The first drops start to fall when Quinn spies the body. With no reception and nothing but an empty road for miles, does she stop to help or keep driving to safety?
Back at the iconic country pub where Quinn works, Andrea is sandbagging the place in preparation for heavy rains. Alone with her sleeping son in the back room, she reluctantly lets a biker in to wait out the storm.
Out on the wet roads, tensions arise among four backpackers on their way to Darwin. They haven’t prepared for this kind of weather and the flooding isn’t the only threat edging closer…
The Lost Man meets Wolf Creek set amid torrential rain; this is pure propulsive storytelling from a major new voice in crime fiction.
Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
“The Rush” is a taut thriller that plays on very common fears to create an increasingly unputdownable narrative. I loved it. It draws you in quickly, and then gradually tightens its claws until you’re holding your breath. The novel plays on fears familiar to most women. Prak brilliantly depicts the way many women second guess themselves in these situations. The plot is distinctive and original. A couple of “twists” are obvious from early on, but this only serves to put readers off guard for later twists and turns. Characterisation is strong, especially of the three women; all very different people, but their immediate problems have a common underlying thread. Readers will quickly empathise with them. It seems uncontrived when the three stories converge. The three separate plot lines, and the over-arching story, are handled deftly and convincingly. The Australian outback is believably drawn. The dangers it holds are an important part of the story, and Prak makes full use of them. This is a great novel. You’ll find believable characters that you understand and care about; a tense situation that winds tighter and tighter; twists you won’t see coming; and a solid resolution. For thriller readers, this has everything. Lorraine, ACT, 5 Stars
‘The Rush’ by Michelle Prak is a page turning thriller. After reading the prologue, I was hooked and could not put it down. It helped that I was traveling through the outback at the time, which is where the novel is set. The book is about 7 people, 4 people traveling from Adelaide to Darwin on a camping road trip and 3 people who live and work in an Outback Pub. I highly recommend this book! Julie, VIC, 5 Stars
I was really excited to be given the opportunity to review The Rush, which is the first book by Michelle Prak. To say I enjoyed this book is an understatement. What a read! I literally finished this one in a couple of days (and with two young children that is saying something). I literally couldn’t put it down. The book moved between the key characters in the story but was still easy to follow. Set in isolated outback Australia and during a storm, the imagery the story was able to convey was vivid and I could feel the tension both in and between each character. The isolation of the setting and the complexity of the relationship between the characters adds beautifully to the nail-biting anticipation I could feel while reading the novel. If this is Michelle Prak’s first book, I definitely can’t wait for the second. I highly recommend this for anyone that enjoys a thriller style novel. Michelle, TAS, 5 Stars
Loved it. I had my nose buried in this every time I had a chance. Christine, QLD, 5 Stars
This has to be one of the best thrillers I’ve read recently, I couldn’t put it down. The author excels at allowing the reader to feel what the characters are experiencing, and the mystery was well developed and kept me guessing. Highly recommended. Marjolaine, WA, 5 Stars
For fans of Jane Harper, Chris Hammer and the like, Michelle Prak is another outstanding addition to the list of Australian outback thriller authors. Yes, many of the usual tropes are there: an unknown stalking killer, desolate landscape, approaching storm, isolation and strong female characters, but look at it like the difference between a good burger and a great burger. Ingredients are similar, but it all depends on how you put it together. And this is one great burger. Starting with Quinn, outback born and bred, returning from packing up the family homestead to her job at the local pub, who stops when she finds a body on the isolated road… Hayley embarking on a road trip across Australia with her boyfriend Scott, and two foreign backpackers, Livia and Joost who they have literally just met… Andrea, young mum running The Pindarry with her husband, Matt, left alone when he goes to help a friend… The rains are coming… Will anyone make it out alive…? Juanita, NSW, 5 Stars
Really enjoyed this read about a very different outback to what we normally hear/read about. I liked how the characters stories developed so you really became invested in certain characters. The story is gripping and keeps you turning the pages. Thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend. Kim, NSW, 5 Stars
