Astronomer Lucy Rutherford is celebrating the refurbishment of the 100-year-old telescope in the Yarra Valley town of Bowness, Victoria. Her husband, Justin, is running for parliament, on a platform of responsibility and progress.
But Lucy isn’t interested in being a politician’s wife. And after twenty years, she plans to leave Justin. Once he’s won the election. Lucy’s biggest concern is how her eleven-year-old daughter, Gabby, will take the news. Or does Gabby already know? She has a habit of listening in on conversations she shouldn’t.
A week before polling day Lucy takes the family dog for a walk and doesn’t return. Justin is convinced Lucy has left him but Gabby is certain her mother is missing and in trouble. Why isn’t her father looking?
As the days go by, tensions rise between Gabby and her father. Desperate to contact her mother, Gabby takes matters into her own hands. On the day of the election Bowness is faced with a decision, and so is each member of the Rutherford family.
Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
This book gave a great insight into how relationships can be marred by events from our past. I found myself intrigued and sometimes horrified by the behaviour of some of the characters. It was a great read and had some moments of wanting to turn the page to find out where the story was going to take me. Deb, SA, 5 Stars
‘The Map of Night’, by Kimberley Starr, is an entertaining mystery story that you will become enthralled with. Starr has not only crafted some intriguing, not always likeable, characters but also has woven in some remarkable insights around astronomy and politics in Australia. From the beginning of the novel, the reader knows that Lucy Rutherford, astronomer, is planning to leave her husband, doctor turning politician, Justin. Starr builds the intricate world of this husband, wife and their eleven-year-old daughter, immediately creating a palpable tension between the parents: Lucy wants to move interstate with her daughter and Justin wants his wife to stay and be the dutiful politician’s wife. Starr creates the complex thoughts of these characters as the reader alternates between the third person perspective of Lucy, Justin and Gabby. Then Lucy goes missing just before polling day. Questions are raised, ‘would Lucy just leave without her daughter?’ and ‘why does Gabby feel as though her father could be doing more to find her mother?’ The reader becomes completely intrigued with unravelling the truth and captivated by Gabby’s search for answers. An engrossing read for all suspense lovers! Genene, SA, 5 Stars
The Map of Night is a brilliant novel that keeps you wanting more. Lucy Rutherford is an astronomer who lives and works in the Yarra Valley restoring an old telescope, when she goes missing no one goes to look for her, they all assume she has left to go to Parkes. This is a novel exploring family dynamics, mystery, intrigue and thinking you know someone, but really don’t at all. Amy, NSW, 5 Stars
The Map of Night is set in country Victoria and based upon the disappearance of Astronomer Lucy. The story is told from the alternating points of view of Lucy, her husband Justin and their daughter Gabby. This was my first introduction to Starr’s writing and I thoroughly enjoyed it, drawing me in and holding my attention from start to finish. I particularly felt Starr captured the thoughts of 11-year-old Gabby perfectly with her interpretation of adult conversations and actions. As time goes on, the absence of Lucy highlights the important role her mother plays in Gabby’s life. This novel focuses on love, family, ambition, loyalty and betrayal. Astonishing and heart-breaking at times, an engrossing read which kept me guessing which direction it would take. Highly recommended. Rebecca, WA, 5 Stars
Wow!! What a great read! I usually go for rom-com/chick lit type books and this was a refreshing change for me. I went through loads of emotions reading this book, from feeling helpless for Gabby, angry at Justin and fear for Lucy. There’s fraud, deception, lies, hope, dreams and so much more – this book has everything! I related to Gabby in her efforts to try and get through school without getting hassled, and wanting people to listen to her cries for help but struggling to even get Justin, her dad, on board. What’s a kid supposed to do?! The ending was better than I had expected. I’m keen to read more from Kimberley Starr, a fellow New England Tablelands child. Rebekah, NSW, 5 Stars
Thankyou for my free copy. What a fantastic read. Enjoyed the story line with characters that are relatable and real. The Map of Night is so well written that I just wanted to crawl into the book and give Gabby a big hug whilst giving Justin a what are you doing shake followed by a wake up slap. Recommend for anyone that wants a read with all the feels and emotion. Simone, WA, 5 Stars
