I think that it would be suitable for 16+ and can imagine myself appreciating it at that age. I read it because I loved his first book, but wasn't as taken with this one. However I think it was an interesting story and don't agree that it needs "hope".

I believe that the novel was set in the south-west(ish) region of WA.

Just finished "Jasper Jones". It was quite depressing - particularly Jaspers life. Sad to think there are kids with lives like this. I thought the author wove the events through the various characters lives well. It was interesting the way they all connected. I wouldn't have through it suitable for early teens, but agree with Freo, it would be fine for 16+. It's really not that different to books like "The Pact" or "Looking for Alibrandi" and those novels are prescribed texts in many high schools.

Hi Guenevere, Welcome to the Reading Room! There are really no rules about reviews on this site. It is supposed to be fun and readers like books come in all sorts of different categories. There are some who just rate the books, others that write one sentence about them, and some that post great long reviews that are really well thought through, everybody has a different style :-) and it is great to see any kind of feedback! However, one thing that does make it easier for everybody is to make sure that you post your comments or reviews either on the title page of the book that you are talking about (so everybody knows what title you are talking about) or on the discussion pages. If you are commenting on the book club site or on discussion pages please make sure to add the title to your post. Your studies sound great too, are you enjoying it. If you are into ancient Greece, you should really check Song of Achilles, it won the Orange Prize this year and it got some fantastic reviews. You can check the description of this title and read some reviews here: http://www.thereadingroom.com/the-song-of-achilles/bp/4100682

I have also read THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS and thought it was a great read. It really got into the heart and the thought to have a child and then contemplate giving them up would be just torturous. I thoroughly enjoyed it. What are you read at the moment Guenevere (aside from uni books)?

I only rated this book with 3 stars although the average is 5 stars. Although I enjoyed this book it just seemed to lack 'oomph' for me. I can't say too much about the story as I don't want to spoil it for people that haven't read it but as I said it just lacked 'oomph' for me. The story was great and loved the fact that is was Australian orientated but I feel that it had potential to be a lot better with more intrigue or more mystery so to speak. For example the leads that Cliff was following up could have of been expanded on so to speak, drawn out maybe. This is my first Peter Corris book though and also my first ebook as well so maybe this had something to do with my rating. Not sure about ebooks yet! Anyway if this book was meant to be a light reading short story sort of book would have of rated it a 5 although the ending was a bit short/abrupt/summerised? Not sure what the word is here but I did turn the page to see if this really was the ending! Having said all that though will definately be looking out for more Peter Corris books though.

Great thoughts Shaylene. Have you read Peter Corris before? His book MAD DOG received some great reviews and comments. It is a book about William Cyril Moxley was hanged at Sydney’s Long Bay Gaol in 1932 – the first execution in NSW for eight years. His crime was the brutal rape and murder of young nursemaid Dorothy Ruth Denzel and the vicious beating and killing of her boyfriend Frank Barnby Wilkinson.