In this riveting psychological thriller--perfect for fans of Jane Harper's The Survivors and Erica Ferencik's Into the Jungle--a ferocious storm in the Australian Outback sets the stage for betrayal and murder. With a massive downpour and flash floods predicted, Quinn Durand leaves work and races for the safety of home. The first drops start to fall as she spots something strange on the familiar bush route. With no reception and nothing but an empty road for miles in either direction, she investigates and discovers it's a body, dumped by the side of the road. When she approaches to check for signs of life, an arm reaches out and grabs her.
Back at the country pub where Quinn lives, her boss Andrea has prepared for the torrential downpour. She's bunkered down with her toddler son sleeping in the back room when she's startled by a banging at the door. It's a biker, seeking shelter from the punishing storm.
Meanwhile, out on the roads, two young couples on their way across the country struggle against the lashing rains. Tensions rise as they realize that they don't really know each other, nor are they remotely prepared for the storm. Alone, angry, and afraid in unfamiliar surroundings, flooding isn't the only threat bearing down on them.
Chilling, tense, and twisted, this multi-POV popcorn thriller is "compelling and explosive; you won't be able to put this book down" (Hayley Scrivenor, author of Dirt Town).
Industry Reviews
Praise for The Rush:
Deadly Pleasures's Best Mysteries of 2023
Deadly Pleasures Best of 2024: Best Debut Mystery/Crime Novel
"A taut, edge-of-your-seat thriller . . . Perfect for readers drawn to psychological suspense."
-Booklist
"An explosive and riveting psychological thriller . . . Highly recommended."
-Fresh Fiction
"Buckle up. Prak's about to take you on the ride of your life."
-Candice Fox, New York Times bestselling author of Crimson Lake
"Tense, mysterious and unsettling, The Rush makes a nightmare out of the Australian landscape and will have you tearing through pages desperate to see how these threads come together-and who will survive when they do."
-Gabriel Bergmoser, bestselling author of The Hunted
"Compelling and explosive."
-Hayley Scrivenor, bestselling author of Dirt Town
"An electrifying outback thriller that's unlike anything I've read."
-Mark Brandi, bestselling author of Wimmera
"This book grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go until the very last page."
-Kelli Hawkins, bestselling author of Other People's Houses
"A wild ride through the remote outback . . . An utterly chilling read with an unexpected twist . . . hard to put down."
-Vikki Petraitis, author of The Unbelieved, winner of the inaugural Allen & Unwin Crime Prize
"Prepare to be terrified! A real rollercoaster of a debut."
-Nicci French, author of The Favor
"Deliciously tense."
-Shelley Burr, author of Wake
"Great characters and a wicked plot. A haunting road trip through the outback with a terrifying finale. I loved this book."
-Tim Ayliffe, author of The Enemy Within
"Taut, unpredictable, terrifying . . . Michelle Prak weaves such a suspenseful story that you might never want to be alone or isolated again."
-Neela Janakiramanan, author of The Registrar
"Michelle Prak's heart-pounding debut thriller sweeps the reader along through masterful twists all the way to its shattering ending."
-Greg Woodland, author of The Night Whistler
"I hurtled through this book, afraid to keep reading but unable to stop. A storming white-knuckle ride of a thriller that shreds toxic masculinity on every page. I loved it."
-Emma Styles, author of No Country for Girls
"The Rush by Michelle Prak gives new meaning to the words gripping and horrifying . . . It is anything but your typical outback thriller."
-Books+Publishing