This novel is almost impossible to review without spoilers. It is definitely not a typical mystery story, and that is its main strength. Another is the creation of a spectacularly flawed character, who is perhaps the most self-centred and spineless I’ve encountered in years. Other characters are convincingly rendered in a plot which could just possibly happen. I also enjoyed the many incidental facts I was able to learn about astronomy, and politics as well as about the history, fauna and flora of a small portion of Victoria. Intelligent and intriguing. Highly recommended. Heidi, VIC, 5 Stars
What timing to read this book after the recent election. Beautifully written, I was totally engrossed in the character development as the story went on particularly Gabby whose compassion and authenticity was heartwarming. This mystery kept me engaged right til the end. Justine, NSW, 5 Stars
I’m adding Kimberley Starr to my list of favourite Australian authors. The Map of Night is a beautifully told story of a family slowly breaking apart even though both parents and their 11-year-old daughter Gabby seem more than capable of achieving great things, at least at first. Lucy Rutherford is an astronomer who wants to move on, with plans to move to the Parkes observatory, from their small Victorian country town, leaving her husband in the process. Justin is standing for state parliament, so Lucy is waiting for election day before leaving. But when she takes the dog for a walk and doesn’t return, a mystery unfolds around the reaction to her disappearance! Justin is convinced she’s left him early; Gabby isn’t so sure! With a support cast of wonderfully drawn characters, Starr draws us in to show how each of the family responds to Lucy’s situation, including Lucy herself. It’s a terrific story, made even better by the astronomical references. I learned a lot! Chris, QLD, 5 Stars
A beautifully written novel, taken from the perspectives of each of the three main characters – Lucy, Justin and Gabby. I loved the way that we were taken on a deeper look into the internal workings of the minds of the family as the story unfolds and we see how each faces their own dilemmas within the overarching loss of Lucy. Through the pressures of conflicting ambitions we come to realise that we don’t always really know the person we think we should know. I am looking forward to reading more of Kimberley Starr. Kirsten, WA, 5 Stars
What a great story to read during the final days of the federal election campaign! Astronomer Lucy Rutherford’s husband Justin is running for parliament in Victoria, but she’s not interested in being an MP’s wife. In fact, she’s planning to leave him and start a new life interstate with their daughter Gabby. Just days before polling day, Lucy takes Kepler, the family dog, for a walk and disappears. But no one seems to care. As the days roll on, Gabby can’t understand why her dad isn’t looking for her mum. Then, on election day, they’re all faced with a decision. Melbourne-based author Kimberley Starr has produced a totally engaging read, one which maintains its grip right to the end. It’s deftly written and brilliantly researched. Of all the characters, I loved best the depiction of Gabby, only 11 years old but oh, so clever with words. Starr’s previous novels have won awards and I’m sure readers will say this deserves to join them. Don, SA, 5 Stars
Unlike many ‘a woman has gone missing’ stories written, A Map of the Night comes at it from a different perspective. Without giving anything away, it isn’t so much a ‘whodunnit’ as a ‘will things work out’ tale! The narrative changing between the three main characters keeps the story moving, while actual time is moving quite slowly. The detail included meant you could almost touch, see and smell the characters world. A very enjoyable and engaging read, highly recommend! Jane, VIC, 5 Stars
An engaging crime/thriller which will leave you asking- do I really know the people I love? When astronomer Lucy Rutherford falls down a mine shaft, she expects her loved ones to come looking. When they don’t, it opens up all kinds of secrets. This novel kept me guessing and I wasn’t expecting the ending. A definite must-read for crime lovers. Jessica, QLD, 4 Stars
This was a novel full of great suspense which I truly enjoyed. The family around which this is set had very interesting dynamics but I liked the daughter Gabby’s character most. Kimberley managed to get right inside her 11 year old head with a lot of her responses to what was going on around her very amusing. A unique tale and skilful writing style made this one hard to put down and look forward to more strong Australian content from this author. Faye, QLD, 4 Stars