Wow! One word, unputdownable. I read this in one night… a dark and stormy one at that! Michelle Prak has crafted a thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat, characters that seem regular enough, four young adults coming together for a road trip adventure from Adelaide to Darwin who realise soon enough, as a wild storm closes in, that their idyllic holiday may not turn out the way they had hoped. As the storm intensifies, so does the danger. Communications and power are lost and survival becomes the order of the day. At the Pindarry Pub in an isolated, outback location, the young family who manage the business and their live-in help become involved. So scary, because having driven these lonely outback roads, the isolation, harsh conditions and distance from help should you need it will be uppermost in my mind from now on! The twist at the end was totally unexpected and creeped me out further. Thanks to Better Reading and Simon & Schuster for the ARC. Thoroughly recommended. Lesley, QLD, 5 Stars
The Rush is a thrilling outback page-turner. The characters are raw and compelling and the twist was utterly unexpected. The atmosphere and settings are captivating; it’s made me rethink going to the Aussie bush (lol). I’d highly recommend this for anyone who enjoys Jane Harper and Wolf Creek. Can’t wait for Prak’s next one. Inessa, NSW, 5 Stars
Thank you, Better Reading, for the opportunity to read The Rush by Michelle Prak I loved this new Aussie thriller by new author Michelle Prak. This story follows 4 young people driving across outback Australia, and a family and their young worker in a famous pub in the outback where their worlds collide. Following their stories sucks you right in, but you will be totally blown away at where it ends! I was amazed at how the ending unfolded. It was well planned and totally unexpected!! Highly recommended. Judy, NSW, 5 Stars
Hayley and Scott, two uni students who live together, decide to go on an outback adventure driving from Adelaide to Darwin in Scott’s grandfather’s old four-wheel drive. To share costs, they invite two backpackers to join them: Joost from the Netherlands and Livia from Brazil. Hayley has meticulously planned the route, including all the sights to see along the way. What she didn’t plan on was a dreadful storm with flooding rains. The story opens with Quinn leaving The Pindarry, an outback hotel where she lives and works, to go to the family farm. Along the way she finds a body on the road, a man barely conscious. There is nothing around, no car, tent, backpack. The narrative switches between the hotel and the holiday makers with an air of menace for both groups. The reader knows something bad is going to happen. The tension ratchets up until both groups converge at The Pindarry where the climax takes place. The narrative grabs the reader by the throat from the start and doesn’t let up until the end. It’s a creepy and suspenseful ride for this debut thriller by Michelle Prak. Can’t wait for her next one! Barabara, SA, 5 Stars
The Rush by Michelle Prak is an Australian outback thriller that has believable and relatable characters, and it will never be forgotten by anyone who reads it. Quinn finds the body as the rain begins to fall. There is no one around and no phone reception. She is left to wonder, should she stop, or should she keep going and get back to safety? Meanwhile back at the pub where Quinn works, Andrea is busily sandbagging in preparation for the heavy rains headed their way. Four backpackers are facing rising tensions that bubble between them as they travel the wet roads to Darwin. Unprepared for the conditions of the menacing weather, they soon find themselves edging towards other threats. A deeply addictive and chilling story with terrifying and unpredictable twists and turns you won’t see coming! Catherine, NSW, 5 Stars
Rush is aptly named… you can’t help but ‘rush’ to get through it and find out what happens next. The impending sense of urgency and way the different characters’ narratives are intertwined keeps you turning the pages. I really enjoyed this book; it would suit those who enjoy Chris Hammer, Jane Harper or similar authors. I look forward to reading more by this author. Jane, VIC, 5 Stars
Oh my goodness. The Rush was a book that I really enjoyed. So much so that I have hopes that it will be made into a movie or a TV miniseries, as it is really a suspenseful story. It wasn’t until the Epilogue that I understood why and how it was that all the drama happened. For me it’s the sign of a great writer when, try as I might, I cannot work out what is going to happen next. If you are looking for the perfect gift for a book lover that enjoys suspense or you want one yourself, then you can’t go wrong with this book. It is seriously awesome. I am passing my copy on to my daughter who has been eagerly waiting for me to finish it and now I can’t wait to hear what she thinks. Seriously, someone needs to make this into a movie. Another awesome Aussie writer that I will have to keep an eye on, as now I want more. Annamaree, QLD, 5 Stars
Well! I was surprised and delighted to read this debut novel about a group who set off on a road trip from Adelaide to Darwin, only to find that things don’t always turn out as planned. On top of the tensions between the characters, there is an almighty storm on the horizon with the likelihood that the rain will isolate all who travel in the region. To make matters worse, the landmarks of civilisation are few and far between. I loved the characters in the book and also the way the story evolved through various points of view. The feeling of impending catastrophe was ever present. A most enjoyable read and one that I would not hesitate to recommend! Judi, NSW, 5 Stars
