4.5★s
Lapse is the first book in the Clementine Jones series by Australian author and former lawyer, Sarah Thornton. Why would Sydney corporate lawyer, Clementine Jones be coaching a football team in small town Victoria? Whatever the reason, she’s doing something right because, for the first time in fifty-three years, it looks like the Katinga Cats may just win the premiership. Until, that is, their star player, Clancy Kennedy quits, citing an excuse that just doesn’t ring true.

The whole town is depending on Clem to help the team finally gain that elusive title, so she’s determined to find out why Clancy has really abandoned the team. Even though Clem seriously intends to keep a low profile, she finds herself reverting to lawyer mode to learn the truth, something not everyone appreciates. But are they just warning her to respect privacy, or is it a threat?

Clem can’t let it go, and when she learns that Clancy has also been dismissed from the town’s biggest employer, her discrimination radar begins to ping. As Clancy is an indigenous player, is it racism, or is there more going on? And if she digs deeper, will she be exposed too?

While Clem may not be entirely surprised to be coaching football (she has always loved it), by the time the grand final is over, she will have been involved in a number of activities that she could never have imagined, probably the least of which is paying a fortune for a phone, but extending to unlawful entry and theft, covert surveillance, vandalising a car, ringing Crimestoppers with a tip, being kidnapped and holding a loaded gun on someone.

Thornton gives the reader a twisty plot with plenty of action. She easily evokes the Australian small town and its residents, her characters have a familiar feel and their dialogue is credible, although Clem’s tendency to make dubious decisions and act alone does get a little irritating.

It isn’t necessary to be a football fan to enjoy this novel as this is not a story swamped in sport. The issues that feature (racism, unemployment and drugs} are very real ones in those communities. This is an impressive debut, and it will be interesting to see what Clementine Jones gets up to next.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Text Publishing.