The Midnight Dress (Karen Foxlee, UQP)

This suspense novel took me by surprise—not just the ending but how enjoyable it was! This is the second novel from Karen Foxlee, who won several awards for her debut The Anatomy of Wings. The Midnight Dress is the story of a misfit teenager, Rose Lovell, whose mother has died and whose father drinks too much and moves around Australia with reckless abandon. Father and daughter move to a place called ‘Paradise’, where Rose forms a friendship with popular, pretty Pearl Kelly, who just wants to leave her small town. The story starts out with a disappearance that leaves the reader wondering what exactly has happened. It’s not clear who has gone missing and how each of the characters are involved. This is a beautifully crafted story that builds in tension to the final page. It starts out as a quiet read, but it sneaks up on you and leaves quite an impression. Foxlee has described the places and the people immensely well. I would recommend this novel for suspense readers and those looking for something well written. (Read the interview here.)

Melanie Barton is senior category manager at Bookworld.com.au

Category: Reviews