“Red River Road” by Anna Downes – A Review
⭐ Rating: 3.75/5
Year Published: 2024
Genre: Thriller, Mystery
Page Count: 369
Quick Summary
Katy Sweeney’s sister, Phoebe, went missing a year ago while traveling solo in a van through the Australian outback. With no solid leads from the police, Katy decides to retrace Phoebe’s steps, using clues from her social media posts to piece together what really happened. Along the way, she meets Beth, a fellow traveler with a past that’s suspiciously similar to Phoebe’s. As Katy digs deeper, she realizes the truth may be far more dangerous than she ever imagined.
What I Loved
The Atmosphere: Anna Downes does a fantastic job of capturing the vast, eerie beauty of the Australian outback. You can almost feel the isolation creeping in as Katy searches for answers.
The Slow-Burn Suspense: The way tiny, obscure details were placed throughout the book made for a compelling mystery. When the pieces finally started clicking together, it was so satisfying.
The Unraveling Mystery: I love a thriller where you’re never quite sure who’s being honest, who’s hiding something, and what the final reveal will be. The solo travel elements and social media clues added an interesting, modern twist.
What Didn’t Quite Work for Me
It Felt Too Long: Some parts of the book dragged, and I found myself wanting to skim through certain backstory elements (especially about Lucas and his family). It just didn’t feel necessary.
A Bit Overcrowded: There were a lot of characters and side plots that, while interesting, didn’t all feel crucial to the main storyline. It made it a little hard to stay fully invested by the end.
A Slow Start: I love a slow-burn thriller, but this one took a while to really hook me.
Who Should Read This?
If you love atmospheric, slow-burn thrillers with strong setting descriptions and a sense of creeping unease, this one’s for you. Fans of stories about missing persons and road trip mysteries will probably enjoy this one too.
Final Thoughts
Red River Road had all the makings of a solid thriller—an eerie setting, a compelling mystery, and some great suspenseful moments. While it could have been tighter in places, it still kept me engaged, and I appreciated how all the little details came together in the end. If you don’t mind a slow-burn read and love a thriller with a strong sense of place, this one is worth checking out!
