Author(s): Ann Turner

Fiction | Winter Reading Guide 2016 | June New Releases

By the bestselling author of The Lost Swimmer, a tense, eerie thriller set in the icy reaches of Antarctica When environmental scientist Laura Alvarado is sent to a remote Antarctic island to report on an abandoned whaling station, she begins to uncover more than she could ever imagine. Despite new life thriving in the icy wilderness, the whaling station is brimming with awful reminders of its bloody, violent past, and Laura is disturbed by evidence of recent human interference. Rules have been broken, and the protected wildlife is behaving strangely. On a diving expedition, Laura is separated from her colleague. She emerges into an ice cave where, through the blue shadows, she is shocked to see an anguished figure, crying for help. But in this freezing, lonely landscape there are ghosts everywhere, and Laura begins to sense that her own eyes cannot be trusted. Is her mind playing tricks? Has she been in the ice too long? Back at base, Laura's questions about the whaling station go unanswered, blocked by unhelpful scientists, unused to questions from an outsider. And Laura just can't shake what happened in the ice cave. Piecing together a past and present of cruelty and vulnerability that can be traced all around the globe, from Norway, to Nantucket, Europe and Antarctica, Laura will stop at nothing to unearth the truth. As she sees the dark side of endeavour and human nature, she also discovers a legacy of love, hope and the meaning of family. If only Laura can find her way...Out of the ice. Praise for The Lost Swimmer 'A vivid, suspenseful thriller' Sydney Morning Herald 'Reminiscent of Patricia Highsmith's The Talented Mr Ripley ...In the best thriller traditions, this exciting novel's end-game contains an unexpected twist.' The Age 'An expertly scripted psychological thriller ...An evocative, absorbing and tense tale of trust and betrayal.' Australian Book Review 'The definition of a page-turner.' Marie Claire 'A smartly constructed, tense thriller that will leave you guessing until the very end. It's a remarkable debut from former filmmaker Ann Turner, who's destined to become a prominent name in Australian writing.' Better Reading