I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the debut thriller novel The Rush by Michelle Prak – so much that I read it through in three sittings. The book is set in the Australian outback, and is centred around four young travellers who are driving across the country to Darwin from South Australia, and a young family and their help who own a remote pub that has become “Insta” famous as a real outback destination. The four young travellers are different in their characters and their outlook on life, thrown together as a way to save money, see Australia and reach their final destination. The young pub owners have their own concerns, questioning their lives and what they want. The story takes place in a huge storm that leads to flooding and a case of life and death. The book builds suspense from the very beginning, and has you questioning, who is what they claim to be, and do they have an altogether darker ulterior motive? The book keeps you enthralled until the very last chapter, where an unexpected twist ties it all together. If you were a fan of Wolf Creek, this book will certainly not disappoint. Kelly, VIC, 5 Stars
I loved this book and couldn’t put it down. As soon as Quinn found the body on the road, I kept thinking and trying to figure out who it was. I enjoyed the different points of view of Andrea, Hayley, Livia and Quinn. I would have liked to know more about Livia as I found her ending didn’t give me closure. The ending was thrilling; I would have never guessed the connection. Can’t wait to read more from this author. Highly recommend. Tara, WA, 5 Stars
This is a book that you won’t put down until you finish it. I had to just sit up and read to the end. Hayley and Scott decide they will do a trip from Adelaide to Darwin. They look for two more people to go with them to share costs, and choose Livia, a girl from Brazil, and Joost, a Dutch backpacker. Instead of sticking to main highways, they choose lesser used roads. The weather forecast is for rain and more rain but they don’t let that bother them, even when campers say it’s going to be flooding. They are trying to get to The Pindarry hotel, run by Matt and Andrea. They have help from Quinn, who is there cleaning out her grandparents’ farmhouse nearby. This is where the mystery starts: Quinn finds a body on the road on her way back to the hotel; the four backpackers seem to have fallen out; Joost seems not to be what they thought. It is starting to flood; roads become impassable. I have never felt so in tune with a character as I did with Andrea when she was in a situation that was so scary, and I felt as scared as her. Michelle is an excellent author – she can get you feeling the same as the character. A really good mystery, well written and a very good book. Totally recommend it. Lindsay, QLD, 5 Stars
What a complete rush ‘The Rush’ gave me! A stunning first thriller from author Michelle Prak. The combination of a group of young backpackers, a deserted, lonely, outback highway, an impending deadly storm and an isolated Pindarry hotel make for a gripping, page-turning story that is difficult to put down. Its pulsating plot, gripping tension and unexpected twists and turns meant I finished the book in one sitting. The fear of the unknown had me entirely captivated until the last revealing page. This is the type of engrossing thriller that I really love to read. This book is hard to beat but I eagerly look forward to reading future stories from Michelle Prak. I sincerely thank Better Reading for allowing me to preview this title. Mark, QLD, 5 Stars
The trip of a lifetime certainly means different things to different people in this thriller! Whilst it took more than half the book to get to the real juicy bits, it was certainly not a slow or boring burn to get there. A few different characters and storylines all collide in an unexpected confrontation. Can’t say it entices an outback road trip any time soon! But does make me want to read more Michell Prak books. I could not put it down and finished it in just a few sittings. Well worth the read. Katrina, VIC, 5 Stars
I was on the edge of my seat until the end! The suspense was so gripping, and I was terrified for the characters. You won’t be prepared for the ending! Kylie, NSW, 5 Stars
There is a new voice in Australian crime writing and her name is Michelle Prak. I have just read her debut thriller, “The Rush”, and I couldn’t put it down. It is as if Wolf Creek and Jane Harper have created this love child although Michelle Prak deserves all the credit here. She has created a novel so atmospheric that when it builds to its shattering climax you won’t realise you are holding your breath. The story revolves around 6 major characters whose paths cross in most unexpected ways in the Australian outback. The chapters are written from different characters’ experiences and are kept short and explosive. The tension builds along with the encroaching storm which perhaps should have been the title as “The Rush” just doesn’t convey the slow yet intense burn to the chilling ending. If this is the standard of work from Michelle Prak, reserve a copy of her next book for me. Susan, NSW, 5 Stars
