The Reckoning by Vikki Petraitis
If you enjoy crime fiction that asks difficult questions as well as delivering plenty of suspense, The Reckoning is worth picking up. It combines a mystery with some uncomfortable questions about justice, revenge and what happens when people lose faith in the legal system.
The story begins when two convicted rapists have their convictions overturned on appeal. They return to Deception Bay to a hero's welcome at a packed Australia Day event. Before the celebrations are over, dozens of people fall seriously ill, including the two men. As panic spreads through the town, Detective Antigone Pollard and her partner Wozza are called in to find out what has happened. Is it an accident or was it deliberate?
Meanwhile, Antigone’s mother, a local doctor, is responding to an emergency call and disappears. Suddenly, Antigone is not only investigating a possible crime but racing against time to find her mum.
One of the things I enjoy most about Vikki Petraitis's writing is how grounded it feels. Vikki is well known for her bestselling true crime books as well as the successful podcasts she created from those cases. Her experience investigating crime and talking to victims, families and police clearly shines through in her fiction. The story gathers momentum quickly and keeps building, with each new development adding another layer of tension. There is plenty going on, but it’s not overwhelming.
Alongside the darker themes, there are also moments of warmth and humour. What makes The Reckoning stand out is its willingness to sit in the grey areas. Rather than offering simple answers, Vikki explores what happens when institutions fail, when communities become divided, and when people believe justice has not been served. The result is a crime novel that gives you plenty to think about long after you've turned the final page.
Fans of the earlier Antigone Pollard novels, including The Stolen will enjoy catching up with familiar characters, while new readers can easily start here. Either way, you'll find a tightly plotted story, believable characters and a mystery that keeps you guessing. Follow Vikki online.
Reviewer: Andrea Molloy
Simon & Schuster