I love a book that is set in my home town and this is one of them. After the disappearance of Lucy, my mind wanders to what could have possibly happened to Lucy and my suspicions are constantly with the husband. I’m not sure i particularly like the characters, except Gabby. By page 58, the anticipation of the disappearance was getting real. A lot to ponder. I quite enjoyed this book. Robyn, VIC, 4 Stars
A family break-up is central to the plot of The Map of the Night. Parents, Lucy and Justin, both preoccupied with their own ambitions, have decided to call it a day. All good and fine, until Lucy doesn’t come home and only the reader knows her whereabouts. Justin’s actions and non-actions send him spiralling into a pit of lies and excuses. Every attempt to dig himself out results in him burying himself even deeper. I thought Lucy and Justin were interesting characters although at times I found their actions and their responses to events to be somewhat unbelievable. Lucy’s response to her situation and possible death is one such example. My sympathies were firmly with the daughter, Gabby, the star of the novel. She was quirky, fascinating and her actions and responses were very believable. Astronomy features strongly and although I found the information very interesting, I did find myself skimming at times to get back to the action. The Map of the Night was a slow burn, but one that was very enjoyable. Annette, QLD, 4 Stars
Wow this book is awesome! Lucy has just finished refurbishing a 100 year old telescope in Yarra Valley, Victoria. Her husband of twenty years, Justin, is running for parliament & election day is looming. But Lucy has had enough of Justin’s seeming ambition & desire to make their hometown a booming tourist destination & is planning on leaving him after the election, her only concern is how her daughter, Gabby will react to the news. A week before the polls open, Lucy goes for a walk. But she doesn’t come back….. Justin is convinced Lucy has left him but Gabby is certain her mum’s missing & is mystified as to why her dad isn’t looking for her……. I absolutely loved this book, it is so engaging & will keep you that way if you’re a bit of a science lover with all the information about stars, constellations etc sprinkled all through the book. Kimberly Starr’s writing style made me immediately sympathise with the characters, even Justin whose greed & desire had made me absolutely despise him by the middle of the book. Although there are chapters, this book is written in a sort of run-on style that means you really have to pay attention to keep up but it’s worth it as the writing is lyrical with beautiful descriptions that made me devour it & kept me wanting more. There are a few twists I didn’t see coming & the ending was perfect. Well, I thought it was! If I had a favourite shelf, this would definitely be on it! Leah, WA, 4 Stars
I really enjoyed reading this book, from its early onset. The characters were easy to understand as the Australian town came to life. Lucy an Astronomer was about to embark on a new life, one far away from the town she grew up in with a husband a budding Politician she once loved. She always enjoyed the stars, the mysteries and the unknown. But she did not know she was about to become a mystery herself. She went for a walk one day with her dog, he came back she did not. Where did she go? Why wasn’t anyone looking? Did anyone even care? As the story evolved, one little mistake was all it took, then it all became clear. Thank you, Better Reading, for the chance to read this book. I would recommend it. Cheryl, VIC, 4 Stars
The Map of Night, is an easy story to read. It flows naturally as it introduces the 3 main characters and shares their current lives. It gradually weaves their personal story throughout each other over the coming pages which brings Lucy, Justin and Gabby to life. I love how the author gives each time to introduce themselves to the reader and captures their personalities so well. The story then takes a turn once Lucy goes missing and you end up in this rabbit hole of wondering how the one person who was supposed to care the most ends up so wrapped up in his own world to completely dismiss what has happened. It makes you wonder if as a blossoming politician this change was already within him? This is a highly enjoyable read and I love the interpersonal relationships with the characters play out throughout this book. If you want something not too heavy to read then I would highly recommend this book. Jodi, QLD, 4 Stars
Thanks to @betterreadingau for my Arc copy of ……The Map of Night! Author Kimberley Starr ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️rating from me. Story is told in chapters by the 3 main characters Astronomer Lucy (mother), her husband Justin ( a Dr and running for parliament) and last but not least their daughter Gabby an 11 year old! Interesting facts about the stars through a telescope and our world up and beyond while bringing magic to our hearts. Lucy goes missing and Gabby can’t find her while also trying to understand why others around her are not worried or trying to find her mum…….why? Debbie, WA, 4 Stars
