Sarah Barrie’s, Devil’s Lair is a fantastic new Australian thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

The story opens in the Hunter Valley, NSW in 2017. We meet Callie and Dale, who appear to have the perfect marriage, and Paisley, Callie’s loyal best friend. The harmony doesn’t last long – we’re quickly propelled into a spine-chilling tale when a strange woman makes a series of appearances, leading to a gruesome accident that kills Dale. This sets the tone and leaves you unable to put this book down.

Fast forward to 18-months after Dale’s death, and the conclusion of a very public trial. The barrage of media attention means Callie’s B&B doesn’t have bookings, and she is in desperate need of a change. She needs to reclaim her life. So, Paisley takes Callie to her family property in Tasmania. Callie settles into a cottage on the grounds of an old mansion, and finds work at a nearby property, owned by the Atherton family.

The relative remoteness of the place and the wild beauty of the Tasmanian landscape are a balm to her shattered nerves and the locals seem friendly, particularly horseman Connor Atherton and his siblings at the nearby property, Calico Lodge.

But all is not well: the old mansion has a sinister past, one associated with witchcraft and murder. As Callie is threatened by odd events in the night and strange dreams overtake her sleep, she begins to doubt her own sanity. What’s really going on beneath the surface of this apparently peaceful town? Are her friends and neighbours really who they seem? As events escalate, Callie starts to realise that the mansion may hold the key to unlocking the mystery, but the truth might have as much power to destroy as it does to save.

With its gothic overtones, the tight plot, taut dialogue and numerous twists and turns, Devil’s Lair is one hellova read! The dramatic Tasmanian landscape is the perfect place to set this psychological thriller. Callie is a great character, who has suffered dreadfully and you are completely invested in her story arc – you want her to be okay. The introduction of Connor Atherton into her world seems to be one solution for this. He’s the perfect hero.

But Devil’s Lair is full of surprises. Some people are not who you think they are, and this leads to a heart racing climax that does provide hope against a chilling backdrop. Devil’s Lair is creepy, character driven and completely compulsive. Save this one for the weekend because you’ll need to read it in one sitting.

About the author:

Sarah Barrie is a bestselling Australian author writing suspense in rural settings. Her debut bestselling print novel, Secrets of Whitewater Creek, earned her a spot as one of the Top 10 breakthrough authors of that year, and her next three books, the Hunters Ridge series, also reached bestseller status.

Sarah has also worked as a teacher, a vet nurse, a horse trainer and a magazine editor.

Her favourite place in the world is the family property, where she writes her stories overlooking mountains crisscrossed with farmland, bordered by the beauty of the Australian bush, and where, at the end of the day, she can spend time with family, friends, a good Irish whiskey and a copy of her next favourite book.

Buy a copy of Devil’s Lair here.