrilling, but the way it was written was at times fairly uninteresting. I would have enjoyed this book more if there was more detail on the actual abduction. That being said, the portion of the book describing the current events was detailed and made the reader empathise with Kate. It shined a light on how, sadly, women are taken advantage of for standing up to “the wrong man”. Margareta, SA, 3 Stars
Engaging from the start, Pheasants Nest was a unique take on an unfortunate repetitive storyline that affects too many women not only in Australia but throughout the world. A lot of the story was too familiar to real life events that took place in Melbourne over recent years and it is for this reason I didn’t enjoy the book as much as wanted. Nicole, NSW, 3 Stars
Pheasants Nest is a gripping thriller which, despite flaws, kept me reading to find out what happens. The lack of apostrophe in the title annoyed me but this was addressed very early on in the book which was pleasing. The novel starts with Kate regaining consciousness and realising she’s been abducted by a man she and her friends had encountered on the previous night. Kate’s boyfriend and best friend report her missing and then go searching themselves. The police seem to be quite incompetent. The perspective changes between people well. However the pace is frequently interrupted by unnecessary backstories of every character. Also the connection between Kate and her abductor (through other people) feels a bit forced and, once again, unnecessary. I enjoyed this book though and would read any future novels from Louise Milligan. Denise, QLD, 3 Stars
Thank you to Better Reading and Allen & Unwin for the opportunity to read and review this book. Great plot with so many opportunities to go further and expand on what the book was really about. I did feel there was a lot of irrelevant content that threw me off the scent. I took this book overseas with me thinking I would finish it on the way to my destination (8 hour flight) however, I put it down in exasperation. Coming home a week later I got back into it, put it down again and today read the rest of the book. The ending came in a sudden surge and finality. Case closed, bang bang bang. I will give kudos to Louise Milligan for a great plot and credit where credit is due. I look forward to seeing what her next offering will be like. Nicky, QLD, 3 Stars
After a night out with her girlfriends, Kate Delaney is snatched off the street, assaulted, raped and comes to in the back of the car driven by a stranger, one she had insulted at the pub hours earlier. When her boyfriend Liam reports her missing he finds himself under suspicion. We experience his train of thought and confusion all wrapped around his growing fear. The detectives follow standard procedure, string together some leads and the growing urgency as the hours tick by is palpable. Could I stay as level headed as Kate during her ordeal? Perhaps true inner strength only reveals itself in a crisis. As she zones out, reflecting on her life and relationships, boyfriend and best friend decide to get involved in the case ….and we are drawn to the conclusion at a satisfying pace, (although how we get there seems a little coincidental and contrived). The characters are human, flawed and funny….strong relationships, family and friends are the support that can pull us through and give us hope in terrible situations. A seasoned investigative journalist, Louise Milligan, has created a debut Australian novel that just might have you looking over your shoulder on a dark night! Lesley, QLD, 3 Stars
Kate Delaney has been abducted on her way to her boyfriend’s flat after insulting a stranger in a pub. She is bound and gagged in the backseat of a moving car and has no idea what will happen next. Louise Milligan brings us the story from Kate’s point of view as well as those of her best friend, her boyfriend and the police officers running her case. After the harrowing abduction the story settles into the steps taken to find her. Her boyfriend is frantic and with her friend Sylvia tries to help the police but ends up being a person of interest. After the abduction and report to the police, the pace seems a little slow considering that Kate is now in NSW, and time is ticking away. As a journalist, Kate knows the likely outcome of her abduction is death, and Liam is frantic, but we don’t get that sense of urgency from the detective in Victoria, nor in NSW. The author uses more dialogue than seems necessary to tell the story, and I found myself a little disengaged at times. We learn a lot about the other characters, most of which isn’t really relevant. I enjoyed the book but feel that the tension was only apparent at the beginning and the very end. I enjoyed the story, but wasn’t enough of a thriller to give it more than 3 stars. My thanks to Better Reading and to Penguin Random House for the copy of the book. Catherine, QLD, 3 Stars
A story about Kate Delaney, a popular investigative journalist, who has gone missing after a night out with her girlfriends. This book portrays the narrative from the outside readers POV, as the events for Kate and search to find her unfold. The intricate details written to describe the characters and scenery is so beautifully detailed leaving nothing behind to imagine. At times you truly feel as though you are watching from the sideline. Unfortunately, for me, there were pages of unnecessary information based on characters which added no value to the story line. I often felt at times the plot had gone off track, before regaining momentum again, whereas, the ending was rushed and lacked thrill, finishing abruptly. Jess, QLD, 3 Stars
#BRPreview Thanks to @betterreadingau for providing me with an early copy of Pheasants Nest. It is the story of journalist Kate who gets kidnapped after a night out with friends, by ‘the guy’ (as she calls him) who she offended at a bar. This is an enjoyable book, however, there wasn’t much depth to the storyline. The author was more interested in developing the character’s back story rather than the main story, which left this slightly lacking. #BRPreview Nektaria, VIC, 3 Stars
An enjoyable and easy read, I found the characters lacked depth and the ending felt rushed and a bit abrupt. I was keen to see how the story ended and so read this book in nearly one sitting. I found the writing style easy to digest. Rach, QLD, 3 Stars
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