Force of Nature by Jane Harper

When five colleagues are forced to go on a corporate retreat in the wilderness, they reluctantly pick up their backpacks and start walking down the muddy path. But one of the women doesn't come out of the woods. And each of her companions tells a slightly different story about what happened. Federal Police Agent Aaron Falk has a keen interest in the whereabouts of the missing hiker. In an investigation that takes him deep into isolated forest, Falk discovers secrets lurking in the mountains, and a tangled web of personal and professional friendship, suspicion, and betrayal among the hikers. But did that lead to murder?

I'm a big fan of Jane's writing, and I'll keep reading her books for sure, but I can't say I really enjoyed this book. Honest review ahead.
I have been hiking many times and a tour company sending inexperienced people out with minimal supplies or guidance, is well known as a recipe for disaster, which is exactly what happens, no surprise. No EPIRB, no phones, no idea how they even got insurance for the trip!
The relationship between Alice and Lauren was quite interesting and the only convincing one.
The main sub plot didn't get discussed by anyone except the police, it felt like an excuse for them to be involved, nothing more, and financial division police wouldn't be on a missing person case, tramping the bush. Jane captures the isolation and eeriness of the bush well, I'll give her that. It can be a frightening place when things get tough.

Even better than the first book! A perfect mystery, with clever little red herrings scattered through out. I read it in one evening.

I was looking forward to reading this novel after really enjoying The Dry last year. I wasn't disappointed. The alternating perspectives and short chapters really kept the story moving and I was anxious to see how everything would unfold as to what actually happened in the wilderness. There was also a lot of interpersonal dynamics among the group of female co-workers, which was also interesting.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a digital review copy of this book.