Your Preview Verdict: The Visitor by Rebecca Stafford

Buy a copy of The Visitor here.

Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:

A well written intriguing story about intergenerational family trauma that gets buried away but still catches up with the family in the end. A suspenseful masterpiece that is truly difficult to put down. Catherine, NSW, 5 Stars

At the heart of the story is a poignant theme centred on mental health. It explores how individuals navigate their experiences with trauma and the challenges of overcoming the stigma often associated with mental health issues. I felt as though I was accompanying the main character, Laura, on a heartfelt journey through the stages of grief. The journey begins with initial shock and feelings of being overwhelmed. To find her way, Laura must navigate a wide range of emotions, including anger, regret, and sadness; however, ultimately, she reaches a place of acceptance, transforming her difficult journey into one of growth and healing. Laura withdraws from her family, and this highlights the impact that one person’s mental health can have on families. Trauma can sometimes bring old wounds to the surface that have not been fully addressed. I empathised with Laura as she faces her current struggles along with those that have emerged from her past. It’s also interesting to note that the author lives in Brisbane! I enjoyed the descriptions of the local climate, especially during storm season. The oppressive humidity and those sudden storms that can turn quiet suburban streets into raging floodwaters are both fascinating and intense. Beautifully and sensitively written, congratulations to the author, Rebecca Starford. Susan, QLD, 5 stars

A great read that I thoroughly enjoyed. It was spooky, intriguing and emotional. A real page turner that I couldn’t put down. Samara, QLD, 5 stars

I know it sounds like a cliche when people say that they can’t out a book down, but I literally could not put this book down. Rebecca Starford has an amazing way of making people and places come alive in your mind. You feel like you are actually there experiencing what the characters are going through. I could feel the Queensland outback heat shimmering off the pages and the dismal English rainy climate made me feel cold. I love a good ghost story and this book certainly did not disappoint, my hairs stood on end a few times and the heart started thumping. The family history was beautifully laid out and researched so you felt that you knew them all personally. An absolutely beautiful story of family history, family relationships and how the complex family ties we weave can really haunt us. Loved this book and it will stay with me for a long time to come. Karen, TAS, 5 stars

I really enjoyed reading this intriguing book and would thoroughly recommend to anyone who loves a ghost story Kathleen, NSW, 5 stars

The Visitor by Rebecca Starford follows Laura and her family as they return from overseas to her childhood home in Australia when her parents suddenly die. It is a book that starts strongly and creates an atmosphere that is gothic and heavy despite taking place in the harsh bright sun of the Australian outback. We experience the dual POV of Laura and her daughter Tilly. Laura becomes increasingly unsettled by strange occurrences in the house. Is there a supernatural explanation or a human one? As Laura’s mental state declines, she is also worried that their neighbour Anita seems to know more than she is telling. Tilly’s friendship with Anita’s daughter Ava causes Laura and Tilly’s relationship to deteriorate further. This was a read that started strongly and kept my interest. There is not a clear resolution to some questions which may bother some readers. However I found that this didn’t affect my enjoyment of the book. Kathy, SA, 4 stars

An atmospheric, chilling read about Laura, returning to Brisbane with her family after the mysterious deaths of her parents. Enjoyably sinister, with a satisfying conclusion. Celia, QLD, 4 stars

The Visitor is a great Australian book. Laura moved to the UK and returned to Brisbane after her parents suddenly died in mysterious circumstances. Laura and her family decide to renovate the family home and strange things start to happen. This is a story of grief, trauma and how the past can affect the present Heather, NSW, 4 stars

I wouldn’t say ‘The Visitor’ was a compelling read that kept me on the edge of my seat, but I will say that it had me thinking of family and relationships long after I had finished reading the last page. We all process death in different ways and Laura (the main character) just must walk back through her childhood and find her way to deal with the death of her parents. Not an easy task when anyone must do it, but Laura must bring her husband and daughter along for the ride. Throw in intergenerational trauma and Queensland heat you have yourselves some big issues to get through. Well worth the read. Janet, NSW, 4 stars

The Visitor by Rebecca Starford really delivers a gripping read and one that reminds readers we can’t outrun our ghosts or ghosts of the past. Born and raised in Brisbane Laura now lives in the UK and lives with her husband and 14-year-old daughter Tilly. They have to return to Brisbane after receiving a visit from the police telling her that her parents have both died and she needs to organise the funeral and settle their affairs. Her parents’ deaths are briefly investigated by the police, but Laura is left with more questions than answers about what actually happened to their parents and what had happened in the lead up to their deaths. Laura and her husband decided the dilapidated house needs to be renovated and sold but strange things begin to happen and become scary – Lauras behaviour soon becomes erratic, and Tilly becomes fearful of these changes in her mum. Laura uncovers things from the past and what caused her parents to flee and ultimately die. This was a truly suspenseful read that kept me reading page after page and one I’ve been recommending to family and friends. Catherine, NSW, 4 stars

