East of Alice by Annie Seaton. (2022).
**4 out of 5 stars**
**Thank you to Harlequin Australia for sending me a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review; published 3 November 2022**
Gemma has returned to her hometown of Alice Springs to work as a primary school teacher. It’s been 6 years since her family broke apart after the disappearance of her twin brother Ethan. The man she loved once, Saul, has also returned home to work as a Parks Ranger. Saul is sent to check out a car wreck in Ruby Gap which turns out to have belonged to Ethan, and inside is a coded note for Gemma. Joining forces, Gemma and Saul trek through the rugged outback, piercing together clues that link to a criminal organisation and an even older puzzle…
I really enjoyed this intriguing dual timeline mystery. In the current timeline we have Gemma and Saul attempting to discover what happened to Gemma’s twin brother Ethan; complicating matters is that Gemma and Saul dated for a period and neither have gotten over the other. The past timeline begins in 1886 with Rose about to marry and travel to Australia, and eventually settle with her husband William in the outback where William is mining for rubies. Both timelines were interesting with a fast pace, a lot of action, and a light romantic undertone.
Overall: happily and highly recommend this Australian mystery novel which makes for a great read.
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