Blood Junction [Hardcover]

Caroline Carver (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2002

"In 1952, in a dusty, remote region of Australia, an Aboriginal family was executed by men wielding machetes. A half century later, a tall, beautiful young reporter who has made a life for herself abroad returns to Australia - and plunges into a mystery that lies at the heart of a family, a friendship, and a nation. Traveling to the Outback where the massacre occurred, India Kane is here to meet her best friend Lauren, a fellow journalist who has a story she wants India to hear." "Then, almost immediately after her arrival in the small, sun-bleached desert town known as Blood Junction, India is implicated in two murders. A stranger to the dark forces at work in this isolated, alienating world, India begins to play a dangerous game with the law and trusts a cop who is an outcast in his own right." Now trying to find the answers to the crimes - and how they relate to the terrible bloodletting fifty years earlier - India finds herself the object of a terrifying pursuit. From the vast and barren Outback to the gleaming cityscape of Sydney, India will struggle to survive in this hostile land against unknown enemies. For as she gets closer and closer to the truth, she must confront her own dark past... and a brutal conspiracy that may leave no one alive.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: NY: Mysterious Press, 2002, NY; First Edition. First Printing. edition (2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0641582722
• ISBN-13: 978-0641582721
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,225,780 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Walkabout With Caroline, November 14, 2002

By 

sweetmolly (RICHMOND, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blood Junction (Hardcover)

"Blood Junction" is two-thirds of an amazingly fine debut. The feel of the desolate, huge Outback is with us every page. Her sense of the country and the Aborigines is right up there with Bruce Chatwin's "Songlines." (yes, that good!). Ms. Carver's characterization of her lead character, India Kane, makes for fascinating reading. India is strong, mysterious, but beautifully flawed. And then there is the plot---to put it succinctly, it lacks continuity. After a fine, tightly written prologue, we are plunged into the main story line wondering what, if anything, the prologue was meant to foreshadow.

India Kane is to meet her best friend in the remote outback town of Cooinda. Her car breaks down, and she receives a lift from a kind young man to her destination boarding house. No friend greets her; she awakens the next morning only to be arrested by a policeman for the murder of the kind young man (who turns out to be a policeman) and her friend. This is a cop from hell, someone who would make the worst of the LAPD look like pussycats. That India has no motive and has never been in this town in her life doesn't seem to bother the detective in charge, nor is her lawyer too concerned with her rights. A kindly Aboriginal policeman protects and shelters her. He is a very well developed character who gets dropped inexplicably never to be heard from again. And so it goes. Sometimes, when I would turn a page, I was convinced I'd skipped a few pages (I had not) because there would be a great leap in time, action, and locale.

You think of Nevada Barr, who has her own problems with over busy plots, when you read some of Ms. Carver's excellent word pictures of the Outback. I do think most readers will enjoy this debut effort in spite of the non-structured plot. She clearly has verve, a sense of humor, and her own sometimes odd take on what makes a decent human being. I am looking forward to further outings with India Kane. 3-1/2 stars.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "The ink of a scholar is more sacred than the blood of a martyr." Mohammed, December 27, 2009

By 

michael a. draper (Guilford, CT) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Blood Junction (Hardcover)

As "Blood Junction" begins, the reader experiences the tragic manner in which the area got its nickname.

In present day, India Kane travels to this outback area in Australia to meet her friend, Lauren, for a mini vacation.On the way, India's car breaks down in a desolate part of the desert and she finally gets a ride to town with Terence Dunn.

That night, she stays at a local ranch and in the morning, while having breakfast, the police storm in and arrest her for killing Dunn and her friend, Lauren.

The police attempt to coerce a confession from India through barbaric manners. However, India maintains her innocence and is finally permitted to leave the jail when an unknown person provides her bail. After that, India, former police officer, Mickey Johnson, and Det. Jeremy Whitelaw, an Aborigine, investigate the killings.

Through a complex plot and with many suspects, the story continues and the reader learns of a scheme to eliminate the Aborigine race. Although the idea is far fetched, the author gives the facts in such a manner that the scenario becomes believable.

The hunt for the killers is dramatic and suspenseful. We also learn a secret of why India was asked to come to this place by her friend. This secret centers on much of the story.

The plot is on the grand scale and is well done. The characters are memorable. Mickey Johnson is someone the reader would enjoy seeing in film and India is gutsy and determined. In addition, the author's description of the sparse Australian country and its people was picturesque and memorable.

4.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding in the outback, September 5, 2010

By 

G. Henson - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blood Junction (Hardcover)

This is a very good novel set in the rugged Australian outback. The body count mounts as India Kane tries to find out who killed her best friend since childhood--even for a while when she is the primary suspect. The ending seemed rushed and a bit contrived, but I'll definitely want to read more offerings from this author.