This book left me feeling unsettled, but in a good way. The characters were well written. I wasn’t sure if I liked some of them, which is the way it should be. The mystery of why the parents left the house and the daughter subsequently came home was interesting. But I was left unsure if it was a ghost story, the neighbours were at fault,or it was all mental health related. But it was definitely interesting to follow the daughter’s descent into not knowing what was going on. I really enjoyed it. Leanne, NSW, 4 stars

I was hooked from the start and completely invested in what happened to the parents in the outback. The memories of Laura’s childhood and the house in humid Briabane wove the story together . I will be reading Rebecca’s other books too. Mel, NSW, 4 stars

When the terrible news is delivered its up to Laura & her family to return to her childhood home and sort things out. The distance as been felt and recognised. Death plays tricks on all their minds driving them to the brink, or was it all just a mind game. Very well written and a nice easy book to read. Hooks you in until about midway then it loses momentum and ends disappointingly. Sharnee, QLD, 4 stars

The Visitor by Rebecca Starford is a chilling, slow-burn psychological thriller that explores grief, memory, and the way the past can haunt us, literally and figuratively. When Laura returns to her childhood home in Brisbane after her parents’ mysterious deaths, she’s forced to confront more than just old memories. The house is falling apart, and so is her sense of reality. Strange things start happening, and it’s unclear whether the source is supernatural or something more sinister, like the odd neighbour who had wormed her way into her parents’ lives. As Laura tries to hold it together, her daughter Tilly watches with growing fear. The tension builds as both of them begin seeing things that can’t be explained, and Laura is pushed to uncover what her parents were running from. Creepy, atmospheric, and emotionally complex, The Visitor is a gripping read that keeps you questioning what’s real right up until the final few pages. Antony, VIC, 4 stars

Laura reluctantly returns to her Brisbane home from the UK with her husband and daughter Tilly. Is is necessary for Laura to settle her deceased parent’s affairs following their strange deaths in desolate outback Queensland. Laura does not accept the coroners judgement of no suspicious circumstances and their sudden abandonment of their home preys on her mind unsettling her thoughts and actions. Her strained relationship with Tilly comes to a head when she learns of Tilly’s friendship with her neighbour Anita’s daughter Ava. Laura is suspicious of Anita’s interest in her family becoming fixated on the notion Anita may be hiding something that led to her parent’s deaths. The author describes how Laura’s mental state was challenged with post natal depression. As a reader I found Laura a complex character battling with a mix of conflicting emotions. a novel that will test your own emotions I feel. Wendy, SA, 4 stars

The Visitor by Rebecca Starford is an exploration of the past and the ”ghosts we can’t outrun.” The narrative follows Tilly as she grapples with the long-standing estrangement between her mother, Laura, and her grandparents. Intertwined with Tilly’s story is the perspective of Laura, who is struggling to comprehend her parents’ loss. As the novel progresses, Laura’s grip on reality appears to loosen as the narrative hints at something amiss with unsettling occurrences. As a Queenslander at heart, I appreciated the vivid picture of Brisbane with references to Queenslander homes, the ever-present threat of flooding and mould, and soaring house prices attributed to ”Melbourne and Sydney buyers.” I even had a chuckle at the reference to women with lip fillers. I found myself drawn into the unfolding mysteries within The Visitor and read the book fast. However, the conclusion left me with a few lingering questions. Tink, TAS, 4 stars

I really enjoyed reading this intriguing book, only fault I can say is there is too much emphasis on descriptions taking away from the story. Kathleen, NSW, 4 stars

It was a haunting tale woven of a mystery that also focuses on family dynamics. I really enjoyed this novel however the ending felt a little rushed. Would recommend! Tayla, VIC, 4 stars

The Visitor had me in its pages from the start. This book I could only put down to attend to my own family but then had me straight back to it – the suspension and mystery of the Australian outback was superb. It’s been awhile since I have finished a book in one day! Karen, VIC, 4 stars

In her 20s Laura left Brisbane for the UK and now she returns with her husband ands teen daughter following the sudden deaths of her parents. As they clear out and renovate the family home for sale, there are lots of emotional and weird (are there ghosts?) things happening. The neighbour is a strange force to deal with – maybe invisible, maybe not.. I felt the first chapter abruptly jolted the story from UK to Australia and am not convinced the characters were as well developed as they could be. Did an editor cut huge chunks out of the story? Much of the descriptive writing of the environment is good. It’s an easy read regardless of the missing bits for me. Kaytee, NSW, 3 stars

