When We Fall is the third novel by prize-winning Australian author, Aiofe Clifford. Barrister Alex Tillerson decides to view a worrying downturn in her work as an opportunity to answer her Aunt Prue’s summons to visit her increasingly dementia-affected mother, Denny who has returned to her childhood home in Merritt. Being away from her soon-to-be-ex husband and his new girlfriend is a bonus.

It quickly becomes apparent that Denny Walker isn’t going to be able to live independently much longer. An assisted-living facility could be the answer but, given the parlous state of Alex’s bank account, that will mean Denny selling the house she inherited from her mother, something to which she is unlikely to agree.

But just as she believes that being divorced with an ill mother and a flatlining career are the worst of her problems, their early morning beach walk is marred by a grisly find: Alex and Denny stumble on a sneaker-shod human leg. When police eventually turn up, Alex is appalled at Senior Sergeant Kingsley Kelly’s casual mismanagement of the scene.

The young constable makes mention of a cold case murder a few years earlier, and Alex’s young cousin Tayla shares the story of how her teenaged classmate, environmental activist Bella Greggs was found. Certain aspects of the two deaths indicate they may be linked, but when the body of gallery owner Maxine McFarlane turns up, Kelly declares that it is just a terrible accident and the city detective is sure to agree.

Maxine’s friends are convinced she was murdered because she knew who had killed Bella, and plead with Alex to talk to the detective: surely a barrister’s concerns will be heard? Is it wise to get involved? All this happens against the background of the tech billionaire who has been buying up land and has established a salmon farm, of which not all of Merritt approve.

Clifford’s tale is tightly plotted with twists and red herrings that will keep the reader guessing and the pages turning right up to the dramatic climax. Her characters are much more than one-dimensional; their dialogue is what we overhear in cafes and gatherings; and their actions and reactions to threat and challenge, entirely credible. Lies, secrets, infidelity and desperation mark these people as very humanly flawed. Gripping contemporary crime fiction.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Ultimo Press.