‘A woman is missing. Why isn’t anyone looking for her?’ Wow! This premise drew me in straight away. THE MAP OF NIGHT is set in a regional Aussie town going through big change. It looks at the shifting dynamics of marriage and what happens when priorities collide. Read it if youre after a tense drama/domestic noir with excellent characters and a satisfying ending. Inessa, NSW, 4 Stars
An interesting book – The Map of Night by Kimberley Starr, A 20-year marriage on the ropes. Husband Justin a doctor is pursuing a political career wanting to be seen as the perfect household. But his astronomer wife Lucy feels it time to part. In the background is their 11-year-old daughter Gabby. Overhearing the hearted words exchanged between her parents You’ve heard the expression – ‘Children should be seen and not heard’. When Lucy and the dog don’t return from a walk it’s Gabby who’s concerned for her welfare. Gets you in. Robert, QLD, 4 Stars
“The Map of Night”, set in an old goldmining district, is an easy read. The story is told by 3 main characters. Lucy, mother, wife, and astronomer who knows scientific discoveries help us understand the world. Justin, father, husband, ophthalmologist, inward focused would-be politician. Gabby their 11-year-old, awkward, intelligent, deep-thinking daughter. In one week, once the election is over, Lucy is leaving with Gabby, to pursue her career. Justin isn’t happy, conscious of the effect it may have on Gabby and more importantly on his image in the community. Unfortunately, while walking the dog Lucy falls into an old mine shaft and disappears. When no one comes looking for her she becomes increasingly despondent. Initially Justin concerned with his campaign is annoyed, and angry that Lucy has left him. Later Justin has his own reasons for not wanting Lucy found. Gabby knowing the disappearance is out of character is unconvinced by her father’s reassurances and won’t let the matter drop. I never doubted Lucy would be found so the suspense aspect was negligible. What interested me more was the well-constructed picture of Gabby’s angst, Justin’s self-interested manipulation, betrayal and deception and Lucy’s reflections and delusions. Sandra, NSW, 4 Stars
Set in the Australian outback during an Election, the story unfolds through the eyes of the three family members, Justin – politician, husband, father Lucy- Astronomer, Mother and Wife and 11 year old daughter Gabby. The gripping mystery unfolds. The story is about trust, ambition and love; and leads to the ultimate betrayal. Krystine, VIC, 4 Stars
Lucy, an astronomer is preparing to leave her 20-year marriage. She’s had enough of Justin, a doctor now politician running for office. Justin doesn’t want to end their marriage. He’s concerned about the effects on 11-year- old Gabby whilst also wanting to protect his crafted public persona. Overhearing separation discussions, Gabby is understandably upset. When Lucy disappears after a walk, Justin assumes she has left him. This seems plausible, however, Gabby, isn’t so sure – it doesn’t reflect the patterns or values she sees in her mum. This is a book of unexpected twists told through the three distinct voices of Lucy, Justin and Gabby. Having a child as a major voice was perhaps risky, however, it strengthens the narrative highlighting changing levels of trust over time between Gabby and Justin. Gabby’s voice and observations are perceptive, helping expose the mystery of pretence. After a chapter, I settled into the structure and nuance of each voice, quickly becoming hooked. With themes of loyalty, love and intimate deception, this story is compelling. Betrayal takes different forms, but to justify intentional deception for self-interest is a malicious act of duplicity. A gripping engaging story that won’t disappoint. Kath, VIC, 4 Stars
The Map of Night by Kimberley Starr is the story of astronomer Lucy Rutherford, married to Justin, a local candidate who has an election to win, and 11 year old Gabby who is having some trouble at school. When Lucy goes missing, Justin assumes she has left him and is angry at her for not telling him, but Gabby is sure her mum is missing and doesn’t understand why her dad isn’t concerned. The story is told from the point of view of all three characters, which means the reader knows where Lucy is but her family doesn’t. At first I thought it was a spoiler to know, but it worked well. The story is well told and all three characters are interesting enough to want to know their side of the story. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone that likes Australian small town mysteries. Jo, QLD, 4 Stars