A mixed POV novel alternating between mother Laura and daughter Tilly. I couldn’t identify whose POV was being told until I started reading each chapter. I am used to names listed next to the chapter title so I did get a bit confused at times. I enjoyed reading the diary and learning about Eliza. I found that really helped me get into the story and relate to how she was feeling. What was the mystery letter? The postcard was solved at the end but still didn’t give that finished feeling. I felt like the story wasn’t finished with questions unanswered. Does Tilly return? What happened to Ava and her Mum? Ava lying about the family death was a bit strange, it felt like they were trying to set something up? Tara, WA, 3 stars

The Visitor is the first Rebecca Starford novel I have read. It was an easy read, I liked how it was set in suburban Australia. I felt the characters lacked depth and the ending was rushed. From the blurb I was expecting a lot more from this novel. Theresa, NSW, 3 stars

The Visitor is the latest fiction book from the popular Aussie author. A dark, mysterious tale with a slight spooky feel. Laura fled outback Queensland many years ago and has been living in the UK. Then she gets a call that her parents, Bruce and Eliza, disappeared in tragic circumstances. Laura and her family make the journey to the country to settle matters and get the house ready for sale. Slowly renovating strange things begin to happen. Is it something supernatural or is it bizarre behaviour from the lady next door, Anita who was a regular around the property. Her daughter, Tilly senses something is not quite right as well. What is going on…… It starts off strong and builds up some tension and suspense and then falls slightly flat. There’s some elements that I really enjoyed but I feel like I missed something and found that the ending had more questions than answers. Had so much potential but there wasn’t enough slay factor and just plodded along. Craig, VIC, 3 stars

The Visitor was an interesting read, exploring Laura’s sudden loss of her parents whilst living internationally then returning to the childhood home to Brisbane, Australia to get affairs in order with her husband and teenage daughter Tilly. Having lived in Brisbane for 15 years I enjoyed reading about the northside of Brisbane which brought back many memories of time spent there. I found it hard to relate to Laura, am not really a fan of the ghostly aspects and generally this book struggled to keep my attention. Jodi, QLD, 3 stars

An intriguing story that has you hooked from the first page, The Visitor was a thought provoking, mysterious read interspersed with family trauma and teenage angst. I found myself questioning throughout the novel if the character Laura was experiencing something supernatural, mental health issues, or if she was being set up to think she’s going crazy. I empathised with 14 year old Tilly throughout the novel – while experiencing the usual teenage dramas that come with moving to the other side of the world, she also couldn’t rely on support or outwardly shown love from her parents – along with watching her Mum’s behaviour becoming more and more bizarre as the story unfolds. The ending was a little abrupt and left me with more questions than answers – I’m hoping it has been left open for a sequel but time will tell! Sally, SA, 3 stars

Laura Townsend left Brisbane for England in her mid-20’s. Years later, she returns to her childhood home with her husband Andrew and fourteen-year-old daughter Tilly, after her parent’s death in outback Australia. Authorities proclaim the deaths of Eliza and Bruce to be nothing more than a tragic accident. Laura, however, is not convinced. The need to find out the truth and understand her own mental state begins to fray Laura’s relationships. Several unexplained events see Laura slowly unravel, and her erratic nature affect everyone around her. Especially Tilly, who is also attempting to deal with the loss of her grandparents. The Visitor by Rebecca Starford was a slow burn for me. While the story had a promising premise of mystery and supernatural themes, it was not fulfilled. There was little opportunity to connect with the characters. At times, the plot felt disjointed. While the descriptions of Brisbane and the outback were appealing, they were sadly not enough to save the story. The ending presented more questions, which did little to improve my impressions. Karen, WA, 3 stars

The Visitor starts slowly with a story line about an expat Australian whose parents die in the outback prompting the family to move back to Australia temporarily. The plot moves in a couple of different directions although at the heart of it is the relationship between mother and daughter. I felt there was more to explore in this but the story shifts to one about the mental health of the mother. The ending was a little disappointing – the build up was good and then wrapped up in a couple of pages a bit too neatly. Nicole, VIC, 3 stars

The author can skilfully construct a descriptive narrative so the reader can easily create a picture in their mind as the story unfolds. I appreciated the Brisbane and Australian outback setting and the fast paced story. The story deals with estrangement within a family. It all comes to a head when Laura’s parents, pass away and the coroner determines the deaths are of natural circumstances. Laura doesn’t accept this, and her opinion only intensifies after a neighbour presents her with a letter from her parents stating their will to donate their family home to the community centre. This is suspicious. Meanwhile Laura’s daughter, notices her mother’s strange behaviour since the deaths and the weird presence within the family home. They family starts to unbuckle and as the days go by living in the house, mother and daughter grow further apart. It is a good read but unfortunately the ending was a real disappointment, and it is the ending of books that tend to stick with me. Samantha, QLD, 3 stars

