I'm a great fan of Fleur McDonald's writing and I've read many of her books. She's an auto-buy author for me.
This being said, I was a little disappointed with The Prospect. I feel the editing let it down.
Whilst I found the information on gold mines, prospectors and gold stealing all extremely interesting I felt The Prospect lacked the danger and suspense of McDonald's previous novels.
I really enjoyed the character of Ted, the old prospector, but I found Jack very wishy-washy and I've never warmed to Zara even when she was featured in previous novels. Jack and Zara's relationship didn't feel solid.
Despite my grievances, and there are a few, McDonald's writing is always beautifully descriptive and she brings out the true essence of the Australian outback.
The Prospect ends on a massive cliff-hanger and yes, I will be buying the next book.
I will end on a few things that interrupted my reading pleasure.
* page 38 'Well, I came out here when I was twenty-one and I was born in 1975.' Zara did a quick calculation. 'You bought this land in 1986? (the year of birth should be 1965)
* page 150 'What's Austrac?' Jack asked. Surely a detective would know what Austrac is and what it does! Then on page 151 'He had certainly heard about the regulator.'
* page 219 'Forearmed was forewarned and knowledge bore no weight.' I know this is meant to be a twist on an old saying but it still makes no sense to me.
* page 238 '.. and I want to rule out what consistencies there are.' I would think you would rule out inconsistencies and check on consistencies. (I may be wrong).
My rating 3 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication date: 2nd April 2025
Genre: Crime
Pages: 368
Source: Own copy
Other books I've read by Fleur McDonald
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