logo

90 pages 3 hours read

The Dry

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2016

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Book Brief

logo
Jane Harper

The Dry

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2016
Book Details
Pages

336

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Kiewarra, Australia • Contemporary

Publication Year

2016

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

In The Dry by Jane Harper, federal agent Aaron Falk returns to his drought-stricken hometown of Kiewarra for his friend Luke Hadler's funeral, only to be drawn into an unofficial investigation with local police into the apparent murder-suicide of Luke's family. As they uncover secrets and tensions within the community, Falk faces memories of his own troubled past and a long-buried mystery. Themes of violence, suicide, and abuse are present.

Mysterious

Dark

Suspenseful

Gritty

Reviews & Readership

4.2

322,585 ratings

80%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Jane Harper's The Dry is widely praised for its gripping narrative, atmospheric setting, and well-developed characters. Reviewers commend Harper's skillful unveiling of secrets in a drought-stricken Australian town. Some critics, however, note a predictable conclusion and pacing issues in the middle sections. Still, it remains a compelling debut mystery.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Dry?

A reader who enjoys The Dry by Jane Harper likely appreciates taut, atmospheric thrillers set in isolated communities. Fans of Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl or Tana French's In the Woods may find similar satisfaction in Harper’s intricate plotting, vivid sense of place, and exploration of complex, small-town dynamics.

4.2

322,585 ratings

80%

Loved it

16%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

336

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Kiewarra, Australia • Contemporary

Publication Year

2016

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.