The Visitor is a quick read for those who enjoy a story with supernatural elements. There is no doubt that the author can construct a descriptive narrative, I enjoyed the portrayal of Brisbane and the Australian Outback. For me, though, I felt no connection with the characters – there seemed to be a lot of repetition and little to no character development. If there is a deeper meaning about past trauma, and dispossession, I feel like I’ve missed something. Maybe I’m just not Starford’s intended audience? Natalie, NSW, 3 stars

A great read. It is cleverly written and well paced with the reader kept in suspense as to what is happening. The detailed descriptions place the reader right there with the characters, feeling the weather and living the strange goings on. The characters are complex and likeable and it would be good for this book to have a sequel. Maybe a – where are they now sequel. Jonathan, NSW, 3 stars

Laura lives in the UK with her family is an Aussie abroad. One day her pass away in mysterious circumstances which is dismissed by a coroner as being of natural causes. This causes Laura to uproot and bring the family back down under to settle her parents house but she finds that their next door neighbour, Anita whom she used to be good friends with has a letter from Laura’s parents stating their will to donate their family home to the community centre. Laura’s daughter Tilly grasps with how her mother has been acting strangely since the death of her grandparents and the strange feeling of the house they’re living in. Slowly the family start to come undone and their once strong bond seems to be growing further and further apart with every day of living in the house. I found the book to be an easy read but felt it lacked a strong ending. Reading the blurb, I think I was expecting the story to be different. Francis, NSW, 3 stars

First time reader of this author and am definitely intrigued to read more. A slow burn of a novel that provided a twist at the end I didn’t see coming which tied all my lingering questions together with a mix of characters that had you guessing what they might do or say next. A great example of family dynamics and how one thing may not be as it seems. Am interested to read more of this author to see if she can keep my to-be-read pile on point. Tracy, WA, 3 stars

Rebecca Starford’s book,The Visitor, is an interesting tale of family disruption. Laura leaves her parents in Brisbane and moves to the UK. As the years pass her connections with them widens until almost stopping in the last couple of years. Then the news of their death means she has to return to Australia. Declared accidental, Laura finds it hard to accept this. She starts to feel uncomfortable in her childhood home and is sure that something untoward is to blame. Also her daughter, Tilly, has similar feelings. With the tension building , Laura is determined to understand why her parents travelled to the outback. I found the story gripping until the very end which left me totally up in the air. I felt a lot of information on the parents’ trip and death were withheld. Despite the unsatisfactory ending I enjoyed the story. Annette, ACT, 3 stars

The book was an easy read that didn’t take me long to finish. I liked the descriptions of the weather and houses that showed the distinction between London and Brisbane. I wished there was more to the character of Anita. Though she was made out to be the villain, she didn’t appear to have done anything wrong and Laura was the one being delusional and irrational. Tilly was probably the only character I liked – I felt sorry she had to be dragged unwillingly across the globe. As said in ending, they should have ‘never come back’. The ending was anti-climactic and left a lot to be desired. It felt incomplete and sudden. I was quite puzzled as to whether there really was a ghost. I do not believe it is an exploration of intergenerational trauma, as the blurb says, other than the simple fact that bad things happened to Eliza and Bruce and (unrelated) bad things could happen to Laura or Tilly. I’ve experienced intergenerational trauma, and this is nothing like it. Overall, the book fell flat. It neither a thriller or horror, so I’m really not quite sure what it’s trying to be. Cindy, WA, 2 stars

After spending most of her adult life in the UK, Laura returns to her childhood home in Brisbane following the sudden deaths of her parents in outback Australia. Accompanied by her husband Andrew and teenage daughter Tilly, she finds herself drawn into a mystery that local authorities have already closed – declaring the deaths of Eliza and Bruce as nothing more than a tragic accident. But Laura isn’t convinced. As she begins digging for answers, her mental and emotional state begins to unravel. Suspicion soon falls on her old neighbour, Anita, who may be hiding something. Meanwhile, Tilly struggles to make sense of her mother’s increasingly erratic behaviour amidst her own turmoil. The vivid descriptions of Brisbane and the Australian outback were a highlight, adding atmosphere to the story. Unfortunately, they weren’t enough to carry the novel for me. The narrative shifts between Laura’s and Tilly’s perspectives, which I found occasionally confusing and disjointed. I struggled to form a strong connection with either character, which made it difficult to stay fully engaged. The ending, rather than tying things together, left me with more questions than answers. Overall, while the book was a quick and easy read, it ultimately wasn’t for me. Christine, TAS, 2 stars

Buy a copy of The Visitor here.