On the Coral Coast of Western Australia, solo traveller Katy is on a mission to find her free-spirited sister, Phoebe, who disappeared along the same route a year ago. But as she drives her campervan further into the wild north, Katy realises she's not as alone as she'd first believed. Soon she is pulled into a complicated web of secrets, lies, myths and stories that force her to question everything she thought she knew about her sister.
In this nerve-shredding outback thriller, our obsessions with freedom and beauty collide with our fear of what lies in the wilderness, and the truth behind Phoebe's disappearance proves stranger and darker than Katy could ever have guessed...
About the Author
Anna Downes is an actor-turned-author who grew up in Sheffield, UK and now lives on the NSW Central Coast with her family. Her internationally bestselling debut novel, The Safe Place, was published simultaneously in Australia, the US and the UK in 2020 and was shortlisted for the 2021 Sisters in Crime Davitt Awards. Her second book, The Shadow House, was published in 2021 in Australia and New Zealand followed by publication in the UK and the USA in 2022. Both have been translated into over ten different languages.
Industry Reviews
'This twisty, heart-in-the-mouth thriller had me racing through the pages, desperate to discover the final destination of Katy's road trip on the west coast. Red River Road is utterly compelling, cleverly crafted and emotionally intelligent. It takes us on a deep dive into the human psyche, and the relationships between sisters, brothers, couples and friends. Like me, you'll be absolutely captivated by this smart, searing story set against a beautiful but dangerous landscape.' - Petronella McGovern
'An exquisitely tense, thrilling and enjoyable puzzle of a book.' Christian White
'Dazzling, compulsive and head-spinningly twisty, Red River Road confirms Downes as one of the brightest stars in psychological suspense.' Candice Fox
'Red River Road takes us beyond the shiny exterior of #vanlife and deep into the secrets we keep. Tension, suspense, and characters who get more than they bargained for - this is Downes at her absolute best.' Hayley Scrivenor
'Beautifully immersive and shockingly clever, Red River Road is a compelling psychological thriller that keeps readers guessing til the last chapter. With this deep delve in the human psyche, Downes earns her place among the genre's best authors.' Ashley Kalagian-Blunt
'Red River Road is a pulse-pounding road-trip thriller with a backdrop to die for and a twist that will leave you with your jaw on the floor. I absolutely inhaled it!' Hannah Richell
'Strap in and brace yourself for one hell of a road trip. Twisty, terrifying this was a total thrill ride.' Sarah Bailey
'Gripping'. - News Corp
'[A] well-written and twisty story'. - Good Reading
'This taut psychological thriller ensures the reader never truly knows who to believe'. - Readings Monthly
'Red River Road is so hard to put down, Downes successfully keeps you thirsty from cliff hanger to cliff hanger. My opinion is that it is begging for a horror film adaptation'. - The AU review
'The missing solo traveller in remote Australia is a familiar story but Downes has handled it well, and given it new life'. - The Weekend Australian
'Possibly the best thriller of the year so far ... it's brilliant'. - Better Reading
'Downes creates a gripping dynamic'. - Open Book
'Hooks you from the start'. - GT Magazine
'Put down your phone and pick up Red River Road'. - Sisters In Crime
'A must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery with substance'. - Novel Feelings