Wow! Exciting and scary! A thriller set in outback Australia: a woman in a lonely pub, a threatening rainstorm, a menacing gang of bikies, four naive young backpackers; it’s the perfect setting for something to go terribly wrong. Think Wolf Creek, with a twist. The unease and tension build with each chapter. I read this book all in one go – I couldn’t put it down. Don’t miss this debut thriller by Australian author Michelle Prak. Helen, SA, 5 Stars
A menacing storm, a doomed road trip and an isolated outback pub. Well-worn ingredients of many a bush-noir story, in ‘The Rush’ Michelle Prak skilfully uses these tropes to create a satisfyingly original tale. This well-written novel delivers a classic high-stakes thriller with a killer twist you won’t see coming. Four multi-layered female characters drive the narrative, which reaches its tense climax in the heart of the country. The drought-ravaged Australian landscape is vividly drawn, and its isolation is made even more sinister by the addition of rising flood waters. I raced to the end of this terrifying, compulsive page-turner. The perfect holiday read, provided your holiday doesn’t involve an outback road trip with strangers. Lisa, NSW, 5
What can I say about The Rush by Michelle Prak? Wow!! What a wild ride that was. Australian outback thriller at its best. The atmosphere of a building storm in the outback, the tension of a road trip going wrong, a body in the middle of the road – all adds up to a book that you simply can’t put down. I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of this book and I cannot say enough to recommend it. I believe this is going to be huge when it is released in 2023. Thanks to Better Reading and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read this fantastic book. Well done Michelle, I look forward to reading more from you. Jo, NSW, 5 Stars
Wow! I loved this debut book by Michelle Prak. Tense, suspenseful and gripping, I could not put it down and devoured it in two days! A young Aussie couple and two random backpackers decide to share a car trip from Adelaide to Darwin. The weather turns nasty and the tension starts to climb. Meanwhile we meet the owners and staff of the Pindarry, an iconic outback pub where the action spirals to an electrifying climax. Excellent read. Thanks @betterreadingau and Simon and Schuster. Karan, VIC, 5 Stars
Michelle Prak’s debut thriller ‘The Rush’ is exactly that, a thriller! Four young people decide to take, together, an outback holiday through the middle of Australia. Drought has ravaged Australia’s interior for some time, so the warnings of ‘flash flooding’ go unheeded by these inexperienced travellers. The unpredictability of the weather and the naivety of the travellers’ personalities sparks a harrowing tale. I was unable to put this book down, such a terrifying read. Karen, NSW, 5 Stars
Reading this on a cold wet day with a hot cup of tea kept me totally hooked. It was a book that kept the suspense right till the end. Cath, ACT, 5 Stars
The Rush takes the reader on a jolting ride as an unlikely group of young adults embarks on a quintessential road trip adventure through Central Australia. As the unexpected summer storm sets in, so too does the havoc that follows. The back roads and remote setting provide an intriguing backdrop to the suspenseful action that unfolds. Simultaneously, we are introduced to Andrea and Matt, the publicans of The Pindarry, and their employee, Quinn. As Andrea tries to balance the demands of running the historical watering hole, living in a small town and raising a young family, she is also confronted with a series of events during the storm which trigger painful memories from her past. As the characters navigate their own path out of this storm, at each turn of the page the reader is left wondering what will happen next and who the mysterious character is that Quinn has stumbled across and rescued by the roadside? Maria, NSW, 4 Stars
A real page turner!! Heavy on the suspense, with lots of twists and turns and a menacing villain that will give you nightmares. A definite must read. Lee, VIC, 4 Stars
An atmospheric nail-biting outback thriller, Prak takes you on a terrifying twisty ride through the isolated and desolate landscape of central Australia, alongside four backpackers whose trip of a lifetime turns into a holiday of horrors. Whilst I enjoyed the ride, I did find it a little slow during the first third of the book, but the pace like the crescendo of the developing storm quickly picks up towards the latter stages and all is let loose. The ending did seem a little rushed (no pun intended!) and I wasn’t fully satisfied by how the conclusion was told and quickly wrapped up. But overall it was an enjoyable and unique thriller that kept me on my toes and a must-read if you’re a fan of the Outback Noir genre. Yvette, NSW, 4 Stars
The Rush is mysterious, thought provoking and tense. The storyline follows four backpackers who set off from Adelaide to Darwin. Hayley and her boyfriend Scott want to cut costs, so travel with Joost and Livia. It appears early on that these four don’t get along so well; the bickering is not pleasant! The characters in this story are all easy to relate to, but are they as they seem? The Pindarry Hotel is where Andrea, Matt, their son Ethan and employee Quinn live. The backpackers were aiming to arrive before torrential rain slowed their journey. The bikers, the rain, the injuries – nothing seems to go right! I enjoyed reading this book, at times the tension between the characters was annoying. As the story unfolds it becomes apparent that the tension was necessary! The twists at the end of the story are great, all will be revealed! Thanks so much to Better Reading, the publisher and author Michelle Prak for the opportunity to read and review this book. Vikki, TAS, 4 Stars
