Bronte needs a place to lie low. She posted a drunken rant that went horrifically viral. Now – jobless, friendless and broke – she’s forced to volunteer as a carer on an isolated rural property. She won’t be paid for looking after dementia sufferer Nell, but at least she’ll have a place to stay.
Bronte’s host is Nell’s daughter Veda, who runs spiritual rebirthing retreats. She also claims the rights of a sovereign citizen and rejects the authority of the state, refusing even to register her car. She has acquired a small but devoted following.
Are they harmless cranks, with their conspiracy theories and outrage at government overreach? Or dangerously paranoid domestic terrorists? And what is the dark secret that Nell, in her confusion, keeps harking back to?
Bronte, increasingly uneasy, would be getting far away from the whole place – if she had anywhere else to go.
‘Like her recent thriller Traced, Panic is fast and furious, moving from one crisis to the next in the blink of an eye. Set in the present in rural NSW, Panic is fuelled by the use and misuse of the internet. Parents of children under 16 might do well to read it – just for the information it contains, apart from the horrifying thrill of the darkness and twisted criminality of the plot … Panic delivers everything readers of thrillers require. The final page provides a relaxing gift of sweet optimism. It really is all over. Sigh.’
The Sydney Morning Herald
‘The story maintains a palpable sense of unease throughout, interspersed with moments of wry humour. Offers an engaging read – with well-drawn characters – that will appeal to readers of Shelley Burr, Garry Disher and Jane Harper.’
Books and Publishing
‘An enthralling thriller that is difficult to put down … Readers who enjoy gripping suspense, a social media background and conspiracy theories are sure to get a thrill from Panic.’
ReadPlus
’5 stars. Action-packed and exciting … I can highly recommend it.’
Carpe Librum (blog)
