Social worker and part-time renovator Francesca is living a relatively quite life in suburban Brisbane until one fateful day when a removal house is delivered to the vacant block next door. Taking a casual sticky beak she is beyond stunned to discover the house belongs to Jack the childhood friend she had grown to love in her teens.
The reunion between Jack and Francesca is not an easy one. Thirteen years previously Francesca's best friend and Jack's girlfriend Kate disappeared while the trio were celebrating "Schoolies" on the Noosa North Shore. Desperate to avoid the resulting suspicion and scandal Jack's family moved north to Townsville leaving Francesca to cope alone with the loss of the two people she was closest to. To further complicate things Jack now has a partner (who has no knowledge of Kate's death) and a child while Francesca is single.
The reunion between Jack and Francesca is not an easy one. Thirteen years previously Francesca's best friend and Jack's girlfriend Kate disappeared while the trio were celebrating "Schoolies" on the Noosa North Shore. Desperate to avoid the resulting suspicion and scandal Jack's family moved north to Townsville leaving Francesca to cope alone with the loss of the two people she was closest to. To further complicate things Jack now has a partner (who has no knowledge of Kate's death) and a child while Francesca is single.
Moving between past and present Losing Kate gradually fleshes out the relationship that Francesca, Jack and Kate shared in their teenage years and the circumstances that led to Kate's disappearance on the beach. These flashback scenes provide a great sense of suspense and mystery that kept me completely engrossed from beginning to end.
Meanwhile the present day elements of the story explores the connection Jack and Francesca still share and the realisation that they must come to terms with their shared past before either of their lives can move on in any meaningful way.
This was a fabulous debut novel. I loved the Brisbane/Queensland setting and the pace and intensity the story had as it moved along. I definitely look forward to Kylie Kaden's next book.
Meanwhile the present day elements of the story explores the connection Jack and Francesca still share and the realisation that they must come to terms with their shared past before either of their lives can move on in any meaningful way.
This was a fabulous debut novel. I loved the Brisbane/Queensland setting and the pace and intensity the story had as it moved along. I definitely look forward to Kylie Kaden's next book.