The Rush is a compelling and atmospheric outback thriller, full of tension and suspense. It will keep you turning those pages well into the night. A very enjoyable Aussie read. Mandy, VIC, 4 Stars
Thinking of an outback trip with two strangers and your boyfriend who’s been a bit cold lately? Think again! The Rush is a taut, tense adventure, structured to keep you on the edge of your seat, reading up beyond midnight in the hope of finding some respite. The storm is just one of the dark elements at play. Recommended if you’re after a book you won’t be able to put down until the last page – and even then, it may not be so easy to loosen your grip! Marlies, VIC, 4 Stars
Thanks to Better Reading Preview for an advance copy of this book to review. I’m not a huge fan of thrillers but I have to say I quite enjoyed this one! A few things I liked: I love stories set in the Australian outback. This book gave a great perspective on some of the difficulties faced by people living in remote parts of Australia – loneliness, isolation and access to emergency services. I liked Quinn and Andrea and enjoyed hearing the stories of how they came to be living in such an isolated place. While I sensed the direction the story was heading, I liked the twist at the end, which I did not see coming. What I didn’t like: As is the case with many thrillers, there is always a character who is a bit naive or who makes stupid decisions and gets themself into trouble. For me, this was Hayley. From the very beginning I found her a bit annoying. Overall, it was a quick and easy read. Belinda, NSW, 4 Stars
The Rush is an outstanding debut Australian outback thriller by Michelle Prak. A road trip gone wrong, a drought-breaking storm and an isolated outback pub. Who do you trust when everything is going wrong, and nothing is how it seems? Michelle Prak has created an edge of your seat, unsettling thriller that will have you questioning everything until the very end. Vivienne, VIC, 4 Stars
The Rush wasn’t my first foray into outback noir, but geez I think it may be one of the best I’ve read. Set against the backdrop of outback Australia, the tension just seemed to rise every single chapter. I really enjoyed this book – the characters were realistic, and the stress that comes with unexpected weather was definitely believable. Michelle Prak’s writing was excellent – I could feel the atmosphere and the emotions of the characters so well. I appreciated the multi-layered female characters who really drive the narrative and thought they were a great feature. This is the kind of book that keeps you guessing until the last minute – I certainly didn’t see the twist coming! It did feel like the ending came a bit abruptly, but I think this would be the kind of book you could re-read to see the signs. Recommend if you’re after a quick read that you won’t be able to put down. Rochelle, VIC, 4 Stars
The Rush by Michelle Prak is an ‘expect the unexpected’ thriller, primarily set in outback Australia. Characters are well developed and each have their flaws and backstories skilfully reveal as the novel propels the reader onward. Yet all characters are not as they seem. Isolation; torrential rain; darkness; an unidentified body by the roadside; power and phone outages; abduction; murder; bikers; weapons; and fear – all combine to build an unexpected climax. Basically, the reader follows two groups. The travellers: 2 city Aussies and 2 backpackers on a road trip from Adelaide to Darwin; and the isolated roadhouse family and worker preparing for an imminent torrential rain and flooding event. Tensions rise during the road trip and all starts to unravel. In the middle of nowhere, the travellers become separated and things turn very sinister. Some are reunited at the historic roadhouse. Trapped in the darkened roadhouse with no help coming till the storm passes, the characters are left to fend for themselves. Overall, this is a very enjoyable and easy read. I particularly liked the non-typical setting in the secluded Aussie outback during a torrential rain event. Sandra, NSW, 4 Stars
This book was tense! Straight from the get-go, there’s a discomfort among a lot of the main characters; all of them feel ill at ease with each other and there are secrets brewing. I found it uncomfortable to read at first and yet I couldn’t stop myself. This book moves fast and I read it in an afternoon without any problems. This is definitely a strength as the book carried me along super fast and kept up the momentum, but it also made the end feel a bit rushed and perfunctory. There were some serious red herrings too, which definitely threw me off. Not a perfect thriller but an extremely enjoyable fast read that wears its influences proudly. If you enjoyed Wolf Creek or similar tales, you’re in the right place. Richard, NSW, 4 Stars
A fast-paced, ominous read set in the Australian outback. The characters were a bit two-dimensional, but the story made for a reasonable summer read. Mopsy, VIC, 3 Stars
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