It’s a week before Justin Rutherford hopes to be elected as the next state member for Bowness. But life at home is rocky and complicating his campaign. His wife, Lucy, an astronomer, stuns him with the announcement she plans to leave him and move interstate with their daughter, Gabby. This is also news to Gabby who struggles with her own problems at school. When Lucy abruptly disappears without saying goodbye, Gabby is distraught, unable to understand why. Justin is less concerned as Lucy has a pattern of forgetfulness and often fails to communicate her whereabouts. He is also under intense pressure for other personal reasons and makes several unwise decisions rather than taking Gabby’s concerns seriously. Both parents have flaws. Lucy’s obsession with science and the universe can make her seem less than the ideal mother. Justin’s self-absorption lies in attempts to redeem his own family’s shady track record in the community. And Gabby is the bewildered and sensitive child trapped between them. Although this novel is part suspense, it is also about relationships and how an unpredictable event might shatter the foundations of love and trust. An innovative and absorbing read from Kimberley Starr. Marina, VIC, 4 Stars
Thanks to BetterReading and Pantera Press for the opportunity to read an ARC. This is a novel set in a rural town (Victoria) in a post covid world. Husband Justin has long-time family links to the town and is running for parliament – he is the town’s only Ophthalmologist. Wife, Lucy, is an astronomer about to move to a new job in another state. Their daughter is Gabby, 11 years old and a little odd. A week before polling day, Lucy takes the family dog for a walk and does not return. But no one seems to be looking for her. I was expecting a novel within the AussieNoir genre, but this wasn’t quite noir – Aussie rural more so. The pacing was a little slow at times and to be honest I have become tired of the multiple point of view structure. I was confused with Gabby – at times her pov was more like a whiny 5 year old and at other times more mature than 11. She really struggles with the bigger world. Justin was just a horrible self-interested character – full of layers and guff. Lucy’s descriptions of her environment and the skies were delightful. Overall it was a good read. Indigo, NSW, 3 Stars
The Map of Night is a story about a missing woman, and how her family responds to the situation. I enjoyed the premise of the book, and thought it was quite interesting and unique that we, as the readers, know from near the beginning what has happened to Lucy, but the other characters in the book don’t. I enjoyed the writing style (it was an easy read) and the exploration and insight into the characters. It definitely kept me turning pages, although there were times that the main characters frustrated me! Overall, I would definitely recommend the Map of Night. Clare, NSW, 3 Stars
The Map of Night is a novel with a bit of a mystery, a bit of suspense, family dramas, and a fabulous villain who you will love to hate, but one who ultimately gets what’s coming to them. The plot is a little unbelievable at times but still an enjoyable read. Lee, VIC, 3 Stars
The Map of Night is about Lucy. And Justin. And Gabby. And when Lucy disappears, for Justin it’s both panic-inducing and somewhat fortuitous. He’s a complex, well-drawn character – he believes he loves his wife and daughter, but wishes them to be other than they are; he claims to be a man of the people, but feels what he wants must be what’s best; and when Lucy disappears he’s both panic-stricken and coldly practical. Starr suggests that Justin and Lucy’s daughter Gabby has autism through her thoughts and lack of understanding of the unstated rules of society, but Gabby’s role in the book is to unbalance her father and keep mentioning her mother. Lucy is possibly the most one-dimensional character in the book, despite playing a larger part than you’d expect from someone who spends 90% of her time in a hole in the ground. Overall I found the plot intriguing, although too much was given away in the first half of the book to maintain the suspense. The book is well-written, and the ending was both sad and deeply satisfying. Amanda, WA, 3 Stars
The Map of Night brings together mystery, suspense and the stresses of domestic life. Starr weaves the relationships of the characters by alternating the point of view in each chapter. Beautifully written, smartly written. A great page-turner. Alexandra, TAS, 3 Stars
The Map of Night is an exploration of relationships and the lengths people will go to achieve their dreams. It’s a dark and twisty story about a family in turmoil. And when the mother disappears all bets are off. Why is no one looking for her? And what will happen if she’s found? I enjoyed this slow-burn mystery, especially the character of their young daughter, who was particularly charming. Inessa, NSW, 3 Stars
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